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Zaman SU, Pagare PP, Huang B, Rilee G, Ma Z, Zhang Y, Li J. Novel PROTAC probes targeting FOSL1 degradation to eliminate head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cancer stem cells. Bioorg Chem 2024; 151:107613. [PMID: 39002513 PMCID: PMC11365795 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107613] [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: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Previously, we identified that AP-1 transcription factor FOSL1 is required to maintain cancer stem cells (CSCs) in HNSCC, and an AP-1 inhibitor, T-5224, can eliminate HNSCC CSCs. However, its potency is relatively low, and furthermore, whether T-5224 eradicates CSCs through targeting FOSL1 and whether FOSL1 serves as an effective target for eliminating CSCs in HNSCC, require further validation. We first found that T-5224 can bind to FOSL1 directly. As a proof-of-principle, several cereblon (CRBN)-recruiting PROTACs were designed and synthesized using T-5224 as a warhead for more effective of targeting FOSL1. The top compound can potently degrade FOSL1 in HNSCC, thereby effectively eliminating CSCs to suppress HNSCC tumorigenesis, with around 30 to 100-fold improved potency over T-5224. In summary, our study further validates FOSL1 as an effective target for eliminating CSCs in HNSCC and suggests that PROTACs may provide a unique molecular tool for the development of novel molecules for targeting FOSL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadid U Zaman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
| | - Piyusha P Pagare
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
| | - Boshi Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
| | - Grace Rilee
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
| | - Zhikun Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States; Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
| | - Jiong Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States; Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States; Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0540, United States.
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2
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Yang F, Chen F, Shay C, Chen GZ, Saba NF, Teng Y. Exploring the impact of GSTM1 as a novel molecular determinant of survival in head and neck cancer patients of African descent. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:203. [PMID: 39044272 PMCID: PMC11264416 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03127-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blacks/African American (BAA) patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have worse survival outcomes than White patients. However, the mechanisms underlying racial disparities in HNSCC have not been thoroughly characterized. METHODS Data on gene expression, copy number variants (CNVs), gene mutations, and methylation were obtained from 6 head and neck cancer datasets. Comparative bioinformatics analysis of the above genomic features was performed between BAAs and Whites. The expression pattern of GSTM1 was validated by immunohistochemistry using tumor tissue microarray (TMA). Effect of GSTM1 knockdown were assessed by cell proliferation, colony formation, and tumor development in an orthotopic mouse model. The changes in protein kinases were determined using the Proteome Profiler Human Phospho-Kinase Array Kit in HNSCC cells with or without GSTM1 knockdown. RESULTS We identified ancestry-related differential genomic profiles in HNSCC. Specifically, in BAA HNSCC, FAT1 mutations were associated with its gene expression, SALL3 gene expression correlated with its gene CNVs, and RTP4 gene expression showed an inverse correlation with its methylation. Notably, GSTM1 emerged as a prognostic risk factor for BAA HNSCC, with high gene CNVs and expression levels correlating with poor overall survival in BAA patients. Immunohistochemistry results from newly developed in-house TMA validated the expression pattern of GSTM1 between BAA HNSCC and White HNSCC. In an orthotopic mouse model, GSTM1 knockdown significantly inhibited malignant progression in tumors derived from BAAs. In contrast, loss of GSTM1 did not affect the development of HNSCC originating in Whites. Mechanistically, GSTM1 knockdown suppressed HSP27 phosphorylation and β-catenin in BAA HNSCC cells, but not in White HNSCC cells. This differential effect at least partially contributes to tumor development in BAA patients. CONCLUSION This study identifies GSTM1 as a novel molecular determinant of survival in HNSCC patients of African descent. It also provides a molecular basis for future research focused on identifying molecular determinants and developing therapeutic interventions to improve outcomes for BAA patients with HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Fanghui Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Chloe Shay
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Georgia Z Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Yong Teng
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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Ludwig M, Birkeland A, Smith J, Gensterblum-Miller E, Zhai JI, Kulkarni A, Jiang H, Brenner C. A Genome Wide CRISPR Pro filing Approach Identi fies Mechanisms of Cisplatin Resistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3922565. [PMID: 38464196 PMCID: PMC10925415 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3922565/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a lethal disease with poor survival rates, especially for cancers arising in the oral cavity or larynx. Cisplatin is a key chemotherapeutic for HNSCC; however poor survival rates may be partially due to cisplatin resistance observed in some HNSCCs. Here, we examined the utility of genome-wide CRISPR knockout profiling for nominating pivotal mechanisms of cisplatin resistance in HNSCC models. Methods We characterized the cisplatin sensitivity of 18 HNSCC cell lines. Next, we used a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 library to identify genes involved in cisplatin resistance. We next performed validation assays in the UM-SCC-49 cell line model. Results Our data prioritized 207 genes as pivotal for cisplatin resistance in HNSCC, including novel genes VGLL3, CIRHA1, NCOR1, SPANXA1, MAP2K7, ULK1, and CDK16. Gene set enrichment analysis identified several NOTCH family genes comprising the top pathway driving cisplatin resistance, which we then validated using a targeted NOTCH1 knockout model. Interestingly, we noted that HNSCC models with natural NOTCH pathway alterations including single allele mutations and/or frameshift alterations had diverse responses to cisplatin treatment suggesting that complex and multi-faceted mechanisms contribute to cisplatin resistance in HNSCC. Conclusions Collectively, our study validates a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 approach for the discovery of resistance mechanisms in HNSCC, adds to the growing evidence that NOTCH1 status should be evaluated as a biomarker of cisplatin response and provides a framework for future work aimed at overcoming cisplatin resistance.
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4
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Buryska S, Patel K, Wuertz B, Gaffney PM, Ondrey F. Potential Roles of Activin in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression and Mortality. Anticancer Res 2023; 43:5299-5310. [PMID: 38030164 PMCID: PMC11285815 DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.16733] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Activin, a member of the TGF-β super family of cytokines, is involved in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study examined the constituents of the activin axis in order to further elucidate the role of activin A in HNSCC progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunohistochemistry (IHC), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), MTT, and matrigel invasion assays, in addition to analysis of the tumor cancer genome atlas (TCGA), were employed. RESULTS IHC in HNSCC and oral leukoplakia (OPL) lesions demonstrated increased expression of the inhibin subunit βA (INHBA) (p<0.0001), as well as activin receptor type IB (ACVR1B) (p<0.0032) compared to normal mucosa. TCGA analysis revealed increased INHBA expression was associated with lymph node positive tumors (p=0.024), decreased overall survival (p=0.0167), and decreased promoter methylation (p<0.0001). Concomitant up-regulated expression of gene pathways strongly correlated with INHBA expression demonstrated further deleterious effects on survival (p<0.0148). CONCLUSION Activin may be an important component of early carcinogenesis in OPL and HNSCC with unfavorable effects on clinical end-points such as survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Buryska
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A
| | - Ketan Patel
- North Memorial Health/Blaze Health, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A
| | - Beverly Wuertz
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.;
| | | | - Frank Ondrey
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A
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5
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Medda A, Compagnoni M, Spini G, Citro S, Croci O, Campaner S, Tagliabue M, Ansarin M, Chiocca S. c-MYC-dependent transcriptional inhibition of autophagy is implicated in cisplatin sensitivity in HPV-positive head and neck cancer. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:719. [PMID: 37925449 PMCID: PMC10625625 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06248-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is important for the removal, degradation and recycling of damaged organelles, proteins, and lipids through the degradative action of lysosomes. In addition to its catabolic function, autophagy is important in cancer and viral-mediated tumorigenesis, including Human Papillomavirus (HPV) positive cancers. HPV infection is a major risk factor in a subset of head and neck cancer (HNC), for which no targeted therapies are currently available. Herein, we assessed autophagy function in HPV-positive HNC. We showed that HPV-positive HNC cells presented a transcriptional and functional impairment of the autophagic process compared to HPV-negative cells, which were reactivated by knocking down HPV E6/E7 oncoproteins, the drivers of cellular transformation. We found that the oncoprotein c-MYC was stabilized and triggered in HPV-positive cell lines. This resulted in the reduced binding of the MiT/TFE transcription factors to their autophagy targets due to c-MYC competition. Thus, the knock-down of c-MYC induced the upregulation of autophagic and lysosomal genes in HPV-positive HNC cells, as well as the increase of autophagic markers at the protein level. Moreover, HPV oncoprotein E7 upregulated the expression of the phosphatase inhibitor CIP2A, accounting for c-MYC upregulation and stability in HPV+ HNC cells. CIP2A mRNA expression negatively correlated with autophagy gene expression in tumor tissues from HNC patients, showing, for the first time, its implication in a transcriptional autophagic context. Both CIP2A and c-MYC knock-down, as well as pharmacological downregulation of c-MYC, resulted in increased resistance to cisplatin treatment. Our results not only show a novel way by which HPV oncoproteins manipulate the host machinery but also provide more insights into the role of autophagy in chemoresistance, with possible implications for targeted HPV-positive HNC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Medda
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Micaela Compagnoni
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Spini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Citro
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Ottavio Croci
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT, CGS@SEMM (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia at European School of Molecular Medicine), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Campaner
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT, CGS@SEMM (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia at European School of Molecular Medicine), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Tagliabue
- Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Mohssen Ansarin
- Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Chiocca
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.
