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Kim JH, Kim K, Kim I, Seong S, Koh JT, Kim N. Nodal negatively regulates osteoclast differentiation by inducing STAT1 phosphorylation. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31268. [PMID: 38577903 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Several members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and function of bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. However, it is still unknown whether Nodal, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, serves a function in bone cells. In this study, we found that Nodal did not have any function in osteoblasts but instead negatively regulated osteoclast differentiation. Nodal inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by downregulating the expression of pro-osteoclastogenic genes, including c-fos, Nfatc1, and Blimp1, and upregulating the expression of antiosteoclastogenic genes, including Bcl6 and Irf8. Nodal activated STAT1 in osteoclast precursor cells, and STAT1 downregulation significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of Nodal on osteoclast differentiation. These findings indicate that Nodal activates STAT1 to downregulate or upregulate the expression of pro-osteoclastogenic or antiosteoclastogenic genes, respectively, leading to the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of Nodal on osteoclast differentiation contributed to the reduction of RANKL-induced bone loss in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Ha Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
- Hard-Tissue Biointerface Research Center, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Kabsun Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Inyoung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Semun Seong
- Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
- Hard-Tissue Biointerface Research Center, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Tae Koh
- Hard-Tissue Biointerface Research Center, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
- Department of Pharmacology and Dental Therapeutics, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Nacksung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
- Hard-Tissue Biointerface Research Center, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
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2
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Zhong J, Li L, Zhang Q, Zou J, Liu W, Xu CH. Expression and prognostic value of Cripto-1 in early non-small cell lung cancer. THE CLINICAL RESPIRATORY JOURNAL 2023; 17:1203-1208. [PMID: 37528674 PMCID: PMC10730460 DOI: 10.1111/crj.13680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aim to explore the expression of Cripto-1 (CR-1) protein in patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS We investigated CR-1 expression status in specimens obtained from 240 patients with resected NSCLC and 30 cases of para-carcinous normal lung tissues. RESULTS Compared with normal lung tissue, the positive expression of CR-1 protein in NSCLC was significantly increased (p < 0.005). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that the expression of CR-1 protein was an independent prognostic factor for early stage NSCLC (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION Detecting CR-1 protein can predict the prognosis and recurrence in patients with NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhong
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryAffiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Li Li
- Department of Respiratory MedicineAffiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Clinical Center of Nanjing Respiratory Diseases and ImagingNanjingChina
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Respiratory MedicineAffiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Clinical Center of Nanjing Respiratory Diseases and ImagingNanjingChina
| | - Jue Zou
- Department of PathologyAffiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Respiratory MedicineAffiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Chun Hua Xu
- Department of Respiratory MedicineAffiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Clinical Center of Nanjing Respiratory Diseases and ImagingNanjingChina
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3
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Tesar EC, Mikolasevic I, Skocilic I, Redjovic A, Vucinic D, Marusic J, Djordjevic G. Prostate Cancer Scoring Index for Risk of Progression of Radioresistant Disease. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13050870. [PMID: 37241040 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13050870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (Pca) is among the most common malignant diseases in men and the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Surgery and radical radiotherapy (RT) remain the gold standard for the treatment of localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. The efficiency of radiotherapy treatment is limited by toxic side effects due to dose escalation. Cancer cells often develop radio-resistant mechanisms that are related to the DNA repair, inhibition of apoptosis or changes in cell cycle. Based on our earlier research on biomarkers that are involved in those cellular mechanisms (p53, bcl-2, NF-kb, Cripto-1 and Ki67 proliferation) and correlation with clinico-pathological parameters (age, PSA value, Gleason score, grade group, prognostic group), we created the numerical index for risk of tumor progression in patients with radioresistant tumors. For each of these parameters, the strength of association with disease progression was statistically assessed, and a specific number of points was assigned proportional to the strength of the correlation. Statistical analysis identified an optimal cut-off score of 22 or more as an indicator of significant risk for progression with a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 66.7%. The scoring system in the retrospective receiver operating characteristic analysis showed AUC of 0.82. The potential value of this scoring is the possibility of identifying patients with clinically significant radioresistant Pca.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ivana Mikolasevic
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, UHC, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Iva Skocilic
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, UHC, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Arnela Redjovic
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, UHC, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Damir Vucinic
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, UHC, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Jasna Marusic
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, UHC, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Gordana Djordjevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
- Department of Pathology, UHC, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
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4
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Wu T, Wan J, Qu X, Xia K, Wang F, Zhang Z, Yang M, Wu X, Gao R, Yuan X, Fang L, Chen C, Yin L. Nodal promotes colorectal cancer survival and metastasis through regulating SCD1-mediated ferroptosis resistance. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:229. [PMID: 37002201 PMCID: PMC10066180 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05756-6] [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: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Re-expression of an embryonic morphogen, Nodal, has been seen in several types of malignant tumours. By far, studies about Nodal's role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain limited. Ferroptosis is essential for CRC progression, which is caused by cellular redox imbalance and characterized by lipid peroxidation. Herein, we observed that Nodal enhanced CRC cell's proliferative rate, motility, invasiveness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vivo and in vitro. Notably, Nodal overexpression induced monounsaturated fatty acids synthesis and increased the lipid unsaturation level. Nodal knockdown resulted in increased CRC cell lipid peroxidation. Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) inhibition at least partially abolished the resistance of Nodal-overexpressing cells to RSL3-induced ferroptosis. Mechanistically, SCD1 was transcriptionally up-regulated by Smad2/3 pathway activation in response to Nodal overexpression. Significant Nodal and SCD1 up-regulation were observed in CRC tissues and were associated with CRC metastasis and poor clinical outcomes. Furthermore, bovine serum albumin nanoparticles/si-Nodal nanocomplexes targeting Nodal had anti-tumour effects on CRC progression and metastasis. This research elucidated the role of Nodal in CRC development and revealed a potential gene-based therapeutic strategy targeting Nodal for improving CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Wu
- Center for Difficult and Complicated Abdominal Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Jian Wan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226000, China
| | - Xiao Qu
- Center for Difficult and Complicated Abdominal Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Kai Xia
- Center for Difficult and Complicated Abdominal Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Fangtao Wang
- Center for Difficult and Complicated Abdominal Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Zichao Zhang
- Center for Difficult and Complicated Abdominal Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Muqing Yang
- Center for Difficult and Complicated Abdominal Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Xiaocai Wu
- Center for Difficult and Complicated Abdominal Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Renyuan Gao
- Center for Difficult and Complicated Abdominal Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Xiaoqi Yuan
- Center for Difficult and Complicated Abdominal Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Lin Fang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| | - Chunqiu Chen
- Center for Difficult and Complicated Abdominal Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| | - Lu Yin
- Center for Difficult and Complicated Abdominal Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
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Untiveros G, Dezi L, Gillette M, Sidor J, Strizzi L. Normal Skin Cells Increase Aggressiveness of Cutaneous Melanoma by Promoting Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition via Nodal and Wnt Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11719. [PMID: 34769150 PMCID: PMC8583838 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a lethal form of skin cancer triggered by genetic and environmental factors. Excision of early-stage, poorly aggressive melanoma often leads to a successful outcome; however, left undiagnosed these lesions can progress to metastatic disease. This research investigates whether the exposure of poorly aggressive melanoma to certain normal skin cells can explain how non-metastatic melanoma becomes more aggressive while still confined to the skin. To this end, we used a serial co-culture approach to sequentially expose cells from two different, poorly aggressive human melanoma cell lines against normal cells of the skin beginning with normal melanocytes, then epidermal keratinocytes, and finally dermal fibroblasts. Protein extraction of melanoma cells occurred at each step of the co-culture sequence for western blot (WB) analysis. In addition, morphological and functional changes were assessed to detect differences between the serially co-cultured melanoma cells and non-co-cultured cells. Results show that the co-cultured melanoma cells assumed a more mesenchymal morphology and displayed a significant increase in proliferation and invasiveness compared to control or reference cells. WB analysis of protein from the co-cultured melanoma cells showed increased expression of Snail and decreased levels of E-cadherin suggesting that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is occurring in these co-cultured cells. Additional WB analysis showed increased levels of Nodal protein and signaling and signs of increased Wnt activity in the co-cultured melanoma cells compared to reference cells. These data suggest that interaction between poorly aggressive melanoma cells with normal cells of the skin may regulate the transition from localized, poorly aggressive melanoma to invasive, metastatic disease via Nodal and/or Wnt induced EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Untiveros
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
| | - Lindsay Dezi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
| | - Megan Gillette
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA; (M.G.); (J.S.)
| | - Julia Sidor
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA; (M.G.); (J.S.)
| | - Luigi Strizzi
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
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Freeman DW, Rodrigues Sousa E, Karkampouna S, Zoni E, Gray PC, Salomon DS, Kruithof-de Julio M, Spike BT. Whence CRIPTO: The Reemergence of an Oncofetal Factor in 'Wounds' That Fail to Heal. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10164. [PMID: 34576327 PMCID: PMC8472190 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There exists a set of factors termed oncofetal proteins that play key roles in ontogeny before they decline or disappear as the organism's tissues achieve homeostasis, only to then re-emerge in cancer. Although the unique therapeutic potential presented by such factors has been recognized for more than a century, their clinical utility has yet to be fully realized1. This review highlights the small signaling protein CRIPTO encoded by the tumor derived growth factor 1 (TDGF1/Tdgf1) gene, an oft cited oncofetal protein whose presence in the cancer literature as a tumor promoter, diagnostic marker and viable therapeutic target continues to grow. We touch lightly on features well established and well-reviewed since its discovery more than 30 years ago, including CRIPTO's early developmental roles and modulation of SMAD2/3 activation by a selected set of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family ligands. We predominantly focus instead on more recent and less well understood additions to the CRIPTO signaling repertoire, on its potential upstream regulators and on new conceptual ground for understanding its mode of action in the multicellular and often stressful contexts of neoplastic transformation and progression. We ask whence it re-emerges in cancer and where it 'hides' between the time of its fetal activity and its oncogenic reemergence. In this regard, we examine CRIPTO's restriction to rare cells in the adult, its potential for paracrine crosstalk, and its emerging role in inflammation and tissue regeneration-roles it may reprise in tumorigenesis, acting on subsets of tumor cells to foster cancer initiation and progression. We also consider critical gaps in knowledge and resources that stand between the recent, exciting momentum in the CRIPTO field and highly actionable CRIPTO manipulation for cancer therapy and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. Freeman
- Department of Oncological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, USA;
| | - Elisa Rodrigues Sousa
- Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (E.R.S.); (S.K.); (E.Z.)
| | - Sofia Karkampouna
- Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (E.R.S.); (S.K.); (E.Z.)
| | - Eugenio Zoni
- Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (E.R.S.); (S.K.); (E.Z.)
| | - Peter C. Gray
- Peptide Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
| | - David S. Salomon
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 20893, USA;
| | - Marianna Kruithof-de Julio
- Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (E.R.S.); (S.K.); (E.Z.)
