1
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Rais Y, Drabovich AP. Identification and Quantification of Human Relaxin Proteins by Immunoaffinity-Mass Spectrometry. J Proteome Res 2024. [PMID: 38739617 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The human relaxins belong to the Insulin/IGF/Relaxin superfamily of peptide hormones, and their physiological function is primarily associated with reproduction. In this study, we focused on a prostate tissue-specific relaxin RLN1 (REL1_HUMAN protein) and a broader tissue specificity RLN2 (REL2_HUMAN protein). Due to their structural similarity, REL1 and REL2 proteins were collectively named a 'human relaxin protein' in previous studies and were exclusively measured by immunoassays. We hypothesized that the highly selective and sensitive immunoaffinity-selected reaction monitoring (IA-SRM) assays would reveal the identity and abundance of the endogenous REL1 and REL2 in biological samples and facilitate the evaluation of these proteins for diagnostic applications. High levels of RLN1 and RLN2 transcripts were found in prostate and breast cancer cell lines by RT-PCR. However, no endogenous prorelaxin-1 or mature REL1 were detected by IA-SRM in cell lines, seminal plasma, or blood serum. The IA-SRM assay of REL2 demonstrated its undetectable levels (<9.4 pg/mL) in healthy control female and male sera and relatively high levels of REL2 in maternal sera across different gestational weeks (median 331 pg/mL; N = 120). IA-SRM assays uncovered potential cross-reactivity and nonspecific binding for relaxin immunoassays. The developed IA-SRM assays will facilitate the investigation of the physiological and pathological roles of REL1 and REL2 proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Rais
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada
| | - Andrei P Drabovich
- Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada
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2
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Jung J, Han H. The diverse influences of relaxin-like peptide family on tumor progression: Potential opportunities and emerging challenges. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24463. [PMID: 38298643 PMCID: PMC10828710 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24463] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Relaxin-like peptide family exhibit differential expression patterns in various types of cancers and play a role in cancer development. This family participates in tumorigenic processes encompassing proliferation, migration, invasion, tumor microenvironment, immune microenvironment, and anti-cancer resistance, ultimately influencing patient prognosis. In this review, we explore the mechanisms underlying the interaction between the RLN-like peptide family and tumors and provide an overview of therapeutic approaches utilizing this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hyunho Han
- Department of Urology, Urological Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
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3
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Kwantwi LB. The dual and multifaceted role of relaxin-2 in cancer. Clin Transl Oncol 2023; 25:2763-2771. [PMID: 36947362 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03146-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The continuous increase in cancer-associated deaths despite the substantial improvement in diagnosis and treatment has sparked discussions on the need for novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for cancer. Although increasing evidence has demonstrated the pivotal role of relaxin-2 in multiple cancers, their role is a double-edged sword with both protumor and antitumor having been reported in various malignant tumors. Considering this dual role, it appears the biological mechanism underpinning the action of relaxin-2 in cancer is not clear and further studies to elucidate their potential as a preventive factor for cancers are of prime importance. Herein, a summarized up-to-date report on the role of relaxin-2 in human cancer including detailed clinical and experimental evidence supporting their tumor-promoting and inhibitory functions in cancer development and progression has been elucidated. Also, signaling pathways and other factors orchestrating the activities of relaxin-2 in the tumor microenvironment has been discussed. Collectively, the evidence from this review has demonstrated the need for further evaluation of the role of relaxin-2 as a diagnostic and or prognostic biomarker for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Boafo Kwantwi
- Department of Medical Imaging Sciences, Klintaps College of Health and Allied Sciences, Accra, DTD. TDC, 30A Klagon, Com. 19, Tema, Ghana.
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4
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Krishnan SN, Thanasupawat T, Arreza L, Wong GW, Sfanos K, Trock B, Arock M, Shah GG, Glogowska A, Ghavami S, Hombach-Klonisch S, Klonisch T. Human C1q Tumor Necrosis Factor 8 (CTRP8) defines a novel tryptase+ mast cell subpopulation in the prostate cancer microenvironment. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166681. [PMID: 36921737 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
The adipokine C1q Tumor Necrosis Factor 8 (CTRP8) is the least known member of the 15 CTRP proteins and a ligand of the relaxin receptor RXFP1. We previously demonstrated the ability of the CTRP8-RXFP1 interaction to promote motility, matrix invasion, and drug resistance. The lack of specific tools to detect CTRP8 protein severely limits our knowledge on CTRP8 biological functions in normal and tumor tissues. Here, we have generated and characterized the first specific antiserum to human CTRP8 which identified CTRP8 as a novel marker of tryptase+ mast cells (MCT) in normal human tissues and in the prostate cancer (PC) microenvironment. Using human PC tissue microarrays composed of neoplastic and corresponding tumor-adjacent prostate tissues, we have identified a significantly higher number of CTRP8+ MCT in the peritumor versus intratumor compartment of PC tissues of Gleason scores 6 and 7. Higher numbers of CTRP8+ MCT correlated with the clinical parameter of biochemical recurrence. We showed that the human MC line ROSAKIT WT expressed RXFP1 transcripts and responded to CTRP8 treatment with a small but significant increase in cell proliferation. Like the cognate RXFP1 ligand RLN-2 and the small molecule RXFP1 agonist ML-290, CTRP8 reduced degranulation of ROSAKIT WT MC stimulated by the Ca2+-ionophore A14187. In conclusion, this is the first report to identify the RXFP1 agonist CTRP8 as a novel marker of MCT and autocrine/paracrine oncogenic factor within the PC microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Nivedita Krishnan
- Dept. of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada
| | - Thatchawan Thanasupawat
- Dept. of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada
| | - Leanne Arreza
- Dept. of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada
| | - G William Wong
- Dept. of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Karen Sfanos
- Dept. of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bruce Trock
- Dept. of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michel Arock
- Laboratoire d'Hématologie Biologique, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - G Girish Shah
- Dept. of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, CHU de Quebec-Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Aleksandra Glogowska
- Dept. of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Dept. of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada; Research Institute of Cancer and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, Canada; Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Sabine Hombach-Klonisch
- Dept. of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada; Dept. of Pathology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada; Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
| | - Thomas Klonisch
- Dept. of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada; Dept. of Pathology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada; Research Institute of Cancer and Hematology, CancerCare Manitoba, Canada; Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Dept. of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada.
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5
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Scopetti D, Piobbico D, Brunacci C, Pieroni S, Bellezza G, Castelli M, Ludovini V, Tofanetti FR, Cagini L, Sidoni A, Puxeddu E, Della-Fazia MA, Servillo G. INSL4 as prognostic marker for proliferation and invasiveness in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. J Cancer 2021; 12:3781-3795. [PMID: 34093787 PMCID: PMC8176261 DOI: 10.7150/jca.51332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small-cell-lung cancer accounts for 80-85% of all forms of lung cancer as leading cause of cancer-related death in human. Despite remarkable advances in the diagnosis and therapy of lung cancer, no significant improvements have thus far been achieved in terms of patients' prognosis. Here, we investigated the role of INSL4 - a member of the relaxin-family - in NSCLC. We overexpressed INSL4 in NSCLC cells to analyse in vitro the growth rate and the tumourigenic features. We investigated the signalling pathways engaged in INSL4 overexpressing cells and the tumour growth ability by studying the tumour development in a patient derived tumour xenograft mouse model. We found an INSL4 cell growth promoting effect in vitro in H1299 cells and in vivo in NOD/SCID mice. Surprisingly, in NSCLC-A549 cells, INSL4 overexpression has not similar effect, despite huge basal INSL4-mRNA expression respect to H1299. The INSL4-mRNA analysis of eight different NSCLC-derived cell lines, revealed highly difference in the INSL4-mRNA amount. Transfection of NSCLC lines with INSL4-Myc showed huge level of INSL4-mRNA with a very low amount of protein expressed. Notably, similar discrepancy has been observed in NSCLC patients. However, in a cohort of NSCLC patients analysing a database, we found a significant inverse correlation between INSL4 expression and Overall Survival. By combining the in vitro and in vivo results, suggest that in patients whose NSCLC adenocarcinoma spontaneously expressed high levels of INSL4 post-transcriptional modifications affecting INSL4 do not allow to assess precision therapy in selected patients without consider protein INSL4 amount.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Scopetti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, University of Perugia, Perugia- Italy
| | - Danilo Piobbico
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, University of Perugia, Perugia- Italy
| | - Cinzia Brunacci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, University of Perugia, Perugia- Italy
| | - Stefania Pieroni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, University of Perugia, Perugia- Italy
| | - Guido Bellezza
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, University of Perugia, Perugia- Italy
| | - Marilena Castelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, University of Perugia, Perugia- Italy
| | - Vienna Ludovini
- Medical Oncology, S. Maria Della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Lucio Cagini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of internal medicine, angiology and atherosclerosis diseases
| | - Angelo Sidoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, University of Perugia, Perugia- Italy
| | - Efisio Puxeddu
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of internal medicine and endocrine and metabolic sciences
| | - Maria Agnese Della-Fazia
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, University of Perugia, Perugia- Italy
| | - Giuseppe Servillo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, University of Perugia, Perugia- Italy
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Kang S, Lee S, Park S. iRGD Peptide as a Tumor-Penetrating Enhancer for Tumor-Targeted Drug Delivery. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1906. [PMID: 32847045 PMCID: PMC7563641 DOI: 10.3390/polym12091906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The unique structure and physiology of a tumor microenvironment impede intra-tumoral penetration of chemotherapeutic agents. A novel iRGD peptide that exploits the tumor microenvironment can activate integrin-dependent binding to tumor vasculatures and neuropilin-1 (NRP-1)-dependent transport to tumor tissues. Recent studies have focused on its dual-targeting ability to achieve enhanced penetration of chemotherapeutics for the efficient eradication of cancer cells. Both the covalent conjugation and the co-administration of iRGD with chemotherapeutic agents and engineered delivery vehicles have been explored. Interestingly, the iRGD-mediated drug delivery also enhances penetration through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Recent studies have shown its synergistic effect with BBB disruptive techniques. The efficacy of immunotherapy involving immune checkpoint blockades has also been amplified by using iRGD as a targeting moiety. In this review, we presented the recent advances in iRGD technology, focusing on cancer treatment modalities, including the current clinical trials using iRGD. The iRGD-mediated nano-carrier system could serve as a promising strategy in drug delivery to the deeper tumor regions, and be combined with various therapeutic interventions due to its novel targeting ability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Soyeun Park
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, 1095 Dalgubeoldaero, Dalseo-gu, Daegu 42601, Korea; (S.K.); (S.L.)