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Mourtada J, Lony C, Nicol A, De Azevedo J, Bour C, Macabre C, Roncarati P, Ledrappier S, Schultz P, Borel C, Burgy M, Wasylyk B, Mellitzer G, Herfs M, Gaiddon C, Jung AC. A novel ΔNp63-dependent immune mechanism improves prognosis of HPV-related head and neck cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1264093. [PMID: 38022675 PMCID: PMC10630910 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Deconvoluting the heterogenous prognosis of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is crucial for enhancing patient care, given its rapidly increasing incidence in western countries and the adverse side effects of OSCC treatments. Methods Transcriptomic data from HPV-positive OSCC samples were analyzed using unsupervised hierarchical clustering, and clinical relevance was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. HPV-positive OSCC cell line models were used in functional analyses and phenotypic assays to assess cell migration and invasion, response to cisplatin, and phagocytosis by macrophages in vitro. Results We found, by transcriptomic analysis of HPV-positive OSCC samples, a ΔNp63 dependent molecular signature that is associated with patient prognosis. ΔNp63 was found to act as a tumor suppressor in HPV-positive OSCC at multiple levels. It inhibits cell migration and invasion, and favors response to chemotherapy. RNA-Seq analysis uncovered an unexpected regulation of genes, such as DKK3, which are involved in immune response-signalling pathways. In agreement with these observations, we found that ΔNp63 expression levels correlate with an enhanced anti-tumor immune environment in OSCC, and ΔNp63 promotes cancer cell phagocytosis by macrophages through a DKK3/NF-κB-dependent pathway. Conclusion Our findings are the first comprehensive identification of molecular mechanisms involved in the heterogeneous prognosis of HPV-positive OSCC, paving the way for much-needed biomarkers and targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Mourtada
- Laboratoire de Biologie Tumorale, Institut de cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg-Inserm, UMR_S 1113 IRFAC, Laboratory « Streinth », Strasbourg, France
| | - Christelle Lony
- Laboratoire de Biologie Tumorale, Institut de cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg-Inserm, UMR_S 1113 IRFAC, Laboratory « Streinth », Strasbourg, France
| | - Anaïs Nicol
- Laboratoire de Radiobiologie, Institut de cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, Strasbourg, France
| | - Justine De Azevedo
- Laboratoire de Biologie Tumorale, Institut de cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg-Inserm, UMR_S 1113 IRFAC, Laboratory « Streinth », Strasbourg, France
| | - Cyril Bour
- Laboratoire de Biologie Tumorale, Institut de cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg-Inserm, UMR_S 1113 IRFAC, Laboratory « Streinth », Strasbourg, France
| | - Christine Macabre
- Laboratoire de Biologie Tumorale, Institut de cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg-Inserm, UMR_S 1113 IRFAC, Laboratory « Streinth », Strasbourg, France
- Tumorothèque du Centre Paul Strauss, Centre Paul Strauss, Strasbourg, France
| | - Patrick Roncarati
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Sonia Ledrappier
- Tumorothèque du Centre Paul Strauss, Centre Paul Strauss, Strasbourg, France
| | - Philippe Schultz
- Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Strasbourg, France
| | - Christian Borel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut de cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, Strasbourg, France
| | - Mickaël Burgy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut de cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, Strasbourg, France
| | - Bohdan Wasylyk
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U 1258, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
- Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Georg Mellitzer
- Université de Strasbourg-Inserm, UMR_S 1113 IRFAC, Laboratory « Streinth », Strasbourg, France
| | - Michaël Herfs
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Christian Gaiddon
- Université de Strasbourg-Inserm, UMR_S 1113 IRFAC, Laboratory « Streinth », Strasbourg, France
| | - Alain C. Jung
- Laboratoire de Biologie Tumorale, Institut de cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg-Inserm, UMR_S 1113 IRFAC, Laboratory « Streinth », Strasbourg, France
- Tumorothèque du Centre Paul Strauss, Centre Paul Strauss, Strasbourg, France
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7
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Zwolinska K, Bienkowska-Haba M, Scott RS, Keiffer T, Sapp M. Experimental Support for Human Papillomavirus Genome Amplification Early after Infectious Delivery. J Virol 2023; 97:e0021423. [PMID: 37223953 PMCID: PMC10308938 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00214-23] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Even though replication and transcription of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) has been intensively studied, little is known about immediate-early events of the viral life cycle due to the lack of an efficient infection model allowing genetic dissection of viral factors. We employed the recently developed infection model (Bienkowska-Haba M, Luszczek W, Myers JE, Keiffer TR, et al. 2018. PLoS Pathog 14:e1006846) to investigate genome amplification and transcription immediately after infectious delivery of viral genome to nuclei of primary keratinocytes. Using 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) pulse-labeling and highly sensitive fluorescence in situ hybridization, we observed that the HPV16 genome is replicated and amplified in an E1- and E2-dependent manner. Knockout of E1 resulted in failure of the viral genome to replicate and amplify. In contrast, knockout of the E8^E2 repressor led to increased viral genome copy number, confirming previous reports. Genome copy control by E8^E2 was confirmed for differentiation-induced genome amplification. Lack of functional E1 had no effect on transcription from the early promoter, suggesting that viral genome replication is not required for p97 promoter activity. However, infection with an HPV16 mutant virus defective for E2 transcriptional function revealed a requirement of E2 for efficient transcription from the early promoter. In the absence of the E8^E2 protein, early transcript levels are unaltered and even decreased when normalized to genome copy number. Surprisingly, a lack of functional E8^E2 repressor did not affect E8^E2 transcript levels when normalized to genome copy number. These data suggest that the main function of E8^E2 in the viral life cycle is to control genome copy number. IMPORTANCE It is being assumed that human papillomavirus (HPV) utilizes three different modes of replication during its life cycle: initial amplification during the establishment phase, genome maintenance, and differentiation-induced amplification. However, HPV16 initial amplification was never formally proven due to a lack of an infection model. Using our recently established infection model (Bienkowska-Haba M, Luszczek W, Myers JE, Keiffer TR, et al. 2018. PLoS Pathog 14:e1006846), we demonstrate herein that viral genome is indeed amplified in an E1- and E2-dependent manner. Furthermore, we find that the main function of the viral repressor E8^E2 is to control viral genome copy number. We did not find evidence that it regulates its own promoter in a negative feedback loop. Our data also suggest that the E2 transactivator function is required for stimulation of early promoter activity, which has been debated in the literature. Overall, this report confirms the usefulness of the infection model for studying early events of the HPV life cycle using mutational approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Zwolinska
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Molecular and Tumor Virology, Feist Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
| | - Malgorzata Bienkowska-Haba
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Molecular and Tumor Virology, Feist Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
| | - Rona S. Scott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Molecular and Tumor Virology, Feist Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
| | - Timothy Keiffer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Molecular and Tumor Virology, Feist Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
| | - Martin Sapp
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Molecular and Tumor Virology, Feist Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
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Morgan EL, Toni T, Viswanathan R, Robbins Y, Yang X, Cheng H, Gunti S, Huynh A, Sowers AL, Mitchell JB, Allen CT, Chen Z, Van Waes C. Inhibition of USP14 promotes TNFα-induced cell death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:1382-1396. [PMID: 37055579 PMCID: PMC10154301 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01144-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
TNFα is a key mediator of immune, chemotherapy and radiotherapy-induced cytotoxicity, but several cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), display resistance to TNFα due to activation of the canonical NFκB pro-survival pathway. However, direct targeting of this pathway is associated with significant toxicity; thus, it is vital to identify novel mechanism(s) contributing to NFκB activation and TNFα resistance in cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that the expression of proteasome-associated deubiquitinase USP14 is significantly increased in HNSCC and correlates with worse progression free survival in Human Papillomavirus (HPV)- HNSCC. Inhibition or depletion of USP14 inhibited the proliferation and survival of HNSCC cells. Further, USP14 inhibition reduced both basal and TNFα-inducible NFκB activity, NFκB-dependent gene expression and the nuclear translocation of the NFκB subunit RELA. Mechanistically, USP14 bound to both RELA and IκBα and reduced IκBα K48-ubiquitination leading to the degradation of IκBα, a critical inhibitor of the canonical NFκB pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrated that b-AP15, an inhibitor of USP14 and UCHL5, sensitized HNSCC cells to TNFα-mediated cell death, as well as radiation-induced cell death in vitro. Finally, b-AP15 delayed tumor growth and enhanced survival, both as a monotherapy and in combination with radiation, in HNSCC tumor xenograft models in vivo, which could be significantly attenuated by TNFα depletion. These data offer new insights into the activation of NFκB signaling in HNSCC and demonstrate that small molecule inhibitors targeting the ubiquitin pathway warrant further investigation as a novel therapeutic avenue to sensitize these cancers to TNFα- and radiation-induced cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan L Morgan
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK.
| | - Tiffany Toni
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ramya Viswanathan
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yvette Robbins
- Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xinping Yang
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hui Cheng
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sreenivasulu Gunti
- Sinonasal and Skull Base Tumor Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Angel Huynh
- Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anastasia L Sowers
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James B Mitchell
- Radiation Biology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Clint T Allen
- Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zhong Chen
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carter Van Waes
- Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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9
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Gobin C, Inkabi S, Lattimore CC, Gu T, Menefee JN, Rodriguez M, Kates H, Fields C, Bian T, Silver N, Xing C, Yates C, Renne R, Xie M, Fredenburg KM. Investigating miR-9 as a mediator in laryngeal cancer health disparities. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1096882. [PMID: 37081981 PMCID: PMC10112398 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1096882] [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: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background For several decades, Black patients have carried a higher burden of laryngeal cancer among all races. Even when accounting for sociodemographics, a disparity remains. Differentially expressed microRNAs have been linked to racially disparate clinical outcomes in breast and prostate cancers, yet an association in laryngeal cancer has not been addressed. In this study, we present our computational analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs in Black compared with White laryngeal cancer and further validate microRNA-9-5p (miR-9-5p) as a potential mediator of cancer phenotype and chemoresistance. Methods Bioinformatic analysis of 111 (92 Whites, 19 Black) laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) specimens from the TCGA revealed miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in Black compared with White LSCC. We focused on miR-9-5 p which had a significant 4-fold lower expression in Black compared with White LSCC (p<0.05). After transient transfection with either miR-9 mimic or inhibitor in cell lines derived from Black (UM-SCC-12) or White LSCC patients (UM-SCC-10A), cellular migration and cell proliferation was assessed. Alterations in cisplatin sensitivity was evaluated in transient transfected cells via IC50 analysis. qPCR was performed on transfected cells to evaluate miR-9 targets and chemoresistance predictors, ABCC1 and MAP1B. Results Northern blot analysis revealed mature miR-9-5p was inherently lower in cell line UM-SCC-12 compared with UM-SCC-10A. UM -SCC-12 had baseline increase in cellular migration (p < 0.01), proliferation (p < 0.0001) and chemosensitivity (p < 0.01) compared to UM-SCC-10A. Increasing miR-9 in UM-SCC-12 cells resulted in decreased cellular migration (p < 0.05), decreased proliferation (p < 0.0001) and increased sensitivity to cisplatin (p < 0.001). Reducing miR-9 in UM-SCC-10A cells resulted in increased cellular migration (p < 0.05), increased proliferation (p < 0.05) and decreased sensitivity to cisplatin (p < 0.01). A significant inverse relationship in ABCC1 and MAP1B gene expression was observed when miR-9 levels were transiently elevated or reduced in either UM-SCC-12 or UM-SCC-10A cell lines, respectively, suggesting modulation by miR-9. Conclusion Collectively, these studies introduce differential miRNA expression in LSCC cancer health disparities and propose a role for low miR-9-5p as a mediator in LSCC tumorigenesis and chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Gobin
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Samuel Inkabi
- College of Graduate Health Studies, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, United States
| | - Chayil C. Lattimore
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Tongjun Gu
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research Bioinformatics Core Facility, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - James N. Menefee
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Mayrangela Rodriguez
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Heather Kates
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Christopher Fields
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tengfei Bian
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Natalie Silver
- Head and Neck Institute/Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Chengguo Xing
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Clayton Yates
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rolf Renne
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Mingyi Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Kristianna M. Fredenburg
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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10
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Bienkowska-Haba M, Zwolinska K, Keiffer T, Scott RS, Sapp M. Human Papillomavirus Genome Copy Number Is Maintained by S-Phase Amplification, Genome Loss to the Cytosol during Mitosis, and Degradation in G 1 Phase. J Virol 2023; 97:e0187922. [PMID: 36749071 PMCID: PMC9972943 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01879-22] [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: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The current model of human papillomavirus (HPV) replication is comprised of three modes of replication. Following infectious delivery, the viral genome is amplified during the establishment phase to reach up to some hundred copies per cell. The HPV genome copy number remains constant during the maintenance stage. The differentiation of infected cells induces HPV genome amplification. Using highly sensitive in situ hybridization (DNAscope) and freshly HPV16-infected as well as established HPV16-positive cell lines, we observed that the viral genome is amplified in each S phase of undifferentiated keratinocytes cultured as monolayers. The nuclear viral genome copy number is reset to pre-S-phase levels during mitosis. The majority of the viral genome fails to tether to host chromosomes and is lost to the cytosol. Cytosolic viral genomes gradually decrease during cell cycle progression. The loss of cytosolic genomes is blocked in the presence of NH4Cl or other drugs that interfere with lysosomal acidification, suggesting the involvement of autophagy in viral genome degradation. These observations were also made with HPV31 cell lines obtained from patient samples. Cytosolic viral genomes were not detected in UMSCC47 cells carrying integrated HPV16 DNA. Analyses of organotypic raft cultures derived from keratinocytes harboring episomal HPV16 revealed the presence of cytosolic viral genomes as well. We conclude that HPV maintains viral genome copy numbers by balancing viral genome amplification during S phase with the loss of viral genomes to the cytosol during mitosis. It seems plausible that restrictions to viral genome tethering to mitotic chromosomes reset genome copy numbers in each cell cycle. IMPORTANCE HPV genome maintenance is currently thought to be achieved by regulating the expression and activity of the viral replication factors E1 and E2. In addition, the E8^E2 repressor has been shown to be important for restricting genome copy numbers by competing with E1 and E2 for binding to the viral origin of replication and by recruiting repressor complexes. Here, we demonstrate that the HPV genome is amplified in each S phase. The nuclear genome copy number is reset during mitosis by a failure of the majority of the genomes to tether to mitotic chromosomes. Rather, HPV genomes accumulate in the cytoplasm of freshly divided cells. Cytosolic viral DNA is degraded in G1 in a lysosome-dependent manner, contributing to the genome copy reset. Our data imply that the mode of replication during establishment and maintenance is the same and further suggest that restrictions to genome tethering significantly contribute to viral genome maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Bienkowska-Haba
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feist Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Katarzyna Zwolinska
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feist Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Timothy Keiffer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feist Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Rona S. Scott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feist Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Martin Sapp
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feist Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
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11
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Gouttia OG, Zhao J, Li Y, Zwiener MJ, Wang L, Oakley GG, Peng A. The MASTL-ENSA-PP2A/B55 axis modulates cisplatin resistance in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:904719. [PMID: 36247015 PMCID: PMC9554306 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.904719] [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: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) that is inoperable, recurrent, or metastatic. Platinum sensitivity is a major determinant of patient survival in advanced OSCC. Here, we investigated the involvement of MASTL, a cell cycle kinase that mediates ENSA/ARPP19 phosphorylation and PP2A/B55 inhibition, in OSCC therapy. Interestingly, upregulation of MASTL and ENSA/ARPP19, and downregulation of PP2A/B55, were common in OSCC. MASTL expression was in association with poor patient survival. In established OSCC cell lines, upregulation of MASTL and ENSA, and downregulation of B55 genes, correlated with cisplatin resistance. We further confirmed that stable expression of MASTL in OSCC cells promoted cell survival and proliferation under cisplatin treatment, in an ENSA-dependent manner. Conversely, deletion of MASTL or ENSA, or overexpression of B55α, sensitized cisplatin response, consistent with increased DNA damage accumulation, signaling, and caspase activation. Moreover, GKI-1, the first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of MASTL kinase, phenocopied MASTL depletion in enhancing the outcome of cisplatin treatment in OSCC cells, at a dose substantially lower than that needed to disrupt mitotic entry. Finally, GKI-1 exhibited promising efficacy in a mouse tumor xenograft model, in conjunction with cisplatin therapy.
