Distinct expression patterns and roles of aldehyde dehydrogenases in normal oral mucosa keratinocytes: differential inhibitory effects of a pharmacological inhibitor and RNAi-mediated knockdown on cellular phenotype and epithelial morphology

Informed by Cancer Stem Cells of Solid Tumors: Advances in Treatments Targeting Tumor-Promoting Factors and Pathways

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation within tumors that promote cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence due to their self-renewal capacity and resistance to conventional therapies. CSC-specific markers and signaling pathways highly active in CSCs have emerged as a promising strategy for improving patient outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic targets associated with CSCs of solid tumors across various cancer types, including key molecular markers aldehyde dehydrogenases, CD44, epithelial cellular adhesion molecule, and CD133 and signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and Sonic Hedgehog. We discuss a wide array of therapeutic modalities ranging from targeted antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, and near-infrared photoimmunotherapy to advanced genetic approaches like RNA interference, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, aptamers, antisense oligonucleotides, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, CAR natural killer cells, bispecific T cell engagers, immunotoxins, drug-antibody conjugates, therapeutic peptides, and dendritic cell vaccines. This review spans developments from preclinical investigations to ongoing clinical trials, highlighting the innovative targeting strategies that have been informed by CSC-associated pathways and molecules to overcome therapeutic resistance. We aim to provide insights into the potential of these therapies to revolutionize cancer treatment, underscoring the critical need for a multi-faceted approach in the battle against cancer. This comprehensive analysis demonstrates how advances made in the CSC field have informed significant developments in novel targeted therapeutic approaches, with the ultimate goal of achieving more effective and durable responses in cancer patients.

Phenotypic sorting of individual male and female intersex Cherax quadricarinatus and analysis of molecular differences in the gonadal transcriptome

Cherax quadricarinatus exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males outpacing females in size specification and growth rate. However, there is limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sex determination and sex differentiation in crustaceans. To study the differences between intersex individuals and normal individuals, this study counted the proportion of intersex individuals in the natural population, collected the proportion of 7 different phenotypes in 200 intersex individuals, and observed the differences in tissue sections. RNA-seq was used to study the different changes in the transcriptome of normal and intersex gonads. The results showed that: the percentage of intersex in the natural population was 1.5 %, and the percentage of different types of intersex ranged from 0.5 % to 22.5 %; the sections revealed that the development of normal ovaries was stagnant at the primary oocyte stage when intersex individuals with ovaries were present; We screened for pathways and genes that may be associated with gonadal development and sex, including ovarian steroid synthesis, estrogen signaling pathway, oocyte meiosis, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, etc. Relevant genes including tra2a, dmrta2, ccnb2, foxl2, and smad4. This study provides an important molecular basis for sex determination, sex-controlled breeding, and unisex breeding in red crayfish.

ALDEFLUOR activity, ALDH isoforms, and their clinical significance in cancers

High aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity is a metabolic feature of adult stem cells and various cancer stem cells (CSCs). The ALDEFLUOR system is currently the most commonly used method for evaluating ALDH enzyme activity in viable cells. This system is applied extensively in the isolation of normal stem cells and CSCs from heterogeneous cell populations. For many years, ALDH1A1 has been considered the most important subtype among the 19 ALDH family members in determining ALDEFLUOR activity. However, in recent years, studies of many types of normal and tumour tissues have demonstrated that other ALDH subtypes can also significantly influence ALDEFLUOR activity. In this article, we briefly review the relationships between various members of the ALDH family and ALDEFLUOR activity. The clinical significance of these ALDH isoforms in different cancers and possible directions for future studies are also summarised.

