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Balboni A, Ailuno G, Baldassari S, Drava G, Petretto A, Grinovero N, Cavalleri O, Angeli E, Lagomarsino A, Canepa P, Corsaro A, Tremonti B, Barbieri F, Thellung S, Contini P, Cortese K, Florio T, Caviglioli G. Human glioblastoma-derived cell membrane nanovesicles: a novel, cell-specific strategy for boron neutron capture therapy of brain tumors. Sci Rep 2024; 14:19225. [PMID: 39160236 PMCID: PMC11333626 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69696-7] [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: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), one of the deadliest brain tumors, accounts for approximately 50% of all primary malignant CNS tumors, therefore novel, highly effective remedies are urgently needed. Boron neutron capture therapy, which has recently repositioned as a promising strategy to treat high-grade gliomas, requires a conspicuous accumulation of boron atoms in the cancer cells. With the aim of selectively deliver sodium borocaptate (BSH, a 12 B atoms-including molecule already employed in the clinics) to GBM cells, we developed novel cell membrane-derived vesicles (CMVs), overcoming the limits of natural extracellular vesicles as drug carriers, while maintaining their inherent homing abilities that make them preferable to fully synthetic nanocarriers. Purified cell membrane fragments, isolated from patient-derived GBM stem-like cell cultures, were used to prepare nanosized CMVs, which retained some membrane proteins specific of the GBM parent cells and were devoid of potentially detrimental genetic material. In vitro tests evidenced the targeting ability of this novel nanosystem and ruled out any cytotoxicity. The CMVs were successfully loaded with BSH, by following two different procedures, i.e. sonication and electroporation, demonstrating their potential applicability in GBM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Balboni
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giorgia Ailuno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Sara Baldassari
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giuliana Drava
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Elena Angeli
- Department of Physics, University of Genoa, 16146, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Canepa
- Department of Physics, University of Genoa, 16146, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Corsaro
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Beatrice Tremonti
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federica Barbieri
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Thellung
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Contini
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Katia Cortese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tullio Florio
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Caviglioli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16148, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132, Genoa, Italy
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Tong Z, Yin Z. Distribution, contribution and regulation of nestin + cells. J Adv Res 2024; 61:47-63. [PMID: 37648021 PMCID: PMC11258671 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.08.013] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nestin is an intermediate filament first reported in neuroepithelial stem cells. Nestin expression could be found in a variety of tissues throughout all systems of the body, especially during tissue development and tissue regeneration processes. AIM OF REVIEW This review aimed to summarize and discuss current studies on the distribution, contribution and regulation of nestin+ cells in different systems of the body, to discuss the feasibility ofusing nestin as a marker of multilineage stem/progenitor cells, and better understand the potential roles of nestin+ cells in tissue development, regeneration and pathological processes. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW This review highlights the potential of nestin as a marker of multilineage stem/progenitor cells, and as a key factor in tissue development and tissue regeneration. The article discussed the current findings, limitations, and potential clinical implications or applications of nestin+ cells. Additionally, it included the relationship of nestin+ cells to other cell populations. We propose potential future research directions to encourage further investigation in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Tong
- Dr. Li Dak Sum and Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Sir Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zi Yin
- Dr. Li Dak Sum and Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery of Sir Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; China Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Group (CORMed), Hangzhou, China.
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3
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Lenders NF, Thompson TJ, Chui J, Low J, Inder WJ, Earls PE, McCormack AI. Pituitary tumours without distinct lineage differentiation express stem cell marker SOX2. Pituitary 2024; 27:248-258. [PMID: 38483762 PMCID: PMC11150322 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-024-01385-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT The recent WHO 2022 Classification of pituitary tumours identified a novel group of 'plurihormonal tumours without distinct lineage differentiation (WDLD)'. By definition, these express multiple combinations of lineage commitment transcription factors, in a monomorphous population of cells. OBJECTIVES To determine the expression of stem cell markers (SOX2, Nestin, CD133) within tumours WDLD, immature PIT-1 lineage and acidophil stem cell tumours, compared with committed cell lineage tumours. METHODS Retrospective evaluation of surgically resected pituitary tumours from St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney. Patients were selected to cover a range of tumour types, based on transcription factor and hormone immunohistochemistry. Clinical data was collected from patient files. Radiology reports were reviewed for size and invasion. Samples were analysed by immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR for SF-1, PIT-1, T-PIT, SOX2, Nestin and CD133. Stem cell markers were compared between tumours WDLD and those with classically "mature" types. RESULTS On immunohistochemistry, SOX2 was positive in a higher proportion of tumours WDLD compared with those meeting WHO lineage criteria, 7/10 v 10/42 (70 v 23.4%, p = 0.005). CD133 was positive in 2/10 tumours WDLD but 0/41 meeting lineage criteria, P = 0.003. On RT-qPCR, there was no significant difference in relative expression of stem cell markers (SOX2, CD133, Nestin) between tumours with and WDLD. CONCLUSIONS Our study is the first to biologically characterise pituitary tumours WDLD. We demonstrate that these tumours exhibit a higher expression of the stem cell marker SOX2 compared with other lineage-differentiated tumours, suggesting possible involvement of stem cells in their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nèle F Lenders
- Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Level 4, 384 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Tanya J Thompson
- Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Level 4, 384 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeanie Chui
- Department of Anatomical Pathology and Cytopathology, St Vincent's Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Julia Low
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Anatomical Pathology and Cytopathology, St Vincent's Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Warrick J Inder
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter E Earls
- Department of Anatomical Pathology and Cytopathology, St Vincent's Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ann I McCormack
- Department of Endocrinology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Level 4, 384 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Cui R, Duan H, Hu W, Li C, Zhong S, Liang L, Chen S, Hu H, He Z, Wang Z, Guo X, Chen Z, Xu C, Zhu Y, Chen Y, Sai K, Yang Q, Guo C, Mou Y, Jiang X. Establishment of Human Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor Derived Organoid and Its Pilot Application for Drug Screening. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024:dgae228. [PMID: 38656317 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Precision medicine for pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) is limited by the lack of reliable research models. OBJECTIVE To generate patient-derived organoids (PDOs), which could serve as a platform for personalized drug screening for PitNET patients. DESIGN From July 2019 to May 2022, a total of 32 human PitNET specimens were collected for the establishment of organoids with an optimized culture protocol. SETTING This study was conducted at Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center. PATIENTS PitNET patients who were pathologically confirmed were enrolled in this study. INTERVENTIONS Histological staining and whole-exome sequencing were utilized to confirm the pathologic and genomic features of PDOs. A drug response assay on PDOs was also performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES PDOs retained key genetic and morphological features of their parental tumors. RESULTS PDOs were successfully established from various types of PitNET samples with an overall success rate of 87.5%. Clinical nonfunctioning PitNETs-derived organoids (22/23, 95.7%) showed a higher likelihood of successful generation compared to those from functioning PitNETs (6/9, 66.7%). Preservation of cellular structure, subtype-specific neuroendocrine profiles, mutational features, and tumor microenvironment heterogeneity from parental tumors was observed. A distinctive response profile in drug tests was observed among the organoids from patients with different subtypes of PitNETs. With the validation of key characteristics from parental tumors in histological, genomic, and microenvironment heterogeneity consistency assays, we demonstrated the predictive value of the PDOs in testing individual drugs. CONCLUSION The established PDOs, retaining typical features of parental tumors, indicate a translational significance in innovating personalized treatment for refractory PitNETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong 2nd Provincial Peoples Hospital, Guangzhou, 523058 Guangdong, China
| | - Hao Duan
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
| | - Wanming Hu
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510000 Guangdong, China
| | - Chang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
| | - Sheng Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
| | - Lun Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
| | - Hongrong Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenqiang He
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenning Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dongguan People's Hospital, Dongguan, 523058 Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510630 Guangdong, China
| | - Zexin Chen
- Guangdong Research Center of Organoid Engineering and Technology, Guangzhou, 510320 Guangdong, China
| | - Cong Xu
- Guangdong Research Center of Organoid Engineering and Technology, Guangzhou, 510320 Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Guangdong Research Center of Organoid Engineering and Technology, Guangzhou, 510320 Guangdong, China
| | - Yinsheng Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
| | - Ke Sai
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
| | - Qunying Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
| | - Chengcheng Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
| | - Yonggao Mou
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaobing Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro-Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, S Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 Guangdong, China
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Pérez Millán MI, Cheung LYM, Mercogliano F, Camilletti MA, Chirino Felker GT, Moro LN, Miriuka S, Brinkmeier ML, Camper SA. Pituitary stem cells: past, present and future perspectives. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2024; 20:77-92. [PMID: 38102391 PMCID: PMC10964491 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00922-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary cells that express the transcription factor SOX2 are stem cells because they can self-renew and differentiate into multiple pituitary hormone-producing cell types as organoids. Wounding and physiological challenges can activate pituitary stem cells, but cell numbers are not fully restored, and the ability to mobilize stem cells decreases with increasing age. The basis of these limitations is still unknown. The regulation of stem cell quiescence and activation involves many different signalling pathways, including those mediated by WNT, Hippo and several cytokines; more research is needed to understand the interactions between these pathways. Pituitary organoids can be formed from human or mouse embryonic stem cells, or from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Human pituitary organoid transplantation is sufficient to induce corticosterone release in hypophysectomized mice, raising the possibility of therapeutic applications. Today, pituitary organoids have the potential to assess the role of individual genes and genetic variants on hormone production ex vivo, providing an important tool for the advancement of exciting frontiers in pituitary stem cell biology and pituitary organogenesis. In this article, we provide an overview of notable discoveries in pituitary stem cell function and highlight important areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Inés Pérez Millán
- Institute of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Translational Biology (IB3-UBA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leonard Y M Cheung
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Florencia Mercogliano
- Institute of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Translational Biology (IB3-UBA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Andrea Camilletti
- Institute of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Translational Biology (IB3-UBA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gonzalo T Chirino Felker
- Laboratory of Applied Research of Neurosciences (LIAN-CONICET), FLENI Sede Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucia N Moro
- Laboratory of Applied Research of Neurosciences (LIAN-CONICET), FLENI Sede Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago Miriuka
- Laboratory of Applied Research of Neurosciences (LIAN-CONICET), FLENI Sede Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Michelle L Brinkmeier
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sally A Camper
