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Al-Jamaei AAH, Subramanyam RV, Helder MN, Forouzanfar T, van der Meij EH, Al-Jamei S, de Visscher JGAM. A narrative review of the role of Eph receptors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Dis 2024; 30:833-845. [PMID: 37279081 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14625] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase receptors (TKR) coordinate a variety of pathological processes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and eventually play a role in patient outcomes. In this review, the role of Eph receptors in HNSCC progression and the possibility of targeting these receptors are illustrated. All relevant studies were identified through a comprehensive search of four electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, web of science, and Embase till August 2022. EphA2 and EphB4, along with ephrin-B2, were the most extensively studied proteins in this family. However, overexpression of EphB4 and its ligand ephrin-B2 were the only proteins that consistently showed association with a poor outcome, indicating that these proteins might serve as valuable prognostic markers in HNSCC. High expression of EphA3 and EphB4 was found to play a crucial role in radioresistance of HNSCC. EphB4 loss, in particular, was observed to induce an immunosuppression phenotypic HNSCC. Currently, ongoing clinical trials are investigating the benefits of EphB4-ephrin-B2 blockade in combination with standard of care treatment in HNSCC. Further efforts are needed to explore the biological role and behavioral complexity of this family of TKR in HNSCC with great attention to avoid heterogeneity of HNSCC subsites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha A H Al-Jamaei
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, AmsterdamUMC-location VUmc/Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine, Collage of Dentistry, Al-Razi University, Sana'a, Yemen
| | | | - Marco N Helder
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, AmsterdamUMC-location VUmc/Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tymour Forouzanfar
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, AmsterdamUMC-location VUmc/Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Erik H van der Meij
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, AmsterdamUMC-location VUmc/Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Sayida Al-Jamei
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus TU, Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan G A M de Visscher
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, AmsterdamUMC-location VUmc/Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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2
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Pasquale EB. Eph receptors and ephrins in cancer progression. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:5-27. [PMID: 37996538 PMCID: PMC11015936 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00634-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Evidence implicating Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands (that together make up the 'Eph system') in cancer development and progression has been accumulating since the discovery of the first Eph receptor approximately 35 years ago. Advances in the past decade and a half have considerably increased the understanding of Eph receptor-ephrin signalling mechanisms in cancer and have uncovered intriguing new roles in cancer progression and drug resistance. This Review focuses mainly on these more recent developments. I provide an update on the different mechanisms of Eph receptor-ephrin-mediated cell-cell communication and cell autonomous signalling, as well as on the interplay of the Eph system with other signalling systems. I further discuss recent advances in elucidating how the Eph system controls tumour expansion, invasiveness and metastasis, supports cancer stem cells, and drives therapy resistance. In addition to functioning within cancer cells, the Eph system also mediates the reciprocal communication between cancer cells and cells of the tumour microenvironment. The involvement of the Eph system in tumour angiogenesis is well established, but recent findings also demonstrate roles in immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix. Lastly, I discuss strategies under evaluation for therapeutic targeting of Eph receptors-ephrins in cancer and conclude with an outlook on promising future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena B Pasquale
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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3
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Gomez-Soler M, Olson EJ, de la Torre ER, Zhao C, Lamberto I, Flood DT, Danho W, Lechtenberg BC, Riedl SJ, Dawson PE, Pasquale EB. Lipidation and PEGylation Strategies to Prolong the in Vivo Half-Life of a Nanomolar EphA4 Receptor Antagonist. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115876. [PMID: 38523699 PMCID: PMC10959496 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115876] [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] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The EphA4 receptor tyrosine kinase plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases, inhibition of nerve regeneration, cancer progression and other diseases. Therefore, EphA4 inhibition has potential therapeutic value. Selective EphA4 kinase inhibitors are not available, but we identified peptide antagonists that inhibit ephrin ligand binding to EphA4 with high specificity. One of these peptides is the cyclic APY-d3 (βAPYCVYRβASWSC-NH2), which inhibits ephrin-A5 ligand binding to EphA4 with low nanomolar binding affinity and is highly protease resistant. Here we describe modifications of APY-d3 that yield two different key derivatives with greatly increased half-lives in the mouse circulation, the lipidated APY-d3-laur8 and the PEGylated APY-d3-PEG4. These two derivatives inhibit ligand induced EphA4 activation in cells with sub-micromolar potency. Since they retain high potency and specificity for EphA4, lipidated and PEGylated APY-d3 derivatives represent new tools for discriminating EphA4 activities in vivo and for preclinical testing of EphA4 inhibition in animal disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricel Gomez-Soler
