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Subbalakshmi AR, Ramisetty S, Mohanty A, Pareek S, Do D, Shrestha S, Khan A, Talwar N, Tan T, Vishnubhotla P, Singhal SS, Salgia R, Kulkarni P. Phenotypic Plasticity and Cancer: A System Biology Perspective. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4302. [PMID: 39124569 PMCID: PMC11313222 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13154302] [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: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major axis of phenotypic plasticity not only in diseased conditions such as cancer metastasis and fibrosis but also during normal development and wound healing. Yet-another important axis of plasticity with metastatic implications includes the cancer stem cell (CSCs) and non-CSC transitions. However, in both processes, epithelial (E) and mesenchymal (M) phenotypes are not merely binary states. Cancer cells acquire a spectrum of phenotypes with traits, properties, and markers of both E and M phenotypes, giving rise to intermediary hybrid (E/M) phenotypes. E/M cells play an important role in tumor initiation, metastasis, and disease progression in multiple cancers. Furthermore, the hybrid phenotypes also play a major role in causing therapeutic resistance in cancer. Here, we discuss how a systems biology perspective on the problem, which is implicit in the 'Team Medicine' approach outlined in the theme of this Special Issue of The Journal of Clinical Medicine and includes an interdisciplinary team of experts, is more likely to shed new light on EMT in cancer and help us to identify novel therapeutics and strategies to target phenotypic plasticity in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayalur Raghu Subbalakshmi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.R.S.)
| | - Sravani Ramisetty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.R.S.)
| | - Atish Mohanty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.R.S.)
| | - Siddhika Pareek
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.R.S.)
| | - Dana Do
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.R.S.)
| | - Sagun Shrestha
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Phoenix, Goodyear, AZ 85338, USA
| | - Ajaz Khan
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Chicago, Zion, IL 60099, USA
| | - Neel Talwar
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope San Bernardino Road, Upland, CA 91786, USA
| | - Tingting Tan
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Avocado Avenue, Newport Beach, CA 92660, USA
| | - Priya Vishnubhotla
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Atlanta, Newnan, GA 30265, USA
| | - Sharad S. Singhal
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.R.S.)
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.R.S.)
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; (A.R.S.)
- Department of Systems Biology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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2
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Elfeky M, Matsuoka S, Yamamoto I, Elewa YHA, Nakamura K, Suzuki H, Kamikawa A, Okamatu-Ogura Y, Kimura K. Expression Patterns of Grainyhead-Like 2 and Ovo-Like 2 in Mouse Mammary Gland Development During Pregnancy, Lactation, and Weaning. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2024; 30:552-563. [PMID: 38833344 DOI: 10.1093/mam/ozae049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Grainyhead-like 2 (Grhl2) is a transcription factor that regulates cell adhesion genes in mammary ductal development and serves as a repressor of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Conversely, Ovo-like2 (Ovol2) is a target gene of Grhl2 but functions as a substitute in Grhl2-deficient mice, facilitating successful epithelial barrier formation and lumen expansion in kidney-collecting ductal epithelial cells. Our objective was to examine the expression patterns of Grhl2, Ovol2, and their associated genes during the intricate phases of mouse mammary gland development. The mRNA expression of Grhl2 and Ovol2 increased after pregnancy. We observed Grhl2 protein presence in the epithelial cell's region, coinciding with acini formation, and its signal significantly correlated with E-cadherin (Cdh1) expression. However, Ovol2 was present in the epithelial region without a correlation with Cdh1. Similarly, Zeb1, a mesenchymal transcription factor, showed Cdh1-independent expression. Subsequently, we explored the interaction between Rab25, a small G protein, and Grhl2/Ovol2. The expressions of Grhl2 and Ovol2 exhibited a strong correlation with Rab25 and claudin-4, a tight junction protein. These findings suggest that Grhl2 and Ovol2 may collaborate to regulate genes associated with cell adhesion and are crucial for maintaining epithelial integrity during the different phases of mammary gland development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Elfeky
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Al Azaritah, Alexandria 22758, Egypt
| | - Shinya Matsuoka
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Izumi Yamamoto
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Yaser Hosny Ali Elewa
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, El Tagneed St, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Kazuki Nakamura
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Suzuki
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Akihiro Kamikawa
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Yuko Okamatu-Ogura
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kimura
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
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3
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Bracken CP, Goodall GJ, Gregory PA. RNA regulatory mechanisms controlling TGF-β signaling and EMT in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 102-103:4-16. [PMID: 38917876 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2024.06.001] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major contributor to metastatic progression and is prominently regulated by TGF-β signalling. Both EMT and TGF-β pathway components are tightly controlled by non-coding RNAs - including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) - that collectively have major impacts on gene expression and resulting cellular states. While miRNAs are the best characterised regulators of EMT and TGF-β signaling and the miR-200-ZEB1/2 feedback loop plays a central role, important functions for lncRNAs and circRNAs are also now emerging. This review will summarise our current understanding of the roles of non-coding RNAs in EMT and TGF-β signaling with a focus on their functions in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron P Bracken
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
| | - Gregory J Goodall
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
| | - Philip A Gregory
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
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4
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Nakashoji A, Haratake N, Bhattacharya A, Mao W, Xu K, Wang K, Daimon T, Ozawa H, Shigeta K, Fushimi A, Yamashita N, Morimoto Y, Shimokawa M, Saito S, Egloff AM, Uppaluri R, Long MD, Kufe D. Identification of MUC1-C as a Target for Suppressing Progression of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:1268-1281. [PMID: 38619287 PMCID: PMC11092937 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-24-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The MUC1-C protein is aberrantly expressed in adenocarcinomas of epithelial barrier tissues and contributes to their progression. Less is known about involvement of MUC1-C in the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Here, we report that the MUC1 gene is upregulated in advanced head and neck SCCs (HNSCC). Studies of HNSCC cell lines demonstrate that the MUC1-C subunit regulates expression of (i) RIG-I and MDA5 pattern recognition receptors, (ii) STAT1 and IFN regulatory factors, and (iii) downstream IFN-stimulated genes. MUC1-C integrates chronic activation of the STAT1 inflammatory pathway with induction of the ∆Np63 and SOX2 genes that are aberrantly expressed in HNSCCs. In extending those dependencies, we demonstrate that MUC1-C is necessary for NOTCH3 expression, self-renewal capacity, and tumorigenicity. The findings that MUC1 associates with ∆Np63, SOX2 and NOTCH3 expression by single-cell RNA sequencing analysis further indicate that MUC1-C drives the HNSCC stem cell state and is a target for suppressing HNSCC progression. SIGNIFICANCE This work reports a previously unrecognized role for MUC1-C in driving STAT1-mediated chronic inflammation with the progression of HNSCC and identifies MUC1-C as a druggable target for advanced HNSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Nakashoji
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Naoki Haratake
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Weipu Mao
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kangjie Xu
- Central Laboratory Department, Binhai County People's Hospital, Yancheng, P.R. China
| | - Keyi Wang
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tatsuaki Daimon
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hiroki Ozawa
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Keisuke Shigeta
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Atsushi Fushimi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nami Yamashita
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yoshihiro Morimoto
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mototsugu Shimokawa
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Shin Saito
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ann Marie Egloff
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ravindra Uppaluri
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mark D. Long
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Donald Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Bhat GR, Sethi I, Sadida HQ, Rah B, Mir R, Algehainy N, Albalawi IA, Masoodi T, Subbaraj GK, Jamal F, Singh M, Kumar R, Macha MA, Uddin S, Akil ASAS, Haris M, Bhat AA. Cancer cell plasticity: from cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms to tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:197-228. [PMID: 38329598 PMCID: PMC11016008 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10172-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease displaying a variety of cell states and phenotypes. This diversity, known as cancer cell plasticity, confers cancer cells the ability to change in response to their environment, leading to increased tumor diversity and drug resistance. This review explores the intricate landscape of cancer cell plasticity, offering a deep dive into the cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon. Cancer cell plasticity is intertwined with processes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the acquisition of stem cell-like features. These processes are pivotal in the development and progression of tumors, contributing to the multifaceted nature of cancer and the challenges associated with its treatment. Despite significant advancements in targeted therapies, cancer cell adaptability and subsequent therapy-induced resistance remain persistent obstacles in achieving consistent, successful cancer treatment outcomes. Our review delves into the array of mechanisms cancer cells exploit to maintain plasticity, including epigenetic modifications, alterations in signaling pathways, and environmental interactions. We discuss strategies to counteract cancer cell plasticity, such as targeting specific cellular pathways and employing combination therapies. These strategies promise to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments and mitigate therapy resistance. In conclusion, this review offers a holistic, detailed exploration of cancer cell plasticity, aiming to bolster the understanding and approach toward tackling the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. As articulated in this review, the delineation of cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms underlying tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance seeks to contribute substantially to the progress in cancer therapeutics and the advancement of precision medicine, ultimately enhancing the prospects for effective cancer treatment and patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gh Rasool Bhat
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Itty Sethi
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Hana Q Sadida
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Bilal Rah
- Iron Biology Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Science, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Rashid Mir
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Fahad Bin Sultan Chair for Biomedical Research, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naseh Algehainy
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Fahad Bin Sultan Chair for Biomedical Research, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Tariq Masoodi
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Farrukh Jamal
- Dr. Rammanohar, Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, India
| | - Mayank Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology (Lab.), Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Dr. BRAIRCH, All India, New Delhi, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Laboratory Animal Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ammira S Al-Shabeeb Akil
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Laboratory Animal Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
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6
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Sunny SS, Lachova J, Kasparek P, Palkova M, Spoutil F, Prochazka J, Sedlacek R, Liskova P, Kozmik Z. Ovol2 promoter mutations in mice and human illuminate species-specific phenotypic divergence. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:491-500. [PMID: 37971355 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad195] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in the highly conserved OVOL2 promoter region cause posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD) 1 by inducing an ectopic expression of the endothelial OVOL2 mRNA. Here we produced an allelic series of Ovol2 promoter mutations in the mouse model including the heterozygous c.-307T>C variant (RefSeq NM_021220.4) causing PPCD1 in humans. Despite the high evolutionary conservation of the Ovol2 promoter, only some alterations of its sequence had phenotypic consequences in mice. Four independent sequence variants in the distal part of the Ovol2 promoter had no significant effect on endothelial Ovol2 mRNA level or caused any ocular phenotype. In contrast, the mutation c.-307T>C resulted in increased Ovol2 expression in the corneal endothelium. However, only a small fraction of adult mice c.-307T>C heterozygotes developed ocular phenotypes such as irido-corneal adhesions, and corneal opacity. Interestingly, phenotypic penetrance was increased at embryonic stages. Notably, c.-307T>C mutation is located next to the Ovol1/Ovol2 transcription factor binding site. Mice carrying an allele with a deletion encompassing the Ovol2 binding site c.-307_-320del showed significant Ovol2 gene upregulation in the cornea endothelium and exhibited phenotypes similar to the c.-307T>C mutation. In conclusion, although the mutations c.-307T>C and -307_-320del lead to a comparably strong increase in endothelial Ovol2 expression as seen in PPCD1 patients, endothelial dystrophy was not observed in the mouse model, implicating species-specific differences in endothelial cell biology. Nonetheless, the emergence of dominant ocular phenotypes associated with Ovol2 promoter variants in mice implies a potential role of this gene in eye development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweetu Susan Sunny