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Cai Y, Liu S, Zhao X, Ren L, Liu X, Gang X, Wang G. Pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment of plurihormonal pituitary adenoma. Front Neurosci 2024; 17:1323883. [PMID: 38260014 PMCID: PMC10800528 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1323883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Plurihormonal pituitary adenoma (PPA) is a type of pituitary tumor capable of producing two or more hormones and usually presents as an aggressive, large adenoma. As yet, its pathogenesis remains unclear. This is the first study to systematically summarize the underlying pathogenesis of PPA. The pathogenesis is related to plurihormonal primordial stem cells, co-transcription factors, hormone co-expression, differential gene expression, and cell transdifferentiation. We conducted a literature review of PPA and analyzed its clinical characteristics. We found that the average age of patients with PPA was approximately 40 years, and most showed only one clinical symptom. The most common manifestation was acromegaly. Currently, PPA is treated with surgical resection. However, recent studies suggest that immunotherapy may be a potentially effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Xiaokun Gang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guixia Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Barbieri F, Bajetto A, Dellacasagrande I, Solari A, Würth R, Fernandez V, Rancati S, Ceresa D, Appolloni I, De Luca G, Dono M, Nozza P, Schiapparelli P, Gambaro M, Fiaschi P, Gaggero G, Costanzo N, Thellung S, Malatesta P, Pagano A, Zona G, De Pietri Tonelli D, Florio T. Stem-like signatures in human meningioma cells are under the control of CXCL11/CXCL12 chemokine activity. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:1775-1787. [PMID: 37074930 PMCID: PMC10547527 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Meningiomas are mainly benign brain tumors, although about 20% of histologically benign cases are clinically aggressive and recur after resection. We hypothesize that meningioma brain invasiveness and recurrence may be related to the presence of cancer stem cells and their high responsiveness to the CXCL12-CXCR4/CXCR7 chemokine axis. The aim of this study was to isolate meningioma stem cells from human samples, characterize them for biological features related to malignant behavior, and to identify the role of CXCR4/CXCR7 in these processes. METHODS Meningioma stem cells were isolated from patient-derived primary cultures in stem cell-permissive conditions, and characterized for phenotype, self-renewal, proliferation and migration rates, vasculogenic mimicry (VM), and in vivo tumorigenesis, in comparison with differentiated meningioma cells and stem-like cells isolated from normal meninges. These cell populations were challenged with CXCL12 and CXCL11 and receptor antagonists to define the chemokine role in stem cell-related functions. RESULTS Stem-like cells isolated from meningioma cultures display higher proliferation and migration rates, and VM, as compared to meningioma non-stem cells or cells isolated from normal meninges and were the only tumorigenic population in vivo. In meningioma cells, these stem-like functions were under the control of the CXCR4/CXCR7 chemokine axis. CONCLUSIONS We report a role for CXCL11 and CXCL12 in the control of malignant features in stem-like cells isolated from human meningioma, providing a possible basis for the aggressive clinical behavior observed in subsets of these tumors. CXCR4/CXCR7 antagonists might represent a useful approach for meningioma at high risk of recurrence and malignant progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Barbieri
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Adriana Bajetto
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Irene Dellacasagrande
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Agnese Solari
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Würth
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Virginia Fernandez
- Neurobiology of miRNA, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Rancati
- Neurobiology of miRNA, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova, Italy
| | - Davide Ceresa
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Irene Appolloni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Mariella Dono
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Nozza
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Monica Gambaro
- Medical Physics Department, E.O. Galliera Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Pietro Fiaschi
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Nicolò Costanzo
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Stefano Thellung
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Malatesta
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Aldo Pagano
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Zona
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Tullio Florio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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Mallick S, Chakrabarti J, Eschbacher J, Moraitis AG, Greenstein AE, Churko J, Pond KW, Livolsi A, Thorne CA, Little AS, Yuen KCJ, Zavros Y. Genetically engineered human pituitary corticotroph tumor organoids exhibit divergent responses to glucocorticoid receptor modulators. Transl Res 2023; 256:56-72. [PMID: 36640905 PMCID: PMC11345864 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Cushing's disease (CD) is a serious endocrine disorder attributed to an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET) that that subsequently leads to chronic hypercortisolemia. PitNET regression has been reported following treatment with the investigational selective glucocorticoid receptor (GR) modulator relacorilant, but the mechanisms behind that effect remain unknown. Human PitNET organoid models were generated from induced human pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or fresh tissue obtained from CD patient PitNETs (hPITOs). Genetically engineered iPSC derived organoids were used to model the development of corticotroph PitNETs expressing USP48 (iPSCUSP48) or USP8 (iPSCUSP8) somatic mutations. Organoids were treated with the GR antagonist mifepristone or the GR modulator relacorilant with or without somatostatin receptor (SSTR) agonists pasireotide or octreotide. In iPSCUSP48 and iPSCUSP8 cultures, mifepristone induced a predominant expression of SSTR2 with a concomitant increase in ACTH secretion and tumor cell proliferation. Relacorilant predominantly induced SSTR5 expression and tumor cell apoptosis with minimal ACTH induction. Hedgehog signaling mediated the induction of SSTR2 and SSTR5 in response to mifepristone and relacorilant. Relacorilant sensitized PitNET organoid responsiveness to pasireotide. Therefore, our study identified the potential therapeutic use of relacorilant in combination with somatostatin analogs and demonstrated the advantages of relacorilant over mifepristone, supporting its further development for use in the treatment of Cushing's disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saptarshi Mallick
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Jayati Chakrabarti
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Jennifer Eschbacher
- Department of Neuropathology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | | | | | - Jared Churko
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Kelvin W Pond
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | | | - Curtis A Thorne
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Andrew S Little
- Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Kevin C J Yuen
- Department of Neuroendocrinology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Yana Zavros
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona.
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9
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Vamvoukaki R, Chrysoulaki M, Betsi G, Xekouki P. Pituitary Tumorigenesis-Implications for Management. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59040812. [PMID: 37109772 PMCID: PMC10145673 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59040812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs), the third most common intracranial tumor, are mostly benign. However, some of them may display a more aggressive behavior, invading into the surrounding structures. While they may rarely metastasize, they may resist different treatment modalities. Several major advances in molecular biology in the past few years led to the discovery of the possible mechanisms involved in pituitary tumorigenesis with a possible therapeutic implication. The mutations in the different proteins involved in the Gsa/protein kinase A/c AMP signaling pathway are well-known and are responsible for many PitNETS, such as somatotropinomas and, in the context of syndromes, as the McCune-Albright syndrome, Carney complex, familiar isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA), and X-linked acrogigantism (XLAG). The other pathways involved are the MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, Wnt, and the most recently studied HIPPO pathways. Moreover, the mutations in several other tumor suppressor genes, such as menin and CDKN1B, are responsible for the MEN1 and MEN4 syndromes and succinate dehydrogenase (SDHx) in the context of the 3PAs syndrome. Furthermore, the pituitary stem cells and miRNAs hold an essential role in pituitary tumorigenesis and may represent new molecular targets for their diagnosis and treatment. This review aims to summarize the different cell signaling pathways and genes involved in pituitary tumorigenesis in an attempt to clarify their implications for diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodanthi Vamvoukaki
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
| | - Maria Chrysoulaki
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
| | - Grigoria Betsi
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Xekouki
- Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Crete, Greece
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10
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Zhang Q, Yao B, Long X, Chen Z, He M, Wu Y, Qiao N, Ma Z, Ye Z, Zhang Y, Yao S, Wang Y, Cheng H, Chen H, Ye H, Wang Y, Li Y, Chen J, Zhang Z, Guo F, Zhao Y. Single-cell sequencing identifies differentiation-related markers for molecular classification and recurrence prediction of PitNET. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:100934. [PMID: 36754052 PMCID: PMC9975294 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.100934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET) is one of the most common intracranial tumors with variable recurrence rate. Currently, the recurrence prediction is unsatisfying and can be improved by understanding the cellular origins and differentiation status. Here, to comprehensively reveal the origin of PitNET, we perform comparative analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data from 3 anterior pituitary glands and 21 PitNETs. We identify distinct genes representing major subtypes of well and poorly differentiated PitNETs in each lineage. To further verify the predictive value of differentiation biomarkers, we include an independent cohort of 800 patients with an average follow-up of 7.2 years. In both PIT1 and TPIT lineages, poorly differentiated groups show significantly higher recurrence rates while well-differentiated groups show higher recurrence rates in SF1 lineage. Our findings reveal the possible origin and differentiation status of PitNET based on which new differentiation classification is proposed and verified to predict tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qilin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Boyuan Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Xin Long
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhengyuan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Min He
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Wu
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Nidan Qiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Zengyi Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Zhao Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yichao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Shun Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Ye Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Haixia Cheng
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Hong Chen
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Hongying Ye
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongfei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yimin Li
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianhua Chen
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Zhaoyun Zhang
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Fan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Yao Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai 200040, China; Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
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11
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Identification and gene expression profiling of human gonadotrophic pituitary adenoma stem cells. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:24. [PMID: 36750863 PMCID: PMC9906881 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01517-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gonadotrophic pituitary adenoma is a major subtype of pituitary adenoma in the sellar region, but it is rarely involved in the hypersecretion of hormones into blood; thus, it is commonly regarded as "non-functioning." Its tumorigenic mechanisms remain unknown. The aim of this study was to identify human gonadotrophic pituitary adenoma stem cells (hPASCs) and explore the underlying gene expression profiles. In addition, the potential candidate genes involved in the invasive properties of pituitary adenoma were examined. METHODS The hPASCs from 14 human gonadotrophic pituitary adenoma clinical samples were cultured and verified via immunohistochemistry. Genetic profiling of hPASCs and the matched tumor cells was performed through RNA-sequencing and subjected to enrichment analysis. By aligning the results with public databases, the candidate genes were screened and examined in invasive and non-invasive gonadotrophic pituitary adenomas using Real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The hPASCs were successfully isolated and cultured from gonadotrophic pituitary adenoma in vitro, which were identified as positive for generic stem cell markers (Sox2, Oct4, Nestin and CD133) via immunohistochemical staining. The hPASCs could differentiate into the tumor cells expressing follicle-stimulating hormone in the presence of fetal bovine serum in the culture medium. Through RNA-sequencing, 1352 differentially expressed genes were screened and identified significantly enriched in various gene ontologies and important pathways. The expression levels of ANXA2, PMAIP1, SPRY2, C2CD4A, APOD, FGF14 and FKBP10 were significantly upregulated while FNDC5 and MAP3K4 were downregulated in the invasive gonadotrophic pituitary adenomas compared to the non-invasive ones. CONCLUSION Genetic profiling of hPASCs may explain the tumorigenesis and invasiveness of gonadotrophic pituitary adenoma. ANXA2 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of gonadotrophic pituitary adenoma.