Mitochondria in oral cancer stem cells: Unraveling the potential drug targets for new and old drugs

Head and neck cancer is a major health problem worldwide, with most cases arising in the oral cavity. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of oral cancer, accounting for over 90% of all cases. Compared to other types of cancer, OSCC, has the worse prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of 50%. Additionally, OSCC is characterized by a high rate of resistance to chemotherapy treatment, which may be partly explained by the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC) subpopulation. CSC can adapt to harmful environmental condition and are highly resistant to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, thus contributing to tumor relapse. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of mitochondria in oral CSC as a potential target for oral cancer treatment. For this purpose, we reviewed some fundamental aspects of the most validated protein markers of stemness, autophagy, the mitochondrial function and energy metabolism in oral CSC. Moreover, a discussion will be made on why energy metabolism, especially oxidative phosphorylation in CSC, may offer such a diverse source of original pharmacological target for new drugs. Finally, we will describe some drugs able to disturb mitochondrial function, with emphasis on those aimed to interrupt the electron transport chain function, as novel therapeutic strategies in multidrug-resistant oral CSC. The reutilization of old drugs approved for clinical use as new antineoplastics, in cancer treatment, is also matter of revision.

Human Aldehyde Dehydrogenases: A Superfamily of Similar Yet Different Proteins Highly Related to Cancer

The superfamily of human aldehyde dehydrogenases (hALDHs) consists of 19 isoenzymes which are critical for several physiological and biosynthetic processes and play a major role in the organism's detoxification via the NAD(P) dependent oxidation of numerous endogenous and exogenous aldehyde substrates to their corresponding carboxylic acids. Over the last decades, ALDHs have been the subject of several studies as it was revealed that their differential expression patterns in various cancer types are associated either with carcinogenesis or promotion of cell survival. Here, we attempt to provide a thorough review of hALDHs' diverse functions and 3D structures with particular emphasis on their role in cancer pathology and resistance to chemotherapy. We are especially interested in findings regarding the association of structural features and their changes with effects on enzymes' functionalities. Moreover, we provide an updated outline of the hALDHs inhibitors utilized in experimental or clinical settings for cancer therapy. Overall, this review aims to provide a better understanding of the impact of ALDHs in cancer pathology and therapy from a structural perspective.

Metabolomic Alteration of Oral Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts in Hypoxia

The oxygen concentration in normal human tissue under physiologic conditions is lower than the atmospheric oxygen concentration. The more hypoxic condition has been observed in the cells with wound healing and cancer. Somatic stem cells reside in a hypoxic microenvironment in vivo and prefer hypoxic culture conditions in vitro. Oral mucosa contains tissue-specific stem cells, which is an excellent tissue source for regenerative medicine. For clinical usage, maintaining the stem cell in cultured cells is important. We previously reported that hypoxic culture conditions maintained primary oral keratinocytes in an undifferentiated and quiescent state and enhanced their clonogenicity. However, the metabolic mechanism of these cells is unclear. Stem cell biological and pathological findings have shown that metabolic reprogramming is important in hypoxic culture conditions, but there has been no report on oral mucosal keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Herein, we conducted metabolomic analyses of oral mucosal keratinocytes and fibroblasts under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxic oral keratinocytes and fibroblasts showed a drastic change of metabolite concentrations in urea cycle metabolites and polyamine pathways. The changes of metabolic profiles in glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway under hypoxic conditions in the oral keratinocytes were consistent with those of other somatic stem cells. The metabolic profiles in oral fibroblasts showed only little changes in any pathway under hypoxia except for a significant increase in the antioxidant 2-oxoglutaric acid. This report firstly provides the holistic changes of various metabolic pathways of hypoxic cultured oral keratinocytes and fibroblasts.

NOTCH1 Signaling in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Biomarker-driven targeted therapies are lacking for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), which is common and lethal. Efforts to develop such therapies are hindered by a genomic landscape dominated by the loss of tumor suppressor function, including NOTCH1 that is frequently mutated in HNSCC. Clearer understanding of NOTCH1 signaling in HNSCCs is crucial to clinically targeting this pathway. Structural characterization of NOTCH1 mutations in HNSCC demonstrates that most are predicted to cause loss of function, in agreement with NOTCH1's role as a tumor suppressor in this cancer. Experimental manipulation of NOTCH1 signaling in HNSCC cell lines harboring either mutant or wild-type NOTCH1 further supports a tumor suppressor function. Additionally, the loss of NOTCH1 signaling can drive HNSCC tumorigenesis and clinical aggressiveness. Our recent data suggest that NOTCH1 controls genes involved in early differentiation that could have different phenotypic consequences depending on the cancer's genetic background, including acquisition of pseudo-stem cell-like properties. The presence of NOTCH1 mutations may predict response to treatment with an immune checkpoint or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors. The latter is being tested in a clinical trial, and if validated, it may lead to the development of the first biomarker-driven targeted therapy for HNSCC.

