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Chen M, Gao Y, Cao H, Wang Z, Zhang S. Comprehensive analysis reveals dual biological function roles of EpCAM in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23505. [PMID: 38187284 PMCID: PMC10767389 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23505] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), a well-established marker for circulating tumor cells, plays a crucial role in the complex process of cancer metastasis. The primary objective of this investigation is to study EpCAM expression in pan-cancer and elucidate its significance in the context of kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). Methods Data obtained from the public database was harnessed for the comprehensive assessment of the EpCAM expression levels and prognostic and clinicopathological correlations in thirty-three types of cancer. EpCAM was validated in our own KIRC sequencing and immunohistochemical cohorts. Subsequently, an in-depth exploration was conducted to scrutinize the interrelationship between EpCAM and various facets, including immune cells, immune checkpoints, and chemotherapy drugs. We employed Cox regression analysis to identify prognostic immunomodulators associated with EpCAM, which were subsequently utilized in the development of a prognostic model. The model was validated in our own clinical cohort and public datasets, and compared with 137 published models. The role of EpCAM in KIRC was explored by biological function experiments in vitro. Results While EpCAM exhibited pronounced overexpression across a wide spectrum of cancer types, a notable reduction was observed in KIRC tissues. As grade increased, EpCAM expression decreased. EpCAM expression decreased in patients without metastasis. EpCAM mRNA and protein levels were used as independent, favorable prognostic factors in patients with KIRC in our own cohort. The expression of EpCAM exhibited strong associations with immune-related pathways, demonstrating an inverse correlation with the majority of immune cell types. Immune checkpoint inhibitors exert better therapeutic effects on patients with low EpCAM expression. In addition, EpCAM can be used as a drug resistance indicator and guide the clinical medication of patients with KIRC. A robust model, which had good predictive accuracy and applicability, showed significant superiority over other models. Importantly, EpCAM played the dual roles of promoting proliferation and resisting metastasis in KIRC. Conclusion In the context of KIRC, EpCAM assumes a surprising dual role, where it not only facilitates cell proliferation but also exerts resistance against the metastatic process. EpCAM serves as a standalone prognostic marker for patients with KIRC, and related models can also effectively predict prognosis. These discoveries offer novel perspectives on the functional significance of EpCAM in the context of KIRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Chen
- Central Laboratory, Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Haikou, 570208, China
| | - Yuanhui Gao
- Central Laboratory, Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Haikou, 570208, China
| | - Hui Cao
- Central Laboratory, Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Haikou, 570208, China
| | - Zhenting Wang
- Urology, Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Haikou, 570208, China
| | - Shufang Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Haikou, 570208, China
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2
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Mueller JPJ, Dobosz M, O’Brien N, Abdoush N, Giusti AM, Lechmann M, Osl F, Wolf AK, Arellano-Viera E, Shaikh H, Sauer M, Rosenwald A, Herting F, Umaña P, Colombetti S, Pöschinger T, Beilhack A. ROCKETS - a novel one-for-all toolbox for light sheet microscopy in drug discovery. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1034032. [PMID: 36845124 PMCID: PMC9945347 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1034032] [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: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancing novel immunotherapy strategies requires refined tools in preclinical research to thoroughly assess drug targets, biodistribution, safety, and efficacy. Light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) offers unprecedented fast volumetric ex vivo imaging of large tissue samples in high resolution. Yet, to date laborious and unstandardized tissue processing procedures have limited throughput and broader applications in immunological research. Therefore, we developed a simple and harmonized protocol for processing, clearing and imaging of all mouse organs and even entire mouse bodies. Applying this Rapid Optical Clearing Kit for Enhanced Tissue Scanning (ROCKETS) in combination with LSFM allowed us to comprehensively study the in vivo biodistribution of an antibody targeting Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) in 3D. Quantitative high-resolution scans of whole organs did not only reveal known EpCAM expression patterns but, importantly, uncovered several new EpCAM-binding sites. We identified gustatory papillae of the tongue, choroid plexi in the brain and duodenal papillae as previously unanticipated locations of high EpCAM expression. Subsequently, we confirmed high EpCAM expression also in human tongue and duodenal specimens. Choroid plexi and duodenal papillae may be considered as particularly sensitive sites due to their importance for liquor production or as critical junctions draining bile and digestive pancreatic enzymes into the small bowel, respectively. These newly gained insights appear highly relevant for clinical translation of EpCAM-addressing immunotherapies. Thus, ROCKETS in combination with LSFM may help to set new standards for preclinical evaluation of immunotherapeutic strategies. In conclusion, we propose ROCKETS as an ideal platform for a broader application of LSFM in immunological research optimally suited for quantitative co-localization studies of immunotherapeutic drugs and defined cell populations in the microanatomical context of organs or even whole mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joerg P. J. Mueller
