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Zhang YB, Fei HX, Guo J, Zhang XJ, Wu SL, Zhong LL. Dauricine suppresses the growth of pancreatic cancer in vivo by modulating the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:4403-4414. [PMID: 31611949 PMCID: PMC6781764 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10790] [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: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant cancer associated with high expression levels of sonic hedgehog signaling molecule (Shh), patched 1 (Ptch1), smoothened frizzled class receptor (Smo) and glioma-associated oncogene family zinc finger 1 (Gli1) in the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. Inhibition of the Hh signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of dauricine in a pancreatic cancer BxPC-3 ×enograft animal model and examine the underlying molecular mechanisms through Hh signaling pathway. High-and low-dose dauricine treatment significantly suppressed tumor growth with no concomitant effect on the spleen index. In addition, dauricine induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in pancreatic cancer BxPC-3 cells. The inhibitory effects of dauricine on pancreatic cancer may be mediated by the suppression of the Hh signaling pathway, as indicated by the decreases in the gene and protein expression levels of Shh, Ptch1, Smo and Gli1. The effects of dauricine were similar to those of 5-fluorouracil. Dauricine, a naturally occurring alkaloid, may be a potential anticancer agent for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Bo Zhang
- Ultramicropathology Experimental Center, Pathology College, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Xin Fei
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Xinyu University, Xinyu, Jiangxi 338004, P.R. China
| | - Jia Guo
- Pathogenic Biology and Immunology Experimental Teaching Center, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Jie Zhang
- Ultramicropathology Experimental Center, Pathology College, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, P.R. China
| | - Shu-Liang Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P.R. China
| | - Li-Li Zhong
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150040, P.R. China
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BAI YONGHENG, CHEN BICHENG, HONG WEILONG, LIANG YONG, ZHOU MENGTAO, ZHOU LAN. Sedum sarmentosum Bunge extract induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in pancreatic cancer cells via the hedgehog signaling pathway. Oncol Rep 2016; 35:2775-84. [DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.4679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Wang F, Ma L, Zhang Z, Liu X, Gao H, Zhuang Y, Yang P, Kornmann M, Tian X, Yang Y. Hedgehog Signaling Regulates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Pancreatic Cancer Stem-Like Cells. J Cancer 2016; 7:408-17. [PMID: 26918054 PMCID: PMC4749361 DOI: 10.7150/jca.13305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is crucially involved in tumorigenesis. This study aimed to assess the role of Hh signaling in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stemness properties and chemoresistance of human pancreatic Panc-1 cancer stem cells (CSCs). Panc-1 cells were transfected with recombinant lentiviral vectors to silence SMO and serum-free floating-culture system was used to isolate Panc-1 tumorspheres. The expression of CSC and EMT markers was detected by flow cytometry, real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Malignant behaviors of Panc-1 CSC were evaluated by tumorigenicity assays and nude mouse lung metastasis model. We found that tumorspheres derived from pancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1 possessed self-renewal, differentiation and stemness properties. Hh pathway and EMT were active in Panc-1 tumorspheres. Inhibition of Hh signaling by SMO knockdown inhibited self-renewal, EMT, invasion, chemoresistance, pulmonary metastasis, tumorigenesis of pancreatic CSCs. In conclusion, Hh signaling contributes to the maintenance of stem-like properties and chemoresistance of pancreatic CSC and promotes the tumorigenesis and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Hh pathway is a potential molecular target for the development of therapeutic strategies for pancreatic CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- 1. Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Ma
- 1. Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengkui Zhang
- 1. Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoran Liu
- 4. Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Hongqiao Gao
- 1. Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhuang
- 1. Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
| | - Pei Yang
- 2. Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
| | - Marko Kornmann
- 3. Clinic of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Ulm, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Xiaodong Tian
- 1. Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinmo Yang
- 1. Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
