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Ramdas B, Dayal N, Pandey R, Larocque E, Kanumuri R, Pasupuleti SK, Liu S, Kanellopoulou C, Chu EFY, Mohallem R, Virani S, Chopra G, Aryal UK, Lapidus R, Wan J, Emadi A, Haneline LS, Holtsberg FW, Aman MJ, Sintim HO, Kapur R. Alkynyl nicotinamides show antileukemic activity in drug-resistant acute myeloid leukemia. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e169245. [PMID: 38950330 PMCID: PMC11178545 DOI: 10.1172/jci169245] [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: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Activating mutations of FLT3 contribute to deregulated hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSC/Ps) growth and survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leading to poor overall survival. AML patients treated with investigational drugs targeting mutant FLT3, including Quizartinib and Crenolanib, develop resistance to these drugs. Development of resistance is largely due to acquisition of cooccurring mutations and activation of additional survival pathways, as well as emergence of additional FLT3 mutations. Despite the high prevalence of FLT3 mutations and their clinical significance in AML, there are few targeted therapeutic options available. We have identified 2 novel nicotinamide-based FLT3 inhibitors (HSN608 and HSN748) that target FLT3 mutations at subnanomolar concentrations and are potently effective against drug-resistant secondary mutations of FLT3. These compounds show antileukemic activity against FLT3ITD in drug-resistant AML, relapsed/refractory AML, and in AML bearing a combination of epigenetic mutations of TET2 along with FLT3ITD. We demonstrate that HSN748 outperformed the FDA-approved FLT3 inhibitor Gilteritinib in terms of inhibitory activity against FLT3ITD in vivo.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/genetics
- fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/antagonists & inhibitors
- fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/metabolism
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Animals
- Mice
- Niacinamide/analogs & derivatives
- Niacinamide/pharmacology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Female
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry
- Mutation
- Mice, SCID
- Mice, Inbred NOD
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Affiliation(s)
- Baskar Ramdas
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Neetu Dayal
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Ruchi Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Elizabeth Larocque
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Rahul Kanumuri
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Santhosh Kumar Pasupuleti
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Sheng Liu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | | | | | - Saniya Virani
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Gaurav Chopra
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Tyler Trent Pediatric Cancer Research Center, Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research
- Department of Computer Science (by courtesy)
- Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, and
| | - Uma K. Aryal
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology
- Purdue Proteomics Facility, Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Rena Lapidus
- KinaRx, Inc, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jun Wan
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Ashkan Emadi
- KinaRx, Inc, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Laura S. Haneline
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | | | - Herman O. Sintim
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- KinaRx, Inc, Rockville, Maryland, USA
- Tyler Trent Pediatric Cancer Research Center, Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research
| | - Reuben Kapur
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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2
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Liu Y, Xin Y, Shang X, Tian Z, Xue G. CircSEMA6A upregulates PRRG4 by targeting MiR-520h and recruiting ELAVL1 to affect cell invasion and migration in papillary thyroid carcinoma. ARCHIVES OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM 2024; 68:e210541. [PMID: 38394156 PMCID: PMC10948040 DOI: 10.20945/2359-4292-2021-0541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Objective As the most prevalent type of thyroid malignancy, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) accounts for over 80% of all thyroid cancers. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to regulate multiple cancers, including PTC. Materials and methods Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were used to analyse RNA and protein levels. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to detect the distribution of the target genes. Functional experiments and animal experiments were implemented to analyse the biological functions of target genes in vitro and in vivo. Luciferase reporter, RNA pulldown, RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) and mRNA stability assays were used to probe the underlying mechanisms. Results CircSEMA6Awas found to be upregulated in PTC tissues and cells, and its circular structure was verified. CircSEMA6A promotes PTC cell migration and invasion. Moreover, circSEMA6A functions as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to upregulate proline rich and Gla domain 4 (PRRG4) expression by sponging microRNA-520h (miR-520h). CircSEMA6A recruits ELAV1 to stabilize PRRG4 mRNA and drives PTC progression via PRRG4. Conclusion CircSEMA6A upregulates PRRG4 by targeting miR-520h and recruiting ELAVL1 to affect the invasion and migration of PTC cells, offering insight into the molecular mechanisms of PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yachao Liu
- Department of Otolaryngol Head & Neck Surg, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei, Peoples R China,
| | - Yunchao Xin
- Department of Otolaryngol Head & Neck Surg, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei, Peoples R China
| | - Xiaoling Shang
