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Cui Y, Ma L, Schacke S, Yin JC, Hsueh YP, Jin H, Morrison H. Merlin cooperates with neurofibromin and Spred1 to suppress the Ras-Erk pathway. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:3793-3806. [PMID: 33331896 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ras-Erk pathway is frequently overactivated in human tumors. Neurofibromatosis types 1 and 2 (NF1, NF2) are characterized by multiple tumors of Schwann cell origin. The NF1 tumor suppressor neurofibromin is a principal Ras-GAP accelerating Ras inactivation, whereas the NF2 tumor suppressor merlin is a scaffold protein coordinating multiple signaling pathways. We have previously reported that merlin interacts with Ras and p120RasGAP. Here, we show that merlin can also interact with the neurofibromin/Spred1 complex via merlin-binding sites present on both proteins. Further, merlin can directly bind to the Ras-binding domain (RBD) and the kinase domain (KiD) of Raf1. As the third component of the neurofibromin/Spred1 complex, merlin cannot increase the Ras-GAP activity; rather, it blocks Ras binding to Raf1 by functioning as a 'selective Ras barrier'. Merlin-deficient Schwann cells require the Ras-Erk pathway activity for proliferation. Accordingly, suppression of the Ras-Erk pathway likely contributes to merlin's tumor suppressor activity. Taken together, our results, and studies by others, support targeting or co-targeting of this pathway as a therapy for NF2 inactivation-related tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Cui
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Lin Ma
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745 Jena, Germany.,College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Stephan Schacke
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Jiani C Yin
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yi-Ping Hsueh
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Hongchuan Jin
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Helen Morrison
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745 Jena, Germany.,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743, Germany
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2
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Lyons Rimmer J, Ercolano E, Baiz D, Makhija M, Berger A, Sells T, Stroud S, Hilton D, Adams CL, Hanemann CO. The Potential of MLN3651 in Combination with Selumetinib as a Treatment for Merlin-Deficient Meningioma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071744. [PMID: 32629964 PMCID: PMC7407567 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Meningioma is the most common primary intracranial tumour, and surgical resection is the main therapeutic option. Merlin is a tumour suppressor protein that is frequently mutated in meningioma. The activity of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, CRL4-DCAF1, and the Raf/MEK/ERK scaffold protein Kinase suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1) are upregulated in Merlin-deficient tumours, which drives tumour growth. Identifying small molecules that inhibit these key pathways may provide an effective treatment option for patients with meningioma. We used meningioma tissue and primary cells derived from meningioma tumours to investigate the expression of DDB1 and Cullin 4-associated factor 1 (DCAF1) and KSR1, and confirmed these proteins were overexpressed. We then used primary cells to assess the therapeutic potential of MLN3651, a neddylation inhibitor which impacts the activity of the CRL family of E3 ubiquitin ligases and the MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK1/2) inhibitor selumetinib. MLN3651 treatment reduced proliferation and activated apoptosis, whilst increasing Raf/MEK/ERK pathway activation. The combination of MLN3651 and the MEK1/2 inhibitor selumetinib prevented the increase in Raf/MEK/ERK activity, and had an additive effect compared with either treatment alone. Therefore, the combined targeting of CRL4-DCAF1 and Raf/MEK/ERK activity represents an attractive novel strategy in the treatment of Merlin-deficient meningioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade Lyons Rimmer
- Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, Plymouth University, Plymouth PL68BU, UK; (J.L.R.); (E.E.); (D.B.); (C.L.A.)
| | - Emanuela Ercolano
- Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, Plymouth University, Plymouth PL68BU, UK; (J.L.R.); (E.E.); (D.B.); (C.L.A.)
| | - Daniele Baiz
- Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, Plymouth University, Plymouth PL68BU, UK; (J.L.R.); (E.E.); (D.B.); (C.L.A.)
| | | | - Allison Berger
- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (A.B.); (T.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Todd Sells
- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (A.B.); (T.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Steve Stroud
- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (A.B.); (T.S.); (S.S.)
| | - David Hilton
- Department of Histopathology, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth, Devon PL6 8DH, UK;
| | - Claire L. Adams
- Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, Plymouth University, Plymouth PL68BU, UK; (J.L.R.); (E.E.); (D.B.); (C.L.A.)
