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Yang J, Sun Q, Liu X, Yang Y, Rong R, Yan P, Xie Y. Targeting Notch signaling pathways with natural bioactive compounds: a promising approach against cancer. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1412669. [PMID: 39092224 PMCID: PMC11291470 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1412669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling pathway is activated abnormally in solid and hematological tumors, which perform essential functions in cell differentiation, survival, proliferation, and angiogenesis. The activation of Notch signaling and communication among Notch and other oncogenic pathways heighten malignancy aggressiveness. Thus, targeting Notch signaling offers opportunities for improved survival and reduced disease incidence. Already, most attention has been given to its role in the cancer cells. Recent research shows that natural bioactive compounds can change signaling molecules that are linked to or interact with the Notch pathways. This suggests that there may be a link between Notch activation and the growth of tumors. Here, we sum up the natural bioactive compounds that possess inhibitory effects on human cancers by impeding the Notch pathway and preventing Notch crosstalk with other oncogenic pathways, which provoke further study of these natural products to derive rational therapeutic regimens for the treatment of cancer and develop novel anticancer drugs. This review revealed Notch as a highly challenging but promising target in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qihui Sun
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classical Theory, Ministry of Education, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classical Theory, Ministry of Education, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Rong Rong
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Peiyu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Ying Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Czerwonka A, Kałafut J, Nees M. Modulation of Notch Signaling by Small-Molecular Compounds and Its Potential in Anticancer Studies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4563. [PMID: 37760535 PMCID: PMC10526229 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling is responsible for conveying messages between cells through direct contact, playing a pivotal role in tissue development and homeostasis. The modulation of Notch-related processes, such as cell growth, differentiation, viability, and cell fate, offer opportunities to better understand and prevent disease progression, including cancer. Currently, research efforts are mainly focused on attempts to inhibit Notch signaling in tumors with strong oncogenic, gain-of-function (GoF) or hyperactivation of Notch signaling. The goal is to reduce the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, interfere with neo-angiogenesis, increase chemosensitivity, potentially target cancer stem cells, tumor dormancy, and invasion, and induce apoptosis. Attempts to pharmacologically enhance or restore disturbed Notch signaling for anticancer therapies are less frequent. However, in some cancer types, such as squamous cell carcinomas, preferentially, loss-of-function (LoF) mutations have been confirmed, and restoring but not blocking Notch functions may be beneficial for therapy. The modulation of Notch signaling can be performed at several key levels related to NOTCH receptor expression, translation, posttranslational (proteolytic) processing, glycosylation, transport, and activation. This further includes blocking the interaction with Notch-related nuclear DNA transcription. Examples of small-molecular chemical compounds, that modulate individual elements of Notch signaling at the mentioned levels, have been described in the recent literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Czerwonka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (M.N.)
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Knapp K, Verchio V, Coburn-Flynn O, Li Y, Xiong Z, Morrison JC, Shersher DD, Spitz F, Chen X. Exploring cell competition for the prevention and therapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 214:115639. [PMID: 37290594 PMCID: PMC10528900 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115639] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is characterized by the development of cancer in the esophageal squamous epithelium through a step-by-step accumulation of genetic, epigenetic, and histopathological alterations. Recent studies have demonstrated that cancer-associated gene mutations exist in histologically normal or precancerous clones of the human esophageal epithelium. However, only a small proportion of such mutant clones will develop ESCC, and most ESCC patients develop only one cancer. This suggests that most of these mutant clones are kept in a histologically normal state by neighboring cells with higher competitive fitness. When some of the mutant cells evade cell competition, they become "super-competitors" and develop into clinical cancer. It is known that human ESCC is composed of a heterogeneous population of cancer cells that interact with and influence their environment and neighbors. During cancer therapy, these cancer cells not only respond to therapeutic agents but also compete with each other. Therefore, competition between ESCC cells within the same ESCC tumor is a constantly dynamic process. However, it remains challenging to fine-tune the competitive fitness of various clones for therapeutic benefits. In this review, we will explore the role of cell competition in carcinogenesis, cancer prevention, and therapy, using NRF2, NOTCH pathway, and TP53 as examples. We believe that cell competition is a research area with promising targets for clinical translation. Manipulating cell competition may help improve the prevention and therapy of ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Knapp
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Vincent Verchio
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | | | - Yahui Li
- Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Zhaohui Xiong
- Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Jamin C Morrison
- MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - David D Shersher
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Francis Spitz
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Xiaoxin Chen
- Department of Surgery, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, Camden, NJ 08103, USA; Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA.
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Croci C, Traverso M, Baratto S, Iacomino M, Pedemonte M, Caroli F, Scala M, Bruno C, Fiorillo C. Congenital myopathy associated with a novel mutation in MEGF10 gene, myofibrillar alteration and progressive course. ACTA MYOLOGICA : MYOPATHIES AND CARDIOMYOPATHIES : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SOCIETY OF MYOLOGY 2022; 41:111-116. [PMID: 36349186 PMCID: PMC9628799 DOI: 10.36185/2532-1900-076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Early-onset myopathy, areflexia, respiratory distress, and dysphagia (EMARDD) is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in the MEGF10 gene (OMIM #614399). Phenotypic spectrum of EMARDD is variable, ranging from severe infantile forms in which patients are ventilator-dependent and die in childhood, to milder chronic disorders with a more favorable course (mild variant, mvEMARDD). Here we describe a 22 years old boy, offspring of consanguineous parents, presenting a congenital myopathic phenotype since infancy with elbow contractures and scoliosis. The patient developed a slowly progressive muscle weakness with impaired walking, rhinolalia, dysphagia, and respiratory involvement, which required noninvasive ventilation therapy since the age of 16 years. First muscle biopsy revealed unspecific muscle damage, with fiber size variation, internal nuclei and fibrosis. Myofibrillar alterations were noted at a second muscle biopsy including whorled fibres, cytoplasmic inclusion and minicores. Exome sequencing identified a homozygous mutation in MEGF10 gene, c.2096G > C (p.Cys699Ser), inherited by both parents. This variant, not reported in public databases of mutations, is expected to alter the structure of the protein and is therefore predicted to be probably damaging according to ACMG classification. In conclusion, we found a new likely pathogenic mutation in MEGF10, which is responsible for a progressive form of mvEMARDD with myofibrillar alterations at muscle biopsy. Interestingly, the presence of MEGF10 mutations has not been reported in Italian population. Early diagnosis of MEGF10 myopathy is essential in light of recent results from in vivo testing demonstrating a potential therapeutic effect of SSRIs compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Croci
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa Italy
| | - Monica Traverso
- Paediatric Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, IRCCS Istituto “G. Gaslini”, Genoa Italy
| | - Serena Baratto
- Paediatric Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, IRCCS Istituto “G. Gaslini”, Genoa Italy
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto “G. Gaslini”, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marina Pedemonte
- Paediatric Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, IRCCS Istituto “G. Gaslini”, Genoa Italy
| | - Francesco Caroli
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Istituto “G. Gaslini”, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marcello Scala
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa Italy
| | - Claudio Bruno
- Center of Translational and Experimental Myology, IRCCS Istituto “G. Gaslini”, Genoa, Ital
| | - Chiara Fiorillo
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa Italy, Paediatric Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, IRCCS Istituto “G. Gaslini”, Genoa Italy,Correspondence Chiara Fiorillo Paediatric Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorder Unit, IRCCS Istituto “G. Gaslini”, largo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy. Tel.: +39 010 56363566. E-mail:
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Modulation of Notch Signaling Pathway by Bioactive Dietary Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073532. [PMID: 35408894 PMCID: PMC8998406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling is often aberrantly activated in solid and hematological cancers and regulates cell fate decisions and the maintenance of cancer stem cells. In addition, increased expression of Notch pathway components is clinically associated with poorer prognosis in several types of cancer. Targeting Notch may have chemopreventive and anti-cancer effects, leading to reduced disease incidence and improved survival. While therapeutic agents are currently in development to achieve this goal, several researchers have turned their attention to dietary and natural agents for targeting Notch signaling. Given their natural abundance from food sources, the use of diet-derived agents to target Notch signaling offers the potential advantage of low toxicity to normal tissue. In this review, we discuss several dietary agents including curcumin, EGCG, resveratrol, and isothiocyanates, which modulate Notch pathway components in a context-dependent manner. Dietary agents modulate Notch signaling in several types of cancer and concurrently decrease in vitro cell viability and in vivo tumor growth, suggesting a potential role for their clinical use to target Notch pathway components, either alone or in combination with current therapeutic agents.