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Lachova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kasparek
- Program in Craniofacial Biology and Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, CA 94158, San Francisco, United States
| | - Marcela Palkova
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, Prumyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Spoutil
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, Prumyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Prochazka
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, Prumyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Radislav Sedlacek
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, Prumyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Liskova
- Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Ke Karlovu 2, 121 08, Prague 2, Prague Czech Republic
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, U Nemocnice 2, 128 08, Prague 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Prague, Czech Republic
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7
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Mancheno-Ferris A, Immarigeon C, Rivero A, Depierre D, Schickele N, Fosseprez O, Chanard N, Aughey G, Lhoumaud P, Anglade J, Southall T, Plaza S, Payre F, Cuvier O, Polesello C. Crosstalk between chromatin and Shavenbaby defines transcriptional output along the Drosophila intestinal stem cell lineage. iScience 2024; 27:108624. [PMID: 38174321 PMCID: PMC10762455 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Shavenbaby (Svb), the only member of the OvoL family in Drosophila, controls the fate of various epithelial embryonic cells and adult stem cells. Post-translational modification of Svb produces two protein isoforms, Svb-ACT and Svb-REP, which promote adult intestinal stem cell renewal or differentiation, respectively. To define Svb mode of action, we used engineered cell lines and develop an unbiased method to identify Svb target genes across different contexts. Within a given cell type, Svb-ACT and Svb-REP antagonistically regulate the expression of a set of target genes, binding specific enhancers whose accessibility is constrained by chromatin landscape. Reciprocally, Svb-REP can influence local chromatin marks of active enhancers to help repressing target genes. Along the intestinal lineage, the set of Svb target genes progressively changes, together with chromatin accessibility. We propose that Svb-ACT-to-REP transition promotes enterocyte differentiation of intestinal stem cells through direct gene regulation and chromatin remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Mancheno-Ferris
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Integrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Control of cell shape remodeling team, CBI, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Clément Immarigeon
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Integrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Control of cell shape remodeling team, CBI, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Alexia Rivero
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Integrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Control of cell shape remodeling team, CBI, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - David Depierre
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Integrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Chromatin Dynamics and Cell Proliferation team, CBI, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Naomi Schickele
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Integrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Chromatin Dynamics and Cell Proliferation team, CBI, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Olivier Fosseprez
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Integrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Chromatin Dynamics and Cell Proliferation team, CBI, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Nicolas Chanard
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Integrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Chromatin Dynamics and Cell Proliferation team, CBI, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Gabriel Aughey
- Imperial College London, Sir Ernst Chain Building, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Priscilla Lhoumaud
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Integrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Chromatin Dynamics and Cell Proliferation team, CBI, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Institut Jacques Monod, Université Paris Cité/CNRS, 15 rue Hélène Brion, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Julien Anglade
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Integrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Chromatin Dynamics and Cell Proliferation team, CBI, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Tony Southall
- Imperial College London, Sir Ernst Chain Building, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Serge Plaza
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Integrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Sciences Végétales, CNRS/UPS/INPT, 31320 Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - François Payre
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Integrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Control of cell shape remodeling team, CBI, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Olivier Cuvier
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Integrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Chromatin Dynamics and Cell Proliferation team, CBI, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Cédric Polesello
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental biology department (MCD), Centre de Biologie Integrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
- Control of cell shape remodeling team, CBI, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
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8
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Catalanotto M, Vaz JM, Abshire C, Youngblood R, Chu M, Levine H, Jolly MK, Dragoi AM. Dual role of CASP8AP2/FLASH in regulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition plasticity (EMP). Transl Oncol 2024; 39:101837. [PMID: 37984255 PMCID: PMC10689956 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101837] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a developmental program that consists of the loss of epithelial features concomitant with the acquisition of mesenchymal features. Activation of EMT in cancer facilitates the acquisition of aggressive traits and cancer invasion. EMT plasticity (EMP), the dynamic transition between multiple hybrid states in which cancer cells display both epithelial and mesenchymal markers, confers survival advantages for cancer cells in constantly changing environments during metastasis. METHODS RNAseq analysis was performed to assess genome-wide transcriptional changes in cancer cells depleted for histone regulators FLASH, NPAT, and SLBP. Quantitative PCR and Western blot were used for the detection of mRNA and protein levels. Computational analysis was performed on distinct sets of genes to determine the epithelial and mesenchymal score in cancer cells and to correlate FLASH expression with EMT markers in the CCLE collection. RESULTS We demonstrate that loss of FLASH in cancer cells gives rise to a hybrid E/M phenotype with high epithelial scores even in the presence of TGFβ, as determined by computational methods using expression of predetermined sets of epithelial and mesenchymal genes. Multiple genes involved in cell-cell junction formation are similarly specifically upregulated in FLASH-depleted cells, suggesting that FLASH acts as a repressor of the epithelial phenotype. Further, FLASH expression in cancer lines is inversely correlated with the epithelial score. Nonetheless, subsets of mesenchymal markers were distinctly up-regulated in FLASH, NPAT, or SLBP-depleted cells. CONCLUSIONS The ZEB1low/SNAILhigh/E-cadherinhigh phenotype described in FLASH-depleted cancer cells is driving a hybrid E/M phenotype in which epithelial and mesenchymal markers coexist.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joel Markus Vaz
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Reneau Youngblood
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, LSUHSC, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Min Chu
- Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, INLET Core, LSUHSC, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Ana-Maria Dragoi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, LSUHSC, Shreveport, LA, USA; Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, INLET Core, LSUHSC, Shreveport, LA, USA.
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9
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Hamelin B, Obradović MMS, Sethi A, Kloc M, Münst S, Beisel C, Eschbach K, Kohler H, Soysal S, Vetter M, Weber WP, Stadler MB, Bentires-Alj M. Single-cell Analysis Reveals Inter- and Intratumour Heterogeneity in Metastatic Breast Cancer. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2023; 28:26. [PMID: 38066300 PMCID: PMC10709262 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-023-09551-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths of breast cancer patients. Some cancer cells in a tumour go through successive steps, referred to as the metastatic cascade, and give rise to metastases at a distant site. We know that the plasticity and heterogeneity of cancer cells play critical roles in metastasis but the precise underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here we aimed to identify molecular mechanisms of metastasis during colonization, one of the most important yet poorly understood steps of the cascade. We performed single-cell RNA-Seq (scRNA-Seq) on tumours and matched lung macrometastases of patient-derived xenografts of breast cancer. After correcting for confounding factors such as the cell cycle and the percentage of detected genes (PDG), we identified cells in three states in both tumours and metastases. Gene-set enrichment analysis revealed biological processes specific to proliferation and invasion in two states. Our findings suggest that these states are a balance between epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transitions (MET) traits that results in so-called partial EMT phenotypes. Analysis of the top differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these cell states revealed a common set of partial EMT transcription factors (TFs) controlling gene expression, including ZNF750, OVOL2, TP63, TFAP2C and HEY2. Our data suggest that the TFs related to EMT delineate different cell states in tumours and metastases. The results highlight the marked interpatient heterogeneity of breast cancer but identify common features of single cells from five models of metastatic breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Hamelin
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Milan M S Obradović
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- , Roche, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Atul Sethi
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- , Roche, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michal Kloc
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simone Münst
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Beisel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katja Eschbach
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hubertus Kohler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Savas Soysal
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Vetter
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Walter P Weber
- Breast Center, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael B Stadler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mohamed Bentires-Alj
- Department of Biomedicine, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
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10
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Zhong X, Peddada N, Wang J, Moresco JJ, Zhan X, Shelton JM, SoRelle JA, Keller K, Lazaro DR, Moresco EMY, Choi JH, Beutler B. OVOL2 sustains postnatal thymic epithelial cell identity. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7786. [PMID: 38012144 PMCID: PMC10682436 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43456-z] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Distinct pathways and molecules may support embryonic versus postnatal thymic epithelial cell (TEC) development and maintenance. Here, we identify a mechanism by which TEC numbers and function are maintained postnatally. A viable missense allele (C120Y) of Ovol2, expressed ubiquitously or specifically in TECs, results in lymphopenia, in which T cell development is compromised by loss of medullary TECs and dysfunction of cortical TECs. We show that the epithelial identity of TECs is aberrantly subverted towards a mesenchymal state in OVOL2-deficient mice. We demonstrate that OVOL2 inhibits the epigenetic regulatory BRAF-HDAC complex, specifically disrupting RCOR1-LSD1 interaction. This causes inhibition of LSD1-mediated H3K4me2 demethylation, resulting in chromatin accessibility and transcriptional activation of epithelial genes. Thus, OVOL2 controls the epigenetic landscape of TECs to enforce TEC identity. The identification of a non-redundant postnatal mechanism for TEC maintenance offers an entry point to understanding thymic involution, which normally begins in early adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhong
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Nagesh Peddada
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Jianhui Wang
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - James J Moresco
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Xiaowei Zhan
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
- Department of Population and Data Sciences, Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8821, USA
| | - John M Shelton
- Intermal Medicine-Histopathology Core, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8573, USA
| | - Jeffrey A SoRelle
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-9072, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-9063, USA
| | - Katie Keller
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Danielle Renee Lazaro
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Eva Marie Y Moresco
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Jin Huk Choi
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA.
| | - Bruce Beutler
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA.