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12
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The diverse functions of FAT1 in cancer progression: good, bad, or ugly? J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:248. [PMID: 35965328 PMCID: PMC9377080 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02461-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
FAT atypical cadherin 1 (FAT1) is among the most frequently mutated genes in many types of cancer. Its highest mutation rate is found in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), in which FAT1 is the second most frequently mutated gene. Thus, FAT1 has great potential to serve as a target or prognostic biomarker in cancer treatment. FAT1 encodes a member of the cadherin-like protein family. Under normal physiological conditions, FAT1 serves as a molecular "brake" on mitochondrial respiration and acts as a receptor for a signaling pathway regulating cell-cell contact interaction and planar cell polarity. In many cancers, loss of FAT1 function promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the formation of cancer initiation/stem-like cells. However, in some types of cancer, overexpression of FAT1 leads to EMT. The roles of FAT1 in cancer progression, which seems to be cancer-type specific, have not been clarified. To further study the function of FAT1 in cancers, this review summarizes recent relevant literature regarding this protein. In addition to phenotypic alterations due to FAT1 mutations, several signaling pathways and tumor immune systems known or proposed to be regulated by this protein are presented. The potential impact of detecting or targeting FAT1 mutations on cancer treatment is also prospectively discussed.
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13
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Sabatini ME, Compagnoni M, Maffini F, Miccolo C, Pagni F, Lombardi M, Brambilla V, Lepanto D, Tagliabue M, Ansarin M, Citro S, Chiocca S. The UBC9/SUMO pathway affects E-cadherin cleavage in HPV-positive head and neck cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:940449. [PMID: 36032664 PMCID: PMC9411811 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.940449] [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: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional loss of E-cadherin is frequent during tumor progression and occurs through a variety of mechanisms, including proteolytic cleavage. E-cadherin downregulation leads to the conversion of a more malignant phenotype promoting Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). The UBC9/SUMO pathway has been also shown to be involved in the regulation of EMT in different cancers. Here we found an increased expression of UBC9 in the progression of Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) and uncovered a role for UBC9/SUMO in hampering the HPV-mediated E-cadherin cleavage in HNC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elisa Sabatini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Milan, Italy
| | - Micaela Compagnoni
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Milan, Italy
| | - Fausto Maffini
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Miccolo
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Pagni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pathology, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Mariano Lombardi
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Virginia Brambilla
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pathology, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Daniela Lepanto
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Tagliabue
- Division of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Mohssen Ansarin
- Division of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Citro
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Simona Citro, ; Susanna Chiocca,
| | - Susanna Chiocca
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Simona Citro, ; Susanna Chiocca,
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14
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A Novel CXCR4-Targeted Diphtheria Toxin Nanoparticle Inhibits Invasion and Metastatic Dissemination in a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mouse Model. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14040887. [PMID: 35456719 PMCID: PMC9032726 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Loco-regional recurrences and metastasis represent the leading causes of death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, highlighting the need for novel therapies. Chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) has been related to loco-regional and distant recurrence and worse patient prognosis. In this regard, we developed a novel protein nanoparticle, T22-DITOX-H6, aiming to selectively deliver the diphtheria toxin cytotoxic domain to CXCR4+ HNSCC cells. The antimetastatic effect of T22-DITOX-H6 was evaluated in vivo in an orthotopic mouse model. IVIS imaging system was utilized to assess the metastatic dissemination in the mouse model. Immunohistochemistry and histopathological analyses were used to study the CXCR4 expression in the cancer cells, to evaluate the effect of the nanotoxin treatment, and its potential off-target toxicity. In this study, we report that CXCR4+ cancer cells were present in the invasive tumor front in an orthotopic mouse model. Upon repeated T22-DITOX-H6 administration, the number of CXCR4+ cancer cells was significantly reduced. Similarly, nanotoxin treatment effectively blocked regional and distant metastatic dissemination in the absence of systemic toxicity in the metastatic HNSCC mouse model. The repeated administration of T22-DITOX-H6 clearly abrogates tumor invasiveness and metastatic dissemination without inducing any off-target toxicity. Thus, T22-DITOX-H6 holds great promise for the treatment of CXCR4+ HNSCC patients presenting worse prognosis.
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15
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Manevich L, Okita Y, Okano Y, Sugasawa T, Kawanishi K, Poullikkas T, Dang Cao LTL, Zheng L, Nakayama M, Matsumoto S, Tabuchi K, Kato M. Glycoprotein NMB promotes tumor formation and malignant progression of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2022; 113:3244-3254. [PMID: 35365934 PMCID: PMC9459245 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15359] [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: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), although one of the most common head and neck cancers, has a static or slightly decreased survival rate because of difficulties in early diagnosis, lack of effective molecular targeting therapy, and severe dysfunction after radical surgical treatments. Therefore, a novel therapeutic target is crucial to increase treatment efficacy and survival rates in these patients. Glycoprotein NMB (GPNMB), whose role in LSCC remains elusive, is a type 1 transmembrane protein involved in malignant progression of various cancers, and its high expression is thought to be a poor prognostic factor. In this study, we showed that GPNMB expression levels in LSCC samples are significantly higher than those in normal tissues, and GPNMB expression is observed mostly in growth‐arrested cancer cells. Furthermore, knockdown of GPNMB reduces monolayer cellular proliferation, cellular migration, and tumorigenic growth, while GPNMB protein displays an inverse relationship with Ki‐67 levels. Therefore, we conclude that GPNMB may be an attractive target for future LSCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lev Manevich
- Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yukari Okita
- Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Division of Cell Dynamics, Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Okano
- Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takehito Sugasawa
- Laboratory of Sports Medicine, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kunio Kawanishi
- Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Thanasis Poullikkas
- Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Human Biology, School of integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Linda T L Dang Cao
- Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Ph.D. Program in Humanics, School of Integrative and Global Majors (SIGMA), University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Life and Science Center of Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ling Zheng
- Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nakayama
- Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shin Matsumoto
- Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Keiji Tabuchi
- Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Mitsuyasu Kato
- Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Division of Cell Dynamics, Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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16
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Galanin mediates tumor-induced immunosuppression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2022; 45:241-256. [PMID: 35267186 PMCID: PMC9050779 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-021-00631-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Galanin receptor 2 (GALR2) plays a significant role in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Since there is virtually no information on immunomodulation mediated by its ligand in the tumor microenvironment, we assessed the effects of galanin on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods After verification of GALR2 expression and it activity in PBMCs we evaluated the effect of galanin and conditioned media from HNSCC cell lines silenced for galanin or antibody-depleted, on proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine expression and activation/differentiation of immune cells. Results We found that galanin alone and as a component of the HNSCC secretome decreased HNSCC cell proliferation and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFNγ, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α), whilst increasing apoptosis and expression of pro-tumoral cytokines/growth factors (IL-10, IL-4, PDGF and GM-CSF). T cell activation (using CD69 as activation marker) and anti-tumoral phenotypes in CD4+ T cells (Th1 and Th17) were found to be suppressed. In vivo, tumor growth was found to be increased in the presence of galanin-stimulated PBMCs. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) revealed that high expression of galanin was associated with a reduced overall survival of patients with HNSCC. Conclusion Our data indicate that galanin secreted by HNSCC cells exhibits immune-suppressive and pro-tumoral effects. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13402-021-00631-y.
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17
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Citro S, Miccolo C, Medda A, Ghiani L, Tagliabue M, Ansarin M, Chiocca S. HPV-mediated regulation of SMAD4 modulates the DNA damage response in head and neck cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:59. [PMID: 35144669 PMCID: PMC8830113 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02258-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Head and Neck cancer (HNC) is a fatal malignancy with poor prognosis. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is becoming the prominent cause of HNC in the western world, and studying the molecular mechanisms underlying its action in cancers is key towards targeted therapy. To replicate, HPV regulates the host DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway. SMAD4 is also involved in the regulation of the DDR machinery and likely plays important role in maintaining cell viability upon genotoxic stress. In this study, we investigated the role of HPV in the upregulation of SMAD4 to control the DDR response and facilitate its lifecycle. Methods SMAD4, Rad51 and CHK1 expression was assessed in HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNC using TCGA data, a panel of 14 HNC cell lines and 8 fresh tumour tissue samples from HNC patients. HPV16 expression was modulated by E6/E7 siRNA knock-down or transduction in HPV-positive HNC cell lines and Human Primary keratinocytes respectively. SMAD4 half-life was assessed by cycloheximide treatment in HNC cell lines, together with βTRCP1-dependent SMAD4 ubiquitination. SMAD4 siRNA knock-down was used to determine its role in HPV-mediated regulation of DDR machinery and to assess cisplatin sensitivity in HPV-positive HNC cell lines. Results We found that HPV increases SMAD4 expression is both HPV-positive HNC tumours and cell lines, impairing its degradation which is mediated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase βTRCP1. SMAD4 expression highly correlates with the expression of two main players of the DDR pathway, CHK1 and Rad51, which expression is also upregulated by the presence of HPV. In particular, we demonstrate that HPV stabilizes SMAD4 to increase CHK1 and Rad51 expression. In addition, SMAD4-deficient HPV-positive cells have increased sensitivity to cisplatin treatment. Conclusions Our results give a clear molecular mechanism at the basis of HPV regulation of the DDR pathway. In particular, we show how HPV stabilizes SMAD4 to promote DDR protein expression, which may be used to facilitate viral replication and HNC onset. Moreover, we found that SMAD4 silencing in HPV-positive HNC cell lines increases sensitivity to cisplatin treatment, suggesting that HPV-positive HNC with low SMAD4 expression may be preferentially susceptible to similar treatments. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02258-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Citro
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.
| | - Claudia Miccolo
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Medda
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Lavinia Ghiani
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Tagliabue
- Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Mohssen Ansarin
- Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141, Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Chiocca
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, IEO Campus, Via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy.
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18
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Rioja-Blanco E, Arroyo-Solera I, Álamo P, Casanova I, Gallardo A, Unzueta U, Serna N, Sánchez-García L, Quer M, Villaverde A, Vázquez E, León X, Alba-Castellón L, Mangues R. CXCR4-targeted nanotoxins induce GSDME-dependent pyroptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:49. [PMID: 35120582 PMCID: PMC8815235 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02267-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapy resistance, which leads to the development of loco-regional relapses and distant metastases after treatment, constitutes one of the major problems that head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients currently face. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Targeted drug delivery to the chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) represents a promising approach for HNSCC management. In this context, we have developed the self-assembling protein nanotoxins T22-PE24-H6 and T22-DITOX-H6, which incorporate the de-immunized catalytic domain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PE24) exotoxin A and the diphtheria exotoxin (DITOX) domain, respectively. Both nanotoxins contain the T22 peptide ligand to specifically target CXCR4-overexpressing HNSCC cells. In this study, we evaluate the potential use of T22-PE24-H6 and T22-DITOX-H6 nanotoxins for the treatment of HNSCC. METHODS T22-PE24-H6 and T22-DITOX-H6 CXCR4-dependent cytotoxic effect was evaluated in vitro in two different HNSCC cell lines. Both nanotoxins cell death mechanisms were assessed in HNSCC cell lines by phase-contrast microscopy, AnnexinV/ propidium iodide (PI) staining, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays, and western blotting. Nanotoxins antitumor effect in vivo was studied in a CXCR4+ HNSCC subcutaneous mouse model. Immunohistochemistry, histopathology, and toxicity analyses were used to evaluate both nanotoxins antitumor effect and possible treatment toxicity. GSMDE and CXCR4 expression in HNSCC patient tumor samples was also assessed by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS First, we found that both nanotoxins exhibit a potent CXCR4-dependent cytotoxic effect in vitro. Importantly, nanotoxin treatment triggered caspase-3/Gasdermin E (GSDME)-mediated pyroptosis. The activation of this alternative cell death pathway that differs from traditional apoptosis, becomes a promising strategy to bypass therapy resistance. In addition, T22-PE24-H6 and T22-DITOX-H6 displayed a potent antitumor effect in the absence of systemic toxicity in a CXCR4+ subcutaneous HNSCC mouse model. Lastly, GSDME was found to be overexpressed in tumor tissue from HNSCC patients, highlighting the relevance of this strategy. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, our results show that T22-PE24-H6 and T22-DITOX-H6 represent a promising therapy for HNSCC patients. Remarkably, this is the first study showing that both nanotoxins are capable of activating caspase-3/GSDME-dependent pyroptosis, opening a novel avenue for HNSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Rioja-Blanco
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Sant Quintí, 77, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Arroyo-Solera
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Sant Quintí, 77, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Álamo
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Sant Quintí, 77, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isolda Casanova
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Sant Quintí, 77, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Gallardo
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Sant Quintí, 77, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Sant Quintí, 89, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ugutz Unzueta
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Sant Quintí, 77, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Naroa Serna
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez-García
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Miquel Quer
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sant Quintí, 89, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sant Quintí, 89, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Esther Vázquez
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain.
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain.
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and CIBER, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Xavier León
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sant Quintí, 89, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sant Quintí, 89, 08041, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lorena Alba-Castellón
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Sant Quintí, 77, 08041, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institut de Recerca contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau, Hospital de Sant Pau and Josep Carreras Research Institute, 08041, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Ramon Mangues
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB-Sant Pau), Sant Quintí, 77, 08041, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institut de Recerca contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, 08025, Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau, Hospital de Sant Pau, CIBER and Josep Carreras Research Institute, 08041, Barcelona, Spain.