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Cranberry Polyphenols in Esophageal Cancer Inhibition: New Insights. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14050969. [PMID: 35267943 PMCID: PMC8912450 DOI: 10.3390/nu14050969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is a cancer characterized by rapidly rising incidence and poor survival, resulting in the need for new prevention and treatment options. We utilized two cranberry polyphenol extracts, one proanthocyanidin enriched (C-PAC) and a combination of anthocyanins, flavonoids, and glycosides (AFG) to assess inhibitory mechanisms utilizing premalignant Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and EAC derived cell lines. We employed reverse phase protein arrays (RPPA) and Western blots to examine cancer-associated pathways and specific signaling cascades modulated by C-PAC or AFG. Viability results show that C-PAC is more potent than AFG at inducing cell death in BE and EAC cell lines. Based on the RPPA results, C-PAC significantly modulated 37 and 69 proteins in JH-EsoAd1 (JHAD1) and OE19 EAC cells, respectively. AFG treatment significantly altered 49 proteins in both JHAD1 and OE19 cells. Bioinformatic analysis of RPPA results revealed many previously unidentified pathways as modulated by cranberry polyphenols including NOTCH signaling, immune response, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Collectively, these results provide new insight regarding mechanisms by which cranberry polyphenols exert cancer inhibitory effects targeting EAC, with implications for potential use of cranberry constituents as cancer preventive agents.
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Guenter R, Eide J, Chen H, Rose JB, Jaskula-Sztul R. High-Throughput Analysis to Identify Activators of Notch Signaling. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2472:49-56. [PMID: 35674891 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2201-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Notch pathway regulates many cellular functions in a context-dependent manner. Depending on the cell type, either the activation or inhibition of Notch signaling can influence many processes such as cellular proliferation, specification, differentiation, and survival. The activation of Notch signaling has been shown to have therapeutic advantages in some cancers, thus having a method to identify Notch-activating compounds is needed. In this chapter we outline a method for high-throughput analysis of potential Notch pathway activators in a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor cell line as an example. We also include the steps for subsequent validation of results and preclinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Guenter
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jacob Eide
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Herbert Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - J Bart Rose
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Renata Jaskula-Sztul
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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Emerging Therapeutic Concepts and Latest Diagnostic Advancements Regarding Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Gynecologic Tract. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2021; 57:medicina57121338. [PMID: 34946283 PMCID: PMC8703600 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57121338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are particularly rare in all sites of the gynecological tract and include a variety of neoplasms with variable prognosis, dependent on histologic subtype and site of origin. Following the expert consensus proposal of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the approach in the latest World Health Organization (WHO) Classification System of the Female Genital Tumours is to use the same terminology for NENs at all body sites. The main concept of this novel classification framework is to align it to all other body sites and make a clear distinction between well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). The previous WHO Classification System of the Female Genital Tumours featured more or less the same principle, but used the terms ‘low-grade neuroendocrine tumor’ and ‘high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma’. Regardless of the terminology used, each of these two main categories include two distinct morphological subtypes: NETs are represented by typical and atypical carcinoid and NEC are represented by small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). High-grade NECs, especially small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma tends to be more frequent in the uterine cervix, followed by the endometrium, while low-grade NETs usually occur in the ovary. NENs of the vulva, vagina and fallopian tube are exceptionally rare, with scattered case reports in the scientific literature.
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Fukuda A, Kano S, Nakamaru Y, Morita S, Hoshino K, Fujiwara K, Homma A. Notch Signaling in Acquired Middle Ear Cholesteatoma. Otol Neurotol 2021; 42:e1389-e1395. [PMID: 34172659 DOI: 10.1097/mao.0000000000003245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS We hypothesized that an anomalous change of Notch signaling might be involved in the pathophysiology of cholesteatoma. BACKGROUND The Notch signaling pathway regulates integrated growth and differentiation control of keratinocytes. Its involvement in cholesteatoma proliferation has not been elucidated. METHODS We obtained cholesteatoma and external auditory canal (EAC) skin samples from patients with middle ear cholesteatoma who underwent tympanomastoid surgery. We performed polymerase chain reaction using the RT2 Profiler™ PCR Array Human Notch Signaling Pathway (Qiagen) in the cholesteatoma and EAC skin samples (n = 6 each). This was followed by immunohistochemical staining of Notch1, enhancer of split-1 (HES1), and p53 in 41 and 8 cholesteatoma and EAC skin samples, respectively. RESULTS The fold change of Notch1 gene expression was lowest in cholesteatoma, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0424). Moreover, the fold change of HES1 expression decreased (p = 0.272). The positive rates of Notch1 and HES1 protein expressions in the cholesteatoma (48.5 ± 32.4% and 44.9 ± 17.8%, respectively) were significantly lower than in the EAC skin (83.4 ± 17.5% and 55.7 ± 7.1%, respectively) (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01). In contrast, the positive rate of p53 expression in the cholesteatoma (8.5 ± 11.4%) was significantly higher than in the EAC skin (0.5 ± 0.7%) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The decreases in Notch1 and HES1 protein expression might play an important role in the hyperproliferative character of the keratinizing squamous epithelium in cholesteatoma. An increase in p53 might reflect the reaction to cellular hyperproliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Fukuda
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
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Effect of the Notch1-mediated PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway in human osteosarcoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:21090-21101. [PMID: 34495871 PMCID: PMC8457590 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Osteosarcoma is one of the most common malignant bone tumours in early adolescence. The incidence rate of osteosarcoma has stagnated over the past 30 years, highlighting the need to develop novel therapies. In osteosarcoma cells, Notch1 expression is absent, and the Notch1 pathway is related to cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy. Our study aimed to investigate the role of Notch1 in osteosarcoma development. Methods: We measured NICD1 expression induced by doxycycline treatment at various concentrations. The viability of human osteosarcoma cells (MG-63) induced by doxycycline was measured. Flow cytometry and cell apoptosis analysis were conducted to measure the effect of Notch1 on the cell cycle of human osteosarcoma cells. We also used a GFP-LC3 plasmid to detect Notch1-induced autophagy in MG-63 cells. Western blotting was conducted to analyse expression of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway through Notch1 induction by doxycycline. Results: In this study, we demonstrated that Notch1 activation by doxycycline potently suppressed cell proliferation by inducing S phase arrest in osteosarcoma cells. Doxycycline-induced Notch1 activation also induced apoptosis and autophagy in osteosarcoma cells. Moreover, we found that Notch1 inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling to induce apoptosis and autophagy. Conclusion: In summary, our results revealed that Notch1 activation by doxycycline induces S phase arrest, apoptosis and autophagy by blocking PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling in human osteosarcoma cells. Notch1 may be a potential clinical antitumour target for osteosarcoma therapy.
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Shao H, Moller M, Cai L, Prokupets R, Yang C, Costa C, Yu K, Le N, Liu ZJ. Converting melanoma-associated fibroblasts into a tumor-suppressive phenotype by increasing intracellular Notch1 pathway activity. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248260. [PMID: 33705467 PMCID: PMC7951899 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a crucial role in cancer progression, drug resistance and tumor recurrence. We have recently shown that the Notch pathway determines the tumor-regulatory role of experimentally created ‘CAFs’. Here, we examined the status of Notch signaling in human melanoma-associated fibroblasts (MAFs) versus their normal counterparts and tested whether manipulation of the Notch pathway activity in MAFs alters their tumor-regulatory function. Using tissue microarrays, we found that MAFs exhibit decreased Notch pathway activity compared with normal fibroblasts in adjacent and non-adjacent skin. Consistently, MAFs isolated from human metastatic melanoma exhibited lower Notch activity than did normal human fibroblasts, demonstrating that Notch pathway activity is low in MAFs. We then investigated the effect of increasing Notch pathway activity in MAF on melanoma growth in co-cultures and in a mouse co-graft model. We found that activation of the Notch pathway in MAFs significantly restricted melanoma cell growth in vitro and suppressed melanoma skin growth and tumor angiogenesis in vivo. Our study demonstrates that the Notch signaling is inhibited in MAFs. Increase of Notch pathway activity can confer tumor-suppressive function on MAFs. Thus, targeting melanoma by activating Notch signaling in MAF may represent a novel therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Shao
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Mecker Moller
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Long Cai
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Rochelle Prokupets
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Cuixia Yang
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Connor Costa
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kerstin Yu
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nga Le
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Zhao-Jun Liu
