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Tu M, Ge B, Li J, Pan Y, Zhao B, Han J, Wu J, Zhang K, Liu G, Hou M, Yue M, Han X, Sun T, An Y. Emerging biological functions of Twist1 in cell differentiation. Dev Dyn 2024. [PMID: 39254141 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Twist1 is required for embryonic development and expresses after birth in mesenchymal stem cells derived from mesoderm, where it governs mesenchymal cell development. As a well-known regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition or embryonic organogenesis, Twist1 is important in a variety of developmental systems, including mesoderm formation, neurogenesis, myogenesis, cranial neural crest cell migration, and differentiation. In this review, we first highlight the physiological significance of Twist1 in cell differentiation, including osteogenic, chondrogenic, and myogenic differentiation, and then detail its probable molecular processes and signaling pathways. On this premise, we summarize the significance of Twist1 in distinct developmental disorders and diseases to provide a reference for studies on cell differentiation/development-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Tu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Bingqian Ge
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jiali Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yanbing Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Binbin Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jiayang Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jialin Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Kaifeng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Guangchao Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Mengwen Hou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Man Yue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xu Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Tiantian Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yang An
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Henan Provincial Engineering Center for Tumor Molecular Medicine, Kaifeng Key Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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2
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Poliseno L, Lanza M, Pandolfi PP. Coding, or non-coding, that is the question. Cell Res 2024; 34:609-629. [PMID: 39054345 PMCID: PMC11369213 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-024-00975-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The advent of high-throughput sequencing uncovered that our genome is pervasively transcribed into RNAs that are seemingly not translated into proteins. It was also found that non-coding RNA transcripts outnumber canonical protein-coding genes. This mindboggling discovery prompted a surge in non-coding RNA research that started unraveling the functional relevance of these new genetic units, shaking the classic definition of "gene". While the non-coding RNA revolution was still taking place, polysome/ribosome profiling and mass spectrometry analyses revealed that peptides can be translated from non-canonical open reading frames. Therefore, it is becoming evident that the coding vs non-coding dichotomy is way blurrier than anticipated. In this review, we focus on several examples in which the binary classification of coding vs non-coding genes is outdated, since the same bifunctional gene expresses both coding and non-coding products. We discuss the implications of this intricate usage of transcripts in terms of molecular mechanisms of gene expression and biological outputs, which are often concordant, but can also surprisingly be discordant. Finally, we discuss the methodological caveats that are associated with the study of bifunctional genes, and we highlight the opportunities and challenges of therapeutic exploitation of this intricacy towards the development of anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Poliseno
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, ISPRO, Pisa, Italy.
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Martina Lanza
- Oncogenomics Unit, Core Research Laboratory, ISPRO, Pisa, Italy
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy
- University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Pandolfi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Torino, Italy.
- Renown Institute for Cancer, Nevada System of Higher Education, Reno, NV, USA.
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3
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Gao Y, Zheng H. Role of mitochondria and potential of mitochondria-targeted therapy in BRAF mutant cancer: A review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 203:104484. [PMID: 39197669 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104484] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The classical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, the Ras/Raf/MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase)/ERK protein kinase cascade, is a conserved cascade that regulates cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation. The significance of BRAF in cancer was established with the discovery of cancer-activating mutations in BRAF in several human tumors in 2002. Currently, BRAF is recognized as a driver mutation that affects cancer phenotypes in different ways, making it an important therapeutic target for cancer. BRAF-selective inhibitors have shown promise in clinical trials involving patients with metastatic melanoma. However, resistance mechanisms to BRAF inhibitors therapy have resulted in short-lived therapeutic responses. Further in-depth research is imperative to explore resistance mechanisms that oppose the effectiveness of BRAF inhibitors. Metabolic reprogramming has emerging role in BRAF-mutant cancers. In particular, mitochondrial metabolism and its closely related signaling pathways mediated by mitochondria have become recognized as potential new targets for treating BRAF-mutant cancers. This review, examines the progress in understanding BRAF mutations in cancer, the clinicopathological correlation of BRAF inhibitors, and recent advances in mitochondrial metabolism, mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial mediated death in BRAF-mutant cancer. This review will inform future cancer research and lay the foundation for novel treatment combinations of BRAF-mutant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030032, China; Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Hua Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030032, China; Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
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4
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Ferreres JR, Vinyals A, Campos-Martin R, Espín R, Podlipnik S, Ramos R, Bertran E, Carrera C, Marcoval J, Malvehy J, Fabregat I, Puig S, Fabra À. PRRX1 silencing is required for metastatic outgrowth in melanoma and is an independent prognostic of reduced survival in patients. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38978350 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Paired related homeobox 1 (PRRX1) is an inducer of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in different types of cancer cells. We detected low PRRX1 expression in nevus but increased levels in primary human melanoma and cell lines carrying the BRAFV600E mutation. High expression of PRRX1 correlates with invasiveness and enrichment of genes belonging to the EMT programme. Conversely, we found that loss of PRRX1 in metastatic samples is an independent prognostic predictor of poor survival for melanoma patients. Here, we show that stable depletion of PRRX1 improves the growth of melanoma xenografts and increases the number of distant spontaneous metastases, compared to controls. We provide evidence that loss of PRRX1 counteracts the EMT phenotype, impairing the expression of other EMT-related transcription factors, causing dysregulation of the ERK and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways, and abrogating the invasive and migratory properties of melanoma cells while triggering the up-regulation of proliferative/melanocytic genes and the expression of the neural-crest-like markers nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR; also known as neurotrophin receptor p75NTR) and neural cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1CAM). Overall, our results indicate that loss of PRRX1 triggers a switch in the invasive programme, and cells de-differentiate towards a neural crest stem cell (NCSC)-like phenotype that accounts for the metastatic aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep R Ferreres
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospital Duran i Reynals, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), ISCIII, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Dermatology Service, IDIBELL, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antònia Vinyals
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospital Duran i Reynals, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), ISCIII, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Campos-Martin
- Division of Neurogenetics and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Roderic Espín
- Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE), Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Oncobell Program (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sebastian Podlipnik
- Dermatology Department, Melanoma Unit, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS & University of Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Ramos
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospital Duran i Reynals, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), ISCIII, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Bertran
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospital Duran i Reynals, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), ISCIII, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Carrera
- Dermatology Department, Melanoma Unit, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS & University of Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquim Marcoval
- Dermatology Service, IDIBELL, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Malvehy
- Dermatology Department, Melanoma Unit, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS & University of Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Fabregat
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospital Duran i Reynals, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), ISCIII, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Puig
- Dermatology Department, Melanoma Unit, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS & University of Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Àngels Fabra
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospital Duran i Reynals, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), ISCIII, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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5
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He R, Lu J, Feng J, Lu Z, Shen K, Xu K, Luo H, Yang G, Chi H, Huang S. Advancing immunotherapy for melanoma: the critical role of single-cell analysis in identifying predictive biomarkers. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1435187. [PMID: 39026661 PMCID: PMC11254669 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1435187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, a malignant skin cancer arising from melanocytes, exhibits rapid metastasis and a high mortality rate, especially in advanced stages. Current treatment modalities, including surgery, radiation, and immunotherapy, offer limited success, with immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) being the most promising. However, the high mortality rate underscores the urgent need for robust, non-invasive biomarkers to predict patient response to adjuvant therapies. The immune microenvironment of melanoma comprises various immune cells, which influence tumor growth and immune response. Melanoma cells employ multiple mechanisms for immune escape, including defects in immune recognition and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which collectively impact treatment efficacy. Single-cell analysis technologies, such as single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), have revolutionized the understanding of tumor heterogeneity and immune microenvironment dynamics. These technologies facilitate the identification of rare cell populations, co-expression patterns, and regulatory networks, offering deep insights into tumor progression, immune response, and therapy resistance. In the realm of biomarker discovery for melanoma, single-cell analysis has demonstrated significant potential. It aids in uncovering cellular composition, gene profiles, and novel markers, thus advancing diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Additionally, tumor-associated antibodies and specific genetic and cellular markers identified through single-cell analysis hold promise as predictive biomarkers. Despite these advancements, challenges such as RNA-protein expression discrepancies and tumor heterogeneity persist, necessitating further research. Nonetheless, single-cell analysis remains a powerful tool in elucidating the mechanisms underlying therapy response and resistance, ultimately contributing to the development of personalized melanoma therapies and improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru He
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jiaan Lu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jianglong Feng
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Ziqing Lu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Kaixin Shen
- Department of Art and Design, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huiyan Luo
- Department of Oncology, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guanhu Yang
- Department of Specialty Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Hao Chi
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Shangke Huang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
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6
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Ren C, Chen X, Hao X, Wu C, Xie L, Liu X. Integrated machine learning algorithms reveal a bone metastasis-related signature of circulating tumor cells in prostate cancer. Sci Data 2024; 11:701. [PMID: 38937469 PMCID: PMC11211408 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03551-2] [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: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Bone metastasis is an essential factor affecting the prognosis of prostate cancer (PCa), and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are closely related to distant tumor metastasis. Here, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and Cytoscape application were used to identify diagnostic markers for metastatic events in PCa. We screened ten hub genes, eight of which had area under the ROC curve (AUC) values > 0.85. Subsequently, we aim to develop a bone metastasis-related model relying on differentially expressed genes in CTCs for accurate risk stratification. We developed an integrative program based on machine learning algorithm combinations to construct reliable bone metastasis-related genes prognostic index (BMGPI). On the basis of BMGPI, we carefully evaluated the prognostic outcomes, functional status, tumor immune microenvironment, somatic mutation, copy number variation (CNV), response to immunotherapy and drug sensitivity in different subgroups. BMGPI was an independent risk factor for disease-free survival in PCa. The high risk group demonstrated poor survival as well as higher immune scores, higher tumor mutation burden (TMB), more frequent co-occurrence mutation, and worse efficacy of immunotherapy. This study highlights a new prognostic signature, the BMGPI. BMGPI is an independent predictor of prognosis in PCa patients and is closely associated with the immune microenvironment and the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congzhe Ren
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiangyu Chen
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuexue Hao
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Changgui Wu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lijun Xie
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Liu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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7