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11
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Iglesia MD, Jayasinghe RG, Chen S, Terekhanova NV, Herndon JM, Storrs E, Karpova A, Zhou DC, Al Deen NN, Shinkle AT, Lu RJH, Caravan W, Houston A, Zhao Y, Sato K, Lal P, Street C, Rodrigues FM, Southard-Smith AN, Targino da Costa ALN, Zhu H, Mo CK, Crowson L, Fulton RS, Wyczalkowski MA, Fronick CC, Fulton LA, Sun H, Davies SR, Appelbaum EL, Chasnoff SE, Carmody M, Brooks C, Liu R, Wendl MC, Oh C, Bender D, Cruchaga C, Harari O, Bredemeyer A, Lavine K, Bose R, Margenthaler J, Held JM, Achilefu S, Ademuyiwa F, Aft R, Ma C, Colditz GA, Ju T, Oh ST, Fitzpatrick J, Hwang ES, Shoghi KI, Chheda MG, Veis DJ, Chen F, Fields RC, Gillanders WE, Ding L. Differential chromatin accessibility and transcriptional dynamics define breast cancer subtypes and their lineages. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.31.565031. [PMID: 37961519 PMCID: PMC10634973 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.31.565031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and treatment is guided by biomarker profiles representing distinct molecular subtypes. Breast cancer arises from the breast ductal epithelium, and experimental data suggests breast cancer subtypes have different cells of origin within that lineage. The precise cells of origin for each subtype and the transcriptional networks that characterize these tumor-normal lineages are not established. In this work, we applied bulk, single-cell (sc), and single-nucleus (sn) multi-omic techniques as well as spatial transcriptomics and multiplex imaging on 61 samples from 37 breast cancer patients to show characteristic links in gene expression and chromatin accessibility between breast cancer subtypes and their putative cells of origin. We applied the PAM50 subtyping algorithm in tandem with bulk RNA-seq and snRNA-seq to reliably subtype even low-purity tumor samples and confirm promoter accessibility using snATAC. Trajectory analysis of chromatin accessibility and differentially accessible motifs clearly connected progenitor populations with breast cancer subtypes supporting the cell of origin for basal-like and luminal A and B tumors. Regulatory network analysis of transcription factors underscored the importance of BHLHE40 in luminal breast cancer and luminal mature cells, and KLF5 in basal-like tumors and luminal progenitor cells. Furthermore, we identify key genes defining the basal-like ( PRKCA , SOX6 , RGS6 , KCNQ3 ) and luminal A/B ( FAM155A , LRP1B ) lineages, with expression in both precursor and cancer cells and further upregulation in tumors. Exhausted CTLA4-expressing CD8+ T cells were enriched in basal-like breast cancer, suggesting altered means of immune dysfunction among breast cancer subtypes. We used spatial transcriptomics and multiplex imaging to provide spatial detail for key markers of benign and malignant cell types and immune cell colocation. These findings demonstrate analysis of paired transcription and chromatin accessibility at the single cell level is a powerful tool for investigating breast cancer lineage development and highlight transcriptional networks that define basal and luminal breast cancer lineages.
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12
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Gray GK, Girnius N, Kuiken HJ, Henstridge AZ, Brugge JS. Single-cell and spatial analyses reveal a tradeoff between murine mammary proliferation and lineage programs associated with endocrine cues. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113293. [PMID: 37858468 PMCID: PMC10840493 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113293] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Although distinct epithelial cell types have been distinguished in glandular tissues such as the mammary gland, the extent of heterogeneity within each cell type and the degree of endocrine control of this diversity across development are incompletely understood. By combining mass cytometry and cyclic immunofluorescence, we define a rich array of murine mammary epithelial cell subtypes associated with puberty, the estrous cycle, and sex. These subtypes are differentially proliferative and spatially segregate distinctly in adult versus pubescent glands. Further, we identify systematic suppression of lineage programs at the protein and RNA levels as a common feature of mammary epithelial expansion during puberty, the estrous cycle, and gestation and uncover a pervasive enrichment of ribosomal protein genes in luminal cells elicited specifically during progesterone-dominant expansionary periods. Collectively, these data expand our knowledge of murine mammary epithelial heterogeneity and connect endocrine-driven epithelial expansion with lineage suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kenneth Gray
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nomeda Girnius
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hendrik J Kuiken
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aylin Z Henstridge
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joan S Brugge
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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13
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Jiang Y, Zhang Z. OVOL2: an epithelial lineage determiner with emerging roles in energy homeostasis. Trends Cell Biol 2023; 33:824-833. [PMID: 37336658 PMCID: PMC10524639 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.05.008] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Ovo like zinc finger 2 (OVOL2) is an evolutionarily conserved regulator of epithelial lineage determination and differentiation during embryogenesis. OVOL2 binds to DNA using zinc-finger domains to suppress epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is critical for tumor metastasis. However, recent studies have suggested some noncanonical roles of OVOL2 that do not rely on the DNA binding of zinc-finger domains or regulation of EMT. OVOL2 and EMT regulators have emerging roles in adipogenesis, thermogenesis, and lipid metabolism. Here, we review different roles of OVOL2 from embryo development to adult tissue homeostasis, and discuss how OVOL2 and other EMT regulators orchestrate a regulatory network to control energy homeostasis. Last, we propose potential applications of targeting OVOL2 to reduce human obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiao Jiang
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Zhao Zhang
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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14
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Qin L, Zhang D, Liu S, Liu Q, Liu M, Huang B. Dissecting the molecular trajectory of fibroblast reprogramming to chemically induced mammary epithelial cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1194070. [PMID: 37601103 PMCID: PMC10433763 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1194070] [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: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The plasticity of cell identity allows cellular reprogramming that manipulates the lineage of cells to generate the target cell types, bringing new avenues for disease modeling and autologous tailored cell therapy. Previously, we had already successfully established a technical platform for inducing fibroblast reprogramming to chemically induced mammary epithelial cells (CiMECs) by small-molecule compounds. However, exactly how the molecular mechanism driving the lineage conversion remains unknown. Methods: We employ the RNA-sequencing technology to investigate the transcriptome event during the reprogramming process and reveal the molecular mechanisms for the fate acquisition of mammary lineage. Results: The multi-step reprogramming process first overcomes multiple barriers, including the inhibition of mesenchymal characteristics, pro-inflammatory and cell death signals, and then enters an intermediate plastic state. Subsequently, the hormone and mammary development genes were rapidly activated, leading to the acquisition of the mammary program together with upregulation of the milk protein synthesis signal. Moreover, the gene network analyses reveal the potential relationship between the TGF-β signaling pathway to mammary lineage activation, and the changes in the expression of these genes may play important roles in coordinating the reprogramming process. Conclusion: Together, these findings provide critical insights into the molecular route and mechanism triggered by small-molecule compounds that induce fibroblast reprogramming into the fate of mammary epithelial cells, and they also laid a foundation for the subsequent research on the development and differentiation of mammary epithelial cells and lactation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangshan Qin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Siyi Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Quanhui Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Mingxing Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Ben Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
- Guangxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanning, China
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15
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Vu R, Dragan M, Sun P, Werner S, Dai X. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity and Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cutaneous Wound Healing. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2023; 15:a041237. [PMID: 36617638 PMCID: PMC10411868 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial and endothelial cells possess the inherent plasticity to undergo morphological, cellular, and molecular changes leading to their resemblance of mesenchymal cells. A prevailing notion has been that cutaneous wound reepithelialization involves partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of wound-edge epidermal cells to enable their transition from a stationary state to a migratory state. In this review, we reflect on past findings that led to this notion and discuss recent studies that suggest a refined view, focusing predominantly on in vivo results using mammalian excisional wound models. We highlight the concept of epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP), which emphasizes a reversible conversion of epithelial cells across multiple intermediate states within the epithelial-mesenchymal spectrum, and discuss the critical importance of restricting EMT for effective wound reepithelialization. We also outline the current state of knowledge on EMP in pathological wound healing, and on endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a process similar to EMT, as a possible mechanism contributing to wound fibrosis and scar formation. Harnessing epithelial/endothelial-mesenchymal plasticity may unravel opportunities for developing new therapeutics to treat human wound healing pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remy Vu
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-1700, USA
- NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-1700, USA
| | - Morgan Dragan
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-1700, USA
- NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-1700, USA
| | - Peng Sun
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-1700, USA
| | - Sabine Werner
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, 8093 ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Xing Dai
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-1700, USA
- NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-1700, USA
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16
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He Y, Zhang Q, Chen Y, Wu Y, Quan Y, Chen W, Yao J, Zhang P. ZHX2 deficiency enriches hybrid MET cells through regulating E-cadherin expression. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:444. [PMID: 37460540 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05974-y] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence indicates that the epithelial to mesenchymal (E/M) hybrid state plays a key role in tumorigenesis. Importantly, a hybrid mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) state in which individual cells express both epithelial and mesenchymal markers was recently identified in vivo, further strengthening the bonds between the hybrid EMT state and cancer progression. However, the role and the molecular mechanisms by which the hybrid MET state is maintained in triple-negative breast cancer cells (TNBC) remain elusive. Here, we find that loss of ZHX2 expression results in the hybrid MET phenotype in mesenchymal TNBC cells. Mechanistically, through directly binding to the CDH1 promoter, depletion of ZHX2 specifically reactivates expression of CDH1 encoding E-cadherin, an epithelial marker that is crucial for maintaining epithelial phenotype. Functionally, loss of ZHX2 expression enriches the hybrid MET cells and inhibits the migration and dissemination of TNBC cells or organoids, which could be reversed by restoration of E-cadherin. Moreover, depletion of ZHX2 suppresses lung metastasis in preclinical models of TNBC. In patients with TNBC, ZHX2 expression was amplified and negatively correlated with the expression of E-cadherin. These findings suggest that loss of ZHX2 promotes the hybrid MET state to impair TNBC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan He
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qimin Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuanhong Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yingjian Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Quan
- Stem Cell Laboratory, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China.