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Li H, Hui X, Li P, Xu A, Li S, Jin S, Wu D. Expression and efficient purification of tag-cleaved active recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-II from Escherichia coli. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-014-0562-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Qin Y, Ma Z, Dang X, Li W, Ma Q. Effect of resveratrol on proliferation and apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer MIA PaCa-2 cells may involve inhibition of the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2014; 10:2563-7. [PMID: 25190613 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that resveratrol (Res) regulates the expression of PKC α and δ, to eventually inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells. In the present study, the effect of Res on the growth of human pancreatic cancer cells was investigated, to further unveil the underlying mechanism. The human pancreatic cancer cell line MIA PaCa-2 was treated with three different concentrations of Res. Cell proliferation was assessed by the MTT assay, and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis were used to measure the mRNA and protein levels of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling proteins Ihh, Ptch and Smo. Our results revealed that Res can inhibit the cell proliferative ability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The number of formed colonies in the Res- and 5-Fu (positive control)-treated groups was decreased as compared to the negative control group. Res further induced apoptosis of MIA PaCa-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the levels of Ihh, Ptch and Smo were decreased by Res treatment. Our findings suggest that Res inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells in vitro, which may be related to its inhibitory effect on the Hh signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Qin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Zhenhua Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Dang
- Department of Emergency, Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710004, P.R. China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Qingyong Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
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Zheng G, Tao Y, Yu W, Schwartz RJ. Brief report: SRF-dependent MiR-210 silences the sonic hedgehog signaling during cardiopoesis. Stem Cells 2014; 31:2279-85. [PMID: 23818299 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Serum response factor (SRF) wields potent gene silencing activity through its regulation over numerous microRNAs (miRs). Here, SRF directs embryonic stem cell (ESC) progenitor cell lineage specification in part by silencing genes through miR-210. Viral expression of miR-210 in murine ESCs-derived embryoid bodies (EBs) inhibited cell growth and inhibited the appearance of cardiac progenitor markers Nkx2.5 and Gata4 and terminal differentiated contractile proteins Mlc2v and βMHC. Knockdown of miR-210 expression via antisense RNA activated cardiac progenitor gene activity. miR-210 inhibitory activity was attributed to silencing of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway, which fosters the cardiac progenitor program. miR-210 directly silenced Shh via targeting of the Shh 3'UTR, comparable to the chemical Shh inhibitor, cyclopamine. miR-210 silencing of Shh/Gli1 signaling also blocked expression of the cell cycle regulators Cyclin D1 and Cyclin D2, and EB cell expansion. Absence of SRF expression in SRF null EBs blocked miR-210 expression, coincident with enhanced Shh, and Gli1 gene activity. Thus, SRF-dependent miR-210 expression may operate as a novel silencer of the Shh signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxing Zheng
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Xie F, Xu X, Xu A, Liu C, Liang F, Xue M, Bai L. Aberrant activation of Sonic hedgehog signaling in chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder carcinoma. Hum Pathol 2014; 45:513-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2013.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Revised: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Chai F, Zhou J, Chen C, Xie S, Chen X, Su P, Shi J. The Hedgehog inhibitor cyclopamine antagonizes chemoresistance of breast cancer cells. Onco Targets Ther 2013; 6:1643-7. [PMID: 24250231 PMCID: PMC3829677 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s51914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance of cancer cells has been a severe problem in multiple types of cancers. One possibility is to combine different drugs with chemotherapy for improved efficacy. Cyclopamine blocks Hedgehog signaling by antagonizing Smo function, which induces tumor apoptosis. Here, we show that the combined use of cyclopamine and paclitaxel (chemotherapy drugs) was able to induce breast cancer cell apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. The results suggest that Hedgehog signaling is a prospective drug target for chemoresistant cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Chai
- Oncology Department, Zhejiang Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Gu D, Liu H, Su GH, Zhang X, Chin-Sinex H, Hanenberg H, Mendonca MS, Shannon HE, Chiorean EG, Xie J. Combining hedgehog signaling inhibition with focal irradiation on reduction of pancreatic cancer metastasis. Mol Cancer Ther 2013; 12:1038-48. [PMID: 23468532 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-12-1030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer often presents in advanced stages and is unresponsive to conventional treatments. Thus, the need to develop novel treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer has never been greater. Here, we report that combination of focal irradiation with hedgehog (Hh) signaling inhibition exerts better than additive effects on reducing metastases. In an orthotopic model, we found that focal irradiation alone effectively reduced primary tumor growth but did not significantly affect metastasis. We hypothesized that cancer stem cells (CSC) of pancreatic cancer are responsible for the residual tumors