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7
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Xiong F, Cao Y, Guo X, Zhang H, Wang J, Xiong B, Liang B, Zheng C. Improved ADM Penetration Distance and Therapeutic Efficiency in a Rabbit VX2 Liver Cancer Model by Relaxin Infusion Combined with Transcatheter Chemoembolization Through Hepatic Artery. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:3379-3388. [PMID: 32494202 PMCID: PMC7231763 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s223993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the adriamycin (ADM) pervasion distance within tumor stroma after relaxin (RLX) infusion through tumor feeding artery and further investigate the therapeutic effects of RLX infusion combined with transcatheter chemoembolization (TACE) on the rabbit VX2 liver cancer, since the chemotherapy impaired due to limited drug distribution hindered by stiffened tumor stroma. Materials and Methods In the first part, rabbits received normal saline (NS), RLX or combined with TACE, and the penetration distance of ADM was measured by immunofluorescence and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were evaluated by gelatin substrate zymography in each group. In the second part, the rabbits received NS, TACE and RLX combined with TACE, respectively. The tumor growth rates, necrosis rates and intrahepatic metastasis were measured, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE), transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL) and Ki67 staining were conducted in each group. Results In the first part, the expression of MMP-9 was increased in groups treated by RLX compared with NS group, especially three days after RLX infusion (p=0.001). The ADM penetration distance was significantly increased in groups treated by RLX compared with NS group (p<0.05), and it was farthest three days after RLX infusion. In the second part, compared with the NS and TACE groups, the tumor growth rates, the positive staining rates of Ki67 and the tumor growth rates were significantly decreased in RLX+TACE group (p<0.05). However, the positive staining rates of TUNEL and the tumor necrosis rates were significantly increased (p<0.05), and HE staining also revealed higher necrosis rates. The intrahepatic metastasis indicates no difference between the three groups (p=0.273). Conclusion An increased penetration distance was obtained by RLX infusion through tumor feeding artery, and better therapeutic effects were achieved by RLX combined with TACE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Xiong
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanyan Cao
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaopeng Guo
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongsen Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Jihua Wang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Xiong
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Liang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuansheng Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China.,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, People's Republic of China
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8
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Hu M, Wang Y, Xu L, An S, Tang Y, Zhou X, Li J, Liu R, Huang L. Relaxin gene delivery mitigates liver metastasis and synergizes with check point therapy. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2993. [PMID: 31278269 PMCID: PMC6611764 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10893-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Activated hepatic stellate cell (aHSC)-mediated liver fibrosis is essential to the development of liver metastasis. Here, we discover intra-hepatic scale-up of relaxin (RLN, an anti-fibrotic peptide) in response to fibrosis along with the upregulation of its primary receptor (RXFP1) on aHSCs. The elevated expression of RLN serves as a natural regulator to deactivate aHSCs and resolve liver fibrosis. Therefore, we hypothesize this endogenous liver fibrosis repair mechanism can be leveraged for liver metastasis treatment via enforced RLN expression. To validate the therapeutic potential, we utilize aminoethyl anisamide-conjugated lipid-calcium-phosphate nanoparticles to deliver plasmid DNA encoding RLN. The nanoparticles preferentially target metastatic tumor cells and aHSCs within the metastatic lesion and convert them as an in situ RLN depot. Expressed RLN reverses the stromal microenvironment, which makes it unfavorable for established liver metastasis to grow. In colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancer liver metastasis models, we confirm the RLN gene therapy results in significant inhibition of metastatic progression and prolongs survival. In addition, enforced RLN expression reactivates intra-metastasis immune milieu. The combination of the RLN gene therapy with PD-L1 blockade immunotherapy further produces a synergistic anti-metastatic efficacy. Collectively, the targeted RLN gene therapy represents a highly efficient, safe, and versatile anti-metastatic modality, and is promising for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengying Hu
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ying Wang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ligeng Xu
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, 215123, Suzhou, China
| | - Sai An
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yu Tang
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Xuefei Zhou
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jingjing Li
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Rihe Liu
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Leaf Huang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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9
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Thanasupawat T, Glogowska A, Nivedita-Krishnan S, Wilson B, Klonisch T, Hombach-Klonisch S. Emerging roles for the relaxin/RXFP1 system in cancer therapy. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 487:85-93. [PMID: 30763603 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A role for the hormone relaxin in cancer was described well before the receptor was identified. Relaxin predominantly increases the growth and invasive potential in cancers of different origins. However, relaxin was also shown to promote cell differentiation and to act in a dose-and time-dependent manner in different cancer cell models used. Following the discovery of the relaxin like family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) as the cellular receptor for RLN1 and RLN2, research has focussed on the ligand interaction with the large extracellular domain of RXFP1 and resulting molecular signaling mechanisms. RXFP1 activation mediates anti-apoptotic functions, angiogenesis and chemoresistance in cancer cells. This minireview summarizes the known biological functions of RXFP1 activation in different cancer entities in-vitro and in-vivo and outlines possible mechanisms to therapeutically address the relaxin-RXFP1 system in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thatchawan Thanasupawat
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Aleksandra Glogowska
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Sai Nivedita-Krishnan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Brian Wilson
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Thomas Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Sabine Hombach-Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
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10
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Hong J, Yun CO. Relaxin gene therapy: A promising new treatment option for various diseases with aberrant fibrosis or irregular angiogenesis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 487:80-84. [PMID: 30641100 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Relaxin (RLX) is an insulin-like polypeptide hormone that was initially introduced for its pregnancy-related function. Subsequent studies revealed that RLX possesses anti-fibrotic functions in tumors and nonreproductive tissues, such as skin, lungs, and others. This aspect of the RLX has been explored for the treatment of various illnesses, such as cardiac fibrosis, liver fibrosis, and solid tumors. With gene therapy coming into age with increasing number of products being approved by regulatory bodies in Europe and United States, we aim to discuss how RLX have been utilized in scope of gene therapy for treatment of various illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- JinWoo Hong
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, 133-791, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chae-Ok Yun
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, 133-791, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Hanyang University, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Saeki N, Saito A, Sugaya Y, Amemiya M, Ono H, Komatsuzaki R, Yanagihara K, Sasaki H. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation and DNA Sequencing Identified a LIMS1/ILK Pathway Regulated by LMO1 in Neuroblastoma. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2018; 15:165-174. [PMID: 29695398 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Overall survival for the high-risk group of neuroblastoma (NB) remains at 40-50%. An integrative genomics study revealed that LIM domain only 1 (LMO1) encoding a transcriptional regulator to be an NB-susceptibility gene with a tumor-promoting activity, that needs to be revealed. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted chromatin immunoprecipitation and DNA sequencing analyses and cell proliferation assays on two NB cell lines. RESULTS We identified three genes regulated by LMO1 in the cells, LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domains 1 (LIMS1), Ras suppressor protein 1 (RSU1) and relaxin 2 (RLN2). LIMS1 and RSU1 encode proteins functioning with integrin-linked kinase (ILK), and inhibition of LIMS1, ILK or RLN2 by shRNA reduced cell proliferation of the NB cells, which was also suppressed with an ILK inhibiting compound Cpd 22. CONCLUSION The downstream of LMO1-regulatory cascade includes a tumor-promoting LIMS1/ILK pathway, which has a potential to be a novel therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norihisa Saeki
- Division of Genetics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Saito
- Statistical Genetics Analysis Division, StaGen Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Sugaya
- Statistical Genetics Analysis Division, StaGen Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Amemiya
- Statistical Genetics Analysis Division, StaGen Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroe Ono
- Division of Genetics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rie Komatsuzaki
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Yanagihara
- Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hiroki Sasaki
- Department of Translational Oncology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
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12