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Erika J. Olson
- Departments of Chemistry and Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Elena Rubio de la Torre
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Chunxia Zhao
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Ilaria Lamberto
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Dillon T. Flood
- Departments of Chemistry and Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Waleed Danho
- Del Mar, California 92014, United States
- Deceased
| | - Bernhard C. Lechtenberg
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Stefan J. Riedl
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Philip E. Dawson
- Departments of Chemistry and Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Elena B. Pasquale
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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4
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Bhardwaj R, Mishra P. Engineered Recombinant EGFP-Azurin Theranostic Nanosystem for Targeted Therapy of Prostate Cancer. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:6066-6078. [PMID: 37906960 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00387] [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] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (Eph) receptors and their ligands, ephrins, are the largest subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) that have emerged as a new class of cancer biomarkers due to their aberrant expression in cancer progression. The activation of Eph receptors either due to their hyperexpression or via high affinity binding with their respective ephrin ligands initiates a cascade of signals that impacts cancer development and progression. In prostate cancer, the overexpression of the EphA6 receptor has been correlated with increased metastatic potential. Azurin, a small redox protein, is known to prevent tumor progression by binding to cell surface Eph receptors, inhibiting its autophosphorylation in the kinase domain and thereby disrupting Eph-ephrin signaling. Hence, a self-assembled, theranostic nanosystem of recombinant fusion protein his6EGFP-azu (80-128) was designed by conjugating enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) with the C-terminal region of azurin. This design was inspired by the in silico binding study, where the analogue of ephrinA, his6EGFP-azu (80-128) showed higher binding affinity for the EphA6 receptor than the ephrinA ligands. The his6EGFP-azu (80-128) nanosystem which assembled as nanoparticles was tested for its ability to simultaneously detect and kill the prostate cancer cells, LNCaP. This was achieved by specifically targeting EphA6 receptors overexpressed on the cancer cell surface via C-terminal peptide, azu (80-128). Herein, we report antiproliferative, apoptotic, antimigratory, and anti-invasive effects of this nanosystem on LNCaP cells, while having no similar effects on EphA6 negative human normal lung cells, WI-38.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Bhardwaj
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Prashant Mishra
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
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5
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Tröster A, Jores N, Mineev KS, Sreeramulu S, DiPrima M, Tosato G, Schwalbe H. Targeting EPHA2 with Kinase Inhibitors in Colorectal Cancer. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300420. [PMID: 37736700 PMCID: PMC10843416 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
The ephrin type-A 2 receptor tyrosine kinase (EPHA2) is involved in the development and progression of various cancer types, including colorectal cancer (CRC). There is also evidence that EPHA2 plays a key role in the development of resistance to the endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody Cetuximab used clinically in CRC. Despite the promising pharmacological potential of EPHA2, only a handful of specific inhibitors are currently available. In this concept paper, general strategies for EPHA2 inhibition with molecules of low molecular weight (small molecules) are described. Furthermore, available examples of inhibiting EPHA2 in CRC using small molecules are summarized, highlighting the potential of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alix Tröster
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nathalie Jores
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Konstantin S Mineev
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sridhar Sreeramulu
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michael DiPrima
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), 37 Convent Drive, NIH Bethesda Campus Building 37, Room 4124, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Giovanna Tosato
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), 37 Convent Drive, NIH Bethesda Campus Building 37, Room 4124, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 7, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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6
