1
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Bustamante P, Coblentz J, Mastromonaco C, Youhnovska E, Ito H, Proença RP, Fonseca C, Dickinson K, Marcotte E, MacDonald M, Toledo-Dias AB, Bergeron S, Goyeneche A, Schmidt Andujar RA, Tsering T, Laskaris A, Jin E, Nadeau A, Porraccio T, Burnier MN, Burnier JV. Comprehensive clinical imaging, histopathological analysis and liquid biopsy-based surveillance of human uveal melanoma in a prolonged rabbit xenograft model. Melanoma Res 2024; 34:285-295. [PMID: 38847739 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular tumor in adults. Our group has previously developed a human uveal melanoma animal model; however, adverse effects caused by the immunosuppressive agent, cyclosporine A, prevented animals from surviving more than 12 weeks. In this study, we tested multiple cyclosporine A doses over an extended disease course up to 20 weeks, providing complete clinical imaging of intraocular tumors, histopathological analysis and liquid biopsy biomarker analysis. Twenty albino rabbits were divided into four groups with different daily cyclosporine A schedules (0-10 mg/kg) and inoculated with human uveal melanoma cell lines, 92.1 or MP41, into the suprachoroidal space. Rabbits were monitored with fundoscopy, ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. Intraocular tumors (macroscopic or microscopic) were detected in all study animals. Tumor size and growth were correlated to cyclosporine A dose, with tumors regressing when cyclosporine A was arrested. All tumors expressed HMB-45 and MelanA; however, tumor size, pigmentation and cell morphology differed in 92.1 vs. MP41 tumors. Finally, across all groups, circulating tumor DNA from plasma and aqueous humor was detected earlier than tumor detection by imaging and correlated to tumor growth. In conclusion, using three clinically relevant imaging modalities (fundoscopy, ultrasonography and optical coherence tomography) and liquid biopsy, we were successfully able to monitor tumor progression in our rabbit xenograft model of human uveal melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisca Bustamante
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- McGill University Ocular Pathology and Translational Research Laboratory, McGill University
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Coblentz
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- McGill University Ocular Pathology and Translational Research Laboratory, McGill University
| | - Christina Mastromonaco
- McGill University Ocular Pathology and Translational Research Laboratory, McGill University
| | - Emma Youhnovska
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
| | - Hiroaki Ito
- McGill University Ocular Pathology and Translational Research Laboratory, McGill University
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Rita Pinto Proença
- McGill University Ocular Pathology and Translational Research Laboratory, McGill University
- Coimbra University Hospital Center, Coimbra
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon
- Hospital CUF Cascais, Cascais, Portugal
| | - Cristina Fonseca
- McGill University Ocular Pathology and Translational Research Laboratory, McGill University
- Coimbra University Hospital Center, Coimbra
| | - Kyle Dickinson
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
| | - Emily Marcotte
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- McGill University Ocular Pathology and Translational Research Laboratory, McGill University
| | - Myriam MacDonald
- McGill University Ocular Pathology and Translational Research Laboratory, McGill University
| | | | - Sabrina Bergeron
- McGill University Ocular Pathology and Translational Research Laboratory, McGill University
| | - Alicia Goyeneche
- McGill University Ocular Pathology and Translational Research Laboratory, McGill University
| | | | - Thupten Tsering
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Alexander Laskaris
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Eva Jin
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Amélie Nadeau
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Tiffany Porraccio
- McGill University Ocular Pathology and Translational Research Laboratory, McGill University
| | - Miguel N Burnier
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- McGill University Ocular Pathology and Translational Research Laboratory, McGill University
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Julia V Burnier
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
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2
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Liu H, Tsimpaki T, Anastasova R, Bechrakis NE, Fiorentzis M, Berchner-Pfannschmidt U. The Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane as a Xenograft Model for the Quantitative Analysis of Uveal Melanoma Metastasis in Multiple Organs. Cells 2024; 13:1169. [PMID: 39056751 PMCID: PMC11275209 DOI: 10.3390/cells13141169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumor in adults, and nearly 50% of patients develop metastatic disease with a high mortality rate. Therefore, the development of relevant preclinical in vivo models that accurately recapitulate the metastatic cascade is crucial. We exploited the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) xenograft model to quantify both experimental and spontaneous metastasis by qPCR analysis. Our study found that the transplanted UM cells spread predominantly and early in the liver, reflecting the primary site of metastasis in patients. Visible signs of pigmented metastasis were observed in the eyes, liver, and distal CAM. Lung metastases occurred rarely and brain metastases progressed more slowly. However, UM cell types of different origins and genetic profiles caused an individual spectrum of organ metastases. Metastasis to multiple organs, including the liver, was often associated with risk factors such as high proliferation rate, hyperpigmentation, and epithelioid cell type. The severity of liver metastasis was related to the hepatic metastatic origin and chromosome 8 abnormalities rather than monosomy 3 and BAP1 deficiency. The presented CAM xenograft model may prove useful to study the metastatic potential of patients or to test individualized therapeutic options for metastasis in different organs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Utta Berchner-Pfannschmidt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (H.L.); (T.T.); (R.A.); (N.E.B.); (M.F.)
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3
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Lischer C, Eberhardt M, Flamann C, Berges J, Güse E, Wessely A, Weich A, Retzlaff J, Dörrie J, Schaft N, Wiesinger M, März J, Schuler-Thurner B, Knorr H, Gupta S, Singh KP, Schuler G, Heppt MV, Koch EAT, van Kleef ND, Freen-van Heeren JJ, Turksma AW, Wolkenhauer O, Hohberger B, Berking C, Bruns H, Vera J. Gene network-based and ensemble modeling-based selection of tumor-associated antigens with a predicted low risk of tissue damage for targeted immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008104. [PMID: 38724462 PMCID: PMC11086525 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor-associated antigens and their derived peptides constitute an opportunity to design off-the-shelf mainline or adjuvant anti-cancer immunotherapies for a broad array of patients. A performant and rational antigen selection pipeline would lay the foundation for immunotherapy trials with the potential to enhance treatment, tremendously benefiting patients suffering from rare, understudied cancers. METHODS We present an experimentally validated, data-driven computational pipeline that selects and ranks antigens in a multipronged approach. In addition to minimizing the risk of immune-related adverse events by selecting antigens based on their expression profile in tumor biopsies and healthy tissues, we incorporated a network analysis-derived antigen indispensability index based on computational modeling results, and candidate immunogenicity predictions from a machine learning ensemble model relying on peptide physicochemical characteristics. RESULTS In a model study of uveal melanoma, Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) docking simulations and experimental quantification of the peptide-major histocompatibility complex binding affinities confirmed that our approach discriminates between high-binding and low-binding affinity peptides with a performance similar to that of established methodologies. Blinded validation experiments with autologous T-cells yielded peptide stimulation-induced interferon-γ secretion and cytotoxic activity despite high interdonor variability. Dissecting the score contribution of the tested antigens revealed that peptides with the potential to induce cytotoxicity but unsuitable due to potential tissue damage or instability of expression were properly discarded by the computational pipeline. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of the de novo computational selection of antigens with the capacity to induce an anti-tumor immune response and a predicted low risk of tissue damage. On translation to the clinic, our pipeline supports fast turn-around validation, for example, for adoptive T-cell transfer preparations, in both generalized and personalized antigen-directed immunotherapy settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Lischer
- Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Eberhardt
- Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Cindy Flamann
- BZKF, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Berges
- BZKF, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Esther Güse
- Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja Wessely
- Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Adrian Weich
- Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jimmy Retzlaff
- Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manuel Wiesinger
- Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes März
- Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Beatrice Schuler-Thurner
- Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Harald Knorr
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- CCC Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Shailendra Gupta
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Universität Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Krishna Pal Singh
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Universität Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Vincent Heppt
- Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elias Andreas Thomas Koch
- Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Olaf Wolkenhauer
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Universität Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Bettina Hohberger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- CCC Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carola Berking
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Heiko Bruns
- BZKF, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julio Vera
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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4
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Tura A, Herfs V, Maaßen T, Zuo H, Vardanyan S, Prasuhn M, Ranjbar M, Kakkassery V, Grisanti S. Quercetin Impairs the Growth of Uveal Melanoma Cells by Interfering with Glucose Uptake and Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4292. [PMID: 38673877 PMCID: PMC11049862 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Monosomy 3 in uveal melanoma (UM) increases the risk of lethal metastases, mainly in the liver, which serves as the major site for the storage of excessive glucose and the metabolization of the dietary flavonoid quercetin. Although primary UMs with monosomy 3 exhibit a higher potential for basal glucose uptake, it remains unknown as to whether glycolytic capacity is altered in such tumors. Herein, we initially analyzed the expression of n = 151 genes involved in glycolysis and its interconnected branch, the "pentose phosphate pathway (PPP)", in the UM cohort of The Cancer Genome Atlas Study and validated the differentially expressed genes in two independent cohorts. We also evaluated the effects of quercetin on the growth, survival, and glucose metabolism of the UM cell line 92.1. The rate-limiting glycolytic enzyme PFKP was overexpressed whereas the ZBTB20 gene (locus: 3q13.31) was downregulated in the patients with metastases in all cohorts. Quercetin was able to impair proliferation, viability, glucose uptake, glycolysis, ATP synthesis, and PPP rate-limiting enzyme activity while increasing oxidative stress. UMs with monosomy 3 display a stronger potential to utilize glucose for the generation of energy and biomass. Quercetin can prevent the growth of UM cells by interfering with glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysegül Tura
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562 Luebeck, Germany; (V.H.); (T.M.); (H.Z.); (S.V.); (M.P.); (V.K.); (S.G.)
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5
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Li Y, Zhu T, Yang J, Zhang Q, Xu S, Ge S, Jia R, Zhang J, Fan X. EHMT2 promotes tumorigenesis in GNAQ/11-mutant uveal melanoma via ARHGAP29-mediated RhoA pathway. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:1187-1203. [PMID: 38486999 PMCID: PMC10935147 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.12.002] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Constitutive activation of GNAQ/11 is the initiative oncogenic event in uveal melanoma (UM). Direct targeting GNAQ/11 has yet to be proven feasible as they are vital for a plethora of cellular functions. In search of genetic vulnerability for UM, we found that inhibition of euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2) expression or activity significantly reduced the proliferation and migration capacity of cancer cells. Notably, elevated expression of EHMT2 had been validated in UM samples. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated high EHMT2 protein level was related to poor recurrence-free survival and a more advanced T stage. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis and the following mechanistic investigation showed that ARHGAP29 was a downstream target of EHMT2. Its transcription was suppressed by EHMT2 in a methyltransferase-dependent pattern in GNAQ/11-mutant UM cells, leading to elevated RhoA activity. Rescuing constitutively active RhoA in UM cells lacking EHMT2 restored oncogenic phenotypes. Simultaneously blocking EHMT2 and GNAQ/11 signaling in vitro and in vivo showed a synergistic effect on UM growth, suggesting the driver role of these two key molecules. In summary, our study shows evidence for an epigenetic program of EHMT2 regulation that influences UM progression and indicates inhibiting EHMT2 and MEK/ERK simultaneously as a therapeutic strategy in GNAQ/11-mutant UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Tianyu Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- National Research Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Shiqiong Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Jianming Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
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6
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Visser M, Papillon JPN, Luzzio M, LaMarche MJ, Fan J, Michael W, Wang D, Zhang A, Straub C, Mathieu S, Kato M, Palermo M, Chen C, Ramsey T, Joud C, Barrett R, Vattay A, Guo R, Bric A, Chung F, Liang G, Romanowski MJ, Lam J, Thohan S, Atassi F, Wylie A, Cooke VG. Discovery of Darovasertib (NVP-LXS196), a Pan-PKC Inhibitor for the Treatment of Metastatic Uveal Melanoma. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1447-1459. [PMID: 38198520 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in the adult eye. Despite the aggressive local management of primary UM, the development of metastases is common with no effective treatment options for metastatic disease. Genetic analysis of UM samples reveals the presence of mutually exclusive activating mutations in the Gq alpha subunits GNAQ and GNA11. One of the key downstream targets of the constitutively active Gq alpha subunits is the protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway. Herein, we describe the discovery of darovasertib (NVP-LXS196), a potent pan-PKC inhibitor with high whole kinome selectivity. The lead series was optimized for kinase and off target selectivity to afford a compound that is rapidly absorbed and well tolerated in preclinical species. LXS196 is being investigated in the clinic as a monotherapy and in combination with other agents for the treatment of uveal melanoma (UM), including primary UM and metastatic uveal melanoma (MUM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Visser
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Julien P N Papillon
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Michael Luzzio
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Matthew J LaMarche
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jianmei Fan
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Walter Michael
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - David Wang
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Alan Zhang
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Christopher Straub
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Simon Mathieu
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Mitsunori Kato
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Mark Palermo
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Christine Chen
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Timothy Ramsey
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Carol Joud
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Rosemary Barrett
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Anthony Vattay
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Ribo Guo
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Anka Bric
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Franklin Chung
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Guiqing Liang
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Michael J Romanowski
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Joni Lam
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sanjeev Thohan
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Faraj Atassi
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Andrew Wylie
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Vesselina G Cooke
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 250 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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7
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Chattopadhyay C, Roszik J, Bhattacharya R, Alauddin M, Mahmud I, Yadugiri S, Ali MM, Khan FS, Prabhu VV, Lorenzi P, Burton E, Morey RR, Lazcano R, Davies MA, Patel SP, Grimm EA. Imipridones inhibit tumor growth and improve survival in an orthotopic liver metastasis mouse model of human uveal melanoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.12.575058. [PMID: 38293232 PMCID: PMC10827043 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.12.575058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Purpose Uveal melanoma (UM) is a highly aggressive disease with very few treatment options. We previously demonstrated that mUM is characterized by high oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Here we tested the anti-tumor, signaling and metabolic effects of imipridones, CLPP activators which reduce OXPHOS indirectly and have demonstrated safety in patients. Experimental Design We assessed CLPP expression in UM patient samples. We tested the effects of imipridones (ONC201, ONC212) on the growth, survival, signaling and metabolism of UM cell lines in vitro, and for therapeutic effects in vivo in UM liver metastasis models. Results CLPP expression was confirmed in primary and mUM patient samples. ONC201/212 treatment of UM cell lines in vitro decreased OXPHOS effectors, inhibited cell growth and migration, and induced apoptosis. ONC212 increased metabolic stress and apoptotic pathways, inhibited amino acid metabolism, and induced cell death-related lipids. ONC212 also decreased tumor burden and increased survival in vivo in two UM liver metastasis models. Conclusion Imipridones are a promising strategy for further testing and development in mUM.
