Repression of Lim only protein 4-activated transcription inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of normal mammary epithelial cells and breast cancer cells

Lmo4 Deficiency Enhances Susceptibility to Cisplatin-Induced Cochlear Apoptosis and Hearing Loss

Cisplatin, a potent chemotherapeutic drug, induces ototoxicity, which limits its clinical utility. Cisplatin-induced oxidative stress plays a causal role in cochlear apoptosis while the consequent nitrative stress leads to the nitration of LIM domain only 4 (LMO4), a transcriptional regulator, and decreases its cochlear expression levels. Here, we show a direct link between cochlear LMO4 and cisplatin-induced hearing loss by employing a Lmo4 conditional knockout mouse model (Lmo4^lox/lox; Gfi1^Cre/+). Hair cell-specific deletion of Lmo4 did not alter cochlear morphology or affect hearing thresholds and otoacoustic emissions, in the absence of apoptotic stimuli. Cisplatin treatment significantly elevated the auditory brainstem response thresholds of conditional knockouts, across all frequencies. Moreover, deletion of Lmo4 compromised the activation of STAT3, a downstream target that regulates anti-apoptotic machinery. Immunostaining indicated that the expression of phosphorylated STAT3 was significantly decreased while the expression of activated caspase 3 was significantly increased in Lmo4 deficient hair cells, post-cisplatin treatment. These findings suggest an otoprotective role of LMO4 as cisplatin-induced decrease in cochlear LMO4 could compromise the LMO4/STAT3 cellular defense mechanism to induce ototoxicity.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of Lim-domain only four retards organ of Corti cell growth

Lim-domain only 4 (LMO4) plays a critical role in mediating the ototoxic side-effects of cisplatin, a highly effective anti-cancer drug. However, the signaling mechanism by which cochlear LMO4 mediates otopathology is yet to be fully understood. Knockout cell culture models are useful tools for investigating the functional roles of novel genes and delineating associated signaling pathways. Therefore, LMO4 knockout organ of Corti cells were generated by using the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) system. Successful knockout of LMO4 in UB/OC1 cells was verified by the absence of LMO4 protein bands in immunoblots. Though the Knockout of LMO4 retarded the growth rate and the migratory potential of the cells it did not inhibit their long-term viability as the LMO4 knockout UB/OC1 cells were able to survive, proliferate, and form colonies. In addition, the knockout of LMO4 did not alter the expression of myosin VIIa, a biomarker of hair cells, suggesting that the knockout cells retain important characteristic features of cochlear sensory receptor cells. Thus, the findings of this study indicate that CRISPR/Cas9 system is a simple and versatile method for knocking out genes of interest in organ of Corti cells and that LMO4 knockout UB/OC1 cells are viable experimental models for studying the functional role of LMO4 in ototoxicity.

LMO4 is a prognostic marker involved in cell migration and invasion in non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The aims of this study were to analyze the association of LMO4 with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survival rate, and to determine its functional role and signaling pathway in lung cancer.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of LMO4 in NSCLC cell lines and tumor tissues. Migration and invasion ability was detected respectively by wound healing test and transwell test. Immunofluorescence and western blot were detected of AKT/PI3K pathway related genes MAPK, PI3K, AKT.

RESULTS

LMO4 has high expression level of NSCLC cell lines and tumor tissues, and correlated with a lower survival rate. LMO4 can regulate the migration and invasion of NSCLC cells through the AKT/PI3K pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

LMO4 could serve as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for NSCLC.