Goblet cell-produced retinoic acid suppresses CD86 expression and IL-12 production in bone marrow-derived cells

Conjunctival goblet cell loss in ocular surface diseases is accompanied by increased number of interleukin-12 (IL-12)-producing antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and increased interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expression. This study tested the hypothesis that mouse conjunctival goblet cells produce biologically active retinoic acid (RA) that suppresses CD86 expression and IL-12 production by myeloid cells. We found that conditioned media from cultured conjunctival goblet cells (CjCM) suppressed stimulated CD86 expression, NF-κB p65 activation and IL-12 and IFN-γ production in unstimulated and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cultured bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) containing a mixed population of APCs. Goblet cell-conditioned, ovalbumin-loaded APCs suppressed IFN-γ production and increased IL-13 production in co-cultured OTII cells. The goblet cell suppressive activity is due in part to their ability to synthesize RA from retinol. Conjunctival goblet cells had greater expression of aldehyde dehydrogenases Aldh1a1 and a3 and ALDEFLUOR activity than cornea epithelium lacking goblet cells. The conditioning activity was lost in goblet cells treated with an ALDH inhibitor, and a retinoid receptor alpha antagonist blocked the suppressive effects of CjCM on IL-12 production. Similar to RA, CjCM increased expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) in BMDCs. SOCS3 silencing reversed the IL-12-suppressive effects of CjCM. Our findings indicate that conjunctival goblet cells are capable of synthesizing RA from retinol secreted by the lacrimal gland into tears that can condition APCs. Evidence suggests goblet cell RA may function in maintaining conjunctival immune tolerance and loss of conjunctival goblet cells may contribute to increased Th1 priming in dry eye.

Wnt signaling in orofacial clefts: crosstalk, pathogenesis and models

Diverse signaling cues and attendant proteins work together during organogenesis, including craniofacial development. Lip and palate formation starts as early as the fourth week of gestation in humans or embryonic day 9.5 in mice. Disruptions in these early events may cause serious consequences, such as orofacial clefts, mainly cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Morphogenetic Wnt signaling, along with other signaling pathways and transcription regulation mechanisms, plays crucial roles during embryonic development, yet the signaling mechanisms and interactions in lip and palate formation and fusion remain poorly understood. Various Wnt signaling and related genes have been associated with orofacial clefts. This Review discusses the role of Wnt signaling and its crosstalk with cell adhesion molecules, transcription factors, epigenetic regulators and other morphogenetic signaling pathways, including the Bmp, Fgf, Tgfβ, Shh and retinoic acid pathways, in orofacial clefts in humans and animal models, which may provide a better understanding of these disorders and could be applied towards prevention and treatments.

Aldefluor protocol to sort keratinocytes stem cells from skin

PURPOSE

To investigate the use Aldefluor® and N, N - Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (DEAB) to design a protocol to sort keratinocyte stem cells from cultured keratinocytes from burned patients.

METHODS

Activated Aldefluor® aliquots were prepared and maintained at temperature between 2 to 8°C, or stored at -20°C. Next, the cells were collected following the standard protocol of sample preparation.

RESULTS

Best results were obtained with Aldefluor® 1.5µl and DEAB 15 µl for 1 x 106 cells, incubated at 37°C for 15 minutes. Flow cytometer range for keratinocyte stem cells separation was evaluated. There were 14.8% of stem cells separated in one sample of keratinocyte culture used to pattern the protocol. After being defined the ideal concentration, the same test pattern was performed in other keratinocyte samples. We observed a final mean of 10.8%.

CONCLUSION

Aldefluor® has been shown as a favorable marking of epidermal keratinocyte stem cells for subsequent separation on a flow cytometer, with detection of 10.8% of epidermal keratinocyte stem cells, in this protocol.