| | - C Oliver Hanemann
- Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, Plymouth University, Plymouth PL68BU, UK; (J.L.R.); (E.E.); (D.B.); (C.L.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-1752-437-418
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3
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Coy S, Rashid R, Stemmer-Rachamimov A, Santagata S. An update on the CNS manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 2. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 139:643-665. [PMID: 31161239 PMCID: PMC7038792 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-019-02029-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type II (NF2) is a tumor predisposition syndrome characterized by the development of distinctive nervous system lesions. NF2 results from loss-of-function alterations in the NF2 gene on chromosome 22, with resultant dysfunction of its protein product merlin. NF2 is most commonly associated with the development of bilateral vestibular schwannomas; however, patients also have a predisposition to development of other tumors including meningiomas, ependymomas, and peripheral, spinal, and cranial nerve schwannomas. Patients may also develop other characteristic manifestations such as ocular lesions, neuropathies, meningioangiomatosis, and glial hamartia. NF2 has a highly variable clinical course, with some patients exhibiting a severe phenotype and development of multiple tumors at an early age, while others may be nearly asymptomatic throughout their lifetime. Despite the high morbidity associated with NF2 in severe cases, management of NF2-associated lesions primarily consists of surgical resection and treatment of symptoms, and there are currently no FDA-approved systemic therapies that address the underlying biology of the syndrome. Refinements to the diagnostic criteria of NF2 have been proposed over time due to increasing understanding of clinical and molecular data. Large-population studies have demonstrated that some features such as the development of gliomas and neurofibromas, currently included as diagnostic criteria, may require further clarification and modification. Meanwhile, burgeoning insights into the molecular biology of NF2 have shed light on the etiology and highly variable severity of the disease and suggested numerous putative molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. Here, we review the clinicopathologic features of NF2, current understanding of the molecular biology of NF2, particularly with regard to central nervous system lesions, ongoing therapeutic studies, and avenues for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Coy
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Hale Building for Transformative Medicine, BTM8002P, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rumana Rashid
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Hale Building for Transformative Medicine, BTM8002P, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Laboratory for Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anat Stemmer-Rachamimov
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sandro Santagata
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Hale Building for Transformative Medicine, BTM8002P, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Laboratory for Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, Boston, MA, USA.
- Ludwig Center at Harvard, Boston, MA, USA.
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4
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Ramezani M, Firoozabadi H, Rezaei M, Khazaei S, Sadeghi M. Expression of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 in Meningiomas. Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol 2020. [DOI: 10.4103/ijmpo.ijmpo_10_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Meningiomas consist of 15%–30% of the primary intracranial tumors, and high-grade meningiomas have a higher recurrence after surgery. The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status is important in the medical management of patients with various human cancers. This study aimed to evaluate HER2 expression in meningiomas and the correlation between this expression and age, gender, and grade. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive-analytic study, immunohistochemistry (IHC) with HER2 marker was done on confirmed cases of meningioma which were referred to the pathology laboratory from 2008 to 2015. The primary antihuman antibody against c-erbB-2 oncoprotein (DAKO Diagnostics) was used for IHC. Results: Of 117 patients, 68.4% were males. The mean age of the patients was 53.6 years. Grades I, II, and III tumors were 90.6%, 8.5%, and 0.9% of cases, respectively. Totally, 76 (65%) of patients were HER2 positive, with only 7.7% of highly expressed HER2. There was no significant correlation between the mean age (P = 0.672), age group (P = 0.256), sex (P = 0.574), and grade (P = 0.093) and HER2 expression status. Conclusions: We did not find a statistically significant correlation between age, sex, or grade and HER2 status; however, further studies with a higher number of Grades II and III meningiomas and using the fluorescent in situ hybridization in equivocal cases may be of benefit in this way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazaher Ramezani
- Molecular Pathology Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Hanieh Firoozabadi
- Students Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mansour Rezaei
- Department of Biostatistics, Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Khazaei
- Molecular Pathology Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Masoud Sadeghi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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5
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Fuse MA, Dinh CT, Vitte J, Kirkpatrick J, Mindos T, Plati SK, Young JI, Huang J, Carlstedt A, Franco MC, Brnjos K, Nagamoto J, Petrilli AM, Copik AJ, Soulakova JN, Bracho O, Yan D, Mittal R, Shen R, Telischi FF, Morrison H, Giovannini M, Liu XZ, Chang LS, Fernandez-Valle C. Preclinical assessment of MEK1/2 inhibitors for neurofibromatosis type 2-associated schwannomas reveals differences in efficacy and drug resistance development. Neuro Oncol 2019; 21:486-497. [PMID: 30615146 PMCID: PMC6422635 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a genetic tumor-predisposition disorder caused by NF2/merlin tumor suppressor gene inactivation. The hallmark of NF2 is formation of bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VS). Because merlin modulates activity of the Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, we investigated repurposing drugs targeting MEK1 and/or MEK2 as a treatment for NF2-associated schwannomas. METHODS Mouse and human merlin-deficient Schwann cell lines (MD-MSC/HSC) were screened against 6 MEK1/2 inhibitors. Efficacious drugs were tested in orthotopic allograft and NF2 transgenic mouse models. Pathway and proteome analyses were conducted. Drug efficacy was examined in primary human VS cells with NF2 mutations and correlated with DNA methylation patterns. RESULTS Trametinib, PD0325901, and cobimetinib were most effective in reducing MD-MSC/HSC viability. Each decreased phosphorylated pERK1/2 and cyclin D1, increased p27, and induced caspase-3 cleavage in MD-MSCs. Proteomic analysis confirmed cell cycle arrest and activation of pro-apoptotic pathways in trametinib-treated MD-MSCs. The 3 inhibitors slowed allograft growth; however, decreased pERK1/2, cyclin D1, and Ki-67 levels were observed only in PD0325901 and cobimetinib-treated grafts. Tumor burden and average tumor size were reduced in trametinib-treated NF2 transgenic mice; however, tumors did not exhibit reduced pERK1/2 levels. Trametinib and PD0325901 modestly reduced viability of several primary human VS cell cultures with NF2 mutations. DNA methylation analysis of PD0325901-resistant versus -susceptible VS identified genes that could contribute to drug resistance. CONCLUSION MEK inhibitors exhibited differences in antitumor efficacy resistance in schwannoma models with possible emergence of trametinib resistance. The results support further investigation of MEK inhibitors in combination with other targeted drugs for NF2 schwannomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa A Fuse