- Translational Organoid Models, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Bern Center for Precision Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Urology, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin T. Spike
- Department of Oncological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, USA;
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7
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Arnouk H, Yum G, Shah D. Cripto-1 as a Key Factor in Tumor Progression, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179280. [PMID: 34502188 PMCID: PMC8430685 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cripto-1 is an essential protein for human development that plays a key role in the early phase of gastrulation in the differentiation of an embryo as well as assists with wound healing processes. Importantly, Cripto-1 induces epithelial to mesenchymal transition to turn fixed epithelial cells into a more mobile mesenchymal phenotype through the downregulation of epithelial adhesion molecules such as E-cadherin, occludins, and claudins, and the upregulation of mesenchymal, mobile proteins, such as N-cadherin, Snail, and Slug. Consequently, Cripto-1’s role in inducing EMT to promote cell motility is beneficial in embryogenesis, but detrimental in the formation, progression and metastasis of malignant tumors. Indeed, Cripto-1 is found to be upregulated in most cancers, such as breast, lung, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, cervical, ovarian, prostate, and skin cancers. Through its role in EMT, Cripto-1 can remodel cancer cells to enable them to travel through the extracellular matrix as well as blood and lymphatic vessels to metastasize to different organs. Additionally, Cripto-1 promotes the survival of cancer stem cells, which can lead to relapse in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilal Arnouk
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
- Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
- College of Dental Medicine-Illinois, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Gloria Yum
- Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
| | - Dean Shah
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
- Master of Public Health Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
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8
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Wong JYK, Mukherjee R, Miao J, Bilyk O, Triana V, Miskolzie M, Henninot A, Dwyer JJ, Kharchenko S, Iampolska A, Volochnyuk DM, Lin YS, Postovit LM, Derda R. Genetically-encoded discovery of proteolytically stable bicyclic inhibitors for morphogen NODAL. Chem Sci 2021; 12:9694-9703. [PMID: 34349940 PMCID: PMC8294009 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc01916c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this manuscript, we developed a two-fold symmetric linchpin (TSL) that converts readily available phage-displayed peptides libraries made of 20 common amino acids to genetically-encoded libraries of bicyclic peptides displayed on phage. TSL combines an aldehyde-reactive group and two thiol-reactive groups; it bridges two side chains of cysteine [C] with an N-terminal aldehyde group derived from the N-terminal serine [S], yielding a novel bicyclic topology that lacks a free N-terminus. Phage display libraries of SX1CX2X3X4X5X6X7C sequences, where X is any amino acid but Cys, were converted to a library of bicyclic TSL-[S]X1[C]X2X3X4X5X6X7[C] peptides in 45 ± 15% yield. Using this library and protein morphogen NODAL as a target, we discovered bicyclic macrocycles that specifically antagonize NODAL-induced signaling in cancer cells. At a 10 μM concentration, two discovered bicyclic peptides completely suppressed NODAL-induced phosphorylation of SMAD2 in P19 embryonic carcinoma cells. The TSL-[S]Y[C]KRAHKN[C] bicycle inhibited NODAL-induced proliferation of NODAL-TYK-nu ovarian carcinoma cells with apparent IC50 of 1 μM. The same bicycle at 10 μM concentration did not affect the growth of the control TYK-nu cells. TSL-bicycles remained stable over the course of the 72 hour-long assays in a serum-rich cell-culture medium. We further observed general stability in mouse serum and in a mixture of proteases (Pronase™) for 21 diverse bicyclic macrocycles of different ring sizes, amino acid sequences, and cross-linker geometries. TSL-constrained peptides to expand the previously reported repertoire of phage-displayed bicyclic architectures formed by cross-linking Cys side chains. We anticipate that it will aid the discovery of proteolytically stable bicyclic inhibitors for a variety of protein targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Y-K Wong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - Raja Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - Jiayuan Miao
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University Medford MA 02155 USA
| | - Olena Bilyk
- Department of Experimental Oncology, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - Vivian Triana
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - Mark Miskolzie
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
| | | | - John J Dwyer
- Ferring Research Institute San Diego California 92121 USA
| | | | - Anna Iampolska
- Enamine Ltd. Chervonotkatska Street 78 Kyiv 02094 Ukraine
| | | | - Yu-Shan Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University Medford MA 02155 USA
| | - Lynne-Marie Postovit
- Department of Experimental Oncology, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - Ratmir Derda
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
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Levin M. Bioelectrical approaches to cancer as a problem of the scaling of the cellular self. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 165:102-113. [PMID: 33961843 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
One lens with which to understand the complex phenomenon of cancer is that of developmental biology. Cancer is the inevitable consequence of a breakdown of the communication that enables individual cells to join into computational networks that work towards large-scale, morphogenetic goals instead of more primitive, unicellular objectives. This perspective suggests that cancer may be a physiological disorder, not necessarily due to problems with the genetically-specified protein hardware. One aspect of morphogenetic coordination is bioelectric signaling, and indeed an abnormal bioelectric signature non-invasively reveals the site of incipient tumors in amphibian models. Functionally, a disruption of resting potential states triggers metastatic melanoma phenotypes in embryos with no genetic defects or carcinogen exposure. Conversely, optogenetic or molecular-biological modulation of bioelectric states can override powerful oncogenic mutations and prevent or normalize tumors. The bioelectrically-mediated information flows that harness cells toward body-level anatomical outcomes represent a very attractive and tractable endogenous control system, which is being targeted by emerging approaches to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Levin
- Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, 200 Boston Ave., Suite 4600, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.
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10
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Wang X, Liu S, Cao H, Li X, Rong Y, Liu G, Du H, Shen H. Increasing Embryonic Morphogen Nodal Expression Suggests Malignant Transformation in Colorectal Lesions and as a Potential Marker for CMS4 Subtype of Colorectal Cancer. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:587029. [PMID: 34257534 PMCID: PMC8262187 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.587029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Nodal, an embryonic morphogen in TGF-β family, is related with tumorigenicity and progression in various tumors including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the difference of Nodal expression between CRC and colorectal polyps has not yet been investigated. Besides, whether Nodal can be used as a marker for consensus molecular subtype classification-4 (CMS4) of CRC is also worth studying. We analyzed Nodal expression in patients of CRC (161), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN, 28) and five types of colorectal polyps (116). The Nodal expression difference among groups and the association between Nodal expression and clinicopathological features were analyzed. Two categories logistic regression model was used to predict the odds ratio (OR) of risk factors for high tumor-stroma percentage (TSP), and ROC curve was used to assess the diagnostic value of Nodal in predicting high TSP in CRC. We found that Nodal expression was significantly elevated in CRC and HGIN (p < 0.0001). The increased expression of Nodal was related with high TSP, mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) status, lymph node metastasis and advanced AJCC stage (p < 0.05). Besides, Nodal expression was the only risk factor for high TSP (OR = 6.94; p < 0.001), and ROC curve demonstrated that Nodal expression was able to efficiently distinguish high and low TSP. In conclusion, different expression of Nodal between CRC/HGIN and benign lesions is suggestive of a promoting role for Nodal in colorectal tumor progression. Besides, Nodal might also be used as a potential marker for CMS4 subtype of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopai Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shousheng Liu
- Department of General Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huijiao Cao
- Department of General Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiubo Li
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuming Rong
- Department of General Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guorong Liu
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Du
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Shen
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Abdel Mouti M, Pauklin S. TGFB1/INHBA Homodimer/Nodal-SMAD2/3 Signaling Network: A Pivotal Molecular Target in PDAC Treatment. Mol Ther 2021; 29:920-936. [PMID: 33429081 PMCID: PMC7934636 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains a grueling disease that is projected to become the second-deadliest cancer in the next decade. Standard treatment of pancreatic cancer is chemotherapy, which mainly targets the differentiated population of tumor cells; however, it paradoxically sets the roots of tumor relapse by the selective enrichment of intrinsically chemoresistant pancreatic cancer stem cells that are equipped with an indefinite capacity for self-renewal and differentiation, resulting in tumor regeneration and an overall anemic response to chemotherapy. Crosstalk between pancreatic tumor cells and the surrounding stromal microenvironment is also involved in the development of chemoresistance by creating a supportive niche, which enhances the stemness features and tumorigenicity of pancreatic cancer cells. In addition, the desmoplastic nature of the tumor-associated stroma acts as a physical barrier, which limits the intratumoral delivery of chemotherapeutics. In this review, we mainly focus on the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1)/inhibin subunit beta A (INHBA) homodimer/Nodal-SMAD2/3 signaling network in pancreatic cancer as a pivotal central node that regulates multiple key mechanisms involved in the development of chemoresistance, including enhancement of the stem cell-like properties and tumorigenicity of pancreatic cancer cells, mediating cooperative interactions between pancreatic cancer cells and the surrounding stroma, as well as regulating the deposition of extracellular matrix proteins within the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Abdel Mouti
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Headington, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Siim Pauklin
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Headington, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK.
