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Guo X, Yang Y, Tang J, Xiang J. Ephs in cancer progression: complexity and context-dependent nature in signaling, angiogenesis and immunity. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:299. [PMID: 38811954 PMCID: PMC11137953 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01580-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Eph receptors constitute the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases, comprising 14 distinct members classified into two subgroups: EphAs and EphBs.. Despite their essential functions in normal physiological processes, accumulating evidence suggests that the involvement of the Eph family in cancer is characterized by a dual and often contradictory nature. Research indicates that Eph/ephrin bidirectional signaling influences cell-cell communication, subsequently regulating cell migration, adhesion, differentiation and proliferation. The contradictory functionalities may arise from the diversity of Eph signaling pathways and the heterogeneity of different cancer microenvironment. In this review, we aim to discuss the dual role of the Eph receptors in tumor development, attempting to elucidate the paradoxical functionality through an exploration of Eph receptor signaling pathways, angiogenesis, immune responses, and more. Our objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor development. Additionally, we will explore the evolving landscape of utilizing Eph receptors as potential targets for tumor therapy and diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Guo
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precise Treatment of Lung Cancer, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanyi Yang
- Health Management Center, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jingqun Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precise Treatment of Lung Cancer, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Juanjuan Xiang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precise Treatment of Lung Cancer, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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2
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Lau A, Le N, Nguyen C, Kandpal RP. Signals transduced by Eph receptors and ephrin ligands converge on MAP kinase and AKT pathways in human cancers. Cell Signal 2023; 104:110579. [PMID: 36572189 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Eph receptors, the largest known family of receptor tyrosine kinases, and ephrin ligands have been implicated in a variety of human cancers. The novel bidirectional signaling events initiated by binding of Eph receptors to their cognate ephrin ligands modulate many cellular processes such as proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, invasion, and apoptosis. The relationships between the abundance of a unique subset of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands with associated cellular processes indicate a key role of these molecules in tumorigenesis. The combinatorial expression of these molecules converges on MAP kinase and/or AKT/mTOR signaling pathways. The intracellular target proteins of the initial signal may, however, vary in some cancers. Furthermore, we have also described the commonality of up- and down-regulation of individual receptors and ligands in various cancers. The current state of research in Eph receptors illustrates MAP kinase and mTOR pathways as plausible targets for therapeutic interventions in various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Lau
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, United States of America
| | - Nghia Le
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, United States of America
| | - Claudia Nguyen
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, United States of America
| | - Raj P Kandpal
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, United States of America.
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3
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Eph Receptors in Cancer. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020315. [PMID: 36830852 PMCID: PMC9953285 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases play critical functions during development, in the formation of tissue and organ borders, and the vascular and neural systems. Uniquely among tyrosine kinases, their activities are controlled by binding to membrane-bound ligands, called ephrins. Ephs and ephrins generally have a low expression in adults, functioning mainly in tissue homeostasis and plasticity, but are often overexpressed in cancers, where they are especially associated with undifferentiated or progenitor cells, and with tumour development, vasculature, and invasion. Mutations in Eph receptors also occur in various tumour types and are suspected to promote tumourigenesis. Ephs and ephrins have the capacity to operate as both tumour promoters and tumour suppressors, depending on the circumstances. They have been demonstrated to impact tumour cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, as well as tumour development, angiogenesis, and metastases in vivo, making them potential therapeutic targets. However, successful development of therapies will require detailed understanding of the opposing roles of Ephs in various cancers. In this review, we discuss the variations in Eph expression and functions in a variety of malignancies. We also describe the multiple strategies that are currently available to target them in tumours, including preclinical and clinical development.
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Expression Pattern and Prognostic Value of EPHA/EFNA in Breast Cancer by Bioinformatics Analysis: Revealing Its Importance in Chemotherapy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:5575704. [PMID: 33977106 PMCID: PMC8087473 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5575704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The activities of the ephrin family in breast cancer (BrCa) are complex. Family A receptors (EPHA) and ligands (EFNA) can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors and are implicated in chemoresistance. Here, we examined the expression pattern and prognostic value of the EPHA/EFNA family in patients with breast cancer, including patients with different subtypes or different chemotherapy cohorts. In the UALCAN database, the mRNA expression of EPHA1, EPHA10, EFNA1, EFNA3, and EFNA4 was significantly higher, whereas that of EPHA2, EPHA4, EPHA5, and EFNA5 was significantly lower in breast cancer tissues than in paracancerous tissues. The transcriptional levels of EPHA/EFNA family members were correlated with intrinsic subclasses of breast cancer. The relationship between EPHA/EFNA and the clinicopathological parameters of BrCa was analyzed using bc-GenExMiner V4.5. EPHA1, EPHA2, EPHA4, EPHA7, EFNA3, EFNA4, and EFNA5 were upregulated in estrogen receptor- (ER-) and progesterone receptor- (PR-) negative tumors, whereas EPHA3, EPHA6, and EFNA1 were upregulated in ER- and PR-positive tumors. EPHA1, EPHA2, EFNA3, and EFNA4 mRNA expression was significantly higher in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- (HER2-) positive tumors than in HER2-negative tumors. Triple-negative status was positively correlated with EPHA1, EPHA2, EPHA4, EPHA7, EFNA3, EFNA4, and EFNA5 and negatively correlated with EPHA3 and EPHA10 mRNA expression. Genetic alterations of EPHA/EFNA in breast cancer varied from 1.1% to 10% for individual genes, as determined by the cBioPortal database. The Kaplan–Meier plotter indicated that high EphA7 mRNA expression was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), especially in the HER2 and luminal A subtypes. EFNA4 was predicted to have poor OS and RFS in breast cancers, especially in luminal B, basal-like subtype, and patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. High EPHA3 expression was significantly associated with better OS and RFS, especially in the luminal A subtype, but with poor RFS in BrCa patients receiving chemotherapy. Our findings systematically elucidate the expression pattern and prognostic value of the EPHA/EFNA family in BrCa, which might provide potential prognostic factors and novel targets in BrCa patients, including those with different subtypes or treated with chemotherapy.
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Wilson K, Shiuan E, Brantley-Sieders DM. Oncogenic functions and therapeutic targeting of EphA2 in cancer. Oncogene 2021; 40:2483-2495. [PMID: 33686241 PMCID: PMC8035212 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01714-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
More than 25 years of research and preclinical validation have defined EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase as a promising molecular target for clinical translation in cancer treatment. Molecular, genetic, biochemical, and pharmacological targeting strategies have been extensively tested in vitro and in vivo, and drugs like dasatinib, initially designed to target SRC family kinases, have been found to also target EphA2 activity. Other small molecules, therapeutic targeting antibodies, and peptide-drug conjugates are being tested, and more recently, approaches harnessing antitumor immunity against EphA2-expressing cancer cells have emerged as a promising strategy. This review will summarize preclinical studies supporting the oncogenic role of EphA2 in breast cancer, lung cancer, glioblastoma, and melanoma, while delineating the differing roles of canonical and noncanonical EphA2 signaling in each setting. This review also summarizes completed and ongoing clinical trials, highlighting the promise and challenges of targeting EphA2 in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalin Wilson
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Eileen Shiuan
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Dana M Brantley-Sieders
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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McCullough D, Atofanei C, Knight E, Trim SA, Trim CM. Kinome scale profiling of venom effects on cancer cells reveals potential new venom activities. Toxicon 2020; 185:129-146. [PMID: 32682827 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2020.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The search for novel and relevant cancer therapeutics is continuous and ongoing. Cancer adaptations, resulting in therapeutic treatment failures, fuel this continuous necessity for new drugs to novel targets. Recently, researchers have started to investigate the effect of venoms and venom components on different types of cancer, investigating their mechanisms of action. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) comprise a family of highly conserved and functionally important druggable targets for cancer therapy. This research exploits the novelty of complex venom mixtures to affect phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and related RTK family members, dually identifying new activities and unexplored avenues for future cancer and venom research. Six whole venoms from diverse species taxa, were evaluated for their ability to illicit changes in the phosphorylated expression of a panel of 49 commonly expressed RTKs. The triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 was treated with optimised venom doses, pre-determined by SDS PAGE and Western blot analysis. The phosphorylated expression levels of 49 RTKs in response to the venoms were assessed with the use of Human Phospho-RTK Arrays and analysed using ImageLab 5.2.1 analysis software (BioRad). Inhibition of EGFR phosphorylation occurred with treatment of venom from Acanthoscurria geniculata (Theraphosidae), Heterometrus swammerdami (Scorpionidae), Crotalus durissus vegrandis (Crotalidae) and Naja naja (Elapidae). Western green mamba Dendroaspis viridis venom increased EGFR phosphorylation. Eph, HGFR and HER were the most affected receptor families by venoms. Whilst the importance of these changes in terms of effect on MDA-MB-468 cells' long-term viability and functionality are still unclear, the findings present exciting opportunities for further investigation as potential drug targets in cancer and as tools to understand better how these pathways interact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle McCullough
- School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK
| | - Cristina Atofanei
- School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK
| | - Emily Knight
- School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK; Life Sciences Industry Liaison laboratory, Canterbury Christ Church University, Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9FF, UK
| | - Steven A Trim
- Venomtech Ltd., Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9FF, UK
| | - Carol M Trim
- School of Human and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, CT1 1QU, UK.