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Christine T Dinh
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jeremie Vitte
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Thomas Mindos
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Stephani Klingeman Plati
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Juan I Young
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jie Huang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Maria Clara Franco
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Konstantin Brnjos
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Jackson Nagamoto
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Alejandra M Petrilli
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Alicja J Copik
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Julia N Soulakova
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Olena Bracho
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Denise Yan
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Rahul Mittal
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Rulong Shen
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Fred F Telischi
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Helen Morrison
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Marco Giovannini
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xue-Zhong Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Long-Sheng Chang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Cristina Fernandez-Valle
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida (UCF), Orlando, Florida, USA
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6
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Allaway R, Angus SP, Beauchamp RL, Blakeley JO, Bott M, Burns SS, Carlstedt A, Chang LS, Chen X, Clapp DW, Desouza PA, Erdin S, Fernandez-Valle C, Guinney J, Gusella JF, Haggarty SJ, Johnson GL, La Rosa S, Morrison H, Petrilli AM, Plotkin SR, Pratap A, Ramesh V, Sciaky N, Stemmer-Rachamimov A, Stuhlmiller TJ, Talkowski ME, Welling DB, Yates CW, Zawistowski JS, Zhao WN. Traditional and systems biology based drug discovery for the rare tumor syndrome neurofibromatosis type 2. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197350. [PMID: 29897904 PMCID: PMC5999111 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is a rare tumor suppressor syndrome that manifests with multiple schwannomas and meningiomas. There are no effective drug therapies for these benign tumors and conventional therapies have limited efficacy. Various model systems have been created and several drug targets have been implicated in NF2-driven tumorigenesis based on known effects of the absence of merlin, the product of the NF2 gene. We tested priority compounds based on known biology with traditional dose-concentration studies in meningioma and schwann cell systems. Concurrently, we studied functional kinome and gene expression in these cells pre- and post-treatment to determine merlin deficient molecular phenotypes. Cell viability results showed that three agents (GSK2126458, Panobinostat, CUDC-907) had the greatest activity across schwannoma and meningioma cell systems, but merlin status did not significantly influence response. In vivo, drug effect was tumor specific with meningioma, but not schwannoma, showing response to GSK2126458 and Panobinostat. In culture, changes in both the transcriptome and kinome in response to treatment clustered predominantly based on tumor type. However, there were differences in both gene expression and functional kinome at baseline between meningioma and schwannoma cell systems that may form the basis for future selective therapies. This work has created an openly accessible resource (www.synapse.org/SynodosNF2) of fully characterized isogenic schwannoma and meningioma cell systems as well as a rich data source of kinome and transcriptome data from these assay systems before and after treatment that enables single and combination drug discovery based on molecular phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Steve P. Angus
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Roberta L. Beauchamp
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Jaishri O. Blakeley
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Marga Bott
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Lake Nona-Orlando, FL, United States of America
| | - Sarah S. Burns
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | | | - Long-Sheng Chang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Xin Chen
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - D. Wade Clapp
- Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Patrick A. Desouza
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Serkan Erdin
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Cristina Fernandez-Valle
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Lake Nona-Orlando, FL, United States of America
| | | | - James F. Gusella
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Stephen J. Haggarty
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Gary L. Johnson
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | | | - Helen Morrison
- Leibniz-Institute on Aging–Fritz-Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Alejandra M. Petrilli
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Lake Nona-Orlando, FL, United States of America
| | - Scott R. Plotkin
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Abhishek Pratap
- Sage Bionetworks, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Vijaya Ramesh
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Noah Sciaky
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Anat Stemmer-Rachamimov
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Tim J. Stuhlmiller
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Michael E. Talkowski
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - D. Bradley Welling
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Charles W. Yates
- Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States of America
| | - Jon S. Zawistowski
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Wen-Ning Zhao
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
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7
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Could IGF-I levels play a neuroprotective role in patients with large vestibular schwannomas? Future Sci OA 2017; 4:FSO260. [PMID: 29379636 PMCID: PMC5778376 DOI: 10.4155/fsoa-2017-0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim To evaluate the possible superiority of outcome in patients with elevated IGF-I levels after vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection. Patients & methods This retrospective study included 65 patients (34 male, 52.3%) with VS operated in between January 2009 and April 2014 (follow-up 3.2 ± 0.7 years). Preoperative or postoperative IGF-I levels were identified for each patient. Results Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (small size tumor), 56 patients; and Group B (large size tumor), 9 cases. IGF-I levels in Group A (195.8 ± 32.9 ng/ml) were compared with those of Group B (242.2 ± 22.2 ng/ml) and were found to have statistically significant difference (p = 0.001). Conclusion Increased IGF-I levels could hold a key role in nerve recovery in patients undergoing surgical resection of large VS.
