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Jeon S, Park J, Likhite S, Moon JH, Shin D, Li L, Meyer KC, Lee JW, Lee SK. The postnatal injection of AAV9-FOXG1 rescues corpus callosum agenesis and other brain deficits in the mouse model of FOXG1 syndrome. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101275. [PMID: 39022742 PMCID: PMC11253142 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Heterozygous mutations in the FOXG1 gene manifest as FOXG1 syndrome, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by structural brain anomalies, including agenesis of the corpus callosum, hippocampal reduction, and myelination delays. Despite the well-defined genetic basis of FOXG1 syndrome, therapeutic interventions targeting the underlying cause of the disorder are nonexistent. In this study, we explore the therapeutic potential of adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-mediated delivery of the FOXG1 gene. Remarkably, intracerebroventricular injection of AAV9-FOXG1 to Foxg1 heterozygous mouse model at the postnatal stage rescues a wide range of brain pathologies. This includes the amelioration of corpus callosum deficiencies, the restoration of dentate gyrus morphology in the hippocampus, the normalization of oligodendrocyte lineage cell numbers, and the rectification of myelination anomalies. Our findings highlight the efficacy of AAV9-based gene therapy as a viable treatment strategy for FOXG1 syndrome and potentially other neurodevelopmental disorders with similar brain malformations, asserting its therapeutic relevance in postnatal stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Jeon
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, FOXG1 Research Center, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
- Department of Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jaein Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, FOXG1 Research Center, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Shibi Likhite
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Ji Hwan Moon
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, FOXG1 Research Center, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Dongjun Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, FOXG1 Research Center, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Liwen Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, FOXG1 Research Center, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Kathrin C. Meyer
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Jae W. Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, FOXG1 Research Center, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Soo-Kyung Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, FOXG1 Research Center, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
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Wu H, Li ZX, Fang K, Zhao ZY, Sun MC, Feng AQ, Leng ZY, Zhang ZH, Chu Y, Zhang L, Chen T, Xu MD. IGF-1-mediated FOXC1 overexpression induces stem-like properties through upregulating CBX7 and IGF-1R in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:102. [PMID: 38413558 PMCID: PMC10899262 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01864-0] [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: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Substantial evidence attests to the pivotal role of cancer stem cells (CSC) in both tumorigenesis and drug resistance. A member of the forkhead box (FOX) family, FOXC1, assumes significance in embryonic development and organogenesis. Furthermore, FOXC1 functions as an overexpressed transcription factor in various tumors, fostering proliferation, enhancing migratory capabilities, and promoting drug resistance, while maintaining stem-cell-like properties. Despite these implications, scant attention has been devoted to its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Our investigation revealed a pronounced upregulation of FOXC1 expression in ESCC, correlating with a poor prognosis. The downregulation of FOXC1 demonstrated inhibitory effects on ESCC tumorigenesis, proliferation, and tolerance to chemotherapeutic agents, concurrently reducing the levels of stemness-related markers CD133 and CD44. Further studies validated that FOXC1 induces ESCC stemness by transactivating CBX7 and IGF-1R. Additionally, IGF-1 activated the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB and MEK/ERK/NF-κB pathways through its binding to IGF-1R, thereby augmenting FOXC1 expression. Conversely, suppressing FOXC1 impeded ESCC stemness induced by IGF-1. The presence of a positive feedback loop, denoted by IGF-1-FOXC1-IGF-1R, suggests the potential of FOXC1 as a prognostic biomarker for ESCC. Taken together, targeting the IGF-1-FOXC1-IGF-1R axis emerges as a promising approach for anti-CSC therapy in ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhao-Xing Li
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Kang Fang
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Zi-Ying Zhao
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming-Chuang Sun
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - An-Qi Feng
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhu-Yun Leng
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Ze-Hua Zhang
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Chu
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji 8 University, 200120, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China.
| | - Mei-Dong Xu
- Endoscopy Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 200120, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Yan X, Hou L, Zhang C. FOXG1 is involved in mouse ovarian functions and embryogenesis. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 233:106372. [PMID: 37536505 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2023.106372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
TGF-β superfamily has long been demonstrated to be essential for folliculogenesis and luteinization. Forkhead box G1 (FOXG1, also known as BF1), a member of the FOX family and an inhibitor of TGF-β signaling pathway, is a nucleocytoplasmic transcription factor that is essential for forebrain development. FOXG1 is involved in neurodevelopment and cancer pathology, however, little is known about the role of FOXG1 in reproduction. In this study, the spatiotemporal expression pattern of FOXG1 was examined during early mouse oocyte and embryonic development and its role during corpora luteum (CL) formation was further elucidated. The results showed that FOXG1 is localized in oocytes, theca cells (TCs) and CLs. After fertilization, FOXG1 is expressed at all stages during early embryogenesis, from zygotes to blastocysts. Following gonadotropin administration in immature mice, the expression of Foxg1 significantly increased along with steroidogenic genes, including Star, Hsd3β, Cyp11a1, as well as Cyp17a1 and Cyp19a1. The latter two first increased after pregnant mare serum gonadotropin stimulation, then decreased in response to hCG treatment. In addition, silencing of Foxg1 significantly reduced the concentration of testosterone and estrogen in cultured primary granulosa cells (GCs) and TCs (P < 0.05). Mechanistic studies demonstrated that the expression level of genes that are critical in estrogen synthesis were significantly reduced after Foxg1 silencing, including Cyp17a1 and Cyp19a1. In conclusion, FOXG1 is expressed in a stage-specific manner during folliculogenesis and embryogenesis and exerts a regulatory influence on testosterone and estrogen synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Linlin Hou
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China.
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Taghehchian N, Lotfi M, Zangouei AS, Akhlaghipour I, Moghbeli M. MicroRNAs as the critical regulators of Forkhead box protein family during gynecological and breast tumor progression and metastasis. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:330. [PMID: 37689738 PMCID: PMC10492305 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01329-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Gynecological and breast tumors are one of the main causes of cancer-related mortalities among women. Despite recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic methods, tumor relapse is observed in a high percentage of these patients due to the treatment failure. Late diagnosis in advanced tumor stages is one of the main reasons for the treatment failure and recurrence in these tumors. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the molecular mechanisms involved in progression of these tumors to introduce the efficient early diagnostic markers. Fokhead Box (FOX) is a family of transcription factors with a key role in regulation of a wide variety of cellular mechanisms. Deregulation of FOX proteins has been observed in different cancers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as a group of non-coding RNAs have important roles in post-transcriptional regulation of the genes involved in cellular mechanisms. They are also the non-invasive diagnostic markers due to their high stability in body fluids. Considering the importance of FOX proteins in the progression of breast and gynecological tumors, we investigated the role of miRNAs in regulation of the FOX proteins in these tumors. MicroRNAs were mainly involved in progression of these tumors through FOXM, FOXP, and FOXO. The present review paves the way to suggest a non-invasive diagnostic panel marker based on the miRNAs/FOX axis in breast and gynecological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negin Taghehchian
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Malihe Lotfi
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Sadra Zangouei
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Iman Akhlaghipour
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Meysam Moghbeli
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Cui K, Chen W, Cao R, Xie Y, Wang P, Wu Y, Wang Y, Qin J. Brain organoid-on-chip system to study the effects of breast cancer derived exosomes on the neurodevelopment of brain. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 11:7. [PMID: 35254502 PMCID: PMC8901935 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-021-00102-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Early human brain development can be affected by multiple prenatal factors that involve chemical exposures in utero, maternal health characteristics such as psychiatric disorders, and cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide arising pregnancy. However, it is not clear whether the breast cancer might influence the brain development of fetus. Exosomes secreted by breast cancer cells play a critical role in mediating intercellular communication and interplay between different organs. In this work, we engineered human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived brain organoids in an array of micropillar chip and probed the influences of breast cancer cell (MCF-7) derived-exosomes on the early neurodevelopment of brain. The formed brain organoids can recapitulate essential features of embryonic human brain at early stages, in terms of neurogenesis, forebrain regionalization, and cortical organization. Treatment with breast cancer cell derived-exosomes, brain organoids exhibited enhanced expression of stemness-related marker OCT4 and forebrain marker PAX6. RNA-seq analysis reflected several activated signaling pathways associated with breast cancer, medulloblastoma and neurogenesis in brain organoids induced by tumor-derived exosomes. These results suggested that breast cancer cell-derived exosomes might lead to the impaired neurodevelopment in the brain organoids and the carcinogenesis of brain organoids. It potentially implies the fetus of pregnant women with breast cancer has the risk of impaired neurodevelopmental disorder after birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangli Cui
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenwen Chen
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rongkai Cao
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yingying Xie
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Yunsong Wu
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaqing Wang
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Jianhua Qin
- Division of Biotechnology, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. .,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. .,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
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6
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Paul MR, Zage PE. Overview and recent advances in the targeting of medulloblastoma cancer stem cells. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2021; 21:957-974. [PMID: 34047251 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2021.1932472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Medulloblastoma, an embryonal small round blue cell tumor primarily arising in the posterior fossa, is the most common malignancy of the central nervous system in children and requires intensive multi-modality therapy for cure. Overall 5-year survival is approximately 75% in children with primary disease, but outcomes for relapsed disease are very poor. Recent advances have identified molecular subgroups with excellent prognosis, with 5-year overall survival rates >90%, and subgroups with very poor prognosis with overall survival rates <50%. Molecular subtyping has allowed for more sophisticated risk stratification of patients, but new treatments for the highest risk patients have not yet improved outcomes. Targeting cancer stem cells may improve outcomes, and several candidate targets and novel drugs are under investigation.Areas covered: We discuss medulloblastoma epidemiology, biology, treatment modalities, risk stratification, and molecular subgroup analysis, links between subgroup and developmental biology, cancer stem cell biology in medulloblastoma including previously described cancer stem cell markers and proposed targeted treatments in the current literature.Expert opinion: The understanding of cancer stem cells in medulloblastoma will advance therapies targeting the most treatment-resistant cells within the tumor and therefore reduce the incidence of treatment refractory and relapsed disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Rose Paul