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Lorenzo-Sanz L, Lopez-Cerda M, da Silva-Diz V, Artés MH, Llop S, Penin RM, Bermejo JO, Gonzalez-Suarez E, Esteller M, Viñals F, Espinosa E, Oliva M, Piulats JM, Martin-Liberal J, Muñoz P. Cancer cell plasticity defines response to immunotherapy in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5352. [PMID: 38914547 PMCID: PMC11196727 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49718-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) approaches have changed the therapeutic landscape for many tumor types. However, half of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) patients remain unresponsive or develop resistance. Here, we show that, during cSCC progression in male mice, cancer cells acquire epithelial/mesenchymal plasticity and change their immune checkpoint (IC) ligand profile according to their features, dictating the IC pathways involved in immune evasion. Epithelial cancer cells, through the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, and mesenchymal cancer cells, through the CTLA-4/CD80 and TIGIT/CD155 pathways, differentially block antitumor immune responses and determine the response to ICB therapies. Accordingly, the anti-PD-L1/TIGIT combination is the most effective strategy for blocking the growth of cSCCs that contain both epithelial and mesenchymal cancer cells. The expression of E-cadherin/Vimentin/CD80/CD155 proteins in cSCC, HNSCC and melanoma patient samples predicts response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. Collectively, our findings indicate that the selection of ICB therapies should take into account the epithelial/mesenchymal features of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lorenzo-Sanz
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marta Lopez-Cerda
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victoria da Silva-Diz
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, 08901, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Marta H Artés
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandra Llop
- Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa M Penin
- Pathology Service, Bellvitge University Hospital/IDIBELL, 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Oriol Bermejo
- Plastic Surgery Unit, Bellvitge University Hospital/IDIBELL, 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Gonzalez-Suarez
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Molecular Oncology, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010, Barcelona, Spain
- Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), 08908, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Viñals
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), 08908, Barcelona, Spain
- Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE), Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO)/IDIBELL, 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enrique Espinosa
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Medical Oncology Department, La Paz University Hospital, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), 28046, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marc Oliva
- Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep M Piulats
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Martin-Liberal
- Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Purificación Muñoz
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
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8
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Durand S, Tang Y, Pommier RM, Benboubker V, Grimont M, Boivin F, Barbollat-Boutrand L, Cumunel E, Dupeuble F, Eberhardt A, Plaschka M, Dalle S, Caramel J. ZEB1 controls a lineage-specific transcriptional program essential for melanoma cell state transitions. Oncogene 2024; 43:1489-1505. [PMID: 38519642 PMCID: PMC11090790 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03010-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Cell plasticity sustains intra-tumor heterogeneity and treatment resistance in melanoma. Deciphering the transcriptional mechanisms governing reversible phenotypic transitions between proliferative/differentiated and invasive/stem-like states is required. Expression of the ZEB1 transcription factor is frequently activated in melanoma, where it fosters adaptive resistance to targeted therapies. Here, we performed a genome-wide characterization of ZEB1 transcriptional targets, by combining ChIP-sequencing and RNA-sequencing, upon phenotype switching in melanoma models. We identified and validated ZEB1 binding peaks in the promoter of key lineage-specific genes crucial for melanoma cell identity. Mechanistically, ZEB1 negatively regulates SOX10-MITF dependent proliferative/melanocytic programs and positively regulates AP-1 driven invasive and stem-like programs. Comparative analyses with breast carcinoma cells revealed lineage-specific ZEB1 binding, leading to the design of a more reliable melanoma-specific ZEB1 regulon. We then developed single-cell spatial multiplexed analyses to characterize melanoma cell states intra-tumoral heterogeneity in human melanoma samples. Combined with scRNA-Seq analyses, our findings confirmed increased ZEB1 expression in Neural-Crest-like cells and mesenchymal cells, underscoring its significance in vivo in both populations. Overall, our results define ZEB1 as a major transcriptional regulator of cell states transitions and provide a better understanding of lineage-specific transcriptional programs sustaining intra-tumor heterogeneity in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Durand
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Yaqi Tang
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Roxane M Pommier
- Fondation Synergie Lyon Cancer, Plateforme de bio-informatique Gilles Thomas, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Valentin Benboubker
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Maxime Grimont
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Felix Boivin
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Laetitia Barbollat-Boutrand
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Eric Cumunel
- Fondation Synergie Lyon Cancer, Plateforme de bio-informatique Gilles Thomas, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Florian Dupeuble
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Anaïs Eberhardt
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
- Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, 165 chemin du Grand Revoyet, 69495, Pierre Bénite, Cedex, France
| | - Maud Plaschka
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
- Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, 165 chemin du Grand Revoyet, 69495, Pierre Bénite, Cedex, France
| | - Julie Caramel
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France.
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9
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Diazzi S, Ablain J. Nonepithelial cancer dissemination: specificities and challenges. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:356-368. [PMID: 38135572 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.11.006] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial cancers have served as a paradigm to study tumor dissemination but recent data have highlighted significant differences with nonepithelial cancers. Here, we review the current knowledge on nonepithelial tumor dissemination, drawing examples from the latest developments in melanoma, glioma, and sarcoma research. We underscore the importance of the reactivation of developmental processes during cancer progression and describe the nongenetic mechanisms driving nonepithelial tumor spread. We also outline therapeutic opportunities and ongoing clinical approaches to fight disseminating cancers. Finally, we discuss remaining challenges and emerging questions in the field. Defining the core principles underlying nonepithelial cancer dissemination may uncover actionable vulnerabilities of metastatic tumors and help improve the prognosis of patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Diazzi
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Julien Ablain
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
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10
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Rodrigues DB, Moreira HR, Jarnalo M, Horta R, Marques AP, Reis RL, Pirraco RP. Generation of 3D melanoma models using an assembloid-based approach. Acta Biomater 2024; 178:93-110. [PMID: 38382833 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.02.023] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
While 3D tumor models have greatly evolved over the past years, there is still a strong requirement for more biosimilar models which are capable of recapitulating cellular crosstalk within the tumor microenvironment while equally displaying representative levels of tumor aggressiveness and invasion. Herein, we disclose an assembloid melanoma model based on the fusion of individual stromal multicellular spheroids (MCSs). In contrast to more traditional tumor models, we show that it is possible to develop self-organizing, heterotypic melanoma models where tumor cells present stem-cell like features like up-regulated pluripotency master regulators SOX2, POU5F1 and NANOG. Additionally, these assembloids display high levels of invasiveness while embedded in 3D matrices as evidenced by stromal cell promotion of melanoma cell invasion via metalloproteinase production. Furthermore, sensitivity to anticancer drug doxorubicin was demonstrated for the melanoma assembloid model. These findings suggest that melanoma assembloids may play a significant role in the field of 3D cancer models as they more closely mimic the tumor microenvironment when compared to more traditional MCSs, opening the doors to a better understanding of the role of tumor microenvironment in supporting tumor progression. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The development of complex 3D tumor models that better recapitulate the tumor microenvironment is crucial for both an improved comprehension of intercellular crosstalk and for more efficient drug screening. We have herein developed a self-organizing heterotypic assembloid-based melanoma model capable of closely mimicking the tumor microenvironment. Key features recapitulated were the preservation of cancer cell stemness, sensitivity to anti-cancer agents and tumor cell invasion promoted by stromal cells. The approach of pre-establishing distinct stromal domains for subsequent combination into more complex tumor constructs provides a route for developing superior tumor models with a higher degree of similarity to native cancer tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Rodrigues
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
| | - Helena R Moreira
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
| | - Mariana Jarnalo
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Burn Unity, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine - University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Horta
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Burn Unity, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine - University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Alexandra P Marques
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal
| | - Rogério P Pirraco
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães 4805-017, Portugal.
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11
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Singvogel K, Schittek B. Dormancy of cutaneous melanoma. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:88. [PMID: 38419052 PMCID: PMC10903048 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03278-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Many cancer-related deaths including melanoma result from metastases that develop months or years after the initial cancer therapy. Even the most effective drugs and immune therapies rarely eradicate all tumor cells. Instead, they strongly reduce cancer burden, permitting dormant cancer cells to persist in niches, where they establish a cellular homeostasis with their host without causing clinical symptoms. Dormant cancers respond poorly to most drugs and therapies since they do not proliferate and hide in niches. It therefore remains a major challenge to develop novel therapies for dormant cancers. In this review we focus on the mechanisms regulating the initiation of cutaneous melanoma dormancy as well as those which are involved in reawakening of dormant cutaneous melanoma cells. In recent years the role of neutrophils and niche components in reawakening of melanoma cells came into focus and indicate possible future therapeutic applications. Sophisticated in vitro and in vivo melanoma dormancy models are needed to make progress in this field and are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Singvogel
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, D -72076 , Tübingen, Germany
| | - Birgit Schittek
- Division of Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, University of Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr. 25, D -72076 , Tübingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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12
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Vedovatto S, Oliveira FD, Pereira LC, Scheffel TB, Beckenkamp LR, Bertoni APS, Wink MR, Lenz G. CD73 mitigates ZEB1 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:145. [PMID: 38388432 PMCID: PMC10882796 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01522-z] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND ZEB1, a core transcription factor involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), is associated with aggressive cancer cell behavior, treatment resistance, and poor prognosis across various tumor types. Similarly, the expression and activity of CD73, an ectonucleotidase implicated in adenosine generation, is an important marker of tumor malignancy. Growing evidence suggests that EMT and the adenosinergic pathway are intricately linked and play a pivotal role in cancer development. Therefore, this study focuses on exploring the correlations between CD73 and ZEB1, considering their impact on tumor progression. METHODS We employed CRISPR/Cas9 technology to silence CD73 expression in cell lines derived from papillary thyroid carcinoma. These same cells underwent lentiviral transduction of a reporter of ZEB1 non-coding RNA regulation. We conducted studies on cell migration using scratch assays and analyses of cellular speed and polarity. Additionally, we examined ZEB1 reporter expression through flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry, complemented by Western blot analysis for protein quantification. For further insights, we applied gene signatures representing different EMT states in an RNA-seq expression analysis of papillary thyroid carcinoma samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas. RESULTS Silencing CD73 expression led to a reduction in ZEB1 non-coding RNA regulation reporter expression in a papillary thyroid carcinoma-derived cell line. Additionally, it also mitigated ZEB1 protein expression. Moreover, the expression of CD73 and ZEB1 was correlated with alterations in cell morphology characteristics crucial for cell migration, promoting an increase in cell polarity index and cell migration speed. RNA-seq analysis revealed higher expression of NT5E (CD73) in samples with BRAF mutations, accompanied by a prevalence of partial-EMT/hybrid state signature expression. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our findings suggest an association between CD73 expression and/or activity and the post-transcriptional regulation of ZEB1 by non-coding RNA, indicating a reduction in its absence. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the relationship between CD73 and ZEB1, with the potential for targeting them as therapeutic alternatives for cancer treatment in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samlai Vedovatto
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43431, sala 107, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Dittrich Oliveira
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43431, sala 107, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Luiza Cherobini Pereira
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43431, sala 107, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Thamiris Becker Scheffel
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43431, sala 107, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Liziane Raquel Beckenkamp
- Department of Basics Health Sciences and Laboratory of Cell Biology, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Santin Bertoni
- Department of Basics Health Sciences and Laboratory of Cell Biology, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Márcia Rosângela Wink
- Department of Basics Health Sciences and Laboratory of Cell Biology, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Guido Lenz
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43431, sala 107, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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13