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8
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Håvik AL, Bruland O, Myrseth E, Miletic H, Aarhus M, Knappskog PM, Lund-Johansen M. Genetic landscape of sporadic vestibular schwannoma. J Neurosurg 2017; 128:911-922. [PMID: 28409725 DOI: 10.3171/2016.10.jns161384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a benign tumor with associated morbidities and reduced quality of life. Except for mutations in NF2, the genetic landscape of VS remains to be elucidated. Little is known about the effect of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) on the VS genome. The aim of this study was to characterize mutations occurring in this tumor to identify new genes and signaling pathways important for the development of VS. In addition, the authors sought to evaluate whether GKRS resulted in an increase in the number of mutations. METHODS Forty-six sporadic VSs, including 8 GKRS-treated tumors and corresponding blood samples, were subjected to whole-exome sequencing and tumor-specific DNA variants were called. Pathway analysis was performed using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. In addition, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification was performed to characterize copy number variations in the NF2 gene, and microsatellite instability testing was done to investigate for DNA replication error. RESULTS With the exception of a single sample with an aggressive phenotype that harbored a large number of mutations, most samples showed a relatively low number of mutations. A median of 14 tumor-specific mutations in each sample were identified. The GKRS-treated tumors harbored no more mutations than the rest of the group. A clustering of mutations in the cancer-related axonal guidance pathway was identified (25 patients), as well as mutations in the CDC27 (5 patients) and USP8 (3 patients) genes. Thirty-five tumors harbored mutations in NF2 and 16 tumors had 2 mutational hits. The samples without detectable NF2 mutations harbored mutations in genes that could be linked to NF2 or to NF2-related functions. None of the tumors showed microsatellite instability. CONCLUSIONS The genetic landscape of VS seems to be quite heterogeneous; however, most samples had mutations in NF2 or in genes that could be linked to NF2. The results of this study do not link GKRS to an increased number of mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aril Løge Håvik
- Departments of1Clinical Medicine.,2Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, and.,3Clinical Science, and
| | - Ove Bruland
- 2Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, and
| | | | - Hrvoje Miletic
- 5Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen; and.,6K.G. Jebsen Brain Tumor Research Center, University of Bergen.,7Biomedicine, and
| | - Mads Aarhus
- 8Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospitals, Ullevål Sykehus, Oslo,Norway
| | - Per-Morten Knappskog
- 2Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, and.,3Clinical Science, and
| | - Morten Lund-Johansen
- Departments of1Clinical Medicine.,Departments of4Neurosurgery and.,6K.G. Jebsen Brain Tumor Research Center, University of Bergen
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9
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Matsubara F, Katabami T, Asai S, Ariizumi Y, Maeda I, Takagi M, Keely MM, Ono K, Maekawa T, Nakamura Y, Tanaka Y, Sasano H. Immunohistochemical analysis of insulin-like growth factor 1 and its receptor in sporadic schwannoma/peripheral nerve sheath tumour. J Int Med Res 2016; 44:662-72. [PMID: 27091859 PMCID: PMC5536698 DOI: 10.1177/0300060516637768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the immunohistochemical localization of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in archival specimens of sporadic schwannoma. Method This study retrospectively analysed the immunolocalization of IGF-1 and IGF-1R in schwannoma specimens collected from all patients with sporadic schwannoma that were treated by two institutions in Japan. The study also evaluated the association between the extent of the IGF-1 and IGF-1R immunoreactivity and several clinicopathological characteristics (age, sex and maximum tumour dimension). Results The study examined a total of 29 sporadic schwannoma specimens. IGF-1 and IGF-1R immunoreactivity was detected in the majority of the specimens regardless of their anatomical location. IGF-1 and IGF-1R were not co-localized. There was no association between the extent of the IGF-1 and IGF-1R immunoreactivity and the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients. Conclusions As IGF-1 and IGF-1R immunoreactivity was detected in the majority of sporadic schwannoma specimens regardless of their anatomical location, these findings suggest that an IGF-1/IGF-1R loop could play a role in the tumorigenesis and progression of schwannomas via an autocrine–paracrine mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiaki Matsubara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takuyuki Katabami
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology, St Marianna University School of Medicine Yokohama City Seibu Hospital, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shiko Asai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology, St Marianna University School of Medicine Yokohama City Seibu Hospital, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ariizumi