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19
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Wang F, Gouttia OG, Wang L, Peng A. PARP1 Upregulation in Recurrent Oral Cancer and Treatment Resistance. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:804962. [PMID: 35071239 PMCID: PMC8769238 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.804962] [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: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
First-line treatments for oral cancer typically include surgery, radiation, and in some cases, chemotherapy. Radiation and oral cancer chemotherapeutics confer cytotoxicity largely by inducing DNA damage, underscoring the importance of the cellular DNA damage repair and response pathways in cancer therapy. However, tumor recurrence and acquired resistance, following the initial response to treatment, remains as a major clinical challenge. By analyzing oral tumor cells derived from the primary and recurrent tumors of the same patient, our study revealed upregulated PARP1 expression in the recurrent tumor cells. Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil treatment further augmented PARP1 expression in the recurrent, but not the primary, tumor cells. Post-treatment upregulation of PARP1 was dependent on the catalytic activities of PARP and CDK7. Consistent with the established function of PARP1 in DNA repair, we showed that overexpression of PARP1 rendered the primary tumor cells highly resistant to DNA damage treatment. Conversely, PARP inhibition partially reversed the treatment resistance in the recurrent tumor cells; combinatorial treatment using a PARP inhibitor and cisplatin/5-fluorouracil significantly sensitized the tumor response in vivo. Taken together, we reported here PARP1 upregulation as a clinically relevant mechanism involved in oral cancer recurrence, and suggested the clinical benefit of PARP inhibitors, currently approved for the treatment of several other types of cancer, in oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Wang
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Odjo G Gouttia
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Aimin Peng
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lincoln, NE, United States
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20
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Inhibition of cotranslational translocation by apratoxin S4: Effects on oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases and the fate of transmembrane proteins produced in the cytoplasm. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2021; 2:100053. [PMID: 34909679 PMCID: PMC8663948 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2021.100053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) have become major targets for anticancer therapy. However, resistance and signaling pathway redundancy has been problematic. The marine-derived apratoxins act complementary to direct kinase inhibitors by downregulating the levels of multiple of these receptors and additionally prevent the secretion of growth factors that act on these receptors by targeting Sec61α, therefore interfering with cotranslational translocation. We have profiled the synthetic, natural product-inspired apratoxin S4 against panels of cancer cells characterized by differential sensitivity to RTK inhibitors due to receptor mutations, oncogenic KRAS mutations, or activation of compensatory pathways. Apratoxin S4 was active at low-nanomolar to sub-nanomolar concentrations against panels of lung, head and neck, bladder, and pancreatic cancer cells, concomitant with the downregulation of levels of several RTKs, including EGFR, MET and others. However, the requisite concentration to inhibit certain receptors varied, suggesting some differential substrate selectivity in cellular settings. This selectivity was most pronounced in breast cancer cells, where apratoxin S4 selectively targeted HER3 over HER2 and showed greater activity against ER+ and triple negative breast cancer cells than HER2+ cancer cells. Depending on the breast cancer subtype, apratoxin S4 differentially downregulated transmembrane protein CDCP1, which is linked to metastasis and invasion in breast cancer and modulates EGFR activity. We followed the fate of CDCP1 through proteomics and found that nonglycosylated CDCP1 associates with chaperone HSP70 and HUWE1 that functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase and presumably targets CDCP1, as well as potentially other substrates inhibited by apratoxins, for proteasomal degradation. By preventing cotranslational translocation of VEGF and other proangiogenic factors as well as VEGFR2 and other receptors, apratoxins also possess antiangiogenic activity, which was validated in endothelial cells where downregulation of VEGFR2 was observed, extending the therapeutic scope to angiogenic diseases.
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21
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Kort-Mascort J, Bao G, Elkashty O, Flores-Torres S, Munguia-Lopez JG, Jiang T, Ehrlicher AJ, Mongeau L, Tran SD, Kinsella JM. Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Composite Hydrogel Bioinks for the Development of 3D Bioprinted Head and Neck in Vitro Tumor Models. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:5288-5300. [PMID: 34661396 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Reinforced extracellular matrix (ECM)-based hydrogels recapitulate several mechanical and biochemical features found in the tumor microenvironment (TME) in vivo. While these gels retain several critical structural and bioactive molecules that promote cell-matrix interactivity, their mechanical properties tend toward the viscous regime limiting their ability to retain ordered structural characteristics when considered as architectured scaffolds. To overcome this limitation characteristic of pure ECM hydrogels, we present a composite material containing alginate, a seaweed-derived polysaccharide, and gelatin, denatured collagen, as rheological modifiers which impart mechanical integrity to the biologically active decellularized ECM (dECM). After an optimization process, the reinforced gel proposed is mechanically stable and bioprintable and has a stiffness within the expected physiological values. Our hydrogel's elastic modulus has no significant difference when compared to tumors induced in preclinical xenograft head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) mouse models. The bioprinted cell-laden model is highly reproducible and allows proliferation and reorganization of HNSCC cells while maintaining cell viability above 90% for periods of nearly 3 weeks. Cells encapsulated in our bioink produce spheroids of at least 3000 μm2 of cross-sectional area by day 15 of culture and are positive for cytokeratin in immunofluorescence quantification, a common marker of HNSCC model validation in 2D and 3D models. We use this in vitro model system to evaluate the standard-of-care small molecule therapeutics used to treat HNSCC clinically and report a 4-fold increase in the IC50 of cisplatin and an 80-fold increase for 5-fluorouracil compared to monolayer cultures. Our work suggests that fabricating in vitro models using reinforced dECM provides a physiologically relevant system to evaluate malignant neoplastic phenomena in vitro due to the physical and biological features replicated from the source tissue microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Kort-Mascort
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, McConnell Engineering Building, 3480 University, Room 350, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0E9, Canada
| | - Guangyu Bao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Macdonald Engineering Building, Room 270, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Osama Elkashty
- Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 3640 rue University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C7, Canada.,Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, Mansoura 29R6+Q3F, Egypt
| | - Salvador Flores-Torres
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, McConnell Engineering Building, 3480 University, Room 350, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0E9, Canada
| | - Jose G Munguia-Lopez
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, McConnell Engineering Building, 3480 University, Room 350, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0E9, Canada.,Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 3640 rue University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Intelligent Machinery and Instrument, College of Intelligence Science and Technology, National University of Defense Technology Changsha, No. 109 Deya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, Hunan 410073, China
| | - Allen J Ehrlicher
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, McConnell Engineering Building, 3480 University, Room 350, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0E9, Canada.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Macdonald Engineering Building, Room 270, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Luc Mongeau
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Macdonald Engineering Building, Room 270, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Simon D Tran
- Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 3640 rue University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Joseph M Kinsella
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, McConnell Engineering Building, 3480 University, Room 350, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0E9, Canada
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22
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Herzog AE, Warner KA, Zhang Z, Bellile E, Bhagat MA, Castilho RM, Wolf GT, Polverini PJ, Pearson AT, Nör JE. The IL-6R and Bmi-1 axis controls self-renewal and chemoresistance of head and neck cancer stem cells. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:988. [PMID: 34689150 PMCID: PMC8542035 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04268-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Despite major progress in elucidating the pathobiology of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the high frequency of disease relapse correlates with unacceptably deficient patient survival. We previously showed that cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) drive tumorigenesis and progression of HNSCC. Although CSCs constitute only 2–5% of total tumor cells, CSCs contribute to tumor progression by virtue of their high tumorigenic potential and their resistance to chemo-, radio-, and immunotherapy. Not only are CSCs resistant to therapy, but cytotoxic agents actually enhance cancer stemness by activating transcription of pluripotency factors and by inducing expression of Bmi-1, a master regulator of stem cell self-renewal. We hypothesized therapeutic inhibition of interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) suppresses Bmi-1 to overcome intrinsic chemoresistance of CSCs. We observed that high Bmi-1 expression correlates with decreased (p = 0.04) recurrence-free survival time in HNSCC patients (n = 216). Blockade of IL-6R by lentiviral knockdown or pharmacologic inhibition with a humanized monoclonal antibody (Tocilizumab) is sufficient to inhibit Bmi-1 expression, secondary sphere formation, and to decrease the CSC fraction even in Cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cells. IL-6R inhibition with Tocilizumab abrogates Cisplatin-mediated increase in CSC fraction and induction of Bmi-1 in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of HNSCC. Notably, Tocilizumab inhibits Bmi-1 and suppresses growth of xenograft tumors generated with Cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cells. Altogether, these studies demonstrate that therapeutic blockade of IL-6R suppresses Bmi-1 function and inhibits cancer stemness. These results suggest therapeutic inhibition of IL-6R might be a viable strategy to overcome the CSC-mediated chemoresistance typically observed in HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra E Herzog
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kristy A Warner
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Zhaocheng Zhang
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Emily Bellile
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Meera A Bhagat
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rogerio M Castilho
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gregory T Wolf
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Peter J Polverini
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan College of Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alexander T Pearson
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA. .,University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Jacques E Nör
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. .,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan College of Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. .,University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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23
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Mann JE, Ludwig ML, Kulkarni A, Scheftz EB, Murray IR, Zhai J, Gensterblum-Miller E, Jiang H, Brenner JC. Microbe-Mediated Activation of Toll-like Receptor 2 Drives PDL1 Expression in HNSCC. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194782. [PMID: 34638266 PMCID: PMC8508280 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumors use immunosuppressive signals to evade detection by the immune system. While recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma has historically carried a poor prognosis, therapies targeting the immunosuppressive PD1:PDL1 axis have improved survival in certain patients. Defining mechanisms regulating PDL1 in various contexts may inform refinement of immunotherapy protocols. We identified a role for Toll-like Receptor 2 (TLR2) signaling in driving PDL1 expression. In antigen-presenting cells, TLR2 functions to initiate response to pathogens, and it is overexpressed or genetically altered in some tumors. We found that the synthetic TLR2 ligand Pam3CSK4, as well as whole bacteria, induced PDL1 expression in specific HNSCC cell line models, suggesting that TLR2 may contribute to immune evasion in chronically inflamed tissues. Abstract As immunotherapies targeting the PDL1 checkpoint have become a mainstay of treatment for a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, a detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying PDL1-mediated immune evasion is needed. To elucidate factors regulating expression of PDL1 in HNSCC cells, a genome-wide CRISPR profiling approach was implemented to identify genes and pathways conferring altered PDL1 expression in an HNSCC cell line model. Our screen nominated several candidate PDL1 drivers, including Toll-like Receptor 2 (TLR2). Depletion of TLR2 blocks interferon-γ-induced PDL1 expression, and stimulation of TLR2 with either Staphylococcus aureus or a bacterial lipopeptide mimetic, Pam3CSK4, enhanced PDL1 expression in multiple models. The data herein demonstrate a role for TLR2 in modulating the expression of PDL1 in HNSCC models and suggest that microbiota may directly modulate immunosuppression in cancer cells. Our study represents a step toward disentangling the diverse pathways and stimuli regulating PDL1 expression in HNSCC and underscores a need for future work to characterize the complex microbiome in HNSCC patients treated with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline E Mann
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.E.M.); (M.L.L.); (A.K.); (E.B.S.); (I.R.M.); (E.G.-M.)
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Megan L Ludwig
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.E.M.); (M.L.L.); (A.K.); (E.B.S.); (I.R.M.); (E.G.-M.)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Aditi Kulkarni
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.E.M.); (M.L.L.); (A.K.); (E.B.S.); (I.R.M.); (E.G.-M.)
| | - Erin B Scheftz
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.E.M.); (M.L.L.); (A.K.); (E.B.S.); (I.R.M.); (E.G.-M.)
| | - Isabel R Murray
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.E.M.); (M.L.L.); (A.K.); (E.B.S.); (I.R.M.); (E.G.-M.)
| | - Jingyi Zhai
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.Z.); (H.J.)
| | - Elizabeth Gensterblum-Miller
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.E.M.); (M.L.L.); (A.K.); (E.B.S.); (I.R.M.); (E.G.-M.)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.Z.); (H.J.)