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12
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Hong X, Wen B, Zhang H, Li Y, Wu H, Zhao W, Luo X. Biological effects of NODAL on endometrial cancer cells and its underlying mechanisms. Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:402. [PMID: 33717261 PMCID: PMC7938447 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9833] [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: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Activin A receptor type 1C (ALK7) and its ligand nodal growth differentiation factor (NODAL) serve numerous roles in cancer cells, including regulating cancer invasion, migration and apoptosis. NODAL promotes breast cancer cell apoptosis by activating ALK7; however, ALK7 and NODAL expression in endometrial cancer (EC), as well as their effects and underlying mechanisms in EC cells, are not completely understood. The present study aimed to characterize the expression of NODAL and ALK7 in EC, as well as the underlying mechanisms. The expression levels of ALK7 and NODAL were detected via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. Cell transfection was performed to overexpress NODAL or interfere ALK7. Cell proliferation, invasion and migration were detected via Cell Counting Kit-8, Transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. Flow cytometry was performed to detect cell apoptosis and western blotting was conducted to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins. NODAL and ALK7 expression levels were significantly decreased in EC cell lines compared with normal endometrial cells. NODAL overexpression inhibited EC cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and promoted EC cell apoptosis compared with the overexpression-negative control (Ov-NC) group. Moreover, NODAL overexpression significantly increased ALK7 expression levels in EC cells compared with the Ov-NC group. ALK7 reversed NODAL overexpression-mediated inhibition of EC cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and promotion of EC cell apoptosis. The present study indicated that NODAL inhibited EC cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and promoted EC cell apoptosis by activating ALK7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshan Hong
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, P.R. China
| | - Bin Wen
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, P.R. China
| | - Huaming Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, P.R. China
| | - Yuhan Li
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, P.R. China
| | - Hengying Wu
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, P.R. China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, Institute of Aging Research, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, P.R. China
| | - Xiping Luo
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, P.R. China
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13
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Zhu X, Xue D, Liu J, Dong F, Li Y, Liu Y. Nodal is involved in chemoresistance of renal cell carcinoma cells via regulation of ABCB1. J Cancer 2021; 12:2041-2049. [PMID: 33754002 PMCID: PMC7974526 DOI: 10.7150/jca.52092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the third most frequent malignancy within urological oncology. Understanding mechanisms of chemoresistance in RCC cell is important for therapy and drug development. We established cisplatin (CDDP) resistant RCC cells by treating cells with increasing concentrations of CDDP. Nodal, an important embryonic morphogen, was increased in RCC/CDDP cells. Targeted inhibition of Nodal via its siRNA or neutralization antibody restored sensitivity of RCC resistant cells to CDDP treatment. It was due to that si-Nodal can decrease expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp, encoded by ABCB1), one important ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane transporter for drug efflux. si-Nodal can decrease the transcription and promoter activity of ABCB1. Mechanistically, si-Nodal can decrease the phosphorylation of p65, which can bind to the promoter of ABCB1 and then trigger its transcription. Further, CDDP treatment decreased the expression of Nodal in culture medium of RCC cells. Collectively, we found that Nodal can regulate chemoresistance of RCC cells via regulating transcription of ABCB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingwang Zhu
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Dongwei Xue
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Fengming Dong
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Yongzhi Li
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Yili Liu
- Department of Urology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
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14
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Li Y, Zhong W, Zhu M, Li M, Yang Z. miR-185 inhibits prostate cancer angiogenesis induced by the nodal/ALK4 pathway. BMC Urol 2020; 20:49. [PMID: 32366240 PMCID: PMC7197131 DOI: 10.1186/s12894-020-00617-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inhibition of angiogenesis in prostatic cancer could be a brand-new method to suppress tumour progression. Nodal/ALK4 has been associated with vascularization in many cancers. However, the relationship between and role of Nodal/ALK4 and miR-185 in human prostatic cancer is still unknown. Methods Prostatic cancer DU145 cells and LNCaP cells were used to investigate the angiogenic effect induced by Nodal and the anti-angiogenic roles of miR-185. Colony formation assay, MTT assay, transwell assay and tube formation assay were used to explore cell proliferation, migration and tube-forming ability, respectively. A luciferase reporter assay confirmed the binding relationship between miR-185 and ALK4. The expression levels of miR-185, ALK4 and VEGF were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The effects of miR-185 and Nodal in prostate cancer were also investigated in animal experiments. Results VEGF expression was increased in DU145 cells and LNCaP cells after Nodal incubation, and Nodal activated the proliferation ability of prostatic cancer cells and the migration and tube-forming ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which were all inhibited by treatment with the Nodal inhibitor SB431524. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay were used to verify miR-185 as a target of ALK4. Prostatic cancer cell proliferation was inhibited by overexpression of miR-185, which was shown to regulate the migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs by targeting ALK4 for suppression. miR-185 also showed a significant inverse correlation with Nodal treatment and reversed the angiogenic effects induced by Nodal. More importantly, for the first time, xenograft experiments indicated that overexpression of miR-185 suppressed tumour development. Conclusion The Nodal/ALK4 pathway is important in the angiogenesis of prostate cancer and can be inhibited by targeting miR-185 to downregulate ALK4. These findings provide a new perspective on the mechanism of prostate cancer formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youkong Li
- Department of Urology, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, No.60 Jingzhong Road, Jingzhou District, Jingzhou, 434020, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wen Zhong
- Department of Endocrine, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434020, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Zhu
- Department of Urology, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, No.60 Jingzhong Road, Jingzhou District, Jingzhou, 434020, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengbo Li
- Department of Urology, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, No.60 Jingzhong Road, Jingzhou District, Jingzhou, 434020, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenwei Yang
- Department of Urology, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, No.60 Jingzhong Road, Jingzhou District, Jingzhou, 434020, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
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15
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Harpelunde Poulsen K, Nielsen JE, Grønkær Toft B, Joensen UN, Rasmussen LJ, Blomberg Jensen M, Mitchell RT, Juul A, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Jørgensen A. Influence of Nodal signalling on pluripotency factor expression, tumour cell proliferation and cisplatin-sensitivity in testicular germ cell tumours. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:349. [PMID: 32326899 PMCID: PMC7181506 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-06820-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are characterised by an overall high cisplatin-sensitivity which has been linked to their continued expression of pluripotency factors. Recently, the Nodal signalling pathway has been implicated in the regulation of pluripotency factor expression in fetal germ cells, and the pathway could therefore also be involved in regulating expression of pluripotency factors in malignant germ cells, and hence cisplatin-sensitivity in TGCTs. METHODS We used in vitro culture of the TGCT-derived cell line NTera2, ex vivo tissue culture of primary TGCT specimens and xenografting of NTera2 cells into nude mice in order to investigate the consequences of manipulating Nodal and Activin signalling on pluripotency factor expression, apoptosis, proliferation and cisplatin-sensitivity. RESULTS The Nodal signalling factors were markedly expressed concomitantly with the pluripotency factor OCT4 in GCNIS cells, seminomas and embryonal carcinomas. Despite this, inhibition of Nodal and Activin signalling either alone or simultaneously did not affect proliferation or apoptosis in malignant germ cells in vitro or ex vivo. Interestingly, inhibition of Nodal signalling in vitro reduced the expression of pluripotency factors and Nodal pathway genes, while stimulation of the pathway increased their expression. However, cisplatin-sensitivity was not affected following pharmacological inhibition of Nodal/Activin signalling or siRNA-mediated knockdown of the obligate co-receptor CRIPTO in NTera2 cells in vitro or in a xenograft model. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the Nodal signalling pathway may be involved in regulating pluripotency factor expression in malignant germ cells, but manipulation of the pathway does not appear to affect cisplatin-sensitivity or tumour cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Harpelunde Poulsen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J E Nielsen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - B Grønkær Toft
- Pathology Department, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - U N Joensen
- Department of Urology, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - L J Rasmussen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Blomberg Jensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - R T Mitchell
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - A Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - E Rajpert-De Meyts
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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16
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Xu X, Zhou X, Gao C, Cao L, Zhang Y, Hu X, Cui Y. Nodal promotes the malignancy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells via activation of NF-κB/IL-6 signals. Biol Chem 2020; 400:777-785. [PMID: 30699065 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2018-0392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for the malignancy of NSCLC cells is important for therapy and drug development. Nodal, an important embryonic morphogen, has been reported to modulate tumorigenesis. We found that Nodal can trigger the proliferation of NSCLC cells and decrease the sensitivity to doxorubicin (Dox) and cisplatin (CDDP) treatment. Targeted inhibition of Nodal can suppress the proliferation of NSCLC cells. Among the measured cytokines, Nodal can increase the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) in NSCLC cells. Inhibition of IL-6, while not VEGFA, attenuated Nodal induced cell proliferation, suggesting the essential roles of IL-6 in Nodal induced malignancy of NSCLC cells. Nodal can trigger the phosphorylation, nuclear translocation and transcriptional activities of p65, the key signal transducer of NF-κB. This was due to the fact that Nodal can increase the phosphorylation of IKKβ/IκBα. The inhibitor of IKKβ abolished Nodal induced activation of p65 and expression of IL-6. Collectively, we found that Nodal can increase the proliferation and decrease chemosensitivity of NSCLC cells via regulation of NF-κB/IL-6 signals. It indicated that Nodal might be a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Lei Cao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xue Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yushang Cui
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shuaifuyuan No. 1, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
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17
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Pang T, Yin X, Luo T, Lu Z, Nie M, Yin K, Xue X. Cancer‐associated fibroblasts promote malignancy of gastric cancer cells via Nodal signalling. Cell Biochem Funct 2019; 38:4-11. [PMID: 31733068 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Pang
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryChanghai Hospital Shanghai China
| | - Xiaoyi Yin
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryChanghai Hospital Shanghai China
| | - Tianhang Luo
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryChanghai Hospital Shanghai China
| | - Zhengmao Lu
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryChanghai Hospital Shanghai China
| | - Mingming Nie
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryChanghai Hospital Shanghai China
| | - Kai Yin
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryChanghai Hospital Shanghai China
| | - Xuchao Xue
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryChanghai Hospital Shanghai China
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18
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Asnaghi L, White DT, Yoon L, Price A, Lee GY, Sahoo A, Mumm JS, Eberhart CG. Downregulation of Nodal inhibits metastatic progression in retinoblastoma. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:137. [PMID: 31451106 PMCID: PMC6709548 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0785-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular malignancy in children. We previously found that the ACVR1C/SMAD2 pathway is significantly upregulated in invasive retinoblastoma samples from patients. Here we studied the role of an ACVR1C ligand, Nodal, in regulating growth and metastatic dissemination in retinoblastoma. Inhibition of Nodal using multiple short hairpin (shRNAs) in WERI Rb1 and Y79 retinoblastoma cell cultures reduced growth by more than 90%, as determined by CCK-8 growth assay. Proliferation was also significantly inhibited, as found by Ki67 assay. These effects were paralleled by inhibition in the phosphorylation of the downstream effector SMAD2, as well as induction of apoptosis, as we observed more than three-fold increase in the percentage of cells positive for cleaved-caspase-3 or expressing cleaved-PARP1. Importantly, we found that downregulation of Nodal potently suppressed invasion in vitro, by 50 to 80%, as determined by transwell invasion assay (p = 0.02). Using an orthotopic model of retinoblastoma in zebrafish, we found 34% reduction in the ability of the cells to disseminate outside the eye, when Nodal was knocked down by shRNA (p = 0.0003). These data suggest that Nodal plays an important role in promoting growth, proliferation and invasion in retinoblastoma, and can be considered a new therapeutic target for both primary tumor growth and metastatic progression.