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Staal J, Beyaert R. Inflammation and NF-κB Signaling in Prostate Cancer: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications. Cells 2018; 7:E122. [PMID: 30158439 PMCID: PMC6162478 DOI: 10.3390/cells7090122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a highly prevalent form of cancer that is usually slow-developing and benign. Due to its high prevalence, it is, however, still the second most common cause of death by cancer in men in the West. The higher prevalence of prostate cancer in the West might be due to elevated inflammation from metabolic syndrome or associated comorbidities. NF-κB activation and many other signals associated with inflammation are known to contribute to prostate cancer malignancy. Inflammatory signals have also been associated with the development of castration resistance and resistance against other androgen depletion strategies, which is a major therapeutic challenge. Here, we review the role of inflammation and its link with androgen signaling in prostate cancer. We further describe the role of NF-κB in prostate cancer cell survival and proliferation, major NF-κB signaling pathways in prostate cancer, and the crosstalk between NF-κB and androgen receptor signaling. Several NF-κB-induced risk factors in prostate cancer and their potential for therapeutic targeting in the clinic are described. A better understanding of the inflammatory mechanisms that control the development of prostate cancer and resistance to androgen-deprivation therapy will eventually lead to novel treatment options for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Staal
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rudi Beyaert
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Unit of Molecular Signal Transduction in Inflammation, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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13
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Guo X, Liu Y, Huang X, Wang Y, Qu J, Lv Y. Serum relaxin as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Cancer Biomark 2018; 21:81-87. [PMID: 29060928 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-170278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Relaxin is a short circulating peptide hormone. The aim of this study was to understand the role of relaxin in progression of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and to assess its diagnostic and prognostic significance. METHODS A total of 124 patients with EOC, 46 patients with benign ovarian diseases, and 50 healthy controls were recruited. Serum levels of relaxin were determined by ELISA method. The relationship between serum relaxin level and each of the clinicopathological parameters was analyzed using the χ2 test. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. The statistical difference in survival between the different groups was compared using the log-rank test. Survival correlation with the prognostic factors was further investigated by multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model with backward stepwise likelihood ratio. RESULTS The results showed that serum relaxin level was significantly higher in patients with EOC than those with benign ovarian diseases and healthy controls (p< 0.01). Serum relaxin level was associated with FIGO stage, lymph node metastasis, tumor resectability, survival of the patients, chemotherapy and tumor recurrence (p< 0.05). Analysis using the Kaplan-meier method indicated that patients with high serum relaxin had significantly shorter overall survival time than those with low relaxin (p< 0.01). In a multivariate analysis along with clinical prognostic parameters, serum relaxin was identified as an independent adverse prognostic variable for survival. CONCLUSIONS These results indicated that serum relaxin may be a clinically useful indicator for diagnostic and prognostic evaluation in EOC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Guo
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yujie Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xia Huang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Gynaecology, People's Hospital of Jining, Jining, Shandong, China.,Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jin Qu
- Department of Gynaecology, People's Hospital of Jining, Jining, Shandong, China.,Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yingpin Lv
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
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14
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Munkley J, Maia TM, Ibarluzea N, Livermore KE, Vodak D, Ehrmann I, James K, Rajan P, Barbosa-Morais NL, Elliott DJ. Androgen-dependent alternative mRNA isoform expression in prostate cancer cells. F1000Res 2018; 7:1189. [PMID: 30271587 PMCID: PMC6143958 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.15604.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Androgen steroid hormones are key drivers of prostate cancer. Previous work has shown that androgens can drive the expression of alternative mRNA isoforms as well as transcriptional changes in prostate cancer cells. Yet to what extent androgens control alternative mRNA isoforms and how these are expressed and differentially regulated in prostate tumours is unknown. Methods: Here we have used RNA-Seq data to globally identify alternative mRNA isoform expression under androgen control in prostate cancer cells, and profiled the expression of these mRNA isoforms in clinical tissue. Results: Our data indicate androgens primarily switch mRNA isoforms through alternative promoter selection. We detected 73 androgen regulated alternative transcription events, including utilisation of 56 androgen-dependent alternative promoters, 13 androgen-regulated alternative splicing events, and selection of 4 androgen-regulated alternative 3' mRNA ends. 64 of these events are novel to this study, and 26 involve previously unannotated isoforms. We validated androgen dependent regulation of 17 alternative isoforms by quantitative PCR in an independent sample set. Some of the identified mRNA isoforms are in genes already implicated in prostate cancer (including LIG4, FDFT1 and RELAXIN), or in genes important in other cancers (e.g. NUP93 and MAT2A). Importantly, analysis of transcriptome data from 497 tumour samples in the TGCA prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) cohort identified 13 mRNA isoforms (including TPD52, TACC2 and NDUFV3) that are differentially regulated in localised prostate cancer relative to normal tissue, and 3 ( OSBPL1A, CLK3 and TSC22D3) which change significantly with Gleason grade and tumour stage. Conclusions: Our findings dramatically increase the number of known androgen regulated isoforms in prostate cancer, and indicate a highly complex response to androgens in prostate cancer cells that could be clinically important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Munkley
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Teresa M. Maia
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028, Portugal
- VIB Proteomics Core, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Nekane Ibarluzea
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, 48903, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Valencia, 46010, Spain
| | - Karen E. Livermore
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Daniel Vodak
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid Ehrmann
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Katherine James
- Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex BioSystems Research Group, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5TG, UK
- Life and Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Prabhakar Rajan
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Nuno L. Barbosa-Morais
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, 1649-028, Portugal
| | - David J. Elliott
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
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15
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Papoutsis K, Kapelouzou A, Tsilimigras DI, Patelis N, Kouvelos G, Schizas D, Karavokyros I, Georgopoulos S. Associations between serum relaxin 2, aneurysm formation/size and severity of atherosclerosis: a preliminary prospective analysis. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2018; 39:1243-1248. [PMID: 29565035 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2018.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum relaxin 2 (RL2) is a pleiotropic hormone that acts on various organs and systems, particularly the cardiovascular system. Although RL2 seems to upregulate the synthesis of nitric monoxide (NO) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9, current literature on its role in atherosclerosis and aneurysm formation is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of serum RL2 in patients with an arterial aneurysm as well as in atherosclerotic patients, and correlate them with the severity of their related vascular disease. A total of 53 subjects were enrolled in this study: 37 patients were scheduled to undergo surgery: 21 patients for different forms of atherosclerotic disease (ATH), 16 patients for an arterial aneurysm (AA), 6 patients for undergoing temporal artery biopsy (TAB), and 10 healthy blood donors (HBD) served as the control groups. RL2 was measured using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. RL2 was significantly higher in AA patients compared to ATH (P<0.01), TAB (P<0.001) and HBD (P<0.01). No significant difference was found between the ATH and TAB groups (P>0.05). In addition, ATH and AA patients were further subdivided based on the severity of their disease. Serum RL2 was progressively increased in patients with arterial aneurysms, showing a positive relationship with the size of the aneurysmatic dilatation. By contrast, the RL2 level was inversely related to the severity of the atherosclerotic disease. Studies with a larger cohort incorporating a consistent study population are warranted to verify our results and shed light on the mechanistic background of these processes.
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16
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Wang W, Chen ZX, Guo DY, Tao YX. Regulation of prostate cancer by hormone-responsive G protein-coupled receptors. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 191:135-147. [PMID: 29909235 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of prostate cancer by androgen and androgen receptor (AR), and blockade of AR signaling by AR antagonists and steroidogenic enzyme inhibitors have been extensively studied. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a family of membrane receptors that regulate almost all physiological processes. Nearly 40% of FDA-approved drugs in the market target GPCRs. A variety of GPCRs that mediate reproductive function have been demonstrated to be involved in the regulation of prostate cancer. These GPCRs include gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, relaxin receptor, ghrelin receptor, and kisspeptin receptor. We highlight here GPCR regulation of prostate cancer by these GPCRs. Further therapeutic approaches targeting these GPCRs for the treatment of prostate cancer are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiamen Huli Guoyu Clinic, Co., Ltd., Xiamen, China
| | - Zhao-Xia Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiamen Huli Guoyu Clinic, Co., Ltd., Xiamen, China
| | - Dong-Yu Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiamen Huli Guoyu Clinic, Co., Ltd., Xiamen, China.
| | - Ya-Xiong Tao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA.