| | - Weihua Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Yao
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peijing Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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17
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Dragan M, Chen Z, Li Y, Le J, Sun P, Haensel D, Sureshchandra S, Pham A, Lu E, Pham KT, Verlande A, Vu R, Gutierrez G, Li W, Jang C, Masri S, Dai X. Ovol1/2 loss-induced epidermal defects elicit skin immune activation and alter global metabolism. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56214. [PMID: 37249012 PMCID: PMC10328084 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202256214] [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: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin epidermis constitutes the outer permeability barrier that protects the body from dehydration, heat loss, and myriad external assaults. Mechanisms that maintain barrier integrity in constantly challenged adult skin and how epidermal dysregulation shapes the local immune microenvironment and whole-body metabolism remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that inducible and simultaneous ablation of transcription factor-encoding Ovol1 and Ovol2 in adult epidermis results in barrier dysregulation through impacting epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity and inflammatory gene expression. We find that aberrant skin immune activation then ensues, featuring Langerhans cell mobilization and T cell responses, and leading to elevated levels of secreted inflammatory factors in circulation. Finally, we identify failure to gain body weight and accumulate body fat as long-term consequences of epidermal-specific Ovol1/2 loss and show that these global metabolic changes along with the skin barrier/immune defects are partially rescued by immunosuppressant dexamethasone. Collectively, our study reveals key regulators of adult barrier maintenance and suggests a causal connection between epidermal dysregulation and whole-body metabolism that is in part mediated through aberrant immune activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Dragan
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
- The NSF‐Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate ResearchUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Zeyu Chen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
- Present address:
Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Tenth People's HospitalTongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Present address:
Institute of PsoriasisTongji University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yumei Li
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Johnny Le
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Peng Sun
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Daniel Haensel
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
- Present address:
Program in Epithelial BiologyStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCAUSA
| | - Suhas Sureshchandra
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Anh Pham
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Eddie Lu
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Katherine Thanh Pham
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Amandine Verlande
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Remy Vu
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
- The NSF‐Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate ResearchUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Guadalupe Gutierrez
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Cholsoon Jang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Selma Masri
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
| | - Xing Dai
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
- The NSF‐Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate ResearchUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
- Department of Dermatology, School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCAUSA
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18
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Suzuki T, Conant A, Curow C, Alexander A, Ioffe Y, Unternaehrer JJ. Role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition factor SNAI1 and its targets in ovarian cancer aggressiveness. JOURNAL OF CANCER METASTASIS AND TREATMENT 2023; 9:25. [PMID: 38009093 PMCID: PMC10673625 DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2023.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in the USA. For over twenty years, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been characterized extensively in development and disease. The dysregulation of this process in cancer has been identified as a mechanism by which epithelial tumors become more aggressive, allowing them to survive and invade distant tissues. This occurs in part due to the increased expression of the EMT transcription factor, SNAI1 (Snail). In the case of epithelial ovarian cancer, Snail has been shown to contribute to cancer invasion, stemness, chemoresistance, and metabolic changes. Thus, in this review, we focus on summarizing current findings on the role of EMT (specifically, factors downstream of Snail) in determining ovarian cancer aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tise Suzuki
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Ashlyn Conant
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Casey Curow
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
- University of Redlands, Department of Biology, Redlands, CA 92373, USA
| | - Audrey Alexander
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
- Division of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA 92504, USA
| | - Yevgeniya Ioffe
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Juli J Unternaehrer
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
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Akhmetkaliyev A, Alibrahim N, Shafiee D, Tulchinsky E. EMT/MET plasticity in cancer and Go-or-Grow decisions in quiescence: the two sides of the same coin? Mol Cancer 2023; 22:90. [PMID: 37259089 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01793-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET) are genetic determinants of cellular plasticity. These programs operate in physiological (embryonic development, wound healing) and pathological (organ fibrosis, cancer) conditions. In cancer, EMT and MET interfere with various signalling pathways at different levels. This results in gross alterations in the gene expression programs, which affect most, if not all hallmarks of cancer, such as response to proliferative and death-inducing signals, tumorigenicity, and cell stemness. EMT in cancer cells involves large scale reorganisation of the cytoskeleton, loss of epithelial integrity, and gain of mesenchymal traits, such as mesenchymal type of cell migration. In this regard, EMT/MET plasticity is highly relevant to the Go-or-Grow concept, which postulates the dichotomous relationship between cell motility and proliferation. The Go-or-Grow decisions are critically important in the processes in which EMT/MET plasticity takes the central stage, mobilisation of stem cells during wound healing, cancer relapse, and metastasis. Here we outline the maintenance of quiescence in stem cell and metastatic niches, focusing on the implication of EMT/MET regulatory networks in Go-or-Grow switches. In particular, we discuss the analogy between cells residing in hybrid quasi-mesenchymal states and GAlert, an intermediate phase allowing quiescent stem cells to enter the cell cycle rapidly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azamat Akhmetkaliyev
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, 020000, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Darya Shafiee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, 020000, Kazakhstan
| | - Eugene Tulchinsky
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, 020000, Kazakhstan.
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
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20
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Verstappe J, Berx G. A role for partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in enabling stemness in homeostasis and cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 90:15-28. [PMID: 36773819 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Stem cells have self-renewal capacities and the ability to give rise to differentiated cells thereby sustaining tissues during homeostasis and injury. This structural hierarchy extends to tumours which harbor stem-like cells deemed cancer stem cells that propagate the tumour and drive metastasis and relapse. The process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which plays an important role in development and cancer cell migration, was shown to be correlated with stemness in both homeostasis and cancer indicating that stemness can be acquired and is not necessarily an intrinsic trait. Nowadays it is experimentally proven that the activation of an EMT program does not necessarily drive cells towards a fully mesenchymal phenotype but rather to hybrid E/M states. This review offers the latest advances in connecting the EMT status and stem-cell state of both non-transformed and cancer cells. Recent literature clearly shows that hybrid EMT states have a higher probability of acquiring stem cell traits. The position of a cell along the EMT-axis which coincides with a stem cell-like state is known as the stemness window. We show how the original EMT-state of a cell dictates the EMT/MET inducing programmes required to reach stemness. Lastly we present the mechanism of stemness regulation and the regulatory feedback loops which position cells at a certain EMT state along the EMT axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Verstappe
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Berx
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
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21
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Basu B, Karmakar S, Basu M, Ghosh MK. USP7 imparts partial EMT state in colorectal cancer by stabilizing the RNA helicase DDX3X and augmenting Wnt/β-catenin signaling. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119446. [PMID: 36791810 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental and highly regulated process that is normally observed during embryonic development and tissue repair but is deregulated during advanced cancer. Classically, through the process of EMT, cancer cells gradually transition from a predominantly epithelial phenotype to a more invasive mesenchymal phenotype. Increasing studies have, however, brought into light the existence of unique intermediary states in EMT, often referred to as partial EMT states. Through our studies we have found the deubiquitinase USP7 to be strongly associated with the development of such a partial EMT state in colon cancer cells, characterized by the acquisition of mesenchymal characteristics but without the reduction in epithelial markers. We found USP7 to be overexpressed in colon adenocarcinomas and to be closely associated with advancing tumor stage. We found that functional inhibition or knockdown of USP7 is associated with a marked reduction in mesenchymal markers and in overall migration potential of cancer cells. Starting off with a proteomics-based approach we were able to identify and later on verify the DEAD box RNA helicase DDX3X to be an interacting partner of USP7. We then went on to show that USP7, through the stabilization of DDX3X, augments Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which has previously been shown to be greatly associated with colorectal cancer cell invasiveness. Our results indicate USP7 as a novel key player in establishing a partial mesenchymal phenotype in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhaskar Basu
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), TRUE Campus, CN-6, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700091 & 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Subhajit Karmakar
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), TRUE Campus, CN-6, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700091 & 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Malini Basu
- Department of Microbiology, Dhruba Chand Halder College, Dakshin Barasat, South 24 Parganas PIN-743372, India
| | - Mrinal K Ghosh
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB), TRUE Campus, CN-6, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700091 & 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India.