- Department of Otolaryngol Head & Neck Surg, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei, Peoples R China
| | - Zedong Tian
- Department of Otolaryngol Head & Neck Surg, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei, Peoples R China
| | - Gang Xue
- Department of Otolaryngol Head & Neck Surg, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei, Peoples R China
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Mangoli A, Wu S, Liu HQ, Aksu M, Jain V, Foreman BE, Regal JA, Weidenhammer LB, Stewart CE, Guerra Garcia ME, Hocke E, Abramson K, Williams NT, Luo L, Deland K, Attardi L, Abe K, Hashizume R, Ashley DM, Becher OJ, Kirsch DG, Gregory SG, Reitman ZJ. Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated ( Atm ) disruption sensitizes spatially-directed H3.3K27M/TP53 diffuse midline gliomas to radiation therapy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.18.562892. [PMID: 37904990 PMCID: PMC10614905 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.18.562892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) are lethal brain tumors characterized by p53-inactivating mutations and oncohistone H3.3K27M mutations that rewire the cellular response to genotoxic stress, which presents therapeutic opportunities. We used RCAS/tv-a retroviruses and Cre recombinase to inactivate p53 and induce K27M in the native H3f3a allele in a lineage- and spatially-directed manner, yielding primary mouse DMGs. Genetic or pharmacologic disruption of the DNA damage response kinase Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) enhanced the efficacy of focal brain irradiation, extending mouse survival. This finding suggests that targeting ATM will enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy for p53-mutant DMG but not p53-wildtype DMG. We used spatial in situ transcriptomics and an allelic series of primary murine DMG models with different p53 mutations to identify transactivation-independent p53 activity as a key mediator of such radiosensitivity. These studies deeply profile a genetically faithful and versatile model of a lethal brain tumor to identify resistance mechanisms for a therapeutic strategy currently in clinical trials.
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Chen G, Yan J, Fu Z. Comprehensive Analysis to Identify LINC00511-hsa-miR-625-5p-SEMA6A Pathway Fuels Progression of Skin Cutaneous Melanoma. Int J Genomics 2023; 2023:6422941. [PMID: 37434634 PMCID: PMC10332930 DOI: 10.1155/2023/6422941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is a highly lethal malignancy that poses a significant threat to human health. Recent research has shown that competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks play a critical role in the development and progression of various types of cancer, including SKCM. The objective of this study is to investigate the ceRNA regulatory network associated with the transmembrane protein semaphorin 6A (SEMA6A) and identify the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in SKCM. Methods Expression profiles of four RNAs, including pseudogenes, long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, and mRNAs were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The analysis was completed by bioinformatics methods, and the expression levels of the selected genes were verified by cell experiments. Results Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the LINC00511-hsa-miR-625-5p-SEMA6A ceRNA network was associated with SKCM prognosis. Furthermore, immune infiltration analysis indicated that the LINC00511-hsa-miR-625-5p-SEMA6A axis may have an impact on changes in the tumor immune microenvironment of SKCM. Conclusion The LINC00511-hsa-miR-625-5p-SEMA6A axis could be a promising therapeutic target and a prognostic biomarker for SKCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghua Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Infection and Immunity, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Jia Yan
- Department of General Surgery, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Zhou Fu
- Department of Respiratory, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Infection and Immunity, Chongqing 400014, China
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Bica C, Tirpe A, Nutu A, Ciocan C, Chira S, Gurzau ES, Braicu C, Berindan-Neagoe I. Emerging roles and mechanisms of semaphorins activity in cancer. Life Sci 2023; 318:121499. [PMID: 36775114 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121499] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Semaphorins are regulatory molecules that are linked to the modulation of several cancer processes, such as angiogenesis, cancer cell invasiveness and metastasis, tumor growth, as well as cancer cell survival. Semaphorin (SEMA) activity depends on the cancer histotypes and their particularities. In broad terms, the effects of SEMAs result from their interaction with specific receptors/co-receptors - Plexins, Neuropilins and Integrins - and the subsequent effects upon the downstream effectors (e.g. PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK). The present article serves as an integrative review work, discussing the broad implications of semaphorins in cancer, focusing on cell proliferation/survival, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, stemness, and chemo-resistance/response whilst highlighting their heterogeneity as a family. Herein, we emphasized that semaphorins are largely implicated in cancer progression, interacting with the tumor microenvironment components. Whilst some SEMAs (e.g. SEMA3A, SEMA3B) function widely as tumor suppressors, others (e.g. SEMA3C) act as pro-tumor semaphorins. The differences observed in terms of the biological structure of SEMAs and the particularities of each cancer histotypes require that each semaphorin be viewed as a unique entity, and its roles must be researched accordingly. A more in-depth and comprehensive view of the molecular mechanisms that promote and sustain the malignant behavior of cancer cells is of utmost importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Bica
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400337, Romania.