- Department of Pathology, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ichiro Maeda
- Department of Pathology, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masayuki Takagi
- Department of Pathology, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - May McNamara Keely
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Ono
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Takashi Maekawa
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Nakamura
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yasushi Tanaka
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hironobu Sasano
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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QIN JIE, WANG LIN, ZHENG LING, ZHOU XIAOYAN, ZHANG YIDI, YANG TINGTING, ZHOU YANMIN. Concentrated growth factor promotes Schwann cell migration partly through the integrin β1-mediated activation of the focal adhesion kinase pathway. Int J Mol Med 2016; 37:1363-70. [DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2016.2520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Petrilli AM, Fernández-Valle C. Role of Merlin/NF2 inactivation in tumor biology. Oncogene 2016; 35:537-48. [PMID: 25893302 PMCID: PMC4615258 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Merlin (Moesin-ezrin-radixin-like protein, also known as schwannomin) is a tumor suppressor protein encoded by the neurofibromatosis type 2 gene NF2. Loss of function mutations or deletions in NF2 cause neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a multiple tumor forming disease of the nervous system. NF2 is characterized by the development of bilateral vestibular schwannomas. Patients with NF2 can also develop schwannomas on other cranial and peripheral nerves, as well as meningiomas and ependymomas. The only potential treatment is surgery/radiosurgery, which often results in loss of function of the involved nerve. There is an urgent need for chemotherapies that slow or eliminate tumors and prevent their formation in NF2 patients. Interestingly NF2 mutations and merlin inactivation also occur in spontaneous schwannomas and meningiomas, as well as other types of cancer including mesothelioma, glioma multiforme, breast, colorectal, skin, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, hepatic and prostate cancer. Except for malignant mesotheliomas, the role of NF2 mutation or inactivation has not received much attention in cancer, and NF2 might be relevant for prognosis and future chemotherapeutic approaches. This review discusses the influence of merlin loss of function in NF2-related tumors and common human cancers. We also discuss the NF2 gene status and merlin signaling pathways affected in the different tumor types and the molecular mechanisms that lead to tumorigenesis, progression and pharmacological resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra M. Petrilli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
| | - Cristina Fernández-Valle
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
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Tumor Biology of Vestibular Schwannoma: A Review of Experimental Data on the Determinants of Tumor Genesis and Growth Characteristics. Otol Neurotol 2016; 36:1128-36. [PMID: 26049313 DOI: 10.1097/mao.0000000000000788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Provide an overview of the literature on vestibular schwannoma biology with special attention to tumor behavior and targeted therapy. BACKGROUND Vestibular schwannomas are benign tumors originating from the eighth cranial nerve and arise due to inactivation of the NF2 gene and its product merlin. Unraveling the biology of these tumors helps to clarify their growth pattern and is essential in identifying therapeutic targets. METHODS PubMed search for English-language articles on vestibular schwannoma biology from 1994 to 2014. RESULTS Activation of merlin and its role in cell signaling seem as key aspects of vestibular schwannoma biology. Merlin is regulated by proteins such as CD44, Rac, and myosin phosphatase-targeting subunit 1. The tumor-suppressive functions of merlin are related to receptor tyrosine kinases, such as the platelet-derived growth factor receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor. Merlin mediates the Hippo pathway and acts within the nucleus by binding E3 ubiquiting ligase CRL4. Angiogenesis is an important mechanism responsible for the progression of these tumors and is affected by processes such as hypoxia and inflammation. Inhibiting angiogenesis by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor seems to be the most successful pharmacologic strategy, but additional therapeutic options are emerging. CONCLUSION Over the years, the knowledge on vestibular schwannoma biology has significantly increased. Future research should focus on identifying new therapeutic targets by investigating vestibular schwannoma (epi)genetics, merlin function, and tumor behavior. Besides identifying novel targets, testing new combinations of existing treatment strategies can further improve vestibular schwannoma therapy.
