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Cooke JA, Voigt AP, Collingwood MA, Stone NE, Whitmore SS, DeLuca AP, Burnight ER, Anfinson KR, Vakulskas CA, Reutzel AJ, Daggett HT, Andorf JL, Stone EM, Mullins RF, Tucker BA. Propensity of Patient-Derived iPSCs for Retinal Differentiation: Implications for Autologous Cell Replacement. Stem Cells Transl Med 2023; 12:365-378. [PMID: 37221451 PMCID: PMC10267581 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szad028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Prior to use, newly generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) should be thoroughly validated. While excellent validation and release testing assays designed to evaluate potency, genetic integrity, and sterility exist, they do not have the ability to predict cell type-specific differentiation capacity. Selection of iPSC lines that have limited capacity to produce high-quality transplantable cells, places significant strain on valuable clinical manufacturing resources. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree and root cause of variability in retinal differentiation capacity between cGMP-derived patient iPSC lines. In turn, our goal was to develop a release testing assay that could be used to augment the widely used ScoreCard panel. IPSCs were generated from 15 patients (14-76 years old), differentiated into retinal organoids, and scored based on their retinal differentiation capacity. Despite significant differences in retinal differentiation propensity, RNA-sequencing revealed remarkable similarity between patient-derived iPSC lines prior to differentiation. At 7 days of differentiation, significant differences in gene expression could be detected. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed perturbations in pathways associated with pluripotency and early cell fate commitment. For example, good and poor producers had noticeably different expressions of OCT4 and SOX2 effector genes. QPCR assays targeting genes identified via RNA sequencing were developed and validated in a masked fashion using iPSCs from 8 independent patients. A subset of 14 genes, which include the retinal cell fate markers RAX, LHX2, VSX2, and SIX6 (all elevated in the good producers), were found to be predictive of retinal differentiation propensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Cooke
- Institute for Vision Research, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Andrew P Voigt
- Institute for Vision Research, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | - Nicholas E Stone
- Institute for Vision Research, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - S Scott Whitmore
- Institute for Vision Research, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Adam P DeLuca
- Institute for Vision Research, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Erin R Burnight
- Institute for Vision Research, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Kristin R Anfinson
- Institute for Vision Research, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | - Austin J Reutzel
- Institute for Vision Research, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Heather T Daggett
- Institute for Vision Research, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Jeaneen L Andorf
- Institute for Vision Research, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Edwin M Stone
- Institute for Vision Research, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Robert F Mullins
- Institute for Vision Research, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Budd A Tucker
- Institute for Vision Research, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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2
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Yellapragada V, Eskici N, Wang Y, Madhusudan S, Vaaralahti K, Tuuri T, Raivio T. Time and dose-dependent effects of FGF8-FGFR1 signaling in GnRH neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:276003. [PMID: 35833364 PMCID: PMC9403748 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8), acting through the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), has an important role in the development of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-expressing neurons (GnRH neurons). We hypothesized that FGF8 regulates differentiation of human GnRH neurons in a time- and dose-dependent manner via FGFR1. To investigate this further, human pluripotent stem cells were differentiated during 10 days of dual-SMAD inhibition into neural progenitor cells, followed either by treatment with FGF8 at different concentrations (25 ng/ml, 50 ng/ml or 100 ng/ml) for 10 days or by treatment with 100 ng/ml FGF8 for different durations (2, 4, 6 or 10 days); cells were then matured through DAPT-induced inhibition of Notch signaling for 5 days into GnRH neurons. FGF8 induced expression of GNRH1 in a dose-dependent fashion and the duration of FGF8 exposure correlated positively with gene expression of GNRH1 (P<0.05, Rs=0.49). However, cells treated with 100 ng/ml FGF8 for 2 days induced the expression of genes, such as FOXG1, ETV5 and SPRY2, and continued FGF8 treatment induced the dynamic expression of several other genes. Moreover, during exposure to FGF8, FGFR1 localized to the cell surface and its specific inhibition with the FGFR1 inhibitor PD166866 reduced expression of GNRH1 (P<0.05). In neurons, FGFR1 also localized to the nucleus. Our results suggest that dose- and time-dependent FGF8 signaling via FGFR1 is indispensable for human GnRH neuron ontogeny. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: This article demonstrates the essential role FGF8–FGFR1 signaling has in the development of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-expressing neurons by using a human stem cell model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatram Yellapragada
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nazli Eskici
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Yafei Wang
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shrinidhi Madhusudan
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsi Vaaralahti
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Timo Tuuri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00029 Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Taneli Raivio
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program (STEMM), Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,New Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, 00029 Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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3