| | - Alexandru Tirpe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400337, Romania; Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Andreea Nutu
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400337, Romania.
| | - Cristina Ciocan
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400337, Romania.
| | - Sergiu Chira
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400337, Romania.
| | - Eugen S Gurzau
- Cluj School of Public Health, College of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, 7 Pandurilor Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Environmental Health Center, 58 Busuiocului Street, 400240 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Cornelia Braicu
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400337, Romania.
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca 400337, Romania.
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6
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Lee S, Yoo SS, Choi JE, Hong MJ, Do SK, Lee JH, Lee WK, Park JE, Choi SH, Seo H, Lee J, Lee SY, Cha SI, Kim CH, Kang HG, Park JY. Genetic variants of NEUROD1 target genes are associated with clinical outcomes of small-cell lung cancer patients. Thorac Cancer 2023; 14:1145-1152. [PMID: 36935366 PMCID: PMC10151137 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14839] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurogenic differentiation factor 1 (NEUROD1) is frequently overexpressed in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). NEUROD1 plays an important role in promoting malignant behavior and survival. METHODS In this study, we evaluated the association between putative functional polymorphisms in 45 NEUROD1 target genes and chemotherapy response and survival outcomes in 261 patients with SCLC. Among the 100 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) studied, two were significantly associated with both chemotherapy response and overall survival (OS) of patients with SCLC. RESULTS The SNP rs3806915C⟩A in semaphorin 6A (SEMA6A) gene was significantly associated with better chemotherapy response and OS (p = 0.04 and p = 0.04, respectively). The SNP rs11265375C⟩T in nescient helix-loop helix 1 (NHLH1) gene was also associated with better chemotherapy response and OS (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). Luciferase assay showed a significantly higher promoter activity of SEMA6A with the rs3806915 A allele than C allele in H446 lung cancer cells (p = 4 × 10-6 ). The promoter activity of NHLH1 showed a significantly higher with the rs11265375 T allele than C allele (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION These results suggest that SEMA6A rs3806915C>A and NHLH1 rs11265375C>T polymorphisms affect the promoter activity and expression of the genes, which may affect the survival outcome of patients with SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunwoong Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, Department of Biomedical Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Soo Yoo
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Eun Choi
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Cell and Matrix Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Jeong Hong
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Cell and Matrix Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Sook Kyung Do
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Cell and Matrix Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jang Hyuck Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Cell and Matrix Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Ki Lee
- Medical Research Collaboration Center in Kyungpook National University Hospital and School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Eun Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Ha Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyewon Seo
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehee Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Shin Yup Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Ick Cha
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Ho Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Gyoung Kang
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Cell and Matrix Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Yong Park
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, Department of Biomedical Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Cell and Matrix Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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Ji J, Xu Y, Xie M, He X, Ren D, Qiu T, Liu W, Chen Z, Shi W, Zhang Z, Wang X, Wang W, Ma J, Qian Q, Jing A, Ma X, Qin J, Ding Y, Geng T, Yang J, Sun Z, Liu W, Liu S, Liu B. VHL-HIF-2α axis-induced SEMA6A upregulation stabilized β-catenin to drive clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:83. [PMID: 36739418 PMCID: PMC9899268 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05588-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
SEMA6A is a multifunctional transmembrane semaphorin protein that participates in various cellular processes, including axon guidance, cell migration, and cancer progression. However, the role of SEMA6A in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is unclear. Based on high-throughput sequencing data, here we report that SEMA6A is a novel target gene of the VHL-HIF-2α axis and overexpressed in ccRCC. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and reporter assays revealed that HIF-2α directly activated SEMA6A transcription in hypoxic ccRCC cells. Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation is correlated with the expression of SEMA6A in ccRCC; the latter physically interacted with SEC62 and promoted ccRCC progression through SEC62-dependent β-catenin stabilization and activation. Depletion of SEMA6A impaired HIF-2α-induced Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation and led to defective ccRCC cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. SEMA6A overexpression promoted the malignant phenotypes of ccRCC, which was reversed by SEC62 depletion. Collectively, this study revealed a potential role for VHL-HIF-2α-SEMA6A-SEC62 axis in the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Thus, SEMA6A may act as a potential therapeutic target, especially in VHL-deficient ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Yuxin Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Mengru Xie
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Xingbei He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Dexu Ren
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Teng Qiu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Wenwen Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Zefeng Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Wen Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Xiujun Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Weiling Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Jinming Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Qilan Qian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Aixin Jing
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Xinhui Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Jingting Qin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Yuanyuan Ding
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Ting Geng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Jiayan Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Zhichao Sun
- Department of Pathology, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang, 41 Hailian East Road, Haizhou, Lianyungang, 222006, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Wei Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China.