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8
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Proteau S, Krossa I, Husser C, Guéguinou M, Sella F, Bille K, Irondelle M, Dalmasso M, Barouillet T, Cheli Y, Pisibon C, Arrighi N, Nahon‐Estève S, Martel A, Gastaud L, Lassalle S, Mignen O, Brest P, Mazure NM, Bost F, Baillif S, Landreville S, Turcotte S, Hasson D, Carcamo S, Vandier C, Bernstein E, Yvan‐Charvet L, Levesque MP, Ballotti R, Bertolotto C, Strub T. LKB1-SIK2 loss drives uveal melanoma proliferation and hypersensitivity to SLC8A1 and ROS inhibition. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e17719. [PMID: 37966164 PMCID: PMC10701601 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202317719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic uveal melanomas are highly resistant to all existing treatments. To address this critical issue, we performed a kinome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen, which revealed the LKB1-SIK2 module in restraining uveal melanoma tumorigenesis. Functionally, LKB1 loss enhances proliferation and survival through SIK2 inhibition and upregulation of the sodium/calcium (Na+ /Ca2+ ) exchanger SLC8A1. This signaling cascade promotes increased levels of intracellular calcium and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, two hallmarks of cancer. We further demonstrate that combination of an SLC8A1 inhibitor and a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant promotes enhanced cell death efficacy in LKB1- and SIK2-negative uveal melanoma cells compared to control cells. Our study also identified an LKB1-loss gene signature for the survival prognostic of patients with uveal melanoma that may be also predictive of response to the therapy combination. Our data thus identify not only metabolic vulnerabilities but also new prognostic markers, thereby providing a therapeutic strategy for particular subtypes of metastatic uveal melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Proteau
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | - Imène Krossa
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | - Chrystel Husser
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | | | - Federica Sella
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Karine Bille
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | | | - Mélanie Dalmasso
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | - Thibault Barouillet
- Inserm, Hematometabolism and metainflammation, team 13, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | - Yann Cheli
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | - Céline Pisibon
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | - Nicole Arrighi
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | - Sacha Nahon‐Estève
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Department of OphthalmologyCentre Hospitalier Universitaire of NiceNiceFrance
| | - Arnaud Martel
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Department of OphthalmologyCentre Hospitalier Universitaire of NiceNiceFrance
| | | | - Sandra Lassalle
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, University Hospital of Nice, FHU OncoAge, Cote d'Azur University, Biobank BB‐0033‐00025, IRCAN team 4, OncoAge FHUNiceFrance
| | | | - Patrick Brest
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- IRCAN team 4, Inserm, CNRS, FHU‐oncoAge, IHU‐RESPIRera NiceNiceFrance
| | - Nathalie M Mazure
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Cancer, Metabolism and environment, team, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2022, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | - Frédéric Bost
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Cancer, Metabolism and environment, team, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2022, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | - Stéphanie Baillif
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Department of OphthalmologyCentre Hospitalier Universitaire of NiceNiceFrance
| | - Solange Landreville
- Département d'ophtalmologie et d'ORL‐CCF, Faculté de médecineUniversité LavalQuebec CityQCCanada
- CUO‐Recherche and Axe médecine régénératriceCentre de recherche du CHU de Québec‐Université LavalQuebec CityQCCanada
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université LavalQuebec CityQCCanada
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEXQuebec CityQCCanada
| | - Simon Turcotte
- Cancer AxisCentre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal/Institut du cancer de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
- Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation ServiceCentre hospitalier de l'Université de MontréalMontréalQCCanada
| | - Dan Hasson
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer InstituteIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Tisch Cancer Institute Bioinformatics for Next Generation Sequencing (BiNGS) FacilityIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Saul Carcamo
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer InstituteIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Tisch Cancer Institute Bioinformatics for Next Generation Sequencing (BiNGS) FacilityIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | | | - Emily Bernstein
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer InstituteIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Laurent Yvan‐Charvet
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Hematometabolism and metainflammation, team 13, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | - Mitchell P Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Robert Ballotti
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | - Corine Bertolotto
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
| | - Thomas Strub
- University Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
- Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, and Equipe labellisée ARC 2022, Mediterranean Centre for Molecular MedicineNiceFrance
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9
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Deliktas O, Gedik ME, Koc I, Gunaydin G, Kiratli H. Modulation of AMPK Significantly Alters Uveal Melanoma Tumor Cell Viability. Ophthalmic Res 2023; 66:1230-1244. [PMID: 37647867 PMCID: PMC10614466 DOI: 10.1159/000533806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uveal melanoma (UM) responds poorly to targeted therapies or immune checkpoint inhibitors. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a pivotal serine/threonine protein kinase that coordinates vital processes such as cell growth. Targeting AMPK pathway, which represents a critical mechanism mediating the survival of UM cells, may prove to be a novel treatment strategy for UM. We aimed to demonstrate the effects of AMPK modulation on UM cells. METHODS In silico analyses were performed to compare UM and normal melanocyte cells via Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). The effects of AMPK modulation on cell viability and proliferation in UM cell lines with different molecular profiles (i.e., 92-1, MP46, OMM2.5, and Mel270) were investigated via XTT cell viability and proliferation assays after treating the cells with varying concentrations of A-769662 (AMPK activator) or dorsomorphin (AMPK inhibitor). RESULTS KEGG/GSEA studies demonstrated that genes implicated in the AMPK signaling pathway were differentially regulated in UM. Gene sets comprising genes involved in AMPK signaling and genes involved in energy-dependent regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin by liver kinase B1-AMPK were downregulated in UM. We observed gradual decreases in the numbers of viable UM cells as the concentration of A-769662 treatment increased. All UM cells demonstrated statistically significant decreases in cell viability when treated with 200 µm A-769662. Moreover, the effects of AMPK inhibition on UM cells were potent, since low doses of dorsomorphin treatment resulted in significant decreases in viabilities of UM cells. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values confirmed the potency of dorsomorphin treatment against UM in vitro. CONCLUSION AMPK may act like a friend or a foe in cancer depending on the context. As such, the current study contributes to the literature in determining the effects of therapeutic strategies targeting AMPK in several UM cells. We propose a new perspective in the treatment of UM. Targeting AMPK pathway may open up new avenues in developing novel therapeutic approaches to improve overall survival in UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Deliktas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bursa City Hospital, Nilufer, Turkey
| | - M. Emre Gedik
- Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Irem Koc
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gurcan Gunaydin
- Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hayyam Kiratli
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
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10
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Dewaele S, Delhaye L, De Paepe B, Bogaert B, Martinez R, Anckaert J, Yigit N, Nuytens J, Van Coster R, Eyckerman S, Raemdonck K, Mestdagh P. mTOR Inhibition Enhances Delivery and Activity of Antisense Oligonucleotides in Uveal Melanoma Cells. Nucleic Acid Ther 2023; 33:248-264. [PMID: 37389884 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2023.0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. Owing to a lack of effective treatments, patients with metastatic disease have a median survival time of 6-12 months. We recently demonstrated that the Survival Associated Mitochondrial Melanoma Specific Oncogenic Non-coding RNA (SAMMSON) is essential for UM cell survival and that antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated silencing of SAMMSON impaired cell viability and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. By screening a library of 2911 clinical stage compounds, we identified the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor GDC-0349 to synergize with SAMMSON inhibition in UM. Mechanistic studies revealed that mTOR inhibition enhanced uptake and reduced lysosomal accumulation of lipid complexed SAMMSON ASOs, improving SAMMSON knockdown and further decreasing UM cell viability. We found mTOR inhibition to also enhance target knockdown in other cancer cell lines as well as normal cells when combined with lipid nanoparticle complexed or encapsulated ASOs or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Our results are relevant to nucleic acid treatment in general and highlight the potential of mTOR inhibition to enhance ASO and siRNA-mediated target knockdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanna Dewaele
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Louis Delhaye
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB-Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Boel De Paepe
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bram Bogaert
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ramiro Martinez
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jasper Anckaert
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nurten Yigit
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Justine Nuytens
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rudy Van Coster
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sven Eyckerman
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB-Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Raemdonck
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Mestdagh
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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11
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Loda A, Calza S, Giacomini A, Ravelli C, Krishna Chandran AM, Tobia C, Tabellini G, Parolini S, Semeraro F, Ronca R, Rezzola S. FGF-trapping hampers cancer stem-like cells in uveal melanoma. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:89. [PMID: 37165394 PMCID: PMC10173517 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02903-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of tumor cells responsible for tumor initiation, metastasis, chemoresistance, and relapse. Recently, CSCs have been identified in Uveal Melanoma (UM), which represents the most common primary tumor of the eye. UM is highly resistant to systemic chemotherapy and effective therapies aimed at improving overall survival of patients are eagerly required. METHODS Herein, taking advantage from a pan Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)-trap molecule, we singled out and analyzed a UM-CSC subset with marked stem-like properties. A hierarchical clustering of gene expression data publicly available on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was performed to identify patients' clusters. RESULTS By disrupting the FGF/FGF receptor (FGFR)-mediated signaling, we unmasked an FGF-sensitive UM population characterized by increased expression of numerous stemness-related transcription factors, enhanced aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, and tumor-sphere formation capacity. Moreover, FGF inhibition deeply affected UM-CSC survival in vivo in a chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) tumor graft assay, resulting in the reduction of tumor growth. At clinical level, hierarchical clustering of TCGA gene expression data revealed a strong correlation between FGFs/FGFRs and stemness-related genes, allowing the identification of three distinct clusters characterized by different clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the evidence that the FGF/FGFR axis represents a master regulator of cancer stemness in primary UM tumors and point to anti-FGF treatments as a novel therapeutic strategy to hit the CSC component in UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Loda
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Calza
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Arianna Giacomini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cosetta Ravelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Adwaid Manu Krishna Chandran
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Tobia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanna Tabellini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Parolini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Semeraro
- Eye Clinic, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberto Ronca
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Sara Rezzola
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
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12
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Farhoumand LS, Liu H, Tsimpaki T, Hendgen-Cotta UB, Rassaf T, Bechrakis NE, Fiorentzis M, Berchner-Pfannschmidt U. Blockade of ß-Adrenergic Receptors by Nebivolol Enables Tumor Control Potential for Uveal Melanoma in 3D Tumor Spheroids and 2D Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065894. [PMID: 36982966 PMCID: PMC10054088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary cancer of the eye in adults. A new systemic therapy is needed to reduce the high metastasis and mortality rate. As β-blockers are known to have anti-tumor effects on various cancer entities, this study focuses on investigating the effect of β1-selective blockers atenolol, celiprolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol, esmolol, betaxolol, and in particular, nebivolol on UM. The study was performed on 3D tumor spheroids as well as 2D cell cultures, testing tumor viability, morphological changes, long-term survival, and apoptosis. Flow cytometry revealed the presence of all three β-adrenoceptors with a dominance of β2-receptors on cell surfaces. Among the blockers tested, solely nebivolol concentration-dependently decreased viability and altered 3D tumor spheroid structure. Nebivolol blocked the repopulation of cells spreading from 3D tumor spheroids, indicating a tumor control potential at a concentration of ≥20 µM. Mechanistically, nebivolol induced ATP depletion and caspase-3/7 activity, indicating that mitochondria-dependent signaling is involved. D-nebivolol or nebivolol combined with the β2-antagonist ICI 118.551 displayed the highest anti-tumor effects, suggesting a contribution of both β1- and β2-receptors. Thus, the present study reveals the tumor control potential of nebivolol in UM, which may offer a perspective for co-adjuvant therapy to reduce recurrence or metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina S Farhoumand
- Eye Research Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Hongtao Liu
- Eye Research Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Theodora Tsimpaki
- Eye Research Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrike B Hendgen-Cotta
- CardioScience Labs, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Tienush Rassaf
- CardioScience Labs, Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Nikolaos E Bechrakis
- Eye Research Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Miltiadis Fiorentzis
- Eye Research Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Utta Berchner-Pfannschmidt
- Eye Research Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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13