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Li Y, Li Y, Chen X. NOTCH and Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1287:59-68. [PMID: 33034026 PMCID: PMC7895477 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-55031-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a deadly disease that requires extensive research on its mechanisms, prevention, and therapy. Recent studies have shown that NOTCH mutations are commonly seen in human ESCC. This chapter summarizes our current understanding of the NOTCH pathway in normal esophagus and in ESCC. In normal esophagus, NOTCH pathway regulates the development of esophageal squamous epithelium, in particular, squamous differentiation. Exposure to extrinsic and intrinsic factors, such as gastroesophageal reflux, alcohol drinking, and inflammation, downregulates the NOTCH pathway and thus inhibits squamous differentiation of esophageal squamous epithelial cells. In ESCC, NOTCH plays a dual role as both a tumor suppressor pathway and an oncogenic pathway. In summary, further studies are warranted to develop NOTCH activators for the prevention of ESCC and NOTCH inhibitors for targeted therapy of a subset of ESCC with activated NOTCH pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center, Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yahui Li
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Xiaoxin Chen
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Bhaskara VK, Mittal B, Mysorekar VV, Amaresh N, Simal-Gandara J. Resveratrol, cancer and cancer stem cells: A review on past to future. Curr Res Food Sci 2020; 3:284-295. [PMID: 33305295 PMCID: PMC7718213 DOI: 10.1016/j.crfs.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains to be an unresolved medical challenge despite of tremendous advancement in basic science research and clinical medicine. One of the major limitations is due to the side effects of chemotherapy which remains to be palliative without offering any permanent cure for cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the subpopulation of cells in tumors that remain viable even after surgery, chemo- and radio-therapy that eventually responsible for tumor relapse. Hence, by eliminating non-stem cancer cells and cancer stem cells from the patient, permanent cure is expected. Phytochemicals have been under the intensive study to target these CSCs effectively and permanently as they do not cause any side effects. Resveratrol (RSV) is one such compound attaining lot of interest in recent days to target CSCs either alone or in combination. RSV has been used by several researchers to target cancer cells in a variety of disease models, however its CSC targeting abilities are under intensive study at present. This review is to summarize the effects of RSV under in vitro and in vivo conditions along with advantages and disadvantages of its uses against cancer cells and cancer stem cells. From the first reports on phytochemical applications against cancer and cancer stem cells in 1997 and 2002 respectively followed by later reports, up to date observations and developments are enlisted from PubMed in this comprehensive review. RSV is shown to be a potential compound having impact on altering the signal transduction pathways in cancer cells. However, the effects are variable under in vitro and in vivo conditions, and also with its use alone or in combination with other small molecules. Past research on RSV is emphasizing the importance of in vivo experimental models and clinical trials with different prospective combinations, is a hope for future promising treatment regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasanth K Bhaskara
- Department of Biochemistry-PG, Ramaiah Post Graduate Center, Ramaiah College - RCASC, Bengaluru 560054, India
| | - Bharti Mittal
- Immuniteit Lab Pvt Ltd., Electronic City, Bengaluru 560024, India
| | - Vijaya V Mysorekar
- Department of Pathology, Ramaiah Medical College & Hospitals (RMCH), Bengaluru 560054, India
| | - Nagarathna Amaresh
- Department of Biotechnology, Ramaiah Post Graduate Center, Ramaiah College - RCASC, Bengaluru 560054, India
| | - Jesus Simal-Gandara
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Vigo - Ourense Campus, E32004 Ourense, Spain
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14
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Resveratrol Rescues Human Corneal Epithelial Cells Cultured in Hyperosmolar Conditions: Potential for Dry Eye Disease Treatment. Cornea 2020; 39:1520-1532. [DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000002495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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15
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Saha M, Rizzo SA, Ramanathan M, Hightower RM, Santostefano KE, Terada N, Finkel RS, Berg JS, Chahin N, Pacak CA, Wagner RE, Alexander MS, Draper I, Kang PB. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ameliorate MEGF10 myopathy. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:2365-2377. [PMID: 31267131 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
MEGF10 myopathy is a rare inherited muscle disease that is named after the causative gene, MEGF10. The classic phenotype, early onset myopathy, areflexia, respiratory distress and dysphagia, is severe and immediately life-threatening. There are no disease-modifying therapies. We performed a small molecule screen and follow-up studies to seek a novel therapy. A primary in vitro drug screen assessed cellular proliferation patterns in Megf10-deficient myoblasts. Secondary evaluations were performed on primary screen hits using myoblasts derived from Megf10-/- mice, induced pluripotent stem cell-derived myoblasts from MEGF10 myopathy patients, mutant Drosophila that are deficient in the homologue of MEGF10 (Drpr) and megf10 mutant zebrafish. The screen yielded two promising candidates that are both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), sertraline and escitalopram. In depth follow-up analyses demonstrated that sertraline was highly effective in alleviating abnormalities across multiple models of the disease including mouse myoblast, human myoblast, Drosophila and zebrafish models. Sertraline also restored deficiencies of Notch1 in disease models. We conclude that SSRIs show promise as potential therapeutic compounds for MEGF10 myopathy, especially sertraline. The mechanism of action may involve the Notch pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhurima Saha
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Skylar A Rizzo
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Medosome Biotec, Alachua, FL, USA
| | - Manashwi Ramanathan
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Rylie M Hightower
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,University of Alabama Birmingham, Center for Exercise Medicine Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Katherine E Santostefano
- Center for Cellular Reprogramming, Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Naohiro Terada
- Center for Cellular Reprogramming, Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Richard S Finkel
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Nemours Children's Hospital, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Jonathan S Berg
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nizar Chahin
- Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Division, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Christina A Pacak
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Matthew S Alexander
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,University of Alabama Birmingham, Center for Exercise Medicine Birmingham, AL, USA.,Department of Genetics, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Civitan International Research Center at University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Isabelle Draper
- Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter B Kang
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Genetics Institute and Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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16
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Maier J, Elmenofi S, Taschauer A, Anton M, Sami H, Ogris M. Luminescent and fluorescent triple reporter plasmid constructs for Wnt, Hedgehog and Notch pathway. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226570. [PMID: 31860685 PMCID: PMC6924688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tracking the activity of signalling pathways is a fundamental method for basic science, as well as in cancer- and pharmaceutical research. The developmental pathways Wnt, Hedgehog and Notch are frequently deregulated in cancers and represent a valuable target for the discovery of novel anticancer compounds. Here we present reporter systems for tracking activity of these pathways by using specific promoter elements driving the expression of either sensitive luciferases or fluorescent proteins. A high level of sensitivity was obtained using the luciferase reporter genes for firefly (FLuc), secreted Gaussia (GLuc) and synthetic NanoLuc (NLuc). As fluorescent reporter proteins, mTurqouise2, tdTomato and iRFP720 were chosen. Specificity of pathway activity was validated by co-transfection with pathway activating genes, showing significant response to induction. In addition, multi-gene plasmids were cloned, allowing the detection of all three pathways by one vector. By using the multi-gene vector 3P-Luc (wnt-NLuc, hedgehog-FLuc, Notch-GLuc), we could unambiguously demonstrate the crosstalk between pathways, while excluding cross reactivity of luciferase substrates. First studies with synthetic compounds confirmed the applicability of the system for future drug screening approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Maier
- Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Center of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse, Vienna, Austria
| | - Salma Elmenofi
- Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Center of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Taschauer
- Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Center of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Anton
- Institutes of Molecular Immunology and Experimental Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Haider Sami
- Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Center of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail: (MO); (HS)
| | - Manfred Ogris
- Laboratory of MacroMolecular Cancer Therapeutics (MMCT), Center of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail: (MO); (HS)
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17