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17
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Feijóo-Bandín S, Aragón-Herrera A, Rodríguez-Penas D, Portolés M, Roselló-Lletí E, Rivera M, González-Juanatey JR, Lago F. Relaxin-2 in Cardiometabolic Diseases: Mechanisms of Action and Future Perspectives. Front Physiol 2017; 8:599. [PMID: 28868039 PMCID: PMC5563388 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the great effort of the medical community during the last decades, cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, increasing their prevalence every year mainly due to our new way of life. In the last years, the study of new hormones implicated in the regulation of energy metabolism and inflammation has raised a great interest among the scientific community regarding their implications in the development of cardiometabolic diseases. In this review, we will summarize the main actions of relaxin, a pleiotropic hormone that was previously suggested to improve acute heart failure and that participates in both metabolism and inflammation regulation at cardiovascular level, and will discuss its potential as future therapeutic target to prevent/reduce cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Feijóo-Bandín
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, Institute of Biomedical Research and University Clinical HospitalSantiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades CardiovascularesMadrid, Spain
| | - Alana Aragón-Herrera
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, Institute of Biomedical Research and University Clinical HospitalSantiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Diego Rodríguez-Penas
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, Institute of Biomedical Research and University Clinical HospitalSantiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Manuel Portolés
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades CardiovascularesMadrid, Spain
- Cardiocirculatory Unit, Health Research Institute of La Fe University HospitalValencia, Spain
| | - Esther Roselló-Lletí
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades CardiovascularesMadrid, Spain
- Cardiocirculatory Unit, Health Research Institute of La Fe University HospitalValencia, Spain
| | - Miguel Rivera
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades CardiovascularesMadrid, Spain
- Cardiocirculatory Unit, Health Research Institute of La Fe University HospitalValencia, Spain
| | - José R. González-Juanatey
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, Institute of Biomedical Research and University Clinical HospitalSantiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades CardiovascularesMadrid, Spain
| | - Francisca Lago
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Research Unit, Institute of Biomedical Research and University Clinical HospitalSantiago de Compostela, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades CardiovascularesMadrid, Spain
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18
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Ivell R, Agoulnik AI, Anand‐Ivell R. Relaxin-like peptides in male reproduction - a human perspective. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:990-1001. [PMID: 27933606 PMCID: PMC5406299 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The relaxin family of peptide hormones and their cognate GPCRs are becoming physiologically well-characterized in the cardiovascular system and particularly in female reproductive processes. Much less is known about the physiology and pharmacology of these peptides in male reproduction, particularly as regards humans. H2-relaxin is involved in prostate function and growth, while insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is a major product of the testicular Leydig cells and, in the adult, appears to modulate steroidogenesis and germ cell survival. In the fetus, INSL3 is a key hormone expressed shortly after sex determination and is responsible for the first transabdominal phase of testicular descent. Importantly, INSL3 is becoming a very useful constitutive biomarker reflecting both fetal and post-natal development. Nothing is known about roles for INSL4 in male reproduction and only very little about relaxin-3, which is mostly considered as a brain peptide, or INSL5. The former is expressed at very low levels in the testes, but has no known physiology there, whereas the INSL5 knockout mouse does exhibit a testicular phenotype with mild effects on spermatogenesis, probably due to a disruption of glucose homeostasis. INSL6 is a major product of male germ cells, although it is relatively unexplored with regard to its physiology or pharmacology, except that in mice disruption of the INSL6 gene leads to a disruption of spermatogenesis. Clinically, relaxin analogues may be useful in the control of prostate cancer, and both relaxin and INSL3 have been considered as sperm adjuvants for in vitro fertilization. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Ivell
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamLE12 5RDUK
- School of Veterinary and Medical SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamLE12 5RDUK
| | - Alexander I Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of MedicineFlorida International UniversityMiamiFLUSA
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19
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Sato T, Yanagisawa T. [The engineered thymidylate kinase (TMPK)/azidothymidine (AZT)-axis offers efficient bystander cell killing effect for suicide gene therapy for cancer]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2016; 147:326-9. [PMID: 27301304 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.147.326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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20
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Klonisch T, Glogowska A, Thanasupawat T, Burg M, Krcek J, Pitz M, Jaggupilli A, Chelikani P, Wong GW, Hombach-Klonisch S. Structural commonality of C1q TNF-related proteins and their potential to activate relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 1 signalling pathways in cancer cells. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 174:1025-1033. [PMID: 27443788 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We established the role of the GPCR relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1 receptor) as a novel active receptor in human glioblastoma (GB), a fatal brain tumour. We identified C1q/TNF-related protein 8 (CTRP8) as a novel agonist of the RXFP1 receptor. CTRP8 enhanced the motility and matrix invasion of GB, and this involved PKC-mediated up-regulation of cathepsin B, a marker for poor prognosis in GB patients. We conclude that the absence of relaxin isoforms does not preclude the activation of the RXFP1 receptor, as the least known member of the CTRP family, CTRP8, can effectively target and activate RXFP1 receptors. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Aleksandra Glogowska
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Maxwell Burg
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Jerry Krcek
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Marshall Pitz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Prashen Chelikani
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - G William Wong
- Department of Physiology and Center for Metabolism and Obesity Research, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sabine Hombach-Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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21
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Klein C. The role of relaxin in mare reproductive physiology: A comparative review with other species. Theriogenology 2016; 86:451-6. [PMID: 27158127 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Relaxin is a peptide hormone best known for its action during the latter half of pregnancy, in particular for its softening effect on pelvic ligaments that aids in preparation of the birth canal for the impending delivery of the fetus. The source of relaxin during early pregnancy varies across species, with the CL being the main source in a number of species. The main source of relaxin during late equine pregnancy is the placenta. In mares with impaired placental function, circulating relaxin levels decline before abortion. During early pregnancy, relaxin promotes endometrial angiogenesis through upregulating endometrial expression of vascular endothelial growth factor. The horse is unique in that the equine conceptus expresses relaxin messenger RNA as early as 8 days after ovulation, with levels increasing as conceptus development proceeds. Although secretion of functional relaxin has not been verified, it is likely, given that the embryo also expresses transcripts coding for enzymes processing the prohormone to yield the mature hormone. Furin, an enzyme which belongs to the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase family known to process preprorelaxin, appears to be the foremost convertase expressed by equine conceptuses. Conceptus-derived relaxin could drive endometrial angiogenesis and also act in an autocrine fashion to promote the embryo's own development. Relaxin is also expressed by ovarian structures during the nonpregnant estrous cycle. In the mare, follicular expression of relaxin is comparable among follicles of varying size and has been localized to granulosa and theca cells. In women and pigs, relaxin appears to promote follicular development. In the rat, multiple lines of evidence indicate that relaxin is involved in the ovulatory process. In the mare, relaxin might play a similar role in the ovulatory process, as in equine ovarian stromal cells relaxin promotes the secretion of gelatinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases; local proteolysis of the follicular wall is integral to the ovulatory process. However, functional studies addressing the role of relaxin in the ovulatory process are missing in the mare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Klein
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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22
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Hossain MA, Kocan M, Yao ST, Royce SG, Nair VB, Siwek C, Patil NA, Harrison IP, Rosengren KJ, Selemidis S, Summers RJ, Wade JD, Bathgate RAD, Samuel CS. A single-chain derivative of the relaxin hormone is a functionally selective agonist of the G protein-coupled receptor, RXFP1. Chem Sci 2016; 7:3805-3819. [PMID: 30155023 PMCID: PMC6013806 DOI: 10.1039/c5sc04754d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A single-chain derivative of the relaxin hormone ameliorates fibrosis without side-effects.
Human gene-2 relaxin (H2 relaxin) is a pleiotropic hormone with powerful vasodilatory and anti-fibrotic properties which has led to its clinical evaluation and provisional FDA approval as a treatment for acute heart failure. The diverse effects of H2 relaxin are mediated via its cognate G protein coupled-receptor (GPCR), Relaxin Family Peptide Receptor (RXFP1), leading to stimulation of a combination of cell signalling pathways that includes cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2. However, its complex two-chain (A and B), disulfide-rich insulin-like structure is a limitation to its facile preparation, availability and affordability. Furthermore, its strong activation of cAMP signaling is likely responsible for reported detrimental tumor-promoting actions that may preclude long-term use of this drug for treating human disease. Here we report the design and synthesis of a H2 relaxin B-chain-only analogue, B7-33, which was shown to bind to RXFP1 and preferentially activate the pERK pathway over cAMP in cells that endogenously expressed RXFP1. Thus, B7-33 represents the first functionally selective agonist of the complex GPCR, RXFP1. Importantly, this small peptide agonist prevented or reversed organ fibrosis and dysfunction in three pre-clinical rodent models of heart or lung disease with similar potency to H2 relaxin. The molecular mechanism behind the strong anti-fibrotic actions of B7-33 involved its activation of RXFP1-angiotensin II type 2 receptor heterodimers that induced selective downstream signaling of pERK1/2 and the collagen-degrading enzyme, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2. Furthermore, in contrast to H2 relaxin, B7-33 did not promote prostate tumor growth in vivo. Our results represent the first known example of the minimisation of a two-chain cyclic insulin-like peptide to a single-chain linear peptide that retains potent beneficial agonistic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health , The University of Melbourne , Victoria 3010 , Australia . ; ; .,School of Chemistry , The University of Melbourne , Victoria 3010 , Australia
| | - Martina Kocan
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Monash University , Victoria , Australia
| | - Song T Yao
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health , The University of Melbourne , Victoria 3010 , Australia . ; ;
| | - Simon G Royce
- Cardiovascular Disease Program , Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology , Monash University , Victoria , Australia .
| | - Vinojini B Nair
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health , The University of Melbourne , Victoria 3010 , Australia . ; ; .,School of Chemistry , The University of Melbourne , Victoria 3010 , Australia
| | - Christopher Siwek
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Monash University , Victoria , Australia
| | - Nitin A Patil
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health , The University of Melbourne , Victoria 3010 , Australia . ; ; .,School of Chemistry , The University of Melbourne , Victoria 3010 , Australia
| | - Ian P Harrison
- Cardiovascular Disease Program , Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology , Monash University , Victoria , Australia .
| | - K Johan Rosengren
- The University of Queensland , School of Biomedical Sciences , Brisbane , QLD 4072 , Australia
| | - Stavros Selemidis
- Cardiovascular Disease Program , Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology , Monash University , Victoria , Australia .
| | - Roger J Summers
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Monash University , Victoria , Australia
| | - John D Wade
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health , The University of Melbourne , Victoria 3010 , Australia . ; ; .,School of Chemistry , The University of Melbourne , Victoria 3010 , Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health , The University of Melbourne , Victoria 3010 , Australia . ; ; .,Department of Biochemistry , The University of Melbourne , Victoria 3010 , Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program , Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology , Monash University , Victoria , Australia .