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - J Chad Brenner
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (J.E.M.); (M.L.L.); (A.K.); (E.B.S.); (I.R.M.); (E.G.-M.)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Correspondence:
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24
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Aggarwal N, Yadav J, Chhakara S, Janjua D, Tripathi T, Chaudhary A, Chhokar A, Thakur K, Singh T, Bharti AC. Phytochemicals as Potential Chemopreventive and Chemotherapeutic Agents for Emerging Human Papillomavirus-Driven Head and Neck Cancer: Current Evidence and Future Prospects. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:699044. [PMID: 34354591 PMCID: PMC8329252 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.699044] [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: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) usually arises from squamous cells of the upper aerodigestive tract that line the mucosal surface in the head and neck region. In India, HNC is common in males, and it is the sixth most common cancer globally. Conventionally, HNC attributes to the use of alcohol or chewing tobacco. Over the past four decades, portions of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive HNC are increasing at an alarming rate. Identification based on the etiological factors and molecular signatures demonstrates that these neoplastic lesions belong to a distinct category that differs in pathological characteristics and therapeutic response. Slow development in HNC therapeutics has resulted in a low 5-year survival rate in the last two decades. Interestingly, HPV-positive HNC has shown better outcomes following conservative treatments and immunotherapies. This raises demand to have a pre-therapy assessment of HPV status to decide the treatment strategy. Moreover, there is no HPV-specific treatment for HPV-positive HNC patients. Accumulating evidence suggests that phytochemicals are promising leads against HNC and show potential as adjuvants to chemoradiotherapy in HNC. However, only a few of these phytochemicals target HPV. The aim of the present article was to collate data on various leading phytochemicals that have shown promising results in the prevention and treatment of HNC in general and HPV-driven HNC. The review explores the possibility of using these leads against HPV-positive tumors as some of the signaling pathways are common. The review also addresses various challenges in the field that prevent their use in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Aggarwal
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Joni Yadav
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Suhail Chhakara
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Divya Janjua
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Tanya Tripathi
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Apoorva Chaudhary
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Arun Chhokar
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Kulbhushan Thakur
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Tejveer Singh
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Alok Chandra Bharti
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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25
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Haring CT, Bhambhani C, Brummel C, Jewell B, Bellile E, Heft Neal ME, Sandford E, Spengler RM, Bhangale A, Spector ME, McHugh J, Prince ME, Mierzwa M, Worden FP, Tewari M, Swiecicki PL, Brenner JC. Human papilloma virus circulating tumor DNA assay predicts treatment response in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncotarget 2021; 12:1214-1229. [PMID: 34194620 PMCID: PMC8238244 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the rising incidence of human papillomavirus related (HPV+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), treatment of metastatic disease remains palliative. Even with new treatments such as immunotherapy, response rates are low and can be delayed, while even mild tumor progression in the face of an ineffective therapy can lead to rapid death. Real-time biomarkers of response to therapy could improve outcomes by guiding early change of therapy in the metastatic setting. Herein, we developed and analytically validated a new droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)-based assay for HPV16 circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and evaluated plasma HPV16 ctDNA for predicting treatment response in metastatic HPV+ OPSCC. We found that longitudinal changes HPV16 ctDNA correlate with treatment response and that ctDNA responses are observed earlier than conventional imaging (average 70 days, range: 35-166). With additional validation in multi-site studies, this assay may enable early identification of treatment failure, allowing patients to be directed promptly toward clinical trials or alternative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine T. Haring
- University of Michigan, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Co-First Authors
| | - Chandan Bhambhani
- University of Michigan, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Co-First Authors
| | - Collin Brummel
- University of Michigan, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Brittany Jewell
- University of Michigan, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Emily Bellile
- University of Michigan, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Molly E. Heft Neal
- University of Michigan, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Erin Sandford
- University of Michigan, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ryan M. Spengler
- University of Michigan, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Apurva Bhangale
- University of Michigan, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Matthew E. Spector
- University of Michigan, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- University of Michigan, Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jonathan McHugh
- University of Michigan, Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- University of Michigan, Department of Pathology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Mark E. Prince
- University of Michigan, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michelle Mierzwa
- University of Michigan, Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- University of Michigan, Department of Radiation Oncology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Francis P. Worden
- University of Michigan, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- University of Michigan, Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Muneesh Tewari
- University of Michigan, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- University of Michigan, Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- University of Michigan, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- University of Michigan, Center for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Co-Senior Authors
| | - Paul L. Swiecicki
- University of Michigan, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- University of Michigan, Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Co-Senior Authors
| | - J. Chad Brenner
- University of Michigan, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- University of Michigan, Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- University of Michigan, Department of Pharmacology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Co-Senior Authors
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26
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NF-Y Subunits Overexpression in HNSCC. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123019. [PMID: 34208636 PMCID: PMC8234210 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer cells have altered gene expression profiles. This is ultimately elicited by altered structure, expression or binding of transcription factors to regulatory regions of genomes. The CCAAT-binding trimer is a pioneer transcription factor involved in the activation of “cancer” genes. We and others have shown that the regulatory NF-YA subunit is overexpressed in epithelial cancers. Here, we examined large datasets of bulk gene expression profiles, as well as single-cell data, in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas by bioinformatic methods. We partitioned tumors according to molecular subtypes, mutations and positivity for HPV. We came to the conclusion that high levels of the histone-like subunits and the “short” NF-YAs isoform are protective in HPV-positive tumors. On the other hand, high levels of the “long” NF-YAl were found in the recently identified aggressive and metastasis-prone cell population undergoing partial epithelial to mesenchymal transition, p-EMT. Abstract NF-Y is the CCAAT-binding trimer formed by the histone fold domain (HFD), NF-YB/NF-YC and NF-YA. The CCAAT box is generally prevalent in promoters of “cancer” genes. We reported the overexpression of NF-YA in BRCA, LUAD and LUSC, and of all subunits in HCC. Altered splicing of NF-YA was found in breast and lung cancer. We analyzed RNA-seq datasets of TCGA and cell lines of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). We partitioned all TCGA data into four subtypes, deconvoluted single-cell RNA-seq of tumors and derived survival curves. The CCAAT box was enriched in the promoters of overexpressed genes. The “short” NF-YAs was overexpressed in all subtypes and the “long” NF-YAl in Mesenchymal. The HFD subunits are overexpressed, except Basal (NF-YB) and Atypical (NF-YC); NF-YAl is increased in p53 mutated tumors. In HPV-positive tumors, high levels of NF-YAs, p16 and ΔNp63 correlate with better prognosis. Deconvolution of single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) found a correlation of NF-YAl with Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) and p-EMT cells, a population endowed with metastatic potential. We conclude that overexpression of HFD subunits and NF-YAs is protective in HPV-positive tumors; expression of NF-YAl is largely confined to mutp53 tumors and malignant p-EMT cells.
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27
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Singh P, Banerjee R, Piao S, Costa de Medeiros M, Bellile E, Liu M, Damodaran Puthiya Veettil D, Schmitd LB, Russo N, Danella E, Inglehart RC, Pineault KM, Wellik DM, Wolf G, D’Silva NJ. Squamous cell carcinoma subverts adjacent histologically normal epithelium to promote lateral invasion. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20200944. [PMID: 33835136 PMCID: PMC8042603 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent and new tumors, attributed in part to lateral invasion, are frequent in squamous cell carcinomas and lead to poor survival. We identified a mechanism by which cancer subverts adjacent histologically normal epithelium to enable small clusters of cancer cells to burrow undetected under adjacent histologically normal epithelium. We show that suppression of DMBT1 within cancer promotes aggressive invasion and metastasis in vivo and is associated with metastasis in patients. Cancer cells via TGFβ1 and TNFα also suppress DMBT1 in adjacent histologically normal epithelium, thereby subverting it to promote invasion of a small population of tumor cells. The sufficiency of DMBT1 in this process is demonstrated by significantly higher satellite tumor nests in Dmbt1-/- compared with wild-type mice. Moreover, in patients, invasion of small tumor nests under adjacent histologically normal epithelium is associated with increased risk for recurrence and shorter disease-free survival. This study demonstrates a crucial role of adjacent histologically normal epithelium in invasion and its important role in the tumor microenvironment and opens new possibilities for therapeutic strategies that reduce tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Singh
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Rajat Banerjee
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Songlin Piao
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Marcell Costa de Medeiros
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Emily Bellile
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | | | - Ligia B. Schmitd
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Nickole Russo
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Erika Danella
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Ronald C. Inglehart
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Kyriel M. Pineault
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Deneen M. Wellik
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Greg Wolf
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Nisha J. D’Silva
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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28
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Waters AM, Khatib TO, Papke B, Goodwin CM, Hobbs GA, Diehl JN, Yang R, Edwards AC, Walsh KH, Sulahian R, McFarland JM, Kapner KS, Gilbert TSK, Stalnecker CA, Javaid S, Barkovskaya A, Grover KR, Hibshman PS, Blake DR, Schaefer A, Nowak KM, Klomp JE, Hayes TK, Kassner M, Tang N, Tanaseichuk O, Chen K, Zhou Y, Kalkat M, Herring LE, Graves LM, Penn LZ, Yin HH, Aguirre AJ, Hahn WC, Cox AD, Der CJ. Targeting p130Cas- and microtubule-dependent MYC regulation sensitizes pancreatic cancer to ERK MAPK inhibition. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109291. [PMID: 34192548 PMCID: PMC8340308 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
To identify therapeutic targets for KRAS mutant pancreatic cancer, we conduct a druggable genome small interfering RNA (siRNA) screen and determine that suppression of BCAR1 sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to ERK inhibition. Integrative analysis of genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screens also identify BCAR1 as a top synthetic lethal interactor with mutant KRAS. BCAR1 encodes the SRC substrate p130Cas. We determine that SRC-inhibitor-mediated suppression of p130Cas phosphorylation impairs MYC transcription through a DOCK1-RAC1-β-catenin-dependent mechanism. Additionally, genetic suppression of TUBB3, encoding the βIII-tubulin subunit of microtubules, or pharmacological inhibition of microtubule function decreases levels of MYC protein in a calpain-dependent manner and potently sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to ERK inhibition. Accordingly, the combination of a dual SRC/tubulin inhibitor with an ERK inhibitor cooperates to reduce MYC protein and synergistically suppress the growth of KRAS mutant pancreatic cancer. Thus, we demonstrate that mechanistically diverse combinations with ERK inhibition suppress MYC to impair pancreatic cancer proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Waters
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Tala O Khatib
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Bjoern Papke
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Craig M Goodwin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - G Aaron Hobbs
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - J Nathaniel Diehl
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Runying Yang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - A Cole Edwards
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | | | - Rita Sulahian
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Kevin S Kapner
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Thomas S K Gilbert
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Clint A Stalnecker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Sehrish Javaid
- Oral and Craniofacial Biomedicine PhD Program, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Anna Barkovskaya
- Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 0379, Norway
| | - Kajal R Grover
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Priya S Hibshman
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Devon R Blake
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Antje Schaefer
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Katherine M Nowak
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jennifer E Klomp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Tikvah K Hayes
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Michelle Kassner
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomic Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Nanyun Tang
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomic Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Olga Tanaseichuk
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Kaisheng Chen
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Yingyao Zhou
- Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Manpreet Kalkat
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S, Canada
| | - Laura E Herring
- UNC Michael Hooker Proteomics Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lee M Graves
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Linda Z Penn
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S, Canada
| | - Hongwei H Yin
- Cancer and Cell Biology Division, Translational Genomic Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Andrew J Aguirre
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - William C Hahn
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Adrienne D Cox
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Oral and Craniofacial Biomedicine PhD Program, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Channing J Der
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Oral and Craniofacial Biomedicine PhD Program, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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29
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Heft Neal ME, Birkeland AC, Bhangale AD, Zhai J, Kulkarni A, Foltin SK, Jewell BM, Ludwig ML, Pinatti L, Jiang H, McHugh JB, Marentette L, McKean EL, Brenner JC. Genetic analysis of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma discovers recurrent SWI/SNF alterations and a novel PGAP3-SRPK1 fusion gene. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:636. [PMID: 34051734 PMCID: PMC8164750 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08370-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sinonasal Undifferentiated Carcinoma (SNUC) is a rare and aggressive skull base tumor with poor survival and limited treatment options. To date, targeted sequencing studies have identified IDH2 and SMARCB1 as potential driver alterations, but the molecular alterations found in SMARCB1 wild type tumors are unknown. METHODS We evaluated survival outcomes in a cohort of 46 SNUC patients treated at an NCI designated cancer center and identify clinical and disease variables associated with survival on Kaplan-Meier and Cox multivariate survival analysis. We performed exome sequencing to characterize a series of SNUC tumors (n = 5) and cell line (MDA8788-6) to identify high confidence mutations, copy number alterations, microsatellite instability, and fusions. Knockdown studies using siRNA were utilized for validation of a novel PGAP3-SRPK1 gene fusion. RESULTS Overall survival analysis revealed no significant difference in outcomes between patients treated with surgery +/- CRT and CRT alone. Tobacco use was the only significant predictor of survival. We also confirmed previously published findings on IDH and SMARC family mutations and identified novel recurrent aberrations in the JAK/STAT and PI3K pathways. We also validated a novel PGAP3-SRPK1 gene fusion in the SNUC cell line, and show that knockdown of the fusion is negatively associated with EGFR, E2F and MYC signaling. CONCLUSION Collectively, these data demonstrate recurrent alterations in the SWI/SNF family as well as IDH, JAK/STAT, and PI3K pathways and discover a novel fusion gene (PGAP3-SRPK1). These data aim to improve understanding of possible driver mutations and guide future therapeutic strategies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly E Heft Neal
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA
| | - Andrew C Birkeland
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA
| | - Apurva D Bhangale
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA
| | - Jingyi Zhai
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Aditi Kulkarni
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA
| | - Susan K Foltin
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA
| | - Brittany M Jewell
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA
| | - Megan L Ludwig
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA.,Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA
| | - Lisa Pinatti
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA.,Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA
| | - Jonathan B McHugh
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lawence Marentette
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA.,Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA
| | - Erin L McKean
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA.,Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA
| | - J Chad Brenner
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA. .,Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA. .,Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, 1150 E. Medical Center Dr., 9301B MSRB3, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0602, USA.