following irradiation, which may be regulated by Hh signaling. To test our hypothesis, we showed that tumor metastasis in our model was accompanied by increased expression of CSC cell surface markers as well as Hh target genes. We generated tumor spheres from orthotopic pancreatic and metastatic tumors, which have elevated levels of CSC markers relative to the parental cells and elevated expression of Hh target genes. Irradiation of tumor spheres further elevated CSC cell surface markers and increased Hh target gene expression. Combination of Hh signaling inhibition with radiation had more than additive effects on tumor sphere regeneration in vitro. This phenotype was observed in two independent cell lines. In our orthotopic animal model, focal radiation plus Hh inhibition had more than additive effects on reducing lymph node metastasis. We identified several potential molecules in mediating Hh signaling effects. Taken together, our data provide a rationale for combined use of Hh inhibition with irradiation for clinical treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Gu
- Division of Medical Oncology, IU Simon Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Hao K, Tian XD, Qin CF, Xie XH, Yang YM. Hedgehog signaling pathway regulates human pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Oncol Rep 2012; 29:1124-32. [PMID: 23292285 DOI: 10.3892/or.2012.2210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2012] [Accepted: 11/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and devastating malignancies. The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been reported to play an important role in pancreatic cancer development and progression. The aim of this study was to examine the activation of the Hh pathway in human pancreatic cancer tissue samples and pancreatic cancer cell lines, and the molecular mechanisms involved in the Hh pathway mediated effects on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and invasion. The expression levels of Hh molecules in human pancreatic cancer tissue samples and pancreatic cancer cell lines were evaluated using RT-PCR. The role of the Hh pathway in cell proliferation and invasion was evaluated using flow cytometry, MTT, colony formation assays and transwell invasion assays, and the expression of cancer stem cell markers and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were evaluated using flow cytometry and RT-PCR. Tumorigenicity assays were used to further investigate the role of the Hh pathway in vivo. Hh molecules were highly expressed in human pancreatic cancer tissue samples and pancreatic cancer cell lines. Inhibition of the Hh pathway notably decreased cell proliferation and induced apoptosis through inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway and cancer stem cells. Furthermore, inhibition of the Hh signaling pathway significantly inhibited EMT by suppressing the activation of transcription factors Snail and Slug, which are correlated with significantly reduced pancreatic cancer cell invasion, suggesting that the Hh signaling pathway is involved in early metastasis. These results indicate that activation of the Hh pathway is a common event. Inhibition of the Hh pathway may be a potential molecular target of new therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Hao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, PR China
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Kar S, Deb M, Sengupta D, Shilpi A, Bhutia SK, Patra SK. Intricacies of hedgehog signaling pathways: A perspective in tumorigenesis. Exp Cell Res 2012; 318:1959-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2012.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2012] [Revised: 04/25/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Li X, Ma Q, Xu Q, Liu H, Lei J, Duan W, Bhat K, Wang F, Wu E, Wang Z. SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling induces pancreatic cancer cell invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vitro through non-canonical activation of Hedgehog pathway. Cancer Lett 2012; 322:169-76. [PMID: 22450749 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2011] [Revised: 02/24/2012] [Accepted: 02/27/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In our previous study, we found that blockade of SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling inhibits pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro. However, the mechanism governing the downstream regulation of SDF-1/CXCR4-mediated invasion remains unclear. Here we report the role of SDF-1/CXCR4 in pancreatic cancer and the possible mechanism of SDF-1/CXCR4-mediated pancreatic cancer invasion. We show that there is a cross-talk between SDF-1/CXCR4 axis and non-canonical Hedgehog (Hh) pathway in pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that the ligand of CXCR4, SDF-1 induces CXCR4-positive pancreatic cancer invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and activates the non-canonical Hh pathway. Moreover, we also demonstrate that the invasion of a pancreatic cancer and EMT resulting from the activation of SDF-1/CXCR4 axis is effectively inhibited by Smoothened (SMO) inhibitor cyclopamine and siRNA specific to Gli-1. Collectively, these data demonstrate that SDF-1/CXCR4 modulates the non-canonical Hh pathway by increasing the transcription of SMO in a ligand-independent manner. Taken together, SDF-1/CXCR4 axis may represent a promising therapeutic target to prevent pancreatic cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuqi Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China
