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Ke CH, Wu HY, Wang YS, Huang WH, Lin CS. Tumors Established in a Defective Immune Environment Reprogram the Oncogenic Signaling Pathways to Escalate Tumor Antigenicity. Biomedicines 2024; 12:846. [PMID: 38672200 PMCID: PMC11047836 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumors developed in immunocompromised hosts are more immunogenic. However, few studies have addressed the potential mechanisms underlying the high immunogenicity of tumors found in a suppressed immune system. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the impacts of the immune system on tumor behaviors and immunogenicity sculpting. A murine colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, CT26wt, was administrated into immunocompetent (BALB/c) and immunocompromised (NOD.SCID) mice, respectively. On day 11, the CT26 cells slowly progressed in the NOD.SCID mice compared to the BALB/c mice. We then performed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and analyzed the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). The DEPs participated in numerous oncogenic pathways, PI3K/AKT/mTOR cell signaling, and the silencing of several tumor suppressors, such as PTEN and RBL1, during tumorigenesis. On day 34, the CT26/SCID tumors inversely became malignant counterparts; then the CT26/SCID tumors were harvested and re-inoculated into immunocompetent mice (CT26/SCID-Re tumors) to determine the immunogenicity. The CT26/SCID-Re tumor growth rate significantly decreased. Furthermore, increased infiltrations of dendritic cells and tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes were found in the CT26/SCID-Re tumors. These findings suggest that immunogenic tumors might express multiple tumor rejection antigens, unlike wild-type tumors, and attract more immune cells, therefore decreasing the growth rate. Collectively, our study first revealed that in immunodeficient hosts, tumor suppressors were silenced and oncogenic signaling pathways were changed during the initial phase of tumor development. With tumor progression, the tumor antigens were overexpressed, exhibiting elevated immunogenicity. This study offers a hint on the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and provides a niche for investigating the interaction between host immunity and cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiao-Hsu Ke
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (C.-H.K.); (Y.-S.W.)
| | - Hsin-Yi Wu
- Instrumentation Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Shan Wang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (C.-H.K.); (Y.-S.W.)
- Uni-Pharma Co., Ltd., Taipei 11494, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hsiang Huang
- Graduate Institute of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan;
| | - Chen-Si Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; (C.-H.K.); (Y.-S.W.)
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Li O, Li L, Sheng Y, Ke K, Wu J, Mou Y, Liu M, Jin W. Biological characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Initiation to malignancy, intracellular to extracellular. Cancer Lett 2023; 574:216391. [PMID: 37714257 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216391] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly life-threatening tumour with a low early-detection rate, rapid progression and a tendency to develop resistance to chemotherapy. Therefore, understanding the regulatory mechanisms underlying the initiation, development and metastasis of pancreatic cancer is necessary for enhancing therapeutic effectiveness. In this review, we summarised single-gene mutations (including KRAS, CDKN2A, TP53, SMAD4 and some other less prevalent mutations), epigenetic changes (including DNA methylation, histone modifications and RNA interference) and large chromosome alterations (such as copy number variations, chromosome rearrangements and chromothripsis) associated with PDAC. In addition, we discussed variations in signalling pathways that act as intermediate oncogenic factors in PDAC, including PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, Hippo and TGF-β signalling pathways. The focus of this review was to investigate alterations in the microenvironment of PDAC, particularly the role of immunosuppressive cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, lymphocytes, other para-cancerous cells and tumour extracellular matrix in tumour progression. Peripheral axons innervating the pancreas have been reported to play a crucial role in the development of cancer. In addition, tumour cells can influence the behaviour of neighbouring non-tumour cells by secreting certain factors, both locally and at a distance. In this review, we elucidated the alterations in intracellular molecules and the extracellular environment that occur during the progression of PDAC. Altogether, this review may enhance the understanding of the biological characteristics of PDAC and guide the development of more precise treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ou Li
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Li
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunru Sheng
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kun Ke
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianzhang Wu
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiping Mou
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mingyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, China; National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China; Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Weiwei Jin
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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3