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA (M.R.P., P.E.Z.); Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Peter E Zage
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA (M.R.P., P.E.Z.); Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
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7
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Pecora G, Sortino V, Brafa Musicoro V, Salomone G, Pizzo F, Costanza G, Falsaperla R, Zanghì A, Praticò AD. FOXG1 Gene and Its Related Phenotypes. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1727270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AbstractFOXG1 is an important transcriptional repressor found in cell precursor of the ventricular region and in neurons in the early stage of differentiation during the development of the nervous epithelium in the cerebrum and optical formation. Mutations involving FOXG1 gene have been described first in subjects with congenital Rett syndrome. They can cause seizure, delayed psychomotor development, language disorders, and autism. FOXG1 deletions or intragenic mutations also determinate reduction in head circumference, structural defects in the corpus callosum, abnormal movements, especially choreiform, and intellectual retardation with no speech. Patients with duplications of 14q12 present infantile spasms and have subsequent intellectual disability with autistic features, head circumference in the normal range, and regular aspect of corpus callosum. Clinical characteristics of patients with FOXG1 variants include growth deficit after birth associated with microcephaly, facial dysmorphisms, important delay with no language, deficit in social interaction like autism, sleep disorders, stereotypes, including dyskinesia, and seizures. In these patients, it is not characteristic a history of loss of acquired skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pecora
- Pediatric Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Sortino
- Pediatric Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Viviana Brafa Musicoro
- Pediatric Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giulia Salomone
- Pediatric Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Pizzo
- Pediatric Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Costanza
- Pediatric Postgraduate Residency Program, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Raffaele Falsaperla
- Unit of Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency, University Hospital “Policlinico Rodolico-San Marco,” Catania, Italy
- Unit of Neonatal Intensive Care and Neonatology, University Hospital “Policlinico Rodolico-San Marco,” Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Zanghì
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technology “G.F. Ingrassia,” University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea D. Praticò
- Unit of Rare Diseases of the Nervous System in Childhood, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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8
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Bányai L, Trexler M, Kerekes K, Csuka O, Patthy L. Use of signals of positive and negative selection to distinguish cancer genes and passenger genes. eLife 2021; 10:e59629. [PMID: 33427197 PMCID: PMC7877913 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A major goal of cancer genomics is to identify all genes that play critical roles in carcinogenesis. Most approaches focused on genes positively selected for mutations that drive carcinogenesis and neglected the role of negative selection. Some studies have actually concluded that negative selection has no role in cancer evolution. We have re-examined the role of negative selection in tumor evolution through the analysis of the patterns of somatic mutations affecting the coding sequences of human genes. Our analyses have confirmed that tumor suppressor genes are positively selected for inactivating mutations, oncogenes, however, were found to display signals of both negative selection for inactivating mutations and positive selection for activating mutations. Significantly, we have identified numerous human genes that show signs of strong negative selection during tumor evolution, suggesting that their functional integrity is essential for the growth and survival of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Bányai
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural SciencesBudapestHungary
| | - Maria Trexler
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural SciencesBudapestHungary
| | - Krisztina Kerekes
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural SciencesBudapestHungary
| | - Orsolya Csuka
- Department of Pathogenetics, National Institute of OncologyBudapestHungary
| | - László Patthy
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural SciencesBudapestHungary
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9
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Xiao N, Li C, Liao W, Yin J, Zhang S, Zhang P, Yuan L, Hong M. FOXG1 mediates the radiosensitivity of glioma cells through regulation of autophagy. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 97:139-148. [PMID: 33201747 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1846816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Upregulation of Forkhead box G1 (FOXG1) has recently been observed in many cancers, while its effect on radiosensitivity in glioma is still unclear. In this study, we hypothesized that FOXG1 be a major player in radioresistance of glioma as well as the underlying mechanism. METHODS Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was conducted to assess FOXG1 expression in glioma tissues and glioma-adjacent tissues. Western Blot was implemented to detect the expression of autophagy-related proteins. CCK-8, colony formation and flow cytometry assays were implemented to assess cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to observe autophagic vesicles. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay was applied to detect the expression of FOXG1. RESULTS The present study demonstrated that FOXG1 was highly expressed in glioma tissues. FOXG1 expression level was up-regulated in glioma cells following exposure to X-ray irradiation. FOXG1 can attenuate radiosensitivity of glioma cells. Moreover, it revealed that FOXG1 attenuate radiosensitivity of glioma cells by promoting autophagy. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that FOXG1 is a pivotal molecule for circumventing radiation-induced cell death in malignant glioma cells through the regulation of autophagy, and it may be a target for the treatment of human brain glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Xiao
- Health Management Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Churong Li
- Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenjun Liao
- West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun Yin
- Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Shichuan Zhang
- Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Lan Yuan
- School of Medical and Life Sciences/Reproductive & Women-Children Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Hong
- Health Management Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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10
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Zhen J, Zhang H, Dong H, Tong X. miR-9-3p inhibits glioma cell proliferation and apoptosis by directly targeting FOXG1. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:2007-2015. [PMID: 32724447 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence indicating that microRNA (miR)-9-3p expression is abnormal in patients with glioma; however, the role of miR-9-3p in glioma remains unclear. In the present study, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical assays were conducted to assess miR-9-3p and forkhead box G1 (FOXG1) expression, respectively. A luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the target of miR-9-3p. Moreover, cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry assays were used to assess proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. The present study demonstrated that miR-9-3p is significantly downregulated, and FOXG1 is significantly upregulated, in patients with glioma. miR-9-3p overexpression inhibited proliferation and increased the apoptosis of both U87MG and TG-905 cells. In addition, FOXG1 was identified as a direct target of miR-9-3p, and FOXG1 silencing enhanced the inhibitory effect of miR-9-3p on proliferation and apoptosis in U87 MG and TG-905 cells. In conclusion, the present results suggest that miR-9-3p may suppress malignant biological properties by targeting FOXG1. Thus, miR-9-3p may serve as a diagnostic target and novel prognostic marker in patients with glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwen Zhen
- Department of Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang, Shaanxi 712082, P.R. China
| | - Hengxun Zhang
- Department of Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang, Shaanxi 712082, P.R. China
| | - Hongzhi Dong
- Department of Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang, Shaanxi 712082, P.R. China
| | - Xiaopeng Tong
- Department of Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang, Shaanxi 712082, P.R. China
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11
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Richard SA, Jia-Hao Z. Elucidating the pathogenic and biomarker potentials of FOXG1 in glioblastoma. Oncol Rev 2020; 14:444. [PMID: 32395201 PMCID: PMC7204822 DOI: 10.4081/oncol.2020.444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GB) is an extremely pugnacious brain cancer originating from neural stem (NS) cell-like cells. Forkhead box G1 (FOXG1; previously recognized as BF-1, qin, Chicken Brain Factor 1, or XBF-1 and renamed FOXG1 for mouse and human, and FoxG1 for other chordates) is an evolutionary preserved transcription factor driven from the forkhead box group of proteins FOXG1 modulates the speed of neurogenesis by maintaining progenitor cells in a proliferative mode as well as obstructing their differentiation into neurons during the initial periods of cortical formation. FOXG1 has been implicated in the formation of central nervous system (CNS) tumors and precisely GBs. Pathophysiologically, joint actions of FOXG1 and phosphatidylinositol- 3-kinases (PI3K) intermediate in intrinsic resistance of human GB cells to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) stimulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1(p21Cip1) as well as growth inhibition. FOXG1 and NOTCH signaling pathways may functionally interrelate at different stages to facilitate gliomagenesis. Furthermore, FoxG1 actively contributed to the formation of transcription suppression complexes with corepressors of the Groucho/transducin-like Enhancer of split (Gro/TLEs). Also, FOXG1 was stimulated by Gro/TLE1 and abridged by Grg6. FOXG1 silencing in brain tumor-initiating cells (BTICs) also resulted in diminished secretion of markers characteristic undifferentiated natural neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPC) states, such as Oligodendrocyte transcription factor (OLIG2), (sex determining region Y)-box 2. (SOX2) and B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog (BMI1). This review therefore focuses on the pathogenic and biomarker potentials of FOXG1 in GB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seidu A Richard
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, P.R. China.,Department of Medicine, Princefield University, Ho-Volta Region, Ghana, West Africa
| | - Zhou Jia-Hao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, P.R. China
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12
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Forkhead box (FOX) G1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma epithelial-Mesenchymal transition by activating Wnt signal through forming T-cell factor-4/Beta-catenin/FOXG1 complex. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:475. [PMID: 31771611 PMCID: PMC6880489 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1433-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Forkhead box G1 (FOXG1) is a member of the Fox transcription factor family involved in regulation of many cancers. However, the role of FOXG1 in hepatocellular carcinogenesisis largely unclear. The present study aimed at examining the biological function and underlying mechanism of FOXG1 on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor metastasis as well as its clinical significance. Methods Levels of FOXG1 were determined by immunohistochemical and real-time PCR analysis in HCC cell lines and human HCC samples. The effect of FOXG1 on cancer cell invasion and metastasis was investigated in vitro and in vivo in either FOXG1-silenced or overexpressing human HCC cell lines. Immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to investigate the interaction of FOXG1, β-catenin, TCF4 and the effect on Wnt target-gene promoters. Results In human HCC, the level of FOXG1 progressively increased from surrounding non tumorous livers to HCC, reaching the highest levels in metastatic HCC. Furthermore, expression levels of FOXG1 directly correlated with cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype. In FOXG1-overexpressing cells, FOXG1 promotes the stabilization and nuclear accumulation of β-catenin by directly binding to β-catenin and it associates with the lymphoid enhancer factor/T cell factor proteins (LEF/TCFs) on Wnt responsive enhancers (WREs) in chromatin. Conclusions The results show that FOXG1 plays a key role in mediating cancer cell metastasis through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HCC cells and predicts HCC prognosis after surgery. Targeting FOXG1 may provide a new approach for therapeutic treatment in the future.