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De Blander H, Tonon L, Fauvet F, Pommier RM, Lamblot C, Benhassoun R, Angileri F, Gibert B, Rodriguez R, Ouzounova M, Morel AP, Puisieux A. Cooperative pro-tumorigenic adaptation to oncogenic RAS through epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadi1736. [PMID: 38354248 PMCID: PMC10866563 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi1736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
In breast cancers, aberrant activation of the RAS/MAPK pathway is strongly associated with mesenchymal features and stemness traits, suggesting an interplay between this mitogenic signaling pathway and epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP). By using inducible models of human mammary epithelial cells, we demonstrate herein that the oncogenic activation of RAS promotes ZEB1-dependent EMP, which is necessary for malignant transformation. Notably, EMP is triggered by the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines from neighboring RAS-activated senescent cells, with a prominent role for IL-6 and IL-1α. Our data contrast with the common view of cellular senescence as a tumor-suppressive mechanism and EMP as a process promoting late stages of tumor progression in response to signals from the tumor microenvironment. We highlighted here a pro-tumorigenic cooperation of RAS-activated mammary epithelial cells, which leverages on oncogene-induced senescence and EMP to trigger cellular reprogramming and malignant transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadrien De Blander
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 69008, Lyon, France
- LabEx DEVweCAN, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
| | - Laurie Tonon
- Synergie Lyon Cancer, Plateforme de Bioinformatique ‘Gilles Thomas’, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Frédérique Fauvet
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 69008, Lyon, France
- LabEx DEVweCAN, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
| | - Roxane M. Pommier
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 69008, Lyon, France
- LabEx DEVweCAN, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
- Synergie Lyon Cancer, Plateforme de Bioinformatique ‘Gilles Thomas’, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Christelle Lamblot
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 69008, Lyon, France
- LabEx DEVweCAN, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
| | - Rahma Benhassoun
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 69008, Lyon, France
- LabEx DEVweCAN, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
| | - Francesca Angileri
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 69008, Lyon, France
- LabEx DEVweCAN, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
| | - Benjamin Gibert
- LabEx DEVweCAN, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
- Gastroenterology and Technologies for Health Group, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS5286, Université Lyon 1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Raphaël Rodriguez
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, CNRS UMR 3666, INSERM U1143, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Maria Ouzounova
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 69008, Lyon, France
- LabEx DEVweCAN, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
| | - Anne-Pierre Morel
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 69008, Lyon, France
- LabEx DEVweCAN, Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France
| | - Alain Puisieux
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, CNRS UMR 3666, INSERM U1143, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
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14
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Runel G, Lopez-Ramirez N, Barbollat-Boutrand L, Cario M, Durand S, Grimont M, Schartl M, Dalle S, Caramel J, Chlasta J, Masse I. Cancer Cell Biomechanical Properties Accompany Tspan8-Dependent Cutaneous Melanoma Invasion. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:694. [PMID: 38398085 PMCID: PMC10887418 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The intrinsic biomechanical properties of cancer cells remain poorly understood. To decipher whether cell stiffness modulation could increase melanoma cells' invasive capacity, we performed both in vitro and in vivo experiments exploring cell stiffness by atomic force microscopy (AFM). We correlated stiffness properties with cell morphology adaptation and the molecular mechanisms underlying epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT)-like phenotype switching. We found that melanoma cell stiffness reduction was systematically associated with the acquisition of invasive properties in cutaneous melanoma cell lines, human skin reconstructs, and Medaka fish developing spontaneous MAP-kinase-induced melanomas. We observed a systematic correlation of stiffness modulation with cell morphological changes towards mesenchymal characteristic gains. We accordingly found that inducing melanoma EMT switching by overexpressing the ZEB1 transcription factor, a major regulator of melanoma cell plasticity, was sufficient to decrease cell stiffness and transcriptionally induce tetraspanin-8-mediated dermal invasion. Moreover, ZEB1 expression correlated with Tspan8 expression in patient melanoma lesions. Our data suggest that intrinsic cell stiffness could be a highly relevant marker for human cutaneous melanoma development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Runel
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
- BioMeca, 60F, Bioserra 2, Av. Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Noémie Lopez-Ramirez
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
| | - Laetitia Barbollat-Boutrand
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
| | - Muriel Cario
- National Reference Center for Rare Skin Disease, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, INSERM 1035, 33000 Bordeaux, France
- AquiDerm, University Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Simon Durand
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
| | - Maxime Grimont
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
| | - Manfred Schartl
- Developmental Biochemistry, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
- Dermatology Department, Hôpital Universitaire Lyon Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69495 Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Julie Caramel
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
| | - Julien Chlasta
- BioMeca, 60F, Bioserra 2, Av. Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Ingrid Masse
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, CNRS UMR5286, Inserm U1052, University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, 69000 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
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15
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Wu M, Hanly A, Gibson F, Fisher R, Rogers S, Park K, Zuger A, Kuang K, Kalin JH, Nocco S, Cole M, Xiao A, Agus F, Labadorf A, Beck S, Collard M, Cole PA, Alani RM. The CoREST repressor complex mediates phenotype switching and therapy resistance in melanoma. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e171063. [PMID: 38300709 PMCID: PMC10940100 DOI: 10.1172/jci171063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Virtually all patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma develop resistance to MAPK inhibitors largely through nonmutational events. Although the epigenetic landscape is shown to be altered in therapy-resistant melanomas and other cancers, a specific targetable epigenetic mechanism has not been validated. Here, we evaluated the corepressor for element 1-silencing transcription factor (CoREST) epigenetic repressor complex and the recently developed bivalent inhibitor corin within the context of melanoma phenotype plasticity and therapeutic resistance. We found that CoREST was a critical mediator of the major distinct melanoma phenotypes and that corin treatment of melanoma cells led to phenotype reprogramming. Global assessment of transcript and chromatin changes conferred by corin revealed specific effects on histone marks connected to epithelial-mesenchymal transition-associated (EMT-associated) transcription factors and the dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs). Remarkably, treatment of BRAF inhibitor-resistant (BRAFi-R) melanomas with corin promoted resensitization to BRAFi therapy. DUSP1 was consistently downregulated in BRAFi-R melanomas, which was reversed by corin treatment and associated with inhibition of p38 MAPK activity and resensitization to BRAFi therapies. Moreover, this activity was recapitulated by the p38 MAPK inhibitor BIRB 796. These findings identify the CoREST repressor complex as a central mediator of melanoma phenotype plasticity and resistance to targeted therapy and suggest that CoREST inhibitors may prove beneficial for patients with BRAFi-resistant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muzhou Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ailish Hanly
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Frederick Gibson
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert Fisher
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Samantha Rogers
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kihyun Park
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Angelina Zuger
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kevin Kuang
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jay H. Kalin
- Division of Genetics, Departments of Medicine and Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah Nocco
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew Cole
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amy Xiao
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Filisia Agus
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adam Labadorf
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Samuel Beck
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marianne Collard
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Philip A. Cole
- Division of Genetics, Departments of Medicine and Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rhoda M. Alani
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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16
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Rampioni Vinciguerra GL, Capece M, Scafetta G, Rentsch S, Vecchione A, Lovat F, Croce CM. Role of Fra-2 in cancer. Cell Death Differ 2024; 31:136-149. [PMID: 38104183 PMCID: PMC10850073 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01248-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fos-related antigen-2 (Fra-2) is the most recently discovered member of the Fos family and, by dimerizing with Jun proteins, forms the activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor. By inducing or repressing the transcription of several target genes, Fra-2 is critically involved in the modulation of cell response to a variety of extracellular stimuli, stressors and intracellular changes. In physiological conditions, Fra-2 has been found to be ubiquitously expressed in human cells, regulating differentiation and homeostasis of bone, muscle, nervous, lymphoid and other tissues. While other AP-1 members, like Jun and Fos, are well characterized, studies of Fra-2 functions in cancer are still at an early stage. Due to the lack of a trans-activating domain, which is present in other Fos proteins, it has been suggested that Fra-2 might inhibit cell transformation, eventually exerting an anti-tumor effect. In human malignancies, however, Fra-2 activity is enhanced (or induced) by dysregulation of microRNAs, oncogenes and extracellular signaling, suggesting a multifaceted role. Therefore, Fra-2 can promote or prevent transformation, proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, drug resistance and metastasis formation in a tumor- and context-dependent manner. Intriguingly, recent data reports that Fra-2 is also expressed in cancer associated cells, contributing to the intricate crosstalk between neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells, that leads to the evolution and remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. In this review we summarize three decades of research on Fra-2, focusing on its oncogenic and anti-oncogenic effects in tumor progression and dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Luca Rampioni Vinciguerra
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, 00189, Italy
| | - Marina Capece
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Giorgia Scafetta
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, 00189, Italy
| | - Sydney Rentsch
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Andrea Vecchione
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome "Sapienza", Rome, 00189, Italy
| | - Francesca Lovat
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Carlo M Croce
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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17
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Acloque H, Yang J, Theveneau E. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity from development to disease: An introduction to the special issue. Genesis 2024; 62:e23581. [PMID: 38098257 PMCID: PMC11021161 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) refers to the ability of cells to switch between epithelial and mesenchymal states, playing critical roles in embryonic development, wound healing, fibrosis, and cancer metastasis. Here, we discuss some examples that challenge the use of specific markers to define EMT, noting that their expression may not always correspond to the expected epithelial or mesenchymal identity. In concordance with recent development in the field, we emphasize the importance of generalizing the use of the term Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity (EMP), to better capture the diverse and context-dependent nature of the bidirectional journey that cells can undertake between the E and M phenotypes. We highlight the usefulness of studying a wide range of physiological EMT scenarios, stress the value of the dynamic of expression of EMP regulators and advocate, whenever possible, for more systematic functional assays to assess cellular states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Acloque
- INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, Université Paris Saclay, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and of Pediatrics, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Eric Theveneau
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), CNRS, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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18
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Cerdido S, Abrisqueta M, Sánchez-Beltrán J, Lambertos A, Castejón-Griñán M, Muñoz C, Olivares C, García-Borrón JC, Jiménez-Cervantes C, Herraiz C. MGRN1 depletion promotes intercellular adhesion in melanoma by upregulation of E-cadherin and inhibition of CDC42. Cancer Lett 2024; 581:216484. [PMID: 38008393 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216484] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Mahogunin Ring Finger 1 is an E3-ubiquitin ligase encoded by the color gene MGRN1. Our previous in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that Mgrn1 deletion in mouse melanoma cells induced cell differentiation and adhesion, and decreased cell motility and invasion on collagen I, and lung colonization in an in vivo model. Here, we investigated the role of MGRN1 on human melanoma cell morphology, adhesion and expression of genes/proteins involved in an EMT-like transition. We demonstrated that wild-type BRAF human melanoma cells adopted a clustering-like morphology on collagen I, with permanent MGRN1 abrogation resulting in bigger cell clusters. Enhanced intercellular adhesion was mostly mediated by induction of E-cadherin and higher co-localization with β-catenin. Transcriptional upregulation of E-cadherin likely occurred through downregulation of the ZEB1 repressor. Finally, pulldown assays showed reduced activation of CDC42 in the absence of MGRN1, which was reverted after E-cadherin silencing. Overall, these findings highlight a new MGRN1-dependent pathway regulating melanoma cell shape, motility, and invasion potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Cerdido
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - M Abrisqueta
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - J Sánchez-Beltrán
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - A Lambertos
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - M Castejón-Griñán
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Muñoz
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Olivares
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - J C García-Borrón
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Jiménez-Cervantes
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Herraiz
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain.