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Du Y, Shao H, Moller M, Prokupets R, Tse YT, Liu ZJ. Intracellular Notch1 Signaling in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Dictates the Plasticity and Stemness of Melanoma Stem/Initiating Cells. Stem Cells 2019; 37:865-875. [PMID: 30941836 PMCID: PMC6986496 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play critical roles in cancer initiation, metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance. Recent studies have revealed involvement of cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in regulating CSCs. However, the intracellular molecular mechanisms that determine the regulatory role of CAFs in modulating the plasticity of CSCs remain unknown. Here, we uncovered that intracellular Notch1 signaling in CAFs serves as a molecular switch, which modulates tumor heterogeneity and aggressiveness by inversely controlling stromal regulation of the plasticity and stemness of CSCs. Using mesenchymal stem cell‐derived fibroblasts (MSC‐DF) harboring reciprocal loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function Notch1 signaling, we found that MSC‐DFNotch1−/− prompted cocultured melanoma cells to form more spheroids and acquire the phenotype (CD271+ and Nestin+) of melanoma stem/initiating cells (MICs), whereas MSC‐DFN1IC+/+ suppressed melanoma cell sphere formation and mitigated properties of MICs. MSC‐DFNotch1−/− increased stemness of CD271+ MIC, which resultantly exhibited stronger aggressiveness in vitro and in vivo, by upregulating Sox2/Oct4/Nanog expression. Consistently, when cografted with melanoma cells into NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice, MSC‐DFNotch1−/− increased, but MSC‐DFN1IC+/+ decreased, the amounts of CD271+ MIC in melanoma tissue. The amounts of CD271+ MIC regulated by MSC‐DF carrying high or low Notch1 pathway activity is well correlated with capability of melanoma metastasis, supporting that melanoma metastasis is MIC‐mediated. Our data demonstrate that intracellular Notch1 signaling in CAFs is a molecular switch dictating the plasticity and stemness of MICs, thereby regulating melanoma aggressiveness, and therefore that targeting the intracellular Notch1 signaling pathway in CAFs may present a new therapeutic strategy for melanoma. stem cells2019;37:865–875
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Du
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongwei Shao
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mecker Moller
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Rochelle Prokupets
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Yee Ting Tse
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Zhao-Jun Liu
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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18
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LaFoya B, Munroe JA, Albig AR. A comparison of resveratrol and other polyphenolic compounds on Notch activation and endothelial cell activity. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210607. [PMID: 30653610 PMCID: PMC6336259 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound produced by plants which makes its way into the human diet through plant-based foods. It has been shown to provide many health benefits, helping to ward of age-related diseases and promoting cardiovascular health. Additionally, resveratrol is a potent activator of the Notch signaling pathway. While resveratrol receives the most attention as a polyphenolic nutraceutical, other compounds with similar structures may be more potent regulators of specific cellular processes. Here, we compare resveratrol, apigenin, chrysin, genistein, luteolin, myricetin, piceatannol, pterostilbene, and quercetin for their ability to regulate Notch signaling. In addition, we compare the ability of these polyphenolic compounds to regulate endothelial cell viability, proliferation, and migration. Out of these compounds we found that resveratrol is the best activator of Notch signaling, however, other similar compounds are also capable of stimulating Notch. We also discovered that several of these polyphenols were able to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation. Finally, we found that many of these polyphenols are potent inhibitors of endothelial migration during wound healing assays. These findings provide the first side-by-side comparison of the regulation of Notch signaling, and endothelial cell proliferation and migration, by nine polyphenolic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryce LaFoya
- Biomolecular Sciences PhD Program, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Jordan A. Munroe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Allan R. Albig
- Biomolecular Sciences PhD Program, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Shao H, Cai L, Moller M, Issac B, Zhang L, Owyong M, Moscowitz AE, Vazquez-Padron R, Radtke F, Liu ZJ. Notch1-WISP-1 axis determines the regulatory role of mesenchymal stem cell-derived stromal fibroblasts in melanoma metastasis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:79262-79273. [PMID: 27813493 PMCID: PMC5346712 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells-derived fibroblasts (MSC-DF) constitute a significant portion of stromal fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are key modulators of tumor progression. However, the molecular mechanisms that determine their tumor-regulatory function are poorly understood. Here, we uncover the Notch1 pathway as a molecular determinant that selectively controls the regulatory role of MSC-DF in melanoma metastasis. We demonstrate that the Notch1 pathway's activity is inversely correlated with the metastasis-regulating function of fibroblasts and can determine the metastasis-promoting or -suppressing phenotype of MSC-DF. When co-grafted with melanoma cells, MSC-DFNotch1-/- selectively promote, while MSC-DFN1IC+/+ preferentially suppress melanoma metastasis, but not growth, in mouse models. Consistently, conditioned media (CM) from MSC-DFNotch1-/- and MSC-DFN1IC+/+ oppositely, yet selectively regulates migration, but not growth of melanoma cells in vitro. Additionally, when co-cultured with metastatic melanoma cells in vitro, MSC-DFNotch1-/- support, while MSC-DFN1IC+/+ inhibit melanoma cells in the formation of spheroids. These findings expand the repertoire of Notch1 signaling as a molecular switch in determining the tumor metastasis-regulating function of MSC-DF. We also identified Wnt-induced secreted protein-1 (WISP-1) as a key downstream secretory mediator of Notch1 signaling to execute the influential role of MSC-DF on melanoma metastasis. These findings reveal the Notch1-WISP-1 axis as a crucial molecular determinant in governing stromal regulation of melanoma metastasis; thus, establishing this axis as a potential therapeutic target for melanoma metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Shao
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, USA
| | - Long Cai
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, USA.,Hangzhou Red-Cross Hospital, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mecker Moller
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, USA
| | - Biju Issac
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, USA.,Yantai University, School of Pharmacy, Shandong, China
| | - Mark Owyong
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, USA
| | | | | | - Freddy Radtke
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zhao-Jun Liu
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, USA.,Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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20
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Aristizabal Prada ET, Auernhammer CJ. Targeted therapy of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: preclinical strategies and future targets. Endocr Connect 2018; 7:R1-R25. [PMID: 29146887 PMCID: PMC5754510 DOI: 10.1530/ec-17-0286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Molecular targeted therapy of advanced neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) of the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) system currently encompasses approved therapy with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus and the multi-tyrosinkinase inhibitor sunitinib. However, clinical efficacy of these treatment strategies is limited by low objective response rates and limited progression-free survival due to tumour resistance. Further novel strategies for molecular targeted therapy of NETs of the GEP system are needed. This paper reviews preclinical research models and signalling pathways in NETs of the GEP system. Preclinical and early clinical data on putative novel targets for molecular targeted therapy of NETs of the GEP system are discussed, including PI3K, Akt, mTORC1/mTORC2, GSK3, c-Met, Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK, embryogenic pathways (Hedgehog, Notch, Wnt/beta-catenin, TGF-beta signalling and SMAD proteins), tumour suppressors and cell cycle regulators (p53, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) CDK4/6, CDK inhibitor p27, retinoblastoma protein (Rb)), heat shock protein HSP90, Aurora kinase, Src kinase family, focal adhesion kinase and epigenetic modulation by histone deacetylase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- E T Aristizabal Prada
- Department of Internal Medicine IVCampus Grosshadern, University-Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - C J Auernhammer
- Department of Internal Medicine IVCampus Grosshadern, University-Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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21
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Resveratrol reverses the adverse effects of bevacizumab on cultured ARPE-19 cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12242. [PMID: 28947815 PMCID: PMC5612947 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12496-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) are one of the major causes of blindness caused by neo-vascular changes in the retina. Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections are widely used in the treatment of wet-AMD and PDR. A significant percentage of treated patients have complications of repeated injections. Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenol phytoalexin with anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. Hence, we hypothesized that if RES is used in combination with bevacizumab (BEV, anti-VEGF), it could reverse the adverse effects that precipitate fibrotic changes, drusen formation, tractional retinal detachment and so on. Human retinal pigment epithelial cells were treated with various combinations of BEV and RES. There was partial reduction in secreted VEGF levels compared to untreated controls. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition was lower in BEV + RES treated cultures compared to BEV treated cultures. The proliferation status was similar in BEV + RES as well as BEV treated cultures both groups. Phagocytosis was enhanced in the presence of BEV + RES compared to BEV. Furthermore, we observed that notch signaling was involved in reversing the adverse effects of BEV. This study paves way for a combinatorial strategy to treat as well as prevent adverse effects of therapy in patients with wet AMD and PDR.
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22
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Functional characterization of human pluripotent stem cell-derived arterial endothelial cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E6072-E6078. [PMID: 28696312 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1702295114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we report the derivation of arterial endothelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells that exhibit arterial-specific functions in vitro and in vivo. We combine single-cell RNA sequencing of embryonic mouse endothelial cells with an EFNB2-tdTomato/EPHB4-EGFP dual reporter human embryonic stem cell line to identify factors that regulate arterial endothelial cell specification. The resulting xeno-free protocol produces cells with gene expression profiles, oxygen consumption rates, nitric oxide production levels, shear stress responses, and TNFα-induced leukocyte adhesion rates characteristic of arterial endothelial cells. Arterial endothelial cells were robustly generated from multiple human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell lines and have potential applications for both disease modeling and regenerative medicine.