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13
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FOXG1-Related Syndrome: From Clinical to Molecular Genetics and Pathogenic Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20174176. [PMID: 31454984 PMCID: PMC6747066 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20174176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with mutations in forkhead box G1 (FOXG1) belong to a distinct clinical entity, termed “FOXG1-related encephalopathy”. There are two clinical phenotypes/syndromes identified in FOXG1-related encephalopathy, duplications and deletions/intragenic mutations. In children with deletions or intragenic mutations of FOXG1, the recognized clinical features include microcephaly, developmental delay, severe cognitive disabilities, early-onset dyskinesia and hyperkinetic movements, stereotypies, epilepsy, and cerebral malformation. In contrast, children with duplications of FOXG1 are typically normocephalic and have normal brain magnetic resonance imaging. They also have different clinical characteristics in terms of epilepsy, movement disorders, and neurodevelopment compared with children with deletions or intragenic mutations. FOXG1 is a transcriptional factor. It is expressed mainly in the telencephalon and plays a pleiotropic role in the development of the brain. It is a key player in development and territorial specification of the anterior brain. In addition, it maintains the expansion of the neural proliferating pool, and also regulates the pace of neocortical neuronogenic progression. It also facilitates cortical layer and corpus callosum formation. Furthermore, it promotes dendrite elongation and maintains neural plasticity, including dendritic arborization and spine densities in mature neurons. In this review, we summarize the clinical features, molecular genetics, and possible pathogenesis of FOXG1-related syndrome.
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14
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Abstract
Brain development is a highly regulated process that involves the precise spatio-temporal activation of cell signaling cues. Transcription factors play an integral role in this process by relaying information from external signaling cues to the genome. The transcription factor Forkhead box G1 (FOXG1) is expressed in the developing nervous system with a critical role in forebrain development. Altered dosage of FOXG1 due to deletions, duplications, or functional gain- or loss-of-function mutations, leads to a complex array of cellular effects with important consequences for human disease including neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we review studies in multiple species and cell models where FOXG1 dose is altered. We argue against a linear, symmetrical relationship between FOXG1 dosage states, although FOXG1 levels at the right time and place need to be carefully regulated. Neurodevelopmental disease states caused by mutations in FOXG1 may therefore be regulated through different mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuwan C Hettige
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Carl Ernst
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Psychiatric Genetics Group, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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15
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Dhawan V, Kumar M, Deka D, Malhotra N, Singh N, Dadhwal V, Dada R. Paternal factors and embryonic development: Role in recurrent pregnancy loss. Andrologia 2018; 51:e13171. [PMID: 30324700 DOI: 10.1111/and.13171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 08/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The events occurring at the maternal-foetal interface define a successful pregnancy but the current paradigm has shifted towards assessing the contribution of spermatozoa for embryogenesis. Spermatozoa with defective DNA integrity may fertilise the oocyte but affect subsequent embryonic development. The present case-control study was conducted in male partners of couples experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) to assess the gene expression of spermatozoal FOXG1, SOX3, OGG1, PARP1, RPS6, RBM9, RPS17 and RPL29. This was correlated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI). Semen samples were obtained from 60 cases and 30 fertile controls. Gene expression was done by qPCR analysis, and relative quantification was calculated by the 2-ΔΔCt method. Chemiluminescence and the sperm chromatin structure assay were used to measure the ROS and DFI levels respectively. FOXG1, OGG1, RPS6 and RBM9 were seen to be upregulated, while SOX3 and PARP1 were downregulated. Relative expression of SOX3, OGG1, RPS6 and RPS17 showed a significant difference between patients and controls (p < 0.05). RPL patients were seen to have high ROS (>27.8; p = 0.001) and DFI (>30.7; p < 0.0001) with respect to controls. Sperm transcript dysregulation and oxidative DNA damage can be "carried over" after implantation, thus affecting embryogenesis and health of the future progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidhu Dhawan
- Department of Anatomy, Laboratory of Molecular Reproduction & Genetics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Department of Anatomy, Laboratory of Molecular Reproduction & Genetics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Dipika Deka
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Neena Malhotra
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Neeta Singh
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Vatsla Dadhwal
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rima Dada
- Department of Anatomy, Laboratory of Molecular Reproduction & Genetics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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16
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Wang L, Wang J, Jin T, Zhou Y, Chen Q. FoxG1 facilitates proliferation and inhibits differentiation by downregulating FoxO/Smad signaling in glioblastoma. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 504:46-53. [PMID: 30172378 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.08.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of FoxG1 expression on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) models. METHODS Expression levels of FoxG1 and other cancer-related biomarkers were evaluated by qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Crystal violet staining and MTT assay and were applied in this study to verify cell proliferation ability and viability of GBM cell models with/without drug treatment. RESULTS Immunohistochemical and qRT-PCR assays showed that endogenous FoxG1 expression levels were positively correlated to the GBM disease progression. Overexpression of FoxG1 protein resulted in increased cell viability, G2/M cell cycle arrest, as well as the downregulation of p21 and cyclin B1. In addition, western blot assays reported that enforced expression of FoxG1 suppressed GAPF and facilitated the expression of Sox2 and Sox5. Meanwhile the downstream targets of FoxG1, such as FoxO1 and pSmad1/5/8 were activated. Overexpression of FoxG1 under TMZ treatment restored the cell viability as well as the expression levels of Sox2 and Sox5, yet downregulated expression levels of p21 and cyclin B1. The downstream FoxG1-induced FoxO/Smad signaling was re-inhibited under TMZ treatments. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that FoxG1 functions as an onco-factor by promoting proliferation, as well as inhibiting differential responses in glioblastoma by downregulating FoxO/Smad signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Jingchao Wang
- Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Tong Jin
- Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Qianxue Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China.