| | - Shunfang Liu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Road 1095, Wuhan, 430030, PR China.
| | - Bin Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Pharmaceutical Compound Screening, College of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, China.
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8
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Zhang X, Ding C, Zhao Z. Exploring a 7-gene prognostic model based on ferroptosis for efficiently guiding immunotherapy in melanoma patients. Adv Med Sci 2022; 67:364-378. [PMID: 36155341 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is a relatively immunotherapy-sensitive tumor type, there is still a certain fraction that benefits less from treatment. Ferroptosis has been demonstrated to modulate tumor progression in many cancer types. This study focused on ferroptosis-related genes to construct a prognostic model for SKCM patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Gene expression profiles of SKCM samples were obtained from public databases. Unsupervised consensus clustering was used to determine molecular subtypes related to ferroptosis. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and stepwise Akaike information criterion (stepAIC) were applied to construct a prognostic model based on differentially expressed genes between two molecular subtypes. RESULTS C1 and C2 subtypes were identified with differential prognosis and immune infiltration. A 7-gene prognostic model was constructed to classify samples into high-FPRS and low-FPRS groups. Low-FPRS group with favorable prognosis had higher immune infiltration and more enriched immune-related pathways than the high-FPRS group. The two groups showed distinct sensitivity to immunotherapy, with the low-FPRS group predicted to have more positive response to immunotherapy than the high-FPRS group. A nomogram based on the FPRS score and clinical features was built for more convenient use. CONCLUSIONS The critical role of ferroptosis involved in SKCM development was further validated in this study. The prognostic model was efficient and stable to be applied in clinical conditions to support clinicians in determining personalized therapy for SKCM patients especially those with metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Changrui Ding
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College, Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Zigang Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Hainan Hospital of PLA General Hospital, Sanya City, Hainan Province, China.
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9
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Semaphorin 6C Suppresses Proliferation of Pancreatic Cancer Cells via Inhibition of the AKT/GSK3/β-Catenin/Cyclin D1 Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052608. [PMID: 35269749 PMCID: PMC8910270 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Semaphorins (SEMAs) are axon guidance factors that participate in axonal connections and nerve system development. However, the functional roles of SEMAs in tumorigenesis are still largely uncovered. By using in silico data analysis, we found that SEMA6C was downregulated in pancreatic cancer, and its reduction was correlated with worse survival rates. RNA sequencing revealed that cell cycle-related genes, especially cyclin D1, were significantly altered after blockage of SEMA6C by neutralizing antibodies or ectopic expressions of SEMA6C. Mechanistic investigation demonstrated that SEMA6C acts as a tumor suppressor in pancreatic cancer by inhibiting the AKT/GSK3 signaling axis, resulting in a decrease in cyclin D1 expression and cellular proliferation. The enhancement of cyclin D1 expression and cyclin-dependent kinase activation in SEMA6C-low cancer created a druggable target of CDK4/6 inhibitors. We also elucidated the mechanism underlying SEMA6C downregulation in pancreatic cancer and demonstrated a novel regulatory role of miR-124-3p in suppressing SEMA6C. This study provides new insights of SEMA6C-mediated anti-cancer action and suggests the treatment of SEMA6C-downregulated cancer by CDK4/6 inhibitors.