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12
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Portovedo S, Neto LV, Soares P, Carvalho DPD, Takiya CM, Miranda-Alves L. Aggressive nonfunctioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumors. Brain Tumor Pathol 2022; 39:183-199. [PMID: 35725837 DOI: 10.1007/s10014-022-00441-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Nonfunctioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PitNETs) are tumors that are not associated with clinical evidence of hormonal hypersecretion. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are some subtypes of PitNETs that exhibit more aggressive behavior than others. Among the types of potentially aggressive PitNETs, three are nonfunctional: silent sparsely granulated somatotropinomas, silent corticotropinomas, and poorly differentiated PIT-1 lineage tumors. Several biological markers have been investigated in NF-PitNETs. However, there is no single biomarker able to independently predict aggressive behavior in NF-PitNETs. Thus, a more complex and multidisciplinary proposal of a comprehensive definition of aggressive NF-PitNETs is necessary. Here, we suggest a combined and more complete criterion for the NF-PitNETs classification. We propose that aggressiveness is due to a multifactorial combination, and we emphasize the need to include new emerging markers that are involved in the aggressiveness of NF-PitNETs and the need to identify.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio Portovedo
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental-LEEx, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Bloco F - Sala F1-015 - Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-912, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Vieira Neto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Serviço de Endocrinologia, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paula Soares
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal.,Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (FMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Denise Pires de Carvalho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Fisiologia Endócrina Doris Rosenthal, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Christina Maeda Takiya
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leandro Miranda-Alves
- Laboratório de Endocrinologia Experimental-LEEx, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Bloco F - Sala F1-015 - Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-912, Brazil. .,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Morfológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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13
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Precision Medicine in Head and Neck Cancers: Genomic and Preclinical Approaches. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12060854. [PMID: 35743639 PMCID: PMC9224778 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12060854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancers (HNCs) represent the sixth most widespread malignancy worldwide. Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic drugs represent the main clinical approaches for HNC patients. Moreover, HNCs are characterised by an elevated mutational load; however, specific genetic mutations or biomarkers have not yet been found. In this scenario, personalised medicine is showing its efficacy. To study the reliability and the effects of personalised treatments, preclinical research can take advantage of next-generation sequencing and innovative technologies that have been developed to obtain genomic and multi-omic profiles to drive personalised treatments. The crosstalk between malignant and healthy components, as well as interactions with extracellular matrices, are important features which are responsible for treatment failure. Preclinical research has constantly implemented in vitro and in vivo models to mimic the natural tumour microenvironment. Among them, 3D systems have been developed to reproduce the tumour mass architecture, such as biomimetic scaffolds and organoids. In addition, in vivo models have been changed over the last decades to overcome problems such as animal management complexity and time-consuming experiments. In this review, we will explore the new approaches aimed to improve preclinical tools to study and apply precision medicine as a therapeutic option for patients affected by HNCs.
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14
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Barbieri F, Bosio AG, Pattarozzi A, Tonelli M, Bajetto A, Verduci I, Cianci F, Cannavale G, Palloni LMG, Francesconi V, Thellung S, Fiaschi P, Mazzetti S, Schenone S, Balboni B, Girotto S, Malatesta P, Daga A, Zona G, Mazzanti M, Florio T. Chloride intracellular channel 1 activity is not required for glioblastoma development but its inhibition dictates glioma stem cell responsivity to novel biguanide derivatives. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:53. [PMID: 35135603 PMCID: PMC8822754 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02213-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Chloride intracellular channel-1 (CLIC1) activity controls glioblastoma proliferation. Metformin exerts antitumor effects in glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) inhibiting CLIC1 activity, but its low potency hampers its translation in clinical settings.
Methods
We synthesized a small library of novel biguanide-based compounds that were tested as antiproliferative agents for GSCs derived from human glioblastomas, in vitro using 2D and 3D cultures and in vivo in the zebrafish model. Compounds were compared to metformin for both potency and efficacy in the inhibition of GSC proliferation in vitro (MTT, Trypan blue exclusion assays, and EdU labeling) and in vivo (zebrafish model), migration (Boyden chamber assay), invasiveness (Matrigel invasion assay), self-renewal (spherogenesis assay), and CLIC1 activity (electrophysiology recordings), as well as for the absence of off-target toxicity (effects on normal stem cells and toxicity for zebrafish and chick embryos).
Results
We identified Q48 and Q54 as two novel CLIC1 blockers, characterized by higher antiproliferative potency than metformin in vitro, in both GSC 2D cultures and 3D spheroids. Q48 and Q54 also impaired GSC self-renewal, migration and invasion, and displayed low systemic in vivo toxicity. Q54 reduced in vivo proliferation of GSCs xenotransplanted in zebrafish hindbrain. Target specificity was confirmed by recombinant CLIC1 binding experiments using microscale thermophoresis approach. Finally, we characterized GSCs from GBMs spontaneously expressing low CLIC1 protein, demonstrating their ability to grow in vivo and to retain stem-like phenotype and functional features in vitro. In these GSCs, Q48 and Q54 displayed reduced potency and efficacy as antiproliferative agents as compared to high CLIC1-expressing tumors. However, in 3D cultures, metformin and Q48 (but not Q54) inhibited proliferation, which was dependent on the inhibition dihydrofolate reductase activity.
Conclusions
These data highlight that, while CLIC1 is dispensable for the development of a subset of glioblastomas, it acts as a booster of proliferation in the majority of these tumors and its functional expression is required for biguanide antitumor class-effects. In particular, the biguanide-based derivatives Q48 and Q54, represent the leads to develop novel compounds endowed with better pharmacological profiles than metformin, to act as CLIC1-blockers for the treatment of CLIC1-expressing glioblastomas, in a precision medicine approach.
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15
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Guido CB, Sosa LDV, Perez PA, Zlocoswki N, Velazquez FN, Gutierrez S, Petiti JP, Mukdsi JH, Torres AI. Changes of stem cell niche during experimental pituitary tumor development. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e13051. [PMID: 34708474 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the putative stem cell/tumor stem cell (SC/TSC) niche contribution to hyperplasic/adenomatous pituitary lesions, we analyzed variation in the pituitary stem cell population during the development of experimental pituitary tumors. Pituitary tumors were induced in female F344 rats with estradiol benzoate for 5, 10, 20 and 30 days. Cells positive for GFRa2, Sox2, Sox9, Nestin, CD133 and CD44 were identified in the marginal zone and in the adenoparenchyma in both control and 30D groups, with predominant adenoparenchyma localization of GRFa2 and SOX9 found in tumoral pituitaries. GFRa2, Nestin, CD133 and CD44 were upregulated at the initial stages of tumor growth, whereas Sox9 significantly decreased at 5D, with Sox2 remaining invariable during the hyperplasic/adenomatous development. In addition, isolated pituispheres from normal and tumoral pituitary glands enriched in SC/TSC were characterized. Pituispheres from the 30D glands were positive for the above-mentioned markers and showed a significant increase in the proliferation. In conclusion, our data revealed pituitary SC pool fluctuations during hyperplastic/adenomatous development, with differential localization of the SC/TSC niche in this process. These findings may help to provide a better understanding of these cell populations, which is crucial for achieving advancements in the field of pituitary tumor biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Beatriz Guido
- Centro de Microscopía Electrónica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Liliana Del Valle Sosa
- Centro de Microscopía Electrónica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Pablo Aníbal Perez
- Centro de Microscopía Electrónica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Natacha Zlocoswki
- Centro de Microscopía Electrónica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Fabiola Noelia Velazquez
- CIQUIBIC-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Silvina Gutierrez
- Centro de Microscopía Electrónica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Juan Pablo Petiti
- Centro de Microscopía Electrónica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Jorge Humberto Mukdsi
- Centro de Microscopía Electrónica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Alicia Inés Torres
- Centro de Microscopía Electrónica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Córdoba, Argentina
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16
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Maharjan CK, Ear PH, Tran CG, Howe JR, Chandrasekharan C, Quelle DE. Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5117. [PMID: 34680266 PMCID: PMC8533967 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are unique, slow-growing malignancies whose molecular pathogenesis is incompletely understood. With rising incidence of pNETs over the last four decades, larger and more comprehensive 'omic' analyses of patient tumors have led to a clearer picture of the pNET genomic landscape and transcriptional profiles for both primary and metastatic lesions. In pNET patients with advanced disease, those insights have guided the use of targeted therapies that inhibit activated mTOR and receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) pathways or stimulate somatostatin receptor signaling. Such treatments have significantly benefited patients, but intrinsic or acquired drug resistance in the tumors remains a major problem that leaves few to no effective treatment options for advanced cases. This demands a better understanding of essential molecular and biological events underlying pNET growth, metastasis, and drug resistance. This review examines the known molecular alterations associated with pNET pathogenesis, identifying which changes may be drivers of the disease and, as such, relevant therapeutic targets. We also highlight areas that warrant further investigation at the biological level and discuss available model systems for pNET research. The paucity of pNET models has hampered research efforts over the years, although recently developed cell line, animal, patient-derived xenograft, and patient-derived organoid models have significantly expanded the available platforms for pNET investigations. Advancements in pNET research and understanding are expected to guide improved patient treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra K. Maharjan
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA;
| | - Po Hien Ear
- Department of Surgery, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (P.H.E.); (C.G.T.); (J.R.H.)
| | - Catherine G. Tran
- Department of Surgery, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (P.H.E.); (C.G.T.); (J.R.H.)
| | - James R. Howe
- Department of Surgery, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; (P.H.E.); (C.G.T.); (J.R.H.)