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23
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Tevz G, McGrath S, Demeter R, Magrini V, Jeet V, Rockstroh A, McPherson S, Lai J, Bartonicek N, An J, Batra J, Dinger ME, Lehman ML, Williams ED, Nelson CC. Identification of a novel fusion transcript between human relaxin-1 (RLN1) and human relaxin-2 (RLN2) in prostate cancer. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 420:159-68. [PMID: 26499396 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Simultaneous expression of highly homologous RLN1 and RLN2 genes in prostate impairs their accurate delineation. We used PacBio SMRT sequencing and RNA-Seq in LNCaP cells in order to dissect the expression of RLN1 and RLN2 variants. We identified a novel fusion transcript comprising the RLN1 and RLN2 genes and found evidence of its expression in the normal and prostate cancer tissues. The RLN1-RLN2 fusion putatively encodes RLN2 isoform with the deleted secretory signal peptide. The identification of the fusion transcript provided information to determine unique RLN1-RLN2 fusion and RLN1 regions. The RLN1-RLN2 fusion was co-expressed with RLN1 in LNCaP cells, but the two gene products were inversely regulated by androgens. We showed that RLN1 is underrepresented in common PCa cell lines in comparison to normal and PCa tissue. The current study brings a highly relevant update to the relaxin field, and will encourage further studies of RLN1 and RLN2 in PCa and broader.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Tevz
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sean McGrath
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ryan Demeter
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Vincent Magrini
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Varinder Jeet
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Anja Rockstroh
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stephen McPherson
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - John Lai
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nenad Bartonicek
- Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jiyuan An
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jyotsna Batra
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Marcel E Dinger
- Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Melanie L Lehman
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Elizabeth D Williams
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Colleen C Nelson
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Halls ML, Bathgate RAD, Sutton SW, Dschietzig TB, Summers RJ. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XCV. Recent advances in the understanding of the pharmacology and biological roles of relaxin family peptide receptors 1-4, the receptors for relaxin family peptides. Pharmacol Rev 2015; 67:389-440. [PMID: 25761609 DOI: 10.1124/pr.114.009472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Relaxin, insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), relaxin-3, and INSL5 are the cognate ligands for the relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors 1-4, respectively. RXFP1 activates pleiotropic signaling pathways including the signalosome protein complex that facilitates high-sensitivity signaling; coupling to Gα(s), Gα(i), and Gα(o) proteins; interaction with glucocorticoid receptors; and the formation of hetero-oligomers with distinctive pharmacological properties. In addition to relaxin-related ligands, RXFP1 is activated by Clq-tumor necrosis factor-related protein 8 and by small-molecular-weight agonists, such as ML290 [2-isopropoxy-N-(2-(3-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)phenylcarbamoyl)phenyl)benzamide], that act allosterically. RXFP2 activates only the Gα(s)- and Gα(o)-coupled pathways. Relaxin-3 is primarily a neuropeptide, and its cognate receptor RXFP3 is a target for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and autism. A variety of peptide agonists, antagonists, biased agonists, and an allosteric modulator target RXFP3. Both RXFP3 and the related RXFP4 couple to Gα(i)/Gα(o) proteins. INSL5 has the properties of an incretin; it is secreted from the gut and is orexigenic. The expression of RXFP4 in gut, adipose tissue, and β-islets together with compromised glucose tolerance in INSL5 or RXFP4 knockout mice suggests a metabolic role. This review focuses on the many advances in our understanding of RXFP receptors in the last 5 years, their signal transduction mechanisms, the development of novel compounds that target RXFP1-4, the challenges facing the field, and current prospects for new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Halls
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Steve W Sutton
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Thomas B Dschietzig
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Roger J Summers
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
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RLN2 Is a Positive Regulator of AKT-2-Induced Gene Expression Required for Osteosarcoma Cells Invasion and Chemoresistance. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:147468. [PMID: 26229955 PMCID: PMC4503584 DOI: 10.1155/2015/147468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2015] [Revised: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of H2 relaxin (RLN2) on invasion, migration, and chemosensitivity to cisplatin in human osteosarcoma U2-OS and MG-63 cells and then to investigate the effect of RLN2 on the AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. The expression of RLN2, p-AKT (Ser473), and p-ERK1/2 (Phospho-Thr202/Tyr204) proteins was detected by western blot in OS tissues from 21 patients with pulmonary metastatic disease, and the correlation between RLN2 and p-AKT or RLN2 and p-ERK1/2 expression was investigated. RLN2 expression was inhibited by RLN2 siRNA transfection in the MG-63 cells. RLN2 was overexpressed in the U2-OS cells by treatment with recombinant relaxin. The results showed that positive relation was found between RLN2 and p-AKT expression in tissues of OS. Silencing RLN2 inhibited cell migratory and invasive ability and angiogenesis formation and increased the chemosensitivity to cisplatin in MG-63 cells. RLN2 overexpression promoted migratory and invasive ability and angiogenesis and increased the chemoresistance to cisplatin in U2-OS cells. Silencing RLN2 inhibited the activity of AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway in MG-63 cells, and vice versa. Blockage of both pathways by specific inhibitors abrogated RLN2-induced survival and invasion of OS cells, and vice versa. Our results indicated RLN2 confers to migratory and invasive ability, angiogenesis, and chemoresistance to cisplatin via modulating the AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro.
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Neschadim A, Summerlee AJS, Silvertown JD. Targeting the relaxin hormonal pathway in prostate cancer. Int J Cancer 2014; 137:2287-95. [PMID: 25043063 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Targeting the androgen signalling pathway has long been the hallmark of anti-hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. However, development of androgen-independent prostate cancer is an inevitable outcome to therapies targeting this pathway, in part, owing to the shift from cancer dependence on androgen signalling for growth in favor of augmentation of other cellular pathways that provide proliferation-, survival- and angiogenesis-promoting signals. This review focuses on the role of the hormone relaxin in the development and progression of prostate cancer, prior to and after the onset of androgen independence, as well as its role in cancers of other reproductive tissues. As the body of literature expands, examining relaxin expression in cancerous tissues and its role in a growing number of in vitro and in vivo cancer models, our understanding of the important involvement of this hormone in cancer biology is becoming clearer. Specifically, the pleiotropic functions of relaxin affecting cell growth, angiogenesis, blood flow, cell migration and extracellular matrix remodeling are examined in the context of cancer progression. The interactions and intercepts of the intracellular signalling pathways of relaxin with the androgen pathway are explored in the context of progression of castration-resistant and androgen-independent prostate cancers. We provide an overview of current anti-hormonal therapeutic treatment options for prostate cancer and delve into therapeutic approaches and development of agents aimed at specifically antagonizing relaxin signalling to curb tumor growth. We also discuss the rationale and challenges utilizing such agents as novel anti-hormonals in the clinic, and their potential to supplement current therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Neschadim
- Armour Therapeutics Inc., Toronto, 124 Orchard View Blvd, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Joshua D Silvertown
- Armour Therapeutics Inc., Toronto, 124 Orchard View Blvd, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Neschadim A, Pritzker LB, Pritzker KPH, Branch DR, Summerlee AJS, Trachtenberg J, Silvertown JD. Relaxin receptor antagonist AT-001 synergizes with docetaxel in androgen-independent prostate xenografts. Endocr Relat Cancer 2014; 21:459-71. [PMID: 24812057 DOI: 10.1530/erc-14-0088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Androgen hormones and the androgen receptor (AR) pathway are the main targets of anti-hormonal therapies for prostate cancer. However, resistance inevitably develops to treatments aimed at the AR pathway resulting in androgen-independent or hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Therefore, there is a significant unmet need for new, non-androgen anti-hormonal strategies for the management of prostate cancer. We demonstrate that a relaxin hormone receptor antagonist, AT-001, an analog of human H2 relaxin, represents a first-in-class anti-hormonal candidate treatment designed to significantly curtail the growth of androgen-independent human prostate tumor xenografts. Chemically synthesized AT-001, administered subcutaneously, suppressed PC3 xenograft growth by up to 60%. AT-001 also synergized with docetaxel, standard first-line chemotherapy for HRPC, to suppress tumor growth by more than 98% in PC3 xenografts via a mechanism involving the downregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha and the hypoxia-induced response. Our data support developing AT-001 for clinical use as an anti-relaxin hormonal therapy for advanced prostate cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Binding, Competitive