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10
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Mastrantonio R, You H, Tamagnone L. Semaphorins as emerging clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer. Theranostics 2021; 11:3262-3277. [PMID: 33537086 PMCID: PMC7847692 DOI: 10.7150/thno.54023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Semaphorins are a large family of developmental regulatory signals, characterized by aberrant expression in human cancers. These molecules crucially control cell-cell communication, cell migration, invasion and metastasis, tumor angiogenesis, inflammatory and anti-cancer immune responses. Semaphorins comprise secreted and cell surface-exposed molecules and their receptors are mainly found in the Plexin and Neuropilin families, which are further implicated in a signaling network controlling the tumor microenvironment. Accumulating evidence indicates that semaphorins may be considered as novel clinical biomarkers for cancer, especially for the prediction of patient survival and responsiveness to therapy. Moreover, preclinical experimental studies have demonstrated that targeting semaphorin signaling can interfere with tumor growth and/or metastatic dissemination, suggesting their relevance as novel therapeutic targets in cancer; this has also prompted the development of semaphorin-interfering molecules for application in the clinic. Here we will survey, in diverse human cancers, the current knowledge about the relevance of semaphorin family members, and conceptualize potential lines of future research development in this field.
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11
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Fard D, Tamagnone L. Semaphorins in health and disease. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2020; 57:55-63. [PMID: 32900601 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell communication is pivotal to guide embryo development, as well as to maintain adult tissues homeostasis and control immune response. Among extracellular factors responsible for this function, are the Semaphorins, a broad family of around 20 different molecular cues conserved in evolution and widely expressed in all tissues. The signaling cascades initiated by semaphorins depend on a family of conserved receptors, called Plexins, and on several additional molecules found in the receptor complexes. Moreover, multiple intracellular pathways have been described to act downstream of semaphorins, highlighting significant diversity in the signaling cascades controlled by this family. Notably, semaphorin expression is altered in many human diseases, such as immunopathologies, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. This underscores the importance of semaphorins as regulatory factors in the tissue microenvironment and has prompted growing interest for assessing their potential relevance in medicine. This review article surveys the main contexts in which semaphorins have been found to regulate developing and healthy adult tissues, and the signaling cascades implicated in these functions. Vis a vis, we will highlight the main pathological processes in which semaphorins are thought to have a role thereof.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damon Fard
- University of Torino School of Medicine, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Tamagnone
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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12
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Grolmusz VK, Chen J, Emond R, Cosgrove PA, Pflieger L, Nath A, Moos PJ, Bild AH. Exploiting collateral sensitivity controls growth of mixed culture of sensitive and resistant cells and decreases selection for resistant cells in a cell line model. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:253. [PMID: 32565737 PMCID: PMC7301982 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01337-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CDK4/6 inhibitors such as ribociclib are becoming widely used targeted therapies in hormone-receptor-positive (HR+) human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer. However, cancers can advance due to drug resistance, a problem in which tumor heterogeneity and evolution are key features. Methods Ribociclib-resistant HR+/HER2- CAMA-1 breast cancer cells were generated through long-term ribociclib treatment. Characterization of sensitive and resistant cells were performed using RNA sequencing and whole exome sequencing. Lentiviral labeling with different fluorescent proteins enabled us to track the proliferation of sensitive and resistant cells under different treatments in a heterogeneous, 3D spheroid coculture system using imaging microscopy and flow cytometry. Results Transcriptional profiling of sensitive and resistant cells revealed the downregulation of the G2/M checkpoint in the resistant cells. Exploiting this acquired vulnerability; resistant cells exhibited collateral sensitivity for the Wee-1 inhibitor, adavosertib (AZD1775). The combination of ribociclib and adavosertib achieved additional antiproliferative effect exclusively in the cocultures compared to monocultures, while decreasing the selection for resistant cells. Conclusions Our results suggest that optimal antiproliferative effects in heterogeneous cancers can be achieved via an integrative therapeutic approach targeting sensitive and resistant cancer cell populations within a tumor, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vince Kornél Grolmusz