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Chang FL, Tsai KC, Lin TY, Chiang CW, Pan SL, Lee YC. Effectiveness of anti-erythropoietin producing Hepatocellular receptor Type-A2 antibody in pancreatic cancer treatment. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21774. [PMID: 38034633 PMCID: PMC10682614 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21774] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocyte receptor type A2 (EphA2) is a tyrosine kinase that binds to ephrins (e.g., ephrin-A1) to initiate bidirectional signaling between cells. The binding of EphA2 and ephrin-A1 leads to the inhibition of Ras-MAPK activity and tumor growth. During tumorigenesis, the normal interaction between EphA2 and ephrin-A1 is hindered, which leads to the overexpression of EphA2 and induces cancer. The overexpression of EphA2 has been identified as a notable tumor marker in diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer. In this study, we used phage display to isolate specific antibodies against the active site of EphA2 by using a discontinuous recombinant epitope for immunization. The therapeutic efficacy and inhibition mechanism of the generated antibody against pancreatic cancer was validated and clarified. The generated antibodies were bound to the conformational epitope of endogenous EphA2 on cancer cells, thus inducing cellular endocytosis and causing EphA2 degradation. Molecule signals pAKT, pERK, pFAK, and pSTAT3 were weakened, inhibiting the proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells. The humanized antibody hSD5 could effectively inhibit the growth of the xenograft pancreatic cancer tumor cells BxPc-3 and Mia PaCa-2 in mice, respectively. When antibody hSD5 was administered with gemcitabine, significantly improved effects on tumor growth inhibition were observed. Based on the efficacy of the IgG hSD5 antibodies, clinical administration of the hSD5 antibodies is likely to suppress tumors in patients with pancreatic cancer and abnormal activation or overexpression of EphA2 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Ling Chang
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Keng-Chang Tsai
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Yu Lin
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Wei Chiang
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiow-Lin Pan
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center for Drug Discovery, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ching Lee
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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7
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Colucci M, Trivieri N, Mencarelli G, De Santis E, Sansico F, Tamiro F, Visioli A, Barile C, Pracella R, Rossi G, Binda E, Giambra V. A functional role of Ephrin type-B receptor 6 (EPHB6) in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Biomark Res 2023; 11:92. [PMID: 37858274 PMCID: PMC10588013 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00531-3] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell lymphoblastic acute leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive blood cancer, characterized by restricted cellular subsets with enriched leukemia initiating cells (LICs). Recently, Ephrin receptors (Eph) were described to be highly expressed in cancer stem cells. Here, using public RNA-Seq datasets of human T-ALL, we reported that EphB6 was the only member within the Eph family overexpressed in over 260 samples. We also found the highest level of EphB6 in a minor cell subpopulation within bulk tumors of patient-derived xenografts, obtained through the injection of primary patient biopsy material into immunocompromised NOD-Scid/IL2Rγc-/- (NSG) mice. Interestingly, this EphB6 positive (EphB6+) subset showed an enriched LIC activity after in vivo transplantation into NSG mice. Additionally, gene expression data at the single-cell level of primary patients' leukemic cells revealed that EphB6 + cells were significantly selected in minimal residual disease up to 30 days from the standard treatments and characterized by high levels of markers related to cell proliferation and poor clinical outcome, such as CCNB1 and KIF20A. Taken together, our data suggest that EphB6 supports LICs' maintenance and progression in T-ALL and, thus, targeting EphB6 + cells could be therapeutically relevant for the treatment of T-ALL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Colucci
- Hematopathology Unit, Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", Viale Padre Pio, 7, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Nadia Trivieri
- Cancer Stem Cells Unit, Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", Viale Padre Pio, 7, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Gandino Mencarelli
- Cancer Stem Cells Unit, Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", Viale Padre Pio, 7, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Elisabetta De Santis
- Hematopathology Unit, Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", Viale Padre Pio, 7, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Francesca Sansico
- Hematopathology Unit, Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", Viale Padre Pio, 7, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Francesco Tamiro
- Hematopathology Unit, Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", Viale Padre Pio, 7, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | | | - Chiara Barile
- Cancer Stem Cells Unit, Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", Viale Padre Pio, 7, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Riccardo Pracella
- Cancer Stem Cells Unit, Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", Viale Padre Pio, 7, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Giovanni Rossi
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Viale Cappuccini, 1, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Elena Binda
- Cancer Stem Cells Unit, Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", Viale Padre Pio, 7, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Giambra
- Hematopathology Unit, Institute for Stem Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics (ISBReMIT), Fondazione IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", Viale Padre Pio, 7, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy.