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19
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Sandomenico A, Ruvo M. Targeting Nodal and Cripto-1: Perspectives Inside Dual Potential Theranostic Cancer Biomarkers. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:1994-2050. [PMID: 30207211 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180912104707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elucidating the mechanisms of recurrence of embryonic signaling pathways in tumorigenesis has led to the discovery of onco-fetal players which have physiological roles during normal development but result aberrantly re-activated in tumors. In this context, Nodal and Cripto-1 are recognized as onco-developmental factors, which are absent in normal tissues but are overexpressed in several solid tumors where they can serve as theranostic agents. OBJECTIVE To collect, review and discuss the most relevant papers related to the involvement of Nodal and Cripto-1 in the development, progression, recurrence and metastasis of several tumors where they are over-expressed, with a particular attention to their occurrence on the surface of the corresponding sub-populations of cancer stem cells (CSC). RESULTS We have gathered, rationalized and discussed the most interesting findings extracted from some 370 papers related to the involvement of Cripto-1 and Nodal in all tumor types where they have been detected. Data demonstrate the clear connection between Nodal and Cripto-1 presence and their multiple oncogenic activities across different tumors. We have also reviewed and highlighted the potential of targeting Nodal, Cripto-1 and the complexes that they form on the surface of tumor cells, especially of CSC, as an innovative approach to detect and suppress tumors with molecules that block one or more mechanisms that they regulate. CONCLUSION Overall, Nodal and Cripto-1 represent two innovative and effective biomarkers for developing potential theranostic anti-tumor agents that target normal as well as CSC subpopulations and overcome both pharmacological resistance and tumor relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Sandomenico
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
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20
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Alwhaibi A, Verma A, Artham S, Adil MS, Somanath PR. Nodal pathway activation due to Akt1 suppression is a molecular switch for prostate cancer cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metastasis. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 168:1-13. [PMID: 31202735 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have unraveled the negative role of Akt1 in advanced cancers, including metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa). Hence, understanding the consequences of targeting Akt1 in the mPCa and identifying its downstream novel targets is essential. We studied how Akt1 deletion in PC3 and DU145 cells activates the Nodal pathway and promotes PCa epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. Here we show that Akt1 loss increases Nodal expression in PCa cells accompanied by activation of FoxO1/3a, and EMT markers Snail and N-cadherin as well as loss of epithelial marker E-cadherin. Treatment with FoxO inhibitor AS1842856 abrogated the Nodal expression in Akt1 deleted PCa cells. Akt1 deficient PCa cells exhibited enhanced cell migration and invasion in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo, which were attenuated by treatment with Nodal pathway inhibitor SB505124. Interestingly, Nodal mRNA analysis from two genomic studies in cBioportal showed a positive correlation between Nodal expression and Gleason score indicating the positive role of Nodal in human mPCa. Collectively, our data demonstrate Akt1-FoxO3a-Nodal pathway as an important mediator of PCa metastasis and present Nodal as a potential target to treat mPCa patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahman Alwhaibi
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Arti Verma
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Sandeep Artham
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Mir S Adil
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Payaningal R Somanath
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States; Department of Medicine, Vascular Biology Center and Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States.
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21
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Nodal Facilitates Differentiation of Fibroblasts to Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts that Support Tumor Growth in Melanoma and Colorectal Cancer. Cells 2019; 8:cells8060538. [PMID: 31167491 PMCID: PMC6627322 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts become cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment after activation by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and are critically involved in cancer progression. However, it is unknown whether the TGF superfamily member Nodal, which is expressed in various tumors but not expressed in normal adult tissue, influences the fibroblast to CAF conversion. Here, we report that Nodal has a positive correlation with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in clinical melanoma and colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues. We show the Nodal converts normal fibroblasts to CAFs, together with Snail and TGF-β signaling pathway activation in fibroblasts. Activated CAFs promote cancer growth in vitro and tumor-bearing mouse models in vivo. These results demonstrate that intercellular crosstalk between cancer cells and fibroblasts is mediated by Nodal, which controls tumor growth, providing potential targets for the prevention and treatment of tumors.
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22
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An Oncogenic Role for Four-Jointed Box 1 (FJX1) in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. DISEASE MARKERS 2019; 2019:3857853. [PMID: 31236144 PMCID: PMC6545767 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3857853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a highly metastatic cancer prevalent in Southern China and Southeast Asia. The current knowledge on the molecular pathogenesis of NPC is still inadequate to improve disease management. Using gene expression microarrays, we have identified the four-jointed box 1 (FJX1) gene to be upregulated in primary NPC tissues relative to nonmalignant tissues. An orthologue of human FJX1, the four-jointed (fj) gene in Drosophila and Fjx1 in mouse, has reported to be associated with cancer progression pathways. However, the exact function of FJX1 in human is not well characterized. The overexpression of FJX1 mRNA was validated in primary NPC tissue samples, and the level of FJX1 protein was significantly higher in a subset of NPC tissues (42%) compared to the normal epithelium, where no expression of FJX1 was observed (p = 0.01). FJX1 is also found to be overexpressed in microarray datasets and TCGA datasets of other cancers including head and neck cancer, colorectal, and ovarian cancer. Both siRNA knockdown and overexpression experiments in NPC cell lines showed that FJX1 promotes cell proliferation, anchorage-dependent growth, and cellular invasion. Cyclin D1 and E1 mRNA levels were increased following FJX1 expression indicating that FJX1 enhances proliferation by regulating key proteins governing the cell cycle. Our data suggest that the overexpression of FJX1 contributes to a more aggressive phenotype of NPC cells and further investigations into FJX1 as a potential therapeutic target for NPC are warranted. The evaluation of FJX1 as an immunotherapy target for NPC and other cancers is currently ongoing.
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Miura R, Yokoi A, Matsumoto T, Oguri Y, Hashimura M, Tochimoto M, Kajita S, Saegusa M. Nodal induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in ovarian endometriosis-clear cell carcinoma lesions. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:308. [PMID: 30943930 PMCID: PMC6448249 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5539-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Expression of Nodal, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, is commonly absent in differentiated tissues, while its re-expression occurs in a variety of human malignancy. However, little is known about its involvement in ovarian tumorigenesis. Herein, we focused on the functional roles of Nodal in ovarian endometriosis-carcinoma lesions. METHODS Regulation and function of Nodal and its associated molecules, including Smad2, GSK-3β, and several cell kinetics-related molecules, were assessed using clinical samples consisting of 108 ovarian carcinomas and 33 endometriotic lesions, as well as ES-2 (ovarian clear cell carcinoma; OCCCa) and Ishikawa (endometrial carcinoma) cell lines. RESULTS Nodal expression was significantly higher in endometriosis and OCCCa lesions as compared to that of non-OCCCas, with positive correlations to phosphorylated forms of both Smad2 (pSmad2) and GSK-3β. When compared to endometriotic lesions, the expression of Nodal and pSmad2 was significantly decreased in OCCCa. Treatment of Ishikawa cells with TGF-β1 resulted in transcriptional upregulation of Nodal, along with increased pSmad2 expression, while inhibition of GSK-3β also induced an increase in Nodal expression at the posttranslational level. Both ES-2 and Ishikawa cells stably overexpressing Nodal had increased susceptibility to apoptosis in response to treatment with cisplatin and doxorubicin, respectively, together with higher cleaved caspase-3 expression and decreased Bcl2/Bax ratio. Moreover, the stable Nodal-overexpressing cells showed reduced cell proliferation, along with increased expression of p27kip1 and p21waf1. In clinical samples, a significantly higher number of apoptotic cells and lower Ki-67 labeling indices were observed in Nodal-positive as compared to Nodal-negative OCCCa. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that Nodal is a multifunctional cytokine involved in the modulation of cell kinetics in ovarian endometriosis-OCCCa lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinako Miura
- Department of Pathology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374 Japan
| | - Ako Yokoi
- Department of Pathology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374 Japan
| | - Toshihide Matsumoto
- Department of Pathology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374 Japan
| | - Yasuko Oguri
- Department of Pathology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374 Japan
| | - Miki Hashimura
- Department of Pathology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374 Japan
| | - Masataka Tochimoto
- Department of Pathology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374 Japan
| | - Sabine Kajita
- Department of Pathology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374 Japan
| | - Makoto Saegusa
- Department of Pathology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374 Japan
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24
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Chen W, Jiang T, Mao H, Gao R, Gao X, He Y, Zhang H, Chen Q. Nodal Promotes the Migration and Invasion of Bladder Cancer Cells via Regulation of Snail. J Cancer 2019; 10:1511-1519. [PMID: 31031861 PMCID: PMC6485227 DOI: 10.7150/jca.29205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Urinary bladder cancer is one of commonly diagnosed malignancies worldwide, especially in males. Understanding the mechanisms of advanced metastasis in bladder cell is important for therapy and drug development. Nodal, an important embryonic morphogen, has been reported to modulate tumorigenesis. We found that the expression of Nodal was upregulated in bladder cancer cells and tissues as compared to their corresponding controls. Knockdown of Nodal can suppress the migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of bladder cancer cells. Nodal can positively regulate the expression of Snail, one powerful EMT transcription factors, in bladder cancer cells. Overexpression of Snail can attenuate the si-Nodal suppressed cell migration and invasion. Nodal can increase the transcription and protein stability of Snail in bladder cancer cells. YY1, which can be activated by Nodal, is responsible for Nodal induced transcription of Snail. ATM, which can stabilize Snail by phosphorylation on Serine-100, was involved in Nodal upregulated protein stability of Snail. Collectively, our data showed that Nodal can trigger the malignancy of bladder cancer cells via increasing the transcription and protein stability of Snail. It indicated that Nodal might be a potential therapeutic target for bladder cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwei Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Houping Mao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Rui Gao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Xingjian Gao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Yanfeng He
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Qin Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
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25
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Seftor EA, Margaryan NV, Seftor REB, Hendrix MJC. Heterogeneity of Melanoma with Stem Cell Properties. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1139:105-114. [PMID: 31134497 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-14366-4_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma continues to present a significant challenge-with a cure rate of less than 10% and a median survival of 6-9 months. Despite noteworthy advances in the field, the heterogeneity of melanoma tumors, comprised of cell subpopulations expressing a cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype concomitant with drug resistance markers presents a formidable challenge in the design of current therapies. Particularly vexing is the ability of distinct subpopulations of melanoma cells to resist standard-of-care treatments, resulting in relapse and progression to metastasis. Recent studies have provided new information and insights into the expression and function of CSC markers associated with the aggressive melanoma phenotype, such as the embryonic morphogen Nodal and CD133, together with a drug resistance marker ABCA1. This chapter highlights major findings that demonstrate the promise of targeting Nodal as a viable option to pursue in combination with standard-of-care therapy. In recognizing that aggressive melanoma tumors utilize multiple mechanisms to survive, we must consider a more strategic approach to effectively target heterogeneity, tumor cell plasticity, and functional adaptation and resistance to current therapies-to eliminate relapse, disease progression, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth A Seftor
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, One Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Naira V Margaryan
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, One Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Richard E B Seftor
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, One Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mary J C Hendrix
- Department of Biology, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV, USA.