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Correa VSMC, Efstathiou NE, Ntentakis DP, Yu Z, Narimatsu T, Gragoudas E, Kim IK, Vavvas DG. The NLRP3 inflammasome - interleukin 1β axis in uveal melanoma. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:545-555. [PMID: 36707938 PMCID: PMC9989921 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular cancer in the adult population. Recent studies suggested that the NLRP3 inflammasome could be a therapeutic target for cutaneous melanoma (CM), but the role of NLRP3 in UM remains unknown. Here, we analyzed the NLRP3-IL-1β axis in 5 UM and 4 CM cell lines. Expression of NLRP3 mRNA in UM and CM was low, and expression in UM was lower than in CM (P < 0.001). NLRP3 protein levels were below detection limit for all cell lines. UM exhibited lower baseline IL-1β secretion than CM, especially when compared to the Hs294t cell line (P < 0.05). Bioinformatic analysis of human tumor samples showed that UM has significantly lower expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β compared with CM. In conclusion, our work shows evidence of extremely low NLRP3 expression and IL-1β secretion by melanoma cells and highlight differences between CM and UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor S. M. C. Correa
- Retina Service, Ines and Fred Yeatts Retina Research Laboratory, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of OphthalmologyMassachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Nikolaos E. Efstathiou
- Retina Service, Ines and Fred Yeatts Retina Research Laboratory, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of OphthalmologyMassachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Dimitrios P. Ntentakis
- Retina Service, Ines and Fred Yeatts Retina Research Laboratory, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of OphthalmologyMassachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Zhen Yu
- Retina Service, Ines and Fred Yeatts Retina Research Laboratory, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of OphthalmologyMassachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Toshio Narimatsu
- Retina Service, Ines and Fred Yeatts Retina Research Laboratory, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of OphthalmologyMassachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Evangelos Gragoudas
- Retina Service, Ines and Fred Yeatts Retina Research Laboratory, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of OphthalmologyMassachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Ivana K. Kim
- Retina Service, Ines and Fred Yeatts Retina Research Laboratory, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of OphthalmologyMassachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Demetrios G. Vavvas
- Retina Service, Ines and Fred Yeatts Retina Research Laboratory, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of OphthalmologyMassachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
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14
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Cerivastatin Synergizes with Trametinib and Enhances Its Efficacy in the Therapy of Uveal Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030886. [PMID: 36765842 PMCID: PMC9913575 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastatic uveal melanoma (MUM) is a highly aggressive, therapy-resistant disease. Driver mutations in Gα-proteins GNAQ and GNA11 activate MAP-kinase and YAP/TAZ pathways of oncogenic signalling. MAP-kinase and MEK-inhibitors do not significantly block MUM progression, likely due to persisting YAP/TAZ signalling. Statins inhibit YAP/TAZ activation by blocking the mevalonate pathway, geranyl-geranylation, and subcellular localisation of the Rho-GTPase. We investigated drugs that affect the YAP/TAZ pathway, valproic acid, verteporfin and statins, in combination with MEK-inhibitor trametinib. METHODS We established IC50 values of the individual drugs and monitored the effects of their combinations in terms of proliferation. We selected trametinib and cerivastatin for evaluation of cell cycle and apoptosis. Synergism was detected using isobologram and Chou-Talalay analyses. The most synergistic combination was tested in vivo. RESULTS Synergistic concentrations of trametinib and cerivastatin induced a massive arrest of proliferation and cell cycle and enhanced apoptosis, particularly in the monosomic, BAP1-mutated UPMM3 cell line. The combined treatment reduced ERK and AKT phosphorylation, increased the inactive, cytoplasmatic form of YAP and significantly impaired the growth of UM cells with monosomy of chromosome 3 in NSG mice. CONCLUSION Statins can potentiate the efficacy of MEK inhibitors in the therapy of UM.
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15
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Targeting IRS-1/2 in Uveal Melanoma Inhibits In Vitro Cell Growth, Survival and Migration, and In Vivo Tumor Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246247. [PMID: 36551732 PMCID: PMC9777326 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma originating in the eye and metastasizing to the liver is associated with poor prognosis and has only one approved therapeutic option. We hypothesized that liver-borne growth factors may contribute to UM growth. Therefore, we investigated the role of IGF-1/IGF-1R signaling in UM. Here, we found that IRS-1, the insulin receptor substrate, is overexpressed in both UM cells and tumors. Since we previously observed that IGF-1R antibody therapy was not clinically effective in UM, we investigated the potential of NT157, a small molecule inhibitor of IRS-1/2, in blocking this pathway in UM. NT157 treatment of multiple UM cell lines resulted in reduced cell growth and migration and increased apoptosis. This treatment also significantly inhibited UM tumor growth in vivo, in the chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and subcutaneous mouse models, validating the in vitro effect. Mechanistically, through reverse phase protein array (RPPA), we identified significant proteomic changes in the PI3K/AKT pathway, a downstream mediator of IGF-1 signaling, with NT157 treatment. Together, these results suggest that NT157 inhibits cell growth, survival, and migration in vitro, and tumor growth in vivo via inhibiting IGF-1 signaling in UM.
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16
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Fei X, Xie X, Ji X, Tian H, Sun F, Jiang D, Wang Z, Huang Q. Quantitative proteomic dataset of whole protein in three melanoma samples of 92.1, 92.1-A and 92.1-B. Data Brief 2022; 45:108592. [PMID: 36164296 PMCID: PMC9508510 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2022.108592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xifeng Fei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China
| | - Xiangtong Xie
- Department of Neurosurgery, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China
| | - Xiaoyan Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Haiyan Tian
- Department of GCP, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China
| | - Dongyi Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China
| | - Zhimin Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, China
- Corresponding author at: Department of Neurosurgery, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 118 Wanshen Street, Suzhou, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- Department of GCP, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China
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17
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Ling JP, Bygrave AM, Santiago CP, Carmen-Orozco RP, Trinh VT, Yu M, Li Y, Liu Y, Bowden KD, Duncan LH, Han J, Taneja K, Dongmo R, Babola TA, Parker P, Jiang L, Leavey PJ, Smith JJ, Vistein R, Gimmen MY, Dubner B, Helmenstine E, Teodorescu P, Karantanos T, Ghiaur G, Kanold PO, Bergles D, Langmead B, Sun S, Nielsen KJ, Peachey N, Singh MS, Dalton WB, Rajaii F, Huganir RL, Blackshaw S. Cell-specific regulation of gene expression using splicing-dependent frameshifting. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5773. [PMID: 36182931 PMCID: PMC9526712 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33523-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise and reliable cell-specific gene delivery remains technically challenging. Here we report a splicing-based approach for controlling gene expression whereby separate translational reading frames are coupled to the inclusion or exclusion of mutated, frameshifting cell-specific alternative exons. Candidate exons are identified by analyzing thousands of publicly available RNA sequencing datasets and filtering by cell specificity, conservation, and local intron length. This method, which we denote splicing-linked expression design (SLED), can be combined in a Boolean manner with existing techniques such as minipromoters and viral capsids. SLED can use strong constitutive promoters, without sacrificing precision, by decoupling the tradeoff between promoter strength and selectivity. AAV-packaged SLED vectors can selectively deliver fluorescent reporters and calcium indicators to various neuronal subtypes in vivo. We also demonstrate gene therapy utility by creating SLED vectors that can target PRPH2 and SF3B1 mutations. The flexibility of SLED technology enables creative avenues for basic and translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P Ling
- Departments of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.
| | - Alexei M Bygrave
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Clayton P Santiago
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rogger P Carmen-Orozco
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Vickie T Trinh
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Minzhong Yu
- Department of Ophthalmic Research, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Yini Li
- Departments of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Ying Liu
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kyra D Bowden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Leighton H Duncan
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jeong Han
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kamil Taneja
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rochinelle Dongmo
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Travis A Babola
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Patrick Parker
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Lizhi Jiang
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Patrick J Leavey
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jennifer J Smith
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Zanvyl Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Rachel Vistein
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Zanvyl Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Megan Y Gimmen
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Benjamin Dubner
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Eric Helmenstine
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Patric Teodorescu
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Theodoros Karantanos
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Gabriel Ghiaur
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Patrick O Kanold
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Dwight Bergles
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Ben Langmead
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Shuying Sun
- Departments of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kristina J Nielsen
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Zanvyl Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Neal Peachey
- Department of Ophthalmic Research, Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
- Research Service, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Mandeep S Singh
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - W Brian Dalton
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Fatemeh Rajaii
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Richard L Huganir
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Seth Blackshaw
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Zanvyl Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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18
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Heijkants RC, Teunisse AFAS, de Jong D, Glinkina K, Mei H, Kielbasa SM, Szuhai K, Jochemsen AG. MDMX Regulates Transcriptional Activity of p53 and FOXO Proteins to Stimulate Proliferation of Melanoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184482. [PMID: 36139642 PMCID: PMC9496676 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We have investigated the transcriptional changes occurring in uveal and cutaneous melanoma cell lines upon depletion of MDMX (aka:MDM4). Computational analyses of the mRNAs/genes affected upon MDMX depletion determined that many were containing a p53-bindingsite, but even more contained a FOX recognition site(s). Since connections between MDM2 and FOXO1 had already been published, we investigated whether indeed a subset of the MDMX-regulated genes are dependent on FOXO1/FOXO3 expression. Indeed, a number of such target genes, i.e., PIK3IP1, MXD4 and ZMAT3, were found to be FOXO target genes in our cell models. Some of these genes were recently identified as indirect p53-target genes, and their expression was found to be regulated by RFX7 transcription factor, which was found activated upon pharmacological activation of p53, e.g., by Nutlin-3. However, a clear involvement of RFX7 in our model could not be established, but an interplay between FOXO and RFX7 factors seems evident. Abstract The tumor suppressor protein p53 has an important role in cell-fate determination. In cancer cells, the activity of p53 is frequently repressed by high levels of MDMX and/or MDM2. MDM2 is a ubiquitin ligase whose activity results in ubiquitin- and proteasome-dependent p53 degradation, while MDMX inhibits p53-activated transcription by shielding the p53 transactivation domain. Interestingly, the oncogenic functions of MDMX appear to be more wide-spread than inhibition of p53. The present study aimed to elucidate the MDMX-controlled transcriptome. Therefore, we depleted MDMX with four distinct shRNAs from a high MDMX expressing uveal melanoma cell line and determined the effect on the transcriptome by RNAseq. Biological function analyses indicate the inhibition of the cell cycle regulatory genes and stimulation of cell death activating genes upon MDMX depletion. Although the inhibition of p53 activity clearly contributes to the transcription regulation controlled by MDMX, it appeared that the transcriptional regulation of multiple genes did not only rely on p53 expression. Analysis of gene regulatory networks indicated a role for Forkhead box (FOX) transcription factors. Depletion of FOXO proteins partly prevented the transcriptional changes upon MDMX depletion. Furthermore, depletion of FOXO proteins relatively diminished the growth inhibition upon MDMX knockdown, although the knockdown of the FOXO transcription factors also reduces cell growth. In conclusion, the p53-independent oncogenic functions of MDMX could be partially explained by its regulation of FOXO activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renier C. Heijkants
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Amina F. A. S. Teunisse
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Danielle de Jong
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kseniya Glinkina
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hailiang Mei
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Szymon M. Kielbasa
- Sequencing Analysis Support Core, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Karoly Szuhai
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aart G. Jochemsen
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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19
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Li Y, Yang J, Zhang Q, Xu S, Sun W, Ge S, Xu X, Jager MJ, Jia R, Zhang J, Fan X. Copper ionophore elesclomol selectively targets GNAQ/11-mutant uveal melanoma. Oncogene 2022; 41:3539-3553. [PMID: 35697803 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02364-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Unlike cutaneous melanoma, uveal melanoma (UM) is characterized by mutations in GNAQ and GNA11 and remains a fatal disease because there is essentially no effective targeted therapy or immunotherapy available. We report the discovery of the copper ionophore elesclomol as a GNAQ/11-specific UM inhibitor. Elesclomol was identified in a differential cytotoxicity screen of an in-house tool compound library, and its in vivo pharmacological efficacy was further confirmed in zebrafish and mouse UM models. Mechanistically, elesclomol transports copper to mitochondria and produces a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as Cu(II) is reduced to Cu(I) in GNAQ/11-mutant UM cells, which selectively activates LATS1 kinase in the Hippo signaling pathway and consequently promotes YAP phosphorylation and inhibits its nuclear accumulation. The inactivation of YAP downregulates the expression of SNAI2, which in turn suppresses the migration of UM cells. These findings were cross validated by our clinical observation that YAP activation was found specifically in UM samples with a GNAQ/11 mutation. Furthermore, addition of binimetinib, a MEK inhibitor, to elesclomol increased its synthetic lethality to GNAQ/11-mutant UM cells, thereby overriding drug resistance. This effect was confirmed in an orthotopic xenograft model and in a patient-derived xenograft model of UM. These studies reveal a novel mechanistic basis for repurposing elesclomol by showing that copper homeostasis is a GNAQ/11-specific vulnerability in UM. Elesclomol may provide a new therapeutic path for selectively targeting malignant GNAQ/11-mutant UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- National Research Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiqiong Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Sun
- National Research Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jianming Zhang
- National Research Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China.