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19
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Rodrigues DB, Reis RL, Pirraco RP. Modelling the complex nature of the tumor microenvironment: 3D tumor spheroids as an evolving tool. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:13. [PMID: 38254117 PMCID: PMC10804490 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-00997-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a serious burden in society and while the pace in the development of novel and more effective therapeutics is increasing, testing platforms that faithfully mimic the tumor microenvironment are lacking. With a clear shift from animal models to more complex in vitro 3D systems, spheroids emerge as strong options in this regard. Years of development have allowed spheroid-based models to better reproduce the biomechanical cues that are observed in the tumor-associated extracellular matrix (ECM) and cellular interactions that occur in both a cell-cell and cell-ECM manner. Here, we summarize some of the key cellular interactions that drive tumor development, progression and invasion, and how successfully are these interactions recapitulated in 3D spheroid models currently in use in the field. We finish by speculating on future advancements in the field and on how these can shape the relevance of spherical 3D models for tumor modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Rodrigues
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs, Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence On Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs, Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence On Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rogério P Pirraco
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs, Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence On Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, 4805-017, Guimarães, Portugal.
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20
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Al Hmada Y, Brodell RT, Kharouf N, Flanagan TW, Alamodi AA, Hassan SY, Shalaby H, Hassan SL, Haikel Y, Megahed M, Santourlidis S, Hassan M. Mechanisms of Melanoma Progression and Treatment Resistance: Role of Cancer Stem-like Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:470. [PMID: 38275910 PMCID: PMC10814963 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020470] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the third most common type of skin cancer, characterized by its heterogeneity and propensity to metastasize to distant organs. Melanoma is a heterogeneous tumor, composed of genetically divergent subpopulations, including a small fraction of melanoma-initiating cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) and many non-cancer stem cells (non-CSCs). CSCs are characterized by their unique surface proteins associated with aberrant signaling pathways with a causal or consequential relationship with tumor progression, drug resistance, and recurrence. Melanomas also harbor significant alterations in functional genes (BRAF, CDKN2A, NRAS, TP53, and NF1). Of these, the most common are the BRAF and NRAS oncogenes, with 50% of melanomas demonstrating the BRAF mutation (BRAFV600E). While the successful targeting of BRAFV600E does improve overall survival, the long-term efficacy of available therapeutic options is limited due to adverse side effects and reduced clinical efficacy. Additionally, drug resistance develops rapidly via mechanisms involving fast feedback re-activation of MAPK signaling pathways. This article updates information relevant to the mechanisms of melanoma progression and resistance and particularly the mechanistic role of CSCs in melanoma progression, drug resistance, and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Al Hmada
- Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (Y.A.H.); (R.T.B.)
| | - Robert T. Brodell
- Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; (Y.A.H.); (R.T.B.)
| | - Naji Kharouf
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas W. Flanagan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Abdulhadi A. Alamodi
- College of Health Sciences, Jackson State University, 310 W Woodrow Wilson Ave Ste 300, Jackson, MS 39213, USA;
| | - Sofie-Yasmin Hassan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
| | - Hosam Shalaby
- Department of Urology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
| | - Sarah-Lilly Hassan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
| | - Youssef Haikel
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Pôle de Médecine et Chirurgie Bucco-Dentaire, Hôpital Civil, Hôpitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Mosaad Megahed
- Clinic of Dermatology, University Hospital of Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Simeon Santourlidis
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany;
| | - Mohamed Hassan
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (N.K.); (Y.H.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Research Laboratory of Surgery-Oncology, Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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21
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Fontana F, Sommariva M, Anselmi M, Bianchi F, Limonta P, Gagliano N. Differentiation States of Phenotypic Transition of Melanoma Cells Are Revealed by 3D Cell Cultures. Cells 2024; 13:181. [PMID: 38247872 PMCID: PMC10814891 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is characterized by high metastatic potential favored by the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), leading melanoma cells to exhibit a spectrum of typical EMT markers. This study aimed to analyze the expression of EMT markers in A375 and BLM melanoma cell lines cultured in 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids using morphological and molecular methods. The expression of EMT markers was strongly affected by 3D arrangement and revealed a hybrid phenotype for the two cell lines. Indeed, although E-cadherin was almost undetectable in both A375 and BLM cells, cortical actin was detected in A375 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids and was strongly expressed in BLM 3D spheroids. The mesenchymal marker N-cadherin was significantly up-regulated in A375 3D spheroids while undetectable in BLM cells, but vimentin was similarly expressed in both cell lines at the gene and protein levels. This pattern suggests that A375 cells exhibit a more undifferentiated/mesenchymal phenotype, while BLM cells have more melanocytic/differentiated characteristics. Accordingly, the Zeb1 and 2, Slug, Snail and Twist gene expression analyses showed that they were differentially expressed in 2D monolayers compared to 3D spheroids, supporting this view. Furthermore, A375 cells are characterized by a greater invasive potential, strongly influenced by 3D arrangement, compared to the BLM cell line, as evaluated by SDS-zymography and TIMPs gene expression analysis. Finally, TGF-β1, a master controller of EMT, and lysyl oxidase (LOX), involved in melanoma progression, were strongly up-regulated by 3D arrangement in the metastatic BLM cells alone, likely playing a role in the metastatic phases of melanoma progression. Overall, these findings suggest that A375 and BLM cells possess a hybrid/intermediate phenotype in relation to the expression of EMT markers. The former is characterized by a more mesenchymal/undifferentiated phenotype, while the latter shows a more melanocytic/differentiated phenotype. Our results contribute to the characterization of the role of EMT in melanoma cells and confirm that a 3D cell culture model could provide deeper insight into our understanding of the biology of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Fontana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences “Rodolfo Paoletti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.F.); (M.A.); (P.L.)
| | - Michele Sommariva
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (F.B.)
| | - Martina Anselmi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences “Rodolfo Paoletti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.F.); (M.A.); (P.L.)
| | - Francesca Bianchi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (F.B.)
- U. O. Laboratorio Morfologia Umana Applicata, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences “Rodolfo Paoletti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.F.); (M.A.); (P.L.)
| | - Nicoletta Gagliano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (F.B.)
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22
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Zhou Q, Wang J, Zhang Z, Wuethrich A, Lobb RJ, Trau M. Tracking the EMT-like phenotype switching during targeted therapy in melanoma by analyzing extracellular vesicle phenotypes. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 244:115819. [PMID: 37952322 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma continues to be a leading cause of mortality among skin cancers. Despite advancements in targeted therapy, patients frequently develop resistance, leading to disease progression within a year. This resistance may result from the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like phenotype switching of melanoma cells. Tracking EMT-related phenotypic changes on extracellular vesicles (EVs) has potential to inform early about response to targeted therapy and melanoma progression. However, the knowledge on protein biomarkers carried by melanoma EVs involved in the EMT-like process remains unexplored. Herein, we present a biosensor integrating surface-enhanced Raman scattering and alternating current electrohydrodynamics-induced nanomixing enhancement, for sensitive detection of EMT-associated biomarkers on EV surfaces during targeted therapy. This biosensor successfully tracks the EMT-like phenotype switching in melanoma cell lines treated with mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor (MAPKi). Longitudinal monitoring of patients who receive MAPKi therapy and develop resistance, our biosensor shows its ability to identify the EMT-like phenotype switching on circulating EVs. This ability potentially can be leveraged to predict the development of resistance to targeted therapy, allowing for timely intervention and personalized treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zhou
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Jing Wang
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia; Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Photonics Technology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350117, China.