| | - Chandrikha Chandrasekharan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA;
| | - Dawn E. Quelle
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA;
- Department of Pathology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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17
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Cai L, Chen J, Lu J, Li Q, Chen X, Zhang L, Wu J, Zheng W, Wang C, Su Z. Tumor stem-like cells isolated from MMQ cells resist to dopamine agonist treatment. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 535:111396. [PMID: 34271069 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111396] [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: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Although tumor stem-like cells (TSLCs) have been studied in a range of malignant tumors, evidence for the presence of these cells in pituitary adenomas needs further exploration. Here, we identified a small subset of sphere-forming cells possess tumor stem-like cell properties in rat prolactinoma MMQ cells, which resist to dopamine agonist treatment. Comparing to MMQ cells, sphere-forming cells showed higher cell viability after dopamine agonist (DA) treatment. Furthermore, the cells showed lower expression of prolactin (PRL) and dopamine 2 receptor (D2R). On the contrary, the daughter tumor cells differentiated from these cells restored the sensitivity to DA and showed high expression of PRL and D2R. The lower D2R expression and DA resistance might be due to DNA hypermethylation of D2R promoter. Our study demonstrates that the sphere-forming cells isolated from MMQ cells possess the trait of TSLCs and resist to DA treatment, which offers the opportunity to further investigate the mechanisms underlying tumor recurrence based on TSLCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Jian Chen
- ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Jianglong Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Qun Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Xianbin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Shanghai Minhang District Dental Clinic, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201100, China
| | - Jinsen Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Weiming Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Chengde Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
| | - Zhipeng Su
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
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Octreotide and Pasireotide Combination Treatment in Somatotroph Tumor Cells: Predominant Role of SST 2 in Mediating Ligand Effects. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081816. [PMID: 33920241 PMCID: PMC8069349 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary First-generation somatostatin receptor ligands, such as octreotide, are the first-line medical therapy in acromegaly. Octreotide shows preferential binding for somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SST2), while the second-generation ligand, pasireotide, has high affinity for multiple SSTs. We aimed to elucidate whether pasireotide acts via other receptors than SST2 in somatotroph tumors, and to investigate the potential role of the combination therapy octreotide plus pasireotide. We found that octreotide and pasireotide are superimposable in reducing GH secretion in cultured somatotroph tumor cells, as well as in inhibiting cell proliferation and intracellular pathway activity in rat GH4C1 cells (a model of somatotroph tumors). We did not find any additive/synergistic effect for the combination treatment. Furthermore, we observed that co-incubation with a SST2-selective antagonist reversed the inhibitory effect of both compounds. Therefore, the two drugs act mainly via SST2 in somatotroph tumor cells, and their combination is not superior to single agent treatment. Abstract First-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (fg-SRLs), such as octreotide (OCT), represent the first-line medical therapy in acromegaly. Fg-SRLs show a preferential binding affinity for somatostatin receptor subtype-2 (SST2), while the second-generation ligand, pasireotide (PAS), has high affinity for multiple SSTs (SST5 > SST2 > SST3 > SST1). Whether PAS acts via SST2 in somatotroph tumors, or through other SSTs (e.g., SST5), is a matter of debate. In this light, the combined treatment OCT+PAS could result in additive/synergistic effects. We evaluated the efficacy of OCT and PAS (alone and in combination) on growth hormone (GH) secretion in primary cultures from human somatotroph tumors, as well as on cell proliferation, intracellular signaling and receptor trafficking in the rat GH4C1 cell line. The results confirmed the superimposable efficacy of OCT and PAS in reducing GH secretion (primary cultures), cell proliferation, cAMP accumulation and intracellular [Ca2+] increase (GH4C1 cells), without any additive effect observed for OCT+PAS. In GH4C1 cells, co-incubation with a SST2-selective antagonist reversed the inhibitory effect of OCT and PAS on cell proliferation and cAMP accumulation, while both compounds resulted in a robust internalization of SST2 (but not SST5). In conclusion, OCT and PAS seem to act mainly through SST2 in somatotroph tumor cells in vitro, without inducing any additive/synergistic effect when tested in combination.
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Nys C, Vankelecom H. Pituitary disease and recovery: How are stem cells involved? Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 525:111176. [PMID: 33503464 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The pituitary gland embodies our endocrine hub and rigorously regulates hormone balances in the body, thereby ruling over vital developmental and physiological processes. Pituitary dysfunction and disease strongly impact the organism's biology. Physical damage, tumour development and ageing all negatively affect pituitary state and functionality. On top of its hormone-producing cells, the pituitary contains a population of stem cells. Not only their physiological role is still largely unknown, also whether or how these stem cells are involved in pituitary disease and recovery from defective functionality remains enigmatic. Here, we summarize what is known on the phenotypical and functional behaviour of pituitary stem cells in diseased or dysfunctional gland, as particularly caused by injury, tumourigenesis and ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Nys
- Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hugo Vankelecom
- Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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20
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Di Franco S, Pellegata NS, Luconi M, Stassi G. Editorial: Stem Cells in Endocrine Tumors. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:722790. [PMID: 34262532 PMCID: PMC8273270 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.722790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Di Franco
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Natalia Simona Pellegata
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft Deutscher Forschungszentren (HZ), Munich, Germany
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Michaela Luconi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- *Correspondence: Michaela Luconi, ; Giorgio Stassi,
| | - Giorgio Stassi
- Department of Surgical Oncological and Stomatological Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Michaela Luconi, ; Giorgio Stassi,
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21
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Pivonello C, Patalano R, Negri M, Pirchio R, Colao A, Pivonello R, Auriemma RS. Resistance to Dopamine Agonists in Pituitary Tumors: Molecular Mechanisms. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:791633. [PMID: 35095761 PMCID: PMC8789681 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.791633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNET) are commonly benign tumors accounting for 10-25% of intracranial tumors. Prolactin-secreting adenomas represent the most predominant type of all PitNET and for this subtype of tumors, the medical therapy relies on the use of dopamine agonists (DAs). DAs yield an excellent therapeutic response in reducing tumor size and hormonal secretion targeting the dopamine receptor type 2 (D2DR) whose higher expression in prolactin-secreting adenomas compared to other PitNET is now well established. Moreover, although DAs therapy does not represent the first-line therapy for other PitNET, off-label use of DAs is considered in PitNET expressing D2DR. Nevertheless, DAs primary or secondary resistance, occurring in a subset of patients, may involve several molecular mechanisms, presently not fully elucidated. Dopamine receptors (DRs) expression is a prerequisite for a proper DA function in PitNET and several molecular events may negatively modify DR membrane expression, through the DRs down-regulation and intracellular trafficking, and DR signal transduction pathway. The current mini-review will summarise the presently known molecular events that underpin the unsuccessful therapy with DAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università di Napoli (Federico II), Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Claudia Pivonello, ;
| | - Roberta Patalano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università di Napoli (Federico II), Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Università di Napoli (Federico II), Naples, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Negri
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università di Napoli (Federico II), Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Pirchio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università di Napoli (Federico II), Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università di Napoli (Federico II), Naples, Italy
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosario Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università di Napoli (Federico II), Naples, Italy
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Renata Simona Auriemma
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università di Napoli (Federico II), Naples, Italy
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22
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Principe M, Chanal M, Ilie MD, Ziverec A, Vasiljevic A, Jouanneau E, Hennino A, Raverot G, Bertolino P. Immune Landscape of Pituitary Tumors Reveals Association Between Macrophages and Gonadotroph Tumor Invasion. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5891780. [PMID: 32785693 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are frequent intracranial neoplasms that present heterogenic characteristics. Little is known about the immune cell network that exists in PitNETs and its contribution to their aggressive behavior. METHODS Here we combined flow cytometry, t-SNE analysis, and histological approaches to define the immune landscape of surgically resected PitNETs. Xenografts of rodent pituitary tumor cells and resected PitNETs were performed in Rag2KO mice, in combination with in vitro analysis aimed at dissecting the role of pituitary tumor-cells in monocyte recruitment. RESULTS We report that gonadotroph PitNETs present an increased CD68+ macrophage signature compared to somatotroph, lactotroph, and corticotroph PitNETs. Transcriptomic and histological characterizations confirmed gonadotroph infiltrating macrophages expressed CD163, MRC-1, ARG1, and CSF1R M2 macrophage markers. Use of growth hormone (GH)3/GH4 somatotroph and LβT2/αT3.1 gonadotroph cells drove THP1 macrophage migration through respective expression of CCL5 or CSF1. Although both LβT2 and GH3 cells recruited F4/80 macrophages following their engraftment in mice, only LβT2 gonadotroph cells showed a capacity for M2-like polarization. Similar observations were performed on patient-derived xenografts from somatotroph and gonadotroph tumors. Analysis of clinical data further demonstrated a significant correlation between the percentage of CD68+ and CD163+ infiltrating macrophages and the invasive character of gonadotroph tumors. CONCLUSIONS Gonadotroph tumor drive the recruitment of macrophages and their subsequent polarization to an M2-like phenotype. More importantly, the association between infiltrating CD68+/CD163+ macrophages and the invasiveness of gonadotroph tumors points to macrophage-targeted immunotherapies being a potent strategy to limit the progression of gonadotroph PitNETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moitza Principe
- Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France
| | - Marie Chanal
- Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France
| | - Mirela Diana Ilie
- Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France
- Endocrinology Department, "C.I.Parhon" National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Audrey Ziverec
- Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France
| | - Alexandre Vasiljevic
- Centre de Pathologie Est, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Emmanuel Jouanneau
- Université Lyon 1, Service de Neurochirurgie, Hôpital Neurologique, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Ana Hennino
- Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France
| | - Gerald Raverot
- Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France
- Fédération d'Endocrinologie, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
- Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Philippe Bertolino
- Cancer Research Centre of Lyon (CRCL), INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Claude Bernard University, Lyon, France
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Vitale RM, Thellung S, Tinto F, Solari A, Gatti M, Nuzzo G, Ioannou E, Roussis V, Ciavatta ML, Manzo E, Florio T, Amodeo P. Identification of the hydantoin alkaloids parazoanthines as novel CXCR4 antagonists by computational and in vitro functional characterization. Bioorg Chem 2020; 105:104337. [PMID: 33113408 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
CXCR4 chemokine receptor represents an attractive pharmacological target due to its key role in cancer metastasis and inflammatory diseases. Starting from our previously-developed pharmacophoric model, we applied a combined computational and experimental approach that led to the identification of the hydantoin alkaloids parazoanthines, isolated from the Mediterranean Sea anemone Parazoanthus axinellae, as novel CXCR4 antagonists. Parazoanthine analogues were then synthesized to evaluate the contribution of functional groups to the overall activity. Within the panel of synthesized natural and non-natural parazoanthines, parazoanthine-B was identified as the most potent CXCR4 antagonist with an IC50 value of 9.3 nM, even though all the investigated compounds were able to antagonize in vitro the down-stream effects of CXC12, albeit with variable potency and efficacy. The results of our study strongly support this class of small molecules as potent CXCR4 antagonists in tumoral pathologies characterized by an overexpression of this receptor. Furthermore, their structure-activity relationships allowed the optimization of our pharmacophoric model, useful for large-scale in silico screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Vitale
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (ICB-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, (NA), Italy
| | - Stefano Thellung
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Tinto
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (ICB-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, (NA), Italy
| | - Agnese Solari
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Monica Gatti
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Genoveffa Nuzzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (ICB-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, (NA), Italy
| | - Efstathia Ioannou
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Vassilios Roussis
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Maria Letizia Ciavatta
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (ICB-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, (NA), Italy
| | - Emiliano Manzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (ICB-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, (NA), Italy.
| | - Tullio Florio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy.
| | - Pietro Amodeo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (ICB-CNR), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, (NA), Italy.