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory (IZKF) Würzburg, Department of Internal Medicine II, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Würzburg University Hospital, Würzburg, Germany
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Michael Dobosz
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Nils O’Brien
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Nassri Abdoush
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Anna Maria Giusti
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Glycart AG, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Martin Lechmann
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Franz Osl
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Ann-Katrin Wolf
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory (IZKF) Würzburg, Department of Internal Medicine II, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Würzburg University Hospital, Würzburg, Germany
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Estibaliz Arellano-Viera
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory (IZKF) Würzburg, Department of Internal Medicine II, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Würzburg University Hospital, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Haroon Shaikh
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory (IZKF) Würzburg, Department of Internal Medicine II, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Würzburg University Hospital, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Sauer
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Frank Herting
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Pablo Umaña
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Glycart AG, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Sara Colombetti
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Glycart AG, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Pöschinger
- Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Beilhack
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Laboratory (IZKF) Würzburg, Department of Internal Medicine II, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Würzburg University Hospital, Würzburg, Germany
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3
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Dionísio MR, Vieira AF, Carvalho R, Conde I, Oliveira M, Gomes M, Pinto MT, Pereira P, Pimentel J, Souza C, Marques MMC, Duval da Silva V, Barroso A, Preto D, Cameselle-Teijeiro JF, Schmitt F, Ribeiro AS, Paredes J. BR-BCSC Signature: The Cancer Stem Cell Profile Enriched in Brain Metastases that Predicts a Worse Prognosis in Lymph Node-Positive Breast Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112442. [PMID: 33182375 PMCID: PMC7695320 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases remain an unmet clinical need in breast oncology, being frequently found in HER2-overexpressing and triple-negative carcinomas. These tumors were reported to be highly cancer stem-like cell-enriched, suggesting that brain metastases probably arise by the seeding of cancer cells with stem features. Accordingly, we found that brain-tropic breast cancer cells show increased stem cell activity and tumorigenic capacity in the chick embryo choriallantoic membrane when compared to the parental cell line. These observations were supported by a significant increase in their stem cell frequency and by the enrichment for the breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) phenotype CD44+CD24−/low. Based on this data, the expression of BCSC markers (CD44, CD49f, P-cadherin, EpCAM, and ALDH1) was determined and found to be significantly enriched in breast cancer brain metastases when compared to primary tumors. Therefore, a brain (BR)-BCSC signature was defined (3–5 BCSC markers), which showed to be associated with decreased brain metastases-free and overall survival. Interestingly, this signature significantly predicted a worse prognosis in lymph node-positive patients, acting as an independent prognostic factor. Thus, an enrichment of a BCSC signature was found in brain metastases, which can be used as a new prognostic factor in clinically challenging breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rita Dionísio
- Epithelial Interactions in Cancer (EPIC) group, i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.R.D.); (A.F.V.); (R.C.); (I.C.); (M.O.); (M.G.); (M.T.P.); (F.S.); (A.S.R.)
- IPATIMUP- Institute of Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Norte, 1649-035 Lisboa, Portugal; (P.P.); (J.P.)
| | - André F. Vieira
- Epithelial Interactions in Cancer (EPIC) group, i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.R.D.); (A.F.V.); (R.C.); (I.C.); (M.O.); (M.G.); (M.T.P.); (F.S.); (A.S.R.)
- IPATIMUP- Institute of Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita Carvalho
- Epithelial Interactions in Cancer (EPIC) group, i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.R.D.); (A.F.V.); (R.C.); (I.C.); (M.O.); (M.G.); (M.T.P.); (F.S.); (A.S.R.)
- IPATIMUP- Institute of Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Conde
- Epithelial Interactions in Cancer (EPIC) group, i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.R.D.); (A.F.V.); (R.C.); (I.C.); (M.O.); (M.G.); (M.T.P.); (F.S.); (A.S.R.)
- IPATIMUP- Institute of Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mónica Oliveira
- Epithelial Interactions in Cancer (EPIC) group, i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.R.D.); (A.F.V.); (R.C.); (I.C.); (M.O.); (M.G.); (M.T.P.); (F.S.); (A.S.R.)
- IPATIMUP- Institute of Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Madalena Gomes
- Epithelial Interactions in Cancer (EPIC) group, i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.R.D.); (A.F.V.); (R.C.); (I.C.); (M.O.); (M.G.); (M.T.P.); (F.S.); (A.S.R.)