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22
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Dhungel N, Youngblood R, Chu M, Carroll J, Dragoi AM. Assessing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity in a small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and lung fibroblasts co-culture model. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1096326. [PMID: 36936987 PMCID: PMC10022497 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1096326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is the source of important cues that govern epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and facilitate the acquisition of aggressive traits by cancer cells. It is now recognized that EMT is not a binary program, and cancer cells rarely switch to a fully mesenchymal phenotype. Rather, cancer cells exist in multiple hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) states responsible for cell population heterogeneity, which is advantageous for the ever-changing environment during tumor development and metastasis. How are these intermediate states generated and maintained is not fully understood. Here, we show that direct interaction between small cell lung carcinoma cells and lung fibroblasts induces a hybrid EMT phenotype in cancer cells in which several mesenchymal genes involved in receptor interaction with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and ECM remodeling are upregulated while epithelial genes such as E-cadherin remain unchanged or slightly increase. We also demonstrate that several core EMT-regulating transcription factors (EMT-TFs) are upregulated in cancer cells during direct contact with fibroblasts, as is Yes-associated protein (YAP1), a major regulator of the Hippo pathway. Further, we show that these changes are transient and reverse to the initial state once the interaction is disrupted. Altogether, our results provide evidence that tumor cells' direct contact with the fibroblasts in the TME initiates a signaling cascade responsible for hybrid E/M states of cancer cells. These hybrid states are maintained during the interaction and possibly contribute to therapy resistance and immune evasion, while interference with direct contact will result in slow recovery and switch to the initial states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilu Dhungel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, LSUHSC-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Reneau Youngblood
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, LSUHSC-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Min Chu
- Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, INLET Core, LSUHSC-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Jennifer Carroll
- Center for Emerging Viral Threats (CEVT), LSUHSC-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Ana-Maria Dragoi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, LSUHSC-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, INLET Core, LSUHSC-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
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Li D, Xia L, Huang P, Wang Z, Guo Q, Huang C, Leng W, Qin S. Heterogeneity and plasticity of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer metastasis: Focusing on partial EMT and regulatory mechanisms. Cell Prolif 2023:e13423. [PMID: 36808651 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) or mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) plays critical roles in cancer metastasis. Recent studies, especially those based on single-cell sequencing, have revealed that EMT is not a binary process, but a heterogeneous and dynamic disposition with intermediary or partial EMT states. Multiple double-negative feedback loops involved by EMT-related transcription factors (EMT-TFs) have been identified. These feedback loops between EMT drivers and MET drivers finely regulate the EMT transition state of the cell. In this review, the general characteristics, biomarkers and molecular mechanisms of different EMT transition states were summarized. We additionally discussed the direct and indirect roles of EMT transition state in tumour metastasis. More importantly, this article provides direct evidence that the heterogeneity of EMT is closely related to the poor prognosis in gastric cancer. Notably, a seesaw model was proposed to explain how tumour cells regulate themselves to remain in specific EMT transition states, including epithelial state, hybrid/intermediate state and mesenchymal state. Additionally, this article also provides a review of the current status, limitations and future perspectives of EMT signalling in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Li
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Lingyun Xia
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Pan Huang
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Zidi Wang
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Qiwei Guo
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Congcong Huang
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Weidong Leng
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Shanshan Qin
- Department of Stomatology, Taihe Hospital and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Academy of Bio-medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
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24
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A re-appraisal of mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) in endometrial epithelial remodeling. Cell Tissue Res 2023; 391:393-408. [PMID: 36401092 PMCID: PMC9889438 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03711-z] [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: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) is a mechanism of endometrial epithelial regeneration. It is also implicated in adenocarcinoma and endometriosis. Little is known about this process in normal uterine physiology. Previously, using pregnancy and menses-like mouse models, MET occurred only as an epithelial damage/repair mechanism. Here, we hypothesized that MET also occurs in other physiological endometrial remodeling events, outside of damage/repair, such as during the estrous cycle and adenogenesis (gland development). To investigate this, Amhr2-Cre-YFP/GFP mesenchyme-specific reporter mice were used to track the fate of mesenchymal-derived (MD) cells. Using EpCAM (epithelial marker), EpCAM+YFP+ MD-epithelial cells were identified in all stages of the estrous cycle except diestrus, in both postpartum and virgin mice. EpCAM+YFP+ MD-epithelial cells comprised up to 80% of the epithelia during estrogen-dominant proestrus and significantly declined to indistinguishable from control uteri in diestrus, suggesting MET is hormonally regulated. MD-epithelial cells were also identified during postnatal epithelial remodeling. MET occurred immediately after birth at postnatal day (P) 0.5 with EpCAM+GFP+ cells ranging from negligible (0.21%) to 82% of the epithelia. EpCAM+GFP+ MD-epithelial cells declined during initiation of adenogenesis (P8, avg. 1.75%) and then increased during gland morphogenesis (P14, avg. 10%). MD-epithelial cells expressed markers in common with non-MD-epithelial cells (e.g., EpCAM, FOXA2, ESR1, PGR). However, MD-epithelial cells were differentially regulated postnatally and in adults, suggesting a functional distinction in the two populations. We conclude that MET occurs not only as an epithelial damage/repair mechanism but also during other epithelial remodeling events, which to our knowledge has not been demonstrated in other tissues.
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25
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Gugnoni M, Manzotti G, Vitale E, Sauta E, Torricelli F, Reggiani F, Pistoni M, Piana S, Ciarrocchi A. OVOL2 impairs RHO GTPase signaling to restrain mitosis and aggressiveness of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:108. [PMID: 35337349 PMCID: PMC8957195 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02316-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer (ATC) is an undifferentiated and aggressive tumor that often originates from well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma (DTC) through a trans-differentiation process. Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is recognized as one of the major players of this process. OVOL2 is a transcription factor (TF) that promotes epithelial differentiation and restrains EMT during embryonic development. OVOL2 loss in some types of cancers is linked to aggressiveness and poor prognosis. Here, we aim to clarify the unexplored role of OVOL2 in ATC. Methods Gene expression analysis in thyroid cancer patients and cell lines showed that OVOL2 is mainly associated with epithelial features and its expression is deeply impaired in ATC. To assess OVOL2 function, we established an OVOL2-overexpression model in ATC cell lines and evaluated its effects by analyzing gene expression, proliferation, invasion and migration abilities, cell cycle, specific protein localization through immunofluorescence staining. RNA-seq profiling showed that OVOL2 controls a complex network of genes converging on cell cycle and mitosis regulation and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation identified new OVOL2 target genes. Results Coherently with its reported function, OVOL2 re-expression restrained EMT and aggressiveness in ATC cells. Unexpectedly, we observed that it caused G2/M block, a consequent reduction in cell proliferation and an increase in cell death. This phenotype was associated to generalized abnormalities in the mitotic spindle structure and cytoskeletal organization. By RNA-seq experiments, we showed that many pathways related to cytoskeleton and migration, cell cycle and mitosis are profoundly affected by OVOL2 expression, in particular the RHO-GTPase pathway resulted as the most interesting. We demonstrated that RHO GTPase pathway is the central hub of OVOL2-mediated program in ATC and that OVOL2 transcriptionally inhibits RhoU and RhoJ. Silencing of RhoU recapitulated the OVOL2-driven phenotype pointing to this protein as a crucial target of OVOL2 in ATC. Conclusions Collectively, these data describe the role of OVOL2 in ATC and uncover a novel function of this TF in inhibiting the RHO GTPase pathway interlacing its effects on EMT, cytoskeleton dynamics and mitosis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02316-2.
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26
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Canciello A, Cerveró-Varona A, Peserico A, Mauro A, Russo V, Morrione A, Giordano A, Barboni B. "In medio stat virtus": Insights into hybrid E/M phenotype attitudes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1038841. [PMID: 36467417 PMCID: PMC9715750 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1038841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) refers to the ability of cells to dynamically interconvert between epithelial (E) and mesenchymal (M) phenotypes, thus generating an array of hybrid E/M intermediates with mixed E and M features. Recent findings have demonstrated how these hybrid E/M rather than fully M cells play key roles in most of physiological and pathological processes involving EMT. To this regard, the onset of hybrid E/M state coincides with the highest stemness gene expression and is involved in differentiation of either normal and cancer stem cells. Moreover, hybrid E/M cells are responsible for wound healing and create a favorable immunosuppressive environment for tissue regeneration. Nevertheless, hybrid state is responsible of metastatic process and of the increasing of survival, apoptosis and therapy resistance in cancer cells. The present review aims to describe the main features and the emerging concepts regulating EMP and the formation of E/M hybrid intermediates by describing differences and similarities between cancer and normal hybrid stem cells. In particular, the comprehension of hybrid E/M cells biology will surely advance our understanding of their features and how they could be exploited to improve tissue regeneration and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Canciello
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Adrián Cerveró-Varona
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Alessia Peserico
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Annunziata Mauro
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Valentina Russo
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Andrea Morrione
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO), Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Barbara Barboni
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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27
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Zhang Z, Jiang Y, Su L, Ludwig S, Zhang X, Tang M, Li X, Anderton P, Zhan X, Choi M, Russell J, Bu CH, Lyon S, Xu D, Hildebrand S, Scott L, Quan J, Simpson R, Sun Q, Qin B, Collie T, Tadesse M, Moresco EMY, Beutler B. Obesity caused by an OVOL2 mutation reveals dual roles of OVOL2 in promoting thermogenesis and limiting white adipogenesis. Cell Metab 2022; 34:1860-1874.e4. [PMID: 36228616 PMCID: PMC9633419 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2022.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Using random germline mutagenesis in mice, we identified a viable hypomorphic allele (boh) of the transcription-factor-encoding gene Ovol2 that resulted in obesity, which initially developed with normal food intake and physical activity but decreased energy expenditure. Fat weight was dramatically increased, while lean weight was reduced in 12-week-old boh homozygous mice, culminating by 24 weeks in massive obesity, hepatosteatosis, insulin resistance, and diabetes. The Ovol2boh/boh genotype augmented obesity in Lepob/ob mice, and pair-feeding failed to normalize obesity in Ovol2boh/boh mice. OVOL2-deficient mice were extremely cold intolerant. OVOL2 is essential for brown/beige adipose tissue-mediated thermogenesis. In white adipose tissues, OVOL2 limited adipogenesis by blocking C/EBPα engagement of its transcriptional targets. Overexpression of OVOL2 in adipocytes of mice fed with a high-fat diet reduced total body and liver fat and improved insulin sensitivity. Our data reveal that OVOL2 plays dual functions in thermogenesis and adipogenesis to maintain energy balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Zhang
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Yiao Jiang
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lijing Su
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Sara Ludwig
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xuechun Zhang
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Miao Tang
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Priscilla Anderton
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xiaoming Zhan
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Mihwa Choi
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jamie Russell
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Chun-Hui Bu
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Stephen Lyon
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Darui Xu
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Sara Hildebrand
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lindsay Scott
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jiexia Quan
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Rochelle Simpson
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Qihua Sun
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Baifang Qin
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Tiffany Collie
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Meron Tadesse
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Eva Marie Y Moresco
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Bruce Beutler