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30
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An Y, Jeon J, Sun L, Derakhshan A, Chen J, Carlson S, Cheng H, Silvin C, Yang X, Van Waes C, Chen Z. Death agonist antibody against TRAILR2/DR5/TNFRSF10B enhances birinapant anti-tumor activity in HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6392. [PMID: 33737574 PMCID: PMC7973748 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85589-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) have increased recently in the US. However, the distinct alterations of molecules involved in the death pathways and drug effects targeting inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) have not been extensively characterized in HPV(+) HNSCC cells. In this study, we observed the distinct genomic and expression alterations of nine genes involved in cell death in 55% HNSCC tissues, which were associated with HPV status, tumor staging, and anatomic locations. Expression of four genes was statistically correlated with copy number variation. A panel of HPV(+) HNSCC lines showed abundant TRAILR2 and IAP1 protein expression, but were not sensitive to IAP inhibitor birinapant alone, while combinatory treatment with TNFα or especially TRAIL enhanced this drug sensitivity. The death agonistic TRAILR2 antibody alone showed no cell inhibitory effects, whereas its combination with birinapant and/or TRAIL protein demonstrated additive or synergistic effects. We observed predominantly late apoptosis mode of cell death after combinatorial treatments, and pan-caspase (ZVAD) and caspase-8 (ZIETD) inhibitors attenuated treatment-induced cell death. Our genomic and expression data-driven study provides a framework for identifying relevant combinatorial therapies targeting death pathways in HPV(+) HNSCC and other squamous cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi An
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, 7N240, Bethesda, MD 201892 USA
| | - Jun Jeon
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, 7N240, Bethesda, MD 201892 USA ,grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Lillian Sun
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, 7N240, Bethesda, MD 201892 USA
| | - Adeeb Derakhshan
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, 7N240, Bethesda, MD 201892 USA
| | - Jianhong Chen
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, 7N240, Bethesda, MD 201892 USA
| | - Sophie Carlson
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, 7N240, Bethesda, MD 201892 USA
| | - Hui Cheng
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, 7N240, Bethesda, MD 201892 USA
| | - Christopher Silvin
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, 7N240, Bethesda, MD 201892 USA
| | - Xinping Yang
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, 7N240, Bethesda, MD 201892 USA
| | - Carter Van Waes
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, 7N240, Bethesda, MD 201892 USA
| | - Zhong Chen
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Tumor Biology Section, Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, 7N240, Bethesda, MD 201892 USA
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31
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Improved Sensitivity in Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray-Mass Spectrometry after Removal of Sodium and Potassium Ions from Biological Samples. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11030170. [PMID: 33804267 PMCID: PMC7999259 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11030170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Inorganic ions, such as sodium and potassium, are present in all biological matrices and are sometimes also added during sample preparation. However, these inorganic ions are known to hamper electrospray ionization -mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) applications, especially in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) where they are retained and can be detected as adducts and clusters with mobile phase components or analytes. The retention of inorganic ions leads to co-elution with analytes and as a result ion-suppression, extensive adduct formation and problems with reproducibility. In the presented work, a sample preparation method using cation exchange solid phase extraction (SPE) was developed to trap Na+ and K+ ions from human blood plasma and head and neck cancer cells for the analysis of small cationic, anionic as well as neutral organic analytes. The investigated analytes were small, hydrophilic compounds typically in focus in metabolomics studies. The samples were analyzed using full-scan HILIC-ESI-quadrupole time of flight (QTOF)-MS with an untargeted, screening approach. Method performance was evaluated using multivariate data analysis as well as relative quantifications, spiking of standards to evaluate linearity of response and post-column infusion to study ion-suppression. In blood plasma, the reduction of sodium and potassium ion concentration resulted in improved sensitivity increased signal intensity for 19 out of 28 investigated analytes, improved linearity of response, reduced ion-suppression and reduced cluster formation as well as adduct formation. Thus, the presented method has significant potential to improve data quality in metabolomics studies.
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Genotyping and Characterization of HPV Status, Hypoxia, and Radiosensitivity in 22 Head and Neck Cancer Cell Lines. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051069. [PMID: 33802339 PMCID: PMC7959143 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To study head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) in vitro, a large variety of HNSCC cell lines have been developed. Here, we characterize a panel of 22 HNSCC cell lines, thereby providing a tool for research into tumor-specific treatment options in HNSCC. Both human papillomavirus (HPV) positive and HPV negative tumor cell lines were collected from commercial and collaborative sources. Short tandem repeat profiling was used to confirm or characterize the identity of the cell lines. Targeted sequencing was performed using a standard pathology single molecule Molecular Inversion Probe panel to detect mutations for 23 tumor suppressors and oncogenes. HPV status, p16 status, radiosensitivity data, and hypoxia data are summarized from all cell lines. We detected HPV transcripts in five cell lines, all of which overexpressed p16. One HPV negative cell line was also p16 positive. We detected mutations in KIT (SCCNij185), PIK3CA (SCCNij185), and CDKN2A (UT-SCC-5 and UT-SCC-38). TP53 mutations were the most frequent, occurring in 16/22 cell lines. HPV infection and TP53 mutations were almost mutually exclusive, with the exception of 93-VU-147T. The cell lines exhibited a wide range of sensitivities towards hypoxia and irradiation. Here, we provide a description of a set of frequently used HNSCC cell lines with diverse characteristics as found in HNSCC patients.
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Ma LJ, Niu R, Wu X, Wu J, Zhou E, Xiao XP, Chen J. Quantitative evaluation of cellular internalization of polymeric nanoparticles within laryngeal cancer cells and immune cells for enhanced drug delivery. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2021; 16:40. [PMID: 33651256 PMCID: PMC7925719 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-021-03498-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Clinical translation of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based nanomedicine is limited, partly because of the poor delivery efficiency resulting from non-specific phagocytosis by phagocytes. Understanding the nanoparticle interplay between cancer cells and immune cells remains largely elusive. In this study, a quantitative investigation on cellular internalization of fluorescent PLGA particles (100 nm, 500 nm, and 1 µm) against laryngeal carcinoma cells with or without monocytes/macrophages in monoculture or co-culture systems was first performed. PLGA particles at concentrations of 5-20 µg/mL show superior biocompatibility except for 500 nm and 1 µm PLGA particles at 20 µg/mL slightly reduce cell viability. Microscopic observation has discovered all three sizes of particles are effectively ingested by both cancer cells and macrophages; however, quantitative fluorescence examination has disclosed that the uptake index of cancer cells (mean intracellular particle fluorescence per cancer cell normalized to that of per macrophage) is substantially declined for all PLGA particles in co-cultures compared to that in monocultures (1.35-1.05, 1.50-0.59, and 1.4-0.47 for 100 nm, 500 nm, and 1 µm particles, respectively). Quantitative analysis using flow cytometry further confirmed the reduced uptake index of cancer cells in co-cultures, but higher particle counts per macrophage. It has also been found that the formation of multinucleated giant cells via the fusion of macrophages increased after PLGA treatment, which could be further exploited as a potential approach for tumor drug delivery. Overall, these findings provide new insights into the interaction of nanoparticle-immune-cancer cells, which may facilitate the application of PLGA-based nanocarriers for the treatment of laryngeal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Ma
- Department of Otolaryngology Head/Neck Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410005, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ruichao Niu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head/Neck Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410005, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head/Neck Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410005, People's Republic of China
| | - En Zhou
- Department of Otolaryngology Head/Neck Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410005, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu-Ping Xiao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head/Neck Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410005, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Province, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
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Inukai D, Nishimura K, Okamoto H, Sano R, Ueda H, Ota A, Karnan S, Hosokawa Y, Yoshikawa K, Suzuki S, Ueda R, Murotani K, Bradford CR, Ogawa T. Identification of cisplatin-resistant factor by integration of transcriptomic and proteomic data using head and neck carcinoma cell lines. NAGOYA JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 2020; 82:519-531. [PMID: 33132436 PMCID: PMC7548249 DOI: 10.18999/nagjms.82.3.519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cisplatin is an important drug for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Determining chemoresistant factors prior to treatment will lead to great benefits for clinicians and patients. Here, we evaluated chemoresistant factors by integrating proteomic and transcriptomic data using HNSCC cell lines to identify a more precise chemoresistant factor in HNSCC. We used four HNSCC cell lines: cisplatin-sensitive, acquired cisplatin resistance, naturally cisplatin-resistant, and acquired 5-FU resistance. Proteomic analysis was performed using iTRAQ, tandem mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Transcriptomic analysis was performed using microarrays. By integrating these independent data, common factors were addressed and functional analysis was performed using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to change the chemosensitivity. Using iTRAQ analysis, 7 proteins were identified as specific for cisplatin chemoresistance factors. Transcriptomic analysis revealed hundreds of potential candidate factors. By combining and integrating these data, S100A2 was identified as a potential cisplatin-specific chemoresistance factor. Functional analysis with siRNA revealed that the expression of S100A2 was reduced and cisplatin sensitivity recovered in the acquired and naturally cisplatin-resistant cell lines, but not in the cisplatin-sensitive cell lines. S100A2 was identified as a cisplatin-specific chemoresistance factor by integrating the transcriptomic and proteomic results obtained using HNSCC cell lines. This is a novel technique that allows for a precise identification, also known as a comprehensive analysis. Our findings indicate that these proteins could be used as biomarkers of HNSCC treatments, providing physicians with new treatment strategies for patients with HNSCC, showing chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Inukai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Kunihiro Nishimura
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Hiroki Okamoto
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Rui Sano
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Hiromi Ueda
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Akinobu Ota
- Department of Biochemistry, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Sivasundaram Karnan
- Department of Biochemistry, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Hosokawa
- Department of Biochemistry, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Yoshikawa
- Research Creation Support Center, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Susumu Suzuki
- Research Creation Support Center, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan.,Center for Advanced Medical Research, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan.,Department of Tumor Immunology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Ryuzo Ueda
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Kenta Murotani
- Biostatistics Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kurume University, Kurume, Japan
| | - Carol R Bradford
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Tetsuya Ogawa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan
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Harwood MC, Dupzyk AJ, Inoue T, DiMaio D, Tsai B. p120 catenin recruits HPV to γ-secretase to promote virus infection. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008946. [PMID: 33085724 PMCID: PMC7577436 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
During internalization and trafficking, human papillomavirus (HPV) moves from the cell surface to the endosome where the transmembrane protease γ-secretase promotes insertion of the viral L2 capsid protein into the endosome membrane. Protrusion of L2 through the endosome membrane into the cytosol allows the recruitment of cytosolic host factors that target the virus to the Golgi en route for productive infection. How endosome-localized HPV is delivered to γ-secretase, a decisive infection step, is unclear. Here we demonstrate that cytosolic p120 catenin, likely via an unidentified transmembrane protein, interacts with HPV at early time-points during viral internalization and trafficking. In the endosome, p120 is not required for low pH-dependent disassembly of the HPV L1 capsid protein from the incoming virion. Rather, p120 is required for HPV to interact with γ-secretase-an interaction that ensures the virus is transported along a productive route. Our findings clarify an enigmatic HPV infection step and provide critical insights into HPV infection that may lead to new therapeutic strategies against HPV-induced diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Calypso Harwood
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Allison Jade Dupzyk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - Takamasa Inoue
- Pathogen Research Section, Central Research Laboratory, Research and Development Division, Japan Blood Products Organization, Kobe, Japan
| | - Daniel DiMaio
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Billy Tsai
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Myers JE, Zwolinska K, Sapp MJ, Scott RS. An Exonuclease V-qPCR Assay to Analyze the State of the Human Papillomavirus 16 Genome in Cell Lines and Tissues. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 59:e119. [PMID: 33064937 DOI: 10.1002/cpmc.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Integration of the human papillomavirus (HPV) genome into host cell chromosomes has been observed in a majority of HPV-positive cervical cancers and a subset of oral HPV-associated cancers. HPV integration also occurs in long-term cell culture. Screening for HPV integration can be labor intensive and yield results that are difficult to interpret. Here we describe an assay based on exonuclease V (ExoV/RecBCD) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to determine if samples from cell lines and tissues contain episomal or integrated HPV. This assay can be applied to screen other small DNA viruses with episomal/linear genome configurations in their viral lifecycle and has the potential to be used in clinical settings to define viral genomic conformations associated with disease. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Exonuclease V genomic DNA digestion and qPCR for detection of HPV16 genome configuration in cells Support Protocol: Exonuclease V analysis of HPV16 genome configuration in tissues Alternate Protocol: Determining HPV integration type or integrity of HPV episome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E Myers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana.,Center for Molecular and Tumor Virology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana.,Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana
| | - Katarzyna Zwolinska
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana.,Center for Molecular and Tumor Virology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana
| | - Martin J Sapp
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana.,Center for Molecular and Tumor Virology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana.,Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana
| | - Rona S Scott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana.,Center for Molecular and Tumor Virology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana.,Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana
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37
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Fleming JC, Woo J, Moutasim K, Hanley CJ, Frampton SJ, Wood O, Ward M, Woelk CH, Ottensmeier CH, Hafizi S, Kim D, Thomas GJ. CTEN Induces Tumour Cell Invasion and Survival and Is Prognostic in Radiotherapy-Treated Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2963. [PMID: 33066224 PMCID: PMC7602105 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogenous disease treated with surgery and/or (chemo) radiotherapy, but up to 50% of patients with late-stage disease develop locoregional recurrence. Determining the mechanisms underpinning treatment resistance could identify new therapeutic targets and aid treatment selection. C-terminal tensin-like (CTEN) is a member of the tensin family, upregulated in several cancers, although its expression and function in HNSCC are unknown. We found that CTEN is commonly upregulated in HNSCC, particularly HPV-ve tumours. In vitro CTEN was upregulated in HPV-ve (n = 5) and HPV+ve (n = 2) HNSCC cell lines. Stable shRNA knockdown of CTEN in vivo significantly reduced tumour growth (SCC-25), and functional analyses in vitro showed that CTEN promoted tumour cell invasion, colony formation and growth in 3D-culture (SCC-25, Detroit 562). RNA sequencing of SCC-25 cells following CTEN siRNA knockdown identified 349 differentially expressed genes (logFC > 1, p < 0.05). Gene ontology analysis highlighted terms relating to cell locomotion and apoptosis, consistent with in vitro findings. A membrane-based antibody array confirmed that CTEN regulated multiple apoptosis-associated proteins, including HSP60 and cleaved caspase-3. Notably, in a mixed cohort of HPV+ve and HPV-ve HNSCC patients (n = 259), we found a significant, independent negative association of CTEN with prognosis, limited to those patients treated with (chemo)radiotherapy, not surgery, irrespective of human papillomavirus (HPV) status. These data show that CTEN is commonly upregulated in HNSCC and exerts several functional effects. Its potential role in modulating apoptotic response to therapy suggests utility as a predictive biomarker or radio-sensitising target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason C. Fleming
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (K.M.); (C.J.H.); (S.J.F.); (O.W.); (M.W.); (C.H.O.)
