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Pezzotta A, Brioschi L, Carbone S, Mazzoleni B, Bontempi V, Monastra F, Mauri L, Marozzi A, Mione M, Pistocchi A, Viani P. Combined Inhibition of Hedgehog and HDAC6: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies Reveal a New Role for Lysosomal Stress in Reducing Glioblastoma Cell Viability. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065771. [PMID: 36982845 PMCID: PMC10051748 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant brain tumor in adults. The invasiveness and the rapid progression that characterize GBM negatively impact patients’ survival. Temozolomide (TMZ) is currently considered the first-choice chemotherapeutic agent. Unfortunately, over 50% of patients with GBM do not respond to TMZ treatment, and the mutation-prone nature of GBM enables the development of resistance mechanisms. Therefore, efforts have been devoted to the dissection of aberrant pathways involved in GBM insurgence and resistance in order to identify new therapeutic targets. Among them, sphingolipid signaling, Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, and the histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) activity are frequently dysregulated and may represent key targets to counteract GBM progression. Given the positive correlation between Hh/HDAC6/sphingolipid metabolism in GBM, we decided to perform a dual pharmacological inhibition of Hh and HDAC6 through cyclopamine and tubastatin A, respectively, in a human GMB cell line and zebrafish embryos. The combined administration of these compounds elicited a more significant reduction of GMB cell viability than did single treatments in vitro and in cells orthotopically transplanted in the zebrafish hindbrain ventricle. We demonstrated, for the first time, that the inhibition of these pathways induces lysosomal stress which results in an impaired fusion of lysosomes with autophagosomes and a block of sphingolipid degradation in GBM cell lines. This condition, which we also recapitulated in zebrafish embryos, suggests an impairment of lysosome-dependent processes involving autophagy and sphingolipid homeostasis and might be instrumental in the reduction of GBM progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Pezzotta
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, L.I.T.A., Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20054 Milano, Italy
| | - Loredana Brioschi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, L.I.T.A., Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20054 Milano, Italy
| | - Sabrina Carbone
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, L.I.T.A., Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20054 Milano, Italy
| | - Beatrice Mazzoleni
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, L.I.T.A., Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20054 Milano, Italy
- Molecular Mechanisms Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Giacomo Venezian, 1, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Vittorio Bontempi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Federica Monastra
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, L.I.T.A., Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20054 Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Mauri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, L.I.T.A., Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20054 Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Marozzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, L.I.T.A., Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20054 Milano, Italy
| | - Marina Mione
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Anna Pistocchi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, L.I.T.A., Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20054 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (P.V.)
| | - Paola Viani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, L.I.T.A., Via Fratelli Cervi 93, Segrate, 20054 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (P.V.)
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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: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [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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Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms and inflammation: A complex cross-talk with relevant clinical implications. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2019; 146:102840. [PMID: 31918344 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2019.102840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a group of tumors originating from the neuroendocrine system. They mainly occur in the digestive system and the respiratory tract. It is well-know a strict interaction between neuroendocrine system and inflammation, which can play an important role in NEN carcinogenesis. Inflammatory mediators, which are produced by the tumor microenvironment, can favor cancer induction and progression, and can promote immune editing. On the other hand, a balanced immune system represents a relevant step in cancer prevention through the elimination of dysplastic and cancer cells. Therefore, an inflammatory response may be both pro- and anti-tumorigenic. In this review, we provide an overview concerning the complex interplay between inflammation and gastroenteropancreatic NENs, focusing on the tumorigenesis and clinical implications in these tumors.
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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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