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26
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Asnaghi L, White DT, Key N, Choi J, Mahale A, Alkatan H, Edward DP, Elkhamary SM, Al-Mesfer S, Maktabi A, Hurtado CG, Lee GY, Carcaboso AM, Mumm JS, Safieh LA, Eberhart CG. ACVR1C/SMAD2 signaling promotes invasion and growth in retinoblastoma. Oncogene 2018; 38:2056-2075. [PMID: 30401983 PMCID: PMC6430693 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0543-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular cancer in children. While the primary tumor can often be treated by local or systemic chemotherapy, metastatic dissemination is generally resistant to therapy and remains a leading cause of pediatric cancer death in much of the world. In order to identify new therapeutic targets in aggressive tumors, we sequenced RNA transcripts in five snap frozen retinoblastomas which invaded the optic nerve and five which did not. A three-fold increase was noted in mRNA levels of ACVR1C/ALK7, a type I receptor of the TGF-β family, in invasive retinoblastomas, while downregulation of DACT2 and LEFTY2, negative modulators of the ACVR1C signaling, was observed in most invasive tumors. A two- to three-fold increase in ACVR1C mRNA was also found in invasive WERI Rb1 and Y79 cells as compared to non-invasive cells in vitro. Transcripts of ACVR1C receptor and its ligands (Nodal, Activin A/B, and GDF3) were expressed in six retinoblastoma lines, and evidence of downstream SMAD2 signaling was present in all these lines. Pharmacological inhibition of ACVR1C signaling using SB505124, or genetic downregulation of the receptor using shRNA potently suppressed invasion, growth, survival, and reduced the protein levels of the mesenchymal markers ZEB1 and Snail. The inhibitory effects on invasion, growth, and proliferation were recapitulated by knocking down SMAD2, but not SMAD3. Finally, in an orthotopic zebrafish model of retinoblastoma, a 55% decrease in tumor spread was noted (p=0.0026) when larvae were treated with 3 μM of SB505124, as compared to DMSO. Similarly, knockdown of ACVR1C in injected tumor cells using shRNA also resulted in a 54% reduction in tumor dissemination in the zebrafish eye as compared to scrambled shRNA control (p=0.0005). Our data support a role for the ACVR1C/SMAD2 pathway in promoting invasion and growth of retinoblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Asnaghi
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David T White
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nolan Key
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joshua Choi
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alka Mahale
- King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hind Alkatan
- King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Deepak P Edward
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sahar M Elkhamary
- King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt
| | | | - Azza Maktabi
- King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Christopher G Hurtado
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Grace Y Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Jeff S Mumm
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Charles G Eberhart
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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27
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Chai SJ, Fong SCY, Gan CP, Pua KC, Lim PVH, Lau SH, Zain RB, Abraham T, Ismail SM, Abdul Rahman ZA, Ponniah S, Patel V, Cheong SC, Lim KP. In vitro evaluation of dual-antigenic PV1 peptide vaccine in head and neck cancer patients. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018; 15:167-178. [PMID: 30193086 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2018.1520584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide vaccines derived from tumour-associated antigens have been used as an immunotherapeutic approach to induce specific cytotoxic immune response against tumour. We previously identified that MAGED4B and FJX1 proteins are overexpressed in HNSCC patients; and further demonstrated that two HLA-A2-restricted 9-11 amino acid peptides derived from these proteins were able to induce anti-tumour immune responses in vitro independently using PBMCs isolated from these patients. In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of a dual-antigenic peptide vaccine (PV1), comprised of MAGED4B and FJX1 peptides in HNSCC patients. We first demonstrated that 94.8% of HNSCC patients expressed MAGED4B and/or FJX1 by immunohistochemistry, suggesting that PV1 could benefit the majority of HNSCC patients. The presence of pre-existing MAGED4B and FJX1-specific T-cells was detected using a HLA-A2 dimer assay and efficacy of PV1 to induce T-cell to secrete cytotoxic cytokine was evaluated using ELISPOT assay. Pre-existing PV1-specific T-cells were detected in all patients. Notably, we demonstrated that patients' T-cells were able to secrete cytotoxic cytokines upon exposure to target cells expressing the respective antigen post PV1 stimulation. Furthermore, patients with high expression of MAGED4B and FJX1 in their tumours were more responsive to PV1 stimulation, demonstrating the specificity of the PV1 peptide vaccine. Additionally, we also demonstrated the expression of MAGED4B and FJX1 in breast, lung, colon, prostate and rectal cancer suggesting the potential use of PV1 in these cancers. In summary, PV1 could be a good vaccine candidate for the treatment of HNSCC patients and other cancers expressing these antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- San Jiun Chai
- a Cancer Research Malaysia , Subang Jaya , Selangor , Malaysia
| | | | - Chai Phei Gan
- a Cancer Research Malaysia , Subang Jaya , Selangor , Malaysia
| | - Kin Choo Pua
- b Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Hospital Pulau Pinang , Penang , Malaysia
| | - Paul Vey Hong Lim
- c Ear, Nose and Throat Department , Tung Shin Hospital , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - Shin Hin Lau
- d Stomatology Unit , Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - Rosnah Binti Zain
- e Faculty of Dentistry , MAHSA University , Selangor , Malaysia.,f Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre, Faculty of Dentistry , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - Thomas Abraham
- g Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery , Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital , Klang , Malaysia
| | - Siti Mazlipah Ismail
- h Department of Oro-Maxillofacial Surgery and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - Zainal Ariff Abdul Rahman
- h Department of Oro-Maxillofacial Surgery and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - Sathibalan Ponniah
- i Cancer Vaccine Development Program, Department of Surgery , Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Vyomesh Patel
- a Cancer Research Malaysia , Subang Jaya , Selangor , Malaysia
| | - Sok Ching Cheong
- a Cancer Research Malaysia , Subang Jaya , Selangor , Malaysia.,h Department of Oro-Maxillofacial Surgery and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - Kue Peng Lim
- a Cancer Research Malaysia , Subang Jaya , Selangor , Malaysia
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Li Y, Zhong W, Zhu M, Hu S, Su X. Nodal regulates bladder cancer cell migration and invasion via the ALK/Smad signaling pathway. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:6589-6597. [PMID: 30323631 PMCID: PMC6178944 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s177514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the urinary tract. We aimed to explore the biological role and molecular mechanism of Nodal in bladder cancer. Materials and methods The expression of Nodal in bladder cancer tissues and cells was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effect of silencing of Nodal on cell proliferation, clone formation, and migration and invasion was evaluated by MTT cell proliferation assay, colony formation, and transwell assays, respectively. Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression of proliferation- and invasion-related proteins and proteins involved in ALK/Smad signaling. Results We found that the expression of Nodal was significantly increased in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines. Downregulation of Nodal effectively weakened cell proliferation, clone formation, and cell migration and invasion abilities. The protein expression levels of CDC6, E-cadherin, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were also altered by downregulation of Nodal. Knockdown of Nodal also blocked the expression of ALK4, ALK7, Smad2, and Smad4, which are involved in ALK/Smad signaling. Additionally, the ALK4/7 receptor blocker SB431542 reversed the promotive effects of Nodal overexpression on bladder cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Conclusion Our study indicated that Nodal functions as an oncogene by regulating cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in bladder cancer via the ALK/Smad signaling pathway, thereby providing novel insights into its role in bladder cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youkong Li
- Department of Urology, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434020, People's Republic of China,
| | - Wen Zhong
- Department of Endocrine, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434020, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Zhu
- Department of Urology, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434020, People's Republic of China,
| | - Shengguo Hu
- Department of Urology, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434020, People's Republic of China,
| | - Xiaokang Su
- Department of Urology, Jingzhou Central Hospital and The Second Clinical Medical College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434020, People's Republic of China,
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29
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Wu D, Shi Z, Xu H, Chen R, Xue S, Sun X. Knockdown of Cripto-1 inhibits the proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in prostate carcinoma cells. J Biosci 2018; 42:405-416. [PMID: 29358554 DOI: 10.1007/s12038-017-9700-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cripto-1 (CR-1) is a member of the epidermal growth factor-Cripto-1/FRL1/Cryptic gene family that plays a key role in the various malignant cancers. However, the role of CR-1 in prostate carcinoma (PCa) remains limited. The expression of CR-1 was down-regulated by small interfering RNA (siRNA). Western blot measured the expression levels of CR-1 and some related proteins. We performed Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay and flow cytometry to detect the cellular proliferation and cycle. The transwell assay was used to observe cellular migration and invasion. The ability of angiogenesis was evaluated by tube formation assay. Our results showed that CR-1 knockdown markedly inhibited cell proliferation and induced cycle arrest in G1 phase, as p21 and p27 were up-regulated, whereas cyclin D1 and cyclin E1 were diminished. Moreover, silencing of CR-1 dramatically inhibited cell migration and invasion, repressed matrix metalloproteinases, and disturbed epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CR-1 siRNA suppressed the secreted level of vascular endothelial growth factor, and reduced protein level of Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. We further found that decreased CR-1 expression inhibited FAK/Src/PI3K and Wnt/b-catenin signalling in PCa cells. These results suggested CR-1 might be served as an effective therapeutic target in PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ding Wu
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
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30
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Kalyan A, Carneiro BA, Chandra S, Kaplan J, Chae YK, Matsangou M, Hendrix MJC, Giles F. Nodal Signaling as a Developmental Therapeutics Target in Oncology. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 16:787-792. [PMID: 28468864 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is a vital feature of oncogenesis and tumor progression. There are several parallels between cancer cells and early developmental stem cells, including their plasticity and signaling mechanisms. In early fetal development, Nodal is expressed for endodermal and mesodermal differentiation. This expression has been shown reemerge in the setting of epithelial cancers, such as breast and melanoma. High Nodal expression correlates to an aggressive tumor grade in these malignancies. Nodal signal begins with its interaction with its coreceptor, Cripto-1, leading to activation of Smad2/Smad3 and ultimately downstream transcription and translation. Lefty is the natural inhibitor of Nodal and controls Nodal signaling during fetal development. However, cancer cells lack the presence of Lefty, thus leading to uncontrolled tumor growth. Given this understanding, inhibition of the Nodal pathway offers a new novel therapeutic target in oncology. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(5); 787-92. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Kalyan
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois. .,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Benedito A Carneiro
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sunandana Chandra
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jason Kaplan
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Young Kwang Chae
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Maria Matsangou
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mary J C Hendrix
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Anne and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Francis Giles
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
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31
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Gong W, Sun B, Zhao X, Zhang D, Sun J, Liu T, Gu Q, Dong X, Liu F, Wang Y, Lin X, Li Y. Nodal signaling promotes vasculogenic mimicry formation in breast cancer via the Smad2/3 pathway. Oncotarget 2018; 7:70152-70167. [PMID: 27659524 PMCID: PMC5342542 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a nonangiogenesis-dependent pathway that promotes tumor growth and disease progression. Nodal signaling has several vital roles in both embryo development and cancer progression. However, the effects of Nodal signaling on VM formation in breast cancer and its underlying mechanisms are ill-defined. We analyzed the relationship between Nodal signaling and VM formation in one hundred human breast cancer cases and the results showed that the expression of Nodal was significantly correlated with VM formation, tumor metastasis, differentiation grade, TNM stage and poor prognosis. Furthermore, up-regulation of Nodal expression promoted VM formation of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of Nodal expression restrained VM formation. In addition, Nodal induced EMT and up-regulated the expression of Slug, Snail and c-Myc. We found that blocking the Smad2/3 pathway by administering SB431542 inhibited VM formation in breast cancer cell lines and xenografts. Taken together, Nodal signaling through the Smad2/3 pathway up-regulated Slug, Snail and c-Myc to induce EMT, thereby promoting VM formation. Our study suggests that the Nodal signaling pathway may serve as a therapeutic target to inhibit VM formation and improve prognosis in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchen Gong
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Baocun Sun
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Cancer Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xiulan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Danfang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Junying Sun
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Tieju Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Qiang Gu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xueyi Dong
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xian Lin
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Yanlei Li
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
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Calvanese L, Focà A, Sandomenico A, Focà G, Caporale A, Doti N, Iaccarino E, Leonardi A, D'Auria G, Ruvo M, Falcigno L. Structural insights into the interaction of a monoclonal antibody and Nodal peptides by STD-NMR spectroscopy. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:6589-6596. [PMID: 29113739 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Nodal is a growth factor expressed during early embryonic development, but reactivated in several advanced-stage cancers. Targeting of Nodal signaling, which occurs via the binding to Cripto-1 co-receptor, results in inhibition of cell aggressiveness and reduced tumor growth. The Nodal binding region to Cripto-1 was identified and targeted with a high affinity monoclonal antibody (3D1). By STD-NMR technique, we investigated the interaction of Nodal fragments with 3D1 with the aim to elucidate at atomic level the interaction surface. Data indicate with high accuracy the antibody-antigen contact atoms and confirm the information previously obtained by immune-enzymatic methods. Main residues contacted by 3D1 are P46, V47, E49 and E50, which belong to the Nodal loop involved in the interaction with the co-receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Calvanese
- CIRPeB, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Annalia Focà
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Annamaria Sandomenico
- CIRPeB, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Focà
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Caporale
- CIRPeB, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Nunzianna Doti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Emanuela Iaccarino
- DISTABIF, Università degli Studi della Campania "Lugi Vanvitelli", via Vivaldi, 43, 80100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Antonio Leonardi
- Dept. Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella D'Auria
- CIRPeB, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy; Dept. of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- CIRPeB, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Lucia Falcigno
- CIRPeB, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy; Dept. of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy.