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Immunohistochemical evidence of the prognostic value of hedgehog pathway components in primary gallbladder carcinoma. Surg Today 2012; 42:770-5. [PMID: 22407314 DOI: 10.1007/s00595-012-0157-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The activation of hedgehog (Hh) pathways has been studied extensively in many malignant tumors to elucidate their clinical diagnostic and prognostic utilities. However, their roles in primary gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) remain poorly understood. This study was conducted to clarify the immunoreactivity and prognostic value of Hh pathway components in GBC. METHODS Levels of sonic hedgehog (Shh), its receptor, Patched (Ptch1), and its downstream transcription factor, Gli1 protein, were measured by immunohistochemistry in 93 specimens from patients with GBC. We analyzed the correlations between the expression of these factors and clinicopathological features, including prognosis. RESULTS Among the 93 GBC specimens, 76 (81.7%), 70 (75.3%) and 66 (70.0%) were positive for Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 expression, respectively. Expressions were significantly correlated with stage, lymph node metastasis, venous invasion, hepatic infiltration and lymphatic invasion (all P < 0.05). Patients with positive staining for Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 had significantly lower survival rates than patients with negative staining. The expression patterns of Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 were all associated with a malignant behavior risk category in GBC. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report to define the role of the Hh pathway in GBC. Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 are frequently expressed in GBC and associated with poorer survival. Thus, high expressions of Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 proteins could serve as auxiliary parameters for predicting the malignant behavior of GBC.
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He HC, Chen JH, Chen XB, Qin GQ, Cai C, Liang YX, Han ZD, Dai QS, Chen YR, Zeng GH, Zhu JG, Jiang FN, Zhong WD. Expression of hedgehog pathway components is associated with bladder cancer progression and clinical outcome. Pathol Oncol Res 2011; 18:349-55. [PMID: 21861243 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-011-9451-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2011] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been implicated in the tumorigenesis of a large number of human tumors. But its effects on the progression and prognosis of bladder cancer remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate expression patterns of Hh pathway components in bladder cancer and to elucidate their prognostic values in this tumor. The expression of sonic hedgehog (Shh), its receptor Patched (Ptch1), and downstream transcription factor Gli1 in 118 specimens of bladder cancer and 30 specimens of adjacent normal bladder tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analyses were applied to test the relationship between the expression of these three proteins and clinicopathologic features and prognosis. Immunohistochemical staining results showed the localizations of Shh and Ptch1 proteins to be mainly located in the cytoplasm of bladder cancer cells, whereas Gli1 was mainly localized in the nuclear of tumor cells. Additionally, positive expression of Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 proteins was correlated with pathological stage (P = 0.006, 0.006 and 0.008, respectively), venous invasion (P = 0.01, 0.01 and 0.012, respectively) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.009, 0.01 and 0.013, respectively), but not with other factors including age, gender, tumor grade and recurrence of superficial cancer. Moreover, patients with positive expression of Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 proteins respectively showed poorer disease-free (P = 0.002, 0.002 and 0.001, respectively) and overall survival (all P < 0.001) than those with negative expression of these three proteins. Univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors in bladder cancer patients indicated that the expression patterns of Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 proteins were independent unfavorable prognostic factors (all P < 0.001). This is the first report describing about the correlation between Hh pathway and the prognosis of bladder cancer. Expression of Shh, Ptch1 and Gli1 proteins was greater in bladder cancers than in the adjacent normal tissues. The examination of their expression is potentially valuable in prognostic evaluation of bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Chan He
- Department of Urology, Guangzhou First Municipal People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, 510180, China
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Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) belong to a superfamily of cell surface signalling proteins that have a pivotal role in many physiological functions and in multiple diseases, including the development of cancer and cancer metastasis. Current drugs that target GPCRs - many of which have excellent therapeutic benefits - are directed towards only a few GPCR members. Therefore, huge efforts are currently underway to develop new GPCR-based drugs, particularly for cancer. We review recent findings that present unexpected opportunities to interfere with major tumorigenic signals by manipulating GPCR-mediated pathways. We also discuss current data regarding novel GPCR targets that may provide promising opportunities for drug discovery in cancer prevention and treatment.