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24
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Recent Progress in Stem Cell Research of the Pituitary Gland and Pituitary Adenoma. ENDOCRINES 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/endocrines1010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Regenerative medicine and anti-tumoral therapy have been developed through understanding tissue stem cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs). The concept of tissue stem cells has been applied to the pituitary gland (PG). Recently, PG stem cells (PGSCs) were successfully differentiated from human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, showing an in vivo therapeutic effect in a hypopituitary model. Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are common intracranial neoplasms that are generally benign, but treatment resistance remains a major concern. The concept of CSCs applies to PA stem cells (PASCs). Genetic alterations in human PGSCs result in PASC development, leading to treatment-resistant PAs. To determine an efficient treatment against refractory PAs, it is of paramount importance to understand the relationship between PGSCs, PASCs and PAs. The goal of this review is to discuss several new findings about PGSCs and the roles of PASCs in PA tumorigenesis.
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25
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Würth R, Thellung S, Corsaro A, Barbieri F, Florio T. Experimental Evidence and Clinical Implications of Pituitary Adenoma Stem Cells. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:54. [PMID: 32153500 PMCID: PMC7044184 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenomas, accounting for 15% of diagnosed intracranial neoplasms, are usually benign and pharmacologically and surgically treatable; however, the critical location, mass effects and hormone hypersecretion sustain their significant morbidity. Approximately 35% of pituitary tumors show a less benign course since they are highly proliferative and invasive, poorly resectable, and likely recurring. The latest WHO classification of pituitary tumors includes pituitary transcription factor assessment to determine adenohypophysis cell lineages and accurate designation of adenomas, nevertheless little is known about molecular and cellular pathways which contribute to pituitary tumorigenesis. In malignant tumors the identification of cancer stem cells radically changed the concepts of both tumorigenesis and pharmacological approaches. Cancer stem cells are defined as a subset of undifferentiated transformed cells from which the bulk of cancer cells populating a tumor mass is generated. These cells are able to self-renew, promoting tumor progression and recurrence of malignant tumors, also conferring cytotoxic drug resistance. On the other hand, the existence of stem cells within benign tumors is still debated. The presence of adult stem cells in human and murine pituitaries where they sustain the high plasticity of hormone-producing cells, allowed the hypothesis that putative tumor stem cells might exist in pituitary adenomas, reinforcing the concept that the cancer stem cell model could also be applied to pituitary tumorigenesis. In the last few years, the isolation and phenotypic characterization of putative pituitary adenoma stem-like cells was performed using a wide and heterogeneous variety of experimental models and techniques, although the role of these cells in adenoma initiation and progression is still not completely definite. The assessment of possible pituitary adenoma-initiating cell population would be of extreme relevance to better understand pituitary tumor biology and to identify novel potential diagnostic markers and pharmacological targets. In this review, we summarize the most updated studies focused on the definition of pituitary adenoma stem cell phenotype and functional features, highlighting the biological processes and intracellular pathways potentially involved in driving tumor growth, relapse, and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Würth
- Section of Pharmacology, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefano Thellung
- Section of Pharmacology, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Corsaro
- Section of Pharmacology, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federica Barbieri
- Section of Pharmacology, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tullio Florio
- Section of Pharmacology, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
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26
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Peculis R, Mandrika I, Petrovska R, Dortane R, Megnis K, Nazarovs J, Balcere I, Stukens J, Konrade I, Pirags V, Klovins J, Rovite V. Pituispheres Contain Genetic Variants Characteristic to Pituitary Adenoma Tumor Tissue. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:313. [PMID: 32528411 PMCID: PMC7256168 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common type of pituitary neoplasms is benign pituitary adenoma (PA). Clinically significant PAs affect around 0.1% of the population. Currently, there is no established human PA cell culture available and when PA tumor cells are cultured they form two distinct types depending on culturing conditions either free-floating aggregates also known as pituispheres or cells adhering to the surface of cell plates and displaying mesenchymal stem-like properties. The aim of this study was to trace the origin of sphere-forming and adherent pituitary cell cultures and characterize the potential use of these surgery derived cell lines as PA model. We carried out a paired-end exome sequencing of patients' tumor and germline DNA using Illumina NextSeq followed by characterization of corresponding PA cell cultures. Variation analysis revealed a low amount of somatic mutations (mean = 5.2, range 3-7) in exomes of PAs. Somatic mutations of the primary surgery material can be detected in the exomes of respective pituispheres, but not in exomes of respective mesenchymal stem-like cells. For the first time, we show that the genome of pituispheres represents genome of PA while mesenchymal stem cells derived from the PA tissue do not contain mutations characteristic to PA in their genome, therefore, most likely representing normal cells of pituitary or surrounding tissues. This finding indicates that pituispheres can be used as a human model of PA cells, but combination of cell culturing techniques and NGS needs to be employed to adjust for disability to propagate spheres in culturing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raitis Peculis
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Ilona Mandrika
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Ramona Petrovska
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Rasma Dortane
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Kaspars Megnis
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Jurijs Nazarovs
- Department of Pathology, Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
| | - Inga Balcere
- Department of Endocrinology, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Riga Stradinņš University, Riga, Latvia
| | - Janis Stukens
- Department of Neurosurgery, Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
| | - Ilze Konrade
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Valdis Pirags
- Clinic of Internal Medicine, Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
| | - Janis Klovins
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Vita Rovite
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
- *Correspondence: Vita Rovite
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Zappavigna S, Abate M, Cossu AM, Lusa S, Campani V, Scotti L, Luce A, Yousif AM, Merlino F, Grieco P, De Rosa G, Caraglia M. Urotensin-II-Targeted Liposomes as a New Drug Delivery System towards Prostate and Colon Cancer Cells. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2019; 2019:9293560. [PMID: 31929800 PMCID: PMC6942863 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9293560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Urotensin-II (UT-II) and its receptor (UTR) are involved in the occurrence of different epithelial cancers. In particular, UTR was found overexpressed on colon, bladder, and prostate cancer cells. The conjugation of ligands, able to specifically bind receptors that are overexpressed on cancer cells, to liposome surface represents an efficient active targeting strategy to enhance selectivity and efficiency of drug delivery systems. The aim of this study was to develop liposomes conjugated with UT-II (LipoUT) for efficient targeting of cancer cells that overexpress UTR. The liposomes had a mean diameter between 150 nm and 160 nm with a narrow size distribution (PI ≤ 0.1) and a doxo encapsulation efficiency of 96%. Moreover, the conjugation of UT-II to liposomes weakly reduced the zeta potential. We evaluated UTR expression on prostate (DU145, PC3, and LNCaP) and colon (WIDR and LoVo) cancer cells by FACS and western blotting analysis. UTR protein was expressed in all the tested cell lines; the level of expression was higher in WIDR, PC3, and LNCaP cells compared with LoVo and DU145. MTT cell viability assay showed that LipoUT-doxo was more active than Lipo-doxo on the growth inhibition of cells that overexpressed UTR (PC3, LNCaP, and WIDR) while in LoVo and DU145 cell lines, the activity was similar to or lower than that one of Lipo-doxo, respectively. Moreover, we found that cell uptake of Bodipy-labeled liposomes in PC3 and DU145 was higher for LipoUT than the not-armed counterparts but at higher extent in UTR overexpressing PC3 cells (about 2-fold higher), as evaluated by both confocal and FACS. In conclusion, the encapsulation of doxo in UT-II-targeted liposomes potentiated its delivery in UTR-overexpressing cells and could represent a new tool for the targeting of prostate and colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Zappavigna
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Via L. de Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Marianna Abate
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Via L. de Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Maria Cossu
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Via L. de Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Biogem Scarl, Institute of Genetic Research, Laboratory of Molecular and Precision Oncology, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Sara Lusa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Virginia Campani
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Lorena Scotti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Amalia Luce
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Via L. de Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ali Munaim Yousif
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Merlino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Rosa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Via L. de Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Biogem Scarl, Institute of Genetic Research, Laboratory of Molecular and Precision Oncology, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy
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Thellung S, Corsaro A, Bosio AG, Zambito M, Barbieri F, Mazzanti M, Florio T. Emerging Role of Cellular Prion Protein in the Maintenance and Expansion of Glioma Stem Cells. Cells 2019; 8:cells8111458. [PMID: 31752162 PMCID: PMC6912268 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a membrane-anchored glycoprotein representing the physiological counterpart of PrP scrapie (PrPSc), which plays a pathogenetic role in prion diseases. Relatively little information is however available about physiological role of PrPC. Although PrPC ablation in mice does not induce lethal phenotypes, impairment of neuronal and bone marrow plasticity was reported in embryos and adult animals. In neurons, PrPC stimulates neurite growth, prevents oxidative stress-dependent cell death, and favors antiapoptotic signaling. However, PrPC activity is not restricted to post-mitotic neurons, but promotes cell proliferation and migration during embryogenesis and tissue regeneration in adult. PrPC acts as scaffold to stabilize the binding between different membrane receptors, growth factors, and basement proteins, contributing to tumorigenesis. Indeed, ablation of PrPC expression reduces cancer cell proliferation and migration and restores cell sensitivity to chemotherapy. Conversely, PrPC overexpression in cancer stem cells (CSCs) from different tumors, including gliomas—the most malignant brain tumors—is predictive for poor prognosis, and correlates with relapses. The mechanisms of the PrPC role in tumorigenesis and its molecular partners in this activity are the topic of the present review, with a particular focus on PrPC contribution to glioma CSCs multipotency, invasiveness, and tumorigenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Thellung
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna & Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.T.); (A.C.); (A.G.B.); (M.Z.); (F.B.)
| | - Alessandro Corsaro
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna & Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.T.); (A.C.); (A.G.B.); (M.Z.); (F.B.)
| | - Alessia G. Bosio
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna & Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.T.); (A.C.); (A.G.B.); (M.Z.); (F.B.)
| | - Martina Zambito
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna & Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.T.); (A.C.); (A.G.B.); (M.Z.); (F.B.)
| | - Federica Barbieri
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna & Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.T.); (A.C.); (A.G.B.); (M.Z.); (F.B.)
| | - Michele Mazzanti
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: (T.F.); (M.M.); Tel.: +39-01-0353-8806 (T.F.); +39-02-5031-4958 (M.M.)
| | - Tullio Florio
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna & Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; (S.T.); (A.C.); (A.G.B.); (M.Z.); (F.B.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: (T.F.); (M.M.); Tel.: +39-01-0353-8806 (T.F.); +39-02-5031-4958 (M.M.)