- Liverpool Head & Neck Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 9GA, UK
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool L9 7AL, UK
| | - Jeongmin Woo
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (J.W.); (C.H.W.)
| | - Karwan Moutasim
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (K.M.); (C.J.H.); (S.J.F.); (O.W.); (M.W.); (C.H.O.)
| | - Christopher J. Hanley
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (K.M.); (C.J.H.); (S.J.F.); (O.W.); (M.W.); (C.H.O.)
| | - Steven J. Frampton
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (K.M.); (C.J.H.); (S.J.F.); (O.W.); (M.W.); (C.H.O.)
| | - Oliver Wood
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (K.M.); (C.J.H.); (S.J.F.); (O.W.); (M.W.); (C.H.O.)
| | - Matthew Ward
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (K.M.); (C.J.H.); (S.J.F.); (O.W.); (M.W.); (C.H.O.)
| | - Christopher H. Woelk
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (J.W.); (C.H.W.)
- Exploratory Science Center, Merck & Co., Inc., Cambridge, MA 02141, USA
| | - Christian H. Ottensmeier
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (K.M.); (C.J.H.); (S.J.F.); (O.W.); (M.W.); (C.H.O.)
- Liverpool Head & Neck Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 9GA, UK
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool L9 7AL, UK
- Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool CH63 4JY, UK
| | - Sassan Hafizi
- School of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK;
| | - Dae Kim
- St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Tooting, London SW17 0QT, UK;
| | - Gareth J. Thomas
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; (K.M.); (C.J.H.); (S.J.F.); (O.W.); (M.W.); (C.H.O.)
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Kamarajan P, Ateia I, Shin JM, Fenno JC, Le C, Zhan L, Chang A, Darveau R, Kapila YL. Periodontal pathogens promote cancer aggressivity via TLR/MyD88 triggered activation of Integrin/FAK signaling that is therapeutically reversible by a probiotic bacteriocin. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008881. [PMID: 33002094 PMCID: PMC7529280 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies reveal significant associations between periodontitis and oral cancer. However, knowledge about the contribution of periodontal pathogens to oral cancer and potential regulatory mechanisms involved is limited. Previously, we showed that nisin, a bacteriocin and commonly used food preservative, reduced oral cancer tumorigenesis and extended the life expectancy in tumor-bearing mice. In addition, nisin has antimicrobial effects on key periodontal pathogens. Thus, the purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that key periodontal pathogens (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Fusobacterium nucleatum) promote oral cancer via specific host-bacterial interactions, and that bacteriocin/nisin therapy may modulate these responses. All three periodontal pathogens enhanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell migration, invasion, tumorsphere formation, and tumorigenesis in vivo, without significantly affecting cell proliferation or apoptosis. In contrast, oral commensal bacteria did not affect OSCC cell migration. Pathogen-enhanced OSCC cell migration was mediated via integrin alpha V and FAK activation, since stably blocking alpha V or FAK expression abrogated these effects. Nisin inhibited these pathogen-mediated processes. Further, Treponema denticola induced TLR2 and 4 and MyD88 expression. Stable suppression of MyD88 significantly inhibited Treponema denticola-induced FAK activation and abrogated pathogen-induced migration. Together, these data demonstrate that periodontal pathogens contribute to a highly aggressive cancer phenotype via crosstalk between TLR/MyD88 and integrin/FAK signaling. Nisin can modulate these pathogen-mediated effects, and thus has therapeutic potential as an antimicrobial and anti-tumorigenic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pachiyappan Kamarajan
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Islam Ateia
- Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Jae M. Shin
- Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - J. Christopher Fenno
- Biologic and Materials Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Charles Le
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Ling Zhan
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Ana Chang
- Department of Periodontics, Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Richard Darveau
- Department of Periodontics, Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Yvonne L. Kapila
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
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Reid P, Staudacher AH, Marcu LG, Olver I, Moghaddasi L, Brown MP, Li Y, Bezak E. Intrinsic Radiosensitivity Is Not the Determining Factor in Treatment Response Differences between HPV Negative and HPV Positive Head and Neck Cancers. Cells 2020; 9:E1788. [PMID: 32727072 PMCID: PMC7464531 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) resulting from human papillomavirus (HPV) are increasing in incidence but demonstrate significantly better treatment response than HNSCC from other causes such as tobacco and alcohol. This study sought to identify differences in HNSCC, intrinsic to HPV status, in their response to radiation dose. Previously unexamined changes in radio-responsiveness following fractionated X-ray irradiation were compared between HPV positive and negative statuses of HNSCC. Six HNSCC cell lines, 3 of each HPV status, were investigated for radiosensitivity by clonogenic assay and modelled by response as a function of dose. Generational cultures of each cell line were developed to follow changes in radiosensitivity after repeated irradiations simulating fractionated radiation therapy. As a group, the HPV positive cell lines were more radiosensitive, but with changes following repeated fractions of dose, and modelling of response as a function of dose, both statuses displayed large radiobiological heterogeneity. These findings challenge current radiobiological assumptions of head and neck cancers as early responding tissue to radiation and may go some way in explaining difficulties reaching consensus in stratification of treatment by HPV status. Consequently, results from this study do not support stratifying radiation therapy by HPV status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Reid
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; (L.G.M.); (E.B.)
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia;
| | - Alexander H. Staudacher
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (A.H.S.); (M.P.B.)
- School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
| | - Loredana G. Marcu
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; (L.G.M.); (E.B.)
- Faculty of Science, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| | - Ian Olver
- School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
| | - Leyla Moghaddasi
- Department of Physics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
- Genesis Care, Adelaide Radiotherapy Centre, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Michael P. Brown
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (A.H.S.); (M.P.B.)
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Yanrui Li
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia;
| | - Eva Bezak
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; (L.G.M.); (E.B.)
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia;
- Department of Physics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
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40
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Osu N, Kobayashi D, Shirai K, Musha A, Sato H, Hirota Y, Shibata A, Oike T, Ohno T. Relative Biological Effectiveness of Carbon Ions for Head-and-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas According to Human Papillomavirus Status. J Pers Med 2020; 10:jpm10030071. [PMID: 32722522 PMCID: PMC7565683 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10030071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) has strong antitumor effects and excellent dose conformity. In head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), human papillomavirus (HPV) status is a prognostic factor for photon radiotherapy outcomes. However, the effect of HPV status on the sensitivity of HNSCCs to carbon ions remains unclear. Here, we showed that the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of carbon ions over X-rays was higher in HPV-negative cells than in HSGc-C5 cells, which are used for CIRT dose establishment, whereas the RBE in HPV-positive cells was modest. These data indicate that CIRT is more advantageous in HPV-negative than in HPV-positive HNSCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Osu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (N.O.); (Y.H.); (T.O.)
| | - Daijiro Kobayashi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma Prefectural Cancer Center, 617-1, Takahayashi-nishicho, Ota 373-8550, Japan;
| | - Katsuyuki Shirai
- Department of Radiology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1, Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan;
| | - Atsushi Musha
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (A.M.); (H.S.)
| | - Hiro Sato
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (A.M.); (H.S.)
| | - Yuka Hirota
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (N.O.); (Y.H.); (T.O.)
| | - Atsushi Shibata
- Signal Transduction Program, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research (GIAR), 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan;
| | - Takahiro Oike
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (N.O.); (Y.H.); (T.O.)
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (A.M.); (H.S.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +81-27-220-8383
| | - Tatsuya Ohno
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (N.O.); (Y.H.); (T.O.)
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan; (A.M.); (H.S.)
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41
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Preclinical models of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma for a basic understanding of cancer biology and its translation into efficient therapies. CANCERS OF THE HEAD & NECK 2020; 5:9. [PMID: 32714605 PMCID: PMC7376675 DOI: 10.1186/s41199-020-00056-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Comprehensive molecular characterization of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has led to the identification of distinct molecular subgroups with fundamental differences in biological properties and clinical behavior. Despite improvements in tumor classification and increased understanding about the signaling pathways involved in neoplastic transformation and disease progression, current standard-of-care treatment for HNSCC mostly remains to be based on a stage-dependent strategy whereby all patients at the same stage receive the same treatment. Preclinical models that closely resemble molecular HNSCC subgroups that can be exploited for dissecting the biological function of genetic variants and/or altered gene expression will be highly valuable for translating molecular findings into improved clinical care. In the present review, we merge and discuss existing and new information on established cell lines, primary two- and three-dimensional ex vivo tumor cultures from HNSCC patients, and animal models. We review their value in elucidating the basic biology of HNSCC, molecular mechanisms of treatment resistance and their potential for the development of novel molecularly stratified treatment.
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42
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Robbins Y, Greene S, Friedman J, Clavijo PE, Van Waes C, Fabian KP, Padget MR, Abdul Sater H, Lee JH, Soon-Shiong P, Gulley J, Schlom J, Hodge JW, Allen CT. Tumor control via targeting PD-L1 with chimeric antigen receptor modified NK cells. eLife 2020; 9:e54854. [PMID: 32633234 PMCID: PMC7340502 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Failed T cell-based immunotherapies in the presence of genomic alterations in antigen presentations pathways may be overcome by NK cell-based immunotherapy. This approach may still be limited by the presence of immunosuppressive myeloid populations. Here, we demonstrate that NK cells (haNKs) engineered to express a PD-L1 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) haNKs killed a panel of human and murine head and neck cancer cells at low effector-to-target ratios in a PD-L1-dependent fashion. Treatment of syngeneic tumors resulted in CD8 and PD-L1-dependent tumor rejection or growth inhibition and a reduction in myeloid cells endogenously expressing high levels of PD-L1. Treatment of xenograft tumors resulted in PD-L1-dependent tumor growth inhibition. PD-L1 CAR haNKs reduced levels of macrophages and other myeloid cells endogenously expressing high PD-L1 in peripheral blood from patients with head and neck cancer. The clinical study of PD-L1 CAR haNKs is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette Robbins
- Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Sarah Greene
- Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Jay Friedman
- Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Paul E Clavijo
- Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Carter Van Waes
- Tumor Biology Section, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Kellsye P Fabian
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Michelle R Padget
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Houssein Abdul Sater
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | | | | | - James Gulley
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - James W Hodge
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Clint T Allen
- Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
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43
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Characteristics of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell Lines reflect human tumor biology independent of primary etiologies and HPV status. Transl Oncol 2020; 13:100808. [PMID: 32574978 PMCID: PMC7317296 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Explanations for the differences in clinical outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) when compared by similar tumor location, stage, nodal status, human papillomavirus (HPV) status, and patient history remain elusive. Cell lines are an excellent tool of study for understanding the in vitro properties of cancers. However, HNSCC cell lines from progression-free and/or HPV-positive tumors are very rare. Here we studied HPV-positive and HPV-negative University of Michigan squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (2 HPV−, 2 HPV16+, 1 HPV18+) coming from donors with nonoropharyngeal sites and variant clinical outcomes. Cell morphology and proliferation were assessed, and immunofluorescence and Western blotting evaluated tumor biomarkers (TP53, RB1, p16, HPV E6 and E7, EGFR, Cyclin D1, Ki-67, and beta-catenin). Slow in vitro proliferation, long lag phase before exponential proliferation, lower maximal cell density, and higher wild-type TP53 expression were common to cell lines from patients who experienced long-term disease-free survival. In contrast, shorter lag phases, rapid proliferation, and high maximal cell density were observed in cell lines from patients who experienced aggressive tumor progression leading to death. Membrane-bound beta-catenin was present in all cell lines, but nuclear beta-catenin was associated with the more lethal cancers. In summary, the HNSCC cell lines present key characteristics, independent of primary etiologies and HPV infection, that mirror the behavior of the tumors from which they were derived.