Expression of ALDH1A1 and CD44 in primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and their value for carcinogenesis, tumor progression and cancer stem cell identification

In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family, member A1 (ALDH1A1) and hyaluronan receptor cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) are often used as cancer stem cell (CSC) markers. The aim of the present study was to examine the relevance of these proteins for HNSCC in general and for the identification of CSCs. Tumors from 48 patients with primary HNSCC were analyzed for the expression of ALDH1A1 and CD44. Additionally, the association of the proteins with the proliferation rate and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression was analyzed. ALDH1A1 was expressed in 54.2% of the carcinoma samples while CD44 was expressed in 89.6% of the carcinoma samples. Most notably, these proteins were often not expressed exclusively in a subpopulation, but also in the majority of tumor cells (ALDH1A1: 30.8% of ALDH1A1⁺ tumors; CD44: 65.1% of CD44⁺ tumors). Furthermore, patients with ALDH1A1⁺ tumors exhibited worse survival rates. CD44 and EGFR expression patterns were overlapping within the tumors and the expression rates were significantly connected. Ki-67⁺ tumor cells often expressed CD44. ALDH1A1 and CD44 expression patterns only partly overlapped. Consequently, ALDH1A1 and CD44 play significant roles in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Within the present study, CD44 appeared to interact with EGFR and was more often expressed in primary HNSCC than the marker ALDH1A1. However, ALDH1A1 was a better marker to define a subpopulation of tumor cells. Finally, neither ALDH1A1 nor CD44, alone or combined, were sufficient to determine the CSC population in HNSCC.

Ethanol versus Phytochemicals in Wine: Oral Cancer Risk in a Light Drinking Perspective

This narrative review aims to summarize the current controversy on the balance between ethanol and phytochemicals in wine, focusing on light drinking and oral cancer. Extensive literature search included PUBMED and EMBASE databases to identify in human studies and systematic reviews (up to March 2015), which contributed to elucidate this issue. Independently from the type of beverage, meta-analyses considering light drinking (≤1 drinks/day or ≤12.5 g/day of ethanol) reported relative risks (RR) for oral, oro-pharyngeal, or upper aero-digestive tract cancers, ranging from 1.0 to 1.3. One meta-analysis measured the overall wine-specific RR, which corresponded to 2.1. Although little evidence exists on light wine intake, phytochemicals seem not to affect oral cancer risk, being probably present below the effective dosages and/or due to their low bioavailability. As expected, the risk of oral cancer, even in light drinking conditions, increases when associated with smoking habit and high-risk genotypes of alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases.

Fabrication of Large Size Ex Vivo-Produced Oral Mucosal Equivalents for Clinical Application

The soft tissue reconstruction of significant avulsed and/or surgically created tissue defects requires the ability to manufacture substantial soft tissue constructs for repair of the resulting wounds. In this study, we detail the issues that need to be addressed in upsizing the manufacture of larger tissue-engineered devices (ex vivo-produced oral mucosa equivalent [EVPOME]) in vitro from a methodology previously used for smaller constructs. The larger-sized EVPOME, consisting of autologous human oral keratinocytes and a dermal substitute, AlloDerm(®), was fabricated for the purpose of reconstructing large clinical defects. Regulated as an autologous somatic cell therapy product, the fabrication process abided by current Good Manufacturing Practices and current Good Tissue Practices as required by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Successful fabrication of large EVPOMEs utilized a higher cell seeding density (5.3×10(5) cells/cm(2)) with a relatively thinner AlloDerm, ranging from 356.6 to 508.0 μm in thickness. During the air-liquid interface culture, the thickness of the scaffold affected the medium diffusion rate, which, in turn, resulted in changes of epithelial stratification. Histologically, keratinocyte progenitor (p63), proliferation (Ki-67), and late differentiation marker (filaggrin) expression showed differences correlating with the expression of glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) in the EVPOMEs from the thickest (550-1020 μm) to the thinnest (228.6-330.2 μm) AlloDerm scaffold. Glucose consumption and 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) uptake showed direct correlation with scaffold thickness. The scaffold size and thickness have an impact on the cellular phenotype and epithelial maturation in the manufacturing process of the EVPOME due to the glucose accessibility influenced by the diffusion rate. These outcomes provide basic strategies to manufacture a large-sized, healthy EVPOME graft for reconstructing large mucosa defects.