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Sinha UK, Kundra A, Scalia P, Smith DL, Parsa B, Masood R, Gill PS. Expression of EphB4 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. EAR, NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/014556130308201113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Uttam K. Sinha
- From the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Ajay Kundra
- The Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Pierluigi Scalia
- The Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Diane L. Smith
- The Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Behdad Parsa
- From the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Rizwan Masood
- The Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Parkash S. Gill
- The Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
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SIRT2 Contributes to the Resistance of Melanoma Cells to the Multikinase Inhibitor Dasatinib. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11050673. [PMID: 31091806 PMCID: PMC6562913 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer and can only be cured if detected early. Unfortunately, later stages of the disease do not guarantee success due to the rapid rate of melanoma cell metastasis and their high resistance to applied therapies. The search for new molecular targets and targeted therapy may represent the future in the development of effective methods for combating this cancer. SIRT2 is a promising target; thus, we downregulated SIRT2 expression in melanoma cells in vertical growth and metastatic phases and demonstrated that sirtuin acts as regulator of the basic functions of melanoma cells. A detailed transcriptomic analysis showed that SIRT2 regulates the expression of multiple genes encoding the tyrosine kinase pathways that are molecular targets of dasatinib. Indeed, cells with low SIRT2 expression were more susceptible to dasatinib, as demonstrated by multiple techniques, e.g., neutral red uptake, 3/7 caspase activity, colony formation assay, and in vitro scratch assay. Furthermore, these cells showed an altered phosphorylation profile for proteins playing roles in the response to dasatinib. Thus, our research indicates new, previously unknown SIRT2 functions in the regulation of gene expression, which is of key clinical significance.
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Tanabe S, Aoyagi K, Yokozaki H, Sasaki H. Molecular pathway network of EFNA1 in cancer and mesenchymal stem cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.3934/celltissue.2018.2.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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10
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Yang PW, Chiang TH, Hsieh CY, Huang YC, Wong LF, Hung MC, Tsai JC, Lee JM. The effect of ephrin-A1 on resistance to Photofrin-mediated photodynamic therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells. Lasers Med Sci 2015; 30:2353-61. [PMID: 26450615 DOI: 10.1007/s10103-015-1812-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the most prevalent cell type of esophageal cancer, remains a dismal disease with poor prognosis. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive treatment option for early esophageal cancer. To explore possible factors involved in resistance to PDT in esophageal cancer cells, we selected PDT-resistant subcell lines by repeated treatment of CE48T/VGH (CE48T) ESCC cells with Photofrin-PDT and then analyzed the global gene modulations in the PDT-resistant cells by whole-genome microarray. More than 700 genes reached a fold change greater than 1.5 in each of the PDT-resistant cells compared to parental cells. Among these genes, both tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and EFNA1 genes were significantly upregulated in resistant cell lines. However, they were significantly downregulated in Photofrin-PDT-treated cells compared to untreated cells. The observations made in the microarray analysis were further confirmed by quantitative PCR. We observed that recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) activated the gene expression of EFNA1 at both the messenger RNA (mRNA) level and the protein level in CE48T cells. Functional analysis showed that when incubated with oligomeric and monomeric ephrin-A1 simultaneously, ESCC cells became significantly resistant to Photofrin-PDT. Functional analysis further suggested that transmembrane and soluble ephrin-A1 may cooperate to enhance resistance to Photofrin-PDT in ESCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Wen Yang
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Hsuan Chiang
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yueh Hsieh
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Chuan Huang
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Fan Wong
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mien-Chie Hung
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Chang Tsai
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. .,Center for Optoelectronic Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Jang-Ming Lee
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Rd., Taipei, Taiwan.
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11
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Kang MM, Shan SL, Wen XY, Shan HS, Wang ZJ. Tumor-Suppression Mechanisms of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase O and Clinical Applications. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2015; 16:6215-23. [PMID: 26434819 DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.15.6215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Tyrosine phosphorylation plays an important role in regulating human physiological and pathological processes. Functional stabilization of tyrosine phosphorylation largely contributes to the balanced, coordinated regulation of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Research has revealed PTPs play an important suppressive role in carcinogenesis and progression by reversing oncoprotein functions. Receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase O (PTPRO) as one member of the PTPs family has also been identified to have some roles in tumor development. Some reports have shown PTPRO over-expression in tumors can not only inhibit the frequency of tumor cell division and induce tumor cell death, but also suppress migration. However, the tumor-suppression mechanisms are very complex and understanding is incomplete, which in some degree blocks the further development of PTPRO. Hence, in order to resolve this problem, we here have summarized research findings to draw meaningful conclusions. We found tumor-suppression mechanisms of PTPRO to be diverse, such as controlling G0/G1 of the tumor cell proliferation cycle, inhibiting substrate phosphorylation, down-regulating transcription activators and other activities. In clinical anticancer efforts, expression level of PTPRO in tumors can not only serve as a biomarker to monitor the prognosis of patients, but act as an epigenetic biomarker for noninvasive diagnosis. In addition, the re-activation of PTPRO in tumor tissues, not only can induce tumor volume reduction, but also enhance the susceptibility to chemotherapy drugs. So, we can propose that these research findings of PTPRO will not only support new study ideas and directions for other tumor- suppressors, importantly, but also supply a theoretical basis for researching new molecular targeting agents in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Man Kang
- The Center of Radiation Oncology, the 82th Hospital of People's Liberation Army of China, Huaian, Jiangsu, China E-mail : ,
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12
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Miao B, Ji Z, Tan L, Taylor M, Zhang J, Choi HG, Frederick DT, Kumar R, Wargo JA, Flaherty KT, Gray NS, Tsao H. EPHA2 is a mediator of vemurafenib resistance and a novel therapeutic target in melanoma. Cancer Discov 2014; 5:274-87. [PMID: 25542448 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-14-0295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED BRAF(V600E) is the most common oncogenic lesion in melanoma and results in constitutive activation of the MAPK pathway and uncontrolled cell growth. Selective BRAF inhibitors such as vemurafenib have been shown to neutralize oncogenic signaling, restrain cellular growth, and improve patient outcome. Although several mechanisms of vemurafenib resistance have been described, directed solutions to overcome these resistance lesions are still lacking. Herein, we found that vemurafenib resistance can be (i) mediated by EPHA2, a member of the largest receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) subfamily erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (EPH) receptors, and (ii) associated with a greater phenotypic dependence on EPHA2. Furthermore, we developed a series of first-in-class EPHA2 inhibitors and show that these new compounds potently induce apoptosis, suppress viability, and abrogate tumorigenic growth of melanoma cells, including those that are resistant to vemurafenib. These results provide proof of concept that RTK-guided growth, and therapeutic resistance, can be prospectively defined and selectively targeted. SIGNIFICANCE In this study, we show that resistance to selective BRAF inhibitors can be mediated by the RTK EPHA2. Furthermore, direct targeting of EPHA2 can successfully suppress melanoma growth and mitigate therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benchun Miao
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Zhenyu Ji
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Li Tan
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael Taylor
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jianming Zhang
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hwan Geun Choi
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dennie T Frederick
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Raj Kumar
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer A Wargo
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Keith T Flaherty
- Division of Medical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. MGH Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hensin Tsao
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. MGH Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Shen W, Xi H, Zhang K, Cui J, Li J, Wang N, Wei B, Chen L. Prognostic role of EphA2 in various human carcinomas: a meta-analysis of 23 related studies. Growth Factors 2014; 32:247-53. [PMID: 25418013 DOI: 10.3109/08977194.2014.984806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The prognostic role of EphA2 in human carcinomas remains controversial. We systematically reviewed the evidence of assessment of EphA2 expression in cancers to help clarify this issue. PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched to identify eligible studies to evaluate the association of EphA2 expression and overall survival (OS) of cancers. Hazard ratios (HRs) were pooled to estimate the effect. EphA2 overexpression was significantly correlated with poor OS of patients with cancer (HR: 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.65-2.28). Subgroup analysis also indicated a significant relation between EphA2 overexpression and OS in gastric cancer (HR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.48-2.59). However, there was no significant relation between EphA2 overexpression and OS in lung cancer (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.93-1.83). Our analyses demonstrate that EphA2 overexpression was effectively predictive of worse prognosis in various human carcinomas. For certain cancers, EphA2 might be a marker of poor prognosis in patients with cancer, except for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weisong Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital , Beijing , China