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Wang J, Weng S, Zhu Y, Chen H, Pan J, Qiu S, Liu Y, Wei D, Zhu T. PKCι induces differential phosphorylation of STAT3 to modify STAT3-related signaling pathways in pancreatic cancer cells. J Cell Commun Signal 2023:10.1007/s12079-023-00780-9. [PMID: 37548811 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-023-00780-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of studies have documented atypical protein kinase C isoform ι (PKCι) as an oncoprotein playing multifaceted roles in pancreatic carcinogenesis, including sustaining the transformed growth, prohibiting apoptosis, strengthening invasiveness, facilitating autophagy, as well as promoting the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of pancreatic tumors. In this study, we present novel evidence that PKCι overexpression increases STAT3 phosphorylation at the Y705 residue while decreasing STAT3 phosphorylation at the S727 residue in pancreatic cancer cells. We further demonstrate that STAT3 phosphorylation at Y705 and S727 residues is mutually antagonistic, and that STAT3 Y705 phosphorylation is positively related to the transcriptional activity of STAT3 in pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, we discover that PKCι inhibition attenuates STAT3 transcriptional activity via Y705 dephosphorylation, which appears to be resulted from enhanced phosphorylation of S727 in pancreatic cancer cells. Finally, we investigate and prove that by modulating the STAT3 activity, the PKCι inhibitor can synergistically enhance the antitumor effects of pharmacological STAT3 inhibitors or reverse the anti-apoptotic side effects incited by the MEK inhibitor, thereby posing as a prospective sensitizer in the treatment of pancreatic cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junli Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Sijia Weng
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Zhu
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongmei Chen
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jueyu Pan
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuoyu Qiu
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yufeng Liu
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dapeng Wei
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongbo Zhu
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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Jiao J, Ruan L, Cheng CS, Wang F, Yang P, Chen Z. Paired protein kinases PRKCI-RIPK2 promote pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis via enhancing NF-κB/JNK/ERK phosphorylation. Mol Med 2023; 29:47. [PMID: 37016317 PMCID: PMC10074657 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00648-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein kinases play a pivotal role in the malignant evolution of pancreatic cancer (PC) through mediating phosphorylation. Many kinase inhibitors have been developed and translated into clinical use, while the complex pathology of PC confounds their clinical efficacy and warrants the discovery of more effective therapeutic targets. METHODS Here, we used the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and protein kinase datasets to map the PC-related protein kinase-encoding genes. Then, applying Gene Expression and Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), GEO and Human Protein Atlas, we evaluated gene correlation, gene expression at protein and mRNA levels, as well as survival significance. In addition, we performed protein kinase RIPK2 knockout and overexpression to observe effects of its expression on PC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, as well as cell apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and autophagy. We established PC subcutaneous xenograft and liver metastasis models to investigate the effects of RIPK2 knockout on PC growth and metastasis. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence were utilized to explore the interaction between protein kinases RIPK2 and PRKCI. Polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting were used to evaluate gene expression and protein phosphorylation level. RESULTS We found fourteen kinases aberrantly expressed in human PC and nine kinases with prognosis significance. Among them, RIPK2 with both serine/threonine and tyrosine activities were validated to promote PC cells proliferation, migration and invasion. RIPK2 knockout could inhibit subcutaneous tumor growth and liver metastasis of PC. In addition, RIPK2 knockout suppressed autophagosome formation, increased ROS production and PC cell apoptosis. Importantly, another oncogenic kinase PRKCI could interact with RIPK2 to enhance the phosphorylation of downstream NF-κB, JNK and ERK. CONCLUSION Paired protein kinases PRKCI-RIPK2 with multiple phosphorylation activities represent a new pathological mechanism in PC and could provide potential targets for PC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juying Jiao
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Linjie Ruan
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chien-Shan Cheng
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fengjiao Wang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Peiwen Yang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Rd., Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Kawano T, Inokuchi J, Eto M, Murata M, Kang JH. Protein Kinase C (PKC) Isozymes as Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5425. [PMID: 36358843 PMCID: PMC9658272 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase C (PKC) is a large family of calcium- and phospholipid-dependent serine/threonine kinases that consists of at least 11 isozymes. Based on their structural characteristics and mode of activation, the PKC family is classified into three subfamilies: conventional or classic (cPKCs; α, βI, βII, and γ), novel or non-classic (nPKCs; δ, ε, η, and θ), and atypical (aPKCs; ζ, ι, and λ) (PKCλ is the mouse homolog of PKCι) PKC isozymes. PKC isozymes play important roles in proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and anticancer drug resistance in cancer cells. Several studies have shown a positive relationship between PKC isozymes and poor disease-free survival, poor survival following anticancer drug treatment, and increased recurrence. Furthermore, a higher level of PKC activation has been reported in cancer tissues compared to that in normal tissues. These data suggest that PKC isozymes represent potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge and discusses the potential of PKC isozymes as biomarkers in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Kawano