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17
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Chen J, Wu X, Xing Z, Ma C, Xiong W, Zhu X, He X. FOXG1 Expression Is Elevated in Glioma and Inhibits Glioma Cell Apoptosis. J Cancer 2018; 9:778-783. [PMID: 29581755 PMCID: PMC5868141 DOI: 10.7150/jca.22282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
FOXG1, a member of forkhead family transcriptional factor, is involved in telencephalon development. Recent studies showed FOXG1 was important for a variety of cellular events in cancer cells. In respect to glioma, FOXG1 has been shown to regulate cell proliferation and cell cycles. However, its impacts on other cellular events were not well studied. Here, we found FOXG1 had high expression in clinical glioma tissues, and its expression positively correlated with glioma malignancy. Moreover, we found FOXG1 played roles in glioma cell apoptosis. The expressions of caspase family members were significantly altered in response to change of FOXG1 expression, indicating a direct regulation of FOXG1 on caspase family members. These data strongly suggest FOXG1 is negative regulator of glioma cell apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingying Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Xinmin Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhenkai Xing
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Chi Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Wencheng Xiong
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, USA
| | - Xiaojuan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaoxiao He
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
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18
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Schäfer S, Behling F, Skardelly M, Koch M, Ott I, Paulsen F, Tabatabai G, Schittenhelm J. Low FoxG1 and high Olig-2 labelling indices define a prognostically favourable subset in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant gliomas. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2017; 44:207-223. [PMID: 29053887 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Previous data suggest that expression of transcription factors FoxG1 and Olig-2 can separate hotspot histone H3 family member 3A (H3F3A)-mutant tumours in paediatric glioma. We evaluated their prognostic potential and feasibility for identifying H3F3A-mutant tumours among IDH-mutant/wild-type gliomas. METHODS Immunohistochemistry of FoxG1/Olig-2 and α-thalassaemia/mental-retardation-syndrome-X-linked gene (ATRX) in 471 cases of diffuse gliomas and molecular determination of IDH, H3F3A, MGMT and 1p/19 codeletion status. RESULTS Mean percentage of FoxG1-positive tumour cells increased from 17% in WHO grade II to over 21% in grade III to 37% in grade IV tumours, whereas mean Olig-2 indices decreased from 29% to 28% to 17% respectively. FoxG1 indices were similar in astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumours, whereas Olig-2 indices were increased in oligodendrogliomas compared to astrocytic tumours (n = 451, P < 0.0001). FoxG1-positive nuclei were significantly reduced in IDH and H3F3A K27-mutant tumours, whereas Olig-2-positive nuclei were significantly reduced in IDH-wild-type and H3F3A G34-mutant tumours. Among IDH-mutant tumours, mean Olig-2 index was significantly higher in 1p/19q codeleted tumours (mean: 43%) compared to IDH-mutant tumours with ATRX loss (mean: 23%, P < 0.0001). A significantly better outcome was first suggested for FoxG1low tumours (n = 212, log rank P = 0.0132) and Olig-2high tumours (n = 203, log-rank P = 0.0011) based on classification and regression tree determined cutoffs, but this was not confirmed by multivariate analysis including IDH mutation, WHO grade, ATRX status and age. CONCLUSIONS While the combined FoxG1/Olig-2 profile may discriminate H3F3A K27- and G34-mutant tumours and define a prognostically favourable subset in IDH-mutant gliomas, our data show that labelling indices of these transcription factors overlap with adult IDH-mutant and wild-type tumour classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Schäfer
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - F Behling
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Center for CNS Tumors, Comprehensive Cancer Center Tuebingen-Stuttgart, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - M Skardelly
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Center for CNS Tumors, Comprehensive Cancer Center Tuebingen-Stuttgart, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - M Koch
- Center for CNS Tumors, Comprehensive Cancer Center Tuebingen-Stuttgart, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Division of Neurooncology, Departments of Vascular Neurology & Neurosurgery, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Center for Personalized Medicine, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), DKFZ partner site Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - I Ott
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - F Paulsen
- Center for CNS Tumors, Comprehensive Cancer Center Tuebingen-Stuttgart, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - G Tabatabai
- Center for CNS Tumors, Comprehensive Cancer Center Tuebingen-Stuttgart, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Interdisciplinary Division of Neurooncology, Departments of Vascular Neurology & Neurosurgery, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Center for Personalized Medicine, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), DKFZ partner site Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - J Schittenhelm
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Center for CNS Tumors, Comprehensive Cancer Center Tuebingen-Stuttgart, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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19
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Wang J, Li W, Zhao Y, Kang D, Fu W, Zheng X, Pang X, Du G. Members of FOX family could be drug targets of cancers. Pharmacol Ther 2017; 181:183-196. [PMID: 28830838 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
FOX families play important roles in biological processes, including metabolism, development, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and longevity. Here we are focusing on roles of FOX members in cancers, FOX members and drug resistance, FOX members and stem cells. Finally, FOX members as drug targets of cancer treatment were discussed. Future perspectives of FOXC1 research were described in the end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Wan Li
- Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - De Kang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Weiqi Fu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Xiangjin Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Xiaocong Pang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China
| | - Guanhua Du
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, 100050 Beijing, China.
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20
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Liu KW, Pajtler KW, Worst BC, Pfister SM, Wechsler-Reya RJ. Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets in pediatric brain tumors. Sci Signal 2017; 10:10/470/eaaf7593. [PMID: 28292958 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aaf7593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Brain tumors are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in children. Although surgery, aggressive radiation, and chemotherapy have improved outcomes, many patients still die of their disease. Moreover, those who survive often suffer devastating long-term side effects from the therapies. A greater understanding of the molecular underpinnings of these diseases will drive the development of new therapeutic approaches. Advances in genomics and epigenomics have provided unprecedented insight into the molecular diversity of these diseases and, in several cases, have revealed key genes and signaling pathways that drive tumor growth. These not only serve as potential therapeutic targets but also have facilitated the creation of animal models that faithfully recapitulate the human disease for preclinical studies. In this Review, we discuss recent progress in understanding the molecular basis of the three most common malignant pediatric brain tumors-medulloblastoma, ependymoma, and high-grade glioma-and the implications for development of safer and more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Wei Liu
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kristian W Pajtler
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Centre (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung, DKTK), Core Center Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Barbara C Worst
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Centre (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung, DKTK), Core Center Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Centre (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Hospital, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung, DKTK), Core Center Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Robert J Wechsler-Reya
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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21
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Zeng F, Xue M, Xiao T, Li Y, Xiao S, Jiang B, Ren C. MiR-200b promotes the cell proliferation and metastasis of cervical cancer by inhibiting FOXG1. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 79:294-301. [PMID: 27044840 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have revealed the important role of miR-200b in cancer biology, including its upregulation in cervical cancer. However, miR-200b function in cervical cancer progression remains unclear. Thus, this study aims to explore the functional role of miR-200b in cervical cancer development, involving its potential regulation on FoxG1, one transcriptional repressor. METHODS Thirty paired cervical cancer samples were used to analyze the expression of miR-200b and FoxG1 by real time PCR and western blot analysis. Further gain- and loss-of-function studies were performed to validate FoxG1 as one miR-200b target, in line with luciferase report assays. MiR-200b silence was also conducted to observe its regulation on cell viability, migration and invasion in vitro, while tumor growth in vivo was tracked through the delivery of miR-200b inhibitor. RESULTS MiR-200b upregulation was confirmed in cancer tissues or cells as compared to normal controls, while FoxG1 downregulation was observed and then FoxG1 was definitely validated as one miR-200b target. Further in vitro studies showed that enforced miR-200b downregulation induced the decrease of cell ability, with increased cell apoptosis, and attenuated ability of cell migration and invasion in both HeLa and C33A cells, while further inhibition of FoxG1 expression could reverse all these changes. In addition, miR-200b silence in vivo strongly inhibited tumor growth. CONCLUSION Upregulated miR-200b in cervical cancer was proven to show positive regulation on cervical cancer development by directly targeting FoxG1. Moreover, miR-200b silence was proposed to inhibit tumor growth in vivo, implying its therapeutic value in cervical cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zeng
- Department of Gynecology, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Min Xue
- Department of Gynecology, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Ting Xiao
- Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yueran Li
- Department of Gynecology, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Songshu Xiao
- Department of Gynecology, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Department of Gynecology, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Caiping Ren
- Cancer Research Institute, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis of Chinese Ministry of Health, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Xiangya Road 110, Changsha 410078, Hunan Province, China.