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Alain Wuethrich
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Richard J Lobb
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Matt Trau
- Centre for Personalized Nanomedicine, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia; School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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23
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Chhabra G, Singh CK, Ndiaye MA, Su S, Shirley CA, Ahmad N. Role of PLK1/NUMB/NOTCH in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human melanoma. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:6. [PMID: 38184733 PMCID: PMC10771520 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-023-00493-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), a serine/threonine kinase, is overexpressed in melanoma and its expression has been associated with poor disease prognosis. PLK1 has been shown to interact with NUMB, a NOTCH antagonist. However, the exact role of PLK1, NUMB, and NOTCH signaling in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in melanoma progression is unclear. In this study, Affymetrix microarray analysis was performed to determine differentially expressed genes following shRNA-mediated knockdown of PLK1 in human melanoma cells that showed significant modulations in EMT and metastasis-related genes. Using multiple PLK1-modulated melanoma cell lines, we found that PLK1 is involved in the regulation of cell migration, invasion, and EMT via its kinase activity and NOTCH activation. In vitro kinase assay and mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated a previously unknown PLK1 phosphorylation site (Ser413) on NUMB. Overexpression of non-phosphorylatable (S413A) and phosphomimetic (S413D) mutants of NUMB in melanoma cells implicated the involvement of NUMB-S413 phosphorylation in cell migration and invasion, which was independent of NOTCH activation. To determine the clinical relevance of these findings, immunohistochemistry was performed using melanoma tissue microarray, which indicated a strong positive correlation between PLK1 and N-cadherin, a protein required for successful EMT. These findings were supported by TCGA analysis, where expression of high PLK1 with low NUMB or high NOTCH or N-cadherin showed a significant decrease in survival of melanoma patients. Overall, these results suggest a potential role of PLK1 in EMT, migration, and invasion of melanoma cells. Our findings support the therapeutic targeting of PLK1, NUMB, and NOTCH for melanoma management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagan Chhabra
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Chandra K Singh
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Mary A Ndiaye
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Shengqin Su
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Carl A Shirley
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Nihal Ahmad
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
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24
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Noujarède J, Carrié L, Garcia V, Grimont M, Eberhardt A, Mucher E, Genais M, Schreuder A, Carpentier S, Ségui B, Nieto L, Levade T, Puig S, Torres T, Malvehy J, Harou O, Lopez J, Dalle S, Caramel J, Gibot L, Riond J, Andrieu-Abadie N. Sphingolipid paracrine signaling impairs keratinocyte adhesion to promote melanoma invasion. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113586. [PMID: 38113139 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113586] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer due to its propensity to metastasize. It arises from melanocytes, which are attached to keratinocytes within the basal epidermis. Here, we hypothesize that, in addition to melanocyte-intrinsic modifications, dysregulation of keratinocyte functions could initiate early-stage melanoma cell invasion. We identified the lysolipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) as a tumor paracrine signal from melanoma cells that modifies the keratinocyte transcriptome and reduces their adhesive properties, leading to tumor invasion. Mechanistically, tumor cell-derived S1P reduced E-cadherin expression in keratinocytes via S1P receptor dependent Snail and Slug activation. All of these effects were blocked by S1P2/3 antagonists. Importantly, we showed that epidermal E-cadherin expression was inversely correlated with the expression of the S1P-producing enzyme in neighboring tumors and the Breslow thickness in patients with early-stage melanoma. These findings support the notion that E-cadherin loss in the epidermis initiates the metastatic cascade in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Noujarède
- Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Lorry Carrié
- Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Virginie Garcia
- Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Maxime Grimont
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Anaïs Eberhardt
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France; Service de Dermatologie, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, France
| | - Elodie Mucher
- Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Matthieu Genais
- Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Anne Schreuder
- Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Stéphane Carpentier
- Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Bruno Ségui
- Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Laurence Nieto
- Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Thierry Levade
- Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France; Laboratoire de Biochimie Métabolique, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Susana Puig
- Melanoma Unit, Department of Dermatology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain & CIBER of Rare Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Torres
- Melanoma Unit, Department of Dermatology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain & CIBER of Rare Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Malvehy
- Melanoma Unit, Department of Dermatology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain & CIBER of Rare Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olivier Harou
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France; Service de Dermatologie, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, France
| | - Jonathan Lopez
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France; Service de Dermatologie, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, France
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France; Service de Dermatologie, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, France
| | - Julie Caramel
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Laure Gibot
- Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Laboratoire des Interactions Moléculaires et Réactivité Chimique et Photochimique, CNRS UMR5623, Toulouse, France
| | - Joëlle Riond
- Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Nathalie Andrieu-Abadie
- Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
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25
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Deschênes-Simard X, Malleshaiah M, Ferbeyre G. Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinases: One Pathway, Multiple Fates. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:95. [PMID: 38201521 PMCID: PMC10778234 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010095] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive review delves into the multifaceted aspects of ERK signaling and the intricate mechanisms underlying distinct cellular fates. ERK1 and ERK2 (ERK) govern proliferation, transformation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, differentiation, senescence, or cell death, contingent upon activation strength, duration, and context. The biochemical mechanisms underlying these outcomes are inadequately understood, shaped by signaling feedback and the spatial localization of ERK activation. Generally, ERK activation aligns with the Goldilocks principle in cell fate determination. Inadequate or excessive ERK activity hinders cell proliferation, while balanced activation promotes both cell proliferation and survival. Unraveling the intricacies of how the degree of ERK activation dictates cell fate requires deciphering mechanisms encompassing protein stability, transcription factors downstream of ERK, and the chromatin landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Deschênes-Simard
- Montreal University Hospital Center (CHUM), Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
| | - Mohan Malleshaiah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Gerardo Ferbeyre
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montréal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
- Montreal Cancer Institute, CR-CHUM, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
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26
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Cortés M, Brischetto A, Martinez-Campanario MC, Ninfali C, Domínguez V, Fernández S, Celis R, Esteve-Codina A, Lozano JJ, Sidorova J, Garrabou G, Siegert AM, Enrich C, Pintado B, Morales-Ruiz M, Castro P, Cañete JD, Postigo A. Inflammatory macrophages reprogram to immunosuppression by reducing mitochondrial translation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7471. [PMID: 37978290 PMCID: PMC10656499 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42277-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute inflammation can either resolve through immunosuppression or persist, leading to chronic inflammation. These transitions are driven by distinct molecular and metabolic reprogramming of immune cells. The anti-diabetic drug Metformin inhibits acute and chronic inflammation through mechanisms still not fully understood. Here, we report that the anti-inflammatory and reactive-oxygen-species-inhibiting effects of Metformin depend on the expression of the plasticity factor ZEB1 in macrophages. Using mice lacking Zeb1 in their myeloid cells and human patient samples, we show that ZEB1 plays a dual role, being essential in both initiating and resolving inflammation by inducing macrophages to transition into an immunosuppressed state. ZEB1 mediates these diverging effects in inflammation and immunosuppression by modulating mitochondrial content through activation of autophagy and inhibition of mitochondrial protein translation. During the transition from inflammation to immunosuppression, Metformin mimics the metabolic reprogramming of myeloid cells induced by ZEB1. Mechanistically, in immunosuppression, ZEB1 inhibits amino acid uptake, leading to downregulation of mTORC1 signalling and a decrease in mitochondrial translation in macrophages. These results identify ZEB1 as a driver of myeloid cell metabolic plasticity, suggesting that targeting its expression and function could serve as a strategy to modulate dysregulated inflammation and immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies Cortés
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Agnese Brischetto
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M C Martinez-Campanario
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Chiara Ninfali
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Verónica Domínguez
- National Center of Biotechnology (CSIC-CNB) and Center for Molecular Biology Severo Ochoa (CSIC/UAM-CBMSO) Transgenesis Facility, Higher Research Council (CSIC) and Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Fernández
- Medical Intensive Care Unit and Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Group of Muscle Research and Mitochondrial Function, IDIBAPS, and CIBERER, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Celis
- Arthritis Unit, Dept. of Rheumathology, Hospital Clínic and IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Juan J Lozano
- Biomedical Research Networking Centers in Digestive and Hepatic Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III Health Institute, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julia Sidorova
- Biomedical Research Networking Centers in Digestive and Hepatic Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III Health Institute, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gloria Garrabou
- Medical Intensive Care Unit and Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Group of Muscle Research and Mitochondrial Function, IDIBAPS, and CIBERER, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna-Maria Siegert
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB1 0QQ, UK
| | - Carlos Enrich
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Belén Pintado
- National Center of Biotechnology (CSIC-CNB) and Center for Molecular Biology Severo Ochoa (CSIC/UAM-CBMSO) Transgenesis Facility, Higher Research Council (CSIC) and Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Morales-Ruiz
- Biomedical Research Networking Centers in Digestive and Hepatic Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III Health Institute, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona and IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Castro
- Medical Intensive Care Unit and Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Group of Muscle Research and Mitochondrial Function, IDIBAPS, and CIBERER, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan D Cañete
- Arthritis Unit, Dept. of Rheumathology, Hospital Clínic and IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Postigo
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, IDIBAPS, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
- Biomedical Research Networking Centers in Digestive and Hepatic Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III Health Institute, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
- Molecular Targets Program, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, J.G. Brown Cancer Center, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
- ICREA, 08010, Barcelona, Spain.
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27
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Zefferino R, Conese M. A Vaccine against Cancer: Can There Be a Possible Strategy to Face the Challenge? Possible Targets and Paradoxical Effects. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1701. [PMID: 38006033 PMCID: PMC10674257 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Is it possible to have an available vaccine that eradicates cancer? Starting from this question, this article tries to verify the state of the art, proposing a different approach to the issue. The variety of cancers and different and often unknown causes of cancer impede, except in some cited cases, the creation of a classical vaccine directed at the causative agent. The efforts of the scientific community are oriented toward stimulating the immune systems of patients, thereby preventing immune evasion, and heightening chemotherapeutic agents effects against cancer. However, the results are not decisive, because without any warning signs, metastasis often occurs. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on a vaccine that must be administered to a patient in order to prevent metastasis; metastasis is an event that leads to death, and thus, preventing it could transform cancer into a chronic disease. We underline the fact that the field has not been studied in depth, and that the complexity of metastatic processes should not be underestimated. Then, with the aim of identifying the target of a cancer vaccine, we draw attention to the presence of the paradoxical actions of different mechanisms, pathways, molecules, and immune and non-immune cells characteristic of the tumor microenvironment at the primary site and pre-metastatic niche in order to exclude possible vaccine candidates that have opposite effects/behaviors; after a meticulous evaluation, we propose possible targets to develop a metastasis-targeting vaccine. We conclude that a change in the current concept of a cancer vaccine is needed, and the efforts of the scientific community should be redirected toward a metastasis-targeting vaccine, with the increasing hope of eradicating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Zefferino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Massimo Conese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
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28
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Ninfali C, Siles L, Esteve-Codina A, Postigo A. The mesodermal and myogenic specification of hESCs depend on ZEB1 and are inhibited by ZEB2. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113222. [PMID: 37819755 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113222] [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: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can differentiate into any cell lineage. Here, we report that ZEB1 and ZEB2 promote and inhibit mesodermal-to-myogenic specification of hESCs, respectively. Knockdown and/or overexpression experiments of ZEB1, ZEB2, or PAX7 in hESCs indicate that ZEB1 is required for hESC Nodal/Activin-mediated mesodermal specification and PAX7+ human myogenic progenitor (hMuP) generation, while ZEB2 inhibits these processes. ZEB1 downregulation induces neural markers, while ZEB2 downregulation induces mesodermal/myogenic markers. Mechanistically, ZEB1 binds to and transcriptionally activates the PAX7 promoter, while ZEB2 binds to and activates the promoter of the neural OTX2 marker. Transplanting ZEB1 or ZEB2 knocked down hMuPs into the muscles of a muscular dystrophy mouse model, showing that hMuP engraftment and generation of dystrophin-positive myofibers depend on ZEB1 and are inhibited by ZEB2. The mouse model results suggest that ZEB1 expression and/or downregulating ZEB2 in hESCs may also enhance hESC regenerative capacity for human muscular dystrophy therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Ninfali
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Siles
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Postigo
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Molecular Targets Program, J.G. Brown Center, Louisville University Healthcare Campus, Louisville, KY 40202, USA; ICREA, 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
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29