- Center for Advanced Medical Innovation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Junichi Inokuchi
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Eto
- Center for Advanced Medical Innovation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masaharu Murata
- Center for Advanced Medical Innovation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Jeong-Hun Kang
- Division of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 6-1 Shinmachi, Kishibe, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan
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6
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Aberrant transcription factors in the cancers of the pancreas. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:28-45. [PMID: 36058426 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are essential for proper activation of gene set during the process of organogenesis, differentiation, lineage specificity. Reactivation or dysregulation of TFs regulatory networks could lead to deformation of organs, diseases including various malignancies. Currently, understanding the mechanism of oncogenesis became necessity for the development of targeted therapeutic strategy for different cancer types. It is evident that many TFs go awry in cancers of the pancreas such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs). These mutated or dysregulated TFs abnormally controls various signaling pathways in PDAC and PanNENs including RTK, PI3K-PTEN-AKT-mTOR, JNK, TGF-β/SMAD, WNT/β-catenin, SHH, NOTCH and VEGF which in turn regulate different hallmarks of cancer. Aberrant regulation of such pathways have been linked to the initiation, progression, metastasis, and resistance in pancreatic cancer. As of today, a number of TFs has been identified as crucial regulators of pancreatic cancer and a handful of them shown to have potential as therapeutic targets in pre-clinical and clinical settings. In this review, we have summarized the current knowledge on the role and therapeutic usefulness of TFs in PDAC and PanNENs.
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Zhang H, Zhu Y, Wang J, Weng S, Zuo F, Li C, Zhu T. PKCι regulates the expression of PDL1 through multiple pathways to modulate immune suppression of pancreatic cancer cells. Cell Signal 2021; 86:110115. [PMID: 34375670 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the impact of oncogenic protein kinase C isoform ι (PKCι) on the microenvironment and the immunogenic properties of pancreatic tumors, we prohibit PKCι activity in various pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell lines and co-culture them with human natural killer NK92 cells. The results demonstrate that PKCι suppression enhances the susceptibility of PDAC to NK cytotoxicity and promotes the degranulation and cytolytic activity of co-cultured NK92 cells. Mechanistic studies pinpoint that downstream of KRAS, both YAP1 and STAT3 are recruited by oncogenic PKCι to elevate the expression of PDL1, contributing to constitute an immune suppressive microenvironment in PDAC. Co-culture with NK92 further induces PDL1 upregulation via STAT3 to stimulate immune escape of PDAC cells. Subsequently, inhibition of PKCι in PDAC alleviates the immune suppression and enhances the cytotoxicity of NK92 towards PDAC through restraining PDL1 overexpression. Combined with PD1/PDL1 blocker, PKCι inhibitor remarkably elevates the cytotoxicity of NK92 against PDAC cells in vitro, establishing PKCι inhibitor as a promising candidate for boosting the immunotherapy of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Zhang
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Yue Zhu
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Junli Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Sijia Weng
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Fengqiong Zuo
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Changlong Li
- Department of Biochemistry, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Tongbo Zhu
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
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Yang J, Wang J, Zhang H, Li C, Chen C, Zhu T. Transcription factor Sp1 is upregulated by PKCι to drive the expression of YAP1 during pancreatic carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis 2021; 42:344-356. [PMID: 33146712 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgaa113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we identified that the atypical protein kinase C isoform ι (PKCι) enhances the expression of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) to promote the tumorigenesis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma harboring mutant KRAS (mu-KRAS). To advance our understanding about underlying mechanisms, we analyze the transcription of YAP1 in pancreatic cancer cells and reveal that transcription factor specificity protein 1 (Sp1) is upregulated by PKCι and subsequently binds to multiple sites in YAP1 promoter to drive the transactivation of YAP1 in pancreatic cancer cells carrying mu-KRAS. The bioinformatics analysis further substantiates that the expression of PKCι, Sp1 and YAP1 is correlated and associated with the stages and prognosis of pancreatic tumors. Moreover, our apoptotic detection data demonstrate that combination of PKCι and Sp1 inhibitors at subtoxic doses displays synergistic effects on inducing apoptosis and reversing the immunosuppression of pancreatic cancer cells, establishing the combination of PKCι and Sp1 inhibitors as a promising novel therapeutic approach, or an adjuvant strategy to potentiate the antitumor effects of other immunotherapeutic agents in pancreatic cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhe Yang