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Nordick B, Chae-Yeon Park M, Quaranta V, Hong T. Cooperative RNA degradation stabilizes intermediate epithelial-mesenchymal states and supports a phenotypic continuum. iScience 2022; 25:105224. [PMID: 36248730 PMCID: PMC9557027 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple intermediate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) states reflecting hybrid epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes were observed in physiological and pathological conditions. Previous theoretical models explaining multiple EMT states rely on regulatory loops involving transcriptional feedback, which produce three or four attractors. This is incompatible with the observed continuum-like EMT spectrum. Here, we used mass-action-based models to describe post-transcriptional regulations, finding that cooperative RNA degradation via multiple microRNA binding sites can generate four-attractor systems without transcriptional feedback. Furthermore, the newly identified intermediates-enabling circuits are common in the EMT regulatory network, and they can synergize with transcriptional feedback to support phenotypic continuum. Finally, our model predicted a role of miR-101 in multistate EMT, and we identified evidence from single-cell RNA-sequencing data that support the prediction. Our work reveals a previously unknown role of cooperative RNA degradation and microRNAs in EMT, providing a framework that can bridge the gap between mechanistic models and single-cell experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Nordick
- School of Genome Science and Technology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37916, USA
| | - Mary Chae-Yeon Park
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37916, USA
| | - Vito Quaranta
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Tian Hong
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37916, USA
- National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis, Knoxville, TN 37916, USA
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29
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Zhang X, Luo F, Luo S, Li L, Ren X, Lin J, Liang Y, Ma C, Ding L, Zhang D, Ye T, Lin Y, Jin B, Gao S, Ye Q. Transcriptional Repression of Aerobic Glycolysis by OVOL2 in Breast Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2200705. [PMID: 35896951 PMCID: PMC9507357 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202200705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect), a hallmark of cancer, plays a critical role in cancer cell growth and metastasis; however, direct inhibition of the Warburg effect remains largely unknown. Herein, the transcription factor OVO-like zinc finger 2 (OVOL2) is demonstrated to directly repress the expression of several glycolytic genes, blocking the Warburg effect and breast tumor growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. OVOL2 inhibits glycolysis by recruiting the nuclear receptor co-repressor (NCoR) and histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3). The tumor suppressor p53, a key regulator of cancer metabolism, activates OVOL2 by binding to the oncoprotein mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) and inhibiting MDM2-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of OVOL2. OVOL2 expression is negatively correlated with glycolytic gene expression and can be a good predictor of prognosis in patients with breast cancer. Therefore, targeting the p53/MDM2/OVOL2 axis provides a potential avenue for cancer treatment, especially breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Zhang
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
| | - Fei Luo
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
- Medical School of Guizhou UniversityGuiyang550025China
| | - Shaliu Luo
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
- Medical School of Guizhou UniversityGuiyang550025China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
| | - Xinxin Ren
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100037China
- Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030000China
| | - Jing Lin
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryThe Fourth Medical Center of PLA General HospitalBeijing100037China
| | - Yingchun Liang
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
| | - Chao Ma
- Institute of Cancer Stem CellDalian Medical UniversityDalian116000China
| | - Lihua Ding
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
| | - Deyu Zhang
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
| | - Tianxing Ye
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
| | - Yanni Lin
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
- Shanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuan030000China
| | - Bilian Jin
- Institute of Cancer Stem CellDalian Medical UniversityDalian116000China
| | - Shan Gao
- Zhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Qinong Ye
- Department of Medical Molecular BiologyBeijing Institute of BiotechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineBeijing100850China
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30
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Wu J, Luo D, Li S. Ovo Like Zinc Finger 2 (OVOL2) Suppresses Breast Cancer Stem Cell Traits and Correlates with Immune Cells Infiltration. BREAST CANCER: TARGETS AND THERAPY 2022; 14:211-227. [PMID: 35996562 PMCID: PMC9391936 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s363114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiafa Wu
- School of Food and Bioengineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Jiafa Wu, School of Food and Bioengineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Kaiyuan Avenue 263, Luoyang, People’s Republic of China, Email
| | - Dongping Luo
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shengnan Li
- School of Medicine, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, People’s Republic of China
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31
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Mullins R, Pal A, Barrett TF, Neal MEH, Puram SV. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity in Tumor Immune Evasion. Cancer Res 2022; 82:2329-2343. [PMID: 35363853 PMCID: PMC9256788 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-4370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process that occurs during embryogenesis and tissue repair. However, EMT can be hijacked by malignant cells, where it may promote immune evasion and metastasis. Classically considered a dichotomous transition, EMT in cancer has recently been considered a plastic process whereby malignant cells display and interconvert among hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) states. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) and associated hybrid E/M states are divergent from classical EMT, with unique immunomodulatory effects. Here, we review recent insights into the EMP-immune cross-talk, highlighting possible mechanisms of immune evasion conferred by hybrid E/M states and roles of immune cells in EMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley Mullins
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A
| | - Ananya Pal
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A
| | - Thomas F Barrett
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A
| | - Molly E Heft Neal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A
| | - Sidharth V Puram
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.,Corresponding author: Sidharth V. Puram, MD PhD, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8115, St. Louis, MO 63110, (314) 362-7509,
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32
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OVOL1 inhibits breast cancer cell invasion by enhancing the degradation of TGF-β type I receptor. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:126. [PMID: 35484112 PMCID: PMC9050647 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00944-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovo-like transcriptional repressor 1 (OVOL1) is a key mediator of epithelial lineage determination and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). The cytokines transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) control the epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) of cancer cells, but whether this occurs through interplay with OVOL1 is not known. Here, we show that OVOL1 is inversely correlated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signature, and is an indicator of a favorable prognosis for breast cancer patients. OVOL1 suppresses EMT, migration, extravasation, and early metastatic events of breast cancer cells. Importantly, BMP strongly promotes the expression of OVOL1, which enhances BMP signaling in turn. This positive feedback loop is established through the inhibition of TGF-β receptor signaling by OVOL1. Mechanistically, OVOL1 interacts with and prevents the ubiquitination and degradation of SMAD family member 7 (SMAD7), which is a negative regulator of TGF-β type I receptor stability. Moreover, a small-molecule compound 6-formylindolo(3,2-b)carbazole (FICZ) was identified to activate OVOL1 expression and thereby antagonizing (at least in part) TGF-β-mediated EMT and migration in breast cancer cells. Our results uncover a novel mechanism by which OVOL1 attenuates TGF-β/SMAD signaling and maintains the epithelial identity of breast cancer cells.
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33
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Gutierrez G, Sun P, Han Y, Dai X. Defining mammary basal cell transcriptional states using single-cell RNA-sequencing. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4893. [PMID: 35318370 PMCID: PMC8940936 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08870-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogenous disease that can be classified into multiple subtypes including the most aggressive basal-like and triple-negative subtypes. Understanding the heterogeneity within the normal mammary basal epithelial cells holds the key to inform us about basal-like cancer cell differentiation dynamics as well as potential cells of origin. Although it is known that the mammary basal compartment contains small pools of stem cells that fuel normal tissue morphogenesis and regeneration, a comprehensive yet focused analysis of the transcriptional makeup of the basal cells is lacking. We used single-cell RNA-sequencing and multiplexed RNA in-situ hybridization to characterize mammary basal cell heterogeneity. We used bioinformatic and computational pipelines to characterize the molecular features as well as predict differentiation dynamics and cell-cell communications of the newly identified basal cell states. We used genetic cell labeling to map the in vivo fates of cells in one of these states. We identified four major distinct transcriptional states within the mammary basal cells that exhibit gene expression signatures suggestive of different functional activity and metabolic preference. Our in vivo labeling and ex vivo organoid culture data suggest that one of these states, marked by Egr2 expression, represents a dynamic transcriptional state that all basal cells transit through during pubertal mammary morphogenesis. Our study provides a systematic approach to understanding the molecular heterogeneity of mammary basal cells and identifies previously unknown dynamics of basal cell transcriptional states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Gutierrez
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, D250 Med Sci I, Irvine, CA, 92697-1700, USA
- The NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Peng Sun
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, D250 Med Sci I, Irvine, CA, 92697-1700, USA
| | - Yingying Han
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, D250 Med Sci I, Irvine, CA, 92697-1700, USA
| | - Xing Dai
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, D250 Med Sci I, Irvine, CA, 92697-1700, USA.
- The NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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34
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Transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity: why so many regulators? Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:182. [PMID: 35278142 PMCID: PMC8918127 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04199-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The dynamic transition between epithelial-like and mesenchymal-like cell states has been a focus for extensive investigation for decades, reflective of the importance of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) through development, in the adult, and the contributing role EMT has to pathologies including metastasis and fibrosis. Not surprisingly, regulation of the complex genetic networks that underlie EMT have been attributed to multiple transcription factors and microRNAs. What is surprising, however, are the sheer number of different regulators (hundreds of transcription factors and microRNAs) for which critical roles have been described. This review seeks not to collate these studies, but to provide a perspective on the fundamental question of whether it is really feasible that so many regulators play important roles and if so, what does this tell us about EMT and more generally, the genetic machinery that controls complex biological processes.
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35
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Brown MS, Muller KE, Pattabiraman DR. Quantifying the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) from Bench to Bedside. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1138. [PMID: 35267444 PMCID: PMC8909103 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reversal, the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) are critical components of the metastatic cascade in breast cancer and many other solid tumor types. Recent work has uncovered the presence of a variety of states encompassed within the EMT spectrum, each of which may play unique roles or work collectively to impact tumor progression. However, defining EMT status is not routinely carried out to determine patient prognosis or dictate therapeutic decision-making in the clinic. Identifying and quantifying the presence of various EMT states within a tumor is a critical first step to scoring patient tumors to aid in determining prognosis. Here, we review the major strides taken towards translating our understanding of EMT biology from bench to bedside. We review previously used approaches including basic immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, single-cell sequencing, and multiplexed tumor mapping. Future studies will benefit from the consideration of multiple methods and combinations of markers in designing a diagnostic tool for detecting and measuring EMT in patient tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith S. Brown
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA;
| | - Kristen E. Muller
- Department of Pathology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA;
| | - Diwakar R. Pattabiraman
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA;
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
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36
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Naitou Y, Nagamatsu G, Hamazaki N, Shirane K, Hayashi M, Hayashi M, Kobayashi S, Hayashi K. Dual role of Ovol2 on the germ cell lineage segregation during gastrulation in mouse embryogenesis. Development 2022; 149:274415. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
In mammals, primordial germ cells (PGCs), the origin of the germ line, are specified from the epiblast at the posterior region where gastrulation simultaneously occurs, yet the functional relationship between PGC specification and gastrulation remains unclear. Here, we show that OVOL2, a transcription factor conserved across the animal kingdom, balances these major developmental processes by repressing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that drives gastrulation and the upregulation of genes associated with PGC specification. Ovol2a, a splice variant encoding a repressor domain, directly regulates EMT-related genes and, consequently, induces re-acquisition of potential pluripotency during PGC specification, whereas Ovol2b, another splice variant missing the repressor domain, directly upregulates genes associated with PGC specification. Taken together, these results elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying allocation of the germ line among epiblast cells differentiating into somatic cells through gastrulation.