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23
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Ji Y, Ke Y, Gao S. Intermittent activation of notch signaling promotes bone formation. Am J Transl Res 2017; 9:2933-2944. [PMID: 28670381 PMCID: PMC5489893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Stimulatory and inhibitory effects of Notch signaling pathway on osteogenesis were both widely reported, questioning the effectiveness of small molecules targeting the Notch pathway for prevention or treatment of bone loss diseases. Here we showed that Notch signaling is activated in osteocytes embedded within the mineralized matrix and in late stages of bone marrow mesenchymal cell osteogenic cultures. Inhibition of Notch signaling markedly reduced mineralization activities of bone marrow mesenchymal cells and inhibited expressions of mineralization-associated genes when Notch ligand Jagged1 was conditionally deleted, confirming the essential roles of Notch signaling in mineralization stages of osteoblast differentiation. Moreover, intermittent activation of Notch signaling showed significant increases of bone formation in mice, rats and ovariectomized rats. A two-phase action model of Notch signaling in osteogenesis is proposed, where activation of Notch signaling in early stages of osteoblast differentiation results in proliferation of immature preosteoblast lineage cells and activation in late stages promotes differentiation of osteoblasts into osteocytes. Moreover, valproic acid is a strong activator of Notch signaling, and yearly administration of valproic acid daily showed little side effects, indicating that long term and intermittent activation of Notch signaling will be a safe and ideal way to promote anabolic bone formation for treatment of osteoporosis. Therefore, Notch signaling pathway is a good therapeutic target for bone loss diseases, and valproic acid, resveratrol and other Notch activators are promising therapeutic molecules for promoting anabolic bone formation when administered intermittently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoting Ji
- Key Laboratory for Oral Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Yongxin Ke
- Key Laboratory for Oral Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Song Gao
- Key Laboratory for Oral Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430079, Hubei, China
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24
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Crabtree JS. Clinical and Preclinical Advances in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Therapy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:341. [PMID: 29255447 PMCID: PMC5722794 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular events leading to gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEP-NET) formation are largely unknown. Over the past decades, systemic chemotherapies have been replaced by therapies directed at particular molecular targets such as the somatostatin receptors, mTOR complexes or proangiogenic molecules. These approaches have demonstrated some success in subtypes of this heterogeneous tumor group, but responses are still widely varied. This review highlights the clinical trials ongoing for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and includes emerging immunotherapy, which holds great promise for NETs based on successes in other tumor types. Current avenues of preclinical research, including Notch and PI3K/AKT, will lead to additional targeted therapies based on genome-wide studies that have cast a wide net in the search for driver mutations. Future preclinical and clinical investigations are required to identify those mutations predictive of therapeutic response or disease progression. Results of current clinical trials outlined here will better inform patient management with respect to agent selection, timing, duration and combination therapy in the treatment of NETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy S. Crabtree
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
- *Correspondence: Judy S. Crabtree,
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25
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Chi L, Ahmed A, Roy AR, Vuong S, Cahill LS, Caporiccio L, Sled JG, Caniggia I, Wilson MD, Delgado-Olguin P. Ehmt2/G9a controls placental vascular maturation by activating the Notch pathway. Development 2017; 144:1976-1987. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.148916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Defective fetoplacental vascular maturation causes intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). A transcriptional switch initiates placental maturation where blood vessels elongate. However, cellular mechanisms and regulatory pathways involved are unknown. We show that the histone methyltransferase Ehmt2, also known as G9a, activates the Notch pathway to promote placental vascular maturation. Placental vasculature from embryos with G9a-deficient endothelial progenitor cells failed to expand due to decreased endothelial cell proliferation and increased trophoblast proliferation. Moreover, G9a deficiency altered the transcriptional switch initiating placental maturation and caused downregulation of Notch pathway effectors including Rbpj. Importantly, Notch pathway activation in G9a-deficient endothelial progenitors extended embryonic life and rescued placental vascular expansion. Thus, G9a activates the Notch pathway to balance endothelial cell and trophoblast proliferation and coordinates the transcriptional switch controlling placental vascular maturation. Accordingly, G9A and RBPJ were downregulated in human placentae from IUGR-affected pregnancies, suggesting that G9a is an important regulator in placental diseases caused by defective vascular maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Chi
- Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada
| | - Abdalla Ahmed
- Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anna R. Roy
- Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sandra Vuong
- Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lindsay S. Cahill
- Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laura Caporiccio
- Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada
| | - John G. Sled
- Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Isabella Caniggia
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael D. Wilson
- Program in Genetics & Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Delgado-Olguin
- Translational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Heart & Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence, Toronto, ON, Canada
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26
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The silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) is a positive regulator of the Notch pathway in Drosophila. Biochem J 2016; 473:4129-4143. [DOI: 10.1042/bcj20160563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) has been shown to have negative effects on the Notch pathway in several contexts. We bring evidence that Sirt1 has a positive effect on Notch activation in Drosophila, in the context of sensory organ precursor specification and during wing development. The phenotype of Sirt1 mutant resembles weak Notch loss-of-function phenotypes, and genetic interactions of Sirt1 with the components of the Notch pathway also suggest a positive role for Sirt1 in Notch signalling. Sirt1 is necessary for the efficient activation of enhancer of split [E(spl)] genes by Notch in S2N cells. Additionally, the Notch-dependent response of several E(spl) genes is sensitive to metabolic stress caused by 2-deoxy-d-glucose treatment, in a Sirt1-dependent manner. We found Sirt1 associated with several proteins involved in Notch repression as well as activation, including the cofactor exchange factor Ebi (TBL1), the RLAF/LAF histone chaperone complex and the Tip60 acetylation complex. Moreover, Sirt1 participates in the deacetylation of the CSL transcription factor Suppressor of Hairless. The role of Sirt1 in Notch signalling is, therefore, more complex than previously recognized, and its diverse effects may be explained by a plethora of Sirt1 substrates involved in the regulation of Notch signalling.
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Somnay YR, Yu XM, Lloyd RV, Leverson G, Aburjania Z, Jang S, Jaskula-Sztul R, Chen H. Notch3 expression correlates with thyroid cancer differentiation, induces apoptosis, and predicts disease prognosis. Cancer 2016; 123:769-782. [PMID: 27861750 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid tumorigenesis is characterized by a progressive loss of differentiation exhibited by a range of disease variants. The Notch receptor family (1-4) regulates developmental progression in both normal and cancerous tissues. This study sought to characterize the third Notch isoform (Notch3) across the various differentiated states of thyroid cancer, and determine its clinical impact. METHODS Notch3 expression was analyzed in a tissue microarray of normal and pathologic thyroid biopsies from 155 patients. The functional role of Notch3 was then investigated by upregulating its expression in a follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) cell line. RESULTS Notch3 expression regressed across decreasingly differentiated, increasingly malignant thyroid specimens, correlated with clinicopathological attributes reflecting poor prognosis, and independently predicted survival following univariate and multivariate analyses. Overexpression of the active Notch3 intracellular domain (NICD3) in a gain-of-function FTC line led to functional activation of centromere-binding protein 1, while increasing thyroid-specific gene transcription. NICD3 induction also reduced tumor burden in vivo and initiated the intrinsic apoptotic cascade, alongside suppressing cyclin and B-cell lymphoma 2 family expression. CONCLUSIONS Loss of Notch3 expression may be fundamental to the process of dedifferentiation that accompanies thyroid oncogenesis. Conversely, activation of Notch3 in thyroid cancer exerts an antiproliferative effect and restores elements of a differentiated phenotype. These findings provide preclinical rationale for evaluating Notch3 as a disease prognosticator and therapeutic target in advanced thyroid cancer. Cancer 2017;123:769-82. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yash R Somnay
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Xiao-Min Yu
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Ricardo V Lloyd
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Glen Leverson
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Zviadi Aburjania
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Samuel Jang
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | | | - Herbert Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Nrf2 and Notch Signaling in Lung Cancer: Near the Crossroad. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2016; 2016:7316492. [PMID: 27847554 PMCID: PMC5099458 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7316492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor Nrf2 (NF-E2 related factor 2) is a master regulator of the cell antioxidant response associated with tumor growth and resistance to cytotoxic treatments. In particular, Nrf2 induces upregulation of cytoprotective genes by interacting with the closely situated AREs (Antioxidant Response Elements) in response to endogenous or exogenous stress stimuli and takes part to several oncogenic signaling pathways. Among these, the crosstalk with Notch pathway has been shown to enhance cytoprotection and maintenance of cellular homeostasis, tissue organization by modulating cell proliferation kinetics, and stem cell self-renewal in several organs. The role of Notch and Nrf2 related pathways in tumorigenesis is highly variable and when they are both abnormally activated they can synergistically cause neoplastic proliferation by promoting cell survival, differentiation, invasion, and metastases. NFE2L2, KEAP1, and NOTCH genes family appear in the list of significantly mutated genes in tumors in both combined and individual sets, supporting the crucial role that the aberrant Nrf2-Notch crosstalk might have in cancerogenesis. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about the alterations of Nrf2 and Notch pathways and their reciprocal transcriptional regulation throughout tumorigenesis and progression of lung tumors, supporting the potentiality of putative biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Shao H, Kong R, Ferrari ML, Radtke F, Capobianco AJ, Liu ZJ. Notch1 Pathway Activity Determines the Regulatory Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Melanoma Growth and Invasion. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142815. [PMID: 26562315 PMCID: PMC4643021 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) play a crucial role in regulating cancer progression, yet the molecular determinant that governs the tumor regulatory role of CAF remains unknown. Using a mouse melanoma model in which exogenous melanoma cells were grafted on the skin of two lines of mice where the genetic activation or inactivation of Notch1 signaling specifically occurs in natural host stromal fibroblasts, we demonstrated that Notch1 pathway activity could determine the tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressing phenotype in CAF. CAF carrying elevated Notch1 activity significantly inhibited melanoma growth and invasion, while those with a null Notch1 promoted melanoma invasion. These findings identify the Notch1 pathway as a molecular determinant that controls the regulatory role of CAF in melanoma skin growth and invasion, unveiling Notch1 signaling as a potential therapeutic target for melanoma and potentially other solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Shao