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Margaryan NV, Seftor EA, Seftor RE, Hendrix MJ. Targeting the Stem Cell Properties of Adult Breast Cancer Cells: Using Combinatorial Strategies to Overcome Drug Resistance. CURRENT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS 2017; 3:159-164. [PMID: 29152453 PMCID: PMC5687579 DOI: 10.1007/s40610-017-0067-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide. In aggressive cancers, which are heterogeneous in nature, there exists a paucity of targetable molecules that can be used to predict outcome and response to therapy in patients, especially those in the high risk category with a propensity to relapse following chemotherapy. This review addresses the challenges pertinent to treating aggressive cancer cells with inherent stem cell properties, with a special focus on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). RECENT FINDINGS Plasticity underlies the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype in aggressive cancers like TNBC. Progenitors and CSCs implement similar signaling pathways to sustain growth, and the convergence of embryonic and tumorigenic signaling pathways has led to the discovery of novel oncofetal targets, rigorously regulated during normal development, but aberrantly reactivated in aggressive forms of cancer. SUMMARY Translational studies have shown that Nodal, an embryonic morphogen, is reactivated in aggressive cancers, but not in normal tissues, and underlies tumor growth, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance. Front-line therapies do not inhibit Nodal, but when a combinatorial approach is used with an agent such as doxorubicin followed by anti-Nodal antibody therapy, significant decreases in cell growth and viability occur. These findings are of special interest in the development of new therapeutic interventions that target the stem cell properties of cancer cells to overcome drug resistance and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naira V. Margaryan
- Department of Biochemistry, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
- Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
- Department of Biology, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 USA
| | - Elisabeth A. Seftor
- Department of Biochemistry, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
- Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
- Department of Biology, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 USA
| | - Richard E.B. Seftor
- Department of Biochemistry, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
- Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
- Department of Biology, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 USA
| | - Mary J.C. Hendrix
- Department of Internal Medicine, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
- Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
- Department of Biology, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 USA
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Different Cytokine and Chemokine Expression Patterns in Malignant Compared to Those in Nonmalignant Renal Cells. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2017; 2017:7190546. [PMID: 28775934 PMCID: PMC5523453 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7190546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Cytokines and chemokines are widely involved in cancer cell progression and thus represent promising candidate factors for new biomarkers. Methods Four renal cell cancer (RCC) cell lines (Caki-1, 786-O, RCC4, and A498) and a nonmalignant renal cell line (RC-124) were examined with respect to their proliferation. The cytokine and chemokine expression pattern was examined by a DNA array (Human Cytokines & Chemokines RT2 Profiler PCR Array; Qiagen, Hilden, Germany), and expression profiles were compared. Results Caki-1 and 786-O cells exhibited significantly increased proliferation rates, whereas RCC4 and A498 cells demonstrated attenuated proliferation, compared to nonmalignant RC-124 cells. Expression analysis revealed 52 cytokines and chemokines primarily involved in proliferation and inflammation and differentially expressed not only in malignant and nonmalignant renal cells but also in the four RCC cell lines. Conclusion This is the first study examining the expression of 84 cytokines and chemokines in four RCC cell lines compared to that in a nonmalignant renal cell line. VEGFA, NODAL, and BMP6 correlated with RCC cell line proliferation and, thus, may represent putative clinical biomarkers for RCC progression as well as for RCC diagnosis and prognosis.
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CRIPTO and its signaling partner GRP78 drive the metastatic phenotype in human osteotropic prostate cancer. Oncogene 2017; 36:4739-4749. [PMID: 28394345 PMCID: PMC5562855 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
CRIPTO (CR-1, TDGF1) is a cell surface/secreted oncoprotein actively involved in development and cancer. Here, we report that high expression of CRIPTO correlates with poor survival in stratified risk groups of prostate cancer (PCa) patients. CRIPTO and its signaling partner glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) are highly expressed in PCa metastases and display higher levels in the metastatic ALDHhigh sub-population of PC-3M-Pro4Luc2 PCa cells compared with non-metastatic ALDHlow. Coculture of the osteotropic PC-3M-Pro4Luc2 PCa cells with differentiated primary human osteoblasts induced CRIPTO and GRP78 expression in cancer cells and increases the size of the ALDHhigh sub-population. Additionally, CRIPTO or GRP78 knockdown decreases proliferation, migration, clonogenicity and the size of the metastasis-initiating ALDHhigh sub-population. CRIPTO knockdown reduces the invasion of PC-3M-Pro4Luc2 cells in zebrafish and inhibits bone metastasis in a preclinical mouse model. These results highlight a functional role for CRIPTO and GRP78 in PCa metastasis and suggest that targeting CRIPTO/GRP78 signaling may have significant therapeutic potential.
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36
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Gong W, Sun B, Sun H, Zhao X, Zhang D, Liu T, Zhao N, Gu Q, Dong X, Liu F. Nodal signaling activates the Smad2/3 pathway to regulate stem cell-like properties in breast cancer cells. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:503-517. [PMID: 28401007 PMCID: PMC5385639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nodal signaling plays several vital roles in the embryogenesis process. However, its reexpression in breast cancer is correlated with cancer progression, metastasis and poor prognosis. Recently, Nodal has also been reported to regulate self-renewal capacity in pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to explore the role of Nodal in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) and the underlying mechanisms. Therefore, the immunohistochemistry staining of Nodal in 135 human breast cancer cases was performed to analyzed the relationship of Nodal signaling, clinical outcomes and BCSC marker. And the results showed that high Nodal expression was positively correlated with poor prognosis and BCSC marker expression in breast cancer samples. We further assessed the effects of Nodal in regulating the BCSC properties in breast cancer cell lines and xenografts. Then, SB431542 was administered in vitro and in vivo to explore the function of the Smad2/3 pathway. And we demonstrated that Nodal signaling up-regulated the expression of ALDH1, CD44, CD133, Sox2, Oct4 and Nanog by activating the Smad2/3 pathway, thereby enhancing the tumorigenicity and sphere-forming ability of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, treatment with SB431542 could inhibit the properties of BCSCs in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, these findings indicate that Nodal signaling may play a vital role in maintaining the BCSC phenotype in breast cancer and serve as a potential target to explore BCSC-specific therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchen Gong
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300070, PR China
| | - Baocun Sun
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300070, PR China
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Huizhi Sun
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300070, PR China
| | - Xiulan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300070, PR China
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Danfang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300070, PR China
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Tieju Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300070, PR China
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Nan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300070, PR China
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Qiang Gu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300070, PR China
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Xueyi Dong
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300070, PR China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical UniversityTianjin 300070, PR China
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37
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P. Croxford K, L. Reader K, D. Nicholson H. The potential role of transforming growth factor beta family ligand interactions in prostate cancer. AIMS MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.3934/molsci.2017.1.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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38
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Zhao Y, Yan H, Qiao S, Zhang L, Wang T, Meng Q, Chen X, Lin FH, Guo K, Li C, Tian W. Hydrogels bearing bioengineered mimetic embryonic microenvironments for tumor reversion. J Mater Chem B 2016; 4:6183-6191. [PMID: 32263630 DOI: 10.1039/c6tb00927a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Embryonic microenvironments can reverse the metastatic phenotype of aggressive tumors by inhibiting the Nodal signaling pathway. Here, we hypothesize that embryonic microenvironments can be transplanted for the purpose of oncotherapy. We report the development of an injectable bioactive hydrogel system containing the key antagonists of Nodal signaling-Cripto-1 receptor antibodies (2B11)-for the creation of embryonic microenvironments and the examination of their effect on tumor reversion treatment using a mouse model. Our in vitro results show that the hydrogel system can reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, promote cell apoptosis, and reduce the invasive ability of cells. Our in vivo results illustrate that the hydrogel system can significantly inhibit tumor growth in both breast cancer and melanoma tumor-bearing mouse models, as well as transform the cell morphology of melanoma B16 cells to melanin-like cells. Furthermore, the results of the up-regulation of tumor suppressor genes and the down-regulation of oncogenes by high-throughput sequencing confirm that the developed system can also selectively turn on some tumor suppressor genes and turn off certain oncogenes so as to prompt the benign reversion of the tumor phenotype. Taken together, our results demonstrate the injectable biomaterial system is able to create an effective microenvironment for melanoma and breast tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufang Zhao
- Bio-X Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080, P. R. China
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Qi YF, Wu L, Li ZQ, Wu ML, Wang HF, Chan KY, Lu LL, Cai SH, Wang HS, Du J. Nodal signaling modulates the expression of Oct-4 via nuclear translocation of β-catenin in lung and prostate cancer cells. Arch Biochem Biophys 2016; 608:34-41. [PMID: 27592306 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 07/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nodal is a member of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily. Nodal promotes the self-renewal of human cancer stem cells (CSCs) and triggers carcinogenesis of human cancers via an autocrine manner through Smad2/3 pathway. In our study, generation of Nodal-overexpressed cancer cells was constructed, and the effect of Nodal on the stem cell marker Oct-4 was evaluated by overexpression or blocked Nodal/ALKs signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer cells A549 and prostate cancer cells PC3. Functionally, Nodal also increased the proliferation via the β-catenin nuclear translocation. This increase was attributed to GSK-3β dephosphorylating, and activin receptor-like kinase 4/7 (ALK4/7) played a major role in human cancer cells. Our study provides a positive understanding of Nodal function in cancer cells and suggests a potential novel target for clinical therapeutic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fei Qi
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 132 Waihuandong Road, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Long Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zi-Qian Li
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 132 Waihuandong Road, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Meng-Ling Wu
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 132 Waihuandong Road, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hai-Fang Wang
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 132 Waihuandong Road, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ka-Ying Chan
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 132 Waihuandong Road, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lin-Lin Lu
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 132 Waihuandong Road, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shao-Hui Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Hong-Sheng Wang
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 132 Waihuandong Road, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Jun Du
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 132 Waihuandong Road, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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40