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14
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Gucciardo E, Sugiyama N, Lehti K. Eph- and ephrin-dependent mechanisms in tumor and stem cell dynamics. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:3685-710. [PMID: 24794629 PMCID: PMC11113620 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1633-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Revised: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (Eph) receptors comprise the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Initially regarded as axon-guidance and tissue-patterning molecules, Eph receptors have now been attributed with various functions during development, tissue homeostasis, and disease pathogenesis. Their ligands, ephrins, are synthesized as membrane-associated molecules. At least two properties make this signaling system unique: (1) the signal can be simultaneously transduced in the receptor- and the ligand-expressing cell, (2) the signaling outcome through the same molecules can be opposite depending on cellular context. Moreover, shedding of Eph and ephrin ectodomains as well as ligand-dependent and -independent receptor crosstalk with other RTKs, proteases, and adhesion molecules broadens the repertoire of Eph/ephrin functions. These integrated pathways provide plasticity to cell-microenvironment communication in varying tissue contexts. The complex molecular networks and dynamic cellular outcomes connected to the Eph/ephrin signaling in tumor-host communication and stem cell niche are the main focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Gucciardo
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nami Sugiyama
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kaisa Lehti
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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Bai J, Wang YJ, Liu L, Zhao YL. Ephrin B2 and EphB4 selectively mark arterial and venous vessels in cerebral arteriovenous malformation. J Int Med Res 2014; 42:405-15. [PMID: 24517927 DOI: 10.1177/0300060513478091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Ephrin type B receptor 4 (EphB4, Eph receptor) selectively binds ephrin B2 (Eph ligand). EphB4/ephrin B2 is involved in embryonic vessel development, vascular remodelling and pathological vessel formation in adults (including tumour angiogenesis). Binding of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A to the endothelial-specific receptor VEGF receptor-2 is the main extracellular signal triggering angiogenic response. Little is known about the role of EphB4/ephrin B2 during angiogenesis and arteriovenous plasticity in cerebral arteriovenous malformation (cAVM). This study investigated EphB4 and ephrin B2 expression in cAVM. METHODS Haemorrhagic (H-AVM) and nonhaemorrhagic (NH-AVM) specimens of AVM nidus, obtained after microsurgical cAVM resection, and normal superficial temporal artery (STA) specimens, were analysed retrospectively. VEGF-A, EphB4 and ephrin B2 expression were studied by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. RESULTS In cAVM (10 H-AVM; 10 NH-AVM), VEGF-A was immunocytochemically localized to endothelial cells; strong endothelial cell staining was found for EphB4 in veins and ephrin B2 in arteries. Normal STA (n = 10) did not express EphB4 or ephrin B2. EphB4 and ephrin B2 expression was greater in H-AVM than in NH-AVM. CONCLUSIONS Endothelial cells are more active in H-AVM than NH-AVM. EphB4 and ephrin B2 play important roles in neovascularization and arteriovenous differentiation/plasticity. These data provide new insights into the aetiology of cAVM and lay a foundation for further study. The notch pathway induced by VEGF-A may be a key signalling pathway in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Bai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Xi HQ, Wu XS, Wei B, Chen L. Eph receptors and ephrins as targets for cancer therapy. J Cell Mol Med 2014; 16:2894-909. [PMID: 22862837 PMCID: PMC4393718 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2012.01612.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Accepted: 07/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands are involved in various signalling pathways and mediate critical steps of a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes. Increasing experimental evidence demonstrates that both Eph receptor and ephrin ligands are overexpressed in a number of human tumours, and are associated with tumour growth, invasiveness and metastasis. In this regard, the Eph/ephrin system provides the foundation for potentially exciting new targets for anticancer therapies for Eph-expressing tumours. The purpose of this review is to outline current advances in the role of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands in cancer, and to discuss novel therapeutic approaches of anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Qing Xi
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Experimental hypoxia does not influence gene expression and protein synthesis of Eph receptors and ephrin ligands in human melanoma cells in vitro. Melanoma Res 2014; 23:85-95. [PMID: 23358429 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0b013e32835e58f3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands are considered to play important roles in melanoma progression and metastasis. Moreover, hypoxia is known to contribute to melanoma metastasis. In this study, the influence of experimental hypoxia on the expression and synthesis of EphA2 and EphB4, and their corresponding ligands ephrinA1, ephrinA5, and ephrinB2 was studied systematically in four human melanoma cell lines in vitro. Melanoma cell monolayer and spheroid cultures were used as both extrinsic and intrinsic hypoxia models. Hypoxic conditions were confirmed by analyzing hypoxia-inducible factors 1α or 2α expression, vascular endothelial growth factor expression, and cellular uptake of [F]fluoromisonidazole. In normoxia, EphA2, EphB4, ephrinA1, ephrinA5, and ephrinB2 expression was detectable in all cell lines to varying extents. Considerable protein synthesis of EphA2 was detected in all cell lines. However, no effect of experimental hypoxia on both Eph/ephrin expression and protein synthesis was observed. This contributes critically to the debate on the hypothesis that hypoxia regulates the Eph/ephrin system in melanoma.
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Yan Y, Luo YC, Wan HY, Wang J, Zhang PP, Liu M, Li X, Li S, Tang H. MicroRNA-10a is involved in the metastatic process by regulating Eph tyrosine kinase receptor A4-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition and adhesion in hepatoma cells. Hepatology 2013; 57:667-77. [PMID: 22996586 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be associated with the development of cancers. However, the function of miRNAs in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely undefined. Here we found that overexpression of miR-10a promoted the migration and invasion of QGY-7703 and HepG2 cells in vitro but suppressed metastasis in vivo. Cell adhesion assays showed that miR-10a suppressed HCC cell-matrix adhesion, which could explain the results of the in vivo animal experiments. The Eph tyrosine kinase receptor, EphA4, was identified as the direct and functional target gene of miR-10a. Knockdown of EphA4 phenocopied the effect of miR-10a and ectopic expression of EphA4 restored the effect of miR-10a on migration, invasion, and adhesion in HCC cells. We further demonstrated that miR-10a and EphA4 regulated the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process and the β1-integrin pathway to affect cell invasion and adhesion. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the importance of miR-10a in regulating the metastatic properties of HCC by directly targeting EphA4 and may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yan
- Tianjin Life Science Research Center and Basic Medical School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, PR China
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Rodriguez S, Huynh-Do U. Phosphatase and tensin homolog regulates stability and activity of EphB1 receptor. FASEB J 2012; 27:632-44. [PMID: 23118026 DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-215582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Deregulation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) is linked to a broad range of cancers, stressing the necessity of studying their regulatory pathways. We and others demonstrated previously that c-Cbl is necessary for the lysosomal degradation of erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular B1 (EphB1) carcinoma and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) RTKs. Moreover, the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was shown to modulate c-Cbl-dependent EGFR degradation. We therefore investigated the involvement of PTEN in EphB1 signaling and degradation. We used PTEN mutants, PTEN, and NHERF1 small interfering RNA in CHO-EphB1 and SW480 cells endogenously expressing EphB1 to delineate EphB1-PTEN interactions. PTEN was constitutively associated with c-Cbl, protecting it from degradation. EphB1 stimulation triggered ∼50% serine-threonine PTEN dephosphorylation and PTEN-Cbl complex disruption, a process requiring PTEN protein phosphatase activity. Both proteins independently translocated to EphB1, with PTEN in association with the scaffold protein NHERF1. Biologically, PTEN lipid phosphatase activity impairs EphB1-dependent cell adhesion and chemotaxis. This study demonstrates for the first time in mammalian cells that the Eph receptor and PTEN associate and influence their signaling. Moreover, it contributes to the emerging concept that PTEN regulates expression of RTKs through modulation of their degradation. Finally, it reveals a new role for PTEN protein phosphatase activity involved in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Rodriguez
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension and Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, University of Bern Medical School, Bern, Switzerland
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20