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Humann J, Mann B, Gao G, Moresco P, Ramahi J, Loh LN, Farr A, Hu Y, Durick-Eder K, Fillon SA, Smeyne RJ, Tuomanen EI. Bacterial Peptidoglycan Traverses the Placenta to Induce Fetal Neuroproliferation and Aberrant Postnatal Behavior. Cell Host Microbe 2016; 19:388-99. [PMID: 26962947 PMCID: PMC4787272 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2016.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes for the fetus, including postnatal cognitive disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms are obscure. We find that bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan (CW), a universal PAMP for TLR2, traverses the murine placenta into the developing fetal brain. In contrast to adults, CW-exposed fetal brains did not show any signs of inflammation or neuronal death. Instead, the neuronal transcription factor FoxG1 was induced, and neuroproliferation leading to a 50% greater density of neurons in the cortical plate was observed. Bacterial infection of pregnant dams, followed by antibiotic treatment, which releases CW, yielded the same result. Neuroproliferation required TLR2 and was recapitulated in vitro with fetal neuronal precursor cells and TLR2/6, but not TLR2/1, ligands. The fetal neuroproliferative response correlated with abnormal cognitive behavior in CW-exposed pups following birth. Thus, the bacterial CW-TLR2 signaling axis affects fetal neurodevelopment and may underlie postnatal cognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Humann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Beth Mann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Geli Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Philip Moresco
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Joseph Ramahi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Lip Nam Loh
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Arden Farr
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yunming Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Kelly Durick-Eder
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Sophie A Fillon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Richard J Smeyne
- Department of Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Elaine I Tuomanen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
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Zakrzewski K, Jarząb M, Pfeifer A, Oczko-Wojciechowska M, Jarząb B, Liberski PP, Zakrzewska M. Transcriptional profiles of pilocytic astrocytoma are related to their three different locations, but not to radiological tumor features. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:778. [PMID: 26497896 PMCID: PMC4619381 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1810-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pilocytic astrocytoma is the most common type of brain tumor in the pediatric population, with a generally favorable prognosis, although recurrences or leptomeningeal dissemination are sometimes also observed. For tumors originating in the supra-or infratentorial location, a different molecular background was suggested, but plausible correlations between the transcriptional profile and radiological features and/or clinical course are still undefined. The purpose of this study was to identify gene expression profiles related to the most frequent locations of this tumor, subtypes based on various radiological features, and the clinical pattern of the disease. Methods Eighty six children (55 males and 31 females) with histologically verified pilocytic astrocytoma were included in this study. Their age at the time of diagnosis ranged from fourteen months to seventeen years, with a mean age of seven years. There were 40 cerebellar, 23 optic tract/hypothalamic, 21 cerebral hemispheric, and two brainstem tumors. According to the radiological features presented on MRI, all cases were divided into four subtypes: cystic tumor with a non-enhancing cyst wall; cystic tumor with an enhancing cyst wall; solid tumor with central necrosis; and solid or mainly solid tumor. In 81 cases primary surgical resection was the only and curative treatment, and in five cases progression of the disease was observed. In 47 cases the analysis was done by using high density oligonucleotide microarrays (Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0) with subsequent bioinformatic analyses and confirmation of the results by independent RT-qPCR (on 39 samples). Results Bioinformatic analyses showed that the gene expression profile of pilocytic astrocytoma is highly dependent on the tumor location. The most prominent differences were noted for IRX2, PAX3, CXCL14, LHX2, SIX6, CNTN1 and SIX1 genes expression even within different compartments of the supratentorial region. Analysis of the genes potentially associated with radiological features showed much weaker transcriptome differences. Single genes showed association with the tendency to progression. Conclusions Here we have shown that pilocytic astrocytomas of three different locations can be precisely differentiated on the basis of their gene expression level, but their transcriptional profiles does not strongly reflect the radiological appearance of the tumor or the course of the disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1810-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Zakrzewski
- Department of Neurosurgery, Polish Mother Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Rzgowska 281/289, 93-338, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Michał Jarząb
- Third Department of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Wybrzeze Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Pfeifer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Wybrzeze Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Oczko-Wojciechowska
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Wybrzeze Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Barbara Jarząb
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Wybrzeze Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Paweł P Liberski
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska 251, 92-213, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Zakrzewska
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Neuropathology, Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska 251, 92-213, Lodz, Poland.
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24
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Adesina AM, Veo BL, Courteau G, Mehta V, Wu X, Pang K, Liu Z, Li XN, Peters L. FOXG1 expression shows correlation with neuronal differentiation in cerebellar development, aggressive phenotype in medulloblastomas, and survival in a xenograft model of medulloblastoma. Hum Pathol 2015; 46:1859-71. [PMID: 26433703 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2015.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2015] [Revised: 08/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
FOXG1 is a transcription factor that interacts with multiple signaling pathways and modulates neuronal differentiation in the telencephalon. Dysregulation of FOXG1 expression has been previously reported in medulloblastoma. In this study, we demonstrate a regional specific expression of FOXG1 and its colocalization with Nestin expression in the premigratory mitotically active (outer) layer of the external granular layer of the cerebellum. An inverse expression of the granular precursor cell markers, Math1 and Musashi1, in the inner nonmitotic migratory layer of the external granular layer and in the internal granular layer was observed. Furthermore, modulation of FOXG1 in the medulloblastoma cell line, DAOY, was associated with the induction of neuronal differentiation markers and significant changes in multiple signaling pathways regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. Additionally, we observed enhanced survival in intracerebellar mice xenografts injected with DAOY cells bearing shFOXG1 constructs versus shLuciferase construct. Overall, these findings suggest that down-modulation of FOXG1 is a prerequisite for the onset of neuronal differentiation during cerebellar development and that a decrease of FOXG1 in medulloblastoma cells offers a survival advantage in mice. We propose that the disruption of signaling pathways that promote mature neuronal differentiation by overexpressed FOXG1 is a contributing event in the neoplastic transformation of cerebellar stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adekunle M Adesina
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Department of Pediatrics-Hematology/Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.
| | - Bethany L Veo
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Girard Courteau
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Vidya Mehta
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Xuli Wu
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Kaifang Pang
- Department of Pediatrics-Neurology, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Department of Pediatrics-Neurology, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Xiao-Nan Li
- Department of Pediatrics-Hematology/Oncology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Lori Peters
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
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Transcription factors FOXG1 and Groucho/TLE promote glioblastoma growth. Nat Commun 2014; 4:2956. [PMID: 24356439 PMCID: PMC3984242 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadly malignant brain cancer, with a median survival of less than two years. GBM displays a cellular complexity that includes brain tumour-initiating cells (BTICs), which are considered as potential key targets for GBM therapies. Here we show that the transcription factors FOXG1 and Groucho/TLE are expressed in poorly differentiated astroglial cells in human GBM specimens and in primary cultures of GBM-derived BTICs, where they form a complex. FOXG1 knockdown in BTICs causes downregulation of neural stem/progenitor and proliferation markers, increased replicative senescence, upregulation of astroglial differentiation genes, and decreased BTIC-initiated tumour growth upon intracranial transplantation into host mice. These effects are phenocopied by Groucho/TLE knockdown or dominant-inhibition of the FOXG1:Groucho/TLE complex. These results provide evidence that transcriptional programs regulated by FOXG1 and Groucho/TLE are important for BTIC-initiated brain tumour growth, implicating FOXG1 and Groucho/TLE in GBM tumorigenesis.
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26
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Manoranjan B, Wang X, Hallett RM, Venugopal C, Mack SC, McFarlane N, Nolte SM, Scheinemann K, Gunnarsson T, Hassell JA, Taylor MD, Lee C, Triscott J, Foster CM, Dunham C, Hawkins C, Dunn SE, Singh SK. FoxG1 interacts with Bmi1 to regulate self-renewal and tumorigenicity of medulloblastoma stem cells. Stem Cells 2014; 31:1266-77. [PMID: 23592496 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2012] [Revised: 01/27/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Brain tumors represent the leading cause of childhood cancer mortality, of which medulloblastoma (MB) is the most frequent malignant tumor. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of several MB molecular subgroups, each distinct in terms of prognosis and predicted therapeutic response. Groups 1 and 2 are characterized by relatively good clinical outcomes and activation of the Wnt and Shh pathways, respectively. In contrast, groups 3 and 4 ("non-Shh/Wnt MBs") are distinguished by metastatic disease, poor patient outcome, and lack a molecular pathway phenotype. Current gene expression platforms have not detected brain tumor-initiating cell (BTIC) self-renewal genes in groups 3 and 4 MBs as BTICs typically comprise a minority of tumor cells and may therefore go undetected on bulk tumor analyses. Since increasing BTIC frequency has been associated with increasing tumor aggressiveness and poor patient outcome, we investigated the subgroup-specific gene expression profile of candidate stem cell genes within 251 primary human MBs from four nonoverlapping MB transcriptional databases (Amsterdam, Memphis, Toronto, Boston) and 74 NanoString-subgrouped MBs (Vancouver). We assessed the functional relevance of two genes, FoxG1 and Bmi1, which were significantly enriched in non-Shh/Wnt MBs and showed these genes to mediate MB stem cell self-renewal and tumor initiation in mice. We also identified their transcriptional regulation through reciprocal promoter occupancy in CD15+ MB stem cells. Our work demonstrates the application of stem cell data gathered from genomic platforms to guide functional BTIC assays, which may then be used to develop novel BTIC self-renewal mechanisms amenable to therapeutic targeting.
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27
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A 92-gene cancer classifier predicts the site of origin for neuroendocrine tumors. Mod Pathol 2014; 27:44-54. [PMID: 23846576 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.2013.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Revised: 05/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
A diagnosis of neuroendocrine carcinoma is often morphologically straight-forward; however, the tumor site of origin may remain elusive in a metastatic presentation. Neuroendocrine tumor subtyping has important implications for staging and patient management. In this study, the novel use and performance of a 92-gene molecular cancer classifier for determination of the site of tumor origin are described in a series of 75 neuroendocrine tumors (44 metastatic, 31 primary; gastrointestinal (n=12), pulmonary (n=22), Merkel cell (n=10), pancreatic (n=10), pheochromocytoma (n=10), and medullary thyroid carcinoma (n=11)). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples passing multicenter pathologist adjudication were blinded and tested by a 92-gene molecular assay that predicts tumor type/subtype based upon relative quantitative PCR expression measurements for 87 tumor-related and 5 reference genes. The 92-gene assay demonstrated 99% (74/75; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93-0.99) accuracy for classification of neuroendocrine carcinomas and correctly subtyped the tumor site of origin in 95% (71/75; 95% CI 0.87-0.98) of cases. Analysis of gene expression subsignatures within the 92-gene assay panel showed 4 genes with promising discriminatory value for tumor typing and 15 genes for tumor subtyping. The 92-gene classifier demonstrated excellent accuracy for classifying and determining the site of origin in tumors with neuroendocrine differentiation. These results show promise for use of this test to aid in classifying neuroendocrine tumors of indeterminate primary site, particularly in the metastatic setting.
