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Chen J, Zhu Y, Zhao D, Zhang L, Zhang J, Xiao Y, Wu Q, Wang Y, Zhan Q. Co-targeting FAK and Gli1 inhibits the tumor-associated macrophages-released CCL22-mediated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma malignancy. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e381. [PMID: 37846367 PMCID: PMC10576977 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a frequently seen esophageal tumor type in China. Activation of signaling proteins and relevant molecular mechanisms in ESCC are partially explored, impairing the antitumor efficiency of targeted therapy in ESCC treatment. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs)-released C-C motif chemokine 22 (CCL22) can activate intratumoral focal adhesion kinase (FAK), thus promoting the progression of ESCC. Here, we demonstrated that highly secreted CCL22 by TAMs (CCL22-positive TAMs) induced ESCC cell stemness and invasion through facilitating transcriptional activity of intratumoral glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1), a downstream effector for Hedgehog (HH) pathway. Mechanistically, FAK-activated protein kinase B (AKT) mediated Gli1 phosphorylation at its Ser112/Thr115/Ser116 sites and released Gli1 from suppressor of fused homolog, the endogenous inhibitor of Gli1 to activate downstream stemness-associated factors, such as SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2), Nanog homeobox (Nanog), or POU class 5 homeobox (OCT4). Furthermore, inhibition of FAK activity by VS-4718, the FAK inhibitor, enhanced antitumor effect of GDC-0449, the HH inhibitor, both in xenografted models and in vitro assays. Clinically, CCL22/Gli1 axis is used to evaluate ESCC prognosis. Overall, our study establishes the communication of FAK with HH pathway and offers the novel mechanism related to Gli1 activation independent of Smoothened as well as the rationale for the anti-ESCC combination treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing)Laboratory of Molecular OncologyPeking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteBeijingChina
- Peking University International Cancer InstitutePeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Research Unit of Molecular Cancer ResearchChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
- Soochow University Cancer InstituteSuzhouChina
| | - Yanmeng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing)Laboratory of Molecular OncologyPeking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteBeijingChina
| | - Di Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing)Laboratory of Molecular OncologyPeking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteBeijingChina
- Peking University International Cancer InstitutePeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Research Unit of Molecular Cancer ResearchChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Lingyuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing)Laboratory of Molecular OncologyPeking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteBeijingChina
| | - Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing)Laboratory of Molecular OncologyPeking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteBeijingChina
| | - Yuanfan Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing)Laboratory of Molecular OncologyPeking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteBeijingChina
| | - Qingnan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing)Laboratory of Molecular OncologyPeking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteBeijingChina
- Peking University International Cancer InstitutePeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Research Unit of Molecular Cancer ResearchChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing)Laboratory of Molecular OncologyPeking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteBeijingChina
- Peking University International Cancer InstitutePeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Research Unit of Molecular Cancer ResearchChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Qimin Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing)Laboratory of Molecular OncologyPeking University Cancer Hospital & InstituteBeijingChina
- Peking University International Cancer InstitutePeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Research Unit of Molecular Cancer ResearchChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijingChina
- Soochow University Cancer InstituteSuzhouChina
- Institute of Cancer ResearchShenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhenChina
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2
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Ma RJ, Ma C, Hu K, Zhao MM, Zhang N, Sun ZG. Molecular mechanism, regulation, and therapeutic targeting of the STAT3 signaling pathway in esophageal cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 2022; 61:105. [PMID: 35856449 PMCID: PMC9339493 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is the seventh most common cancer globally, and the overall 5-year survival rate is only 20%. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is aberrantly activated in EC, and its activation is associated with a poor prognosis. STAT3 can be activated by canonical pathways such as the JAK/STAT3 pathway as well as non-canonical pathways including the Wnt/STAT3 and COX2/PGE2/STAT3 pathways. Activated STAT3, present as phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3), can be transported into the nucleus to regulate downstream genes, including VEGF, cyclin D1, Bcl-xL, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), to promote cancer cell proliferation and induce resistance to therapy. Non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), play a vital role in regulating the STAT3 signaling pathway in EC. Several miRNAs promote or suppress the function of STAT3 in EC, while lncRNAs and circRNAs primarily promote the effects of STAT3 and the progression of cancer. Additionally, various drugs and natural compounds can target STAT3 to suppress the malignant behavior of EC cells, providing novel insights into potential EC therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Jie Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Chao Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Kang Hu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Meng-Meng Zhao