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Tian RH, Yang S, Zhu ZJ, Wang JL, Liu Y, Yao C, Ma M, Guo Y, Yuan Q, Hai Y, Huang YR, He Z, Li Z. NODAL secreted by male germ cells regulates the proliferation and function of human Sertoli cells from obstructive azoospermia and nonobstructive azoospermia patients. Asian J Androl 2016; 17:996-1005. [PMID: 26289399 PMCID: PMC4814958 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.159722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was designed to explore the regulatory effects of male germ cell secreting factor NODAL on Sertoli cell fate decisions from obstructive azoospermia (OA) and nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients. Human Sertoli cells and male germ cells were isolated using two-step enzymatic digestion and SATPUT from testes of azoospermia patients. Expression of NODAL and its multiple receptors in human Sertoli cells and male germ cells were characterized by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunochemistry. Human recombinant NODAL and its receptor inhibitor SB431542 were employed to probe their effect on the proliferation of Sertoli cells using the CCK-8 assay. Quantitative PCR and Western blots were utilized to assess the expression of Sertoli cell functional genes and proteins. NODAL was found to be expressed in male germ cells but not in Sertoli cells, whereas its receptors ALK4, ALK7, and ACTR-IIB were detected in Sertoli cells and germ cells, suggesting that NODAL plays a regulatory role in Sertoli cells and germ cells via a paracrine and autocrine pathway, respectively. Human recombinant NODAL could promote the proliferation of human Sertoli cells. The expression of cell cycle regulators, including CYCLIN A, CYCLIN D1 and CYCLIN E, was not remarkably affected by NODAL signaling. NODAL enhanced the expression of essential growth factors, including GDNF, SCF, and BMP4, whereas SB431542 decreased their levels. There was not homogeneity of genes changes by NODAL treatment in Sertoli cells from OA and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCO) patients. Collectively, this study demonstrates that NODAL produced by human male germ cells regulates proliferation and numerous gene expression of Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Zuping He
- Department of Urology, Institute of Andrology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Med-X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Cancer, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Urology, Institute of Andrology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
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41
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Terry S, El-Sayed IY, Destouches D, Maillé P, Nicolaiew N, Ploussard G, Semprez F, Pimpie C, Beltran H, Londono-Vallejo A, Allory Y, de la Taille A, Salomon DS, Vacherot F. CRIPTO overexpression promotes mesenchymal differentiation in prostate carcinoma cells through parallel regulation of AKT and FGFR activities. Oncotarget 2016; 6:11994-2008. [PMID: 25596738 PMCID: PMC4494918 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the EGF-CFC (Cripto, FRL-1, Cryptic) protein family are increasingly recognized as key mediators of cell movement and cell differentiation during vertebrate embryogenesis. The founding member of this protein family, CRIPTO, is overexpressed in various human carcinomas. Yet, the biological role of CRIPTO in this setting remains unclear. Here, we find CRIPTO expression as especially high in a subgroup of primary prostate carcinomas with poorer outcome, wherein resides cancer cell clones with mesenchymal traits. Experimental studies in PCa models showed that one notable function of CRIPTO expression in prostate carcinoma cells may be to augment PI3K/AKT and FGFR1 signaling, which promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and sustains a mesenchymal state. In the observed signaling events, FGFR1 appears to function parallel to AKT, and the two pathways act cooperatively to enhance migratory, invasive and transformation properties specifically in the CRIPTO overexpressing cells. Collectively, these findings suggest a novel molecular network, involving CRIPTO, AKT, and FGFR signaling, in favor of the emergence of mesenchymal-like cancer cells during the development of aggressive prostate tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Terry
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 7, Créteil, France.,Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, UPEC, Créteil, France.,Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, CNRS UMR 3244, Paris, France.,Inserm, U753, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Ihsan Y El-Sayed
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 7, Créteil, France.,Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, UPEC, Créteil, France.,EDST/PRASE, Rafic Harriri Campus, Faculté des Sciences, Université Libanaise, Beyrouth, Liban
| | - Damien Destouches
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 7, Créteil, France.,Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, UPEC, Créteil, France.,Laboratoire de Recherche sur la Croissance Cellulaire, la Réparation et la Régénération Tissulaires (CRRET), CNRS, Créteil, France
| | - Pascale Maillé
- AP-HP, Hôpital H. Mondor, Département de Pathologie, Créteil, France
| | - Nathalie Nicolaiew
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 7, Créteil, France.,Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, UPEC, Créteil, France
| | - Guillaume Ploussard
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 7, Créteil, France.,AP-HP, Hôpital H. Mondor, Service d'urologie, Créteil, France
| | - Fannie Semprez
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 7, Créteil, France.,Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, UPEC, Créteil, France
| | - Cynthia Pimpie
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 7, Créteil, France.,Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, UPEC, Créteil, France
| | - Himisha Beltran
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Yves Allory
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 7, Créteil, France.,Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, UPEC, Créteil, France.,AP-HP, Hôpital H. Mondor, Département de Pathologie, Créteil, France
| | - Alexandre de la Taille
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 7, Créteil, France.,Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, UPEC, Créteil, France.,AP-HP, Hôpital H. Mondor, Service d'urologie, Créteil, France
| | - David S Salomon
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Francis Vacherot
- Inserm, U955, Equipe 7, Créteil, France.,Université Paris-Est, UMR_S955, UPEC, Créteil, France
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Duan W, Li R, Ma J, Lei J, Xu Q, Jiang Z, Nan L, Li X, Wang Z, Huo X, Han L, Wu Z, Wu E, Ma Q. Overexpression of Nodal induces a metastatic phenotype in pancreatic cancer cells via the Smad2/3 pathway. Oncotarget 2015; 6:1490-506. [PMID: 25557170 PMCID: PMC4359309 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the major cause for the high mortality rate of pancreatic cancer. Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) associated genes frequently correlate with malignant disease progression. Recent studies have demonstrated that the embryonic protein Nodal, which plays a critical role during embryonic development, is re-expressed in several types of tumors and promotes cancers progression. However, little is known about the role of Nodal in pancreatic cancer. Here, we show that Nodal expression is upregulated in human pancreatic cancer tissues. Moreover, Nodal expression levels correlate well with the grade of pancreatic cancer differentiation. In addition, we present clear evidence that Nodal induces signal transduction through the Smad2/3-dependent pathway in vitro. Furthermore, we show that Nodal promotes pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion, induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and enhances the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). Using an in vivo liver metastasis model of pancreatic cancer, we observed that blocking Nodal signaling activity with the small-molecule inhibitor SB431542 decreases the number and size of liver metastases. Taken together, our results suggest that Nodal overexpression induces a metastatic phenotype in pancreatic cancer cells, and that targeting Nodal signaling may be a promising therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanxing Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jiguang Ma
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jianjun Lei
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Qinhong Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Zhengdong Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Ligang Nan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xuqi Li
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xiongwei Huo
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Liang Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Zheng Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Erxi Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105, USA
| | - Qingyong Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
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Ning F, Wang HF, Guo Q, Liu ZC, Li ZQ, Du J. Expression and significance of Nodal in human cancers: a meta-analysis. Int J Clin Exp Med 2015; 8:20227-20235. [PMID: 26884935 PMCID: PMC4723780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a global and growing problem. Nodal, which has been showed to be involved in occurrence and development of cancers, is an important embryonic morphogen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of Nodal expression in human cancers based on the published related articles. Online databases were searched to retrieve relevant articles published between 2000 and 2015. The odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confident intervals (CI) were employed to calculate the strength of significance. Finally, a total of 11 articles were screened out, including 801 cancer patients and 372 healthy controls. Nine kinds of cancers were contained, and Nodal was detected in 56.7% of all participants (665/1173). Overall, our result found that Nodal was highly expressed in cancer patients than that in healthy controls, indicating that Nodal expression was significantly associated with cancers progression (OR=21.72, 95% CI=9.94-47.46, P<0.00001). Subgroup analysis showed that Nodal expression was significantly corrected with high WHO grade of human cancers (III+IV versus I+II: OR=2.46, 95% CI=1.63-3.71, P<0.00001). This significant relationship was also found in tumor size, differentiation degree, not observed in gender, age and lymphatic metastasis status of patients with all studied cancers in this meta-analysis. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that Nodal might be implicated in cancer progression, suggesting that it was a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Ning
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Department of Obstetrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Hai-Fang Wang
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiang Guo
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zong-Cai Liu
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
- Laboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Zi-Qian Li
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Jun Du
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
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Strizzi L, Sandomenico A, Margaryan NV, Focà A, Sanguigno L, Bodenstine TM, Chandler GS, Reed DW, Gilgur A, Seftor EA, Seftor RE, Khalkhali-Ellis Z, Leonardi A, Ruvo M, Hendrix MJ. Effects of a novel Nodal-targeting monoclonal antibody in melanoma. Oncotarget 2015; 6:34071-86. [PMID: 26460952 PMCID: PMC4741437 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Nodal is highly expressed in various human malignancies, thus supporting the rationale for exploring Nodal as a therapeutic target. Here, we describe the effects of a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb), 3D1, raised against human Nodal. In vitro treatment of C8161 human melanoma cells with 3D1 mAb shows reductions in anchorage-independent growth and vasculogenic network formation. 3D1 treated cells also show decreases of Nodal and downstream signaling molecules, P-Smad2 and P-ERK and of P-H3 and CyclinB1, with an increase in p27. Similar effects were previously reported in human breast cancer cells where Nodal expression was generally down-regulated; following 3D1 mAb treatment, both Nodal and P-H3 levels are reduced. Noteworthy is the reduced growth of human melanoma xenografts in Nude mice treated with 3D1 mAb, where immunostaining of representative tumor sections show diminished P-Smad2 expression. Similar effects both in vitro and in vivo were observed in 3D1 treated A375SM melanoma cells harboring the active BRAF(V600E) mutation compared to treatments with IgG control or a BRAF inhibitor, dabrafenib. Finally, we describe a 3D1-based ELISA for the detection of Nodal in serum samples from cancer patients. These data suggest the potential of 3D1 mAb for selecting and targeting Nodal expressing cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Strizzi
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Annamaria Sandomenico
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini del CNR and CIRPeB, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Naira V. Margaryan
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Annalia Focà
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini del CNR and CIRPeB, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Sanguigno
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Thomas M. Bodenstine
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Grace S. Chandler
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David W. Reed
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alina Gilgur
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elisabeth A. Seftor
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Richard E.B. Seftor
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zhila Khalkhali-Ellis
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Antonio Leonardi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini del CNR and CIRPeB, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Mary J.C. Hendrix
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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New Anti-Nodal Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting the Nodal Pre-Helix Loop Involved in Cripto-1 Binding. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:21342-62. [PMID: 26370966 PMCID: PMC4613256 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160921342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Nodal is a potent embryonic morphogen belonging to the TGF-β superfamily. Typically, it also binds to the ALK4/ActRIIB receptor complex in the presence of the co-receptor Cripto-1. Nodal expression is physiologically restricted to embryonic tissues and human embryonic stem cells, is absent in normal cells but re-emerges in several human cancers, including melanoma, breast, and colon cancer. Our aim was to obtain mAbs able to recognize Nodal on a major CBR (Cripto-Binding-Region) site and to block the Cripto-1-mediated signalling. To achieve this, antibodies were raised against hNodal(44-67) and mAbs generated by the hybridoma technology. We have selected one mAb, named 3D1, which strongly associates with full-length rhNodal (KD 1.4 nM) and recognizes the endogenous protein in a panel of human melanoma cell lines by western blot and FACS analyses. 3D1 inhibits the Nodal-Cripto-1 binding and blocks Smad2/3 phosphorylation. Data suggest that inhibition of the Nodal-Cripto-1 axis is a valid therapeutic approach against melanoma and 3D1 is a promising and interesting agent for blocking Nodal-Cripto mediated tumor development. These findings increase the interest for Nodal as both a diagnostic and prognostic marker and as a potential new target for therapeutic intervention.