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Docetaxel
- Drug Synergism
- Humans
- Immunoenzyme Techniques
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/drug therapy
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/metabolism
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/pathology
- Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Receptors, Androgen/metabolism
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Peptide/antagonists & inhibitors
- Taxoids/pharmacology
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Neschadim
- Armour Therapeutics Inc., 124 Orchard View Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Rna Diagnostics Inc., 595 Bay Street, Suite 1204, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Departments of Medicine Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Centre for Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Division of Advanced Diagnostics - Infection and Immunity, Toronto General Research Institute (TGRI), University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada Departments of Surgery and Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Division of Urology, Department of Surgical Oncology Prostate Centre, Princess Margaret Hospital Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Binder C, Chuang E, Habla C, Bleckmann A, Schulz M, Bathgate R, Einspanier A. Relaxins enhance growth of spontaneous murine breast cancers as well as metastatic colonization of the brain. Clin Exp Metastasis 2013; 31:57-65. [PMID: 23963762 PMCID: PMC3892110 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-013-9609-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Relaxins are known for their tissue remodeling capacity which is also a hallmark of cancer progression. However, their role in the latter context is still unclear, particularly in breast cancer. In a mouse model with spontaneously arising breast cancer due to erbB2-overexpression we show that exposure to porcine relaxin results in significantly enhanced tumour growth as compared to control animals. This is accompanied by increased serum concentrations of progesterone and estradiol as well as elevated expression of the respective receptors and the relaxin receptor RXFP1 in the tumour tissue. It is also associated with enhanced infiltration by tumour-associated macrophages which are known to promote tumour progression. Additionally, we show in an ex vivo model of metastatic brain colonization that porcine relaxin as well as human brain-specific relaxin-3 promotes invasion into the brain tissue and enhance interaction of breast cancer cells with the resident brain macrophages, the microglia. Relaxin signaling is mediated via RXFP1, since R 3/I5, a specific agonist of the relaxin-3 receptor RXFP3 in the brain, does not significantly enhance invasion. Taken together, these findings strongly support a role of relaxins in the progression of breast cancer where they foster primary tumour growth as well as metastatic colonization by direct and indirect means.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Binder
- Department of Haematology/Oncology, Georg-August-University, Robert-Koch-str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Eugenia Chuang
- Department of Haematology/Oncology, Georg-August-University, Robert-Koch-str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christina Habla
- Institute of Veterinary Physiological Chemistry, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Annalen Bleckmann
- Department of Haematology/Oncology, Georg-August-University, Robert-Koch-str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Deparment of Medical Statistics, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Schulz
- Department of Haematology/Oncology, Georg-August-University, Robert-Koch-str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ross Bathgate
- Florey Neuroscience Institutes and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
| | - Almuth Einspanier
- Institute of Veterinary Physiological Chemistry, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Choi IK, Strauss R, Richter M, Yun CO, Lieber A. Strategies to increase drug penetration in solid tumors. Front Oncol 2013; 3:193. [PMID: 23898462 PMCID: PMC3724174 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant improvement in modalities for treatment of cancer that led to a longer survival period, the death rate of patients with solid tumors has not changed during the last decades. Emerging studies have identified several physical barriers that limit the therapeutic efficacy of cancer therapeutic agents such as monoclonal antibodies, chemotherapeutic agents, anti-tumor immune cells, and gene therapeutics. Most solid tumors are of epithelial origin and, although malignant cells are de-differentiated, they maintain intercellular junctions, a key feature of epithelial cells, both in the primary tumor as well as in metastatic lesions. Furthermore, nests of malignant epithelial tumor cells are shielded by layers of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (e.g., collagen, elastin, fibronectin, laminin) whereby tumor vasculature rarely penetrates into the tumor nests. In this chapter, we will review potential strategies to modulate the ECM and epithelial junctions to enhance the intratumoral diffusion and/or to remove physical masking of target receptors on malignant cells. We will focus on peptides that bind to the junction protein desmoglein 2 and trigger intracellular signaling, resulting in the transient opening of intercellular junctions. Intravenous injection of these junction openers increased the efficacy and safety of therapies with monoclonal antibodies, chemotherapeutics, and T cells in mouse tumor models and was safe in non-human primates. Furthermore, we will summarize approaches to transiently degrade ECM proteins or downregulate their expression. Among these approaches is the intratumoral expression of relaxin or decorin after adenovirus- or stem cell-mediated gene transfer. We will provide examples that relaxin-based approaches increase the anti-tumor efficacy of oncolytic viruses, monoclonal antibodies, and T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Il-Kyu Choi
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University , Seoul , South Korea
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Ma J, Niu M, Yang W, Zang L, Xi Y. Role of relaxin-2 in human primary osteosarcoma. Cancer Cell Int 2013; 13:59. [PMID: 23758748 PMCID: PMC3698148 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-13-59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to clarify the clinicopathological outcome of serum relaxin-2 and tissues relaxin-2 expression levels in human primary osteosarcoma (OS), and to explore the roles of relaxin-2 inhibition and determine its possibility as a therapeutic target in human osteosarcoma. Methods Real-time quantitative RT-PCR assay was performed to detect the expression of relaxin-2 mRNA in 36 cases of human osteosarcoma tissue samples. Serum relaxin-2 levels was measured in ELISA-based method in the 36 cases of osteosarcoma and 50 cases of controls. MTT and TUNEL assay was used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis after relaxin-2 knockdown with siRNA transfection for 48 hs in vitro. Matrigel invasion and angiogenesis formation assay was used to detect cell metastasis and angiogenesis with HMEC-1 endothelial cells after relaxin-2 knockdown with siRNA transfection for 48 hs in vitro. The effects of relaxin-2 knockdown with anti- relaxin-2 mAb treatment on growth, apoptosis angiogenesis formation and lung metastasis in vivo was analyzed. Results The results showed the levels of relaxin-2 mRNA expression in osteosarcoma tissue samples were significantly higher than those in the corresponding non-tumor tissue samples (P < 0.01), and the serum relaxin-2 levels were significantly higher in OS patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.01). The incidence of advanced stage cancer and hematogenous metastasis cancer in the high relaxin-2 mRNA expression group and high serum relaxin-2 levels groups was significantly higher than that in the low relaxin-2 expression group and low serum relaxin-2 levels groups, respectively. Knockdown of relaxin-2 by siRNA transfection in vitro inhibited proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis in vitro in MG-63 OS cells. In vivo, knockdown of relaxin-2 with anti- relaxin-2 mAb treatment inhibited tumor growth by 62% (P < 0.01) and the formation of lung metastases was inhibited by 72.4% (P < 0.01). Microvascular density was reduced more than 60% due to anti- relaxin-2 mAb treatment (P < 0.01). Conclusions Our study suggests that overexpression of relaxin-2 is critical for the metastasis of human osteosarcoma. Detection of relaxin-2 mRNA expression or serum relaxin-2 levels may provide the first biological prognostic marker for OS. Furthermore, relaxin-2 is the potential molecular target for osteosarcoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Ma
- Department of Spine, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, R,P China.