This article has an associated ‘The people behind the papers’ interview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Naitou
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Go Nagamatsu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Hamazaki
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Shirane
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masafumi Hayashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Makoto Hayashi
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Satoru Kobayashi
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Hayashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Germline Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
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37
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Jia W, Jolly MK, Levine H. NRF2-dependent Epigenetic Regulation can Promote the Hybrid Epithelial/Mesenchymal Phenotype. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:828250. [PMID: 35118079 PMCID: PMC8803900 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.828250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular process critical for wound healing, cancer metastasis and embryonic development. Recent efforts have identified the role of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal states, having both epithelial and mesehncymal traits, in enabling cancer metastasis and resistance to various therapies. Also, previous work has suggested that NRF2 can act as phenotypic stability factor to help stablize such hybrid states. Here, we incorporate a phenomenological epigenetic feedback effect into our previous computational model for EMT signaling. We show that this type of feedback can stabilize the hybrid state as compared to the fully mesenchymal phenotype if NRF2 can influence SNAIL at an epigenetic level, as this link makes transitions out of hybrid state more difficult. However, epigenetic regulation on other NRF2-related links do not significantly change the EMT dynamics. Finally, we considered possible cell division effects in our epigenetic regulation model, and our results indicate that the degree of epigenetic inheritance does not appear to be a critical factor for the hybrid E/M state stabilizing behavior of NRF2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Jia
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- *Correspondence: Mohit Kumar Jolly, ; Herbert Levine,
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Mohit Kumar Jolly, ; Herbert Levine,
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38
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Han Y, Villarreal-Ponce A, Gutierrez G, Nguyen Q, Sun P, Wu T, Sui B, Berx G, Brabletz T, Kessenbrock K, Zeng YA, Watanabe K, Dai X. Coordinate control of basal epithelial cell fate and stem cell maintenance by core EMT transcription factor Zeb1. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110240. [PMID: 35021086 PMCID: PMC9894649 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of undifferentiated, long-lived, and often quiescent stem cells in the basal compartment is important for homeostasis and regeneration of multiple epithelial tissues, but the molecular mechanisms that coordinately control basal cell fate and stem cell quiescence are elusive. Here, we report an epithelium-intrinsic requirement for Zeb1, a core transcriptional inducer of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, for mammary epithelial ductal side branching and for basal cell regenerative capacity. Our findings uncover an evolutionarily conserved role of Zeb1 in promoting basal cell fate over luminal differentiation. We show that Zeb1 loss results in increased basal cell proliferation at the expense of quiescence and self-renewal. Moreover, Zeb1 cooperates with YAP to activate Axin2 expression, and inhibition of Wnt signaling partially restores stem cell function to Zeb1-deficient basal cells. Thus, Zeb1 is a transcriptional regulator that maintains both basal cell fate and stem cell quiescence, and it functions in part through suppressing Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Han
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, D250 Med Sci I, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Alvaro Villarreal-Ponce
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, D250 Med Sci I, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Guadalupe Gutierrez
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, D250 Med Sci I, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA
| | - Quy Nguyen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, D250 Med Sci I, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA
| | - Peng Sun
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, D250 Med Sci I, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA
| | - Ting Wu
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue-yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Benjamin Sui
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, D250 Med Sci I, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA
| | - Geert Berx
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Lab, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium,Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Center for Molecular Medicine I, University, Erlangen-Nuernberg Glueckstr. 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kai Kessenbrock
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, D250 Med Sci I, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA
| | - Yi Arial Zeng
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue-yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Kazuhide Watanabe
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, D250 Med Sci I, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA,RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Xing Dai
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, D250 Med Sci I, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA,Lead contact,Correspondence:
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39
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Unraveling unique and common cell type-specific mechanisms in glioblastoma multiforme. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:90-106. [PMID: 34976314 PMCID: PMC8688884 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme persists to be an enigmatic distress in neuro-oncology. Its untethering capacity to thrive in a confined microenvironment, metastasize intracranially, and remain resistant to the systemic treatments, renders this tumour incurable. The glial cell type specificity in GBM remains exploratory. In our study, we aimed to address this problem by studying the GBM at the cell type level in the brain. The cellular makeup of this tumour is composed of genetically altered glial cells which include astrocyte, microglia, oligodendrocyte precursor cell, newly formed oligodendrocyte and myelinating oligodendrocyte. We extracted cell type-specific solid tumour as well as recurrent solid tumour glioma genes, and studied their functional networks and contribution towards gliomagenesis. We identified the principal transcription factors that are found to be regulating vital tumorigenic processes. We also assessed the protein-protein interaction networks at their domain level to get a more microscopic view of the structural and functional operations that transpire in these cells. This yielded the eminent protein regulators exhibiting their regulation in signaling pathways. Overall, our study unveiled regulatory mechanisms in glioma cell types that can be targeted for a more efficient glioma therapy.
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Key Words
- CAMs, Cell adhesion molecules
- CNS, Cental nervous system
- DEG, Differentially expressed genes
- EMT, Epithelial-mesenchymal transistion
- GBM, Glioblastoma multiforme
- GSC, Glioblastoma Stem Cell
- Glial cell types
- Glioblastoma multiforme
- INstruct, a database of structurally resolved protein interactome
- MO, Myelinating oligodendrocyte
- NCBI, National Centre for Biotechnology Information
- NFO, Newly formed oligodendrocyte
- NPC, Neural progenitor cell
- OPC, Oligodendrocyte precursor cell
- PDI, Protein domain interactions
- PDIN, Protein domain interaction network
- PPI, Protein-protein interactions
- Primary solid tumour
- Protein domains
- Protein interaction networks
- RSEM, RNA-seq by Expectation-Maximization
- Recurrent solid tumour transcription factors
- SIGNOR, Signaling Network Open Resource
- TCGA, The Cancer Genome Atlas
- TF, Transcription factor
- TP, Primary solid tumour
- TR, Recurrent solid tumour
- WHO, World health organization
- iDEP, Integrated Differential Expression and Pathway analysis
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McNeil M, Han Y, Sun P, Watanabe K, Jiang J, Chen N, Yu Z, Zhou B, Dai X. Nfatc1's Role in Mammary Epithelial Morphogenesis and Basal Stem/progenitor Cell Self-renewal. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2021; 26:357-365. [PMID: 34932179 PMCID: PMC8858291 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-021-09502-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammary gland is an outstanding system to study the regulatory mechanisms governing adult epithelial stem cell activity. Stem cells in the basal layer of the mammary gland fuel the morphogenesis and regeneration of a complex epithelial network during development and upon transplantation. The self-renewal of basal stem/progenitor cells is subjected to regulation by both cell-intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. Nfatc1 is a transcription factor that regulates breast tumorigenesis and metastasis, but its role in mammary epithelial development and stem cell function has not been investigated. Here we show that Nfatc1 is expressed in a small subset of mammary basal epithelial cells and its epithelial-specific deletion results in mild defects in side branching and basal-luminal cell balance. Moreover, Nfatc1-deficient basal cells exhibit reduced colony forming ability in vitro and somewhat compromised regenerative potential upon transplantation. Thus, our study provides evidence for a detectable yet non-essential role of Nfatc1 in mammary epithelial morphogenesis and basal stem/progenitor cell self-renewal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa McNeil
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Yingying Han
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Peng Sun
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Kazuhide Watanabe
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Jun Jiang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Natasha Chen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Zhengquan Yu
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- Departments of Genetics, Pediatrics, and Medicine (Cardiology), The Wilf Cardiovascular Research Institute, The Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Xing Dai
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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Sun P, Han Y, Plikus M, Dai X. Altered Epithelial-mesenchymal Plasticity as a Result of Ovol2 Deletion Minimally Impacts the Self-renewal of Adult Mammary Basal Epithelial Cells. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2021; 26:377-386. [PMID: 34984648 PMCID: PMC8858298 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-021-09508-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem-cell containing mammary basal epithelial cells exist in a quasi-mesenchymal transcriptional state characterized by simultaneous expression of typical epithelial genes and typical mesenchymal genes. Whether robust maintenance of such a transcriptional state is required for adult basal stem cells to fuel self-renewal and regeneration remains unclear. In this work, we utilized SMA-CreER to direct efficient basal cell-specific deletion of Ovol2, which encodes a transcription factor that inhibits epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), in adult mammary gland. We identified a basal cell-intrinsic role of Ovol2 in promoting epithelial, and suppressing mesenchymal, molecular traits. Interestingly, Ovol2-deficient basal cells display minimal perturbations in their ability to support tissue homeostasis, colony formation, and transplant outgrowth. These findings underscore the ability of adult mammary basal cells to tolerate molecular perturbations associated with altered epithelia-mesenchymal plasticity without drastically compromising their self-renewal potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Sun
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, CA, Irvine, 92697, USA
| | - Yingying Han
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, CA, Irvine, 92697, USA
| | - Maksim Plikus
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Xing Dai
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, CA, Irvine, 92697, USA.