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Biological and Biochemical Basis of the Differential Efficacy of First and Second Generation Somatostatin Receptor Ligands in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20163940. [PMID: 31412614 PMCID: PMC6720449 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/1970] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous somatostatin shows anti-secretory effects in both physiological and pathological settings, as well as inhibitory activity on cell growth. Since somatostatin is not suitable for clinical practice, researchers developed synthetic somatostatin receptor ligands (SRLs) to overcome this limitation. Currently, SRLs represent pivotal tools in the treatment algorithm of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Octreotide and lanreotide are the first-generation SRLs developed and show a preferential binding affinity to somatostatin receptor (SST) subtype 2, while pasireotide, which is a second-generation SRL, has high affinity for multiple SSTs (SST5 > SST2 > SST3 > SST1). A number of studies demonstrated that first-generation and second-generation SRLs show distinct functional properties, besides the mere receptor affinity. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to critically review the current evidence on the biological effects of SRLs in pituitary adenomas and neuroendocrine tumors, by mainly focusing on the differences between first-generation and second-generation ligands.
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Gaudenzi G, Vitale G. Transplantable zebrafish models of neuroendocrine tumors. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2019; 80:149-152. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Tordjman KM, Greenman Y, Ram Z, Hershkovitz D, Aizenstein O, Ariel O, Asa SL. Plurihormonal Pituitary Tumor of Pit-1 and SF-1 Lineages, with Synchronous Collision Corticotroph Tumor: a Possible Stem Cell Phenomenon. Endocr Pathol 2019; 30:74-80. [PMID: 30610567 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-018-9562-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Thyrotropin (TSH)-secreting pituitary tumors are the rarest functioning pituitary tumors. Nonetheless, they are not infrequently plurihormonal, as they may express/secrete hormones made by other pituitary cells derived from the Pit-1 lineage such as growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), and α-subunit (αSU). However, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) or gonadotropin secretion by such a tumor is exceptional. Although double pituitary tumors are rare, they often combine ACTH and GH secretion. A 41-year-old presented almost 2 years after delivering her 10th child; she had thyrotoxicosis (goiter and palpitations) masquerading as autoimmune postpartum thyroiditis. She was still breastfeeding and amenorrheic. She proved to have TSH, GH, PRL, and ACTH hypersecretion. Imaging revealed an invasive pituitary macrotumor. She had stigmata neither of Cushing's disease nor of acromegaly. Prior to surgery, hormonal control was achieved for close to 1 year by combined octreotide and cabergoline treatment with significant shrinking of the tumor. Following surgery, pathology revealed a collision tumor; the dominant lesion was positive for GH, βTSH, βFSH, and αSU and expressed both Pit-1 and SF-1.The smaller lesion was a corticotroph tumor. We report an unusual plurihormonal tumor co-expressing Pit-1 and SF-1 along with hormones made by cells of both lineages. Its simultaneous occurrence adjacent to a corticotroph tumor raises questions regarding the pathogenesis of these tumors. We propose the possibility of a stem cell tumor with multiple lineage differentiation. We hypothesize that pregnancy might have played a permissive role in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Tordjman
- Institute of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Hypertension, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizmann Street, 64239, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Yona Greenman
- Institute of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Hypertension, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizmann Street, 64239, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Zvi Ram
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dov Hershkovitz
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Institute of Pathology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Orna Aizenstein
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Radiology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofra Ariel
- Maccabi Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sylvia L Asa
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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32
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Mantovani G, Giardino E, Treppiedi D, Catalano R, Mangili F, Spada A, Arosio M, Peverelli E. Stem Cells in Pituitary Tumors: Experimental Evidence Supporting Their Existence and Their Role in Tumor Clinical Behavior. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:745. [PMID: 31708878 PMCID: PMC6823178 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although generally benign, pituitary tumors frequently show local invasiveness and resistance to pharmacological therapy. After the demonstration of the existence of pituitary gland stem cells, over the past decade, the presence of a stem cell subpopulation in pituitary tumors has been investigated, analogous to the cancer stem cell model developed for malignant tumors. This review recapitulates the experimental evidence supporting the existence of a population of stem-like cells in pituitary tumors, focusing on their potential role in tumor initiation, progression, recurrence and resistance to pharmacological therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Mantovani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giovanna Mantovani
| | - Elena Giardino
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Donatella Treppiedi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosa Catalano
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- PhD Program in Endocrinological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Mangili
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Spada
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Arosio
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Erika Peverelli
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Xekouki P, Lodge EJ, Matschke J, Santambrogio A, Apps JR, Sharif A, Jacques TS, Aylwin S, Prevot V, Li R, Flitsch J, Bornstein SR, Theodoropoulou M, Andoniadou CL. Non-secreting pituitary tumours characterised by enhanced expression of YAP/TAZ. Endocr Relat Cancer 2019; 26:215-225. [PMID: 30139767 PMCID: PMC6215911 DOI: 10.1530/erc-18-0330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Tumours of the anterior pituitary can manifest from all endocrine cell types but the mechanisms for determining their specification are not known. The Hippo kinase cascade is a crucial signalling pathway regulating growth and cell fate in numerous organs. There is mounting evidence implicating this in tumour formation, where it is emerging as an anti-cancer target. We previously demonstrated activity of the Hippo kinase cascade in the mouse pituitary and nuclear association of its effectors YAP/TAZ with SOX2-expressing pituitary stem cells. Here, we sought to investigate whether these components are expressed in the human pituitary and if they are deregulated in human pituitary tumours. Analysis of pathway components by immunofluorescence reveals pathway activity during normal human pituitary development and in the adult gland. Poorly differentiated pituitary tumours (null-cell adenomas, adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas (ACPs) and papillary craniopharyngiomas (PCPs)), displayed enhanced expression of pathway effectors YAP/TAZ. In contrast, differentiated adenomas displayed lower or absent levels. Knockdown of the kinase-encoding Lats1 in GH3 rat mammosomatotropinoma cells suppressed Prl and Gh promoter activity following an increase in YAP/TAZ levels. In conclusion, we have demonstrated activity of the Hippo kinase cascade in the human pituitary and association of high YAP/TAZ with repression of the differentiated state both in vitro and in vivo. Characterisation of this pathway in pituitary tumours is of potential prognostic value, opening up putative avenues for treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevi Xekouki
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative BiologyKing’s College London, London, UK
- Department of EndocrinologyKing’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Emily J Lodge
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative BiologyKing’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Endocrinology and DiabetesKing’s College London, London, UK
| | - Jakob Matschke
- Institute of NeuropathologyUniversity Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alice Santambrogio
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative BiologyKing’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Internal Medicine IIICarl Gustav Carus Medical School, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - John R Apps
- Birth Defects Research CentreDevelopmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Histopathology DepartmentGreat Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Ariane Sharif
- Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine BrainInserm U1172, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Centre, Lille, France
| | - Thomas S Jacques
- Birth Defects Research CentreDevelopmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- Histopathology DepartmentGreat Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Simon Aylwin
- Department of EndocrinologyKing’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Vincent Prevot
- Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine BrainInserm U1172, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Centre, Lille, France
| | - Ran Li
- Department of NeurosurgeryTongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jörg Flitsch
- Department of NeurosurgeryHamburg University Medical Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan R Bornstein
- Department of Endocrinology and DiabetesKing’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Internal Medicine IIICarl Gustav Carus Medical School, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marily Theodoropoulou
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IVLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Correspondence should be addressed to C L Andoniadou or M Theodoropoulou: or
| | - Cynthia L Andoniadou
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative BiologyKing’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Internal Medicine IIICarl Gustav Carus Medical School, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Correspondence should be addressed to C L Andoniadou or M Theodoropoulou: or
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Barbieri F, Würth R, Pattarozzi A, Verduci I, Mazzola C, Cattaneo MG, Tonelli M, Solari A, Bajetto A, Daga A, Vicentini LM, Mazzanti M, Florio T. Inhibition of Chloride Intracellular Channel 1 (CLIC1) as Biguanide Class-Effect to Impair Human Glioblastoma Stem Cell Viability. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:899. [PMID: 30186163 PMCID: PMC6110922 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The antidiabetic biguanide metformin exerts antiproliferative effects in different solid tumors. However, during preclinical studies, metformin concentrations required to induce cell growth arrest were invariably within the mM range, thus difficult to translate in a clinical setting. Consequently, the search for more potent metformin derivatives is a current goal for new drug development. Although several cell-specific intracellular mechanisms contribute to the anti-tumor activity of metformin, the inhibition of the chloride intracellular channel 1 activity (CLIC1) at G1/S transition is a key events in metformin antiproliferative effect in glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). Here we tested several known biguanide-related drugs for the ability to affect glioblastoma (but not normal) stem cell viability, and in particular: phenformin, a withdrawn antidiabetic drug; moroxydine, a former antiviral agent; and proguanil, an antimalarial compound, all of them possessing a linear biguanide structure as metformin; moreover, we evaluated cycloguanil, the active form of proguanil, characterized by a cyclized biguanide moiety. All these drugs caused a significant impairment of GSC proliferation, invasiveness, and self-renewal reaching IC50 values significantly lower than metformin, (range 0.054–0.53 mM vs. 9.4 mM of metformin). All biguanides inhibited CLIC1-mediated ion current, showing the same potency observed in the antiproliferative effects, with the exception of proguanil which was ineffective. These effects were specific for GSCs, since no (or little) cytotoxicity was observed in normal umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, whose viability was not affected by metformin and moroxydine, while cycloguanil and phenformin induced toxicity only at much higher concentrations than required to reduce GSC proliferation or invasiveness. Conversely, proguanil was highly cytotoxic also for normal mesenchymal stem cells. In conclusion, the inhibition of CLIC1 activity represents a biguanide class-effect to impair GSC viability, invasiveness, and self-renewal, although dissimilarities among different drugs were observed as far as potency, efficacy and selectivity as CLIC1 inhibitors. Being CLIC1 constitutively active in GSCs, this feature is relevant to grant the molecules with high specificity toward GSCs while sparing normal cells. These results could represent the basis for the development of novel biguanide-structured molecules, characterized by high antitumor efficacy and safe toxicological profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Barbieri
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Würth
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pattarozzi
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Ivan Verduci
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Mazzola
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria G Cattaneo
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Tonelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Agnese Solari
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Adriana Bajetto
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Antonio Daga
- IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Lucia M Vicentini
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Mazzanti
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tullio Florio
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna and Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy.,IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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35