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Bustamante-Marin XM, Cook MS, Gooding J, Newgard C, Capel B. Left-Biased Spermatogenic Failure in 129/SvJ Dnd1Ter/+ Mice Correlates with Differences in Vascular Architecture, Oxygen Availability, and Metabolites. Biol Reprod 2015; 93:78. [PMID: 26224005 PMCID: PMC6322448 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.128850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2015] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Homozygosity for the Ter mutation in the RNA-binding protein Dead end 1 (Dnd1(Ter/Ter)) sensitizes germ cells to degeneration in all mouse strains. In 129/SvJ mice, approximately 10% of Dnd1(Ter/+) heterozygotes develop spermatogenic failure, and 95% of unilateral cases occur in the left testis. The first differences between right and left testes were detected at Postnatal Day 15 when many more spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) were undergoing apoptosis in the left testis compared to the right. As we detected no significant left/right differences in the molecular pathway associated with body axis asymmetry or in the expression of signals known to promote proliferation, differentiation, and survival of germ cells, we investigated whether physiological differences might account for asymmetry of the degeneration phenotype. We show that left/right differences in vascular architecture are associated with a decrease in hemoglobin saturation and increased levels of HIF-1alpha in the left testis compared to the right. In Dnd1 heterozygotes, lower oxygen availability was associated with metabolic differences, including lower levels of ATP and NADH in the left testis. These experiments suggest a dependence on oxygen availability and metabolic substrates for SSC survival and suggest that Dnd1(Ter/+) SSCs may act as efficient sensors to detect subtle environmental changes that alter SSC fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena M Bustamante-Marin
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina Departmento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Matthew S Cook
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Jessica Gooding
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center & Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Departments of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology & Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Christopher Newgard
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center & Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Departments of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology & Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Blanche Capel
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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A microRNA code for prostate cancer metastasis. Oncogene 2015; 35:1180-92. [PMID: 26073083 PMCID: PMC4803473 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Although the development of bone metastasis is a major detrimental event in prostate cancer, the molecular mechanisms responsible for bone homing and destruction remain largely unknown. Here we show that loss of miR-15 and miR-16 in cooperation with increased miR-21 expression promote prostate cancer spreading and bone lesions. This combination of microRNA endows bone-metastatic potential to prostate cancer cells. Concomitant loss of miR-15/miR-16 and gain of miR-21 aberrantly activate TGF-β and Hedgehog signaling, that mediate local invasion, distant bone marrow colonization and osteolysis by prostate cancer cells. These findings establish a new molecular circuitry for prostate cancer metastasis that was validated in patients' cohorts. Our data indicate a network of biomarkers and druggable pathways to improve patient treatment.
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48
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Guo Q, Ning F, Fang R, Wang HS, Zhang G, Quan MY, Cai SH, Du J. Endogenous Nodal promotes melanoma undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition via Snail and Slug in vitro and in vivo. Am J Cancer Res 2015; 5:2098-2112. [PMID: 26269769 PMCID: PMC4529629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nodal, an important embryonic morphogen, has been reported to modulate tumorigenesis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in cancer metastasis. We have previously reported that recombinant Nodal treatment can promote melanoma undergoing EMT, but the effects of endogenous Nodal on EMT are still unknown. Here we generated both Nodal-overexpression and -knockdown stable cell lines to investigate the in vitro and in vivo characteristics of Nodal-induced EMT in murine melanoma cells. Nodal-overexpression cells displayed increased migration ability, accompanied by typical phenotype changes of EMT. In contrast, Nodal-knockdown stable cells repressed the EMT phenotype as well as reduced cell motility. Results of animal experiments confirmed that overexpression of Nodal can promote the metastasis of melanoma tumor in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that Nodal-induced expression of Snail and Slug involves its activation of ALK/Smads and PI3k/AKT pathways, which is an important process in the Nodal-induced EMT. However, we also found that the EMT phenotype was not completely inhibited by blocking the paracrine activity of Nodal in Nodal overexpression cell line suggesting the presence of additional mechanism(s) in the Nodal-induced EMT. This study provides a better understanding of Nodal function in melanoma, and suggests targeting Nodal as a potential strategy for melanoma therapey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Guo
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Fen Ning
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Rui Fang
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangdong Women and Children HospitalGuangzhou 511400, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong-Sheng Wang
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Mei-Yu Quan
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Shao-Hui Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jinan UniversityGuangzhou 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Jun Du
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
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49
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Epithelial Plasticity in Cancer: Unmasking a MicroRNA Network for TGF-β-, Notch-, and Wnt-Mediated EMT. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2015; 2015:198967. [PMID: 25883651 PMCID: PMC4390187 DOI: 10.1155/2015/198967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible process by which cancer cells can switch from a sessile epithelial phenotype to an invasive mesenchymal state. EMT enables tumor cells to become invasive, intravasate, survive in the circulation, extravasate, and colonize distant sites. Paracrine heterotypic stroma-derived signals as well as paracrine homotypic or autocrine signals can mediate oncogenic EMT and contribute to the acquisition of stem/progenitor cell properties, expansion of cancer stem cells, development of therapy resistance, and often lethal metastatic disease. EMT is regulated by a variety of stimuli that trigger specific intracellular signalling pathways. Altered microRNA (miR) expression and perturbed signalling pathways have been associated with epithelial plasticity, including oncogenic EMT. In this review we analyse and describe the interaction between experimentally validated miRs and their target genes in TGF-β, Notch, and Wnt signalling pathways. Interestingly, in this process, we identified a “signature” of 30 experimentally validated miRs and a cluster of validated target genes that seem to mediate the cross talk between TGF-β, Notch, and Wnt signalling networks during EMT and reinforce their connection to the regulation of epithelial plasticity in health and disease.
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50
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Hardy KM, Strizzi L, Margaryan NV, Gupta K, Murphy GF, Scolyer RA, Hendrix MJC. Targeting nodal in conjunction with dacarbazine induces synergistic anticancer effects in metastatic melanoma. Mol Cancer Res 2015; 13:670-80. [PMID: 25767211 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Metastatic melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer with a poor prognosis. Despite a complete response in fewer than 5% of patients, the chemotherapeutic agent dacarbazine (DTIC) remains the reference drug after almost 40 years. More recently, FDA-approved drugs have shown promise but patient outcome remains modest, predominantly due to drug resistance. As such, combinatorial targeting has received increased attention, and will advance with the identification of new molecular targets. One attractive target for improving melanoma therapy is the growth factor Nodal, whose normal expression is largely restricted to embryonic development, but is reactivated in metastatic melanoma. In this study, we sought to determine how Nodal-positive human melanoma cells respond to DTIC treatment and to ascertain whether targeting Nodal in combination with DTIC would be more effective than monotherapy. A single treatment with DTIC inhibited cell growth but did not induce apoptosis. Rather than reducing Nodal expression, DTIC increased the size of the Nodal-positive subpopulation, an observation coincident with increased cellular invasion. Importantly, clinical tissue specimens from patients with melanomas refractory to DTIC therapy stained positive for Nodal expression, both in pre- and post-DTIC tumors, underscoring the value of targeting Nodal. In vitro, anti-Nodal antibodies alone had some adverse effects on proliferation and apoptosis, but combining DTIC treatment with anti-Nodal antibodies decreased cell growth and increased apoptosis synergistically, at concentrations incapable of producing meaningful effects as monotherapy. IMPLICATIONS Targeting Nodal in combination with DTIC therapy holds promise for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine M Hardy
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Luigi Strizzi
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Naira V Margaryan
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kanika Gupta
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. Howard Hughes Medical Institute NU Bioscientist Program, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - George F Murphy
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia; Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney; and Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mary J C Hendrix
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
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