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20
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In uveal melanoma Gα-protein GNA11 mutations convey a shorter disease-specific survival and are more strongly associated with loss of BAP1 and chromosomal alterations than Gα-protein GNAQ mutations. Eur J Cancer 2022; 170:27-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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21
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Sabat‐Pośpiech D, Fabian‐Kolpanowicz K, Kalirai H, Kipling N, Coupland SE, Coulson JM, Fielding AB. Aggressive uveal melanoma displays a high degree of centrosome amplification, opening the door to therapeutic intervention. J Pathol Clin Res 2022; 8:383-394. [PMID: 35474453 PMCID: PMC9161346 DOI: 10.1002/cjp2.272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular cancer in adults. Whilst treatment of primary UM (PUM) is often successful, around 50% of patients develop metastatic disease with poor outcomes, linked to chromosome 3 loss (monosomy 3, M3). Advances in understanding UM cell biology may indicate new therapeutic options. We report that UM exhibits centrosome abnormalities, which in other cancers are associated with increased invasiveness and worse prognosis, but also represent a potential Achilles' heel for cancer-specific therapeutics. Analysis of 75 PUM patient samples revealed both higher centrosome numbers and an increase in centrosomes with enlarged pericentriolar matrix (PCM) compared to surrounding normal tissue, both indicative of centrosome amplification. The PCM phenotype was significantly associated with M3 (t-test, p < 0.01). Centrosomes naturally enlarge as cells approach mitosis; however, whilst UM with higher mitotic scores had enlarged PCM regardless of genetic status, the PCM phenotype remained significantly associated with M3 in UM with low mitotic scores (ANOVA, p = 0.021) suggesting that this is independent of proliferation. Phenotypic analysis of patient-derived cultures and established UM lines revealed comparable levels of centrosome amplification in PUM cells to archetypal triple-negative breast cancer cell lines, whilst metastatic UM (MUM) cell lines had even higher levels. Importantly, many UM cells also exhibit centrosome clustering, a common strategy employed by other cancer cells with centrosome amplification to survive cell division. As UM samples with M3 display centrosome abnormalities indicative of amplification, this phenotype may contribute to the development of MUM, suggesting that centrosome de-clustering drugs may provide a novel therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Sabat‐Pośpiech
- Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems Molecular & Integrative BiologyUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
- Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems Molecular & Integrative BiologyUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Kim Fabian‐Kolpanowicz
- Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and MedicineLancaster UniversityLancasterUK
| | - Helen Kalirai
- Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems Molecular & Integrative BiologyUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Natalie Kipling
- Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems Molecular & Integrative BiologyUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Sarah E Coupland
- Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems Molecular & Integrative BiologyUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Judy M Coulson
- Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems Molecular & Integrative BiologyUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - Andrew B Fielding
- Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems Molecular & Integrative BiologyUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
- Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and MedicineLancaster UniversityLancasterUK
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22
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Farhoumand LS, Fiorentzis M, Kraemer MM, Sak A, Stuschke M, Rassaf T, Hendgen-Cotta U, Bechrakis NE, Berchner-Pfannschmidt U. The Adrenergic Receptor Antagonist Carvedilol Elicits Anti-Tumor Responses in Uveal Melanoma 3D Tumor Spheroids and May Serve as Co-Adjuvant Therapy with Radiation. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14133097. [PMID: 35804869 PMCID: PMC9264933 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumor in adults. Despite local tumor control, no effective therapy has been found to prevent metastasis, resulting in a high mortality rate. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-tumor potential of non-selective ß-blockers in 3D tumor spheroids grown from UM cell lines. Of the various ß-blockers tested, carvedilol and its enantiomers were most potent in decreasing the viability of Mel270 spheroids. Carvedilol at a concentration of 10–50 µM significantly elicited cytotoxicity and induced apoptosis in spheroid cells. In result, carvedilol inhibited tumor spheroid growth and compactness, and furthermore prevented the long-term survival and repopulation of spreading spheroid cells. The drug sensitivity of the different spheroids grown from Mel270, 92-1, UPMD2, or UPMM3 cell lines was dependent on 3D morphology rather than on high-risk cytogenetic profile or adrenergic receptor expression levels. In fact, the monosomy-3-containing UPMM3 cell line was most responsive to carvedilol treatment compared to the other cell lines. The concurrent treatment of UPMM3 spheroids with carvedilol and 5 or 10 Gy irradiation revealed additive cytotoxic effects that provided tumor control. Collectively, our data demonstrate the anti-tumor properties of carvedilol and its enantiomers, which may serve as candidates for the co-adjuvant therapy of UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina S. Farhoumand
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.S.F.); (M.F.); (M.M.K.); (N.E.B.)
| | - Miltiadis Fiorentzis
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.S.F.); (M.F.); (M.M.K.); (N.E.B.)
| | - Miriam M. Kraemer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.S.F.); (M.F.); (M.M.K.); (N.E.B.)
| | - Ali Sak
- Department of Radiotherapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (A.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Martin Stuschke
- Department of Radiotherapy, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (A.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Tienush Rassaf
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (T.R.); (U.H.-C.)
| | - Ulrike Hendgen-Cotta
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (T.R.); (U.H.-C.)
| | - Nikolaos E. Bechrakis
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.S.F.); (M.F.); (M.M.K.); (N.E.B.)
| | - Utta Berchner-Pfannschmidt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.S.F.); (M.F.); (M.M.K.); (N.E.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-201-723-6028
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23
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Kraemer MM, Tsimpaki T, Berchner-Pfannschmidt U, Bechrakis NE, Seitz B, Fiorentzis M. Calcium Electroporation Reduces Viability and Proliferation Capacity of Four Uveal Melanoma Cell Lines in 2D and 3D Cultures. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122889. [PMID: 35740554 PMCID: PMC9221408 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Calcium electroporation (CaEP) is an innovative anti-tumor treatment modality that induces cell death by introducing supraphysiological concentrations of calcium into cells with a limited effect on normal cells. The objective of the present study is to assess the effect of CaEP in uveal melanoma (UM) cell lines in comparison to electrochemotherapy (ECT) with bleomycin using 2D monolayer cell cultures as well as 3D tumor spheroid models in four different UM cell lines. The morphological changes of the spheroids, the cell viability, growth rate as well as the cytotoxic effect of electroporation (EP) with calcium chloride and bleomycin were evaluated with various drug concentrations. The results of CaEP and ECT both suggest a comparable dose-dependent reduction in cell viability and proliferation rate in all tested 2D cell lines and 3D tumor spheroids. These data point out that CaEP is an established anticancer treatment causing cell death by ATP depletion in in vitro and in vivo, representing an efficient alternative therapy with a lower cytotoxic potency for the local UM tumor control. Abstract Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is the combination of transient pore formation following electric pulse application with the administration of cytotoxic drugs, which enhances the cytotoxic effect of the applied agent due to membrane changes and permeabilization. Although EP represents an established therapeutic option for solid malignancies, recent advances shift to the investigation of non-cytotoxic agents, such as calcium, which can also induce cell death. The present study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic effect, the morphological changes in tumor spheroids, the effect on the cell viability, and the cell-specific growth rate following calcium electroporation (CaEP) in uveal melanoma (UM) 2D monolayer cell cultures as well as in 3D tumor spheroid models. The experiments were conducted in four cell lines, UM92.1, Mel270, and two primary UM cell lines, UPMD2 and UPMM3 (UPM). The 2D and 3D UM cell cultures were electroporated with eight rectangular pulses (100 µs pulse duration, 5 Hz repetition frequency) of a 1000 V/cm pulse strength alone or in combination with 0.11 mg/mL, 0.28 mg/mL, 0.55 mg/mL or 1.11 mg/mL calcium chloride or 1.0 µg/mL or 2.5 µg/mL bleomycin. The application of calcium chloride alone induced an ATP reduction only in the UM92.1 2D cell cultures. Calcium alone had no significant effect on ATP levels in all four UM spheroids. A significant decrease in the intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level was documented in all four 2D and 3D cell cultures for both CaEP as well as ECT with bleomycin. The results suggest a dose-dependent ATP depletion with a wide range of sensitivity among the tested UM cell lines, control groups, and the applied settings in both 2D monolayer cell cultures and 3D tumor spheroid models. The colony formation capacity of the cell lines after two weeks reduced significantly after CaEP only with 0.5 mg/mL and 1.1 mg/mL, whereas the same effect could be achieved with both applied bleomycin concentrations, 1.0 µg/mL and 2.5 µg/mL, for the ECT group. The specific growth rate on day 7 following CaEP was significantly reduced in UM92.1 cell lines with 0.5 and 1.1 mg/mL calcium chloride, while Mel270 showed a similar effect only after administration of 1.1 mg/mL. UM92.1 and Mel270 spheroids exhibited lower adhesion and density after CaEP on day three in comparison to UPM spheroids showing detachment after day 7 following treatment. CaEP and bleomycin electroporation significantly reduce cell viability at similar applied voltage settings. CaEP may be a feasible and inexpensive therapeutic option for the local tumor control with fewer side effects, in comparison to other chemotherapeutic agents, for the treatment of uveal melanoma. The limited effect on normal cells and the surrounding tissue has already been investigated, but further research is necessary to clarify the effect on the surrounding tissue and to facilitate its application in a clinical setting for the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam M. Kraemer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufeland Str. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (M.M.K.); (T.T.); (U.B.-P.); (N.E.B.)
| | - Theodora Tsimpaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufeland Str. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (M.M.K.); (T.T.); (U.B.-P.); (N.E.B.)
| | - Utta Berchner-Pfannschmidt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufeland Str. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (M.M.K.); (T.T.); (U.B.-P.); (N.E.B.)
| | - Nikolaos E. Bechrakis
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufeland Str. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (M.M.K.); (T.T.); (U.B.-P.); (N.E.B.)
| | - Berthold Seitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str. 100, 66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Miltiadis Fiorentzis
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufeland Str. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (M.M.K.); (T.T.); (U.B.-P.); (N.E.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-723-2900
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Fei X, Xie X, Qin R, Wang A, Meng X, Sun F, Zhao Y, Jiang D, Chen H, Huang Q, Ji X, Wang Z. Proteomics analysis: inhibiting the expression of P62 protein by chloroquine combined with dacarbazine can reduce the malignant progression of uveal melanoma. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:408. [PMID: 35421957 PMCID: PMC9009011 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09499-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although uveal melanoma (UM) at the early stage is controllable to some extent, it inevitably ultimately leads to death due to its metastasis. At present, the difficulty is that there is no way to effectively tackle the metastasis. It is hypothesized that these will be treated by target molecules, but the recognized target molecule has not yet been found. In this study, the target molecule was explored through proteomics. Methods Transgenic enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) inbred nude mice, which spontaneously display a tumor microenvironment (TME), were used as model animal carriers. The UM cell line 92.1 was inoculated into the brain ventricle stimulating metastatic growth of UM, and a graft re-cultured Next, the UM cell line 92.1-A was obtained through monoclonal amplification, and a differential proteomics database, between 92.1 and ectopic 92.1-A, was established. Finally, bioinformatics methodologies were adopted to optimize key regulatory proteins, and in vivo and in vitro functional verification and targeted drug screening were performed. Results Cells and tissues displaying green fluorescence in animal models were determined as TME characteristics provided by hosts. The data of various biological phenotypes detected proved that 92.1-A were more malignant than 92.1. Besides this malignancy, the key protein p62 (SQSTM1), selected from 5267 quantifiable differential proteomics databases, was a multifunctional autophagy linker protein, and its expression could be suppressed by chloroquine and dacarbazine. Inhibition of p62 could reduce the malignancy degree of 92.1-A. Conclusions As the carriers of human UM orthotopic and ectopic xenotransplantation, transgenic EGFP inbred nude mice clearly display the characteristics of TME. In addition, the p62 protein optimized by the proteomics is the key protein that increases the malignancy of 92.1 cells, which therefore provides a basis for further exploration of target molecule therapy for refractory metastatic UM. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09499-z.