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1218 S Fifth Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016 USA
| | - Jinfeng Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1218 S Fifth Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016 USA
| | - Rena Emond
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1218 S Fifth Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016 USA
| | - Patrick A Cosgrove
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1218 S Fifth Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016 USA
| | - Lance Pflieger
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1218 S Fifth Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016 USA
| | - Aritro Nath
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1218 S Fifth Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016 USA
| | - Philip J Moos
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, 30 S 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
| | - Andrea H Bild
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1218 S Fifth Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016 USA
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13
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Dong H, Wang Q, Li N, Lv J, Ge L, Yang M, Zhang G, An Y, Wang F, Xie L, Li Y, Zhu W, Zhang H, Zhang M, Guo X. OSgbm: An Online Consensus Survival Analysis Web Server for Glioblastoma. Front Genet 2020; 10:1378. [PMID: 32153627 PMCID: PMC7046682 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant tumor of the central nervous system. GBM causes poor clinical outcome and high mortality rate, mainly due to the lack of effective targeted therapy and prognostic biomarkers. Here, we developed a user-friendly Online Survival analysis web server for GlioBlastoMa, abbreviated OSgbm, to assess the prognostic value of candidate genes. Currently, OSgbm contains 684 samples with transcriptome profiles and clinical information from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA). The survival analysis results can be graphically presented by Kaplan-Meier (KM) plot with Hazard ratio (HR) and log-rank p value. As demonstration, the prognostic value of 51 previously reported survival associated biomarkers, such as PROM1 (HR = 2.4120, p = 0.0071) and CXCR4 (HR = 1.5578, p < 0.001), were confirmed in OSgbm. In summary, OSgbm allows users to evaluate and develop prognostic biomarkers of GBM. The web server of OSgbm is available at http://bioinfo.henu.edu.cn/GBM/GBMList.jsp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Dong
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jiajia Lv
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Linna Ge
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Mengsi Yang
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Guosen Zhang
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yang An
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Fengling Wang
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Longxiang Xie
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yongqiang Li
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Wan Zhu
- Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Haiyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | | | - Xiangqian Guo
- Department of Predictive Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Cell Signal Transduction Laboratory, Bioinformatics Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, School of Software, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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14
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Identification of important invasion and proliferation related genes in adrenocortical carcinoma. Med Oncol 2019; 36:73. [DOI: 10.1007/s12032-019-1296-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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15
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Multifaceted Functional Role of Semaphorins in Glioblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20092144. [PMID: 31052281 PMCID: PMC6539029 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20092144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant tumor type affecting the adult central nervous system. Despite advances in therapy, the prognosis for patients with GBM remains poor, with a median survival of about 15 months. To date, few treatment options are available and recent trials based on the molecular targeting of some of the GBM hallmark pathways (e.g., angiogenesis) have not produced any significant improvement in overall survival. The urgent need to develop more efficacious targeted therapies has led to a better molecular characterization of GBM, revealing an emerging role of semaphorins in GBM progression. Semphorins are a wide group of membrane-bound and secreted proteins, originally identified as axon guidance cues, signaling through their receptors, neuropilins, and plexins. A number of semaphorin signals involved in the control of axonal growth and navigation during development have been found to furthermore participate in crosstalk with different dysfunctional GBM pathways, controlling tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as tumor angiogenesis or immune response. In this review, we summarize the regulatory activities mediated by semaphorins and their receptors on the oncogenic pathways implicated in GBM growth and invasive/metastatic progression.