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Rud AK, Lund-Iversen M, Berge G, Brustugun OT, Solberg SK, Mælandsmo GM, Boye K. Expression of S100A4, ephrin-A1 and osteopontin in non-small cell lung cancer. BMC Cancer 2012; 12:333. [PMID: 22853000 PMCID: PMC3458900 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-12-333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The metastasis-promoting protein S100A4 induces expression of ephrin-A1 and osteopontin in osteosarcoma cell lines. The aim of this study was to investigate S100A4-mediated stimulation of ephrin-A1 and osteopontin in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, and to characterize the expression of these biomarkers in primary tumor tissue from NSCLC patients. Methods Four NSCLC cell lines were treated with extracellular S100A4, and ephrin-A1 and osteopontin expression was analyzed by real time RT-PCR and Western blotting. Immunohistochemical staining for S100A4, ephrin-A1 and osteopontin was performed on tissue microarrays containing primary tumor samples from a cohort of 217 prospectively recruited NSCLC patients, and associations with clinicopathological parameters were investigated. Results S100A4 induced ephrin-A1 mRNA and protein expression in adenocarcinoma, but not in squamous carcinoma cell lines, whereas the level of osteopontin was unaffected by S100A4 treatment. In primary tumors, moderate or strong immunoreactivity was observed in 57% of cases for cytoplasmic S100A4, 46% for nuclear S100A4, 86% for ephrin-A1 and 77% for osteopontin. Interestingly, S100A4 expression was associated with ephrin-A1 also in vivo, but there was no association between S100A4 and osteopontin. Expression levels of S100A4 and ephrin-A1 were significantly higher in adenocarcinomas compared to other histological subtypes, and S100A4-positive tumors were smaller and more differentiated than tumors without expression. Conclusions Our findings suggest that S100A4, ephrin-A1 and osteopontin are involved in the biology of NSCLC, and further investigation of their potential use as biomarkers in NSCLC is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ane Kongsgaard Rud
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4953, Nydalen, NO-0424, Oslo, Norway
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Abstract
Melanoma is often considered one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant human cancers. It is a disease that, due to the presence of melanin pigment, was accurately diagnosed earlier than most other malignancies and that has been subjected to countless therapeutic strategies. Aside from early surgical resection, no therapeutic modality has been found to afford a high likelihood of curative outcome. However, discoveries reported in recent years have revealed a near avalanche of breakthroughs in the melanoma field-breakthroughs that span fundamental understanding of the molecular basis of the disease all the way to new therapeutic strategies that produce unquestionable clinical benefit. These discoveries have been born from the successful fruits of numerous researchers working in many-sometimes-related, although also distinct-biomedical disciplines. Discoveries of frequent mutations involving BRAF(V600E), developmental and oncogenic roles for the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) pathway, clinical efficacy of BRAF-targeted small molecules, and emerging mechanisms underlying resistance to targeted therapeutics represent just a sample of the findings that have created a striking inflection in the quest for clinically meaningful progress in the melanoma field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hensin Tsao
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- The Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Lynda Chin
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Levi A. Garraway
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - David E. Fisher
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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22
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Mosch B, Pietzsch D, Pietzsch J. Irradiation affects cellular properties and Eph receptor expression in human melanoma cells. Cell Adh Migr 2012; 6:113-25. [PMID: 22568947 DOI: 10.4161/cam.20655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
X-ray irradiation influences metastatic properties of tumor cells and, moreover, metastasis and cellular motility can be modified by members of the Eph receptor/ephrin family of receptor tyrosine kinases. We hypothesized that irradiation-induced changes in cellular properties relevant for metastasis in melanoma cells could be mediated by Eph receptor/ephrin signaling. In this pilot study, we analyzed one pre-metastatic (Mel-Juso) and three metastatic human melanoma (Mel-Juso-L3, A375, and A2058) cells lines and predominantly found anti-metastatic effects of X-ray irradiation with impaired cell growth, clonal growth and motility. Additionally, we observed an irradiation-induced increase in adhesion paralleled by a decrease in migration in Mel-Juso and Mel-Juso-L3 cells and, in part, also in A375 cells. We further demonstrate a decrease of EphA2 both in expression and activity at 7 d after irradiation paralleled by an upregulation of EphA3. Analyzing downstream signaling after irradiation, we detected decreased Src kinase phosphorylation, but unchanged focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation, indicating, in part, irradiation-induced downregulation of signaling via the EphA2-Src-FAK axis in melanoma cells. However, to which extent this finding contributes to the modification of metastasis-relevant cellular properties remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Mosch
- Department of Radiopharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Radiopharmacy, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany.
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23
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Singh A, Winterbottom E, Daar IO. Eph/ephrin signaling in cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 2012; 17:473-97. [PMID: 22201756 DOI: 10.2741/3939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion are critical processes for the formation and maintenance of tissue patterns during development, as well as control of invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Although great strides have been made regarding our understanding of the processes that play a role in cell adhesion and cell movement, the precise mechanisms by which diverse signaling events regulate cell and tissue architecture are poorly understood. One group of cell surface molecules, Eph receptor tyrosine kinases, and their membrane-bound ligands, ephrins, are key regulators in these processes. It is the ability of Eph/ephrin signaling pathways to regulate cell-cell adhesion and motility that establishes this family as a formidable system for regulating tissue separation and morphogenesis. Moreover, the de-regulation of this signaling system is linked to the promotion of more aggressive and metastatic tumors in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arvinder Singh
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
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24
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Brantley-Sieders DM. Clinical relevance of Ephs and ephrins in cancer: lessons from breast, colorectal, and lung cancer profiling. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2011; 23:102-8. [PMID: 22040912 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2011.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2011] [Accepted: 10/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Pre-clinical studies provide compelling evidence that members of the Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands promote tumor growth, invasion and metastasis, and neovascularization. Tumor suppressive roles have also been reported for the receptors, and ligand-dependent versus ligand-independent signaling has emerged as one key mechanism underlying tumor suppressive function as opposed to oncogenic effects. Determining how these observations relate to clinical outcome is a crucial step for translating the biological and mechanistic data into new molecularly targeted therapies. Expression profiling in human patient samples bridges this gap and provides valuable clinical relevance to laboratory observations. In addition to analyses performed using privately assembled patient tumor samples, publically available microarray datasets and tissue microarrays linked to clinical data have emerged as tractable tools for addressing the clinical relevance of specific molecules and families of related molecules. This review summarizes the clinical relevance of specific Eph and ephrin molecules in human breast, colorectal, and lung cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana M Brantley-Sieders
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, A-4323 MCN, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232-2363, USA.
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25
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Eph/ephrin signaling in epidermal differentiation and disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2011; 23:92-101. [PMID: 22040910 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2011.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2011] [Accepted: 10/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases mediate cell-cell communication by interacting with ephrin ligands residing on adjacent cell surfaces. In doing so, these juxtamembrane signaling complexes provide important contextual information about the cellular microenvironment that helps orchestrate tissue morphogenesis and maintain homeostasis. Eph/ephrin signaling has been implicated in various aspects of mammalian skin physiology, with several members of this large family of receptor tyrosine kinases and their ligands present in the epidermis, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and underlying dermis. This review focuses on the emerging role of Eph receptors and ephrins in epidermal keratinocytes where they can modulate proliferation, migration, differentiation, and death. The activation of Eph receptors by ephrins at sites of cell-cell contact also appears to play a key role in the maturation of intercellular junctional complexes as keratinocytes move out of the basal layer and differentiate in the suprabasal layers of this stratified, squamous epithelium. Furthermore, alterations in the epidermal Eph/ephrin axis have been associated with cutaneous malignancy, wound healing defects and inflammatory skin conditions. These collective observations suggest that the Eph/ephrin cell-cell communication pathway may be amenable to therapeutic intervention for the purpose of restoring epidermal tissue homeostasis and integrity in dermatological disorders.
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Abstract
EphA2 is a member of the Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases and is highly expressed in many aggressive cancer types, including melanoma. We recently showed that EphA2 is also upregulated by ultraviolet radiation and is able to induce apoptosis. These findings suggest that EphA2 may have different, even paradoxical, effects on viability depending on the cellular context and that EphA2 mediates a delicate balance between life and death of the cell. To functionally clarify EphA2’s role in melanoma, we analyzed a panel of melanoma cell lines and found that EphA2 levels are elevated in a significant fraction of the samples. Specific depletion of EphA2 in high-expressing melanoma cells using shRNA led to profound reductions in cellular viability, colony formation and migration in vitro and a dramatic loss of tumorigenic potential in vivo. Stable introduction of EphA2 into low-expressing lines enhanced proliferation, colony formation and migration further supporting its pro-malignant phenotype. Interestingly, transient expression of EphA2 and/or BrafV600E in non-transformed melanocytes led to significant and additive apoptosis. These results verify that EphA2 is an important oncogene and potentially a common source of “addiction” for many melanoma cells. Moreover, acute induction of EphA2 may purge genetically-susceptible cells thereby uncovering a more aggressive population that is in fact dependent on the oncogene.