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Hilton DA, Shivane A, Kirk L, Bassiri K, Enki DG, Hanemann CO. Activation of multiple growth factor signalling pathways is frequent in meningiomas. Neuropathology 2015; 36:250-61. [DOI: 10.1111/neup.12266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Revised: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David A Hilton
- Department of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology; Derriford Hospital; Plymouth UK
| | - Aditya Shivane
- Department of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology; Derriford Hospital; Plymouth UK
| | - Leanne Kirk
- Department of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology; Derriford Hospital; Plymouth UK
| | - Kayleigh Bassiri
- Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine; Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine & Dentistry; Plymouth UK
| | - Doyo G Enki
- Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine & Dentistry; Plymouth UK
| | - C Oliver Hanemann
- Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine; Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine & Dentistry; Plymouth UK
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The scaffold protein KSR1, a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of Merlin-deficient tumors. Oncogene 2015; 35:3443-53. [PMID: 26549023 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Merlin has broad tumor-suppressor functions as its mutations have been identified in multiple benign tumors and malignant cancers. In all schwannomas, the majority of meningiomas and 1/3 of ependymomas Merlin loss is causative. In neurofibromatosis type 2, a dominantly inherited tumor disease because of the loss of Merlin, patients suffer from multiple nervous system tumors and die on average around age 40. Chemotherapy is not effective and tumor localization and multiplicity make surgery and radiosurgery challenging and morbidity is often considerable. Thus, a new therapeutic approach is needed for these tumors. Using a primary human in vitro model for Merlin-deficient tumors, we report that the Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein, extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) scaffold, kinase suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1), has a vital role in promoting schwannomas development. We show that KSR1 overexpression is involved in many pathological phenotypes caused by Merlin loss, namely multipolar morphology, enhanced cell-matrix adhesion, focal adhesion and, most importantly, increased proliferation and survival. Our data demonstrate that KSR1 has a wider role than MEK1/2 in the development of schwannomas because adhesion is more dependent on KSR1 than MEK1/2. Immunoprecipitation analysis reveals that KSR1 is a novel binding partner of Merlin, which suppresses KSR1's function by inhibiting the binding between KSR1 and c-Raf. Our proteomic analysis also demonstrates that KSR1 interacts with several Merlin downstream effectors, including E3 ubiquitin ligase CRL4(DCAF1). Further functional studies suggests that KSR1 and DCAF1 may co-operate to regulate schwannomas formation. Taken together, these findings suggest that KSR1 serves as a potential therapeutic target for Merlin-deficient tumors.
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Agnihotri S, Gugel I, Remke M, Bornemann A, Pantazis G, Mack SC, Shih D, Singh SK, Sabha N, Taylor MD, Tatagiba M, Zadeh G, Krischek B. Gene-expression profiling elucidates molecular signaling networks that can be therapeutically targeted in vestibular schwannoma. J Neurosurg 2014; 121:1434-45. [PMID: 25245477 DOI: 10.3171/2014.6.jns131433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are common benign tumors of the vestibular nerve that cause significant morbidity. The current treatment strategies for VS include surgery or radiation, with each treatment option having associated complications and side effects. The transcriptional landscape of schwannoma remains largely unknown. METHODS In this study the authors performed gene-expression profiling of 49 schwannomas and 7 normal control vestibular nerves to identify tumor-specific gene-expression patterns. They also interrogated whether schwannomas comprise several molecular subtypes using several transcription-based clustering strategies. The authors also performed in vitro experiments testing therapeutic inhibitors of over-activated pathways in a schwannoma cell line, namely the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. RESULTS The authors identified over 4000 differentially expressed genes between controls and schwannomas with network analysis, uncovering proliferation and anti-apoptotic pathways previously not implicated in VS. Furthermore, using several distinct clustering technologies, they could not reproducibly identify distinct VS subtypes or significant differences between sporadic and germline NF2-associated schwannomas, suggesting that they are highly similar entities. The authors identified overexpression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling networks in their gene-expression study and evaluated this pathway for therapeutic targeting. Testing the compounds BEZ235 and PKI-587, both novel dual inhibitors of PI3K and mTOR, attenuated tumor growth in a preclinical cell line model of schwannoma (HEI-293). In vitro findings demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway with next-generation compounds led to decreased cell viability and increased cell death. CONCLUSIONS These findings implicate aberrant activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway as a molecular mechanism of pathogenesis in VS and suggest inhibition of this pathway as a potential treatment strategy.