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Würth R, Pattarozzi A, Barbieri F, Florio T. Primary Cultures from Human GH-secreting or Clinically Non-functioning Pituitary Adenomas. Bio Protoc 2018; 8:e2790. [PMID: 34286013 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.2790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenomas are among the more frequent intracranial tumors usually treated with both surgical and pharmacological-based on somatostatin and dopamine agonists-approaches. Although mostly benign tumors, the occurrence of invasive behaviors is often detected resulting in poorer prognosis. The use of primary cultures from human pituitary adenomas represented a significant advancement in the knowledge of the mechanisms of their development and in the definition of the determinants of their pharmacological sensitivity. Moreover, recent studies identified also in pituitary adenomas putative tumor stem cells representing, according to the current hypothesis, the real cellular targets to eradicate most malignancies. In this protocol, we describe the procedure to establish primary cultures from human pituitary adenomas, and how to select, in vitro expand, and phenotypically characterize putative pituitary adenoma stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Würth
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna (DiMI) & Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pattarozzi
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna (DiMI) & Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Barbieri
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna (DiMI) & Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Tullio Florio
- Sezione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna (DiMI) & Centro di Eccellenza per la Ricerca Biomedica (CEBR), Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
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36
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Gatti M, Solari A, Pattarozzi A, Campanella C, Thellung S, Maniscalco L, De Maria R, Würth R, Corsaro A, Bajetto A, Ratto A, Ferrari A, Daga A, Barbieri F, Florio T. In vitro and in vivo characterization of stem-like cells from canine osteosarcoma and assessment of drug sensitivity. Exp Cell Res 2018; 363:48-64. [PMID: 29305964 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cell (CSC) self-renewing and drug resistance cause treatment failure and tumor recurrence. Osteosarcoma is an aggressive bone tumor characterized by biological and molecular heterogeneity, possibly dependent on CSCs. CSC identification in osteosarcoma and their efficient targeting are still open questions. Spontaneous canine osteosarcoma shares clinical and biological features with the human tumors, representing a model for translational studies. We characterized three CSC-enriched canine osteosarcoma cultures. In serum-free conditions, these CSC cultures grow as anchorage-independent spheroids, show mesenchymal-like properties and in vivo tumorigenicity, recapitulating the heterogeneity of the original osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma CSCs express stem-related factors (Sox2, Oct4, CD133) and chemokine receptors and ligands (CXCR4, CXCL12) involved in tumor proliferation and self-renewal. Standard drugs for osteosarcoma treatment (doxorubicin and cisplatin) affected CSC-enriched and parental primary cultures, showing different efficacy within tumors. Moreover, metformin, a type-2 diabetes drug, significantly inhibits osteosarcoma CSC viability, migration and self-renewal and, in co-treatment with doxorubicin and cisplatin, enhances drug cytotoxicity. Collectively, we demonstrate that canine osteosarcoma primary cultures contain CSCs exhibiting distinctive sensitivity to anticancer agents, as a reliable experimental model to assay drug efficacy. We also provide proof-of-principle of metformin efficacy, alone or in combination, as pharmacological strategy to target osteosarcoma CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Gatti
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Agnese Solari
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pattarozzi
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Campanella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle D'Aosta, National Reference Center of Veterinary and Comparative Oncology (CEROVEC), Piazza Borgo Pila 39, 16129 Genova, Italy
| | - Stefano Thellung
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Lorella Maniscalco
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (Torino), Italy
| | - Raffaella De Maria
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (Torino), Italy
| | - Roberto Würth
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Corsaro
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Adriana Bajetto
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ratto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle D'Aosta, National Reference Center of Veterinary and Comparative Oncology (CEROVEC), Piazza Borgo Pila 39, 16129 Genova, Italy
| | - Angelo Ferrari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle D'Aosta, National Reference Center of Veterinary and Comparative Oncology (CEROVEC), Piazza Borgo Pila 39, 16129 Genova, Italy
| | - Antonio Daga
- IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Largo Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Barbieri
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy.
| | - Tullio Florio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy.
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37
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Haston S, Manshaei S, Martinez-Barbera JP. Stem/progenitor cells in pituitary organ homeostasis and tumourigenesis. J Endocrinol 2018; 236:R1-R13. [PMID: 28855316 PMCID: PMC5744558 DOI: 10.1530/joe-17-0258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Evidence for the presence of pituitary gland stem cells has been provided over the last decade using a combination of approaches including in vitro clonogenicity assays, flow cytometric side population analysis, immunohistochemical analysis and genetic approaches. These cells have been demonstrated to be able to self-renew and undergo multipotent differentiation to give rise to all hormonal lineages of the anterior pituitary. Furthermore, evidence exists for their contribution to regeneration of the organ and plastic responses to changing physiological demand. Recently, stem-like cells have been isolated from pituitary neoplasms raising the possibility that a cytological hierarchy exists, in keeping with the cancer stem cell paradigm. In this manuscript, we review the evidence for the existence of pituitary stem cells, their role in maintaining organ homeostasis and the regulation of their differentiation. Furthermore, we explore the emerging concept of stem cells in pituitary tumours and their potential roles in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Haston
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research ProgrammeBirth Defects Research Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Saba Manshaei
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research ProgrammeBirth Defects Research Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Juan Pedro Martinez-Barbera
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Research ProgrammeBirth Defects Research Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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38
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Miserocchi G, Mercatali L, Liverani C, De Vita A, Spadazzi C, Pieri F, Bongiovanni A, Recine F, Amadori D, Ibrahim T. Management and potentialities of primary cancer cultures in preclinical and translational studies. J Transl Med 2017; 15:229. [PMID: 29116016 PMCID: PMC5688825 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-017-1328-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of patient-derived primary cell cultures in cancer preclinical assays has increased in recent years. The management of resected tumor tissue remains complex and a number of parameters must be respected to obtain complete sample digestion and optimal vitality yield. We provide an overview of the benefits of correct primary cell culture management using different preclinical methodologies, and describe the pros and cons of this model with respect to other kinds of samples. One important advantage is that the heterogeneity of the cell populations composing a primary culture partially reproduces the tumor microenvironment and crosstalk between malignant and healthy cells, neither of which is possible with cell lines. Moreover, the use of patient-derived specimens in innovative preclinical technologies, such as 3D systems or bioreactors, represents an important opportunity to improve the translational value of the results obtained. In vivo models could further our understanding of the crosstalk between tumor and other tissues as they enable us to observe the systemic and biological interactions of a complete organism. Although engineered mice are the most common model used in this setting, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) species has recently been recognized as an innovative experimental system. In fact, the transparent body and incomplete immune system of zebrafish embryos are especially useful for evaluating patient-derived tumor tissue interactions in healthy hosts. In conclusion, ex vivo systems represent an important tool for cancer research, but samples require correct manipulation to maximize their translational value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Miserocchi
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via Piero Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Laura Mercatali
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via Piero Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy.
| | - Chiara Liverani
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via Piero Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Alessandro De Vita
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via Piero Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Chiara Spadazzi
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via Piero Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Federica Pieri
- Pathology Unit, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, Via Carlo Forlanini 34, 47121, Forlì, Italy
| | - Alberto Bongiovanni
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via Piero Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Federica Recine
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via Piero Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Dino Amadori
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via Piero Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | - Toni Ibrahim
- Osteoncology and Rare Tumors Center, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, Via Piero Maroncelli 40, 47014, Meldola, FC, Italy
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39
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Bajetto A, Pattarozzi A, Corsaro A, Barbieri F, Daga A, Bosio A, Gatti M, Pisaturo V, Sirito R, Florio T. Different Effects of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Glioblastoma Stem Cells by Direct Cell Interaction or Via Released Soluble Factors. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:312. [PMID: 29081734 PMCID: PMC5645520 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary brain tumor in adults, is an aggressive, fast-growing and highly vascularized tumor, characterized by extensive invasiveness and local recurrence. In GBM and other malignancies, cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to drive invasive tumor growth and recurrence, being responsible for radio- and chemo-therapy resistance. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitors that exhibit tropism for tumor microenvironment mediated by cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Initial studies proposed that MSCs might exert inhibitory effects on tumor development, although, to date, contrasting evidence has been provided. Different studies reported either MSC anti-tumor activity or their support to tumor growth. Here, we examined the effects of umbilical cord (UC)-MSCs on in vitro GBM-derived CSC growth, by direct cell-to-cell interaction or indirect modulation, via the release of soluble factors. We demonstrate that UC-MSCs and CSCs exhibit reciprocal tropism when co-cultured as 3D spheroids and their direct cell interaction reduces the proliferation of both cell types. Contrasting effects were obtained by UC-MSC released factors: CSCs, cultured in the presence of conditioned medium (CM) collected from UC-MSCs, increased proliferation rate through transient ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation/activation. Analysis of the profile of the cytokines released by UC-MSCs in the CM revealed a strong production of molecules involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, cell migration and proliferation, such as IL-8, GRO, ENA-78 and IL-6. Since CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2), a receptor shared by several of these ligands, is expressed in GBM CSCs, we evaluated its involvement in CSC proliferation induced by UC-MSC-CM. Using the CXCR2 antagonist SB225002, we observed a partial but statistically significant inhibition of CSC proliferation and migration induced by the UC-MSC-released cytokines. Conversely, CXCR2 blockade did not reduce the reciprocal tropism between CSCs and UC-MSCs grown as spheroids. In conclusion, we show that direct (cell-to-cell contact) or indirect (via the release of soluble factors) interactions between GBM CSCs and UC-MSCs in co-culture produce divergent effects on cell growth, invasion and migration, with the former mainly causing an inhibitory response and the latter a stimulatory one, involving a paracrine activation of CXCR2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Bajetto
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pattarozzi
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Corsaro
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Barbieri
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Antonio Daga
- Gene Transfer Lab, IRCCS-AOU San Martino-IST, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessia Bosio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Monica Gatti
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy.,International Evangelical Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Tullio Florio
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine and Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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40
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Abstract