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27
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Mancino M, Ametller E, Gascón P, Almendro V. The neuronal influence on tumor progression. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2011; 1816:105-18. [PMID: 21616127 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2011.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2011] [Revised: 04/28/2011] [Accepted: 04/29/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Nerve fibers accompany blood and lymphatic vessels all over the body. An extensive amount of knowledge has been obtained with regard to tumor angiogenesis and tumor lymphangiogenesis, yet little is known about the potential biological effects of "neoneurogenesis". Cancer cells can exploit the advantage of the factors released by the nerve fibers to generate a positive microenvironment for cell survival and proliferation. At the same time, they can stimulate the formation of neurites by secreting neurotrophic factors and axon guidance molecules. The neuronal influence on the biology of a neoplasm was initially described several decades ago. Since then, an increasing amount of experimental evidence strongly suggests the existence of reciprocal interactions between cancer cells and nerves in humans. Moreover, researchers have been able to demonstrate a crosstalk between cancer cells and nerve fibers as a strategy for survival. Despite all these evidence, a lot remains to be done in order to clarify the role of neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and their associated receptor-initiated signaling pathways in the development and progression of cancer, and response to therapy. A global-wide characterization of the neurotransmitters or neuropeptides present in the tumor microenvironment would provide insights into the real biological influences of the neuronal tissue on tumor progression. This review is intended to discuss our current understanding of neurosignaling in cancer and its potential implications on cancer prevention and therapy. The review will focus on the soluble factors released by cancer cells and nerve endings, their biological effects and their potential relevance in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Mancino
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro Esther Koplowitz CEK, Institut d' investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic, Medical School, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Tandon M, Vemula SV, Mittal SK. Emerging strategies for EphA2 receptor targeting for cancer therapeutics. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2011; 15:31-51. [PMID: 21142802 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2011.538682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD High mortality rates with cancers warrant further development of earlier diagnostics and better treatment strategies. Membrane-bound erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor tyrosine kinase class A2 (EphA2) is overexpressed in breast, prostate, urinary bladder, skin, lung, ovary and brain cancers. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW EphA2 overexpression in cancers, its signaling mechanisms and strategies to target its deregulation. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN High EphA2 expression in cancer cells is correlated with a poor prognosis associated with recurrence due to enhanced metastasis. Interaction of the EphA2 receptor with its ligand (e.g., ephrinA1) triggers events that are deregulated and implicated in carcinogenesis. EphrinA1-independent oncogenic activity and ephrinA1-dependent tumor suppressor roles for EphA2 are described. Molecular interactions of EphA2 with signaling proteins are associated with the modulation of cytoskeleton dynamics, cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation and metastasis. The deregulated signaling by EphA2 and its involvement in oncogenesis provide multiple avenues for the rational design of intervention approaches. TAKE HOME MESSAGE EphA2 has been tested as a drug target using multiple approaches such as agonist antibodies, RNA interference, immunotherapy, virus vector-mediated gene transfer, small-molecule inhibitors and nanoparticles. With over a decade of research, encouraging results with targeting of EphA2 expression in various pre-clinical cancer models necessitate further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Tandon
- Purdue University, Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Bindley Bioscience Center, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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29
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Easty DJ, Gray SG, O'Byrne KJ, O'Donnell D, Bennett DC. Receptor tyrosine kinases and their activation in melanoma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2011; 24:446-61. [PMID: 21320293 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2011.00836.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and their downstream signalling pathways have long been hypothesized to play key roles in melanoma development. A decade ago, evidence was derived largely from animal models, RTK expression studies and detection of activated RAS isoforms in a small fraction of melanomas. Predictions that overexpression of specific RTKs implied increased kinase activity and that some RTKs would show activating mutations in melanoma were largely untested. However, technological advances including rapid gene sequencing, siRNA methods and phospho-RTK arrays now give a more complete picture. Mutated forms of RTK genes including KIT, ERBB4, the EPH and FGFR families and others are known in melanoma. Additional over- or underexpressed RTKs and also protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) have been reported, and activities measured. Complex interactions between RTKs and PTPs are implicated in the abnormal signalling driving aberrant growth and survival in malignant melanocytes, and indeed in normal melanocytic signalling including the response to ultraviolet radiation. Kinases are considered druggable targets, so characterization of global RTK activity in melanoma should assist the rational development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Easty
- Department of Oncology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland Division of Biomedical Sciences, St George's, University of London, London, UK.
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Dries JL, Kent SD, Virag JAI. Intramyocardial administration of chimeric ephrinA1-Fc promotes tissue salvage following myocardial infarction in mice. J Physiol 2011; 589:1725-40. [PMID: 21282286 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2010.202366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of intramyocardial administration of chimeric ephrinA1-Fc in modulating the extent of injury and inflammation in non reperfused myocardial infarction (MI). Our results show that intramyocardial injection of 6 μg ephrinA1-Fc into the border zone immediately after permanent coronary artery ligation in B6129s mice resulted in 50% reduction of infarct size, 64% less necrosis, 35% less chamber dilatation and 32% less left ventricular free wall thinning at 4 days post-MI. In the infarct zone, Ly6G+ neutrophil density was 57% reduced and CD45+ leukocyte density was 21% reduced. Myocyte damage was also reduced in ephrinA1-Fc-treated hearts, as evidenced by 54% reduced serum cardiac troponin I. Further, we observed decreased cleaved PARP, increased BAG-1 protein expression, increased phosphorylated AKT/total AKT protein, and reduced NF-κB protein with ephrinA1-Fc administration, indicating improved cellular survival. Of the eight EphA receptors known to be expressed in mice (A1–A8), RT-PCR revealed that A1–A4, A6 and A7 were expressed in the uninjured adult myocardium. Expression of EphA1–A3 and EphA7 were significantly increased following MI while EphA6 expression decreased. Treatment with ephrinA1-Fc further increased EphA1 and EphA2 gene expression and resulted in a 2-fold increase in EphA4. Upregulation and combinatorial activation of these receptors may promote tissue survival. We have identified a novel, beneficial role for ephrinA1-Fc administration at the time of MI, and propose this as a promising new target for infarct salvage in non reperfused MI. More experiments are in progress to identify receptor-expressing cell types as well as the functional implications of receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Dries
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, 600 Moye Blvd, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
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31
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Alford S, Watson-Hurthig A, Scott N, Carette A, Lorimer H, Bazowski J, Howard PL. Soluble ephrin a1 is necessary for the growth of HeLa and SK-BR3 cells. Cancer Cell Int 2010; 10:41. [PMID: 20979646 PMCID: PMC2984395 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-10-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2009] [Accepted: 10/27/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ephrin A1 (EFNA1) is a member of the A-type ephrin family of cell surface proteins that function as ligands for the A-type Eph receptor tyrosine kinase family. In malignancy, the precise role of EFNA1 and its preferred receptor, EPHA2, is controversial. Several studies have found that EFNA1 may suppress EPHA2-mediated oncogenesis, or enhance it, depending on cell type and context. However, little is known about the conditions that influence whether EFNA1 promotes or suppresses tumorigenicity. EFNA1 exists in a soluble form as well as a glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI) membrane attached form. We investigated whether the contradictory roles of EFNA1 in malignancy might in part be related to the existence of both soluble and membrane attached forms of EFNA1 and potential differences in the manner in which they interact with EPHA2. Results Using a RNAi strategy to reduce the expression of endogenous EFNA1 and EPHA2, we found that both EFNA1 and EPHA2 are required for growth of HeLa and SK-BR3 cells. The growth defects could be rescued by conditioned media from cells overexpressing soluble EFNA1. Interestingly, we found that overexpression of the membrane attached form of EFNA1 suppresses growth of HeLa cells in 3D but not 2D. Knockdown of endogenous EFNA1, or overexpression of full-length EFNA1, resulted in relocalization of EPHA2 from the cell surface to sites of cell-cell contact. Overexpression of soluble EFNA1 however resulted in more EPHA2 distributed on the cell surface, away from cell-cell contacts, and promoted the growth of HeLa cells. Conclusions We conclude that soluble EFNA1 is necessary for the transformation of HeLa and SK-BR3 cells and participates in the relocalization of EPHA2 away from sites of cell-cell contact during transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer Alford
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, P,O, Box 3055 Station CSC Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3P6, Canada.
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Up-regulation of EphA2 and down-regulation of EphrinA1 are associated with the aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis of malignant glioma. Tumour Biol 2010; 31:477-88. [PMID: 20571968 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-010-0060-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2010] [Accepted: 06/02/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant gliomas display over-expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2. However, expression levels of the EphA2 ligand, EphrinA1, have not been fully elucidated. Seventy-eight patients with primary gliomas were included in this study who underwent surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. The expression of EphA2 and EphrinA1 in tumors was assessed by immunohistochemistry and was statistically analyzed in combination with the follow-up data of patients. EphA2 was highly expressed in most malignant gliomas, but EphrinA1 was expressed at low levels in these tumors. The increased EphA2 expression is associated with higher-grade histology and poor patient prognosis. Contrary to this, the increased EphrinA1 expression is associated with lower-grade histology, but not associated with poor patient prognosis. Moreover, patients with tumors positive for EphA2 and negative for EphrinA1 had significantly shorter overall and progression-free survival than patients with tumors positive for both EphA2 and EphrinA1, negative for both EphA2 and EphrinA1, or negative for EphA2 and positive for EphrinA1. RNAi-mediated suppression of endogenous EphA2 in human glioblastoma multiforme cells resulted in increased EphrinA1 levels, as well as decreased cell viability, anchorage independence and in vitro invasion, and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, suppression of EphA2 resulted in delayed tumor growth in mice xenografts. Together, these data indicate that up-regulation of EphA2 and down-regulation of Ephrina1 may correlate with poor prognosis for patients with high-grade glioma. EphA2 suppression partially reversed the aggressive phenotypes of malignant gliomas, possibly through up-regulating EphrinA1 expression, which may help explain how EphA2 modulates the malignant progression of gliomas.
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Biomarkers: the useful and the not so useful--an assessment of molecular prognostic markers for cutaneous melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2010; 130:1971-87. [PMID: 20555347 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2010.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Among individuals with localized (Stage I-II) melanoma, stratifying patients by a number of phenotypic variables (e.g., depth of invasion, ulceration) yields a wide range of 10-year melanoma-specific survival rates. With the possible exception of Ki-67, no molecular assessment is routinely used. However, there have been a tremendous number of studies assessing protein expression by immunohistochemistry toward the goal of better prediction of recurrence. In a previous systematic review, which required publication of multivariable prognostic models as a strict inclusion criterion, we identified 37 manuscripts that collectively reported on 62 proteins. Data for 324 proteins extracted from 418 manuscripts did not meet our inclusion criteria for that study, but are revisited here, emphasizing trends of protein expression across either melanocytic lesion progression or gradations of tumor thickness. These identified 101 additional proteins that stratify melanoma, organized according to the Hanahan and Weinberg functional capabilities of cancer.