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Mimeault M, Batra SK. Frequent deregulations in the hedgehog signaling network and cross-talks with the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway involved in cancer progression and targeted therapies. Pharmacol Rev 2010; 62:497-524. [PMID: 20716670 DOI: 10.1124/pr.109.002329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The hedgehog (Hh)/glioma-associated oncogene (GLI) signaling network is among the most important and fascinating signal transduction systems that provide critical functions in the regulation of many developmental and physiological processes. The coordinated spatiotemporal interplay of the Hh ligands and other growth factors is necessary for the stringent control of the behavior of diverse types of tissue-resident stem/progenitor cells and their progenies. The activation of the Hh cascade might promote the tissue regeneration and repair after severe injury in numerous organs, insulin production in pancreatic beta-cells, and neovascularization. Consequently, the stimulation of the Hh pathway constitutes a potential therapeutic strategy to treat diverse human disorders, including severe tissue injuries; diabetes mellitus; and brain, skin, and cardiovascular disorders. In counterbalance, a deregulation of the Hh signaling network might lead to major tissular disorders and the development of a wide variety of aggressive and metastatic cancers. The target gene products induced through the persistent Hh activation can contribute to the self-renewal, survival, migration, and metastasis of cancer stem/progenitor cells and their progenies. Moreover, the pivotal role mediated through the Hh/GLI cascade during cancer progression also implicates the cooperation with other oncogenic products, such as mutated K-RAS and complex cross-talk with different growth factor pathways, including tyrosine kinase receptors, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Wnt/beta-catenin, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)/TGF-beta receptors. Therefore, the molecular targeting of distinct deregulated gene products, including Hh and EGFR signaling components and other signaling elements that are frequently deregulated in highly tumorigenic cancer-initiating cells and their progenies, might constitute a potential therapeutic strategy to eradicate the total cancer cell mass. Of clinical interest is that these multitargeted approaches offer great promise as adjuvant treatments for improving the current antihormonal therapies, radiotherapies, and/or chemotherapies against locally advanced and metastatic cancers, thereby preventing disease relapse and the death of patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murielle Mimeault
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
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O'Donoghue LE, Ptitsyn AA, Kamstock DA, Siebert J, Thomas RS, Duval DL. Expression profiling in canine osteosarcoma: identification of biomarkers and pathways associated with outcome. BMC Cancer 2010; 10:506. [PMID: 20860831 PMCID: PMC2955038 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-10-506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Accepted: 09/22/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Osteosarcoma (OSA) spontaneously arises in the appendicular skeleton of large breed dogs and shares many physiological and molecular biological characteristics with human OSA. The standard treatment for OSA in both species is amputation or limb-sparing surgery, followed by chemotherapy. Unfortunately, OSA is an aggressive cancer with a high metastatic rate. Characterization of OSA with regard to its metastatic potential and chemotherapeutic resistance will improve both prognostic capabilities and treatment modalities. Methods We analyzed archived primary OSA tissue from dogs treated with limb amputation followed by doxorubicin or platinum-based drug chemotherapy. Samples were selected from two groups: dogs with disease free intervals (DFI) of less than 100 days (n = 8) and greater than 300 days (n = 7). Gene expression was assessed with Affymetrix Canine 2.0 microarrays and analyzed with a two-tailed t-test. A subset of genes was confirmed using qRT-PCR and used in classification analysis to predict prognosis. Systems-based gene ontology analysis was conducted on genes selected using a standard J5 metric. The genes identified using this approach were converted to their human homologues and assigned to functional pathways using the GeneGo MetaCore platform. Results Potential biomarkers were identified using gene expression microarray analysis and 11 differentially expressed (p < 0.05) genes were validated with qRT-PCR (n = 10/group). Statistical classification models using the qRT-PCR profiles predicted patient outcomes with 100% accuracy in the training set and up to 90% accuracy upon stratified cross validation. Pathway analysis revealed alterations in pathways associated with oxidative phosphorylation, hedgehog and parathyroid hormone signaling, cAMP/Protein Kinase A (PKA) signaling, immune responses, cytoskeletal remodeling and focal adhesion. Conclusions This profiling study has identified potential new biomarkers to predict patient outcome in OSA and new pathways that may be targeted for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza E O'Donoghue