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Sánchez-Tilló E, Pedrosa L, Vila I, Chen Y, Győrffy B, Sánchez-Moral L, Siles L, Lozano JJ, Esteve-Codina A, Darling DS, Cuatrecasas M, Castells A, Maurel J, Postigo A. The EMT factor ZEB1 paradoxically inhibits EMT in BRAF-mutant carcinomas. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e164629. [PMID: 37870961 PMCID: PMC10619495 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.164629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite being in the same pathway, mutations of KRAS and BRAF in colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) determine distinct progression courses. ZEB1 induces an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and is associated with worse progression in most carcinomas. Using samples from patients with CRC, mouse models of KrasG12D and BrafV600E CRC, and a Zeb1-deficient mouse, we show that ZEB1 had opposite functions in KRAS- and BRAF-mutant CRCs. In KrasG12D CRCs, ZEB1 was correlated with a worse prognosis and a higher number of larger and undifferentiated (mesenchymal or EMT-like) tumors. Surprisingly, in BrafV600E CRC, ZEB1 was associated with better prognosis; fewer, smaller, and more differentiated (reduced EMT) primary tumors; and fewer metastases. ZEB1 was positively correlated in KRAS-mutant CRC cells and negatively in BRAF-mutant CRC cells with gene signatures for EMT, cell proliferation and survival, and ERK signaling. On a mechanistic level, ZEB1 knockdown in KRAS-mutant CRC cells increased apoptosis and reduced clonogenicity and anchorage-independent growth; the reverse occurred in BRAFV600E CRC cells. ZEB1 is associated with better prognosis and reduced EMT signature in patients harboring BRAF CRCs. These data suggest that ZEB1 can function as a tumor suppressor in BRAF-mutant CRCs, highlighting the importance of considering the KRAS/BRAF mutational background of CRCs in therapeutic strategies targeting ZEB1/EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Sánchez-Tilló
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Group of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Oncology, Department of Liver, Digestive System and Metabolism, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Network in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases (CIBEREHD), Carlos III National Health Institute (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leire Pedrosa
- Group of Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors, IDIBAPS, and Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ingrid Vila
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yongxu Chen
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences (TKK), and Department of Bioinformatics and 2nd Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lidia Sánchez-Moral
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Siles
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan J. Lozano
- Bioinformatics Platform, CIBEREHD, ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Esteve-Codina
- National Centre for Genomic Analysis (CNAG) Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Douglas S. Darling
- Department of Oral Immunology, and Center for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Miriam Cuatrecasas
- Biomedical Research Network in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases (CIBEREHD), Carlos III National Health Institute (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain
- Group of Molecular Pathology of Inflammatory Conditions and Solid Tumours, Department of Oncology and Hematology, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic and University of Barcelona School of Medicine, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Castells
- Group of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Oncology, Department of Liver, Digestive System and Metabolism, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Network in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases (CIBEREHD), Carlos III National Health Institute (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Clinic and University of Barcelona School of Medicine, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Maurel
- Biomedical Research Network in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases (CIBEREHD), Carlos III National Health Institute (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain
- Group of Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors, IDIBAPS, and Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Postigo
- Group of Gene Regulation in Stem Cells, Cell Plasticity, Differentiation, and Cancer, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Network in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases (CIBEREHD), Carlos III National Health Institute (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain
- Molecular Targets Program, Department of Medicine, J.G. Brown Cancer Center, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
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30
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McRee SK, Bayer AL, Pietruska J, Tsichlis PN, Hinds PW. AKT2 Loss Impairs BRAF-Mutant Melanoma Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4958. [PMID: 37894325 PMCID: PMC10605002 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15204958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in treatment, melanoma remains the deadliest form of skin cancer due to its highly metastatic nature. Melanomas harboring oncogenic BRAFV600E mutations combined with PTEN loss exhibit unrestrained PI3K/AKT signaling and increased invasiveness. However, the contribution of different AKT isoforms to melanoma initiation, progression, and metastasis has not been comprehensively explored, and questions remain about whether individual isoforms play distinct or redundant roles in each step. We investigate the contribution of individual AKT isoforms to melanoma initiation using a novel mouse model of AKT isoform-specific loss in a murine melanoma model, and we investigate tumor progression, maintenance, and metastasis among a panel of human metastatic melanoma cell lines using AKT isoform-specific knockdown studies. We elucidate that AKT2 is dispensable for primary tumor formation but promotes migration and invasion in vitro and metastatic seeding in vivo, whereas AKT1 is uniquely important for melanoma initiation and cell proliferation. We propose a mechanism whereby the inhibition of AKT2 impairs glycolysis and reduces an EMT-related gene expression signature in PTEN-null BRAF-mutant human melanoma cells to limit metastatic spread. Our data suggest that the elucidation of AKT2-specific functions in metastasis might inform therapeutic strategies to improve treatment options for melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhan K. McRee
- Program in Genetics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
- Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
| | - Abraham L. Bayer
- Program in Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Jodie Pietruska
- Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
| | - Philip N. Tsichlis
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Philip W. Hinds
- Program in Genetics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
- Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
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31
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Cammareri P, Myant KB. Be like water, my cells: cell plasticity and the art of transformation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1272730. [PMID: 37886398 PMCID: PMC10598658 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1272730] [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: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular plasticity defines the capacity of cells to adopt distinct identities during development, tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Dynamic fluctuations between different states, within or across lineages, are regulated by changes in chromatin accessibility and in gene expression. When deregulated, cellular plasticity can contribute to cancer initiation and progression. Cancer cells are remarkably plastic which contributes to phenotypic and functional heterogeneity within tumours as well as resistance to targeted therapies. It is for these reasons that the scientific community has become increasingly interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms governing cancer cell plasticity. The purpose of this mini-review is to discuss different examples of cellular plasticity associated with metaplasia and epithelial-mesenchymal transition with a focus on therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin B. Myant
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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32
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Di Raimondo C, Lozzi F, Di Domenico PP, Campione E, Bianchi L. The Diagnosis and Management of Cutaneous Metastases from Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14535. [PMID: 37833981 PMCID: PMC10572973 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the deadliest skin tumors, accounting for almost 90% of skin cancer mortality. Although immune therapy and targeted therapy have dramatically changed the prognosis of metastatic melanoma, many patients experience disease progression despite the currently available new treatments. Skin metastases from melanoma represent a relatively common event as first sign of advanced disease or a sign of recurrence. Skin metastases are usually asymptomatic, although in advanced stages, they can present with ulceration, bleeding, and superinfection; furthermore, they can cause symptoms related to compression on nearby tissues. Treatments vary from simple surgery resections to topical or intralesional local injections, or a combination of these techniques with the most recent systemic immune or target therapies. New research and studies should focus on the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of the cutaneous metastases of melanoma in order to shed light on the mechanisms underlying the different behavior and prognoses of different patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosimo Di Raimondo
- Department of Dermatology, University of Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (P.P.D.D.); (E.C.); (L.B.)
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33
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Castro-Pérez E, Singh M, Sadangi S, Mela-Sánchez C, Setaluri V. Connecting the dots: Melanoma cell of origin, tumor cell plasticity, trans-differentiation, and drug resistance. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2023; 36:330-347. [PMID: 37132530 PMCID: PMC10524512 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma, a lethal malignancy that arises from melanocytes, exhibits a multiplicity of clinico-pathologically distinct subtypes in sun-exposed and non-sun-exposed areas. Melanocytes are derived from multipotent neural crest cells and are present in diverse anatomical locations, including skin, eyes, and various mucosal membranes. Tissue-resident melanocyte stem cells and melanocyte precursors contribute to melanocyte renewal. Elegant studies using mouse genetic models have shown that melanoma can arise from either melanocyte stem cells or differentiated pigment-producing melanocytes depending on a combination of tissue and anatomical site of origin and activation of oncogenic mutations (or overexpression) and/or the repression in expression or inactivating mutations in tumor suppressors. This variation raises the possibility that different subtypes of human melanomas (even subsets within each subtype) may also be a manifestation of malignancies of distinct cells of origin. Melanoma is known to exhibit phenotypic plasticity and trans-differentiation (defined as a tendency to differentiate into cell lineages other than the original lineage from which the tumor arose) along vascular and neural lineages. Additionally, stem cell-like properties such as pseudo-epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT-like) transition and expression of stem cell-related genes have also been associated with the development of melanoma drug resistance. Recent studies that employed reprogramming melanoma cells to induced pluripotent stem cells have uncovered potential relationships between melanoma plasticity, trans-differentiation, and drug resistance and implications for cell or origin of human cutaneous melanoma. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge on melanoma cell of origin and the relationship between tumor cell plasticity and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgardo Castro-Pérez
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology of Diseases, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), City of Knowledge, Panama City, Panama
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Panama, Panama City, Panama
| | - Mithalesh Singh
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, U.S.A
| | - Shreyans Sadangi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, U.S.A
| | - Carmen Mela-Sánchez
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Panama, Panama City, Panama
| | - Vijayasaradhi Setaluri
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, U.S.A
- William S. Middleton VA Hospital, Madison, WI, U.S.A
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Bravo González-Blas C, De Winter S, Hulselmans G, Hecker N, Matetovici I, Christiaens V, Poovathingal S, Wouters J, Aibar S, Aerts S. SCENIC+: single-cell multiomic inference of enhancers and gene regulatory networks. Nat Methods 2023; 20:1355-1367. [PMID: 37443338 PMCID: PMC10482700 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-01938-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 85.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Joint profiling of chromatin accessibility and gene expression in individual cells provides an opportunity to decipher enhancer-driven gene regulatory networks (GRNs). Here we present a method for the inference of enhancer-driven GRNs, called SCENIC+. SCENIC+ predicts genomic enhancers along with candidate upstream transcription factors (TFs) and links these enhancers to candidate target genes. To improve both recall and precision of TF identification, we curated and clustered a motif collection with more than 30,000 motifs. We benchmarked SCENIC+ on diverse datasets from different species, including human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, ENCODE cell lines, melanoma cell states and Drosophila retinal development. Next, we exploit SCENIC+ predictions to study conserved TFs, enhancers and GRNs between human and mouse cell types in the cerebral cortex. Finally, we use SCENIC+ to study the dynamics of gene regulation along differentiation trajectories and the effect of TF perturbations on cell state. SCENIC+ is available at scenicplus.readthedocs.io .
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Bravo González-Blas
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Seppe De Winter
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gert Hulselmans
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nikolai Hecker
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Irina Matetovici
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Tech Watch, VIB Headquarters, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Valerie Christiaens
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Jasper Wouters
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara Aibar
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stein Aerts
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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35
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Arumi-Planas M, Rodriguez-Baena FJ, Cabello-Torres F, Gracia F, Lopez-Blau C, Nieto MA, Sanchez-Laorden B. Microenvironmental Snail1-induced immunosuppression promotes melanoma growth. Oncogene 2023; 42:2659-2672. [PMID: 37516803 PMCID: PMC10473961 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02793-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer due to its high metastatic abilities and resistance to therapies. Melanoma cells reside in a heterogeneous tumour microenvironment that acts as a crucial regulator of its progression. Snail1 is an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition transcription factor expressed during development and reactivated in pathological situations including fibrosis and cancer. In this work, we show that Snail1 is activated in the melanoma microenvironment, particularly in fibroblasts. Analysis of mouse models that allow stromal Snail1 depletion and therapeutic Snail1 blockade indicate that targeting Snail1 in the tumour microenvironment decreases melanoma growth and lung metastatic burden, extending mice survival. Transcriptomic analysis of melanoma-associated fibroblasts and analysis of the tumours indicate that stromal Snail1 induces melanoma growth by promoting an immunosuppressive microenvironment and a decrease in anti-tumour immunity. This study unveils a novel role of Snail1 in melanoma biology and supports its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Francisco Gracia
- Instituto de Neurociencias (CSIC-UMH), Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain
| | | | - M Angela Nieto
- Instituto de Neurociencias (CSIC-UMH), Sant Joan d'Alacant, Spain
- CIBERER, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
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McRee SK, Bayer AL, Pietruska J, Tsichlis PN, Hinds PW. AKT2 Loss Impairs BRAF-Mutant Melanoma Metastasis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.24.554685. [PMID: 37662310 PMCID: PMC10473698 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.24.554685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in treatment, melanoma remains the deadliest form of skin cancer, due to its highly metastatic nature. Melanomas harboring oncogenic BRAF V600E mutations combined with PTEN loss exhibit unrestrained PI3K/AKT signaling and increased invasiveness. However, the contribution of different AKT isoforms to melanoma initiation, progression, and metastasis has not been comprehensively explored, and questions remain whether individual isoforms play distinct or redundant roles in each step. We investigate the contribution of individual AKT isoforms to melanoma initiation using a novel mouse model of AKT isoform-specific loss in a murine melanoma model, and investigate tumor progression, maintenance, and metastasis among a panel of human metastatic melanoma cell lines using AKT-isoform specific knockdown studies. We elucidate that AKT2 is dispensable for primary tumor formation but promotes migration and invasion in vitro and metastatic seeding in vivo , while AKT1 is uniquely important for melanoma initiation and cell proliferation. We propose a mechanism whereby inhibition of AKT2 impairs glycolysis and reduces an EMT-related gene expression signature in PTEN-null BRAF-mutant human melanoma cells to limit metastatic spread. Our data suggest that elucidation of AKT2-specific functions in metastasis could inform therapeutic strategies to improve treatment options for melanoma patients.