Hypoxia induces an undifferentiated phenotype of oral keratinocytes in vitro

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of hypoxia on the proliferating potential and phenotype of primary human oral keratinocytes cultured at ambient oxygen tension (20%) or at different levels of hypoxia (2 and 0.5% O2). The effects of oxygen tensions on cellular metabolic activity, cell proliferation, clonogenicity and proliferation heterogeneity were measured. Cell cycle profiles were analyzed by a fluorescent-activated cell sorter, and p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression in the G0/G1 phase was also concomitantly quantitated. The expression levels of cell cycle regulatory proteins were examined by immunoblotting, and the cellular senescence was assessed by senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining. Basal and suprabasal keratinocyte phenotypes were determined by the expression levels of 14-3-3σ, p75(NTR) and α6 integrin. Despite having a lower metabolism, the proliferation rate and clonogenic potential were remarkably enhanced in hypoxic cells. The significantly higher percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase under hypoxia and the expression patterns of cell cycle regulatory proteins in hypoxic cells were indicative of a state of cell cycle arrest in hypoxia. Furthermore, a decrease in the expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) and p16(INK4A) and fewer β-galactosidase-positive cells suggested a quiescent phenotype rather than a senescent one in hypoxic cells. Compared with normoxic cells, the differential expression patterns of keratinocyte phenotypic markers suggest that hypoxic cells that generate minimal reactive oxygen species, suppress the mammalian target of rapamycin activity and express hypoxia-inducible factor-1α favor a basal cell phenotype. Thus, regardless of the predisposition to the state of cell cycle arrest, hypoxic conditions can maintain oral keratinocytes in vitro in an undifferentiated and quiescent state.

Proteomics Characterization of Primary Human Oral Epithelial Cells Using a Novel Culture Technique for Use in Tissue Regeneration

Oral mucosa keratinocytes are widely used in regenerative medicine. The unique cultured cell population "Epithelial-derived Pop-Up Keratinocytes (ePUKs)" was previously reported as undifferentiated cells. Gravity Assisted Cell Sorting (GACS) was used to isolate a small-sized population of undifferentiated cells enriched ePUKs. LC/MS/MS analysis was performed to define the cellular profile of ePUKs of primary human oral mucosa keratinocytes. Small sized ePUKs which showed increased expression of Dickkopf WNT signaling pathway inhibitor 1 (DKK1), serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade E (nexin, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1), member 1 (SERPINE1), follistatin and tenascin-C were verified by Western blots. These proteins are involved in the regulation of cellular movement, hair follicle development and the maintenance of its stem cell niche. The fabrication of a tissue-engineered oral mucosa, ex vivo produced oral mucosa equivalent (EVPOME), using ePUKs showed increased abundance of these verified proteins. These findings indicate that the specific phenotype of ePUKs and their ability to influence wound healing promotion are implicated by highly expressed cellular movement regulatory proteins. Therefore, ePUKs may be a useful cell source for use in regenerative medicine.

The Histochem Cell Biol conspectus: the year 2013 in review

Herein, we provide a brief synopsis of all manuscripts published in Histochem Cell Biol in the year 2013. For ease of reference, we have divided the manuscripts into the following categories: Advances in Methodologies; Molecules in Health and Disease; Organelles, Subcellular Structures and Compartments; Golgi Apparatus; Intermediate Filaments and Cytoskeleton; Connective Tissue and Extracellular Matrix; Autophagy; Stem Cells; Musculoskeletal System; Respiratory and Cardiovascular Systems; Gastrointestinal Tract; Central Nervous System; Peripheral Nervous System; Excretory Glands; Kidney and Urinary Bladder; and Male and Female Reproductive Systems. We hope that the readership will find this annual journal synopsis of value and serve as a quick, categorized reference guide for “state-of-the-art” manuscripts in the areas of histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and cell biology.