Targeting nitrative stress for attenuating cisplatin-induced downregulation of cochlear LIM domain only 4 and ototoxicity

Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity remains a primary dose-limiting adverse effect of this highly effective anticancer drug. The clinical utility of cisplatin could be enhanced if the signaling pathways that regulate the toxic side-effects are delineated. In previous studies, we reported cisplatin-induced nitration of cochlear proteins and provided the first evidence for nitration and downregulation of cochlear LIM domain only 4 (LMO4) in cisplatin ototoxicity. Here, we extend these findings to define the critical role of nitrative stress in cisplatin-induced downregulation of LMO4 and its consequent ototoxic effects in UBOC1 cell cultures derived from sensory epithelial cells of the inner ear and in CBA/J mice. Cisplatin treatment increased the levels of nitrotyrosine and active caspase 3 in UBOC1 cells, which was detected by immunocytochemical and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. The cisplatin-induced nitrative stress and apoptosis were attenuated by co-treatment with SRI110, a peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst (PNDC), which also attenuated the cisplatin-induced downregulation of LMO4 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, transient overexpression of LMO4 in UBOC1 cells prevented cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity while repression of LMO4 exacerbated cisplatin-induced cell death, indicating a direct link between LMO4 protein levels and cisplatin ototoxicity. Finally, auditory brainstem responses (ABR) recorded from CBA/J mice indicated that co-treatment with SRI110 mitigated cisplatin-induced hearing loss. Together, these results suggest that cisplatin-induced nitrative stress leads to a decrease in the levels of LMO4, downregulation of LMO4 is a critical determinant in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity, and targeting peroxynitrite could be a promising strategy for mitigating cisplatin-induced hearing loss.

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Cisplatin-induced nitrative stress leads to a decrease in the levels of LMO4.

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Downregulation of LMO4 is a critical factor in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

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SRI110 appears to be a promising candidate for preventing cisplatin ototoxicity.

LIM-Only Protein 4 (LMO4) and LIM Domain Binding Protein 1 (LDB1) Promote Growth and Metastasis of Human Head and Neck Cancer (LMO4 and LDB1 in Head and Neck Cancer)

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) accounts for more than 300,000 deaths worldwide per year as a consequence of tumor cell invasion of adjacent structures or metastasis. LIM-only protein 4 (LMO4) and LIM-domain binding protein 1 (LDB1), two directly interacting transcriptional adaptors that have important roles in normal epithelial cell differentiation, have been associated with increased metastasis, decreased differentiation, and shortened survival in carcinoma of the breast. Here, we implicate two LDB1-binding proteins, single-stranded binding protein 2 (SSBP2) and 3 (SSBP3), in controlling LMO4 and LDB1 protein abundance in HNSCC and in regulating specific tumor cell functions in this disease. First, we found that the relative abundance of LMO4, LDB1, and the two SSBPs correlated very significantly in a panel of human HNSCC cell lines. Second, expression of these proteins in tumor primaries and lymph nodes involved by metastasis were concordant in 3 of 3 sets of tissue. Third, using a Matrigel invasion and organotypic reconstruct assay, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of LDB1 in the VU-SCC-1729 cell line, which is highly invasive of basement membrane and cellular monolayers, reduced tumor cell invasiveness and migration, as well as proliferation on tissue culture plastic. Finally, inactivation of the LDB1 gene in these cells decreased growth and vascularization of xenografted human tumor cells in vivo. These data show that LMO4, LDB1, and SSBP2 and/or SSBP3 regulate metastasis, proliferation, and angiogenesis in HNSCC and provide the first evidence that SSBPs control LMO4 and LDB1 protein abundance in a cancer context.

In Silico Analysis Guides Selection of BET Inhibitors for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an incurable disease with poor prognosis. At this moment, therapeutic options are limited to chemotherapy, and no targeted agent has reached the clinical setting. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) inhibitors are a new family of compounds that inhibit bromodomain-containing proteins affecting the expression of transcription factors, therefore modifying the expression of relevant oncogenic genes. In the present article, by using an in silico approach, we have identified the expression of upregulated transcription factors in TNBC compared with normal breast. Treatment with JQ1, a well-characterized BET inhibitor, modified some transcription factors, including DEP domain containing 1 (DEPDC), Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1), and Lim domain only 4 (LM04). In cell line models, administration of JQ1 or OTX015, another BET inhibitor, produced a significant antiproliferative effect and synergized with chemotherapies. Biochemical evaluation demonstrated an arrest at G1 as the main mechanism of action with a clear increase of p27. Addition of these compounds to chemotherapy induced apoptosis compared to each agent given alone. Evaluation of JQ1 in xenografted tumors in nude mice showed a profound antitumoral effect with a reduction of DEPDC, FOXM1, and LM04, in addition to an increase of p27. Globally, our data demonstrate the antitumor effect of this new family of compounds in TNBC, paving the way for its future clinical development. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(8); 1823-33. ©2016 AACR.