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8
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Festuccia C, Corrado M, Rossetti A, Castelli R, Lodola A, Gravina GL, Tognolini M, Giorgio C. A Pharmacological Investigation of Eph-Ephrin Antagonism in Prostate Cancer: UniPR1331 Efficacy Evidence. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1452. [PMID: 37895923 PMCID: PMC10609876 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Eph kinases are the largest receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) family in humans. PC3 human prostate adenocarcinoma cells are a well-established model for studying Eph-ephrin pharmacology as they naturally express a high level of EphA2, a promising target for new cancer therapies. A pharmacological approach with agonists did not show significant efficacy on tumor growth in prostate orthotopic murine models, but reduced distal metastasis formation. In order to improve the comprehension of the pharmacological targeting of Eph receptors in prostate cancer, in the present work, we investigated the efficacy of Eph antagonism both in vitro and in vivo, using UniPR1331, a small orally bioavailable Eph-ephrin interaction inhibitor. UniPR1331 was able to inhibit PC3 cells' growth in vitro in a dose-dependent manner, affecting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. Moreover, UniPR1331 promoted the PC3 epithelial phenotype, downregulating epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. As a consequence, UniPR1331 reduced in vitro PC3 migration, invasion, and vasculomimicry capabilities. The antitumor activity of UniPR1331 was confirmed in vivo when administered alone or in combination with cytotoxic drugs in PC3-xenograft mice. Our results demonstrated that Eph antagonism is a promising strategy for inhibiting prostate cancer growth, especially in combination with cytotoxic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio (Coppito), 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.R.); (G.L.G.)
| | - Miriam Corrado
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; (M.C.); (R.C.); (A.L.); (M.T.)
| | - Alessandra Rossetti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio (Coppito), 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.R.); (G.L.G.)
| | - Riccardo Castelli
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; (M.C.); (R.C.); (A.L.); (M.T.)
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; (M.C.); (R.C.); (A.L.); (M.T.)
| | - Giovanni Luca Gravina
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, Via Vetoio (Coppito), 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (A.R.); (G.L.G.)
| | - Massimiliano Tognolini
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; (M.C.); (R.C.); (A.L.); (M.T.)
| | - Carmine Giorgio
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; (M.C.); (R.C.); (A.L.); (M.T.)
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9
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Langford JT, Gonzalez L, Taniguchi R, Brahmandam A, Zhang W, Dardik A. EphB4 monomer inhibits chronic graft vasculopathy in an aortic transplant model. JVS Vasc Sci 2023; 4:100109. [PMID: 37519335 PMCID: PMC10372308 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2023.100109] [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: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells and macrophages play an important role in the formation of allograft vasculopathy, which is the predominant form of chronic rejection in cardiac transplants. Arteries express Ephrin-B2 as a marker of arterial identity, whereas circulating monocytes express the cognate receptor EphB4, which facilitates monocyte adhesion to the endothelial surface. Adherent monocytes transmigrate and differentiate into macrophages that activate T cells and are a main source of tissue damage during rejection. We hypothesized that inhibition of Ephrin-B2-EphB4 binding would decrease immune cell accumulation within a transplanted graft and prevent allograft vasculopathy. We used EphB4 monomer to inhibit Ephrin-B2-EphB4 binding in a rat infrarenal aortic transplant model. Rats treated with EphB4 monomer had fewer macrophages and T cells in the aortic allografts at 28 days, as well as significantly less neointima formation. These data show that the Ephin-B2-EphB4 axis may be an important target for prevention or treatment of allograft vasculopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T. Langford
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Luis Gonzalez
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Ryosuke Taniguchi
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Anand Brahmandam
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Weichang Zhang
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Alan Dardik
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
- Department of Surgery, VA Connecticut Healthcare Systems, West Haven, CT
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10
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Ferrari FR, Giorgio C, Zappia A, Ballabeni V, Bertoni S, Barocelli E, Scalvini L, Galvani F, Mor M, Lodola A, Tognolini M. Pharmacological characterization of second generation FXR agonists as effective EphA2 antagonists: A successful application of target hopping approach. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 209:115452. [PMID: 36792038 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
It is well demonstrated the key role of Eph-ephrin system, specifically of EphA2 receptor, in supporting tumor growth, invasion, metastasis and neovascularization. We previously identified FXR agonists as eligible antagonists of Eph-ephrin system. Herein we characterize new commercially available FXR (Farnesoid X Receptor) agonists as potential Eph ligands including Cilofexor, Nidufexor, Tropifexor, Turofexorate isopropyl and Vonafexor. Our exploration based on molecular modelling investigations and binding assays shows that Cilofexor binds specifically and reversibly to EphA2 receptor with a Ki value in the low micromolar range. Furthermore, Cilofexor interferes with the phosphorylation of EphA2 and the cell retraction and rounding in PC3 prostate cancer cells, both events depending on EphA2 activation. In conclusion, we can confirm that target hopping can be a successful approach to discover new moiety of protein-protein inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Romana Ferrari
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Carmine Giorgio
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Alfonso Zappia
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Vigilio Ballabeni
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Simona Bertoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Barocelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Scalvini
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Galvani
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, I-43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Tognolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
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11
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EPH/Ephrin-Targeting Treatment in Breast Cancer: A New Chapter in Breast Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315275. [PMID: 36499598 PMCID: PMC9740341 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315275] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in women. Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptors (EPHs), receptor tyrosine kinases binding the membrane-bound proteins ephrins, are differentially expressed in BC, and correlate with carcinogenesis and tumor progression. With a view to examining available therapeutics targeting the EPH/ephrin system in BC, a literature review was conducted, using the MEDLINE, LIVIVO, and Google Scholar databases. EPHA2 is the most studied EPH/ephrin target in BC treatment. The targeting of EPHA2, EPHA10, EPHB4, ephrin-A2, ephrin-A4, as well as ephrin-B2 in BC cells or xenograft models is associated with apoptosis induction, tumor regression, anticancer immune response activation, and impaired cell motility. In conclusion, EPHs/ephrins seem to represent promising future treatment targets in BC.