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Craven CJ. A model to explain specific cellular communications and cellular harmony:- a hypothesis of coupled cells and interactive coupling molecules. Theor Biol Med Model 2014; 11:40. [PMID: 25218581 PMCID: PMC4237941 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4682-11-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The various cell types and their relative numbers in multicellular organisms are controlled by growth factors and related extracellular molecules which affect genetic expression pathways. However, these substances may have both/either inhibitory and/or stimulatory effects on cell division and cell differentiation depending on the cellular environment. It is not known how cells respond to these substances in such an ambiguous way. Many cellular effects have been investigated and reported using cell culture from cancer cell lines in an effort to define normal cellular behaviour using these abnormal cells.A model is offered to explain the harmony of cellular life in multicellular organisms involving interacting extracellular substances. METHODS A basic model was proposed based on asymmetric cell division and evidence to support the hypothetical model was accumulated from the literature. In particular, relevant evidence was selected for the Insulin-Like Growth Factor system from the published data, especially from certain cell lines, to support the model. The evidence has been selective in an attempt to provide a picture of normal cellular responses, derived from the cell lines. RESULTS The formation of a pair of coupled cells by asymmetric cell division is an integral part of the model as is the interaction of couplet molecules derived from these cells. Each couplet cell will have a receptor to measure the amount of the couplet molecule produced by the other cell; each cell will be receptor-positive or receptor-negative for the respective receptors. The couplet molecules will form a binary complex whose level is also measured by the cell. The hypothesis is heavily supported by selective collection of circumstantial evidence and by some direct evidence. The basic model can be expanded to other cellular interactions. CONCLUSIONS These couplet cells and interacting couplet molecules can be viewed as a mechanism that provides a controlled and balanced division-of-labour between the two progeny cells, and, in turn, their progeny. The presence or absence of a particular receptor for a couplet molecule will define a cell type and the presence or absence of many such receptors will define the cell types of the progeny within cell lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril J Craven
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia.
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Ammoun S, Schmid MC, Zhou L, Hilton DA, Barczyk M, Hanemann CO. The p53/mouse double minute 2 homolog complex deregulation in merlin-deficient tumours. Mol Oncol 2014; 9:236-48. [PMID: 25217104 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2014.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficiency of the tumour suppressor merlin leads to the development of schwannomas, meningiomas and ependymomas occurring spontaneously or as a part of the hereditary disease Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). Merlin loss is also found in a proportion of other cancers like mesothelioma, melanoma, breast cancer and glioblastoma. The tumour suppressor/transcription factor p53 regulates proliferation, survival and differentiation and its deficiency plays a role in the development of many tumours. 53 can be negatively regulated by FAK, PI3K/AKT and MDM2 and possibly positively regulated by merlin in different cell lines. In this study we investigated the role of p53 in merlin-deficient tumours. Using our in vitro model of primary human schwannoma cells we have previously demonstrated that FAK is overexpressed/activated and localises into the nucleus of schwannoma cells increasing proliferation. AKT is strongly activated via platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) - and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) - receptors increasing survival. Here we investigated p53 regulation and its role in proliferation and survival of human primary schwannoma cells using western blotting, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry and proliferation, survival and transcription factor assays. In human primary schwannoma cells p53 was found to be downregulated while MDM2 was upregulated leading to increased cell proliferation and survival. p53 is regulated by merlin involving FAK, AKT and MDM2. Merlin reintroduction into schwannoma cells increased p53 levels and activity, and treatment with Nutlin-3, a drug which increases p53 stability by disrupting the p53/MDM2 complex, decreased tumour growth and reduced cell survival. These findings are important to dissect the mechanisms responsible for the development of merlin-deficient tumours and to identify new therapeutic targets. We suggest that Nutlin-3, possibly in combination with FAK or PI3K inhibitors, can be employed as a novel treatment for schwannoma and other merlin-deficient tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Ammoun
- Plymouth University, Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, The Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, The John Bull Building, Tamar Science Park, Research Way, Plymouth PL6 8BU, UK
| | - Marei Caroline Schmid
- Plymouth University, Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, The Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, The John Bull Building, Tamar Science Park, Research Way, Plymouth PL6 8BU, UK
| | - Lu Zhou
- Plymouth University, Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, The Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, The John Bull Building, Tamar Science Park, Research Way, Plymouth PL6 8BU, UK
| | - David A Hilton
- Department of Histopathology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
| | - Magdalena Barczyk
- Plymouth University, Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, The Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, The John Bull Building, Tamar Science Park, Research Way, Plymouth PL6 8BU, UK
| | - Clemens Oliver Hanemann
- Plymouth University, Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, The Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine, The John Bull Building, Tamar Science Park, Research Way, Plymouth PL6 8BU, UK.