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Junli Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Changlong Li
- Department of Biochemistry, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Changyan Chen
- The Center of Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tongbo Zhu
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
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9
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Coffey K. Targeting the Hippo Pathway in Prostate Cancer: What's New? Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040611. [PMID: 33557087 PMCID: PMC7913870 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK, accounting for the deaths of over 11,000 men per year. A major problem in this disease are tumours which no longer respond to available treatments. Understanding how this occurs will reveal new ways to treat these patients. In this review, the latest findings regarding a particular group of cellular factors which make up a signalling network called the Hippo pathway will be described. Accumulating evidence suggests that this network contributes to prostate cancer progression and resistance to current treatments. Identifying how this pathway can be targeted with drugs is a promising area of research to improve the treatment of prostate cancer. Abstract Identifying novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of prostate cancer (PC) remains a key area of research. With the emergence of resistance to androgen receptor (AR)-targeting therapies, other signalling pathways which crosstalk with AR signalling are important. Over recent years, evidence has accumulated for targeting the Hippo signalling pathway. Discovered in Drosophila melanogasta, the Hippo pathway plays a role in the regulation of organ size, proliferation, migration and invasion. In response to a variety of stimuli, including cell–cell contact, nutrients and stress, a kinase cascade is activated, which includes STK4/3 and LATS1/2 to inhibit the effector proteins YAP and its paralogue TAZ. Transcription by their partner transcription factors is inhibited by modulation of YAP/TAZ cellular localisation and protein turnover. Trnascriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) transcription factors are their classical transcriptional partner but other transcription factors, including the AR, have been shown to be modulated by YAP/TAZ. In PC, this pathway can be dysregulated by a number of mechanisms, making it attractive for therapeutic intervention. This review looks at each component of the pathway with a focus on findings from the last year and discusses what knowledge can be applied to the field of PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Coffey
- Solid Tumour Target Discovery Laboratory, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
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10
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Vidotto T, Melo CM, Castelli E, Koti M, Dos Reis RB, Squire JA. Emerging role of PTEN loss in evasion of the immune response to tumours. Br J Cancer 2020; 122:1732-1743. [PMID: 32327707 PMCID: PMC7283470 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-0834-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in PTEN activate the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling network, leading to many of the characteristic phenotypic changes of cancer. However, the primary effects of this gene on oncogenesis through control of the PI3K-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway might not be the only avenue by which PTEN affects tumour progression. PTEN has been shown to regulate the antiviral interferon network and thus alter how cancer cells communicate with and are targeted by immune cells. An active, T cell-infiltrated microenvironment is critical for immunotherapy success, which is also influenced by mutations in DNA damage repair pathways and the overall mutational burden of the tumour. As PTEN has a role in the maintenance of genomic integrity, it is likely that a loss of PTEN affects the immune response at two different levels and might therefore be instrumental in mediating failed responses to immunotherapy. In this review, we summarise findings that demonstrate how the loss of PTEN function elicits specific changes in the immune response in several types of cancer. We also discuss ongoing clinical trials that illustrate the potential utility of PTEN as a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint blockade therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Vidotto
- Department of Genetics, Medicine School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Camila Morais Melo
- Department of Genetics, Medicine School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Erick Castelli
- Department of Pathology, Medicine School of Botucatu, Paulista State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Madhuri Koti
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jeremy A Squire
- Department of Genetics, Medicine School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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