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OUP accepted manuscript. J Pharm Pharmacol 2022; 74:660-680. [DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgac009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Dewaele S, Delhaye L, De Paepe B, de Bony EJ, De Wilde J, Vanderheyden K, Anckaert J, Yigit N, Nuytens J, Vanden Eynde E, Smet J, Verschoore M, Nemati F, Decaudin D, Rodrigues M, Zhao P, Jochemsen A, Leucci E, Vandesompele J, Van Dorpe J, Marine JC, Van Coster R, Eyckerman S, Mestdagh P. The long non-coding RNA SAMMSON is essential for uveal melanoma cell survival. Oncogene 2022; 41:15-25. [PMID: 34508176 PMCID: PMC8724009 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02006-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can exhibit cell-type and cancer-type specific expression profiles, making them highly attractive as therapeutic targets. Pan-cancer RNA sequencing data revealed broad expression of the SAMMSON lncRNA in uveal melanoma (UM), the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. Currently, there are no effective treatments for UM patients with metastatic disease, resulting in a median survival time of 6-12 months. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of SAMMSON inhibition in UM. Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated SAMMSON inhibition impaired the growth and viability of a genetically diverse panel of uveal melanoma cell lines. These effects were accompanied by an induction of apoptosis and were recapitulated in two uveal melanoma patient derived xenograft (PDX) models through subcutaneous ASO delivery. SAMMSON pulldown revealed several candidate interaction partners, including various proteins involved in mitochondrial translation. Consequently, inhibition of SAMMSON impaired global, mitochondrial and cytosolic protein translation levels and mitochondrial function in uveal melanoma cells. The present study demonstrates that SAMMSON expression is essential for uveal melanoma cell survival. ASO-mediated silencing of SAMMSON may provide an effective treatment strategy to treat primary and metastatic uveal melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanna Dewaele
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Louis Delhaye
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB-Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Boel De Paepe
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eric James de Bony
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jilke De Wilde
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrien Vanderheyden
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jasper Anckaert
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nurten Yigit
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Justine Nuytens
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eveline Vanden Eynde
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joél Smet
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maxime Verschoore
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fariba Nemati
- Institut Curie, Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Translational Research Department, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Didier Decaudin
- Institut Curie, Laboratory of Preclinical Investigation, Translational Research Department, PSL Research University, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, Department of Medical Oncology, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Manuel Rodrigues
- Institut Curie, Department of Medical Oncology, PSL Research University, Paris, France
- Inserm U830, DNA Repair and Uveal Melanoma (D.R.U.M.), Equipe labellisée par la Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Peihua Zhao
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for RNA Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aart Jochemsen
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Leucci
- Laboratory for RNA Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- TRACE, LKI Leuven Cancer Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jo Vandesompele
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jo Van Dorpe
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rudy Van Coster
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sven Eyckerman
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB-Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Mestdagh
- OncoRNALab, Center for Medical Genetics (CMGG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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Sokolenko EA, Berchner-Pfannschmidt U, Ting SC, Schmid KW, Bechrakis NE, Seitz B, Tsimpaki T, Kraemer MM, Fiorentzis M. Optimisation of the Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay in Uveal Melanoma Research. Pharmaceutics 2021; 14:13. [PMID: 35056909 PMCID: PMC8778438 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of uveal melanoma and its metastases has not evolved sufficiently over the last decades in comparison to other tumour entities, posing a great challenge in the field of ocular oncology. Despite improvements in the conventional treatment regime and new discoveries about the genetic and molecular background of the primary tumour, effective treatment strategies to either prevent tumours or treat patients with advanced or metastatic disease are still lacking. New therapeutic options are necessary in order to achieve satisfactory local tumour control, reduce the risk of metastasis development, and preserve the eyeball and possibly the visual function of the eye. The development of in vivo model systems remains crucial for the identification and investigation of potential novel treatment modalities. The aim of this study was the optimisation of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model for uveal melanoma research. We analysed the established CAM assay and its modification after the implantation of three-dimensional spheroids. The chorioallantoic membrane of a chick embryo was used to implant uveal melanoma-cell-line-derived spheroids in order to study their growth rate, angiogenic potential, and metastatic capability. Using the UM 92.1, UPMD2, UPMM3, and Mel270 cell lines, we were able to improve the viability of the embryos from 20% to >80% and to achieve up to a fourfold volume increase of the transplanted spheroid masses. The results point to the value of an optimised chicken embryo assay as an in vivo model for testing novel therapies for uveal melanoma by simplifying the research conditions and by contributing to a considerable reduction in animal experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina A. Sokolenko
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufeland Str. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (U.B.-P.); (N.E.B.); (T.T.); (M.M.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Utta Berchner-Pfannschmidt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufeland Str. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (U.B.-P.); (N.E.B.); (T.T.); (M.M.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Saskia C. Ting
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufeland Str. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.C.T.); (K.W.S.)
| | - Kurt W. Schmid
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufeland Str. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.C.T.); (K.W.S.)
| | - Nikolaos E. Bechrakis
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufeland Str. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (U.B.-P.); (N.E.B.); (T.T.); (M.M.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Berthold Seitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str. 100, 66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Theodora Tsimpaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufeland Str. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (U.B.-P.); (N.E.B.); (T.T.); (M.M.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Miriam Monika Kraemer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufeland Str. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (U.B.-P.); (N.E.B.); (T.T.); (M.M.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Miltiadis Fiorentzis
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufeland Str. 55, 45147 Essen, Germany; (U.B.-P.); (N.E.B.); (T.T.); (M.M.K.); (M.F.)
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An Orthotopic Model of Uveal Melanoma in Zebrafish Embryo: A Novel Platform for Drug Evaluation. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9121873. [PMID: 34944689 PMCID: PMC8698893 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma is a highly metastatic tumor, representing the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. Tumor cell xenografts in zebrafish embryos may provide the opportunity to study in vivo different aspects of the neoplastic disease and its response to therapy. Here, we established an orthotopic model of uveal melanoma in zebrafish by injecting highly metastatic murine B16-BL6 and B16-LS9 melanoma cells, human A375M melanoma cells, and human 92.1 uveal melanoma cells into the eye of zebrafish embryos in the proximity of the developing choroidal vasculature. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses showed that melanoma cells proliferate during the first four days after injection and move towards the eye surface. Moreover, bioluminescence analysis of luciferase-expressing human 92.1 uveal melanoma cells allowed the quantitative assessment of the antitumor activity exerted by the canonical chemotherapeutic drugs paclitaxel, panobinostat, and everolimus after their injection into the grafted eye. Altogether, our data demonstrate that the zebrafish embryo eye is a permissive environment for the growth of invasive cutaneous and uveal melanoma cells. In addition, we have established a new luciferase-based in vivo orthotopic model that allows the quantification of human uveal melanoma cells engrafted in the zebrafish embryo eye, and which may represent a suitable tool for the screening of novel drug candidates for uveal melanoma therapy.
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Anticancer effects of mifepristone on human uveal melanoma cells. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:607. [PMID: 34789240 PMCID: PMC8597220 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02306-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Uveal melanoma (UM), the most prevalent intraocular tumor in adults, is a highly metastatic and drug resistant lesion. Recent studies have demonstrated cytotoxic and anti-metastatic effects of the antiprogestin and antiglucocorticoid mifepristone (MF) in vitro and in clinical trials involving meningioma, colon, breast, and ovarian cancers. Drug repurposing is a cost-effective approach to bring approved drugs with good safety profiles to the clinic. This current study assessed the cytotoxic effects of MF in human UM cell lines of different genetic backgrounds. Methods The effects of incremental concentrations of MF (0, 5, 10, 20, or 40 μM) on a panel of human UM primary (MEL270, 92.1, MP41, and MP46) and metastatic (OMM2.5) cells were evaluated. Cells were incubated with MF for up to 72 h before subsequent assays were conducted. Cellular functionality and viability were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8, trypan blue exclusion assay, and quantitative label-free IncuCyte live-cell analysis. Cell death was analyzed by binding of Annexin V-FITC and/or PI, caspase-3/7 activity, and DNA fragmentation. Additionally, the release of cell-free DNA was assessed by droplet digital PCR, while the expression of progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors was determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. Results MF treatment reduced cellular proliferation and viability of all UM cell lines studied in a concentration-dependent manner. A reduction in cell growth was observed at lower concentrations of MF, with evidence of cell death at higher concentrations. A significant increase in Annexin V-FITC and PI double positive cells, caspase-3/7 activity, DNA fragmentation, and cell-free DNA release suggests potent cytotoxicity of MF. None of the tested human UM cells expressed the classical progesterone receptor in the absence or presence of MF treatment, suggesting a mechanism independent of the modulation of the cognate nuclear progesterone receptor. In turn, all cells expressed non-classical progesterone receptors and the glucocorticoid receptor. Conclusion This study demonstrates that MF impedes the proliferation of UM cells in a concentration-dependent manner. We report that MF treatment at lower concentrations results in cell growth arrest, while increasing the concentration leads to lethality. MF, which has a good safety profile, could be a reliable adjuvant of a repurposing therapy against UM. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02306-y.
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Loss of polycomb repressive complex 1 activity and chromosomal instability drive uveal melanoma progression. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5402. [PMID: 34518527 PMCID: PMC8438051 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25529-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal instability (CIN) and epigenetic alterations have been implicated in tumor progression and metastasis; yet how these two hallmarks of cancer are related remains poorly understood. By integrating genetic, epigenetic, and functional analyses at the single cell level, we show that progression of uveal melanoma (UM), the most common intraocular primary cancer in adults, is driven by loss of Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) in a subpopulation of tumor cells. This leads to transcriptional de-repression of PRC1-target genes and mitotic chromosome segregation errors. Ensuing CIN leads to the formation of rupture-prone micronuclei, exposing genomic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) to the cytosol. This provokes tumor cell-intrinsic inflammatory signaling, mediated by aberrant activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. PRC1 inhibition promotes nuclear enlargement, induces a transcriptional response that is associated with significantly worse patient survival and clinical outcomes, and enhances migration that is rescued upon pharmacologic inhibition of CIN or STING. Thus, deregulation of PRC1 can promote tumor progression by inducing CIN and represents an opportunity for early therapeutic intervention. The molecular underpinnings driving uveal melanoma (UM) progression are unknown. Here the authors show that loss of Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 triggers chromosomal instability, which promotes inflammatory signaling and migration in UM.
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Patel RP, Thomas JR, Curt KM, Fitzsimmons CM, Batista PJ, Bates SE, Gottesman MM, Robey RW. Dual Inhibition of Histone Deacetylases and the Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Promotes Apoptosis in Cell Line Models of Uveal Melanoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:16. [PMID: 34533562 PMCID: PMC8458781 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.12.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Over 90% of uveal melanomas harbor pathogenic variants of the GNAQ or GNA11 genes that activate survival pathways. As previous studies found that Ras-mutated cell lines were vulnerable to a combination of survival pathway inhibitors and the histone-deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin, we investigated whether this combination would be effective in models of uveal melanoma. Methods A small-scale screen of inhibitors of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4; OTX-015), extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK; ulixertinib), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR; AZD-8055), or phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K; GDC-0941) combined with a clinically relevant administration of romidepsin was performed on a panel of uveal melanoma cell lines (92.1, Mel202, MP38, and MP41) and apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry after 48 hours. RNA sequencing analysis was performed on Mel202 cells treated with romidepsin alone, AZD-8055 alone, or the combination, and protein changes were validated by immunoblot. Results AZD-8055 with romidepsin was the most effective combination in inducing apoptosis in the cell lines. Increased caspase-3 and PARP cleavage were noted in the cell lines when they were treated with romidepsin and mTOR inhibitors. RNA sequencing analysis of Mel202 cells revealed that apoptosis was the most affected pathway in the romidepsin/AZD-8055-treated cells. Increases in pro-apoptotic BCL2L11 and decreases in anti-apoptotic BIRC5 and BCL2L1 transcripts noted in the sequencing analysis were confirmed at the protein level in Mel202 cells. Conclusions Our data suggest that romidepsin in combination with mTOR inhibition could be an effective treatment strategy against uveal melanoma due in part to changes in apoptotic proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi P Patel
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Joanna R Thomas
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Katherine M Curt
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Christina M Fitzsimmons
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Pedro J Batista
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Susan E Bates
- Columbia University Medical Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, New York, New York, United States
| | - Michael M Gottesman
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
| | - Robert W Robey
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States
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A phase II study of the insulin-like growth factor type I receptor inhibitor IMC-A12 in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. Melanoma Res 2021; 30:574-579. [PMID: 32976223 PMCID: PMC7643799 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy and up to half of all patients will develop metastatic disease despite the effective treatment of the primary tumor. Insulin-like growth factors I/II play a fundamental role in the cell migration, proliferation, and apoptosis. IMC-A12, a mAb specifically targets insulin-like growth factor type I receptor, has shown promise in preclinical studies. We performed a multicenter phase II study for patients with metastatic uveal melanoma administered IMC-A12 10 mg/kg IV every two weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response (proportion of patients with complete or partial response), and secondary endpoints were disease control rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival. A total of 18 patients enrolled in this study (10 males and eight females) with a median age. Ten patients (55%) had stable disease, seven patients (38%) had progression as best overall response. No partial response or complete response was observed; however, the disease control rate, defined as complete response + partial response + stable disease ≥3 months, was 50%. Median progression-free survival was 3.1 months, and median overall survival was 13.8 months. Adverse events of any grade occurred in 13 patients (72.2%). Treatment-related grade 3 adverse events were rare, and there were no grade 4 or 5 related adverse events. IMC-A12 was very well tolerated, however, showed limited clinical activity in uveal melanoma as a single agent. Due to its low toxicity profile it could be studied in combination with other pathway-specific agents.