- Research Center of Translational Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Breast Disease Center, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Gang Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
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Kaushal K, Ramakrishna S. Deubiquitinating Enzyme-Mediated Signaling Networks in Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3253. [PMID: 33158118 PMCID: PMC7694198 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have both the capacity for self-renewal and the potential to differentiate and contribute to multiple tumor properties, such as recurrence, metastasis, heterogeneity, multidrug resistance, and radiation resistance. Thus, CSCs are considered to be promising therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. The function of CSCs can be regulated by ubiquitination and deubiquitination of proteins related to the specific stemness of the cells executing various stem cell fate choices. To regulate the balance between ubiquitination and deubiquitination processes, the disassembly of ubiquitin chains from specific substrates by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) is crucial. Several key developmental and signaling pathways have been shown to play essential roles in this regulation. Growing evidence suggests that overactive or abnormal signaling within and among these pathways may contribute to the survival of CSCs. These signaling pathways have been experimentally shown to mediate various stem cell properties, such as self-renewal, cell fate decisions, survival, proliferation, and differentiation. In this review, we focus on the DUBs involved in CSCs signaling pathways, which are vital in regulating their stem-cell fate determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamini Kaushal
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea;
| | - Suresh Ramakrishna
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea;
- College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
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4
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Mahmoudian RA, Forghanifard MM. Crosstalk between MEIS1 and markers of different cell signaling pathways in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:3439-3448. [PMID: 32372171 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05423-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The homeobox transcription factor MEIS1 is involved in cell fate decision, stem cells properties, gastrointestinal (GI) tract development, and progression of several malignancies such as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Increasing evidences suggest the crosstalk between MEIS1 and cell signaling pathways. Therefore, our aim in present study was to investigate the probable linkage of MEIS1 expression with key genes of different cell signaling pathways in ESCC tumorigenesis, and their correlation with clinicopathological feature of the patients. The gene expression profiling of MEIS1 and different cell signaling genes including SALL4, SIZN1, and HEY1 (stemness state, BMP, and NOTCH signaling pathways, respectively) was performed using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in fresh tumoral compared to margin normal tissues of 50 treatment-naive ESCC samples. The mRNA expression of MEIS1/SIZN1, SIZN1/HEY1, and SIZN1/SALL4 were significantly associated to each other (P < 0.05). There were remarkable correlations between concomitant mRNA expression of MEIS1 and SIZN1 in tumors with invasion to adventitia, early stages of tumor progression and poorly differentiated tumors. Moreover, expression of MEIS1 and HEY1 was correlated to each other in primary stages of tumor progression and non-invaded tumors. Expression of MEIS1 was significantly associated with SALL4 in poorly differentiated tumors. Our results indicated that correlation between different cell signaling pathway-related genes may lead to esophageal tumorigenesis. It is illustrated that MEIS1 as a HOX gene has a significant correlation with stemness state, BMP, and NOTCH signaling pathways via the SIZN1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Mahdi Forghanifard
- Department of Biology, Damghan branch, Islamic Azad University, Cheshmeh-Ali boulevard, Sa'dei square, Damghan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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5