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Tanaka T, Mangala LS, Vivas-Mejia PE, Nieves-Alicea R, Mann AP, Mora E, Han HD, Shahzad MMK, Liu X, Bhavane R, Gu J, Fakhoury JR, Chiappini C, Lu C, Matsuo K, Godin B, Stone RL, Nick AM, Lopez-Berestein G, Sood AK, Ferrari M. Sustained small interfering RNA delivery by mesoporous silicon particles. Cancer Res 2010; 70:3687-96. [PMID: 20430760 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-3931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful approach for silencing genes associated with a variety of pathologic conditions; however, in vivo RNAi delivery has remained a major challenge due to lack of safe, efficient, and sustained systemic delivery. Here, we report on a novel approach to overcome these limitations using a multistage vector composed of mesoporous silicon particles (stage 1 microparticles, S1MP) loaded with neutral nanoliposomes (dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine, DOPC) containing small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted against the EphA2 oncoprotein, which is overexpressed in most cancers, including ovarian. Our delivery methods resulted in sustained EphA2 gene silencing for at least 3 weeks in two independent orthotopic mouse models of ovarian cancer following a single i.v. administration of S1MP loaded with EphA2-siRNA-DOPC. Furthermore, a single administration of S1MP loaded with-EphA2-siRNA-DOPC substantially reduced tumor burden, angiogenesis, and cell proliferation compared with a noncoding control siRNA alone (SKOV3ip1, 54%; HeyA8, 57%), with no significant changes in serum chemistries or in proinflammatory cytokines. In summary, we have provided the first in vivo therapeutic validation of a novel, multistage siRNA delivery system for sustained gene silencing with broad applicability to pathologies beyond ovarian neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takemi Tanaka
- Department of Nanomedicine and Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
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Yamaguchi S, Tatsumi T, Takehara T, Sasakawa A, Yamamoto M, Kohga K, Miyagi T, Kanto T, Hiramastu N, Akagi T, Akashi M, Hayashi N. EphA2-derived peptide vaccine with amphiphilic poly(gamma-glutamic acid) nanoparticles elicits an anti-tumor effect against mouse liver tumor. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2010; 59:759-67. [PMID: 19943047 PMCID: PMC11030875 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-009-0796-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2009] [Accepted: 11/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The prognosis of liver cancer remains poor, but recent advances in nanotechnology offer promising possibilities for cancer treatment. Novel adjuvant, amphiphilic nanoparticles (NPs) composed of L: -phenylalanine (Phe)-conjugated poly(gamma-glutamic acid) (gamma-PGA-Phe NPs) having excellent capacity for carrying peptides, were found to have the potential for use as a peptide vaccine against tumor models overexpressing artificial antigens, such as ovalbumin (OVA). However, the anti-tumor potential of gamma-PGA-Phe NPs vaccines using much less immunogenic tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-derived peptide needs to be clarified. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of immunization with EphA2, recently identified TAA, derived peptide-immobilized gamma-PGA-Phe NPs (Eph-NPs) against mouse liver tumor of MC38 cells (EphA2-positive colon cancer cells). Immunization of normal mice with Eph-NPs resulted in generation of EphA2-specific type-1 CD8+ T cells. Immunization with Eph-NPs tended to provide a degree of anti-MC38 liver tumor protection more than that observed for immunization with the mixture of EphA2-derived peptide and complete Freund's adjuvant (Eph + CFA). Neither Eph-NPs nor Eph + CFA vaccines inhibited tumor growth of BL6, EphA2-negative melanoma cells. Splenocytes isolated from MC38-bearing mice treated with Eph-NPs showed strong and specific cytotoxic activity against MC38 cells. Immunization with Eph + CFA induced liver damage as evidenced by elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase, while Eph-NPs vaccination did not exhibit any toxic damage to the liver. These results demonstrated that immunization with Eph-NPs displayed anti-tumor effects against liver tumor by generating acquired immunity equivalent to the toxic adjuvant CFA, suggesting that safe gamma-PGA-Phe NPs could be applied clinically for the vaccine treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinjiro Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohide Tatsumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Sasakawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Yamamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Kohga
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kanto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Naoki Hiramastu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Takami Akagi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Akashi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norio Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Tokyo, Japan
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Zhang W, Zeng X, Briggs KJ, Beaty R, Simons B, Chiu Yen RW, Tyler MA, Tsai HC, Ye Y, Gesell GS, Herman JG, Baylin SB, Watkins DN. A potential tumor suppressor role for Hic1 in breast cancer through transcriptional repression of ephrin-A1. Oncogene 2010; 29:2467-76. [PMID: 20154726 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The tumor suppressor gene hypermethylated in cancer 1 (HIC1), which encodes a transcriptional repressor, is epigenetically inactivated in various human cancers. In this study, we show that HIC1 is a direct transcriptional repressor of the gene encoding ephrin-A1, a cell surface ligand implicated in the pathogenesis of epithelial cancers. We also show that mouse embryos lacking both Hic1 alleles manifest developmental defects spatially associated with the misexpression of ephrin-A1, and that overexpression of ephrin-A1 is a feature of tumors arising in Hic1 heterozygous mice in which the remaining wild-type allele is epigenetically silenced. In breast cancer, we find that ephrin-A1 expression is common in vivo, but that in cell culture, expression of the EphA receptors is predominant. Restoration of HIC1 function in breast cancer cells leads to a reduction in tumor growth in vivo, an effect that can be partially rescued by co-overexpression of ephrin-A1. Interestingly, overexpression of ephrin-A1 in vitro triggers downregulation of EphA2 and EphA4 levels, resulting in an expression pattern similar to that seen in vivo. We conclude that Hic1 spatially restricts ephrin-A1 expression in development, and that upregulated expression of ephrin-A1 resulting from epigenetic silencing of HIC1 in cancer cells may be an important mechanism in epithelial malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Zhang
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
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Alam SM, Fujimoto J, Jahan I, Sato E, Tamaya T. Coexpression of EphB4 and ephrinB2 in tumor advancement of uterine cervical cancers. Gynecol Oncol 2009; 114:84-8. [PMID: 19356789 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2009.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2008] [Revised: 02/12/2009] [Accepted: 03/07/2009] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Receptor EphB4 and the corresponding ligand ephrinB2 contribute to tumor growth in various human tumors. This prompted us to study the expression and localization of EphB4 and ephrinB2 in uterine cervical cancers to analyze the EphB4/ephrinB2 functions against clinical backgrounds. METHODS Immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR have been done to determine the histoscores and mRNA levels of EphB4 and ephrinB2, respectively, in sixty-two uterine cervical cancer tissue samples. Patient prognoses were analyzed with a 36-month survival rate. RESULTS The localization of EphB4 and ephrinB2 was dominantly in the cancer cells of uterine cervical cancers of all cases given. Both the histoscores and mRNA levels of EphB4 and ephrinB2 significantly increased with clinical stages (I<II<III+IV, p<0.001) in uterine cervical cancers. The tumor sizes significantly correlated with the histoscore and mRNA levels of EphB4 and ephrinB2. There were significant differences in histoscores and mRNA levels of EphB4 and ephrinB2 in accordance with lymph node metastasis, but not according to histopathological types. The 36-month survival rates of the 31 patients with high EphB4 and ephrinB2 expression were poor (31% and 19%, respectively), while survival rates for the other 31 patients with low EphB4 and ephrinB2 expression were significantly higher (72% and 73%, respectively). CONCLUSION Coexpression of EphB4 and ephrinB2 increased with the disease advancement based on clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, tumor size and with poor patient prognoses. Therefore, EphB4/ephrinB2 expression might work on tumor advancement and coexpression of the Eph/ephrin system may potentiate tumor progression leading to poor survival, thus can be recognized as a novel prognostic indicator in the primary tumors of uterine cervical cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Mahfuzul Alam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gifu University School of Medicine, Yanagido 1-1, Gifu City 501-1194, Japan
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Gould Rothberg BE, Bracken MB, Rimm DL. Tissue biomarkers for prognosis in cutaneous melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Natl Cancer Inst 2009; 101:452-74. [PMID: 19318635 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djp038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the clinical management of early-stage cutaneous melanoma, it is critical to determine which patients are cured by surgery alone and which should be treated with adjuvant therapy. To assist in this decision, many groups have made an effort to use molecular information. However, although there are hundreds of studies that have sought to assess the potential prognostic value of molecular markers in predicting the course of cutaneous melanoma, at this time, no molecular method to improve risk stratification is part of recommended clinical practice. To help understand this disconnect, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature that reported immunohistochemistry-based protein biomarkers of melanoma outcome. Three parallel search strategies were applied to the PubMed database through January 15, 2008, to identify cohort studies that reported associations between immunohistochemical expression and survival outcomes in melanoma that conformed to the REMARK criteria. Of the 102 cohort studies, we identified only 37 manuscripts, collectively describing 87 assays on 62 distinct proteins, which met all inclusion criteria. Promising markers that emerged included melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM)/MUC18 (all-cause mortality [ACM] hazard ratio [HR] = 16.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.80 to 70.28), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (melanoma-specific mortality [MSM] HR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.32 to 5.07), Ki-67 (combined ACM HR = 2.66; 95% CI = 1.41 to 5.01), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (ACM HR = 2.27; 95% CI = 1.56 to 3.31), and p16/INK4A (ACM HR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.10 to 0.83, MSM HR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.24 to 0.67). We further noted incomplete adherence to the REMARK guidelines: 14 of 27 cohort studies that failed to adequately report their methods and nine studies that failed to either perform multivariable analyses or report their risk estimates were published since 2005.