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Electrochemotherapy with Bleomycin Enhances Radiosensitivity of Uveal Melanomas: First In Vitro Results in 3D Cultures of Primary Uveal Melanoma Cell Lines. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123086. [PMID: 34205625 PMCID: PMC8234387 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults. Treatment options for UM include radiotherapy, thermotherapy and tumor resection. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a new therapeutic modality for local tumor control in various cancer entities. The current study assesses the radiosensitizing effect of concomitant ECT with bleomycin and irradiation on 3D tumor spheroids with primary and radioresistant uveal melanoma cell lines. The evaluation of the radiosensitizing effect of ECT as a drug delivery system was based on the changes in the spheroid growth, the cell viability as well as the cytotoxic long-term effect of the combined treatment. The primary cell lines showed a higher radiosensitivity and required lower irradiation and bleomycin doses in comparison to cell lines originating from previously irratiated tumors. ECT should be further assessed for its applicability in clinical settings as a therapeutic radiosensitizing option for radioresistant tumors. Abstract Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is emerging as a complementary treatment modality for local tumor control in various cancer entities. Irradiation is an established therapeutic option for oncologic patients, which is commonly combined with chemotherapy due to its insufficient targeting ability. The efficiency of radiotherapy for tumors can be enhanced with different radiosensitizers. ECT can potentiate the radiosensitizing effect of chemotherapeutic agents such as bleomycin. The present study aims to evaluate the radiosensitizing effect of concomitant ECT with bleomycin on 3D tumor spheroids with primary and radioresistant uveal melanoma cell lines (UPMD2, UPMM3, UM92.1, Mel270) and irradiation. The changes in the spheroid growth and the cell viability as well the cytotoxic long-term effect of the combination treatment were evaluated with various combinations of electroporation settings and bleomycin concentrations as well as radiotherapy doses. A broad range of radiosensitivity was documented among the spheroids from different uveal melanoma cell lines. The primary cell lines showed a higher radiosensitivity and required lower irradiation and bleomycin doses. The maximal tumor control with a reduction of cell survival <10% was achieved with a 5 Gy irradiation only in the primary uveal melanoma cell lines and in combination with all tested ECT settings, whereas the same result could be obtained in UM92.1 spheroids only after ECT with 20 Gy irradiation. Based on the spheroid growth and the measurement of the cross-sectional area, the Mel270 spheroids, originating from a previously irradiated recurrent uveal melanoma, required higher doses of bleomycin and ECT settings after irradiation with 5 Gy in order to achieve a significant growth reduction. No significant difference could be demonstrated for the reduction of cell viability in the combination therapy with 20 Gy and 1000 V/cm between 1 and 2.5 µg/mL bleomycin even in Mel270 spheroids, underlying the importance of a drug delivery system to potentiate the radiosensitizing effect of agents in lower doses. ECT should be further assessed for its applicability in clinical settings as a therapeutic radiosensitizing option for radioresistant tumors and a sufficient local tumor control with lower chemotherapy and irradiation doses.
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Bustamante P, Tsering T, Coblentz J, Mastromonaco C, Abdouh M, Fonseca C, Proença RP, Blanchard N, Dugé CL, Andujar RAS, Youhnovska E, Burnier MN, Callejo SA, Burnier JV. Circulating tumor DNA tracking through driver mutations as a liquid biopsy-based biomarker for uveal melanoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:196. [PMID: 34134723 PMCID: PMC8207750 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01984-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumor in adults. Despite good primary tumor control, up to 50% of patients develop metastasis, which is lethal. UM often presents asymptomatically and is usually diagnosed by clinical examination and imaging, making it one of the few cancer types diagnosed without a biopsy. Hence, alternative diagnostic tools are needed. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has shown potential as a liquid biopsy target for cancer screening and monitoring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and clinical utility of ctDNA detection in UM using specific UM gene mutations. METHODS We used the highly sensitive digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assay to quantify UM driver mutations (GNAQ, GNA11, PLCβ4 and CYSTLR2) in cell-free DNA (cfDNA). cfDNA was analyzed in six well established human UM cell lines with known mutational status. cfDNA was analyzed in the blood and aqueous humor of an UM rabbit model and in the blood of patients. Rabbits were inoculated with human UM cells into the suprachoroidal space, and mutated ctDNA was quantified from longitudinal peripheral blood and aqueous humor draws. Blood clinical specimens were obtained from primary UM patients (n = 14), patients presenting with choroidal nevi (n = 16) and healthy individuals (n = 15). RESULTS The in vitro model validated the specificity and accuracy of ddPCR to detect mutated cfDNA from UM cell supernatant. In the rabbit model, plasma and aqueous humor levels of ctDNA correlated with tumor growth. Notably, the detection of ctDNA preceded clinical detection of the intraocular tumor. In human specimens, while we did not detect any trace of ctDNA in healthy controls, we detected ctDNA in all UM patients. We observed that UM patients had significantly higher levels of ctDNA than patients with nevi, with a strong correlation between ctDNA levels and malignancy. Noteworthy, in patients with nevi, the levels of ctDNA highly correlated with the presence of clinical risk factors. CONCLUSIONS We report, for the first time, compelling evidence from in vitro assays, and in vivo animal model and clinical specimens for the potential of mutated ctDNA as a biomarker of UM progression. These findings pave the way towards the implementation of a liquid biopsy to detect and monitor UM tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisca Bustamante
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thupten Tsering
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Coblentz
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christina Mastromonaco
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mohamed Abdouh
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Cristina Fonseca
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitario de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita P Proença
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Emma Youhnovska
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Miguel N Burnier
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McGill Academic Eye Clinic, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sonia A Callejo
- McGill Academic Eye Clinic, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal QC, Montreal, Canada
| | - Julia V Burnier
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Experimental Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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35
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Goldrick C, Palanga L, Tang B, Mealy G, Crown J, Horgan N, Kennedy S, Walsh N. Hindsight: Review of Preclinical Disease Models for the Development of New Treatments for Uveal Melanoma. J Cancer 2021; 12:4672-4685. [PMID: 34149931 PMCID: PMC8210544 DOI: 10.7150/jca.53954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular, histopathological, genomic and transcriptomic characteristics of uveal melanoma (UM) have identified four molecular subgroups with different clinical outcomes. Despite the improvements in UM classification and biological pathology, current treatments do not reduce the occurrence of metastasis. The development of effective adjuvant and metastatic therapies for UM has been slow and extremely limited. Preclinical models that closely resemble the molecular and genetic UM subgroups are essential for translating molecular findings into improved clinical treatment. In this review, we provide a retrospective view of the existing preclinical models used to study UM, and give an overview of their strengths and limitations. We review targeted therapy clinical trial data to evaluate the gap in the translation of preclinical findings to human studies. Reflecting on the current high attrition rates of clinical trials for UM, preclinical models that effectively recapitulate the human in vivo situation and/or accurately reflect the subtype classifications would enhance the translational impact of experimental data and have crucial implications for the advancement of personalised medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caoimhe Goldrick
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Letizia Palanga
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bobby Tang
- Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Research Foundation, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Adelaide Road, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Grace Mealy
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Crown
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Medical Oncology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Noel Horgan
- Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Research Foundation, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Adelaide Road, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Susan Kennedy
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
- Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Research Foundation, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Adelaide Road, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Naomi Walsh
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
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36
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Pandiani C, Strub T, Nottet N, Cheli Y, Gambi G, Bille K, Husser C, Dalmasso M, Béranger G, Lassalle S, Magnone V, Pédeutour F, Irondelle M, Maschi C, Nahon-Estève S, Martel A, Caujolle JP, Hofman P, LeBrigand K, Davidson I, Baillif S, Barbry P, Ballotti R, Bertolotto C. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals intratumoral heterogeneity in primary uveal melanomas and identifies HES6 as a driver of the metastatic disease. Cell Death Differ 2021; 28:1990-2000. [PMID: 33462406 PMCID: PMC8185008 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-020-00730-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Intratumor heterogeneity has been recognized in numerous cancers as a major source of metastatic dissemination. In uveal melanomas, the existence and identity of specific subpopulations, their biological function and their contribution to metastasis remain unknown. Here, in multiscale analyses using single-cell RNA sequencing of six different primary uveal melanomas, we uncover an intratumoral heterogeneity at the genomic and transcriptomic level. We identify distinct transcriptional cell states and diverse tumor-associated populations in a subset of the samples. We also decipher a gene regulatory network underlying an invasive and poor prognosis state driven in part by the transcription factor HES6. HES6 heterogenous expression has been validated by RNAscope assays within primary human uveal melanomas, which further unveils the existence of these cells conveying a dismal prognosis in tumors diagnosed with a favorable outcome using bulk analyses. Depletion of HES6 impairs proliferation, migration and metastatic dissemination in vitro and in vivo using the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay, demonstrating the essential role of HES6 in uveal melanomas. Thus, single-cell analysis offers an unprecedented view of primary uveal melanoma heterogeneity, identifies bona fide biomarkers for metastatic cells in the primary tumor, and reveals targetable modules driving growth and metastasis formation. Significantly, our findings demonstrate that HES6 is a valid target to stop uveal melanoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Pandiani
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.462370.40000 0004 0620 5402Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2019, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Thomas Strub
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.462370.40000 0004 0620 5402Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2019, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Nicolas Nottet
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.462370.40000 0004 0620 5402Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2019, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Yann Cheli
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.462370.40000 0004 0620 5402Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2019, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Giovanni Gambi
- grid.420255.40000 0004 0638 2716Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch, France
| | - Karine Bille
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.462370.40000 0004 0620 5402Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2019, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Chrystel Husser
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.462370.40000 0004 0620 5402Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2019, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Mélanie Dalmasso
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.462370.40000 0004 0620 5402Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2019, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Guillaume Béranger
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.462370.40000 0004 0620 5402Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2019, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Sandra Lassalle
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,Laboratoire de Pathologie clinique et expérimentale, biobanque BB-0033-00025, and IRCAN team 4, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
| | - Virginie Magnone
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.429194.30000 0004 0638 0649CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IPMC), Valbonne, France
| | - Florence Pédeutour
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.464719.90000 0004 0639 4696Laboratoire de Génétique des tumeurs solides and IRCAN, Nice, France
| | - Marie Irondelle
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.462370.40000 0004 0620 5402Inserm, Imagery platform, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Célia Maschi
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,Pasteur 2 Teaching Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Nice, France
| | - Sacha Nahon-Estève
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,Pasteur 2 Teaching Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Nice, France
| | - Arnaud Martel
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,Pasteur 2 Teaching Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Nice, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Caujolle
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,Pasteur 2 Teaching Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Nice, France
| | - Paul Hofman
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,Laboratoire de Pathologie clinique et expérimentale, biobanque BB-0033-00025, and IRCAN team 4, FHU OncoAge, Nice, France
| | - Kévin LeBrigand
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.429194.30000 0004 0638 0649CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IPMC), Valbonne, France
| | - Irwin Davidson
- grid.420255.40000 0004 0638 2716Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch, France
| | - Stéphanie Baillif
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,Pasteur 2 Teaching Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Nice, France
| | - Pascal Barbry
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.429194.30000 0004 0638 0649CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IPMC), Valbonne, France
| | - Robert Ballotti
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.462370.40000 0004 0620 5402Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2019, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Corine Bertolotto
- grid.460782.f0000 0004 4910 6551Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France ,grid.462370.40000 0004 0620 5402Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of melanocytes, team1, Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe labellisée ARC 2019, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
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Singh L, Atilano SR, Jager MJ, Kenney MC. Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms and biogenesis genes in primary and metastatic uveal melanoma cell lines. Cancer Genet 2021; 256-257:91-99. [PMID: 34082186 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2021.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was designed to identify mitochondrial (mt) DNA variations in primary and metastatic uveal melanoma (UM) cell lines and their relation with cell metabolism to gain insight into metastatic progression. METHOD The entire mtDNA genomes were sequenced using Sanger sequencing from two primary UM cell lines (92.1 and MEL270) and two cell lines (OMM2.3 and OMM2.5) derived from liver metastases of the MEL270 patient. The mtDNA copy numbers determined by the ratio of nDNA versus mtDNA. qRT-PCR was used to evaluate expression levels of mitochondrial biogenesis genes. RESULTS Sequencing showed that cell line MEL270 and metastases-derived OMM2.3 and OMM2.5 cell lines had homoplasmic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) representing J1c7a haplogroup, whereas 92.1 cells had mtDNA H31a haplogroup. mtDNA copy numbers were significantly higher in primary cell lines. The metastatic UM cells showed down-regulation of POLG, TFAM, NRF-1 and SIRT1 compared to their primary MEL270 cells. PGC-1α was downregulated in 92.1 and upregulated in MEL270, OMM2.3 and OMM2.5. CONCLUSIONS Our finding suggests that within metastatic cells, the heteroplasmic SNPs, copy numbers and mitochondrial biogenesis genes are modulated differentially compared to their primary UM cells. Therefore, investigating pathogenic mtDNA variants associated with cancer metabolic susceptibility may provide future therapeutic strategies in metastatic UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lata Singh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States; Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | - Shari R Atilano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - M Cristina Kenney
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.