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Fang JS, Hultgren NW, Hughes CCW. Regulation of Partial and Reversible Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Angiogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:702021. [PMID: 34692672 PMCID: PMC8529039 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.702021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During development and in several diseases, endothelial cells (EC) can undergo complete endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT or EndMT) to generate endothelial-derived mesenchymal cells. Emerging evidence suggests that ECs can also undergo a partial EndoMT to generate cells with intermediate endothelial- and mesenchymal-character. This partial EndoMT event is transient, reversible, and supports both developmental and pathological angiogenesis. Here, we discuss possible regulatory mechanisms that may control the EndoMT program to dictate whether cells undergo complete or partial mesenchymal transition, and we further consider how these pathways might be targeted therapeutically in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer S. Fang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Nan W. Hultgren
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Christopher C. W. Hughes
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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Thankamony AP, Subbalakshmi AR, Jolly MK, Nair R. Lineage Plasticity in Cancer: The Tale of a Skin-Walker. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3602. [PMID: 34298815 PMCID: PMC8306016 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lineage plasticity, the switching of cells from one lineage to another, has been recognized as a cardinal property essential for embryonic development, tissue repair and homeostasis. However, such a highly regulated process goes awry when cancer cells exploit this inherent ability to their advantage, resulting in tumorigenesis, relapse, metastasis and therapy resistance. In this review, we summarize our current understanding on the role of lineage plasticity in tumor progression and therapeutic resistance in multiple cancers. Lineage plasticity can be triggered by treatment itself and is reported across various solid as well as liquid tumors. Here, we focus on the importance of lineage switching in tumor progression and therapeutic resistance of solid tumors such as the prostate, lung, hepatocellular and colorectal carcinoma and the myeloid and lymphoid lineage switch observed in leukemias. Besides this, we also discuss the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in facilitating the lineage switch in biphasic cancers such as aggressive carcinosarcomas. We also discuss the mechanisms involved, current therapeutic approaches and challenges that lie ahead in taming the scourge of lineage plasticity in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana P. Thankamony
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Kerala 695014, India;
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal 576104, India
| | - Ayalur Raghu Subbalakshmi
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India;
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India;
| | - Radhika Nair
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Kerala 695014, India;
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Liao C, Wang Q, An J, Long Q, Wang H, Xiang M, Xiang M, Zhao Y, Liu Y, Liu J, Guan X. Partial EMT in Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Snapshot. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:3036-3047. [PMID: 34421348 PMCID: PMC8375241 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.61566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the process of cancer EMT, some subgroups of cancer cells simultaneously exhibit both mesenchymal and epithelial characteristics, a phenomenon termed partial EMT (pEMT). pEMT is a plastic state in which cells coexpress epithelial and mesenchymal markers. In squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), pEMT is regulated, and the phenotype is maintained via the HIPPO pathway, NOTCH pathway and TGF-β pathways and by microRNAs, lncRNAs and the cancer microenvironment (CME); thus, SCC exhibits aggressive tumorigenic properties and high stemness, which leads collective migration and therapy resistance. Few studies have reported therapeutic interventions to address cells that have undergone pEMT, and this approach may be an effective way to inhibit the plasticity, drug resistance and metastatic potential of SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Liao
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
- Microbial Resources and Drug Development Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, Life Sciences Institute, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Jiaxing An
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Qian Long
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Meiling Xiang
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Mingli Xiang
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Yujie Zhao
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Yulin Liu
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Jianguo Liu
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563006, China
| | - Xiaoyan Guan
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
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Analysis of the genomic landscape of yolk sac tumors reveals mechanisms of evolution and chemoresistance. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3579. [PMID: 34117242 PMCID: PMC8196104 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23681-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Yolk sac tumors (YSTs) are a major histological subtype of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors with a relatively poor prognosis. The molecular basis of this disease has not been thoroughly characterized at the genomic level. Here we perform whole-exome and RNA sequencing on 41 clinical tumor samples from 30 YST patients, with distinct responses to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. We show that microsatellite instability status and mutational signatures are informative of chemoresistance. We identify somatic driver candidates, including significantly mutated genes KRAS and KIT and copy-number alteration drivers, including deleted ARID1A and PARK2, and amplified ZNF217, CDKN1B, and KRAS. YSTs have very infrequent TP53 mutations, whereas the tumors from patients with abnormal gonadal development contain both KRAS and TP53 mutations. We further reveal a role of OVOL2 overexpression in YST resistance to cisplatin. This study lays a critical foundation for understanding key molecular aberrations in YSTs and developing related therapeutic strategies.
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46
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Papanikolaou S, Vourda A, Syggelos S, Gyftopoulos K. Cell Plasticity and Prostate Cancer: The Role of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Tumor Progression, Invasion, Metastasis and Cancer Therapy Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112795. [PMID: 34199763 PMCID: PMC8199975 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Although epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-known cellular process involved during normal embryogenesis and wound healing, it also has a dark side; it is a complex process that provides tumor cells with a more aggressive phenotype, facilitating tumor metastasis and even resistance to therapy. This review focuses on the key pathways of EMT in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer and the development of metastases and evasion of currently available treatments. Abstract Prostate cancer, the second most common malignancy in men, is characterized by high heterogeneity that poses several therapeutic challenges. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic, reversible cellular process which is essential in normal embryonic morphogenesis and wound healing. However, the cellular changes that are induced by EMT suggest that it may also play a central role in tumor progression, invasion, metastasis, and resistance to current therapeutic options. These changes include enhanced motility and loss of cell–cell adhesion that form a more aggressive cellular phenotype. Moreover, the reverse process (MET) is a necessary element of the metastatic tumor process. It is highly probable that this cell plasticity reflects a hybrid state between epithelial and mesenchymal status. In this review, we describe the underlying key mechanisms of the EMT-induced phenotype modulation that contribute to prostate tumor aggressiveness and cancer therapy resistance, in an effort to provide a framework of this complex cellular process.
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47
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Katebi A, Ramirez D, Lu M. Computational systems-biology approaches for modeling gene networks driving epithelial-mesenchymal transitions. COMPUTATIONAL AND SYSTEMS ONCOLOGY 2021; 1:e1021. [PMID: 34164628 PMCID: PMC8219219 DOI: 10.1002/cso2.1021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important biological process through which epithelial cells undergo phenotypic transitions to mesenchymal cells by losing cell-cell adhesion and gaining migratory properties that cells use in embryogenesis, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. An important research topic is to identify the underlying gene regulatory networks (GRNs) governing the decision making of EMT and develop predictive models based on the GRNs. The advent of recent genomic technology, such as single-cell RNA sequencing, has opened new opportunities to improve our understanding about the dynamical controls of EMT. In this article, we review three major types of computational and mathematical approaches and methods for inferring and modeling GRNs driving EMT. We emphasize (1) the bottom-up approaches, where GRNs are constructed through literature search; (2) the top-down approaches, where GRNs are derived from genome-wide sequencing data; (3) the combined top-down and bottom-up approaches, where EMT GRNs are constructed and simulated by integrating bioinformatics and mathematical modeling. We discuss the methodologies and applications of each approach and the available resources for these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ataur Katebi
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel Ramirez
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Mingyang Lu
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Kufe DW. MUC1-C in chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis; emergence as a target for cancer treatment. Carcinogenesis 2021; 41:1173-1183. [PMID: 32710608 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgaa082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is a highly prevalent consequence of changes in environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to the development of cancer. The basis for this critical association has largely remained unclear. The MUC1 gene evolved in mammals to protect epithelia from the external environment. The MUC1-C subunit promotes responses found in wound healing and cancer. MUC1-C induces EMT, epigenetic reprogramming, dedifferentiation and pluripotency factor expression, which when prolonged in chronic inflammation promote cancer progression. As discussed in this review, MUC1-C also drives drug resistance and immune evasion, and is an important target for cancer therapeutics now under development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald W Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Wu RS, Lin J, Xing YM, Gao WL, Jiang YX, Chen LX, Zhang XP, Dai ZL. OVOL2 inhibits macrophage M2 polarization by regulating IL-10 transcription, and thus inhibits the tumor metastasis by modulating the tumor microenvironment. Immunol Lett 2021; 242:17-26. [PMID: 34033850 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells is an important cause of death in breast cancer patients. In the tumor microenvironment, M2 polarization of macrophages can promote the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. OVOL2 is an evolutionarily conserved transcription regulator, but its effect in macrophages has not been described previously. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of OVOL2 on macrophage polarity and the role of these effects in the tumor metastasis. We found that overexpression of OVOL2 in macrophages significantly inhibited M2 polarization and thus inhibits breast cancer metastasis. We propose a novel mechanism in which OVOL2 inhibits M2 polarization of macrophages and thus reduces their ability to induce invasion and metastasis of breast cancer. By shedding new light on the regulation of metastasis in cancers, our study provides a new strategy for the targeted therapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Si Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China; Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Juan Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China; Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan-Mei Xing
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China; Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen-Li Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China; Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuan-Xu Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China; Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Li-Xin Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xue-Ping Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China; Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhong-Liang Dai
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China; Shenzhen Engineering Research Center of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.
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50
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de Jesus DS, Mak TCS, Wang YF, von Ohlen Y, Bai Y, Kane E, Chabosseau P, Chahrour CM, Distaso W, Salem V, Tomas A, Stoffel M, Rutter GA, Latreille M. Dysregulation of the Pdx1/Ovol2/Zeb2 axis in dedifferentiated β-cells triggers the induction of genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition in diabetes. Mol Metab 2021; 53:101248. [PMID: 33989778 PMCID: PMC8184664 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE β-cell dedifferentiation has been revealed as a pathological mechanism underlying pancreatic dysfunction in diabetes. We previously showed that increased miR-7 levels trigger β-cell dedifferentiation and diabetes. We used β-cell-specific miR-7 overexpressing mice (Tg7) to test the hypothesis that loss of β-cell identity triggered by miR-7 overexpression alters islet gene expression and islet microenvironment in diabetes. METHODS We performed bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in islets obtained from β-cell-specific miR-7 overexpressing mice (Tg7). We carried out loss- and gain-of-function experiments in MIN6 and EndoC-bH1 cell lines. We analysed previously published mouse and human T2D data sets. RESULTS Bulk RNA-seq revealed that β-cell dedifferentiation is associated with the induction of genes associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in prediabetic (2-week-old) and diabetic (12-week-old) Tg7 mice. Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) indicated that this EMT signature is enriched specifically in β-cells. These molecular changes are associated with a weakening of β-cell: β-cell contacts, increased extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and TGFβ-dependent islet fibrosis. We found that the mesenchymal reprogramming of β-cells is explained in part by the downregulation of Pdx1 and its inability to regulate a myriad of epithelial-specific genes expressed in β-cells. Notable among genes transactivated by Pdx1 is Ovol2, which encodes a transcriptional repressor of the EMT transcription factor Zeb2. Following compromised β-cell identity, the reduction in Pdx1 gene expression causes a decrease in Ovol2 protein, triggering mesenchymal reprogramming of β-cells through the induction of Zeb2. We provided evidence that EMT signalling associated with the upregulation of Zeb2 expression is a molecular feature of islets in T2D subjects. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that miR-7-mediated β-cell dedifferentiation induces EMT signalling and a chronic response to tissue injury, which alters the islet microenvironment and predisposes to fibrosis. This research suggests that regulators of EMT signalling may represent novel therapeutic targets for treating β-cell dysfunction and fibrosis in T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S de Jesus
- Cellular Identity and Metabolism Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Tracy C S Mak
- Cellular Identity and Metabolism Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Yi-Fang Wang
- Computing and Bioinformatics Facility, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Yorrick von Ohlen
- Cellular Identity and Metabolism Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ying Bai
- Cellular Identity and Metabolism Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Eva Kane
- Cellular Identity and Metabolism Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | | | - Catherine M Chahrour
- Computing and Bioinformatics Facility, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | | | - Victoria Salem
- Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alejandra Tomas
- Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Markus Stoffel
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Otto-Stern Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Guy A Rutter
- Section of Cell Biology and Functional Genomics, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Lee Kong China School of Medicine, Nan Yang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Mathieu Latreille
- Cellular Identity and Metabolism Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK; Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
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