- IPATIMUP- Institute of Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta T. Pinto
- Epithelial Interactions in Cancer (EPIC) group, i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.R.D.); (A.F.V.); (R.C.); (I.C.); (M.O.); (M.G.); (M.T.P.); (F.S.); (A.S.R.)
- IPATIMUP- Institute of Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- In vivo CAM assays, i3S - Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Pereira
- Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Norte, 1649-035 Lisboa, Portugal; (P.P.); (J.P.)
| | - José Pimentel
- Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Norte, 1649-035 Lisboa, Portugal; (P.P.); (J.P.)
| | - Cristiano Souza
- Department of Breast and Gynecologic Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos-SP 14784-400, Brazil; (C.S.); (A.B.); (D.P.)
| | - Márcia M. C. Marques
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos-SP 14784-400, Brazil;
- Barretos School of Health Sciences - FACISB, Barretos-SP 14784-400, Brazil
| | | | - Alison Barroso
- Department of Breast and Gynecologic Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos-SP 14784-400, Brazil; (C.S.); (A.B.); (D.P.)
| | - Daniel Preto
- Department of Breast and Gynecologic Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos-SP 14784-400, Brazil; (C.S.); (A.B.); (D.P.)
| | | | - Fernando Schmitt
- Epithelial Interactions in Cancer (EPIC) group, i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.R.D.); (A.F.V.); (R.C.); (I.C.); (M.O.); (M.G.); (M.T.P.); (F.S.); (A.S.R.)
- IPATIMUP- Institute of Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine of Porto University (FMUP), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia Ribeiro
- Epithelial Interactions in Cancer (EPIC) group, i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.R.D.); (A.F.V.); (R.C.); (I.C.); (M.O.); (M.G.); (M.T.P.); (F.S.); (A.S.R.)
- IPATIMUP- Institute of Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Paredes
- Epithelial Interactions in Cancer (EPIC) group, i3S, Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.R.D.); (A.F.V.); (R.C.); (I.C.); (M.O.); (M.G.); (M.T.P.); (F.S.); (A.S.R.)
- IPATIMUP- Institute of Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine of Porto University (FMUP), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +35-12-2557-0700
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Basova LV, Tang X, Umasume T, Gromova A, Zyrianova T, Shmushkovich T, Wolfson A, Hawley D, Zoukhri D, Shestopalov VI, Makarenkova HP. Manipulation of Panx1 Activity Increases the Engraftment of Transplanted Lacrimal Gland Epithelial Progenitor Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 58:5654-5665. [PMID: 29098296 PMCID: PMC5678547 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-22071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Sjögren's syndrome is a systemic chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that primarily targets the salivary and lacrimal glands (LGs). Currently there is no cure; therefore, cell-based regenerative therapy may be a viable option. LG inflammation is facilitated by extracellular ATP and mediated by the Pannexin-1 (Panx1) membrane channel glycoprotein. We propose that suppression of inflammation through manipulation of Panx1 activity can stimulate epithelial cell progenitor (EPCP) engraftment. Methods The expression of pannexins in the mouse and human LG was assayed by qRT-PCR and immunostaining. Acute LG inflammation was induced by interleukin-1α (IL1α) injection. Prior to EPCP transplantation, IL1α-injured or chronically inflamed LGs of thrombospondin-1–null mice (TSP-1−/−) were treated with the Panx1-specific blocking peptide (10panx) or the self-deliverable RNAi (sdRNAi). The efficacy of cell engraftment and the area of inflammation were analyzed by microscopy. Results Panx1 and Panx2 were detected in the mouse and human LGs. Panx1 and proinflammatory factors were upregulated during acute inflammation at days 1 to 3 after the IL1α injection. The analysis of EPCP engraftment demonstrated a significant and reproducible positive correlation between the 10panx peptide or Panx1 sdRNAi treatment and the number of engrafted cells. Similarly, treatment of the LG of the TSP-1−/− mouse (mouse model of chronic LG inflammation) by either Panx1 or Caspase-4 (also known as Casp11) sdRNAi showed a significant decrease in expression of proinflammatory markers and the lymphocyte infiltration. Conclusions Our results suggest that blocking Panx1 and/or Casp4 activities is a beneficial strategy to enhance donor cell engraftment and LG regeneration through the reduction of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana V Basova
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Xin Tang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Takeshi Umasume
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Anastasia Gromova
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Tatiana Zyrianova
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States
| | | | | | - Dillon Hawley
- Department of Comprehensive Care, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Driss Zoukhri
- Department of Comprehensive Care, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Valery I Shestopalov
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States.,Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Helen P Makarenkova
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States
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