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28
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Lacroix J, Schlund F, Leuchs B, Adolph K, Sturm D, Bender S, Hielscher T, Pfister SM, Witt O, Rommelaere J, Schlehofer JR, Witt H. Oncolytic effects of parvovirus H-1 in medulloblastoma are associated with repression of master regulators of early neurogenesis. Int J Cancer 2013; 134:703-16. [PMID: 23852775 PMCID: PMC4232887 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Based on extensive pre-clinical studies, the oncolytic parvovirus H-1 (H-1PV) is currently applied to patients with recurrent glioblastoma in a phase I/IIa clinical trial (ParvOryx01, NCT01301430). Cure rates of about 40% in pediatric high-risk medulloblastoma (MB) patients also indicate the need of new therapeutic approaches. In order to prepare a future application of oncolytic parvovirotherapy to MB, the present study preclinically evaluates the cytotoxic efficacy of H-1PV on MB cells in vitro and characterizes cellular target genes involved in this effect. Six MB cell lines were analyzed by whole genome oligonucleotide microarrays after treatment and the results were matched to known molecular and cytogenetic risk factors. In contrast to non-transformed infant astrocytes and neurons, in five out of six MB cell lines lytic H-1PV infection and efficient viral replication could be demonstrated. The cytotoxic effects induced by H-1PV were observed at LD50s below 0.05 p. f. u. per cell indicating high susceptibility. Gene expression patterns in the responsive MB cell lines allowed the identification of candidate target genes mediating the cytotoxic effects of H-1PV. H-1PV induced down-regulation of key regulators of early neurogenesis shown to confer poor prognosis in MB such as ZIC1, FOXG1B, MYC, and NFIA. In MB cell lines with genomic amplification of MYC, expression of MYC was the single gene most significantly repressed after H-1PV infection. H-1PV virotherapy may be a promising treatment approach for MB since it targets genes of functional relevance and induces cell death at very low titers of input virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannine Lacroix
- Division of Tumor Virology, Program Infection and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, Heidelberg, Germany
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29
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Kovářová D, Plachý J, Kosla J, Trejbalová K, Čermák V, Hejnar J. Downregulation of HOPX Controls Metastatic Behavior in Sarcoma Cells and Identifies Genes Associated with Metastasis. Mol Cancer Res 2013; 11:1235-47. [DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-12-0687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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30
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Mathieu R, Evrard B, Fromont G, Rioux-Leclercq N, Godet J, Cathelineau X, Guillé F, Primig M, Chalmel F. Expression screening of cancer/testis genes in prostate cancer identifies NR6A1 as a novel marker of disease progression and aggressiveness. Prostate 2013; 73:1103-14. [PMID: 23532770 DOI: 10.1002/pros.22659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2012] [Accepted: 02/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer/Testis (CT) genes are expressed in male gonads, repressed in most healthy somatic tissues and de-repressed in various somatic malignancies including prostate cancers (PCa). Because of their specific expression signature and their associations with tumor aggressiveness and poor outcomes, CT genes are considered to be useful biomarkers and they are also targets for the development of new anti-cancer immunotherapies. The aim of this study was to identify novel CT genes associated with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC), and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). METHODS To identify novel CT genes we screened genes for which transcripts were detected by RNA profiling specifically in normal testis and in either HSPC or CRPC as compared to normal prostate and 44 other healthy tissues using GeneChips. The expression and clinicopathological significance of a promising candidate--NR6A1--was examined in HSPC, CRPC, and metastatic site samples using tissue microarrays. RESULTS We report the identification of 98 genes detected in CRPC, HSPC and testicular samples but not in the normal controls. Among them, cellular levels of NR6A1 were found to be higher in HSPC compared to normal prostate and further increased in metastatic lesions and CRPC. Furthermore, increased NR6A1 immunoreactivity was significantly associated with a high Gleason score, advanced pT stage and cancer cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that cellular levels of NR6A1 are correlated with disease progression in PCa. We suggest that this essential orphan nuclear receptor is a potential therapeutic target as well as a biomarker of PCa aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Mathieu
- Inserm Unité 1085-Irset, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
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31
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Li JV, Chien CD, Garee JP, Xu J, Wellstein A, Riegel AT. Transcriptional repression of AIB1 by FoxG1 leads to apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Mol Endocrinol 2013; 27:1113-27. [PMID: 23660594 DOI: 10.1210/me.2012-1353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The oncogene nuclear receptor coactivator amplified in breast cancer 1 (AIB1) is a transcriptional coactivator that is overexpressed in various types of human cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling AIB1 expression in the majority of cancers remain unclear. In this study, we identified a novel interacting protein of AIB1, forkhead-box protein G1 (FoxG1), which is an evolutionarily conserved forkhead-box transcriptional corepressor. We show that FoxG1 expression is low in breast cancer cell lines and that low levels of FoxG1 are correlated with a worse prognosis in breast cancer. We also demonstrate that transient overexpression of FoxG1 can suppress endogenous levels of AIB1 mRNA and protein in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Exogenously expressed FoxG1 in MCF-7 cells also leads to apoptosis that can be rescued in part by AIB1 overexpression. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we determined that FoxG1 is recruited to a region of the AIB1 gene promoter previously characterized to be responsible for AIB1-induced, positive autoregulation of transcription through the recruitment of an activating, multiprotein complex, involving AIB1, E2F transcription factor 1, and specificity protein 1. Increased FoxG1 expression significantly reduces the recruitment of AIB1, E2F transcription factor 1 and E1A-binding protein p300 to this region of the endogenous AIB1 gene promoter. Our data imply that FoxG1 can function as a pro-apoptotic factor in part through suppression of AIB1 coactivator transcription complex formation, thereby reducing the expression of the AIB1 oncogene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan V Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Research Building E307, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20007-2197, USA
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Aref D, Moffatt CJ, Agnihotri S, Ramaswamy V, Dubuc AM, Northcott PA, Taylor MD, Perry A, Olson JM, Eberhart CG, Croul SE. Canonical TGF-β pathway activity is a predictor of SHH-driven medulloblastoma survival and delineates putative precursors in cerebellar development. Brain Pathol 2012; 23:178-91. [PMID: 22966790 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2012.00631.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2012] [Accepted: 08/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood. Very little is known about aggressive forms of this disease, such as metastatic or recurrent MBs. In order to identify pathways involved in aggressive MB pathophysiology, we performed unbiased, whole genome microarrays on MB tumors at both the human and murine levels. Primary human MBs were compared, transcriptomically, to their patient-matched recurrent or metastatic tumors. Expression profiling was also performed on murine tumors from two spontaneously developing MB mouse models (Ptch+/- and Smo/Smo) that present with differing clinical severities. At both the human and murine levels we identified transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) as a potential contributor to MB progression/metastasis. Smad3, a major downstream component of the TGF-β pathway, was also evaluated using immunohistochemistry in malignant human tissues and was shown to correlate with MB metastasis and survival. Similarly, Smad3 expression during development identified a subset of cerebellar neuronal precursors as putative cells of origin for the Smad3-positive MBs. To our knowledge, this is the first study that links TGF-β to MB pathogenesis. Our research suggests that canonical activation of this pathway leads to better prognosis for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donya Aref
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Werbowetski-Ogilvie TE, Morrison LC, Fiebig-Comyn A, Bhatia M. In vivo generation of neural tumors from neoplastic pluripotent stem cells models early human pediatric brain tumor formation. Stem Cells 2012; 30:392-404. [PMID: 22213600 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have identified gene signatures in malignant tumors that are associated with human embryonic stem cells, suggesting a molecular relationship between aggressive cancers and pluripotency. Here, we characterize neural precursors (NPs) derived from transformed human embryonic stem cells (N-t-hESCs) that exhibit neoplastic features of human brain tumors. NPs derived from t-hESCs have enhanced cell proliferation and an inability to mature toward the astrocytic lineage, compared with progeny derived from normal human embryonic stem cells (N-hESCs) independent of adherent or neurosphere outgrowth. Intracranial transplantation of NPs derived from N-t-hESCs and N-hESCs into NOD SCID mice revealed development of neuroectoderm tumors exclusively from the N-t-hESCs NPs and not from normal N-hESCs. These tumors infiltrated the ventricles and the cerebellum of recipient mice and displayed morphological, phenotypic, and molecular features associated with classic medulloblastoma including retention of a pluripotent signature. Importantly, N-t-hESCs did not exhibit cytogenetic changes associated with medulloblastoma, suggesting that aberrant cellular and molecular properties precede the acquisition of karyotypic changes thus underscoring the value of this model system of human medulloblastoma. Our study demonstrates that NPs from a starting population of neoplastic human pluripotent parent cells possess brain tumor-initiating cell capacity, thereby providing a model system to investigate initiation and progression of primitive human neural cancers that are difficult to assess using somatic sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamra E Werbowetski-Ogilvie
- Department of Biochemistry, Michael G. Degroote School of Medicine, McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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Lau KM, Chan QKY, Pang JCS, Ma FMT, Li KKW, Yeung WW, Cheng ASL, Feng H, Chung NYF, Li HM, Zhou L, Wang Y, Mao Y, Ng HK. Overexpression of HMGA1 deregulates tumor growth via cdc25A and alters migration/invasion through a cdc25A-independent pathway in medulloblastoma. Acta Neuropathol 2012; 123:553-71. [PMID: 22249617 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-011-0934-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Accepted: 12/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Overexpression of high mobility group AT-hook 1 (HMGA1) is common in human cancers. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying its deregulation and downstream targets, and information about its clinical and biological significance in medulloblastoma (MB) is lacking. Here, we demonstrated frequent genomic gain at 6p21.33-6p21.31 with copy number increase leading to overexpression of HMGA1 in MB. The overexpression correlated with a high proliferation index and poor prognosis. Moreover, we found that hsa-miR-124a targeted 3'UTR of HMGA1 and negatively modulated the expression in MB cells, indicating that loss/downregulation of hsa-miR-124a reported in our previous study could contribute to the overexpression. Regarding the biological significance of HMGA1, siRNA knockdown and ectopic expression studies revealed the crucial roles of HMGA1 in controlling MB cell growth and migration/invasion through modulation of apoptosis and formation of filopodia and stress fibers, respectively. Furthermore, we identified cdc25A as a target of HMGA1 and showed that physical interaction between HMGA1 and the cdc25A promoter is required for transcriptional upregulation. In clinical samples, HMGA1 and cdc25A were concordantly overexpressed. Functionally, cdc25A is involved in the HMGA1-mediated control of MB cell growth. Finally, netropsin, which competes with HMGA1 in DNA binding, reduced the expression of cdc25A by suppression of its promoter activity and inhibited in vitro and in vivo intracranial MB cell growth. In conclusion, our results delineate the mechanisms underlying the deregulation and reveal the functional significance of HMGA1 in controlling MB cell growth and migration/invasion. Importantly, the results highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting HMGA1 in MB patients.