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12
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Zheng S, Sun F, Tian X, Zhu Z, Wang Y, Zheng W, Liu T, Wang W. Roles of Eph/ephrin signaling pathway in repair and regeneration for ischemic cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. JOURNAL OF NEURORESTORATOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnrt.2022.100040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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13
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Baggio C, Udompholkul P, Gambini L, Pellecchia M. Targefrin: A Potent Agent Targeting the Ligand Binding Domain of EphA2. J Med Chem 2022; 65:15443-15456. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Parima Udompholkul
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Luca Gambini
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
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14
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Crosstalk between the peripheral nervous system and breast cancer influences tumor progression. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188828. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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15
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Waldenström Macroglobulinemia: Mechanisms of Disease Progression and Current Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911145. [PMID: 36232447 PMCID: PMC9569492 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Waldenström macroglobulinemia is an indolent, B-cell lymphoma without a known cure. The bone marrow microenvironment and cytokines both play key roles in Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) tumor progression. Only one FDA-approved drug exists for the treatment of WM, Ibrutinib, but treatment plans involve a variety of drugs and inhibitors. This review explores avenues of tumor progression and targeted drug therapy that have been investigated in WM and related B-cell lymphomas.
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16
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Huang S, Dong C, Zhang J, Fu S, Lv Y, Wu J. A comprehensive prognostic and immunological analysis of ephrin family genes in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:943384. [PMID: 36052169 PMCID: PMC9424725 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.943384] [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: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Ephrins, a series of Eph-associated receptor tyrosine kinase ligands, play an important role in the tumorigenesis and progression of various cancers. However, their contributions to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to explore their prognostic value and immune implications in HCC. Methods: Multiple public databases, such as TCGA, GTEx, and UCSC XENA, were used to analyze the expression of ephrin genes across cancers. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression were used to explore the prognostic role of ephrin genes in HCC. A logistic regression model was utilized to evaluate the association between ephrin gene expression and clinical characteristics. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to elucidate their potential biological mechanisms. Various immune algorithms were utilized to investigate the correlation between ephrin genes and tumor immunity. We also analyzed their association with drug sensitivity, and gene mutations. Finally, RT–qPCR was performed to validate the expression of ephrin family genes in HCC cells and clinical tissues. Results: The expression of EFNA1, EFNA2, EFNA3, EFNA4, EFNB1, and EFNB2 was upregulated in most cancer types, while EFNA5 and EFNB3 was downregulated in most cancers. In HCC, the expression levels of EFNA1, EFNA3, EFNA4, EFNB1, and EFNB2 were significantly higher in tumor tissues than in normal tissues. High expression of EFNA3, EFNA4, and EFNB1 was associated with tumor progression and worse prognosis in HCC patients. The expression of EFNA3 and EFNA4 was negatively associated with the stromal/ESTIMATE scores, while EFNB1 was positively correlated with the immune/stromal/ESTIMATE scores. Moreover, these ephrin genes were closely relevant to the infiltration of immune cells, such as B cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, neutrophil cells, macrophage cells, and dendritic cells. EFNB1 expression was positively associated with most immune-related genes, while EFNA3/EFNA4 was positively related to TMB and MSI. In addition, EFNA3, EFNA4, and EFNB1 were related to drug sensitivity and affected the mutation frequency of some genes in HCC. Conclusion: EFNA3, EFNA4, and EFNB1 are independent prognostic factors for HCC patients and are closely correlated with tumor immunity, which may provide a new direction for exploring novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenglan Huang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Cairong Dong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shumin Fu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yaqin Lv
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jianbing Wu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- *Correspondence: Jianbing Wu,
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17