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Parri M, Taddei ML, Bianchini F, Calorini L, Chiarugi P. EphA2 reexpression prompts invasion of melanoma cells shifting from mesenchymal to amoeboid-like motility style. Cancer Res 2009; 69:2072-81. [PMID: 19244130 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-1845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Eph tyrosine kinases instruct cell for a repulsive behavior, regulating cell shape, adhesion, and motility. Beside its role during embryogenesis, neurogenesis, and angiogenesis, EphA2 kinase is frequently up-regulated in tumor cells of different histotypes, including prostate, breast, colon, and lung carcinoma, as well as melanoma. Although a function in both tumor onset and metastasis has been proposed, the role played by EphA2 is still debated. Here, we showed that EphA2 reexpression in B16 murine melanoma cells, which use a defined mesenchymal invasion strategy, converts their migration style from mesenchymal to amoeboid-like, conferring a plasticity in tumor cell invasiveness. Indeed, in response to reexpression and activation of EphA2, melanoma cells activate a nonproteolytic invasive program that proceeds through the activation of cytoskeleton motility, the retraction of cell protrusions, a Rho-mediated rounding of the cell body, and squeezing among three-dimensional matrix, giving rise to successful lung and peritoneal lymph node metastases. Our results suggest that, among the redundant mechanisms operating in tumor cells to penetrate the anatomic barriers of host tissues, EphA2 plays a pivotal role in the adaptive switch in migration pattern and mechanism, defining and distinguishing tumor cell invasion strategies. Thus, targeting EphA2 might represent a future approach for the therapy of cancer dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Parri
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Florence, Center for Research, Transfer and High Education Study, Italy
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Margaryan NV, Strizzi L, Abbott DE, Seftor EA, Rao MS, Hendrix MJC, Hess AR. EphA2 as a promoter of melanoma tumorigenicity. Cancer Biol Ther 2009; 8:279-88. [PMID: 19223760 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.8.3.7485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The greatest health threat from malignant melanoma is death due to metastatic disease. Consequently, the identification of markers predictive of metastatic disease is essential for identifying new therapeutic targets. EphA2, a protein tyrosine kinase receptor commonly expressed in epithelial cells, has been found to be overexpressed and constitutively active in melanoma tumor cells having a metastatic phenotype as characterized by increased invasion, proliferation and vasculogenic mimicry (VM). Based on this observation, we hypothesized that increased expression of EphA2 by melanoma tumor cells could promote these characteristics of a metastatic phenotype in addition to promoting tumorigenicity as a whole. We analyzed a panel of human melanoma tumor cell lines derived from patient tissues classified as primary (either radial growth phase or vertical growth phase) and/or metastatic for the expression of EphA2 and found a correlation between increased EphA2 expression and metastatic potential. Experiments using the most metastatic of the human melanoma cell lines demonstrated that downregulation of EphA2 results in a significant decrease in invasion, proliferation, clonogenicity and VM in vitro, in addition to suppressed tumorigenicity in an orthotopic mouse model. Lastly, utilization of a human phospho-kinase array revealed increased phosphorylation of several different protein kinases involved in mediating various aspects of cellular proliferation. To the best of our knowledge these results provide the first direct in vivo evidence demonstrating a role for EphA2 in promoting melanoma tumorigenicity and suggest EphA2 as a significant molecular target for the therapeutic intervention of malignant melanoma.
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Guan M, Xu C, Zhang F, Ye C. Aberrant methylation of EphA7 in human prostate cancer and its relation to clinicopathologic features. Int J Cancer 2009; 124:88-94. [PMID: 18821581 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
EphA7 is a member of Eph/ephrins family and play diverse roles in carcinogenesis. The aim of our study was to investigate functional and structural alterations of EphA7 in prostate cancer and determine if those findings correlate with the clinicopathologic features of prostate cancer. Forty-eight prostate carcinomas, 31 benign prostate hyperplasias, 5 normal prostate tissues and 3 prostate cell lines (LNCaP, DU145 and PC-3) were examined with quantitative RT-PCR, methylation-specific PCR and immunohistochemistry. Downregulation or loss of EphA7 mRNA expression was detected in 23 of 48 (47.9%) prostate carcinomas, and 2 of 31 (6.5%) hyperplasias. Methylation of the EphA7 promoter region was present in 20 of 48 (41.7%) of carcinomas and 6 of 31 (19.3%) hyperplasias, respectively. Immunostaining analysis showed EphA7 protein was absent in 10 of 30 (33.3%) carcinoma samples available and 8 of them (80.0%) exhibited hypermethylation. The frequency of EphA7 methylation was higher in cancer patients with higher Gleason score. Treatment of DU145 cells harboring methylation with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine reactivated expression of EphA7. Ectopic expression of EphA7 in DU145 cells did not suppress cell growth but inhibited colony formation. Our study provides evidence that epigenetic inactivation of EphA7 may be involved in prostate carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Guan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Fukai J, Yokote H, Yamanaka R, Arao T, Nishio K, Itakura T. EphA4 promotes cell proliferation and migration through a novel EphA4-FGFR1 signaling pathway in the human glioma U251 cell line. Mol Cancer Ther 2008; 7:2768-78. [PMID: 18790757 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-07-2263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands form a unique cell-cell contact-mediated bidirectional signaling mechanism for regulating cell localization and organization. High expression of Eph receptors in a wide variety of human tumors indicates some roles in tumor progression, which makes these proteins potential targets for anticancer therapy. For this purpose, we did gene expression profiling for 47 surgical specimens of brain tumors including 32 high-grade glioma using a microarray technique. The analysis, focused on the receptor tyrosine kinases, showed that EphA4 mRNA in the tumors was 4-fold higher than in normal brain tissue. To investigate the biological significance of EphA4 overexpression in these tumors, we analyzed EphA4-induced phenotypic changes and the signaling mechanisms using human glioma U251 cells. EphA4 promoted fibroblast growth factor 2-mediated cell proliferation and migration accompanied with enhancement of fibroblast growth factor 2-triggered mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt phosphorylation. In addition, active forms of Rac1 and Cdc42 increased in the EphA4-overexpressing cells. Furthermore, we found that EphA4 formed a heteroreceptor complex with fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) in the cells and that the EphA4-FGFR1 complex potentiated FGFR-mediated downstream signaling. Thus, our results indicate that EphA4 plays an important role in malignant phenotypes of glioblastoma by enhancing cell proliferation and migration through accelerating a canonical FGFR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Fukai
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
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Edwards CM, Mundy GR. Eph receptors and ephrin signaling pathways: a role in bone homeostasis. Int J Med Sci 2008; 5:263-72. [PMID: 18797510 PMCID: PMC2536716 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.5.263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2008] [Accepted: 09/03/2008] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of bone homeostasis is tightly controlled, and largely dependent upon cellular communication between osteoclasts and osteoblasts, and the coupling of bone resorption to bone formation. This tight coupling is essential for the correct function and maintenance of the skeletal system, repairing microscopic skeletal damage and replacing aged bone. A range of pathologic diseases, including osteoporosis and cancer-induced bone disease, disrupt this coupling and cause subsequent alterations in bone homeostasis. Eph receptors and their associated ligands, ephrins, play critical roles in a number of cellular processes including immune regulation, neuronal development and cancer metastasis. Eph receptors are also expressed by cells found within the bone marrow microenvironment, including osteoclasts and osteoblasts, and there is increasing evidence to implicate this family of receptors in the control of normal and pathological bone remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M Edwards
- Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology, Departments of Cancer Biology and Clinical Pharmacology/Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-0575, USA.