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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Walter K, Omura N, Hong SM, Griffith M, Vincent A, Borges M, Goggins M. Overexpression of smoothened activates the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:1781-9. [PMID: 20215540 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-09-1913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Accumulating evidence suggests that cancer-associated stromal fibroblasts (CAF) contribute to tumor growth by actively communicating with cancer cells. Our aim is to identify signaling pathways involved in tumor-stromal cell interactions in human pancreatic cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We established primary fibroblast cultures from human pancreatic adenocarcinomas and nonneoplastic pancreas tissues. To identify differentially expressed genes in CAFs, we did gene expression profiling of human pancreatic CAFs and nonneoplastic pancreatic fibroblasts. RESULTS The Hedgehog receptor Smoothened (SMO) was upregulated in CAFs relative to control fibroblasts. CAFs expressing SMO could transduce the Sonic hedgehog signal to activate Gli1 expression, and small interfering RNA knockdown of SMO blocked the induction of Gli1 in these cells. Stromal fibroblasts of human primary pancreatic adenocarcinomas overexpressed Smo compared with normal pancreatic fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS These findings implicate overexpression of Smo as a mechanism for the activation of Hedgehog signaling in human pancreatic CAFs and suggest that stromal cells may be a therapeutic target for Smo antagonists in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Walter
- Department of Pathology, The Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA
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ten Haaf A, Bektas N, von Serenyi S, Losen I, Arweiler EC, Hartmann A, Knüchel R, Dahl E. Expression of the glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) 1 in human breast cancer is associated with unfavourable overall survival. BMC Cancer 2009; 9:298. [PMID: 19706168 PMCID: PMC2753634 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2009] [Accepted: 08/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transcription factor GLI1, a member of the GLI subfamily of Krüppel-like zinc finger proteins is involved in signal transduction within the hedgehog pathway. Aberrant hedgehog signalling has been implicated in the development of different human tumour entities such as colon and lung cancer and increased GLI1 expression has been found in these tumour entities as well. In this study we questioned whether GLI1 expression might also be important in human breast cancer development. Furthermore we correlated GLI1 expression with histopathological and clinical data to evaluate whether GLI1 could represent a new prognostic marker in breast cancer treatment. METHODS Applying semiquantitative realtime PCR analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) GLI1 expression was analysed in human invasive breast carcinomas (n = 229) in comparison to normal human breast tissues (n = 58). GLI1 mRNA expression was furthermore analysed in a set of normal (n = 3) and tumourous breast cell lines (n = 8). IHC data were statistically interpreted using SPSS version 14.0. RESULTS Initial analysis of GLI1 mRNA expression in a small cohort of (n = 5) human matched normal and tumourous breast tissues showed first tendency towards GLI1 overexpression in human breast cancers. However only a small sample number was included into these analyses and values for GLI1 overexpression were statistically not significant (P = 0.251, two-tailed Mann-Whitney U-test). On protein level, nuclear GLI1 expression in breast cancer cells was clearly more abundant than in normal breast epithelial cells (P = 0.008, two-tailed Mann-Whitney U-test) and increased expression of GLI1 protein in breast tumours significantly correlated with unfavourable overall survival (P = 0.019), but also with higher tumour stage (P < 0.001) and an increased number of tumour-positive axillar lymph nodes (P = 0.027). Interestingly, a highly significant correlation was found between GLI1 expression and the expression of SHH, a central upstream molecule of the hedgehog pathway that was previously analysed on the same tissue microarray. CONCLUSION Our study presents a systematic expression analysis of GLI1 in human breast cancer. Elevated levels of GLI1 protein in human breast cancer are associated with unfavourable prognosis and progressive stages of disease. Thus GLI1 protein expression measured e.g. by an IHC based scoring system might have an implication in future multi-marker panels for human breast cancer prognosis or molecular sub typing. The highly significant correlation between SHH and GLI1 expression characterises GLI1 as a potential functional downstream target of the hedgehog signalling pathway in human breast cancer as well. Furthermore, our study indicates that altered hedgehog signalling may represent a key disease pathway in the progression of human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anette ten Haaf
- Molecular Oncology Group, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Nuran Bektas
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Sonja von Serenyi
- Molecular Oncology Group, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Inge Losen
- Molecular Oncology Group, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Elfriede Christel Arweiler
- Institute of Medical Statistics, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Krankenhausstrasse 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ruth Knüchel
- Molecular Oncology Group, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Edgar Dahl
- Molecular Oncology Group, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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