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44
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Wilkie MD, Anaam EA, Lau AS, Rubbi CP, Jones TM, Boyd MT, Vlatković N. TP53 mutations in head and neck cancer cells determine the Warburg phenotypic switch creating metabolic vulnerabilities and therapeutic opportunities for stratified therapies. Cancer Lett 2020; 478:107-121. [PMID: 32113989 PMCID: PMC7133053 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Patients with mutated TP53 have been identified as having comparatively poor outcomes compared to those retaining wild-type p53 in many cancers, including squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN). We have examined the role of p53 in regulation of metabolism in SCCHN cells and find that loss of p53 function determines the Warburg effect in these cells. Moreover, this metabolic adaptation to loss of p53 function creates an Achilles' heel for tumour cells that can be exploited for potential therapeutic benefit. Specifically, cells lacking normal wild-type p53 function, whether through mutation or RNAi-mediated downregulation, display a lack of metabolic flexibility, becoming more dependent on glycolysis and losing the ability to increase energy production from oxidative phosphorylation. Thus, cells that have compromised p53 function can be sensitised to ionizing radiation by pre-treatment with a glycolytic inhibitor. These results demonstrate the deterministic role of p53 in regulating energy metabolism and provide proof of principle evidence for an opportunity for patient stratification based on p53 status that can be exploited therapeutically using current standard of care treatment with ionising radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Wilkie
- Department of Molecular & Clinical Cancer Medicine, Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, 200 London Road, Liverpool, L3 9TA, UK; Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Aintree, Lower Lane, Liverpool, L9 7AL, UK
| | - Emad A Anaam
- Department of Molecular & Clinical Cancer Medicine, Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, 200 London Road, Liverpool, L3 9TA, UK
| | - Andrew S Lau
- Department of Molecular & Clinical Cancer Medicine, Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, 200 London Road, Liverpool, L3 9TA, UK; Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Aintree, Lower Lane, Liverpool, L9 7AL, UK
| | - Carlos P Rubbi
- Department of Molecular & Clinical Cancer Medicine, Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, 200 London Road, Liverpool, L3 9TA, UK
| | - Terence M Jones
- Department of Molecular & Clinical Cancer Medicine, Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, 200 London Road, Liverpool, L3 9TA, UK; Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Aintree, Lower Lane, Liverpool, L9 7AL, UK
| | - Mark T Boyd
- Department of Molecular & Clinical Cancer Medicine, Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, 200 London Road, Liverpool, L3 9TA, UK
| | - Nikolina Vlatković
- Department of Molecular & Clinical Cancer Medicine, Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, 200 London Road, Liverpool, L3 9TA, UK.
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45
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Citro S, Bellini A, Medda A, Sabatini ME, Tagliabue M, Chu F, Chiocca S. Human Papilloma Virus Increases ΔNp63α Expression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:143. [PMID: 32322564 PMCID: PMC7156594 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
P63, and in particular the most expressed ΔNp63α isoform, seems to have a critical role in the outcome of head and neck cancer. Many studies have been conducted to assess the possible use of p63 as a prognostic marker in squamous cell carcinoma cancers, but the results are still not well-defined. Moreover, a clear relationship between the expression of ΔNp63α and the presence of high-risk HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins has been delineated. Here we describe how ΔNp63α is mostly expressed in HPV-positive compared to HPV-negative head and neck cancer cell lines, with a very good correlation between ΔNp63α mRNA and protein levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Citro
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Bellini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Medda
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Elisa Sabatini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Tagliabue
- Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Chu
- Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Susanna Chiocca
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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46
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Hernandez AL, Young CD, Bian L, Weigel K, Nolan K, Frederick B, Han G, He G, Devon Trahan G, Rudolph MC, Jones KL, Oweida AJ, Karam SD, Raben D, Wang XJ. PARP Inhibition Enhances Radiotherapy of SMAD4-Deficient Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Experimental Models. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3058-3070. [PMID: 32139402 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-0514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE SMAD4 loss causes genomic instability and the initiation/progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Here, we study whether SMAD4 loss sensitizes HNSCCs to olaparib (PARP inhibitor) in combination with radiotherapy (RT). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We analyzed HNSCC The Cancer Genome Atlas data for SMAD4 expression in association with FANC/BRCA family gene expression. Human HNSCC cell lines were screened for sensitivity to olaparib. Isogenic HNSCC cell lines were generated to restore or reduce SMAD4 expression and treated with olaparib, radiation, or the combination. HNSCC pretreatment specimens from a phase I trial investigating olaparib were analyzed. RESULTS SMAD4 levels correlated with levels of FANC/BRCA genes in HNSCC. HNSCC cell lines with SMAD4 homozygous deletion were sensitive to olaparib. In vivo, olaparib or RT monotherapy reduced tumor volumes in SMAD4-mutant but not SMAD4-positive tumors. Olaparib with RT dual therapy sustained tumor volume reduction in SMAD4-deficient (mutant or knockdown) xenografts, which exhibited increased DNA damage and cell death compared with vehicle-treated tumors. In vitro, olaparib alone or in combination with radiation caused lower clonogenic survival, more DNA damage-associated cell death, and less proliferation in SMAD4-deficient cells than in SMAD4-positive (endogenous SMAD4 or transduced SMAD4) cells. Applicable to clinic, 5 out of 6 SMAD4-negative HNSCCs and 4 out of 8 SMAD4-positive HNSCCs responded to a standard treatment plus olaparib in a phase I clinical trial, and SMAD4 protein levels inversely correlated with DNA damage. CONCLUSIONS SMAD4 levels are causal in determining sensitivity to PARP inhibition in combination with RT in HNSCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel L Hernandez
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Christian D Young
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Li Bian
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kelsey Weigel
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kyle Nolan
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Barbara Frederick
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Gangwen Han
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Guanting He
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - G Devon Trahan
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Michael C Rudolph
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kenneth L Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Ayman J Oweida
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiobiology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sana D Karam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - David Raben
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado. .,Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, Colorado
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47
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Novel EGFR ectodomain mutations associated with ligand-independent activation and cetuximab resistance in head and neck cancer. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229077. [PMID: 32069320 PMCID: PMC7028269 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a pro-tumorigenic receptor tyrosine kinase that facilitates growth for cancer cells that overexpress the receptor. Monoclonal anti-EGFR antibody Cetuximab (CTX) provides significant clinical benefit in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Missense mutations in the ectodomain (ECD) of EGFR can be acquired under CTX treatment and mimic the effect of large deletions on spontaneous untethering and activation of the receptor. Little is known about the contribution of EGFR ECD mutations to EGFR activation and CTX resistance in HNSCC. We identified two concurrent non-synonymous missense mutations (G33S and N56K) mapping to domain I in or near the EGF binding pocket of the EGFR ECD in patient-derived HNSCC cells that were selected for CTX resistance through repeated exposure to the agent in an effort to mimic what may occur clinically. Structural modeling predicted that the G33S and N56K mutants would restrict adoption of a fully closed (tethered) and inactive EGFR conformation while not permitting association of EGFR with the EGF ligand or CTX. Binding studies confirmed that the mutant, untethered receptor displayed reduced affinity for both EGF and CTX but demonstrated sustained activation and presence at the cell surface with diminished internalization and sorting for endosomal degradation, leading to persistent downstream AKT signaling. Our results demonstrate that HNSCC cells can select for EGFR ECD mutations under CTX exposure that converge to trap the receptor in an open, ligand-independent, constitutively activated state. These mutants impede the receptor’s competence to bind CTX possibly explaining certain cases of CTX treatment-induced or de novo resistance to CTX.
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48
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Reid P, Staudacher AH, Marcu LG, Olver I, Moghaddasi L, Brown MP, Bezak E. Influence of the human papillomavirus on the radio-responsiveness of cancer stem cells in head and neck cancers. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2716. [PMID: 32066820 PMCID: PMC7026429 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59654-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing proportion of head and neck cancers (HNC) result from HPV infection. Between HNC aetiological groups (HPV positive and HPV negative) clinical evidence demonstrates significantly better treatment response among HPV positive cancers. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are identified in HNC tumour populations as agents of treatment resistance and a target for tumour control. This study examines dynamic responses in populations of a CSC phenotype in HNC cell lines following X-irradiation at therapeutic levels, and comparing between HPV statuses. Variations in CSC density between HPV groups showed no correlation with better clinical outcomes seen in the HPV positive status. CSC populations in HPV positive cell lines ranged from 1.9 to 4.8%, and 2.6 to 9.9% for HPV negative. Following 4 Gy X- irradiation however, HPV negative cell lines demonstrated more frequent and significantly greater escalation in CSC proportions, being 3-fold that of the HPV positive group at 72 hours post irradiation. CSC proportions of tumour populations are not fixed but subject to change in response to radiation at therapeutic dose levels. These findings imply a potential effect of aetiology on radio-responsiveness in CSCs, illustrating that clonogen treatment response may be more informative of therapy outcomes than inherent population density alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Reid
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia. .,Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
| | - Alexander H Staudacher
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Loredana G Marcu
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.,Faculty of Science, University of Oradea, Oradea, 410087, Romania
| | - Ian Olver
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Leyla Moghaddasi
- Department of Physics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.,Department of Medical Physics, GenesisCare, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Michael P Brown
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology and University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.,Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Eva Bezak
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.,Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.,Department of Physics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
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49
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Nazari F, Oklejas AE, Nör JE, Pearson AT, Jackson TL. In Silico Models Accurately Predict In Vivo Response for IL6 Blockade in Head and Neck Cancer. Cancer Res 2020; 80:1451-1460. [PMID: 32041834 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-1846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Malignant features of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) may be derived from the presence of stem-like cells that are characterized by uniquely high tumorigenic potential. These cancer stem cells (CSC) function as putative drivers of tumor initiation, therapeutic evasion, metastasis, and recurrence. Although they are an appealing conceptual target, CSC-directed cancer therapies remain scarce. One promising CSC target is the IL6 pathway, which is strongly correlated with poor patient survival. In this study we created and validated a multiscale mathematical model to investigate the impact of cross-talk between tumor cell- and endothelial cell (EC)-secreted IL6 on HNSCC growth and the CSC fraction. We then predicted and analyzed the responses of HNSCC to tocilizumab (TCZ) and cisplatin combination therapy. The model was validated with in vivo experiments involving human ECs coimplanted with HNSCC cell line xenografts. Without artificial tuning to the laboratory data, the model showed excellent predictive agreement with the decrease in tumor volumes observed in TCZ-treated mice, as well as a decrease in the CSC fraction. This computational platform provides a framework for preclinical cisplatin and TCZ dose and frequency evaluation to be tested in future clinical studies. SIGNIFICANCE: A mathematical model is used to rapidly evaluate dosing strategies for IL6 pathway modulation. These results may lead to nonintuitive dosing or timing treatment schedules to optimize synergism between drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Nazari
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Alexandra E Oklejas
- Departments of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jacques E Nör
- Departments of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Alexander T Pearson
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
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50
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Liao J, Yang Z, Carter-Cooper B, Chang ET, Choi EY, Kallakury B, Liu X, Lapidus RG, Cullen KJ, Dan H. Suppression of migration, invasion, and metastasis of cisplatin-resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through IKKβ inhibition. Clin Exp Metastasis 2020; 37:283-292. [PMID: 32020377 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-020-10021-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We explored the role of the transcription factor, NF-κB, and its upstream kinase IKKβ in regulation of migration, invasion, and metastasis of cisplatin-resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We showed that cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cells have a stronger ability to migrate and invade, as well as display higher IKKβ/NF-κB activity compared to their parental partners. Importantly, we found that knockdown of IKKβ, but not NF-κB, dramatically impaired cell migration and invasion in these cells. Consistent with this, the IKKβ inhibitor, CmpdA, also inhibited cell migration and invasion. Previous studies have already shown that N-Cadherin, an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker, and IL-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, play important roles in regulation of HNSCC migration, invasion, and metastasis. We found that cisplatin-resistant HNSCC expressed higher levels of N-Cadherin and IL-6, which were significantly inhibited by CmpdA. More importantly, we showed that CmpdA treatment dramatically abated cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cell metastasis to lungs in a mouse model. Our data demonstrated the crucial role of IKKβ in control of migration, invasion, and metastasis, and implicated that targeting IKKβ may be a potential therapy for cisplatin-resistant metastatic HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jipei Liao
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zejia Yang
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brandon Carter-Cooper
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth T Chang
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eun Yong Choi
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bhaskar Kallakury
- Department of Pathology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Xuefeng Liu
- Department of Pathology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rena G Lapidus
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kevin J Cullen
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hancai Dan
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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