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Ramšak Ž, Modic V, Li RA, vom Berg C, Zupanic A. From Causal Networks to Adverse Outcome Pathways: A Developmental Neurotoxicity Case Study. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:815754. [PMID: 35295214 PMCID: PMC8915909 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.815754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The last decade has seen the adverse outcome pathways (AOP) framework become one of the most powerful tools in chemical risk assessment, but the development of new AOPs remains a slow and manually intensive process. Here, we present a faster approach for AOP generation, based on manually curated causal toxicological networks. As a case study, we took a recently published zebrafish developmental neurotoxicity network, which contains causally connected molecular events leading to neuropathologies, and developed two new adverse outcome pathways: Inhibition of Fyna (Src family tyrosine kinase A) leading to increased mortality via decreased eye size (AOP 399 on AOP-Wiki) and GSK3beta (Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta) inactivation leading to increased mortality via defects in developing inner ear (AOP 410). The approach consists of an automatic separation of the toxicological network into candidate AOPs, filtering the AOPs according to available evidence and length as well as manual development of new AOPs and weight-of-evidence evaluation. The semiautomatic approach described here provides a new opportunity for fast and straightforward AOP development based on large network resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Živa Ramšak
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vid Modic
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman A. Li
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Eawag—Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Colette vom Berg
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Eawag—Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Anze Zupanic
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- *Correspondence: Anze Zupanic,
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Li RA, Talikka M, Gubian S, Vom Berg C, Martin F, Peitsch MC, Hoeng J, Zupanic A. Systems Toxicology Approach for Assessing Developmental Neurotoxicity in Larval Zebrafish. Front Genet 2021; 12:652632. [PMID: 34211495 PMCID: PMC8239408 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.652632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adverse outcomes that result from chemical toxicity are rarely caused by dysregulation of individual proteins; rather, they are often caused by system-level perturbations in networks of molecular events. To fully understand the mechanisms of toxicity, it is necessary to recognize the interactions of molecules, pathways, and biological processes within these networks. The developing brain is a prime example of an extremely complex network, which makes developmental neurotoxicity one of the most challenging areas in toxicology. We have developed a systems toxicology method that uses a computable biological network to represent molecular interactions in the developing brain of zebrafish larvae. The network is curated from scientific literature and describes interactions between biological processes, signaling pathways, and adverse outcomes associated with neurotoxicity. This allows us to identify important signaling hubs, pathway interactions, and emergent adverse outcomes, providing a more complete understanding of neurotoxicity. Here, we describe the construction of a zebrafish developmental neurotoxicity network and its validation by integration with publicly available neurotoxicity-related transcriptomic datasets. Our network analysis identified consistent regulation of tumor suppressors p53 and retinoblastoma 1 (Rb1) as well as the oncogene Krüppel-like factor (Klf8) in response to chemically induced developmental neurotoxicity. The developed network can be used to interpret transcriptomic data in a neurotoxicological context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman A Li
- Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland.,PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Marja Talikka
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Gubian
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | | | - Florian Martin
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | | | - Julia Hoeng
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Anze Zupanic
- Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland.,National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Zimmer TS, Korotkov A, Zwakenberg S, Jansen FE, Zwartkruis FJT, Rensing NR, Wong M, Mühlebner A, van Vliet EA, Aronica E, Mills JD. Upregulation of the pathogenic transcription factor SPI1/PU.1 in tuberous sclerosis complex and focal cortical dysplasia by oxidative stress. Brain Pathol 2021; 31:e12949. [PMID: 33786950 PMCID: PMC8412124 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a congenital disorder characterized by cortical malformations and concomitant epilepsy caused by loss‐of‐function mutations in the mTOR suppressors TSC1 or TSC2. While the underlying molecular changes caused by mTOR activation in TSC have previously been investigated, the drivers of these transcriptional change have not been fully elucidated. A better understanding of the perturbed transcriptional regulation could lead to the identification of novel pathways for therapeutic intervention not only in TSC, but other genetic epilepsies in which mTOR activation plays a key role, such as focal cortical dysplasia 2b (FCD). Here, we analyzed RNA sequencing data from cortical tubers and a tsc2−/− zebrafish. We identified differential expression of the transcription factors (TFs) SPI1/PU.1, IRF8, GBX2, and IKZF1 of which SPI1/PU.1 and IRF8 targets were enriched among the differentially expressed genes. Furthermore, for SPI1/PU.1 these findings were conserved in TSC zebrafish model. Next, we confirmed overexpression of SPI1/PU.1 on the RNA and protein level in a separate cohort of surgically resected TSC tubers and FCD tissue, in fetal TSC tissue, and a Tsc1GFAP−/− mouse model of TSC. Subsequently, we validated the expression of SPI1/PU.1 in dysmorphic cells with mTOR activation in TSC tubers. In fetal TSC, we detected SPI1/PU.1 expression prenatally and elevated RNA Spi1 expression in Tsc1GFAP−/− mice before the development of seizures. Finally, in vitro, we identified that in astrocytes and neurons SPI1 transcription was driven by H2O2‐induced oxidative stress, independent of mTOR. We identified SPI1/PU.1 as a novel TF involved in the pro‐inflammatory gene expression of malformed cells in TSC and FCD 2b. This transcriptional program is activated in response to oxidative stress and already present prenatally. Importantly, SPI1/PU.1 protein appears to be strictly limited to malformed cells, as we did not find SPI1/PU.1 protein expression in mice nor in our in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till S Zimmer