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MESH Headings
- Actin Cytoskeleton/metabolism
- Animals
- Antiviral Agents/pharmacology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement/drug effects
- Cell Movement/genetics
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Cerebellar Neoplasms/genetics
- Cerebellar Neoplasms/metabolism
- Cerebellar Neoplasms/mortality
- Cerebellar Neoplasms/pathology
- Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
- Chromosome Aberrations
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
- Female
- Flow Cytometry
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Gene Knockout Techniques
- HMGA1a Protein/genetics
- HMGA1a Protein/metabolism
- Humans
- Male
- Medulloblastoma/genetics
- Medulloblastoma/metabolism
- Medulloblastoma/mortality
- Medulloblastoma/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Neoplasm Invasiveness/pathology
- Netropsin/pharmacology
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Survival Analysis
- Time Factors
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- cdc25 Phosphatases/genetics
- cdc25 Phosphatases/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Kin-Mang Lau
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
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35
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Abstract
Brain tumors are the leading cause of childhood cancer mortality, with medulloblastoma (MB) representing the most frequent malignant tumor. The recent molecular classification of MB has reconceptualized the heterogeneity that exists within pathological subtypes by giving context to the role of key developmental signaling pathways in MB pathogenesis. The identification of cancer stem cell (CSC) populations, termed brain tumor-initiating cells (BTICs), in MB has provided novel cellular targets for the study of these aberrantly activated signaling pathways, namely, Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Wingless (Wnt), along with the identification of novel BTIC self-renewal pathways. In this review, we discuss recent evidence for the presence of a MB stem cell that drives tumorigenesis in this malignant childhood tumor. We focus on evidence from cerebellar development, the recent identification of BTICs, the presence of activated developmental signaling pathways in MB, the role of epigenetic stem cell regulatory mechanisms, and how these developmental and epigenetic pathways may be targeted for novel therapeutic options.
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36
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Aparicio A, Tzelepi V, Araujo JC, Guo CC, Liang S, Troncoso P, Logothetis CJ, Navone NM, Maity SN. Neuroendocrine prostate cancer xenografts with large-cell and small-cell features derived from a single patient's tumor: morphological, immunohistochemical, and gene expression profiles. Prostate 2011; 71:846-56. [PMID: 21456067 PMCID: PMC3883511 DOI: 10.1002/pros.21301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2010] [Accepted: 09/26/2010] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small-cell carcinoma (SCC) of the prostate is an AR-negative variant of prostate cancer found at progression in 10-20% of castrate-resistant disease. Its finding predicts a distinct clinical course and a poor prognosis. Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a much rarer variant that behaves similarly to SCC. The biological mechanisms that drive these disease variants are poorly understood. METHODS Eight tumor fragments from the salvage pelvic exenteration specimen of a patient with castrate-resistant prostate carcinoma were subcutaneously implanted into 6- to 8-week-old male CB17 SCID mice. Serial tissue sections and tissue microarrays of the resulting MDA PCa 144 xenograft lines were used for histopathologic and immunohistochemical characterization of the xenografts and their tissue of origin. RNA from two representative xenograft sublines was used for gene-expression profiling. RESULTS All eight fragments formed tumors: four of the MDA PCa 144 xenograft sublines had morphologic characteristics of SCC and four, of LCNEC. All retained high fidelity to their parent tumor tissue, which remained stable through serial passages. Morphological transitions in the specimen of origin suggested LCNEC represents an intermediate step between adenocarcinoma and SCC. Over 2,500 genes were differentially expressed between the SCC (MDA PCa 144-13) and the LCNEC (MDA PCa 144-4) sublines and enriched in "Nervous System Development" Gene Ontology subtree. CONCLUSION The eight xenograft models described represent the spectrum of neuroendocrine carcinomas in prostate cancer and will be valuable preclinical tools to study the pathogenesis of and therapy targets for this increasingly recognized subset of lethal prostate cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Carcinoma, Large Cell/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Large Cell/pathology
- Carcinoma, Large Cell/radiotherapy
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/pathology
- Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/radiotherapy
- Carcinoma, Small Cell/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Small Cell/pathology
- Carcinoma, Small Cell/radiotherapy
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, SCID
- Prostate-Specific Antigen
- Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Aparicio
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Correspondence to: Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, Unit 1374, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030-4009. Tel: 713-563-6969; Fax: 713-745-1625;
| | - Vasiliki Tzelepi
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - John C. Araujo
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Charles C. Guo
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Shoudan Liang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Patricia Troncoso
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Christopher J. Logothetis
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Nora M. Navone
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sankar N. Maity
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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37
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Benayoun BA, Caburet S, Veitia RA. Forkhead transcription factors: key players in health and disease. Trends Genet 2011; 27:224-32. [PMID: 21507500 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2011.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 238] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2011] [Revised: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 03/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Forkhead box (FOX) proteins constitute an evolutionarily conserved family of transcription factors with a central role not only during development, but also in the adult organism. Thus, the misregulation and/or mutation of FOX genes often induce human genetic diseases, promote cancer or deregulate ageing. Indeed, germinal FOX gene mutations cause diseases ranging from infertility to language and/or speech disorders and immunological defects. Moreover, because of their central role in signalling pathways and in the regulation of homeostasis, somatic misregulation and/or mutation of FOX genes are associated with cancer. FOX proteins have undergone diversification in terms of their sequence, regulation and function. In addition to dedicated roles, evidence suggests that Forkhead factors have retained some functional redundancy. Thus, combinations of slightly defective alleles might induce disease phenotypes in humans, acting as quantitative trait loci. Uncovering such variants would be a big step towards understanding the functional interdependencies of different FOX members and their implications in complex pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bérénice A Benayoun
- CNRS UMR 7592, Institut Jacques Monod, Equipe Génétique et Génomique du Développement Gonadique, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
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38
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Kopecky B, Santi P, Johnson S, Schmitz H, Fritzsch B. Conditional deletion of N-Myc disrupts neurosensory and non-sensory development of the ear. Dev Dyn 2011; 240:1373-90. [PMID: 21448975 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ear development requires interactions of transcription factors for proliferation and differentiation. The proto-oncogene N-Myc is a member of the Myc family that regulates proliferation. To investigate the function of N-Myc, we conditionally knocked out N-Myc in the ear using Tg(Pax2-Cre) and Foxg1(KiCre). N-Myc CKOs had reduced growth of the ear, abnormal morphology including fused sensory epithelia, disrupted histology, and disorganized neuronal innervation. Using Thin-Sheet Laser Imaging Microscopy (TSLIM), 3D reconstruction and quantification of the cochlea revealed a greater than 50% size reduction. Immunochemistry and in situ hybridization showed a gravistatic organ-cochlear fusion and a "circularized" apex with no clear inner and outer hair cells. Furthermore, the abnormally developed cochlea had cross innervation from the vestibular ganglion near the basal tip. These findings are put in the context of the possible functional relationship of N-Myc with a number of other cell proliferative and fate determining genes during ear development.