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38
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Nencetti S, Cuffaro D, Nuti E, Ciccone L, Rossello A, Fabbi M, Ballante F, Ortore G, Carbotti G, Campelli F, Banti I, Gangemi R, Marshall GR, Orlandini E. Identification of histone deacetylase inhibitors with (arylidene)aminoxy scaffold active in uveal melanoma cell lines. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 36:34-47. [PMID: 33100043 PMCID: PMC7594840 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2020.1835883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) represents an aggressive type of cancer and currently, there is no effective treatment for this metastatic disease. In the last years, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) have been studied as a possible therapeutic treatment for UM, alone or in association with other chemotherapeutic agents. Here we synthesised a series of new HDACIs based on the SAHA scaffold bearing an (arylidene)aminoxy moiety. Their HDAC inhibitory activity was evaluated on isolated human HDAC1, 3, 6, and 8 by fluorometric assay and their binding mode in the catalytic site of HDACs was studied by molecular docking. The most promising hit was the quinoline derivative VS13, a nanomolar inhibitor of HDAC6, which exhibited a good antiproliferative effect on UM cell lines at micromolar concentration and a capability to modify the mRNA levels of HDAC target genes similar to that of SAHA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elisa Nuti
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lidia Ciccone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Armando Rossello
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Research Center "E. Piaggio", Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marina Fabbi
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Flavio Ballante
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | | | - Irene Banti
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Garland R Marshall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Elisabetta Orlandini
- Research Center "E. Piaggio", Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Brouwer NJ, Konstantinou EK, Gragoudas ES, Marinkovic M, Luyten GPM, Kim IK, Jager MJ, Vavvas DG. Targeting the YAP/TAZ Pathway in Uveal and Conjunctival Melanoma With Verteporfin. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:3. [PMID: 33798262 PMCID: PMC8024781 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.4.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether YAP/TAZ activation in uveal melanoma (UM) and the susceptibility of melanoma cell lines to YAP/TAZ inhibition by verteporfin (VP) is related to the tumor's genetic background. Methods Characteristics of 144 patients with enucleated UM were analyzed together with mRNA expression levels of YAP/TAZ-related genes (80 patients from the The Cancer Genome Atlas [TCGA] project and 64 patients from Leiden, The Netherlands). VP was administered to cell lines 92.1, OMM1, Mel270, XMP46, and MM28 (UM), CRMM1 and CRMM2 (conjunctival melanoma), and OCM3 (cutaneous melanoma). Viability, growth speed, and expression of YAP1-related proteins were assessed. Results In TCGA data, high expression of YAP1 and WWTR1 correlated with the presence of monosomy 3 (P = 0.009 and P < 0.001, respectively) and BAP1-loss (P = 0.003 and P = 0.001, respectively) in the primary UM; metastasis development correlated with higher expression of YAP1 (P = 0.05) and WWTR1 (P = 0.003). In Leiden data, downstream transcription factor TEAD4 was increased in cases with M3/BAP1-loss (P = 0.002 and P = 0.006) and related to metastasis (P = 0.004). UM cell lines 92.1, OMM1, and Mel270 (GNAQ/11-mutation, BAP1-positive) and the fast-growing cell line OCM3 (BRAF-mutation) showed decreased proliferation after exposure to VP. Two slow-growing UM cell lines XMP46 and MM28 (GNAQ/11-mutation, BAP1-negative) were not sensitive to VP, and neither were the two conjunctival melanoma cell lines (BRAF/NRAS-mutation). Conclusions High risk UM showed an increased expression of YAP/TAZ-related genes. Although most UM cell lines responded in vitro to VP, BAP1-negative and conjunctival melanoma cell lines did not. Not only the mutational background, but also cell growth rate is an important predictor of response to YAP/TAZ inhibition by VP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels J Brouwer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eleni K Konstantinou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Evangelos S Gragoudas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Marina Marinkovic
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gregorius P M Luyten
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ivana K Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Demetrios G Vavvas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Retina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Singh L, Singh MK, Kenney MC, Jager MJ, Rizvi MA, Meel R, Lomi N, Bakhshi S, Sen S, Kashyap S. Prognostic significance of PD-1/PD-L1 expression in uveal melanoma: correlation with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and clinicopathological parameters. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 70:1291-1303. [PMID: 33136179 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02773-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To understand how to improve the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors in uveal melanoma (UM), we need a better understanding of the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1, their relation with the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and their prognostic relevance in UM patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 was assessed in 71 UM tissue samples by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and further validated by western blotting. The effect of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) on PD-1/PD-L1 expression was determined on four UM cell lines. RESULTS Immunoreactivity of PD-1 was found in 30/71 cases and of PD-L1 in 44/71 UM samples. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were found in 46% of UM tissues. PD-1 was expressed on TILs while tumor cells expressed PD-L1. UM with and without TILs showed expression of PD-1 in 69% and 18% cases, respectively (p = 0.001). Similarly, PD-L1 was found in 75% of UM with TILs and in 50% of cases without TILs, respectively (p = 0.03). DFS rate were lower in patients with TILs with expression of PD-1 and PD-L1, but the rate of DFS was higher with expression of PD-L1 in patients without TILs. After treatment of UM cell lines with IFN-γ, PD-1 expression was induced in all UM cell lines whereas PD-L1 expression was found at a lower level in untreated cells, while expression also increased following treatment with IFN-γ. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that increased infiltration with TILs promotes the aggressive behavior and suppresses the immune response of UM cells, thereby inhibiting immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lata Singh
- Department of Ocular Pathology, Dr. R P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.,Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, USA.,Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Mithalesh Kumar Singh
- Department of Ocular Pathology, Dr. R P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Maria Cristina Kenney
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rachna Meel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. R. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Neiwete Lomi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. R. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sameer Bakhshi
- Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, IRCH, New Delhi, India
| | - Seema Sen
- Department of Ocular Pathology, Dr. R P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Seema Kashyap
- Department of Ocular Pathology, Dr. R P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
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Nell RJ, van Steenderen D, Menger NV, Weitering TJ, Versluis M, van der Velden PA. Quantification of DNA methylation independent of sodium bisulfite conversion using methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes and digital PCR. Hum Mutat 2020; 41:2205-2216. [PMID: 32906203 PMCID: PMC7756443 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation is important in human health and disease, but the exact mechanisms remain largely enigmatic. DNA methylation represents one epigenetic aspect but is challenging to quantify. In this study, we introduce a digital approach for the quantification of the amount and density of DNA methylation. We designed an experimental setup combining efficient methylation‐sensitive restriction enzymes with digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to quantify a targeted density of DNA methylation independent of bisulfite conversion. By using a stable reference and comparing experiments treated and untreated with these enzymes, copy number instability could be properly normalized. In silico simulations demonstrated the mathematical validity of the setup and showed that the measurement precision depends on the amount of input DNA and the fraction methylated alleles. This uncertainty could be successfully estimated by the confidence intervals. Quantification of RASSF1 promoter methylation in a variety of healthy and malignant samples and in a calibration curve confirmed the high accuracy of our approach, even in minute amounts of DNA. Overall, our results indicate the possibility of quantifying DNA methylation with digital PCR, independent of bisulfite conversion. Moreover, as the context‐density of methylation can also be determined, biological mechanisms can now be quantitatively assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogier J Nell
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, South Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Debby van Steenderen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, South Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Nino V Menger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, South Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas J Weitering
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, South Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Mieke Versluis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, South Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter A van der Velden
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, South Holland, The Netherlands
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Aughton K, Shahidipour H, Djirackor L, Coupland SE, Kalirai H. Characterization of Uveal Melanoma Cell Lines and Primary Tumor Samples in 3D Culture. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2020; 9:39. [PMID: 32832244 PMCID: PMC7414609 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.9.7.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Uveal melanoma (UM) typically spreads to the liver, where it is incurable, as there are limited therapeutic interventions available. This study aimed to standardize laboratory methods for generating three-dimensional (3D) spheroids using UM cell lines and primary UM (PUM) samples for use in drug screening. Methods Six UM cell lines and nine PUM, of differing genetic characteristics were cultured in two dimensions (2D) and three dimensions. 3D spheroid formation and growth were time monitored, and ImageJ software was used to calculate cross-sectional areas. PUM spheroids underwent immunohistochemistry for melanoma markers, nuclear BAP1, and cell proliferation. Chromosomal alterations in patient UM biopsies were compared with the corresponding 3D spheroid. In vitro drug assays testing doxorubicin and selumetinib assessed drug penetration and toxicity after 48 hours using imaging and the CellTiter-Glo 3D Cell Viability Assay. Results All six UM cell lines formed spheroids of varying sizes and compactness; six of the nine PUM samples (67%) also formed spheroids, composed of MelanA+ proliferating melanocytes and admixed macrophages. PUM spheroids were genetically identical to the original sampled tumor. In vitro drug assays showed varying penetrations into UM cell line spheroids, with doxorubicin passing into the spheroid core and selumetinib having an effect largely on peripheral cells. Both drugs caused a dose-dependent reduction in viability of 3D spheroid cells. Conclusions UM cell lines and PUM samples can successfully generate uniform 3D spheroids. PUM spheroids retain histological and genetic characteristics of the primary tumor. 3D spheroids are an important system for use in future high-throughput drug testing. Translational Relevance The use of 3D spheroids allows early-phase drug screening and is an important first step toward treatment personalization for UM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Aughton
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Haleh Shahidipour
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Luna Djirackor
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Coupland
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Kalirai
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Potential Onco-Suppressive Role of miR122 and miR144 in Uveal Melanoma through ADAM10 and C-Met Inhibition. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061468. [PMID: 32512881 PMCID: PMC7352235 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare tumor of the eye that leads to deadly metastases in about half of the patients. ADAM10 correlates with c-Met expression in UM and high levels of both molecules are related to the development of metastases. MiR122 and miR144 modulate ADAM10 and c-Met expression in different settings. We hypothesized a potential onco-suppressive role for miR122 and miR144 through modulation of ADAM10 and c-Met in UM. We analyzed the UM Cancer Genome Atlas data portal (TCGA) dataset, two other cohorts of primary tumors and five human UM cell lines for miR122 and miR144 expression by miR microarray, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, miR transfection and luciferase reporter assay. Our results indicate that miR122 and miR144 are expressed at low levels in the UM cell lines and in the TCGA UM dataset and were down-modulated in a cohort of seven UM samples, compared to normal choroid. Both miR122 and miR144 directly targeted ADAM10 and c-Met. Overexpression of miR122 and miR144 led to reduced expression of ADAM10 and c-Met in the UM cell lines and impaired cell proliferation, migration, cell cycle and shedding of c-Met ecto-domain. Our results show that miR122 and miR144 display an onco-suppressive role in UM through ADAM10 and c-Met modulation.