Cisplatin-induced apoptosis in auditory, renal, and neuronal cells is associated with nitration and downregulation of LMO4

Cytotoxic effects of cisplatin occur primarily through apoptosis. Though several pro- and anti-apoptotic signaling molecules have been identified to play an important role in mediating the ototoxic, nephrotoxic, and neurotoxic side effects of cisplatin, the underlying mechanism is yet to be fully characterized. We reported that nitration of LIM domain-only 4 (LMO4), a transcriptional regulator, facilitates cochlear apoptosis in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. However, its role in cisplatin-mediated nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity is poorly understood. Therefore, HK2 and SH-SY5Y cells were used along with UBOC1 cells, to investigate the perturbations of LMO4 in cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity, in renal, neuronal, and auditory cells, respectively. Cisplatin induced an increase in the expression of active caspase-3, indicating cellular apoptosis, and increased the nitration of proteins, 24 h post treatment. Immunostaining with anti-nitrotyrosine and anti-LMO4 indicated that nitrotyrosine co-localized with LMO4 protein in cisplatin-treated cells. Immunoblotting with anti-LMO4 indicated that cisplatin induced a decrease in LMO4 protein levels. However, a corresponding decrease in LMO4 gene levels was not observed. Inhibition of protein nitration with SRI110, a peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst, attenuated cisplatin-induced downregulation of LMO4. More importantly, overexpression of LMO4 mitigated the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin in UBOC1 cells while a dose-dependent decrease in LMO4 protein strongly correlated with cell viability in UBOC1, HK2, and SH-SY5Y cells. Collectively, these findings suggested a potential role of LMO4 in facilitating the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin in auditory, renal, and neuronal cells.

Downstream targets of Lmo4 are modulated by cisplatin in the inner ear of Wistar rats

Lmo4, a transcriptional regulator, appears to be a key player in mediating the cochlear pathology in cisplatin ototoxicity, as it controls cellular responses by modulating the formation of transcriptional complexes. We provided the first evidence of in vivo nitration of Lmo4 in cisplatin ototoxicity. Our data suggested that nitration of Lmo4 and associated decrease in its cochlear expression has the potential to play a pivotal role in cisplatin ototoxicity. However, the Lmo4 interactomes that signal the downstream events in the cochlea are poorly understood. Therefore, custom-made gene arrays were employed to evaluate the modulation of known binding partners or targets of Lmo4, in Wistar rats treated with 16 mg/kg cisplatin. RT-PCR analysis, 3 days post cisplatin treatment, indicated that cisplatin induced up/down regulation of multiple cochlear genes associated with Lmo4 signaling. The cochlear expression of Esr1 was significantly up-regulated by cisplatin treatment, while the expression of Stat3 was down-regulated. Co-treatment with Trolox, an otoprotective antioxidant, attenuated the cisplatin-induced modulation of 5 genes in the cochlea. Consistent with the changes observed at the gene level, immunoblots with anti-Stat3 indicated that cisplatin-induced decrease in cochlear protein levels were attenuated by Trolox co-treatment. These results suggest that cisplatin-induced decreases in the cochlear Lmo4 upon nitration, and associated modulation in the cochlear expression of its binding partners Esr1 and Jak1, probably facilitates the repression of Stat3, a downstream target of Lmo4 implicated in drug mediated apoptosis. Collectively, these findings provide insights on Lmo4 downstream events and indicate a potential role of Jak/Stat transcriptional machinery in relaying the Lmo4 protein signaling in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