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ranran Kong
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xi’an, China
| | - Massimiliano L. Ferrari
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Freddy Radtke
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anthony J. Capobianco
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Zhao-Jun Liu
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
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Somnay YR, Dull BZ, Eide J, Jaskula-Sztul R, Chen H. Chrysin suppresses achaete-scute complex-like 1 and alters the neuroendocrine phenotype of carcinoids. Cancer Gene Ther 2015; 22:496-505. [PMID: 26403073 PMCID: PMC4607661 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2015.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Carcinoids are neuroendocrine neoplasms that cause significant morbidity and mortality, and for which few effective therapies are available. Given the recent identification of the anti-cancer flavonoid chrysin, we sought to investigate its therapeutic potential in carcinoids. Here, we report chrysin’s ability to modulate the achaete-scute complex-like1 (ASCL1), a neuroendocrine-specific transcription factor highly implicated in the malignant phenotype of carcinoids and other neuroendocrine cancers. Moreover, we elucidate the role of ASCL1 in carcinoid growth and bioactivity. Treatment of two carcinoid cell lines (BON and H727) with varying chrysin concentrations suppressed cell proliferation, while reducing expression of ASCL1 and the neuroendocrine biomarker chromogranin A (CgA), demonstrated by Western blotting. Propidium iodide and PE AnnexinV/7-AAD staining and sorting following chrysin treatment revealed S/G2 phase arrest and apoptosis, respectively. This was corroborated by chrysin-induced cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP and activation of p21Waf1/Cip1. Furthermore, direct ASCL1 knockdown with an ASCL1-specific small interfering RNA inhibited CgA and synaptophysin expression as well as carcinoid proliferation, while also reducing cyclin B1 and D1, and increasing p21Waf1/Cip1 and p27Kip1 expression, suggesting an arrest of the cell-cycle. Collectively, these findings warrant the deliberation of targeted ASCL1 suppression by chrysin or other agents as a therapeutic approach for carcinoid management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y R Somnay
- Endocrine Surgery Research Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - B Z Dull
- Endocrine Surgery Research Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - J Eide
- Endocrine Surgery Research Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - R Jaskula-Sztul
- Endocrine Surgery Research Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Surgery, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - H Chen
- Endocrine Surgery Research Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Surgery, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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31
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Singh BN, Singh HB, Singh A, Naqvi AH, Singh BR. Dietary phytochemicals alter epigenetic events and signaling pathways for inhibition of metastasis cascade: phytoblockers of metastasis cascade. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2015; 33:41-85. [PMID: 24390421 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-013-9457-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is a multistep process in which a cancer cell spreads from the site of the primary lesion, passes through the circulatory system, and establishes a secondary tumor at a new nonadjacent organ or part. Inhibition of cancer progression by dietary phytochemicals (DPs) offers significant promise for reducing the incidence and mortality of cancer. Consumption of DPs in the diet has been linked to a decrease in the rate of metastatic cancer in a number of preclinical animal models and human epidemiological studies. DPs have been reported to modulate the numerous biological events including epigenetic events (noncoding micro-RNAs, histone modification, and DNA methylation) and multiple signaling transduction pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, Sonic hedgehog, COX-2, EGFR, MAPK-ERK, JAK-STAT, Akt/PI3K/mTOR, NF-κB, AP-1, etc.), which can play a key role in regulation of metastasis cascade. Extensive studies have also been performed to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying antimetastatic activity of DPs, with results indicating that these DPs have significant inhibitory activity at nearly every step of the metastatic cascade. DPs have anticancer effects by inducing apoptosis and by inhibiting cell growth, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. Growing evidence has also shown that these natural agents potentiate the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy through the regulation of multiple signaling pathways. In this review, we discuss the variety of molecular mechanisms by which DPs regulate metastatic cascade and highlight the potentials of these DPs as promising therapeutic inhibitors of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- B N Singh
- Research and Development Division, Sowbhagya Biotech Private Limited, Cherlapally, Hyderabad, 500051, Andhra Pradesh, India
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Jaskula-Sztul R, Eide J, Tesfazghi S, Dammalapati A, Harrison AD, Yu XM, Scheinebeck C, Winston-McPherson G, Kupcho KR, Robers MB, Hundal AK, Tang W, Chen H. Tumor-suppressor role of Notch3 in medullary thyroid carcinoma revealed by genetic and pharmacological induction. Mol Cancer Ther 2014; 14:499-512. [PMID: 25512616 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Notch1-3 are transmembrane receptors that appear to be absent in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Previous research has shown that induction of Notch1 has a tumor-suppressor effect in MTC cell lines, but little is known about the biologic consequences of Notch3 activation for the progression of the disease. We elucidate the role of Notch3 in MTC by genetic (doxycycline-inducible Notch3 intracellular domain) and pharmacologic [AB3, novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor] approaches. We find that overexpression of Notch3 leads to the dose-dependent reduction of neuroendocrine tumor markers. In addition, Notch3 activity is required to suppress MTC cell proliferation, and the extent of growth repression depends on the amount of Notch3 protein expressed. Moreover, activation of Notch3 induces apoptosis. The translational significance of this finding is highlighted by our observation that MTC tumors lack active Notch3 protein and reinstitution of this isoform could be a therapeutic strategy to treat patients with MTC. We demonstrate, for the first time, that overexpression of Notch3 in MTC cells can alter malignant neuroendocrine phenotype in both in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, our study provides a strong rationale for using Notch3 as a therapeutic target to provide novel pharmacologic treatment options for MTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Jaskula-Sztul
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jacob Eide
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Sara Tesfazghi
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Ajitha Dammalapati
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - April D Harrison
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Xiao-Min Yu
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Casi Scheinebeck
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | | | | | | | - Amrit K Hundal
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Weiping Tang
- School of Pharmacy and Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.
| | - Herbert Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin.
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How to take autophagy and endocytosis up a notch. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:960803. [PMID: 24860831 PMCID: PMC4016896 DOI: 10.1155/2014/960803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The interconnection of the endocytic and autophagosomal trafficking routes has been recognized more than two decades ago with both pathways using a set of identical effector proteins and sharing the same ultimate lysosomal destination. More recent data sheds light onto how other pathways are intertwined into this network, and how degradation via the endosomal/autophagosomal system may affect signaling pathways in multicellular organisms. Here, we briefly review the common features of autophagy and endocytosis and discuss how other players enter this mix with particular respect to the Notch signaling pathway.
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Patel PN, Yu XM, Jaskula-Sztul R, Chen H. Hesperetin activates the Notch1 signaling cascade, causes apoptosis, and induces cellular differentiation in anaplastic thyroid cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2014; 21 Suppl 4:S497-504. [PMID: 24419754 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-013-3459-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is characterized by very aggressive growth with undifferentiated features. Recently, it has been reported that the Notch1 signaling pathway, which affects thyrocyte proliferation and differentiation, is inactivated in ATC. However, it remains largely unknown whether using Notch1 activating compounds can be an effective therapeutic strategy in ATC. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the drug effects of a potential Notch activator hesperetin on ATC cell. METHODS A unique ATC cell line HTh7 was used to evaluate the drug effects of hesperetin. The Notch1 activating function and cell proliferation were evaluated. The mechanism of growth regulation was investigated by the detection of apoptotic markers. The expression levels of thyrocyte-specific genes were quantified for ATC redifferentiation. RESULTS Upregulated expression of Notch1 and its downstream effectors hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1) and Hes1 related with YRPW motif was observed in hesperetin-treated ATC cells. The enhanced luciferase signal also confirmed the functional activity of hesperetin-induced Notch1 signaling. Hesperetin led to a time- and dose-dependent decrease in ATC cell proliferation. The cell-growth inhibition was mainly caused by apoptosis as evidenced by increased levels of cleaved poly ADP ribose polymerase and cleaved caspase-3 as well as decreased survivin. Additionally, hesperetin induced the expression levels of thyrocyte-specific genes including thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1), TTF2, paired box gene 8, thyroid stimulating hormone receptor, and sodium/iodide symporter. CONCLUSIONS Hesperetin activates the Notch1 signaling cascade and suppresses ATC cell proliferation mainly via apoptosis. Hesperetin also induces cell redifferentiation of ATC, which could be useful clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyesh N Patel
- Endocrine Surgery Research Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