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Bellini L, Strub T, Habel N, Pandiani C, Marchetti S, Martel A, Baillif S, Bailly-Maitre B, Gual P, Ballotti R, Bertolotto C. Endoplasmic reticulum stress mediates resistance to BCL-2 inhibitor in uveal melanoma cells. Cell Death Discov 2020; 6:22. [PMID: 32337074 PMCID: PMC7165182 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-020-0259-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
To address unmet clinical need for uveal melanomas, we assessed the effects of BH3-mimetic molecules, the ABT family, known to exert pro-apoptotic activities in cancer cells. Our results uncovered that ABT-263 (Navitoclax), a potent and orally bioavailable BCL-2 family inhibitor, induced antiproliferative effects in metastatic human uveal melanoma cells through cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and subsequently apoptotic cell death monitored by caspase activation and poly-ADP ribose polymerase cleavage. ABT-263-mediated reduction in tumor growth was also observed in vivo. We observed in some cells that ABT-263 treatment mounted a pro-survival response through activation of the ER stress signaling pathway. Blocking the PERK signaling pathway increased the pro-apoptotic ABT-263 effect. We thus uncovered a resistance mechanism in uveal melanoma cells mediated by activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway. Therefore, our study identifies ABT-263 as a valid therapeutic option for patients suffering from uveal melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Bellini
- Université Nice Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M Nice, France
- INSERM, U1065, Biology and pathologies of melanocytes, team 1. Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, Nice, France
| | - Thomas Strub
- Université Nice Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M Nice, France
- INSERM, U1065, Biology and pathologies of melanocytes, team 1. Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, Nice, France
| | - Nadia Habel
- Université Nice Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M Nice, France
- INSERM, U1065, Biology and pathologies of melanocytes, team 1. Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, Nice, France
| | - Charlotte Pandiani
- Université Nice Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M Nice, France
- INSERM, U1065, Biology and pathologies of melanocytes, team 1. Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, Nice, France
| | - Sandrine Marchetti
- Université Nice Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M Nice, France
- INSERM, U1065, Metabolism, cancer and immune response, team 3, Nice, France
| | - Arnaud Martel
- Université Nice Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M Nice, France
- INSERM, U1065, Biology and pathologies of melanocytes, team 1. Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, Nice, France
- CHU NICE, Département d’Ophtalmologie, Nice, France
| | - Stéphanie Baillif
- Université Nice Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M Nice, France
- INSERM, U1065, Biology and pathologies of melanocytes, team 1. Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, Nice, France
- CHU NICE, Département d’Ophtalmologie, Nice, France
| | - Béatrice Bailly-Maitre
- Université Nice Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M Nice, France
- INSERM, U1065, Chronic liver diseases associated with obesity and alcohol, team8, Nice, France
| | - Philippe Gual
- Université Nice Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M Nice, France
- INSERM, U1065, Chronic liver diseases associated with obesity and alcohol, team8, Nice, France
| | - Robert Ballotti
- Université Nice Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M Nice, France
- INSERM, U1065, Biology and pathologies of melanocytes, team 1. Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, Nice, France
| | - Corine Bertolotto
- Université Nice Côte d’Azur, Inserm, C3M Nice, France
- INSERM, U1065, Biology and pathologies of melanocytes, team 1. Equipe labellisée Ligue 2020, Nice, France
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Salgado C, Roelse C, Nell R, Gruis N, van Doorn R, van der Velden P. Interplay between TERT promoter mutations and methylation culminates in chromatin accessibility and TERT expression. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231418. [PMID: 32267900 PMCID: PMC7141627 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene is responsible for telomere maintenance in germline and stem cells, and is re-expressed in 90% of human cancers. CpG methylation in the TERT promoter (TERTp) was correlated with TERT mRNA expression. Furthermore, two hotspot mutations in TERTp, dubbed C228T and C250T, have been revealed to facilitate binding of transcription factor ETS/TCF and subsequent TERT expression. This study aimed to elucidate the combined contribution of epigenetic (promoter methylation and chromatin accessibility) and genetic (promoter mutations) mechanisms in regulating TERT gene expression in healthy skin samples and in melanoma cell lines (n = 61). We unexpectedly observed that the methylation of TERTp was as high in a subset of healthy skin cells, mainly keratinocytes, as in cutaneous melanoma cell lines. In spite of the high promoter methylation fraction in wild-type (WT) samples, TERT mRNA was only expressed in the melanoma cell lines with either high methylation or intermediate methylation in combination with TERT mutations. TERTp methylation was positively correlated with chromatin accessibility and TERT mRNA expression in 8 melanoma cell lines. Cooperation between epigenetic and genetic mechanisms were best observed in heterozygous mutant cell lines as chromosome accessibility preferentially concerned the mutant allele. Combined, these results suggest a complex model in which TERT expression requires either a widely open chromatin state in TERTp-WT samples due to high methylation throughout the promoter or a combination of moderate methylation fraction/chromatin accessibility in the presence of the C228T or C250T mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Salgado
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Celine Roelse
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rogier Nell
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nelleke Gruis
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Remco van Doorn
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter van der Velden
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Richards JR, Yoo JH, Shin D, Odelberg SJ. Mouse models of uveal melanoma: Strengths, weaknesses, and future directions. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2020; 33:264-278. [PMID: 31880399 PMCID: PMC7065156 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma is the most common primary malignancy of the eye, and a number of discoveries in the last decade have led to a more thorough molecular characterization of this cancer. However, the prognosis remains dismal for patients with metastases, and there is an urgent need to identify treatments that are effective for this stage of disease. Animal models are important tools for preclinical studies of uveal melanoma. A variety of models exist, and they have specific advantages, disadvantages, and applications. In this review article, these differences are explored in detail, and ideas for new models that might overcome current challenges are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson R. Richards
- Department of Oncological SciencesUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
- Program in Molecular MedicineUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
| | - Jae Hyuk Yoo
- Program in Molecular MedicineUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
| | - Donghan Shin
- Program in Molecular MedicineUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
| | - Shannon J. Odelberg
- Program in Molecular MedicineUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
- Department of Internal MedicineDivision of Cardiovascular MedicineUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
- Department of Neurobiology and AnatomyUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
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47
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Djirackor L, Kalirai H, Coupland SE, Petrovski G. CD166high Uveal Melanoma Cells Represent a Subpopulation With Enhanced Migratory Capacity. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:2696-2704. [PMID: 31242292 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-26431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cells with the capacity to drive tumor growth. While there is evidence of the existence of CSCs in uveal melanoma (UM), there is no consensus on their defining markers. In this study, we examined putative CSC markers in UM cell lines, primary UM (PUM), and normal choroidal melanocytes (NCM). Methods Nonadherent sphere assays were used to assess the tumorigenic potential of 15 PUMs, 8 high (M3) and 7 low (D3) metastatic risk. Flow cytometry was used to compare the expression of CSC markers between 10 PUMs and 4 NCMs, as well as in 8 UM cell lines grown under adherent and nonadherent conditions. Based on the data generated and from TCGA analyses, CD166 was investigated in detail, including its effect on cell migration using a tumor transendothelial migration assay. Results M3 PUM had a greater melanosphere-forming efficiency than D3 PUM. CD166 and Nestin expression was upregulated in PUM compared to NCM by flow cytometry. UM cell lines resistant to anoikis had increased levels of CD271, Nestin, and CD166 compared with adherent cells. TCGA analysis showed that patients with higher CD166 expression had a poorer prognosis: this was supported by a Mel270 CD166high subpopulation that had enhanced migratory capabilities compared with CD166low cells. IHC showed that CD166 is expressed in the cytoplasm and cell membrane of PUM cells. Conclusions UM contain a population of cells with characteristics of CSCs. In particular, CD166high UM cells appear to represent a subpopulation with enhanced migratory capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luna Djirackor
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Helen Kalirai
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Coupland
- Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Goran Petrovski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi Clinical Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,Centre for Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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48
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Chattopadhyay C, Oba J, Roszik J, Marszalek JR, Chen K, Qi Y, Eterovic K, Robertson AG, Burks JK, McCannel TA, Grimm EA, Woodman SE. Elevated Endogenous SDHA Drives Pathological Metabolism in Highly Metastatic Uveal Melanoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:4187-4195. [PMID: 31596927 PMCID: PMC6785781 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-28082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Metastatic uveal melanoma (UM) has a very poor prognosis and no effective therapy. Despite remarkable advances in treatment of cutaneous melanoma, UM remains recalcitrant to chemotherapy, small-molecule kinase inhibitors, and immune-based therapy. Methods We assessed two sets of oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) genes within 9858 tumors across 31 cancer types. An OxPhos inhibitor was used to characterize differential metabolic programming of highly metastatic monosomy 3 (M3) UM. Seahorse analysis and global metabolomics profiling were done to identify metabolic vulnerabilities. Analyses of UM TCGA data set were performed to determine expressions of key OxPhos effectors in M3 and non-M3 UM. We used targeted knockdown of succinate dehydrogenase A (SDHA) to determine the role of SDHA in M3 UM in conferring resistance to OxPhos inhibition. Results We identified UM to have among the highest median OxPhos levels and showed that M3 UM exhibits a distinct metabolic profile. M3 UM shows markedly low succinate levels and has highly increased levels of SDHA, the enzyme that couples the tricarboxylic acid cycle with OxPhos by oxidizing (lowering) succinate. We showed that SDHA-high M3 UM have elevated expression of key OxPhos molecules, exhibit abundant mitochondrial reserve respiratory capacity, and are resistant to OxPhos antagonism, which can be reversed by SDHA knockdown. Conclusions Our study has identified a critical metabolic program within poor prognostic M3 UM. In addition to the heightened mitochondrial functional capacity due to elevated SDHA, M3 UM SDHA-high mediate resistance to therapy that is reversible with targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Junna Oba
- Melanoma Medical Oncology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Jason Roszik
- Melanoma Medical Oncology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
- Genomic Medicine, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Joseph R Marszalek
- Institute of Applied Cancer Science & Center for Co-Clinical Trials, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Ken Chen
- Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Yuan Qi
- Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Karina Eterovic
- Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - A Gordon Robertson
- Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jared K Burks
- Leukemia, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Tara A McCannel
- Stein Eye and Doheny Eye Institutes, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Grimm
- Melanoma Medical Oncology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Scott E Woodman
- Melanoma Medical Oncology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
- Systems Biology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
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49
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The Autocrine FGF/FGFR System in both Skin and Uveal Melanoma: FGF Trapping as a Possible Therapeutic Approach. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11091305. [PMID: 31487962 PMCID: PMC6770058 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11091305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play non-redundant autocrine/paracrine functions in various human cancers. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data mining indicates that high levels of FGF and/or FGF receptor (FGFR) expression are associated with reduced overall survival, chromosome 3 monosomy and BAP1 mutation in human uveal melanoma (UM), pointing to the FGF/FGFR system as a target for UM treatment. Here, we investigated the impact of different FGF trapping approaches on the tumorigenic and liver metastatic activity of liver metastasis-derived murine melanoma B16-LS9 cells that, similar to human UM, are characterized by a distinctive hepatic tropism. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the overexpression of the natural FGF trap inhibitor long-pentraxin 3 (PTX3) inhibits the oncogenic activity of B16-LS9 cells. In addition, B16-LS9 cells showed a reduced tumor growth and liver metastatic activity when grafted in PTX3-overexpressing transgenic mice. The efficacy of the FGF trapping approach was confirmed by the capacity of the PTX3-derived pan-FGF trap small molecule NSC12 to inhibit B16-LS9 cell growth in vitro, in a zebrafish embryo orthotopic tumor model and in an experimental model of liver metastasis. Possible translational implications for these observations were provided by the capacity of NSC12 to inhibit FGF signaling and cell proliferation in human UM Mel285, Mel270, 92.1, and OMM2.3 cells. In addition, NSC12 caused caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage followed by apoptotic cell death as well as β-catenin degradation and inhibition of UM cell migration. Together, our findings indicate that FGF trapping may represent a novel therapeutic strategy in UM.
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50
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Souri Z, Wierenga APA, Mulder A, Jochemsen AG, Jager MJ. HLA Expression in Uveal Melanoma: An Indicator of Malignancy and a Modifiable Immunological Target. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11081132. [PMID: 31394860 PMCID: PMC6721545 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults, and gives rise to metastases in 50% of cases. The presence of an inflammatory phenotype is a well-known risk factor for the development of metastases. This inflammatory phenotype is characterized by the presence of high numbers of lymphocytes and macrophages, and a high expression of the HLA Class I and II antigens. An abnormal expression of HLA Class I may influence cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) as well as Natural Killer (NK) cell responses. We provide a comprehensive review regarding the inflammatory phenotype in UM and the expression of locus- and allele-specific HLA Class I and of Class II antigens in primary UM and its metastases. Furthermore, we describe the known regulators and the role of genetics (especially chromosome 3 and BRCA-Associated Protein 1 (BAP1 status)), and, last but not least, the effect of putative therapeutic treatments on HLA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Souri
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annemijn P A Wierenga
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arend Mulder
- Department of Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Aart G Jochemsen
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
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