Animal models of cancer have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the biology of tumor initiation and progression, in studying gene function and in performing preclinical studies aimed at testing novel therapies. Several animal models of the MEN1 syndrome have been generated in different organisms by introducing loss-of-function mutations in the orthologues of the human MEN1 gene. In this review, we will discuss MEN1 and MEN1-like models in Drosophila, mice and rats. These model systems with their specific advantages and limitations have contributed to elucidate the function of Menin in tumorigenesis, which turned out to be remarkably conserved from flies to mammals, as well as the biology of the disease. Mouse models of MEN1 closely resemble the human disease in terms of tumor spectrum and associated hormonal changes, although individual tumor frequencies are variable. Rats affected by the MENX (MEN1-like) syndrome share some features with MEN1 patients albeit they bear a germline mutation in Cdkn1b (p27) and not in Men1 Both Men1-knockout mice and MENX rats have been exploited for therapy-response studies testing novel drugs for efficacy against neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and have provided promising leads for novel therapies. In addition to presenting well-established models of MEN1, we also discuss potential models which, if implemented, might broaden even further our knowledge of neuroendocrine tumorigenesis. In the future, patient-derived xenografts in zebrafish or mice might allow us to expand the tool-box currently available for preclinical studies of MEN1-associated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermine Mohr
- Institute for Diabetes and CancerHelmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Natalia S Pellegata
- Institute for Diabetes and CancerHelmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
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41
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Carreno G, Gonzalez-Meljem JM, Haston S, Martinez-Barbera JP. Stem cells and their role in pituitary tumorigenesis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 445:27-34. [PMID: 27720895 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The presence of adult pituitary stem cells (PSCs) has been described in murine systems by comprehensive cellular profiling and genetic lineage tracing experiments. PSCs are thought to maintain multipotent capacity throughout life and give rise to all hormone-producing cell lineages, playing a role in pituitary gland homeostasis. Additionally, PSCs have been proposed to play a role in pituitary tumorigenesis, in both adenomas and adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas. In this manuscript, we discuss the different approaches used to demonstrate the presence of PSCs in the murine adult pituitary, from marker analyses to genetic tracing. In addition, we review the published literature suggesting the existence of tumor stem cells in mouse and human pituitary tumors. Finally, we discuss the potential role of PSCs in pituitary tumorigenesis in the context of current models of carcinogenesis and present evidence showing that in contrast to pituitary adenoma, which follows a classical cancer stem cell paradigm, a novel mechanism has been revealed for paracrine, non-cell autonomous tumor initiation in adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma, a benign but clinically aggressive pediatric tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Carreno
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Program, Birth Defects Research Centre, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jose Mario Gonzalez-Meljem
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Program, Birth Defects Research Centre, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Scott Haston
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Program, Birth Defects Research Centre, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Juan Pedro Martinez-Barbera
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Program, Birth Defects Research Centre, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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42
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Peverelli E, Giardino E, Treppiedi D, Meregalli M, Belicchi M, Vaira V, Corbetta S, Verdelli C, Verrua E, Serban AL, Locatelli M, Carrabba G, Gaudenzi G, Malchiodi E, Cassinelli L, Lania AG, Ferrero S, Bosari S, Vitale G, Torrente Y, Spada A, Mantovani G. Dopamine receptor type 2 (DRD2) and somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) agonists are effective in inhibiting proliferation of progenitor/stem-like cells isolated from nonfunctioning pituitary tumors. Int J Cancer 2017; 140:1870-1880. [PMID: 28120505 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The role of progenitor/stem cells in pituitary tumorigenesis, resistance to pharmacological treatments and tumor recurrence is still unclear. This study investigated the presence of progenitor/stem cells in non-functioning pituitary tumors (NFPTs) and tested the efficacy of dopamine receptor type 2 (DRD2) and somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) agonists to inhibit in vitro proliferation. They found that 70% of 46 NFPTs formed spheres co-expressing stem cell markers, transcription factors (DAX1, SF1, ERG1) and gonadotropins. Analysis of tumor behavior showed that spheres formation was associated with tumor invasiveness (OR = 3,96; IC: 1.05-14.88, p = 0.036). The in vitro reduction of cell proliferation by DRD2 and SSTR2 agonists (31 ± 17% and 35 ± 13% inhibition, respectively, p < 0.01 vs. basal) occurring in about a half of NFPTs cells was conserved in the corresponding spheres. Accordingly, these drugs increased cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 and decreased cyclin D3 expression in spheres. In conclusion, they provided further evidence for the existence of cells with a progenitor/stem cells-like phenotype in the majority of NFPTs, particularly in those with invasive behavior, and demonstrated that the antiproliferative effects of dopaminergic and somatostatinergic drugs were maintained in progenitor/stem-like cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Peverelli
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - E Giardino
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - D Treppiedi
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - M Meregalli
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Ystem Srl, Milan, Italy
| | - M Belicchi
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Ystem Srl, Milan, Italy
| | - V Vaira
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi" (INGM), Milan, Italy
| | - S Corbetta
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Biomedical Science for Health, University of Milan, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - C Verdelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - E Verrua
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - A L Serban
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - M Locatelli
- Neurosurgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
| | - G Carrabba
- Neurosurgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
| | - G Gaudenzi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - E Malchiodi
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - L Cassinelli
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Ystem Srl, Milan, Italy
| | - A G Lania
- Endocrine Unit, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - S Ferrero
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan Medical School
| | - S Bosari
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - G Vitale
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milano, Milan, Italy.,Endocrine and Metabolic Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano-IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Y Torrente
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Ystem Srl, Milan, Italy
| | - A Spada
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - G Mantovani
- Endocrine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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43
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Vitale G, Gaudenzi G, Circelli L, Manzoni MF, Bassi A, Fioritti N, Faggiano A, Colao A. Animal models of medullary thyroid cancer: state of the art and view to the future. Endocr Relat Cancer 2017; 24:R1-R12. [PMID: 27799362 DOI: 10.1530/erc-16-0399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a neuroendocrine tumour originating from parafollicular C cells accounting for 5-10% of thyroid cancers. Increased understanding of disease-specific molecular targets of therapy has led to the regulatory approval of two drugs (vandetanib and cabozantinib) for the treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma. These drugs increase progression-free survival; however, they are often poorly tolerated and most treatment responses are transient. Animal models are indispensable tools for investigating the pathogenesis, mechanisms for tumour invasion and metastasis and new therapeutic approaches for cancer. Unfortunately, only few models are available for medullary thyroid carcinoma. This review provides an overview of the state of the art of animal models in medullary thyroid carcinoma and highlights future developments in this field, with the aim of addressing salient features and clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Vitale
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health (DISCCO)University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic ResearchIstituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Germano Gaudenzi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health (DISCCO)University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Circelli
- Department of Experimental OncologyLaboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, 'Fondazione Pascale' - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco F Manzoni
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal MedicineEndocrine Tumors Unit, San Raffaele Hospital Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Bassi
- Department of PhysicsPolitecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Antongiulio Faggiano
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery UnitIstituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale' - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Department of Clinical Medicine and SurgerySection of Endocrinology, 'Federico II' University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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44
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Vankelecom H, Roose H. The Stem Cell Connection of Pituitary Tumors. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:339. [PMID: 29255445 PMCID: PMC5722833 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors in the pituitary gland are typically benign but cause serious morbidity due to compression of neighboring structures and hormonal disruptions. Overall, therapy efficiency remains suboptimal with negative impact on health and comfort of life, including considerable risk of therapy resistance and tumor recurrence. To date, little is known on the pathogenesis of pituitary tumors. Stem cells may represent important forces in this process. The pituitary tumors may contain a driving tumor stem cell population while the resident tissue stem cells may be directly or indirectly linked to tumor development and growth. Here, we will briefly summarize recent studies that afforded a glance behind the scenes of this stem cell connection. A better knowledge of the mechanisms underlying pituitary tumorigenesis is essential to identify more efficacious treatment modalities and improve clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Vankelecom
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Unit of Stem Cell Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Hugo Vankelecom,
| | - Heleen Roose
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Unit of Stem Cell Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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45
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Angeletti F, Fossati G, Pattarozzi A, Würth R, Solari A, Daga A, Masiello I, Barbieri F, Florio T, Comincini S. Inhibition of the Autophagy Pathway Synergistically Potentiates the Cytotoxic Activity of Givinostat (ITF2357) on Human Glioblastoma Cancer Stem Cells. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:107. [PMID: 27833530 PMCID: PMC5081386 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence highlighted the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the development of tumor resistance to therapy, particularly in glioblastoma (GBM). Therefore, the development of new therapies, specifically directed against GBM CSCs, constitutes an important research avenue. Considering the extended range of cancer-related pathways modulated by histone acetylation/deacetylation processes, we studied the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic efficacy of givinostat (GVS), a pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor, on cell cultures enriched in CSCs, isolated from nine human GBMs. We report that GVS induced a significant reduction of viability and self-renewal ability in all GBM CSC cultures; conversely, GVS exposure did not cause a significant cytotoxic activity toward differentiated GBM cells and normal mesenchymal human stem cells. Analyzing the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved, we demonstrated that GVS affected CSC viability through the activation of programmed cell death pathways. In particular, a marked stimulation of macroautophagy was observed after GVS treatment. To understand the functional link between GVS treatment and autophagy activation, different genetic and pharmacological interfering strategies were used. We show that the up-regulation of the autophagy process, obtained by deprivation of growth factors, induced a reduction of CSC sensitivity to GVS, while the pharmacological inhibition of the autophagy pathway and the silencing of the key autophagy gene ATG7, increased the cell death rate induced by GVS. Altogether these findings suggest that autophagy represents a pro-survival mechanism activated by GBM CSCs to counteract the efficacy of the anti-proliferative activity of GVS. In conclusion, we demonstrate that GVS is a novel pharmacological tool able to target GBM CSC viability and its efficacy can be enhanced by autophagy inhibitory strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gianluca Fossati
- Preclinical Research Department Italfarmaco Research Center, Italfarmaco S.p.A Cinisello Balsamo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pattarozzi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Würth
- Department of Internal Medicine, Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova Genova, Italy
| | - Agnese Solari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova Genova, Italy
| | - Antonio Daga
- Regenerative Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino - IST Genova, Italy
| | - Irene Masiello
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia Pavia, Italy
| | - Federica Barbieri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova Genova, Italy
| | - Tullio Florio
- Department of Internal Medicine, Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genova Genova, Italy
| | - Sergio Comincini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia Pavia, Italy
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46
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Barbieri F, Bajetto A, Thellung S, Würth R, Florio T. Drug design strategies focusing on the CXCR4/CXCR7/CXCL12 pathway in leukemia and lymphoma. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 11:1093-1109. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2016.1233176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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