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anatoly Korotkov
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Susan Zwakenberg
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Molecular Cancer Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Floor E Jansen
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Fried J T Zwartkruis
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Molecular Cancer Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Michael Wong
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Angelika Mühlebner
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Erwin A van Vliet
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, the Netherlands
| | - James D Mills
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL, London, UK.,Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, UK
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6
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Wang Y, Hui J, Li R, Fu Q, Yang P, Xiao Y, Hui J. GBX2, as a tumor promoter in lung adenocarcinoma, enhances cells viability, invasion and migration by regulating the AKT/ERK signaling pathway. J Gene Med 2019; 22:e3147. [PMID: 31758726 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence shows that gastrulation brain homeobox 2 (GBX2) is involved in multiple cancers. However, whether GBX2 has an effect on the lung adenocarcinoma remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the functions of GBX2 on lung adenocarcinoma and explored the underlying mechanism. METHODS Public data were obtained from the TCGA (https://cancergenome.nih.gov) and Oncomine (http://www.oncomine.org) databases. GBX2 expression and its prognostic value were analyzed by bioinformatics methods. Relative mRNA and protein expression levels of GBX2 in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines were evaluated via a quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Lung adenocarcinoma cell lines LTEP-a-2 and A549, respectively, were selected for gain and loss function of GBX2 assays. Cell viability was detected by CCK8 and clone formation experiments. Cell invasion and migration were assessed by Transwell assays. The effect of GBX2 on the AKT/extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway was tested by western blotting. RESULTS Compared to adjacent tissues, GBX2 expression was up-regulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues. High expression of GBX2 led to a poor survival and could be seen as an independent predictor for lung adenocarcinoma patients. Furthermore, down-regulation of GBX2 notably restrained the viability, invasion and migration abilities of A549 cells, whereas up-regulation of GBX2 in LTEP-a-2 cells presented the opposite outcomes. Furthermore, western blot indicated that down-regulation of GBX2 decreases the protein levels of phosphorylated (p)-AKT and p-ERK in A549 cells, whereas up-regulation of GBX2 shows the opposite effects in LTEP-a-2 cells. CONCLUSIONS The results of present study indicate that GBX2 acts a cancer-promoting role to accelerate cell proliferation, invasion and migration partly by modulation of the AKT/ERK pathway in lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanchun Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jianping Hui
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Renting Li
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Fu
- College of Acumox and Tuina, Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pu Yang
- College of Acumox and Tuina, Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yingchun Xiao
- College of Acumox and Tuina, Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jianrong Hui
- College of Acumox and Tuina, Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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Fang Y, Yuan Y, Zhang LL, Lu JW, Feng JF, Hu SN. Downregulated GBX2 gene suppresses proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis of breast cancer cells through inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Cancer Biomark 2019; 23:405-418. [PMID: 30223390 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-181466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gastrulation brain homeobox 2 (GBX2), a gene involved in mid/hindbrain region, has been revealed as one of the oncogene associated with certain cancers, as an example being prostate cancer. However, despite years of worldwide research, the underlying mechanism of GBX2 as well as its significance in breast cancer still remains unclear. Therefore, the present study evaluates the abilities of GBX gene silencing providing for the proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis of breast cancer cells by way of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. METHODS We employed a microarray analysis to screen out differentially expressed genes relative to breast cancer. Moreover, we retrieved GBX2 expression in breast cancer to find out the relationship between GBX2 expression and prognosis in breast cancer. We performed RT-qPCR to screen out cell lines with high GBX2 expression. Subsequently, both RT-qPCR and western blot analysis were employed so as to measure the combination of the mRNA and protein expressions of GBX2, β-catenin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9. The effect that GBX2 gene silencing and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway had on cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and tumorigenic ability were evaluated. RESULTS GBX2 gene was also identified having played a role in breast cancer development due to its association with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. GBX2 gene silencing was found to be an inhibitor for the mRNA and protein expressions regulating β-catenin, VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9. Cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, as well as tumorigenic ability in breast cancer were investigated and found to have been suppressed by the GBX2 gene silencing or inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. CONCLUSION The study has made an attempt to provide evidence to the idea that GBX2 gene silencing has an inhibition effect on the proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis of the breast cancer cells by inhibiting the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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