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Brancaccio M, Pivetta C, Granzotto M, Filippis C, Mallamaci A. Emx2 and Foxg1 inhibit gliogenesis and promote neuronogenesis. Stem Cells 2010; 28:1206-18. [PMID: 20506244 DOI: 10.1002/stem.443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) give rise to all cell types forming the cortex: neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The transition from the former to the latter ones takes place via lineage-restricted progenitors in a highly regulated way. This process is mastered by large sets of genes, among which some implicated in central nervous system pattern formation. The aim of this study was to disentangle the kinetic and histogenetic roles exerted by two of these genes, Emx2 and Foxg1, in cortico-cerebral precursors. For this purpose, we set up a new integrated in vitro assay design. Embryonic cortical progenitors were transduced with lentiviral vectors driving overexpression of Emx2 and Foxg1 in NSCs and neuronal progenitors. Cells belonging to different neuronogenic and gliogenic compartments were labeled by spectrally distinguishable fluoroproteins driven by cell type-specific promoters and by cell type-specific antibodies and were scored via multiplex cytofluorometry and immunocytofluorescence. A detailed picture of Emx2 and Foxg1 activities in cortico-cerebral histogenesis resulted from this study. Unexpectedly, we found that both genes inhibit gliogenesis and promote neuronogenesis, through distinct mechanisms, and Foxg1 also dramatically stimulates neurite outgrowth. Remarkably, such activities, alone or combined, may be exploited to ameliorate the neuronal output obtainable from neural cultures, for purposes of cell-based brain repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Brancaccio
- SISSA, Neurobiology Sector, Laboratory of Cerebral Cortex Development, Trieste, Italy
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40
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Northcott PA, Korshunov A, Witt H, Hielscher T, Eberhart CG, Mack S, Bouffet E, Clifford SC, Hawkins CE, French P, Rutka JT, Pfister S, Taylor MD. Medulloblastoma comprises four distinct molecular variants. J Clin Oncol 2010; 29:1408-14. [PMID: 20823417 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2009.27.4324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 955] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Recent genomic approaches have suggested the existence of multiple distinct subtypes of medulloblastoma. We studied a large cohort of medulloblastomas to determine how many subgroups of the disease exist, how they differ, and the extent of overlap between subgroups. METHODS We determined gene expression profiles and DNA copy number aberrations for 103 primary medulloblastomas. Bioinformatic tools were used for class discovery of medulloblastoma subgroups based on the most informative genes in the data set. Immunohistochemistry for subgroup-specific signature genes was used to determine subgroup affiliation for 294 nonoverlapping medulloblastomas on two independent tissue microarrays. RESULTS Multiple unsupervised analyses of transcriptional profiles identified the following four distinct, nonoverlapping molecular variants: WNT, SHH, group C, and group D. Supervised analysis of these four subgroups revealed significant subgroup-specific demographics, histology, metastatic status, and DNA copy number aberrations. Immunohistochemistry for DKK1 (WNT), SFRP1 (SHH), NPR3 (group C), and KCNA1 (group D) could reliably and uniquely classify formalin-fixed medulloblastomas in approximately 98% of patients. Group C patients (NPR3-positive tumors) exhibited a significantly diminished progression-free and overall survival irrespective of their metastatic status. CONCLUSION Our integrative genomics approach to a large cohort of medulloblastomas has identified four disparate subgroups with distinct demographics, clinical presentation, transcriptional profiles, genetic abnormalities, and clinical outcome. Medulloblastomas can be reliably assigned to subgroups through immunohistochemistry, thereby making medulloblastoma subclassification widely available. Future research on medulloblastoma and the development of clinical trials should take into consideration these four distinct types of medulloblastoma.
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41
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Northcott PA, Rutka JT, Taylor MD. Genomics of medulloblastoma: from Giemsa-banding to next-generation sequencing in 20 years. Neurosurg Focus 2010; 28:E6. [DOI: 10.3171/2009.10.focus09218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the field of genomics have recently enabled the unprecedented characterization of the cancer genome, providing novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying malignancies in humans. The application of high-resolution microarray platforms to the study of medulloblastoma has revealed new oncogenes and tumor suppressors and has implicated changes in DNA copy number, gene expression, and methylation state in its etiology. Additionally, the integration of medulloblastoma genomics with patient clinical data has confirmed molecular markers of prognostic significance and highlighted the potential utility of molecular disease stratification. The advent of next-generation sequencing technologies promises to greatly transform our understanding of medulloblastoma pathogenesis in the next few years, permitting comprehensive analyses of all aspects of the genome and increasing the likelihood that genomic medicine will become part of the routine diagnosis and treatment of medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Northcott
- 1Division of Neurosurgery, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre
- 2Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children; and
- 3Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James T. Rutka
- 1Division of Neurosurgery, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre
- 3Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael D. Taylor
- 1Division of Neurosurgery, Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre
- 2Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children; and
- 3Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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42
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Abstract
In recent years, brain tumors have become the single most frequent cause of cancer-related mortality in children, although their frequency is approximately 50% less than leukemia. According to the classification of the World Health Organization, histopathological diagnosis is of paramount importance for clinicians to choose the most appropriate treatment option and tailor treatment intensity to disease risk. However, histopathological assessment is often difficult, and adding molecular information to classic neuropathological analyses may help ensure diagnostic accuracy, improve risk stratification of patients within a given tumor entity, and help in identifying novel therapeutic targets for an individualized treatment approach. Therefore, this review focuses both on established histopathology as well as on molecular features in the most important brain tumors in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Pfister
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
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43
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Overexpression of FOXG1 contributes to TGF-beta resistance through inhibition of p21WAF1/CIP1 expression in ovarian cancer. Br J Cancer 2009; 101:1433-43. [PMID: 19755996 PMCID: PMC2768441 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Loss of growth inhibitory response to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a common feature of epithelial cancers. Recent studies have reported that genetic lesions and overexpression of oncoproteins in TGF-β/Smads signalling cascade contribute to the TGF-β resistance. Here, we showed that the overexpressed FOXG1 was involved in attenuating the anti-proliferative control of TGF-β/Smads signalling in ovarian cancer. Methods: FOXG1 and p21WAF1/CIP1 expressions were evaluated by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. The effect of FOXG1 on p21WAF1/CIP1 transcriptional activity was examined by luciferase reporter assays. Cell lines stably expressing or short hairpin RNA interference-mediated knockdown FOXG1 were established for studying the gain-or-loss functional effects of FOXG1. XTT cell proliferation assay was used to measure cell growth of ovarian cancer cells. Results: Quantitative RT–PCR and western blot analyses showed that FOXG1 was upregulated and inversely associated with the expression levels of p21WAF1/CIP1 in ovarian cancer. The overexpression of FOXG1 was significantly correlated with high-grade ovarian cancer (P=0.025). Immunohistochemical analysis on ovarian cancer tissue array was further evidenced that FOXG1 was highly expressed and significantly correlated with high-grade ovarian cancer (P=0.048). Functionally, enforced expression of FOXG1 selectively blocked the TGF-β-induced p21WAF1/CIP1 expressions and increased cell proliferation in ovarian cancer cells. Conversely, FOXG1 knockdown resulted in a 20–26% decrease in cell proliferation together with 16–33% increase in p21WAF1/CIP1 expression. Notably, FOXG1 was able to inhibit the p21WAF1/CIP1 promoter activity in a p53-independent manner by transient reporter assays. Conclusion Our results suggest that FOXG1 acts as an oncoprotein inhibiting TGF-β-mediated anti-proliferative responses in ovarian cancer cells through suppressing p21WAF1/CIP1 transcription.
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de Bont JM, Packer RJ, Michiels EM, den Boer ML, Pieters R. Biological background of pediatric medulloblastoma and ependymoma: a review from a translational research perspective. Neuro Oncol 2008; 10:1040-60. [PMID: 18676356 DOI: 10.1215/15228517-2008-059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Survival rates of pediatric brain tumor patients have significantly improved over the years due to developments in diagnostic techniques, neurosurgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and supportive care. However, brain tumors are still an important cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Prognosis is still highly dependent on clinical characteristics, such as the age of the patient, tumor type, stage, and localization, but increased knowledge about the genetic and biological features of these tumors is being obtained and might be useful to further improve outcome for these patients. It has become clear that the deregulation of signaling pathways essential in brain development, for example, sonic hedgehog (SHH), Wnt, and Notch pathways, plays an important role in pathogenesis and biological behavior, especially for medulloblastomas. More recently, data have become available about the cells of origin of brain tumors and the possible existence of brain tumor stem cells. Newly developed array-based techniques for studying gene expression, protein expression, copy number aberrations, and epigenetic events have led to the identification of other potentially important biological abnormalities in pediatric medulloblastomas and ependymomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M de Bont
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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