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Lackmann M, Boyd AW. Eph, a protein family coming of age: more confusion, insight, or complexity? Sci Signal 2008; 1:re2. [PMID: 18413883 DOI: 10.1126/stke.115re2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Since the mid-1980s, Eph receptors have evolved from being regarded as orphan receptors with unknown functions and ligands to becoming one of the most complex "global positioning systems" that regulates cell traffic in multicellular organisms. During this time, there has been an exponentially growing interest in Ephs and ephrin ligands, coinciding with important advances in the way biological function is interrogated through mapping of genomes and manipulation of genes. As a result, many of the original concepts that used to define Eph signaling and function went overboard. Clearly, the need for progress in understanding Eph-ephrin biology and the underlying molecular principles involved has been compelling. Many cell-positioning programs during normal and oncogenic development-in particular, the patterning of skeletal, vascular, and nervous systems-are modulated in some way by Eph-ephrin function. Undeniably, the complexity of the underlying signaling networks is considerable, and it seems probable that systems biology approaches are required to further improve our understanding of Eph function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Lackmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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Zhang G, Njauw CN, Park JM, Naruse C, Asano M, Tsao H. EphA2 is an essential mediator of UV radiation-induced apoptosis. Cancer Res 2008; 68:1691-6. [PMID: 18339848 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-07-2372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
One of the physiologic consequences of excessive UV radiation (UVR) exposure is apoptosis. This critical response serves to eliminate genetically injured cells and arises, in part, from activation of DNA damage and p53 signaling. Other contributory pathways, however, likely exist but have not been fully characterized. In a recent global screen of UVR response genes in melanocytes, we identified the receptor tyrosine kinase EPHA2. Using a combination of genetic and pharmacologic approaches, we set out to investigate the upstream regulation of EphA2 by UVR and the functional consequences of this effect. We found that the UVR-associated increase in EphA2 occurs in melanocytes, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts from both human and murine sources. More specifically, UVR effectively up-regulated EphA2 individually in p53-null, p63-null, and p73-null murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), suggesting that the p53 family of transcription factors is not essential for the observed effect. However, inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling by U0126 and PD98059 significantly reduced the UVR response whereas overexpression of oncogenic NRAS led to an increase in EphA2. These results confirm that UVR induces EphA2 by a p53-independent, but MAPK-dependent, mechanism. In response to UV irradiation, Epha2(-/-) MEFs were highly resistant to UVR-mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis whereas introduction of EphA2 into both wild-type and p53-null MEFs led to activation of an apoptotic program that can be blocked by caspase-8 inhibition. These functional findings suggest that EphA2 is in fact an essential p53-independent, caspase-8-dependent proapoptotic factor induced by UVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqi Zhang
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Wang LF, Fokas E, Juricko J, You A, Rose F, Pagenstecher A, Engenhart-Cabillic R, An HX. Increased expression of EphA7 correlates with adverse outcome in primary and recurrent glioblastoma multiforme patients. BMC Cancer 2008; 8:79. [PMID: 18366728 PMCID: PMC2292196 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-8-79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2007] [Accepted: 03/25/2008] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant gliomas are lethal cancers, highly dependent on angiogenesis and treatment options and prognosis still remain poor for patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Ephs and ephrins have many well-defined functions during embryonic development of central nervous system such as axon mapping, neural crest cell migration, hindbrain segmentation and synapse formation as well as physiological and abnormal angiogenesis. Accumulating evidence indicates that Eph and ephrins are frequently overexpressed in different tumor types including GBM. However, their role in tumorigenesis remains controversial, as both tumor growth promoter and suppressor potential have been ascribed to Eph and ephrins while the function of EphA7 in GBM pathogenesis remains largely unknown. Methods In this study, we investigated the immunohistochemical expression of EphA7 in a series of 32 primary and recurrent GBM and correlated it with clinical pathological parameters and patient outcome. In addition, intratumor microvascular density (MVD) was quantified by immunostaining for endothelial cell marker von Willebrand factor (vWF). Results Overexpression of EphA7 protein was predictive of the adverse outcome in GBM patients, independent of MVD expression (p = 0.02). Moreover, high density of MVD as well as higher EphA7 expression predicted the disease outcome more accurately than EphA7 variable alone (p = 0.01). There was no correlation between MVD and overall survival or recurrence-free survival (p > 0.05). However, a statistically significant correlation between lower MVD and tumor recurrence was observed (p = 0.003). Conclusion The immunohistochemical assessment of tissue EphA7 provides important prognostic information in GBM and would justify its use as surrogate marker to screen patients for tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Fang Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstr, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.
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Ahlborn GJ, Nelson GM, Ward WO, Knapp G, Allen JW, Ouyang M, Roop BC, Chen Y, O'Brien T, Kitchin KT, Delker DA. Dose response evaluation of gene expression profiles in the skin of K6/ODC mice exposed to sodium arsenite. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2008; 227:400-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2007.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2007] [Revised: 10/02/2007] [Accepted: 10/29/2007] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Abstract
EphB4 and ephrinB2 expressions in ovarian cancers were studied to analyse EphB4/ephrinB2 functions against clinical backgrounds. EphB4 and ephrinB2 were dominantly localised in ovarian cancer cells of all cases studied. Both the histoscores and mRNA levels of EphB4 and ephrinB2 significantly increased with clinical stages (I<II<III<IV, P<0.001) in ovarian cancers, although there was no significant difference in EphB4 and ephrinB2 histoscores or in mRNA levels according to histopathological types. EphB4 as well as ephrinB2 histoscores in cancer cells correlated with the corresponding mRNA levels in each case (EphB4, P<0.001; ephrinB2, P<0.001). The 24-month survival rates of the 36 patients with high EphB4 and ephrinB2 expression were poor (25 and 27%, respectively), while for the other 36 patients with low EphB4 and ephrinB2 expression, they were significantly higher (68 and 64%, respectively). Therefore, EphB4/ephrinB2 may function in tumour advancement and coexpression of the Eph/ephrin system may potentiate tumour progression leading to poor survival. Thus, EphB4/ephrinB2 can be recognised as a novel prognostic indicator in the primary tumours of ovarian cancers.
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Fasen K, Cerretti DP, Huynh-Do U. Ligand binding induces Cbl-dependent EphB1 receptor degradation through the lysosomal pathway. Traffic 2007; 9:251-66. [PMID: 18034775 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2007.00679.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases play a critical role in embryonic patterning and angiogenesis. In the adult, they are involved in carcinogenesis and pathological neovascularization. However, the mechanisms underlying their role in tumor formation and metastasis remain to be defined. Here, we demonstrated that stimulation of EphB1 with ephrinB1/Fc led to a marked downregulation of EphB1 protein, a process blocked by the lysosomal inhibitor bafilomycin. Following ephrinB1 stimulation, the ubiquitin ligase Cbl was recruited by EphB1 and then phosphorylated. Both Cbl phosphorylation and EphB1 ubiquitination were blocked by the Src inhibitor PP2. Overexpression of wild-type Cbl, but not of 70Z mutant lacking ligase activity, enhanced EphB1 ubiquitination and degradation. This negative regulation required the tyrosine kinase activity of EphB1 as kinase-dead EphB1-K652R was resistant to Cbl. Glutathione S-transferase binding experiments showed that Cbl bound to EphB1 through its tyrosine kinase-binding domain. In aggregate, we demonstrated that Cbl induces the ubiquitination and lysosomal degradation of activated EphB1, a process requiring EphB1 and Src kinase activity. To our knowledge, this is the first study dissecting the molecular mechanisms leading to EphB1 downregulation, thus paving the way to new means of modulating their angiogenic and tumorigenic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Fasen
- Division of Nephrology and Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern Medical School, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
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Nakada M, Drake KL, Nakada S, Niska JA, Berens ME. Ephrin-B3 ligand promotes glioma invasion through activation of Rac1. Cancer Res 2007; 66:8492-500. [PMID: 16951161 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-05-4211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases are involved in nervous system development. Eph ligands, termed ephrins, are transmembrane proteins that bind to Eph receptors, the mutual activation of which causes repulsive effects in reciprocally contacting cells. Previously, we showed that overexpression of EphB2 in glioma cells increases cell invasion. Here, expression profiles of ephrin-B family members were determined in four glioma cell lines and in invading glioblastoma cells collected by laser capture microdissection. Ephrin-B3 mRNA was up-regulated in migrating cells of four of four glioma cell lines (1.3- to 1.7-fold) and in invading tumor cells of eight of eight biopsy specimens (1.2- to 10.0-fold). Forced expression of ephrin-B3 in low expressor cell lines (U87, T98G) stimulated cell migration and invasion in vitro and ex vivo, concomitant with tyrosine phosphorylation of ephrin-B3. In high expressor cell lines (U251, SNB19), ephrin-B3 colocalized with Rac1 to lamellipodia of motile wild-type cells. Cells transfected with ephrin-B3 small interfering RNA (siRNA) showed significant morphologic change and decreased invasion in vitro and ex vivo. Depletion of endogenous ephrin-B3 expression abrogated the increase of migration and invasion induced by EphB2/Fc, indicating increased invasion is dependent on ephrin-B3 activation. Furthermore, using a Rac1-GTP pull-down assay, we showed that ephrin-B3 is associated with Rac1 activation. Reduction of Rac1 by siRNA negated the increased invasion by addition of EphB2/Fc. In human glioma specimens, ephrin-B3 expression and phosphorylation correlated with increasing tumor grade. Immunohistochemistry revealed robust staining for phosphorylated ephrin-B and ephrin-B3 in invading glioblastoma cells. These data show that ephrin-B3 expression and signaling through Rac1 are critically important to glioma invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsutoshi Nakada
- The Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
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