Characterization of cell lines derived from breast cancers and normal mammary tissues for the study of the intrinsic molecular subtypes

Five molecular subtypes (luminal A, luminal B, HER2-enriched, basal-like, and claudin-low) with clinical implications exist in breast cancer. Here, we evaluated the molecular and phenotypic relationships of (1) a large in vitro panel of human breast cancer cell lines (BCCLs), human mammary fibroblasts (HMFs), and human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs); (2) in vivo breast tumors; (3) normal breast cell subpopulations; (4) human embryonic stem cells (hESCs); and (5) bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). First, by integrating genomic data of 337 breast tumor samples with 93 cell lines we were able to identify all the intrinsic tumor subtypes in the cell lines, except for luminal A. Secondly, we observed that the cell lines recapitulate the differentiation hierarchy detected in the normal mammary gland, with claudin-low BCCLs and HMFs cells showing a stromal phenotype, HMECs showing a mammary stem cell/bipotent progenitor phenotype, basal-like cells showing a luminal progenitor phenotype, and luminal B cell lines showing a mature luminal phenotype. Thirdly, we identified basal-like and highly migratory claudin-low subpopulations of cells within a subset of triple-negative BCCLs (SUM149PT, HCC1143, and HCC38). Interestingly, both subpopulations within SUM149PT were enriched for tumor-initiating cells, but the basal-like subpopulation grew tumors faster than the claudin-low subpopulation. Finally, claudin-low BCCLs resembled the phenotype of hMSCs, whereas hESCs cells showed an epithelial phenotype without basal or luminal differentiation. The results presented here help to improve our understanding of the wide range of breast cancer cell line models through the appropriate pairing of cell lines with relevant in vivo tumor and normal cell counterparts.

LMO4 modulates proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Previous microarray analyses revealed that LMO4 is expressed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, however, its roles in adipogenesis are unknown. In the present study, using RT-PCR sequencing and quantitative real-time RT-PCR, we confirmed that LMO4 gene is expressed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and its expression peaks at the early stage of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. Further analyses showed that LMO4 knockdown decreased the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, and attenuated the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, as evidenced by reduced lipid accumulation and down-regulation of PPARγ gene expression. Collectively, our findings indicate that LMO4 is a novel modulator of adipogenesis.

The oncoprotein HBXIP activates transcriptional coregulatory protein LMO4 via Sp1 to promote proliferation of breast cancer cells

Hepatitis B X-interacting protein (HBXIP) is an important oncoprotein that plays critical role in the development of cancer. In this study, we report that HBXIP activates LIM-only protein 4 (LMO4), a transcriptional coregulatory protein, in promotion of cell proliferation. We observed that the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of HBXIP were positively associated with those of LMO4 in clinical breast cancer tissues. We further identified that HBXIP upregulated LMO4 at the levels of promoter, mRNA and protein in MCF-7 and LM-MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. The expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E, downstream effectors of LMO4, could be upregulated by HBXIP through LMO4. Then, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay revealed that HBXIP was able to interact with the promoter region of LMO4. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that HBXIP occupied the -237/-206 region of LMO4 promoter containing Sp1 binding element. The mutant of Sp1 binding site in the LMO4 promoter impeded the interaction of HBXIP with the promoter. Co-immunoprecipitation, ChIP and luciferase reporter gene assays showed that HBXIP activated LMO4 promoter through binding to Sp1. In function, flow cytometry, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assays and animal transplantation assays demonstrated that HBXIP-enhanced cell proliferation of breast cancer through upregulating LMO4 in vitro and in vivo. Thus, we concluded that oncoprotein HBXIP is able to activate the transcriptional coregulatory protein LMO4 through transcription factor Sp1 in promotion of proliferation of breast cancer cells. HBXIP may serve as a driver gene to activate transcription in the development of cancer.