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Bonini SA, Ferrari-Toninelli G, Montinaro M, Memo M. Notch signalling in adult neurons: a potential target for microtubule stabilization. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2013; 6:375-85. [PMID: 24228073 DOI: 10.1177/1756285613490051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytoskeletal dysfunction has been proposed during the last decade as one of the main mechanisms involved in the aetiology of several neurodegenerative diseases. Microtubules are basic elements of the cytoskeleton and the dysregulation of microtubule stability has been demonstrated to be causative for axonal transport impairment, synaptic contact degeneration, impaired neuronal function leading finally to neuronal loss. Several pathways are implicated in the microtubule assembly/disassembly process. Emerging evidence is focusing on Notch as a microtubule dynamics regulator. We demonstrated that activation of Notch signalling results in increased microtubule stability and changes in axonal morphology and branching. By contrast, Notch inhibition leads to an increase in cytoskeleton plasticity with intense neurite remodelling. Until now, several microtubule-binding compounds have been tested and the results have provided proof of concept that microtubule-binding agents or compounds with the ability to stabilize microtubules may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, based on its key role in cytoskeletal dynamics modulation, we propose Notch as a new potential target for microtubule stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Anna Bonini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Xu W, Burke JF, Pilla S, Chen H, Jaskula-Sztul R, Gong S. Octreotide-functionalized and resveratrol-loaded unimolecular micelles for targeted neuroendocrine cancer therapy. NANOSCALE 2013; 5:9924-9933. [PMID: 23986296 PMCID: PMC3867929 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr03102k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) that is often resistant to standard therapies. Resveratrol suppresses MTC growth in vitro, but it has low bioavailability in vivo due to its poor water solubility and rapid metabolic breakdown, as well as lack of tumor-targeting ability. A novel unimolecular micelle based on a hyperbranched amphiphilic block copolymer was designed, synthesized, and characterized for NET-targeted delivery. The hyperbranched amphiphilic block copolymer consisted of a dendritic Boltorn® H40 core, a hydrophobic poly(l-lactide) (PLA) inner shell, and a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) outer shell. Octreotide (OCT), a peptide that shows strong binding affinity to somatostatin receptors, which are overexpressed on NET cells, was used as the targeting ligand. Resveratrol was physically encapsulated by the micelle with a drug loading content of 12.1%. The unimolecular micelles exhibited a uniform size distribution and spherical morphology, which were determined by both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Cellular uptake, cellular proliferation, and Western blot analyses demonstrated that the resveratrol-loaded OCT-targeted micelles suppressed growth more effectively than non-targeted micelles. Moreover, resveratrol-loaded NET-targeted micelles affected MTC cells similarly to free resveratrol in vitro, with equal growth suppression and reduction in NET marker production. These results suggest that the H40-based unimolecular micelle may offer a promising approach for targeted NET therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjin Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA. Tel: +1 6083164321
| | - Jocelyn F. Burke
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA. Tel: +1 6082631387
| | - Srikanth Pilla
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA. Tel: +1 6083164321
| | - Herbert Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA. Tel: +1 6082631387
| | - Renata Jaskula-Sztul
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53792, USA. Tel: +1 6082631387
| | - Shaoqin Gong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA. Tel: +1 6083164321
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Abstract
Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved cell signaling pathway involved in cell fate during development, stem cell renewal and differentiation in postnatal tissues. Roles for Notch in carcinogenesis, in the biology of cancer stem cells and tumor angiogenesis have been reported. These features identify Notch as a potential therapeutic target in oncology. Based on the molecular structure of Notch receptor, Notch ligands and Notch activators, a set of Notch pathway inhibitors have been developed. Most of these inhibitors had shown anti-tumor effects in preclinical studies. At the same time, the combinatorial effect of these inhibitors with current chemotherapeutical drugs is still under study in different clinical trials. In this review, we describe the basics of Notch signaling and the role of Notch in normal and cancer stem cells as a logic way to develop different Notch inhibitors and their current stage of progress for cancer patient's treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Espinoza
- University of Mississippi, Cancer Institute, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Lucio Miele
- University of Mississippi, Cancer Institute, Jackson, Mississippi
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High-throughput screening identifies aclacinomycin as a radiosensitizer of EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. Transl Oncol 2013; 6:382-91. [PMID: 23730419 DOI: 10.1593/tlo.13232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) provides a specialized environment for the folding and modification of trans-membrane proteins, including receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), which are vital for the growth and survival of malignancies. To identify compounds which disrupt the function of the ER and thus could potentially impair cancer cell survival signaling, we adapted a set of glycosylation-sensitive luciferase reporters for the development and optimization of a cell-based high-throughput screen (HTS). Secondary screens for false-positive luciferase activation and tertiary lectin-based and biochemical analyses were also devised for compound triage. Through a pilot screen of 2802 compounds from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) chemical libraries, we identified aclacinomycin (Acm) as a compound that preferentially affects ER function. We report that Acm reduces plasma membrane expression of glycoproteins including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Met but does not inhibit N-linked glycosylation or generalized protein translation. Fluorescence microscopy co-localization experiments were also performed and demonstrated Acm accumulation in the ER in further support of the overall HTS design. The consequences of Acm treatment on cell survival were analyzed through clonogenic survival analysis. Consistent with the reduction of EGFR levels, pretreatment with Acm sensitizes the EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines HCC827 and HCC2935 to ionizing radiation and did not affect the sensitivity of the RTK-independent and KRAS-mutant A549 NSCLC cell line. Thus, Acm and similar compounds targeting the ER may represent a novel approach for radiosensitizing tumor cells dependent on RTK function.
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Yu XM, Jaskula-Sztul R, Ahmed K, Harrison AD, Kunnimalaiyaan M, Chen H. Resveratrol induces differentiation markers expression in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma via activation of Notch1 signaling and suppresses cell growth. Mol Cancer Ther 2013; 12:1276-87. [PMID: 23594881 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-12-0841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an extremely aggressive malignancy with undifferentiated features, for which conventional treatments, including radioactive iodine ablation, are usually not effective. Recent evidence suggests that the Notch1 pathway is important in the regulation of thyroid cancer cell growth and expression of thyrocyte differentiation markers. However, drug development targeting Notch1 signaling in ATC remains largely underexplored. Previously, we have identified resveratrol out of over 7,000 compounds as the most potent Notch pathway activator using a high-throughput screening method. In this study, we showed that resveratrol treatment (10-50 μmol/L) suppressed ATC cell growth in a dose-dependent manner for both HTh7 and 8505C cell lines via S-phase cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Resveratrol induced functional Notch1 protein expression and activated the pathway by transcriptional regulation. In addition, the expression of thyroid-specific genes including TTF1, TTF2, Pax8, and sodium iodide symporter (NIS) was upregulated in both ATC cell lines with resveratrol treatment. Notch1 siRNA interference totally abrogated the induction of TTF1 and Pax8 but not of TTF2. Moreover, Notch1 silencing by siRNA decreased resveratrol-induced NIS expression. In summary, our data indicate that resveratrol inhibits cell growth and enhances redifferentiation in ATC cells dependent upon the activation of Notch1 signaling. These findings provide the first documentation for the role of resveratrol in ATC redifferentiation, suggesting that activation of Notch1 signaling could be a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with ATC and thus warrants further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Min Yu
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53792-7375, USA
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Galic V, Shawber CJ, Reeves C, Shah M, Murtomaki A, Wright J, Herzog T, Tong GX, Kitajewski J. NOTCH2 expression is decreased in epithelial ovarian cancer and is related to the tumor histological subtype. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 1:4. [PMID: 24707357 DOI: 10.7243/2052-7896-1-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Notch family members function as both oncogenes and tumor suppressors. NOTCH2 is down-regulated in colon cancer, and reduced expression is associated with a less differentiated, more aggressive phenotype, and reduced overall survival. NOTCH2 has also been shown to have pro-apoptotic and growth suppressive effects in thyroid carcinoma, and carcinoid tumors. The expression pattern of NOTCH2 in ovarian cancer is unknown. METHODS An immunohistochemical analysis using a polyclonal antibody to the NOTCH2 intracellular domain was performed on a total of 119 ovarian carcinomas, and 7 serous borderline tumors, arranged onto tissue arrays. Normal ovarian and fallopian tube epithelium were used as controls. Specimens were scored as low or high NOTCH2 expression. The score distributions for the subtypes were analyzed with the chi square test. RESULTS Fifty two of 61 (85.2%) papillary serous, eight of 13 (61.5%) clear cell, and 23 of 30 (76.7%) endometrioid, demonstrated negative or lower NOTCH2 expression than normal fallopian tubal epithelium or ovarian surface epithelium. In contrast, 10 of 15 (66.7%) mucinous carcinomas had a high level of NOTCH2 expression and consistently demonstrated intense polarized staining (P<.001). The apical expression of NOTCH2 protein present in the normal fallopian tube epithelium and many borderline tumors was absent in the high grade carcinomas, most notably in papillary serous. CONCLUSION Decreased NOTCH2 expression is associated with the poorly differentiated serous epithelial ovarian carcinoma histology. Further studies are needed to assess the functional role of NOTCH2 in ovarian cancer and its effect on prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijaya Galic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Carrie J Shawber
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Claire Reeves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Monjri Shah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama, Birmingham Alabama, United States of America
| | - Aino Murtomaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jason Wright
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Thomas Herzog
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Guo Xia Tong
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jan Kitajewski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