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Klein SD, Nguyen DC, Bhakta V, Wong D, Chang VY, Davidson TB, Martinez-Agosto JA. Mutations in the sonic hedgehog pathway cause macrocephaly-associated conditions due to crosstalk to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Am J Med Genet A 2019; 179:2517-2531. [PMID: 31639285 PMCID: PMC7346528 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The hedgehog (Hh) pathway is highly conserved and required for embryonic patterning and determination. Mutations in the Hh pathway are observed in sporadic tumors as well as under syndromic conditions. Common to these syndromes are the findings of polydactyly/syndactyly and brain overgrowth. The latter is also a finding most commonly observed in the cases of mutations in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. We have identified novel Hh pathway mutations and structural copy number variations in individuals with somatic overgrowth, macrocephaly, dysmorphic facial features, and developmental delay, which phenotypically closely resemble patients with phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) mutations. We hypothesized that brain overgrowth and phenotypic overlap with syndromic overgrowth syndromes in these cases may be due to crosstalk between the Hh and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways. To test this, we modeled disease-associated variants by generating PTCH1 and Suppressor of Fused (SUFU) heterozygote cell lines using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. These cells demonstrate activation of PI3K signaling and increased phosphorylation of its downstream target p4EBP1 as well as a distinct cellular phenotype. To further investigate the mechanism underlying this crosstalk, we treated human neural stem cells with sonic hedgehog (SHH) ligand and performed transcriptional analysis of components of the mTOR pathway. These studies identified decreased expression of a set of mTOR negative regulators, leading to its activation. We conclude that there is a significant crosstalk between the SHH and PI3K/AKT/mTOR. We propose that this crosstalk is responsible for why mutations in PTCH1 and SUFU lead to macrocephaly phenotypes similar to those observed in PTEN hamartoma and other overgrowth syndromes associated with mutations in PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven D. Klein
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Dzung C. Nguyen
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Viraj Bhakta
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Derek Wong
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Vivian Y. Chang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tom B. Davidson
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Julian A. Martinez-Agosto
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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Assarnia S, Ardalan Khales S, Forghanifard MM. Correlation between SALL4 stemness marker and bone morphogenetic protein signaling genes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2018; 33:e22262. [PMID: 30431698 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
SALL4, as a stemness marker, plays a key role in the maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal of cancer stem cells. To elucidate probable linkage between SALL4 stemness marker and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) cell signaling pathway, we aimed to analyze the expression levels of the related genes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. Tumoral and corresponding margin normal tissues from 50 treatment-naive ESCC patients were subjected for expression analysis using relative comparative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. There were significant correlations between SALL4 mRNA and BMP signaling target genes expression including SIZN1, VENTX, and DIDO1 (P < 0.01). Tight associations of gene expression were observed in primary stages of tumor progression (stages I/II), and the invaded tumors to the adventitia (T3/T4). Furthermore, significant correlations between the expression of BMP signaling target genes were observed (P < 0.01). SALL4 may play role in tumorigenesis and tumor cell invasiveness of ESCC through correlation with BMP signaling genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sogand Assarnia
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, College of Science, School of Biology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Ardalan Khales
- Department of Biology, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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Molaei F, Forghanifard MM, Fahim Y, Abbaszadegan MR. Molecular Signaling in Tumorigenesis of Gastric Cancer. IRANIAN BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL 2018; 22:217-30. [PMID: 29706061 PMCID: PMC5949124 DOI: 10.22034/ibj.22.4.217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is regarded as the fifth most common cancer and the third cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Mechanism of GC pathogenesis is still unclear and relies on multiple factors, including environmental and genetic characteristics. One of the most important environmental factors of GC occurrence is infection with Helicobacter pylori that is classified as class one carcinogens. Dysregulation of several genes and pathways play an essential role during gastric carcinogenesis. Dysregulation of developmental pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin signaling, Hedgehog signaling, Hippo pathway, Notch signaling, nuclear factor-kB, and epidermal growth factor receptor have been found in GC. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition, as an important process during embryogenesis and tumorigenesis, is supposed to play a role in initiation, invasion, metastasis, and progression of GC. Although surgery is the main therapeutic modality of the disease, the understanding of biological processes of cell signaling pathways may help to develop new therapeutic targets for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Molaei
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Yasaman Fahim
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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