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31
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Willcox JM, Summerlee AJS, Murrant CL. Relaxin induces rapid, transient vasodilation in the microcirculation of hamster skeletal muscle. J Endocrinol 2013; 218:179-91. [PMID: 23720398 DOI: 10.1530/joe-13-0115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Relaxin produces a sustained decrease in total peripheral resistance, but the effects of relaxin on skeletal muscle arterioles, an important contributor to systemic resistance, are unknown. Using the intact, blood-perfused hamster cremaster muscle preparation in situ, we tested the effects of relaxin on skeletal muscle arteriolar microvasculature by applying 10(-10) M relaxin to second-, third- and fourth-order arterioles and capillaries. The mechanisms responsible for relaxin-induced dilations were explored by applying 10(-10) M relaxin to second-order arterioles in the presence of 10(-5) M N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor), 10(-5) M glibenclamide (GLIB, ATP-dependent potassium (K(+)) channel inhibitor), 10(-3) M tetraethylammonium (TEA) or 10(-7) M iberiotoxin (IBTX, calcium-associated K(+) channel inhibitor). Relaxin caused second- (peak change in diameter: 8.3 ± 1.7 μm) and third (4.5 ± 1.1 μm)-order arterioles to vasodilate transiently while fourth-order arterioles did not (0.01 ± 0.04 μm). Relaxin-induced vasodilations were significantly inhibited by l-NAME, GLIB, TEA and IBTX. Relaxin stimulated capillaries to induce a vasodilation in upstream fourth-order arterioles (2.1 ± 0.3 μm), indicating that relaxin can induce conducted responses vasodilation that travels through blood vessel walls via gap junctions. We confirmed gap junction involvement by showing that gap junction uncouplers (18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid (40 × 10(-6) M) or 0.07% halothane) inhibited upstream vasodilations to localised relaxin stimulation of second-order arterioles. Therefore, relaxin produces transient NO- and K(+) channel-dependent vasodilations in skeletal muscle arterioles and stimulates capillaries to initiate conducted responses. The transient nature of the arteriolar dilation brings into question the role of skeletal muscle vascular beds in generating the sustained systemic haemodynamic effects induced by relaxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Willcox
- Department of Biomedical Sciences Human Health, University of Guelph, ANNU Bldg, Room 350, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
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32
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Human relaxin-2: historical perspectives and role in cancer biology. Amino Acids 2012; 43:1131-40. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-012-1375-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Vinall RL, Mahaffey CM, Davis RR, Luo Z, Gandour-Edwards R, Ghosh PM, Tepper CG, de Vere White RW. Dual blockade of PKA and NF-κB inhibits H2 relaxin-mediated castrate-resistant growth of prostate cancer sublines and induces apoptosis. Discov Oncol 2011; 2:224-38. [PMID: 21789713 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-011-0076-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that H2 relaxin (RLN2) facilitates castrate-resistant (CR) growth of prostate cancer (CaP) cells through PI3K/Akt/β-catenin-mediated activation of the androgen receptor (AR) pathway. As inhibition of this pathway caused only ~50% reduction in CR growth, the goal of the current study was to identify additional RLN2-activated pathways that contribute to CR growth. Next-generation sequencing-based transcriptome and gene ontology analyses comparing LNCaP stably transfected with RLN2 versus LNCaP-vector identified differential expression of genes associated with cell proliferation (12.7% of differentially expressed genes), including genes associated with the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) pathways. Subsequent molecular analyses confirmed that the cAMP/PKA and NF-κB pathways play a role in facilitating H2 relaxin-mediated CR growth of CaP cells. Inhibition of PKA-attenuated RLN2-mediated AR activity inhibited proliferation and caused a small but significant increase in apoptosis. Combined inhibition of the PKA and NF-κB signaling pathways via inhibition of PKA and Akt induced significant apoptosis and dramatically reduced clonogenic potential, outperforming docetaxel, the standard of care treatment for CR CaP. Immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarrays in combination with multispectral quantitative imaging comparing RLN2 levels in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and CaP determined that RLN2 is significantly upregulated in CaP vs BPH (p = 0.002). The combined data indicate RLN2 overexpression is frequent in CaP patients and provides a growth advantage to CaP cells. A near-complete inhibition of RLN2-induced CR growth can be achieved by simultaneous blockade of both pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth L Vinall
- Department of Urology, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine and Cancer Center, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3500, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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Bialek J, Kunanuvat U, Hombach-Klonisch S, Spens A, Stetefeld J, Sunley K, Lippert D, Wilkins JA, Hoang-Vu C, Klonisch T. Relaxin Enhances the Collagenolytic Activity and In Vitro Invasiveness by Upregulating Matrix Metalloproteinases in Human Thyroid Carcinoma Cells. Mol Cancer Res 2011; 9:673-87. [DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-10-0411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Controlled extracellular matrix degradation in breast cancer tumors improves therapy by trastuzumab. Mol Ther 2010; 19:479-89. [PMID: 21081901 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2010.256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) in solid tumors affects the effectiveness of therapeutics through blocking of intratumoral diffusion and/or physical masking of target receptors on malignant cells. In immunohistochemical studies of tumor sections from breast cancer patients and xenografts, we observed colocalization of ECM proteins and Her2/neu, a tumor-associated antigen that is the target for the widely used monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin). We tested whether intratumoral expression of the peptide hormone relaxin (Rlx) would result in ECM degradation and the improvement of trastuzumab therapy. As viral gene delivery into epithelial tumors with extensive tumor ECM is inefficient, we used a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-based approach to deliver the Rlx gene to the tumor. In mouse models with syngeneic breast cancer tumors, HSC-mediated intratumoral Rlx expression resulted in a decrease of ECM proteins and enabled control of tumor growth. Moreover, in a model with Her2/neu-positive BT474-M1 tumors and more treatment-refractory tumors derived from HCC1954 cells, we observed a significant delay of tumor growth when trastuzumab therapy was combined with Rlx expression. Our results have implications for antibody therapy of cancer as well as for other anticancer treatment approaches that are based on T-cells or encapsulated chemotherapy drugs.
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Ivell R, Kotula-Balak M, Glynn D, Heng K, Anand-Ivell R. Relaxin family peptides in the male reproductive system--a critical appraisal. Mol Hum Reprod 2010; 17:71-84. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaq086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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Hombach-Klonisch S, Bialek J, Radestock Y, Truong A, Agoulnik AI, Fiebig B, Willing C, Weber E, Hoang-Vu C, Klonisch T. INSL3 has tumor-promoting activity in thyroid cancer. Int J Cancer 2010; 127:521-31. [PMID: 19950223 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The functional role of INSL3 and its receptor RXFP2 in carcinogenesis is largely unknown. We have previously demonstrated (pro-)cathepsin-L as a target of INSL3 in human thyroid cancer cells facilitating penetration of tumor cells through elastin matrices. We demonstrate the expression of RXFP2 in human thyroid tissues and in mouse follicular thyroid epithelial cells using Cre-recombinase transgene driven by Rxfp2 promoter. Recombinant and secreted INSL3 increased the motility of thyroid carcinoma (TC) cells in an autocrine/paracrine manner. This effect required the presence of RXFP2. We identified S100A4 as a novel INSL3 target molecule and showed that S100A4 facilitated INSL3-induced enhanced motility. Stable transfectants of the human follicular TC cell line FTC-133 expressing and secreting bioactive human INSL3 displayed enhanced anchorage-independent growth in soft agar assays. Xenotransplant experiments in nude mice showed that INSL3, but not EGFP-mock transfectants, developed fast-growing and highly vascularized xenografts. We used human umbilical vein endothelial cells in capillary tube formation assays to demonstrate increased 2-dimensional tube formations induced by recombinant human INSL3 and human S100A4 comparable to the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor used as positive control. We conclude that INSL3 is a powerful and multifunctional promoter of tumor growth and angiogenesis in human thyroid cancer cell xenografts. INSL3 actions involve RXFP2 activation and the secretion of S100A4 and (pro-)cathepsin-L.
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Thompson VC, Hurtado-Coll A, Turbin D, Fazli L, Lehman ML, Gleave ME, Nelson CC. Relaxin drives Wnt signaling through upregulation of PCDHY in prostate cancer. Prostate 2010; 70:1134-45. [PMID: 20503398 DOI: 10.1002/pros.21148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relaxin, a potent peptide hormone of the insulin-like family normally produced and secreted by the human prostate, is upregulated in castrate resistant prostate cancer progression. In various tissues, relaxin increases angiogenesis and cell motility through upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteases, and nitric oxide, and therefore maybe an attractive target for cancer therapeutics. METHODS To examine the role of relaxin in prostate cancer progression, LNCaP cells stably transfected with relaxin (LNCaP(RLN)) were used to form xenograft tumors, and microarray expression analysis was subsequently performed to determine novel pathways regulated by relaxin. Prostate cancer tissue microarrays from patient samples were stained by immunohistochemistry for further validation and correlation of the findings. RESULTS Expression analysis identified novel relaxin regulated pathways, including the ProtocadherinY (PCDHY)/Wnt pathway. PCDHY, which upregulates Wnt11, has previously been shown to stabilize beta-catenin, causing beta-catenin to translocate from the cytoplasmic membrane to the nucleus and initiate TCF-mediated signaling. LNCaP(RLN) xenografts exhibit increased PCDHY expression and increased cytoplasmic localization of beta-catenin, suggesting relaxin directs Wnt11 overexpression through PCDHY upregulation. Similarly, prostate cancer samples from patients who have undergone androgen ablation have increased Wnt11 expression, which is further upregulated in castrate resistant tissues. Like relaxin, Wnt11, and PCDHY are negatively regulated by androgens, and further analysis indicated that the overexpression of relaxin results in dysregulation of androgen-regulated genes. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that prostate cancer cell motility and altered androgen receptor activity attributed to relaxin may be mediated in part by Wnt11.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Blotting, Northern
- Cadherins/genetics
- Cadherins/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/genetics
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/metabolism
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
- Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- RNA/chemistry
- RNA/genetics
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/biosynthesis
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Receptors, Peptide/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Peptide/genetics
- Receptors, Peptide/metabolism
- Relaxin/biosynthesis
- Relaxin/genetics
- Relaxin/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Statistics, Nonparametric
- Transfection
- Transplantation, Heterologous
- Up-Regulation
- Wnt1 Protein/genetics
- Wnt1 Protein/metabolism
- beta Catenin/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa C Thompson
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, and Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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39
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Radestock Y, Willing C, Kehlen A, Hoang-Vu C, Hombach-Klonisch S. Relaxin Enhances S100A4 and Promotes Growth of Human Thyroid Carcinoma Cell Xenografts. Mol Cancer Res 2010; 8:494-506. [DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-09-0307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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40