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Yu XM, Phan T, Patel PN, Jaskula-Sztul R, Chen H. Chrysin activates Notch1 signaling and suppresses tumor growth of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Cancer 2012; 119:774-81. [PMID: 22991264 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.27742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2012] [Revised: 06/09/2012] [Accepted: 06/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a very aggressive thyroid gland malignancy with very poor prognosis. It is suspected that the Notch signaling pathway, which is not active in ATC, may have a tumor suppressor function in this neoplasm. However, it remains unknown whether activation of Notch can yield therapeutic efficacies in ATC. METHODS The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chrysin, a potential Notch inducer identified via high-throughput screening, on ATC both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Chrysin treatment of ATC cells led to a dose-dependent inhibition of cellular growth. Protein and messenger RNA levels of Notch1 and Hes1 (hairy/enhancer of split 1), a downstream Notch1 effector, were both up-regulated with treatment. Luciferase reporter assays incorporating the C promoter-binding factor 1 (CBF1) binding site also confirmed the functional activity of chrysin-induced Notch1. Oral administration of chrysin suppressed the growth of ATC xenografts by an average of 59% compared with the vehicle control group (P = .002). In addition, calculated median time to tumor progression was 11 days for control mice and 21 days for the chrysin treatment group (P = .008). Analysis of chrysin-treated ATC tumors revealed an increase in the active intracellular domain of Notch1 protein. Activation of Notch1 in vivo was associated with the induction of cleaved Poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) protein, indicating that the growth inhibition was due to apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS The novel Notch1 activator chrysin inhibits tumor growth in ATC both in vitro and in vivo. Chrysin could be a promising therapeutic candidate for ATC, and this justifies further clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Min Yu
- Endocrine Surgery Research Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
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Egloff AM, Grandis JR. Molecular pathways: context-dependent approaches to Notch targeting as cancer therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2012; 18:5188-95. [PMID: 22773520 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-2258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Recent high-throughput genomic sequencing studies of solid tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), ovarian cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, glioblastoma, breast cancer, and lung SCC, have highlighted DNA mutation as a mechanism for aberrant Notch signaling. A primary challenge of targeting Notch for treatment of solid malignancies is determining whether Notch signaling is cancer promoting or tumor suppressing for a specific cancer. We compiled reported Notch receptor and ligand missense and nonsense mutations to glean insights into aberrant Notch signaling. Frequencies of coding mutations differed for the 4 NOTCH genes. A total of 4.7% of tumors harbored NOTCH1 missense or nonsense mutations. NOTCH2, and NOTCH3 had similar overall mutation rates of 1.5% and 1.3%, respectively, whereas NOTCH4 mutations were rarer. Notch ligand genes were rarely mutated. The combined mutation frequency and position spectra of the 4 Notch paralogs across the different cancers provide an opportunity to begin to illuminate the different contributions of each Notch paralog to each tumor type and to identify opportunities for therapeutic targeting. Notch signaling pathway activators and inhibitors are currently in early clinical development for treatment of solid malignancies. Defining the status and consequences of altered Notch signaling will be important for selection of appropriate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Marie Egloff
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Osmond GW, Masko EM, Tyler DS, Freedland SJ, Pizzo S. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of resveratrol and 3,5-dihydroxy-4'-acetoxy-trans-stilbene in the treatment of human prostate carcinoma and melanoma. J Surg Res 2012; 179:e141-8. [PMID: 22482756 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2012.02.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2011] [Revised: 01/25/2012] [Accepted: 02/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resveratrol (RESV) is a naturally occurring compound that may possess anticancer capabilities in both prostate carcinoma and melanoma. METHODS The in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic activity of RESV and 3,5-dihydroxy-4'-acetoxy-trans-stilbene (4-ACE) was tested using cellular assays and a xenograft model. Five prostate carcinoma cell lines were used for in vitro evaluation. A melanoma cell line (Duke melanoma 738 [DM738]) and the prostate carcinoma line CWR22 were used for in vivo experiments. Mice were randomized to osmotic mini pumps with 200 μL of RESV (250 mg/mL), 4-ACE (335 mg/mL), or vehicle (50% dimethyl sulfoxide, 50% polyethylene glycol). Serum drug and metabolite levels were calculated by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. Western blots were performed on treated tumors. Results were analyzed using a student's t-test, analysis of variance, and the Mann-Whitney rank sum test. RESULTS RESV and 4-ACE were cytotoxic in a time- and dose-dependent manner in all prostate carcinoma cell lines tested. Enhanced growth compared with controls was seen at the 24 h time point in four lines treated with RESV and two lines treated with 4-ACE (Ps < 0.048). In vivo, no difference in either tumor growth or postmortem tumor weight was detected in either DM738 (P = 0.555, P = 0.562) or CWR22 (P = 0.166, P = 0.811) xenografts treated with either drug. Serum drug levels did not correlate with tumor growth rates for any treatment group (all Ps > 0.11). Treated tumors demonstrated protein changes by western blot. CONCLUSION Although in vitro data were promising, RESV and 4-ACE have limited potential as single agents in the treatment of prostate carcinoma and melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory W Osmond
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Sail V, Hadden MK. Notch Pathway Modulators as Anticancer Chemotherapeutics. ANNUAL REPORTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY VOLUME 47 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-396492-2.00018-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Zarebczan B, Pinchot SN, Kunnimalaiyaan M, Chen H. Hesperetin, a potential therapy for carcinoid cancer. Am J Surg 2011; 201:329-32; discussion 333. [PMID: 21367373 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2010.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2010] [Revised: 08/19/2010] [Accepted: 08/19/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The investigators' laboratory has demonstrated that the Notch1 signaling pathway acts as a tumor suppressor in carcinoid tumors. The aim of this study was to examine hesperetin, a flavonoid, as a potential Notch1 activator and carcinoid tumor suppressor. METHODS A high-throughput drug screen revealed hesperetin as a Notch1 activator. Human gastrointestinal carcinoid (BON) cell growth after hesperetin treatment was assessed with a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Western blots were used to measure neuroendocrine tumor markers, human achaete-scute complex-like 1, and chromogranin A. Notch1 expression was measured using western blot analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Hesperetin induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner and reduced achaete-scute complex-like 1 and chromogranin A expression, with a concomitant rise in Notch1 levels. It also induced Notch1 messenger ribonucleic acid, indicating regulation at the transcriptional level. CONCLUSION Hesperetin induces Notch1 expression in carcinoid cells, subsequently suppressing tumor cell proliferation and bioactive hormone production. This provides evidence for further study into hesperetin as a potential treatment for carcinoid cancer.
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Jaskula-Sztul R, Pisarnturakit P, Landowski M, Chen H, Kunnimalaiyaan M. Expression of the active Notch1 decreases MTC tumor growth in vivo. J Surg Res 2011; 171:23-7. [PMID: 21571316 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2011.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2010] [Revised: 02/07/2011] [Accepted: 03/10/2011] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a neuroendocrine (NE) tumor, derived from thyroid C-cells. Besides surgery, there are no curative therapies for MTC. This emphasizes the need for the development of new therapies. In MTC, Notch1 signaling pathway is absent and Notch1 activation in MTC-TT cells has been shown to reduce growth and NE markers in vitro. While the in vitro studies will provide insight into the potential mechanisms by which Notch inhibits growth, only by in vivo model one can recreate the conditions found in patients with MTC and assess effects on metastatic potential and microscopic disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Doxycycline inducible TT-NOTCH1 cells were utilized in a murine subcutaneous xenograft model to study tumor development and growth. Doxycycline was used to induce the expression of Notch1 in these tumors. RESULTS Measurements of tumor volume showed that doxycycline treated mice had slower tumor growth than control mice. Western blot analysis of tumor lysates demonstrated activation of Notch1 protein only in doxycycline treated mice suggesting that active Notch1 slowed tumor growth. Furthermore, this activation led to a significant reduction in the levels of achaete-scute complex-like1 and chromogranin A important NE markers. CONCLUSION Based on these data, activation of Notch signaling pathway could be a therapeutic strategy to treat patients with MTC.
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MESH Headings
- Achaete-Scute Complex Genome Region/genetics
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
- Carcinoma, Medullary/genetics
- Carcinoma, Medullary/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Medullary/pathology
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/genetics
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/pathology
- Chromogranin A/genetics
- Doxycycline/pharmacology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/physiology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Receptor, Notch1/genetics
- Receptor, Notch1/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/physiology
- Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics
- Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism
- Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology
- Transplantation, Heterologous
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Jaskula-Sztul
- Department of Surgery Endocrine Surgery Research Laboratories, UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
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47
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Truong M, Cook MR, Pinchot SN, Kunnimalaiyaan M, Chen H. Resveratrol induces Notch2-mediated apoptosis and suppression of neuroendocrine markers in medullary thyroid cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2010; 18:1506-11. [PMID: 21184191 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-010-1488-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2010] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, complete surgical resection is the only curative option for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Previous work has shown the Notch pathway is a potent tumor suppressor in MTC and that resveratrol activates the Notch pathway in carcinoid cancer, a related neuroedocrine malignancy. In this study, we hypothesized that the effects observed on carcinoid cells could be extended to MTC. METHODS MTC cells treated with varying doses of resveratrol were assayed for viability by the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. Western blot analysis for achaete-scute complex-like 1 (ASCL1), chromogranin A (CgA), full-length and cleaved caspase 3, and poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) was performed. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to measure relative mRNA expression. RESULTS Treatment with resveratrol resulted in growth suppression and an increase in the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. A dose-dependent inhibition of ASCL1, a neuroedocrine transcription factor, was observed at the protein and mRNA levels. Protein levels of CgA, a marker of hormone secretion, were also reduced after treatment with resveratrol. A dose-dependent induction of Notch2 mRNA was observed by qPCR. CONCLUSIONS Resveratrol suppresses in vitro growth, likely through apoptosis, as demonstrated by cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. Furthermore, resveratrol decreased neuroedocrine markers ASCL1 and chromogranin A. Induction of Notch2 mRNA suggests that this pathway may be central in the anti-MTC effects observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Truong
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
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