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16
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Fiscon G, Conte F, Licursi V, Nasi S, Paci P. Computational identification of specific genes for glioblastoma stem-like cells identity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7769. [PMID: 29773872 PMCID: PMC5958093 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26081-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma, the most malignant brain cancer, contains self-renewing, stem-like cells that sustain tumor growth and therapeutic resistance. Identifying genes promoting stem-like cell differentiation might unveil targets for novel treatments. To detect them, here we apply SWIM - a software able to unveil genes (named switch genes) involved in drastic changes of cell phenotype - to public datasets of gene expression profiles from human glioblastoma cells. By analyzing matched pairs of stem-like and differentiated glioblastoma cells, SWIM identified 336 switch genes, potentially involved in the transition from stem-like to differentiated state. A subset of them was significantly related to focal adhesion and extracellular matrix and strongly down-regulated in stem-like cells, suggesting that they may promote differentiation and restrain tumor growth. Their expression in differentiated cells strongly correlated with the down-regulation of transcription factors like OLIG2, POU3F2, SALL2, SOX2, capable of reprogramming differentiated glioblastoma cells into stem-like cells. These findings were corroborated by the analysis of expression profiles from glioblastoma stem-like cell lines, the corresponding primary tumors, and conventional glioma cell lines. Switch genes represent a distinguishing feature of stem-like cells and we are persuaded that they may reveal novel potential therapeutic targets worthy of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Fiscon
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "Antonio Ruberti", National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- SysBio Centre of Systems Biology, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Conte
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "Antonio Ruberti", National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- SysBio Centre of Systems Biology, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Licursi
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "Antonio Ruberti", National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Nasi
- Department of Biology and Biotecnology - Charles Darwin, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Paci
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "Antonio Ruberti", National Research Council, Rome, Italy.
- SysBio Centre of Systems Biology, Rome, Italy.
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17
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Neufeld G, Mumblat Y, Smolkin T, Toledano S, Nir-Zvi I, Ziv K, Kessler O. The role of the semaphorins in cancer. Cell Adh Migr 2016; 10:652-674. [PMID: 27533782 PMCID: PMC5160032 DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2016.1197478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2016] [Revised: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The semaphorins were initially characterized as axon guidance factors, but have subsequently been implicated also in the regulation of immune responses, angiogenesis, organ formation, and a variety of additional physiological and developmental functions. The semaphorin family contains more then 20 genes divided into 7 subfamilies, all of which contain the signature sema domain. The semaphorins transduce signals by binding to receptors belonging to the neuropilin or plexin families. Additional receptors which form complexes with these primary semaphorin receptors are also frequently involved in semaphorin signaling. Recent evidence suggests that semaphorins also fulfill important roles in the etiology of multiple forms of cancer. Some semaphorins have been found to function as bona-fide tumor suppressors and to inhibit tumor progression by various mechanisms while other semaphorins function as inducers and promoters of tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gera Neufeld
- Cancer Research and Vascular Biology Center, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yelena Mumblat
- Cancer Research and Vascular Biology Center, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Tatyana Smolkin
- Cancer Research and Vascular Biology Center, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Shira Toledano
- Cancer Research and Vascular Biology Center, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Inbal Nir-Zvi
- Cancer Research and Vascular Biology Center, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Keren Ziv
- Cancer Research and Vascular Biology Center, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ofra Kessler
- Cancer Research and Vascular Biology Center, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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18
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Gurrapu S, Tamagnone L. Transmembrane semaphorins: Multimodal signaling cues in development and cancer. Cell Adh Migr 2016; 10:675-691. [PMID: 27295627 DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2016.1197479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Semaphorins constitute a large family of membrane-bound and secreted proteins that provide guidance cues for axon pathfinding and cell migration. Although initially discovered as repelling cues for axons in nervous system, they have been found to regulate cell adhesion and motility, angiogenesis, immune function and tumor progression. Notably, semaphorins are bifunctional cues and for instance can mediate both repulsive and attractive functions in different contexts. While many studies focused so far on the function of secreted family members, class 1 semaphorins in invertebrates and class 4, 5 and 6 in vertebrate species comprise around 14 transmembrane semaphorin molecules with emerging functional relevance. These can signal in juxtacrine, paracrine and autocrine fashion, hence mediating long and short range repulsive and attractive guidance cues which have a profound impact on cellular morphology and functions. Importantly, transmembrane semaphorins are capable of bidirectional signaling, acting both in "forward" mode via plexins (sometimes in association with receptor tyrosine kinases), and in "reverse" manner through their cytoplasmic domains. In this review, we will survey known molecular mechanisms underlying the functions of transmembrane semaphorins in development and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreeharsha Gurrapu
- a Department of Oncology , University of Torino c/o IRCCS , Candiolo ( TO ), Italy.,b Candiolo Cancer Institute, IRCCS-FPO , Candiolo ( TO ), Italy
| | - Luca Tamagnone
- a Department of Oncology , University of Torino c/o IRCCS , Candiolo ( TO ), Italy.,b Candiolo Cancer Institute, IRCCS-FPO , Candiolo ( TO ), Italy
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