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Ferlin A, Pepe A, Facciolli A, Gianesello L, Foresta C. Relaxin stimulates osteoclast differentiation and activation. Bone 2010; 46:504-13. [PMID: 19833242 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2009.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2009] [Revised: 10/05/2009] [Accepted: 10/06/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Relaxin is a pleiotropic hormone with actions in reproductive and non-reproductive tissues, and has a role in tumor biology. It can promote growth, differentiation and invasiveness of different tumors, especially those that give bone metastases, and relaxin serum concentrations are increased in patients with bone metastasis. In osteolytic metastasis the destruction of bone is mediated by osteoclasts that are multinucleated cells derived from hematopoietic progenitors. We found that human hematopoietic precursors and mature osteoclasts express the relaxin receptor RXFP1. Then, we investigated the effects of relaxin on the differentiation, activation and gene expression of osteoclasts during in vitro osteoclastogenesis from human hematopoietic progenitor cells. Relaxin alone was able to induce the multistep differentiation process of human osteoclastogenesis with timing similar to that obtained with the classical stimulators of osteoclastogenesis RANKL, M-CSF and PTH. The expression profile of several osteoclast genes was studied with quantitative RT-PCR during the entire process of osteoclastogenesis. This analysis showed that relaxin induced genes that are implicated in the differentiation, survival and activation of osteoclasts. Relaxin-induced osteoclasts were fully differentiated, positive for tartrate resistant acid phosphatase and vitronectin receptor, expressing a typical F-actin ring and able to resorb the bone. Furthermore, relaxin induced the expression of its specific receptor RXFP1 in osteoclasts. This study demonstrates for the first time that relaxin is a potent stimulator of osteoclastogenesis from hematopoietic precursors and regulates the activity of mature osteoclasts, opening new perspectives on the role of this hormone in bone physiology, diseases and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ferlin
- Section of Clinical Pathology and Center for Male Gamete Cryopreservation, Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy
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Silvertown JD, Neschadim A, Liu HN, Shannon P, Walia JS, Kao JC, Robertson J, Summerlee AJ, Medin JA. Relaxin-3 and receptors in the human and rhesus brain and reproductive tissues. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 159:44-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2009.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2009] [Revised: 08/25/2009] [Accepted: 09/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Hossain MA, Samuel CS, Binder C, Hewitson TD, Tregear GW, Wade JD, Bathgate RAD. The chemically synthesized human relaxin-2 analog, B-R13/17K H2, is an RXFP1 antagonist. Amino Acids 2009; 39:409-16. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-009-0454-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2009] [Accepted: 12/17/2009] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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43
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Formigli L, Francini F, Nistri S, Margheri M, Luciani G, Naro F, Silvertown JD, Orlandini SZ, Meacci E, Bani D. Skeletal myoblasts overexpressing relaxin improve differentiation and communication of primary murine cardiomyocyte cell cultures. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2009; 47:335-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2009.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2009] [Revised: 04/23/2009] [Accepted: 05/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Bani D, Nistri S, Formigli L, Meacci E, Francini F, Zecchi-Orlandini S. Prominent role of relaxin in improving postinfarction heart remodeling. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1160:269-77. [PMID: 19416202 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2008.03781.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell transplantation is a promising approach for treatment of the postinfarcted heart and prevention of deleterious cardiac remodeling and heart failure. We explored this issue by transplanting mouse C2C12 myoblasts, genetically engineered to express enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) or eGFP and relaxin (eGFP/RLX), into swine with chronic myocardial infarction. One month later, C2C12 myoblasts selectively settled in the ischemic scar around blood vessels, showing an activated endothelium (ICAM-1 and VCAM positive). Although unable to differentiate to a muscle phenotype, these cells induced extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling by matrix metalloprotease secretion and increased microvessel density by vascular endothelial growth factor expression. C2C12/RLX myoblasts gave better results than C2C12/GFP. By echocardiography, C2C12-engrafted swine, especially those that received C2C12/RLX, showed better heart contractility than the untreated controls. Hence, the advantage afforded by the grafted myoblasts on cardiac function is primarily dependent on their paracrine effects on ECM remodeling and vascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Bani
- Department of Anatomy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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Kietz S, Feng S, Agoulnik A, Hombach-Klonisch S. Estrogen and TCDD influence RLN2 gene activity in estrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer cells. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1160:367-73. [PMID: 19416221 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.03836.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Expression of relaxin is increased in human breast cancer, and relaxin was shown to increase in vitro invasiveness through increased production and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases in human breast cancer cells. The role of estrogen in the promotion of breast cancer is well-known. The environmental toxin 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a known carcinogen but has been shown to have antiestrogenic effects in human breast cancer cells. In this study, we have employed real-time PCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays to investigate the influence of estrogen and TCDD on relaxin-1 (RLN1) and relaxin-2 (RLN2) gene expression in MCF-7 and T47D human breast cancer cells. Estrogen increased RLN2 transcripts in T47D and MCF-7 cells after just 4 h of exposure, whereas TCDD did not. RLN1 transcripts were only induced after 24 h of estrogen exposure. TCDD did have antiestrogenic activity and reduced the estrogen-mediated increase in RLN2 and RLN1 mRNA. The estrogen-mediated increase in RLN2 mRNA levels was not caused by changes in the mRNA stability. ChIP analysis revealed binding of estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) to promoter sequences of the RLN2 gene. Thus, we provide evidence that RLN2 gene activity is directly regulated by activated ERalpha in human breast cancer cells and we show that activation of the arylhydrocarbon receptor by TCDD inhibits this regulation by estrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Kietz
- University Medical Center Goettingen, Pediatric Clinic I, Goettingen, Germany
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Figueiredo KA, Rossi G, Cox ME. Relaxin promotes clustering, migration, and activation states of mononuclear myelocytic cells. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1160:353-60. [PMID: 19416219 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.03843.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Monocytes are leukocytic precursors of macrophages, dendritic cells, and osteoclasts, with critical roles in inflammation and tumor biology. Tumors can elicit signals that activate monocytes to extravasate, infiltrate tumors, and differentiate into tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which can modulate host immune surveillance. In order to assess whether relaxin can influence monocyte activation status, we assessed its ability to alter cell-cell clustering and cytokine expression of the monocytic cell line THP-1. Here we report that relaxin can induce time- and substrate-dependent homotypic cell-cell clustering of monocytes. In addition, we demonstrate that relaxin can suppress macrophage migration in an adenylate cyclase-independent, nitric oxide synthase-dependent fashion. We confirm relaxin-induced upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression and regulation of M1/M2 cytokine profiles. By stimulating monocyte activation and modulating inflammatory cytokine expression and migratory activity of resulting macrophages in response to endotoxin exposure, relaxin may be a critical regulator of the macrophage activation state that regulates the TAM phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Figueiredo
- The Prostate Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Facciolli A, Ferlin A, Gianesello L, Pepe A, Foresta C. Role of Relaxin in Human Osteoclastogenesis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1160:221-5. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2008.03788.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Abstract
Current approaches for treatment of late-stage breast cancer rarely result in a long-term cure. In part this is due to tumor stroma that prevents access of systemically or intratumorally applied therapeutics. We propose a stem cell gene therapy approach for controlled tumor stroma degradation that uses the pathophysiologic process of recruitment of inflammatory cells into the tumor. This approach involves genetic modification of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and their subsequent transplantation into tumor-bearing mice. We show that inducible, intratumoral expression of relaxin (Rlx) either by transplanting tumor cells that contained the Rlx gene or by transplantation of mouse HSCs transduced with an Rlx-expressing lentivirus vector delays tumor growth in a mouse model of breast cancer. The antitumor effect of Rlx was mediated through degradation of tumor stroma, which provided increased access of infiltrating antitumor immune cells to their target tumor cells. Furthermore, we have shown in a human/mouse chimeric model that genetically modified HSCs expressing a transgene can access the tumor site. Our findings are relevant for cancer gene therapy and immunotherapy.
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Ganesan A, Klonisch T, McGuane JT, Feng S, Agoulnik AI, Parry LJ. Normal prostate morphology in relaxin-mutant mice. Reprod Fertil Dev 2009; 21:440-50. [DOI: 10.1071/rd08133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2008] [Accepted: 10/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The peptide hormone relaxin is expressed in the prostate gland and secreted into the seminal plasma; however, its function within the prostate has not been established. Relaxin-mutant mice (Rln–/–) were reported to have abnormal prostate morphology, but there was no prostate phenotype in relaxin receptor-mutant (Rxfp1–/–) mice. The present study aimed to verify the phenotypes in the anterior, dorsal and lateral lobes of the prostate gland of Rln–/– and Rxfp1–/– mice at different adult ages. Rln–/– mice were also treated with relaxin to evaluate the effects of exogenously administered hormone on prostate morphology. Comparisons between these three lobes of the prostate demonstrated no obvious differences in duct morphology, epithelial height or collagen density between Rln+/+ and Rln–/– mice at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 months of age. This was similar in Rxfp1–/– mice. Relaxin treatment did not affect morphology or epithelial cell height in the different lobes. Furthermore, prostate lobe morphology in transgenic mice overexpressing relaxin Tg(Rln) was not different from the wild-type controls. Rxfp1 was detected in the prostate throughout adult life, but there was no consistent expression of relaxin. In summary, the present study found no evidence to support a prostate phenotype in adult Rln- or Rxfp1-mutant mice.
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Relaxin physiology in the female reproductive tract during pregnancy. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2008; 612:34-48. [PMID: 18161480 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-74672-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The characteristic functions of relaxin are associated with female reproductive tract physiology. These include the regulation of biochemical processes involved in remodeling the extracellular matrix of the cervix and vagina during pregnancy and rupture of the fetal membranes at term. Such modifications enable the young to move unimpeded through the birth canal and prevent dystocia. However, relaxin's physiological actions are not limited to late gestation. New functions for this peptide hormone in implantation and placentation are also emerging. Relaxin promotes uterine and placental growth and influences vascular development and proliferation in the endometrium. This chapter provides an overview of the current literature on relaxin physiology in the uterus, cervix and vagina of pregnant females and the impact on fetal health. It also outlines the potential mechanisms of relaxin action, particularly in the cervical extracellular matrix and uterine endometrium.
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