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37
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Pan Y, van der Watt PJ, Kay SA. E-box binding transcription factors in cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1223208. [PMID: 37601651 PMCID: PMC10437117 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1223208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
E-boxes are important regulatory elements in the eukaryotic genome. Transcription factors can bind to E-boxes through their basic helix-loop-helix or zinc finger domain to regulate gene transcription. E-box-binding transcription factors (EBTFs) are important regulators of development and essential for physiological activities of the cell. The fundamental role of EBTFs in cancer has been highlighted by studies on the canonical oncogene MYC, yet many EBTFs exhibit common features, implying the existence of shared molecular principles of how they are involved in tumorigenesis. A comprehensive analysis of TFs that share the basic function of binding to E-boxes has been lacking. Here, we review the structure of EBTFs, their common features in regulating transcription, their physiological functions, and their mutual regulation. We also discuss their converging functions in cancer biology, their potential to be targeted as a regulatory network, and recent progress in drug development targeting these factors in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanzhong Pan
- Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Pauline J. van der Watt
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Steve A. Kay
- Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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38
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Rapanotti MC, Cugini E, Campione E, Di Raimondo C, Costanza G, Rossi P, Ferlosio A, Bernardini S, Orlandi A, De Luca A, Bianchi L. Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Gene Signature in Circulating Melanoma Cells: Biological and Clinical Relevance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11792. [PMID: 37511550 PMCID: PMC10380315 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411792] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The most promising method for monitoring patients with minimal morbidity is the detection of circulating melanoma cells (CMCs). We have shown that CD45-CD146+ABCB5+ CMCs identify a rare primitive stem/mesenchymal CMCs population associated with disease progression. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) confers cancer cells a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype promoting metastatization. Thus, we investigated the potential clinical value of the EMT gene signature of these primitive CMCs. A reliable quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) protocol was settled up using tumor cell lines RNA dilutions. Afterwards, immune-magnetically isolated CMCs from advanced melanoma patients, at onset and at the first checkpoint (following immune or targeted therapy), were tested for the level of EMT hallmarks and EMT transcription factor genes. Despite the small cohort of patients, we obtained promising results. Indeed, we observed a deep gene rewiring of the EMT investigated genes: in particular we found that the EMT gene signature of isolated CMCs correlated with patients' clinical outcomes. In conclusion, We established a reliable qRT-PCR protocol with high sensitivity and specificity to characterize the gene expression of isolated CMCs. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence demonstrating the impact of immune or targeted therapies on EMT hallmark gene expressions in CMCs from advanced melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Rapanotti
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Cugini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Campione
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Cosimo Di Raimondo
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Gaetana Costanza
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Piero Rossi
- Surgery Division, Department of Surgery Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Amedeo Ferlosio
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Bernardini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Augusto Orlandi
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Anastasia De Luca
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Bianchi
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Waryah C, Alves E, Mazzieri R, Dolcetti R, Thompson EW, Redfern A, Blancafort P. Unpacking the Complexity of Epithelial Plasticity: From Master Regulator Transcription Factors to Non-Coding RNAs. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3152. [PMID: 37370762 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular plasticity in cancer enables adaptation to selective pressures and stress imposed by the tumor microenvironment. This plasticity facilitates the remodeling of cancer cell phenotype and function (such as tumor stemness, metastasis, chemo/radio resistance), and the reprogramming of the surrounding tumor microenvironment to enable immune evasion. Epithelial plasticity is one form of cellular plasticity, which is intrinsically linked with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Traditionally, EMT has been regarded as a binary state. Yet, increasing evidence suggests that EMT involves a spectrum of quasi-epithelial and quasi-mesenchymal phenotypes governed by complex interactions between cellular metabolism, transcriptome regulation, and epigenetic mechanisms. Herein, we review the complex cross-talk between the different layers of epithelial plasticity in cancer, encompassing the core layer of transcription factors, their interacting epigenetic modifiers and non-coding RNAs, and the manipulation of cancer immunogenicity in transitioning between epithelial and mesenchymal states. In examining these factors, we provide insights into promising therapeutic avenues and potential anti-cancer targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlene Waryah
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Eric Alves
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Roberta Mazzieri
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Erik W Thompson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Andrew Redfern
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- Cancer Epigenetics Group, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
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40
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Lin Z, Lei Y, Wen M, He Q, Tian D, Xie H. MTAP-ANRIL gene fusion promotes melanoma epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like process by activating the JNK and p38 signaling pathways. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9073. [PMID: 37277447 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36404-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene fusions caused by cytogenetic aberrations play important roles in the initiation and progression of cancers. The recurrent MTAP-ANRIL fusion gene was reported to have a frequency of greater than 7% in melanoma in our previous study. However, its functions remain unclear. Truncated MTAP proteins resulting from point mutations in the last three exons of MTAP can physically interact with the wild-type MTAP protein, a tumor suppressor in several human cancers. Similarly, MTAP-ANRIL, which is translated into a truncated MTAP protein, would influence wild-type MTAP to act as an oncogene. Here, we found that MTAP-ANRIL gene fusion downregulated the expression of wild-type MTAP and promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like process through the activation of JNK and p38 MAPKs in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that MTAP-ANRIL is a potential molecular prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoying Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shangrao People's Hospital, Shangrao, 334000, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yu Lei
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
- Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical CollegeWuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Mingyao Wen
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Qin He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
- Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical CollegeWuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Dean Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
- Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical CollegeWuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Huaping Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China.
- Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical CollegeWuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China.
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41
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Gelmi MC, Verdijk RM, Houtzagers LE, van der Velden PA, Kroes WGM, Luyten GPM, Vu THK, Jager MJ. Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor: A Differentiation Marker in Uveal Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108861. [PMID: 37240204 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is an important regulator of melanogenesis and melanocyte development. In cutaneous melanoma, MITF loss has been linked to an increased expression of stem cell markers, a shift in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related factors, and increased inflammation. We explored the role of MITF in Uveal Melanoma (UM) using a cohort of 64 patients enucleated at the Leiden University Medical Center. We analysed the relation between MITF expression and clinical, histopathological and genetic features of UM, as well as survival. We performed differential gene expression and gene set enrichment analysis using mRNA microarray data, comparing MITF-low with MITF-high UM. MITF expression was lower in heavily pigmented UM than in lightly pigmented UM (p = 0.003), which we confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, MITF was significantly lower in UM with monosomy 3/BAP1 loss than in those with disomy 3/no BAP1 loss (p < 0.001) and with 8q gain/amplification 8q (p = 0.02). Spearman correlation analysis showed that a low MITF expression was associated with an increase in inflammatory markers, hallmark pathways involved in inflammation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Similar to the situation in cutaneous melanoma, we propose that MITF loss in UM is related to de-differentiation to a less favourable EMT profile and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Gelmi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robert M Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Section Ophthalmic Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laurien E Houtzagers
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter A van der Velden
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wilma G M Kroes
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gregorius P M Luyten
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - T H Khanh Vu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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Li Z, Gao Y, Cao Y, He F, Jiang R, Liu H, Cai H, Zan T. Extracellular RNA in melanoma: Advances, challenges, and opportunities. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1141543. [PMID: 37215082 PMCID: PMC10192583 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1141543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, a malignant mass lesion that originates in melanocytes and has a high rate of malignancy, metastasis, and mortality, is defined by these characteristics. Malignant melanoma is a kind of highly malignant tumor that produces melanin and has a high mortality rate. Its incidence accounts for 1%-3% of all malignant tumors and shows an obvious upward trend. The discovery of biomolecules for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant melanoma has important application value. So far, the exact molecular mechanism of melanoma development relevant signal pathway still remains unclear. According to previous studies, extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) have been implicated in tumorigenesis and spread of melanoma. They can influence the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of melanoma by controlling the expression of target genes and can also influence tumor progression by participating in signal transduction mechanisms. Therefore, understanding the relationship between exRNA and malignant melanoma and targeting therapy is of positive significance for its prevention and treatment. In this review, we did an analysis of extracellular vesicles of melanoma which focused on the role of exRNAs (lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs) and identifies several potential therapeutic targets. In addition, we discuss the typical signaling pathways involved in exRNAs, advances in exRNA detection and how they affect the tumor immune microenvironment in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouxiao Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiyang Gao
- Department of Radiology, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Radiology, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feifan He
- Department of Radiology, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Runyi Jiang
- Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, Spinal Tumor Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanyuan Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongzhou Cai
- Department of Urology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tao Zan
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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43
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Neuendorf HM, Simmons JL, Boyle GM. Therapeutic targeting of anoikis resistance in cutaneous melanoma metastasis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1183328. [PMID: 37181747 PMCID: PMC10169659 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1183328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of resistance to anoikis, the cell death induced by loss of adhesion to the extracellular matrix, is an absolute requirement for the survival of disseminating and circulating tumour cells (CTCs), and for the seeding of metastatic lesions. In melanoma, a range of intracellular signalling cascades have been identified as potential drivers of anoikis resistance, however a full understanding of the process is yet to be attained. Mechanisms of anoikis resistance pose an attractive target for the therapeutic treatment of disseminating and circulating melanoma cells. This review explores the range of small molecule, peptide and antibody inhibitors targeting molecules involved in anoikis resistance in melanoma, and may be repurposed to prevent metastatic melanoma prior to its initiation, potentially improving the prognosis for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Neuendorf
- Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jacinta L. Simmons
- Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Glen M. Boyle
- Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Dong B, Simonson L, Vold S, Oldham E, Barten L, Ahmad N, Chang H. FZD6 Promotes Melanoma Cell Invasion but Not Proliferation by Regulating Canonical Wnt Signaling and Epithelial‒Mesenchymal Transition. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:621-629.e6. [PMID: 36368445 PMCID: PMC10292634 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.09.658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