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Hilton DA, Hanemann CO. Schwannomas and their pathogenesis. Brain Pathol 2014; 24:205-20. [PMID: 24450866 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwannomas may occur spontaneously, or in the context of a familial tumor syndrome such as neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), schwannomatosis and Carney's complex. Schwannomas have a variety of morphological appearances, but they behave as World Health Organization (WHO) grade I tumors, and only very rarely undergo malignant transformation. Central to the pathogenesis of these tumors is loss of function of merlin, either by direct genetic change involving the NF2 gene on chromosome 22 or secondarily to merlin inactivation. The genetic pathways and morphological features of schwannomas associated with different genetic syndromes will be discussed. Merlin has multiple functions, including within the nucleus and at the cell membrane, and this review summarizes our current understanding of the mechanisms by which merlin loss is involved in schwannoma pathogenesis, highlighting potential areas for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Hilton
- Department of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
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Doddrell RDS, Dun XP, Shivane A, Feltri ML, Wrabetz L, Wegner M, Sock E, Hanemann CO, Parkinson DB. Loss of SOX10 function contributes to the phenotype of human Merlin-null schwannoma cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 136:549-63. [PMID: 23413263 PMCID: PMC3572932 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aws353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Loss of the Merlin tumour suppressor causes abnormal de-differentiation and proliferation of Schwann cells and formation of schwannoma tumours in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2. Within the mature peripheral nerve the normal development, differentiation and maintenance of myelinating and non-myelinating Schwann cells is regulated by a network of transcription factors that include SOX10, OCT6 (now known as POU3F1), NFATC4 and KROX20 (also known as Egr2). We have examined for the first time how their regulation of Schwann cell development is disrupted in primary human schwannoma cells. We find that induction of both KROX20 and OCT6 is impaired, whereas enforced expression of KROX20 drives both myelin gene expression and cell cycle arrest in Merlin-null cells. Importantly, we show that human schwannoma cells have reduced expression of SOX10 protein and messenger RNA. Analysis of mouse SOX10-null Schwann cells shows they display many of the characteristics of human schwannoma cells, including increased expression of platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB) messenger RNA and protein, enhanced proliferation, increased focal adhesions and schwannoma-like morphology. Correspondingly, reintroduction of SOX10 into human Merlin-null cells restores the ability of these cells to induce KROX20 and myelin protein zero (MPZ), localizes NFATC4 to the nucleus, reduces cell proliferation and suppresses PDGFRB expression. Thus, we propose that loss of the SOX10 protein, which is vital for normal Schwann cell development, is also key to the pathology of Merlin-null schwannoma tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin D S Doddrell
- Peninsula School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Devon, PL6 8BU, UK
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Axl/Gas6/NFκB signalling in schwannoma pathological proliferation, adhesion and survival. Oncogene 2013; 33:336-46. [PMID: 23318455 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2012] [Revised: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 10/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
TAM family receptor tyrosine kinases comprising Tyro3 (Sky), Axl, and Mer are overexpressed in some cancers, correlate with multidrug resistance and contribute to tumourigenesis by regulating invasion, angiogenesis, cell survival and tumour growth. Mutations in the gene coding for a tumour suppressor merlin cause development of multiple tumours of the nervous system such as schwannomas, meningiomas and ependymomas occurring spontaneously or as part of a hereditary disease neurofibromatosis type 2. The benign character of merlin-deficient tumours makes them less responsive to chemotherapy. We previously showed that, amongst other growth factor receptors, TAM family receptors (Tyro3, Axl and Mer) are significantly overexpressed in schwannoma tissues. As Axl is negatively regulated by merlin and positively regulated by E3 ubiquitin ligase CRL4DCAF1, previously shown to be a key regulator in schwannoma growth we hypothesized that Axl is a good target to study in merlin-deficient tumours. Moreover, Axl positively regulates the oncogene Yes-associated protein, which is known to be under merlin regulation in schwannoma and is involved in increased proliferation of merlin-deficient meningioma and mesothelioma. Here, we demonstrated strong overexpression and activation of Axl receptor as well as its ligand Gas6 in human schwannoma primary cells compared to normal Schwann cells. We show that Gas6 is mitogenic and increases schwannoma cell-matrix adhesion and survival acting via Axl in schwannoma cells. Stimulation of the Gas6/Axl signalling pathway recruits Src, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and NFκB. We showed that NFκB mediates Gas6/Axl-mediated overexpression of survivin, cyclin D1 and FAK, leading to enhanced survival, cell-matrix adhesion and proliferation of schwannoma. We conclude that Axl/FAK/Src/NFκB pathway is relevant in merlin-deficient tumours and is a potential therapeutic target for schwannoma and other merlin-deficient tumours.
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