FZD6 is a key gene that controls tissue polarity during development. Increasing evidence suggests that it also plays active roles in various cancers. In this study, we show that FZD6 is overexpressed in multiple melanoma cell lines and human samples. Knockdown or knockout of FZD6 does not affect cell proliferation but significantly reduces the invasive ability of melanoma cells. In addition, we have found that knockout of Fzd6 dramatically reduces lung metastasis in the Pten/BRaf mouse model of melanoma. Mechanistic studies in vitro and in vivo reveal a surprising involvement of canonical Wnt signaling and epithelial‒mesenchymal pathway in the FZD6-mediated invasive phenotype. Together, our study supports a promoter role of FZD6 in melanoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Dong
- Department of Dermatology, The School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Program in Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Laura Simonson
- Department of Dermatology, The School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Samantha Vold
- Department of Dermatology, The School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ethan Oldham
- Department of Dermatology, The School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Lillian Barten
- Department of Dermatology, The School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nihal Ahmad
- Department of Dermatology, The School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Hao Chang
- Department of Dermatology, The School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Program in Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
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45
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Hallis SP, Kim JM, Kwak MK. Emerging Role of NRF2 Signaling in Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype. Mol Cells 2023; 46:153-164. [PMID: 36994474 PMCID: PMC10070166 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2023.2196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small population of tumor cells characterized by self-renewal and differentiation capacity. CSCs are currently postulated as the driving force that induces intra-tumor heterogeneity leading to tumor initiation, metastasis, and eventually tumor relapse. Notably, CSCs are inherently resistant to environmental stress, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy due to high levels of antioxidant systems and drug efflux transporters. In this context, a therapeutic strategy targeting the CSC-specific pathway holds a promising cure for cancer. NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2; NFE2L2) is a master transcription factor that regulates an array of genes involved in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species/electrophiles. Accumulating evidence suggests that persistent NRF2 activation, observed in multiple types of cancer, supports tumor growth, aggressive malignancy, and therapy resistance. Herein, we describe the core properties of CSCs, focusing on treatment resistance, and review the evidence that demonstrates the roles of NRF2 signaling in conferring unique properties of CSCs and the associated signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffanus P. Hallis
- Department of Pharmacy, Graduate School, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Korea
| | - Jin Myung Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, Graduate School, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Korea
| | - Mi-Kyoung Kwak
- Department of Pharmacy, Graduate School, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Korea
- College of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Korea
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46
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Hu X, Jiang C, Hu N, Hong S. ADAMTS1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway in non-small cell lung cancer by regulating TGF-β. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:2097-2114. [PMID: 36947712 PMCID: PMC10085599 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 80% of all lung cancers. Identifying key molecular targets related to the initiation, development, and metastasis of lung cancer is important for its diagnosis and target therapy. The ADAMTS families of multidomain extracellular protease enzymes have been reported to be involved in many physiological processes. In this study, we found that ADAMTS1 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues, which promoted cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of NSCLC cells. In the NSCLC tumor metastasis model involving nude mice, overexpression of ADAMTS1 promoted EMT and lung metastasis of tumor cells. Moreover, ADAMTS1 positively regulated TGF-β expression, and TGF-β was highly expressed in NSCLC tumor tissues. si-TGF-β or inhibition of TGF-β expression through the short peptide KTFR on ADAMTS1 protein could reverse the oncogenic effects of ADAMTS1 on lung cancer cells. Taken together, ADAMTS1 functioned as an oncogene in NSCLC cells by promoting TGF-β expression, indicating that ADAMTS1 has important regulatory roles in the progression of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqian Hu
- Department of Oncology, Ningbo Municipal Hospital of TCM, Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Ningbo, China
| | - Chunqi Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Ningbo Municipal Hospital of TCM, Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ning Hu
- Department of Cardiovascular Division, Ningbo Municipal Hospital of TCM, Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Ningbo, China
| | - Shanyi Hong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ningbo Municipal Hospital of TCM, Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Ningbo, China
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47
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Jarrosson L, Dalle S, Costechareyre C, Tang Y, Grimont M, Plaschka M, Lacourrège M, Teinturier R, Le Bouar M, Maucort‐Boulch D, Eberhardt A, Castellani V, Caramel J, Delloye‐Bourgeois C. An in vivo avian model of human melanoma to perform rapid and robust preclinical studies. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e16629. [PMID: 36692026 PMCID: PMC9994476 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202216629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma patients carrying a BRAFV600 mutation can be treated with a combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi), but innate and acquired resistance invariably occurs. Predicting patient response to targeted therapies is crucial to guide clinical decision. We describe here the development of a highly efficient patient-derived xenograft model adapted to patient melanoma biopsies, using the avian embryo as a host (AVI-PDXTM ). In this in vivo paradigm, we depict a fast and reproducible tumor engraftment of patient samples within the embryonic skin, preserving key molecular and phenotypic features. We show that sensitivity and resistance to BRAFi/MEKi can be reliably modeled in these AVI-PDXTM , as well as synergies with other drugs. We further provide proof-of-concept that the AVI-PDXTM models the diversity of responses of melanoma patients to BRAFi/MEKi, within days, hence positioning it as a valuable tool for the design of personalized medicine assays and for the evaluation of novel combination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyonFrance
- Centre Hospitalier Lyon SudHospices Civils de LyonPierre BéniteFrance
| | | | - Yaqi Tang
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyonFrance
| | - Maxime Grimont
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyonFrance
| | - Maud Plaschka
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyonFrance
| | | | | | - Myrtille Le Bouar
- Centre Hospitalier Lyon SudHospices Civils de LyonPierre BéniteFrance
| | | | - Anaïs Eberhardt
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyonFrance
- Centre Hospitalier Lyon SudHospices Civils de LyonPierre BéniteFrance
| | - Valérie Castellani
- University of Lyon, University of Lyon 1 Claude Bernard Lyon 1, MeLiS, CNRS UMR5284, INSERM U1314, NeuroMyoGene InstituteLyonFrance
| | - Julie Caramel
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyonFrance
| | - Céline Delloye‐Bourgeois
- University of Lyon, University of Lyon 1 Claude Bernard Lyon 1, MeLiS, CNRS UMR5284, INSERM U1314, NeuroMyoGene InstituteLyonFrance
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48
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Castro MV, Barbero GA, Máscolo P, Villanueva MB, Nsengimana J, Newton-Bishop J, Illescas E, Quezada MJ, Lopez-Bergami P. ROR2 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition by hyperactivating ERK in melanoma. J Cell Commun Signal 2023; 17:75-88. [PMID: 35723796 PMCID: PMC10030744 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-022-00683-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2) is a protein with important functions during embryogenesis that is dysregulated in human cancer. An intriguing feature of this receptor is that it plays opposite roles in different tumor types either promoting or inhibiting tumor progression. Understanding the complex role of this receptor requires a more profound exploration of both the altered biological and molecular mechanisms. Here, we describe that ROR2 promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) by inducing cadherin switch and the upregulation of the transcription factors ZEB1, Twist, Slug, Snail, and HIF1A, together with a mesenchymal phenotype and increased migration. We show that ROR2 activates both p38 and ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways independently of Wnt5a. Further, we demonstrated that the upregulation of EMT-related proteins depends on the hyperactivation of the ERK pathway far above the typical high constitutive activity observed in melanoma. In addition, ROR2 also promoted ERK phosphorylation, EMT, invasion, and necrosis in xenotransplanted mice. ROR2 also associates with EMT in tumor samples from melanoma patients where analysis of large cohorts revealed that increased ROR2 levels are linked to EMT signatures. This important role of ROR2 translates into melanoma patient' s prognosis since elevated ROR2 levels reduced overall survival and distant metastasis-free survival of patients with lymph node metastasis. In sum, these results demonstrate that ROR2 contributes to melanoma progression by inducing EMT and necrosis and can be an attractive therapeutic target for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Victoria Castro
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gastón Alexis Barbero
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula Máscolo
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Villanueva
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jérémie Nsengimana
- Biostatistics Research Group, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | | | - Edith Illescas
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Josefina Quezada
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Lopez-Bergami
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Collin G, Foy JP, Aznar N, Rama N, Wierinckx A, Saintigny P, Puisieux A, Ansieau S. Intestinal Epithelial Cells Adapt to Chronic Inflammation through Partial Genetic Reprogramming. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030973. [PMID: 36765930 PMCID: PMC9913703 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030973] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered to be the main drivers of inflammatory bowel disease. We investigated whether this permanent insult compels intestinal stem cells to develop strategies to dampen the deleterious effects of ROS. As an adverse effect, this adaptation process may increase their tolerance to oncogenic insults and facilitate their neoplastic transformation. We submitted immortalized human colonic epithelial cells to either a mimic of chronic inflammation or to a chemical peroxide, analyzed how they adapted to stress, and addressed the biological relevance of these observations in databases. We demonstrated that cells adapt to chronic-inflammation-associated oxidative stress in vitro through a partial genetic reprogramming. Through a gene set enrichment analysis, we showed that this program is recurrently active in the intestinal mucosae of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis disease patients and evolves alongside disease progression. Based on a previously reported characterization of intestinal stem and precursor cells using tracing experiments, we lastly confirmed the activation of the program in intestinal precursor cells during murine colorectal cancer development. This adaptive process is thus likely to play a role in the progression of Crohn's and ulcerative disease, and potentially in the initiation of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Collin
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université Lyon1, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Foy
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université Lyon1, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Nicolas Aznar
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université Lyon1, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Nicolas Rama
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université Lyon1, 69008 Lyon, France
| | | | - Pierre Saintigny
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Alain Puisieux
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université Lyon1, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Ansieau
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université Lyon1, 69008 Lyon, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)469-166-680
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50
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The Role of Cytokines in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Gynaecological Cancers: A Systematic Review. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030416. [PMID: 36766756 PMCID: PMC9913821 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation has been closely linked to the development and progression of various cancers. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process involving the acquisition of mesenchymal features by carcinoma cells and is an important link between inflammation and cancer development. Inflammatory mediators in the tumour micro-environment, such as cytokines and chemokines, can promote EMT changes in cancer cells. The aim of this systematic review is to analyse the effect of cytokines on EMT in gynaecological cancers and discuss their possible therapeutic implications. A search of the databases CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, Medline, PubMed, TRIP, and Web of Science was performed using the keywords: "cytokines" AND "epithelial mesenchymal transition OR transformation" AND "gynaecological cancer". Seventy-one articles reported that various cytokines, such as TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-6, etc., promoted EMT changes in ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers. The EMT changes included from epithelial to mesenchymal morphological change, downregulation of the epithelial markers E-cadherin/β-catenin, upregulation of the mesenchymal markers N-cadherin/vimentin/fibronectin, and upregulation of the EMT-transformation factors (EMT-TF) SNAI1/SNAI2/TWIST/ZEB. Cytokine-induced EMT can lead to gynaecological cancer development and metastasis and hence novel therapies targeting the cytokines or their EMT signalling pathways could possibly prevent cancer progression, reduce cancer recurrence, and prevent drug-resistance.
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