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Gomez-Soler M, Gehring MP, Lechtenberg BC, Zapata-Mercado E, Ruelos A, Matsumoto MW, Hristova K, Pasquale EB. Ligands with different dimeric configurations potently activate the EphA2 receptor and reveal its potential for biased signaling. iScience 2022; 25:103870. [PMID: 35243233 PMCID: PMC8858996 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase activates signaling pathways with different, and sometimes opposite, effects in cancer and other pathologies. Thus, highly specific and potent biased ligands that differentially control EphA2 signaling responses could be therapeutically valuable. Here, we use EphA2-specific monomeric peptides to engineer dimeric ligands with three different geometric configurations to combine a potential ability to differentially modulate EphA2 signaling responses with the high potency and prolonged receptor residence time characteristic of dimeric ligands. The different dimeric peptides readily induce EphA2 clustering, autophosphorylation and signaling, the best with sub-nanomolar potency. Yet, there are differences in two EphA2 signaling responses induced by peptides with different configurations, which exhibit distinct potency and efficacy. The peptides bias signaling when compared with the ephrinA1-Fc ligand and do so via different mechanisms. These findings provide insights into Eph receptor signaling, and proof-of-principle that different Eph signaling responses can be distinctly modulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricel Gomez-Soler
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Marina P. Gehring
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Bernhard C. Lechtenberg
- Ubiquitin Signalling Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville Victoria 3052, Australia and Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Elmer Zapata-Mercado
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Alyssa Ruelos
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Mike W. Matsumoto
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Elena B. Pasquale
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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18
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Xie D, Wang Z, Li J, Guo DA, Lu A, Liang C. Targeted Delivery of Chemotherapeutic Agents for Osteosarcoma Treatment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:843345. [PMID: 35311145 PMCID: PMC8931218 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.843345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Since osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive bone cancer with unknown molecular pathways of etiology and pathophysiology, improving patient survival has long been a challenge. The conventional therapy is a complex multidisciplinary management that include radiotherapy, chemotherapy which followed by surgery and then post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy. However, they have severe side effects because the majority of the medicines used have just a minor selectivity for malignant tissue. As a result, treating tumor cells specifically without damaging healthy tissue is currently a primary goal in OS therapy. The coupling of chemotherapeutic drugs with targeting ligands is a unique therapy method for OS that, by active targeting, can overcome the aforementioned hurdles. This review focuses on advances in ligands and chemotherapeutic agents employed in targeted delivery to improve the capacity of active targeting and provide some insight into future therapeutic research for OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duoli Xie
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science (IBTS), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhuqian Wang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science (IBTS), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - De-an Guo
- National Engineering Laboratory for Standardization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Aiping Lu
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science (IBTS), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Arthritis Research in Integrative Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Chao Liang, ; Aiping Lu,
| | - Chao Liang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine and Translational Science (IBTS), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Chao Liang, ; Aiping Lu,
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19
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Papadakos SP, Petrogiannopoulos L, Pergaris A, Theocharis S. The EPH/Ephrin System in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052761. [PMID: 35269901 PMCID: PMC8910949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The EPH/ephrin system constitutes a bidirectional signaling pathway comprised of a family of tyrosine kinase receptors in tandem with their plasma membrane-bound ligand (ephrins). Its significance in a wide variety of physiologic and pathologic processes has been recognized during the past decades. In carcinogenesis, EPH/ephrins coordinate a wide spectrum of pathologic processes, such as angiogenesis, vessel infiltration, and metastasis. Despite the recent advances in colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis and treatment, it remains a leading cause of death globally, accounting for 9.2% of all cancer deaths. A growing body of literature has been published lately revitalizing our scientific interest towards the role of EPH/ephrins in pathogenesis and the treatment of CRC. The aim of the present review is to present the recent CRC data which might lead to clinical practice changes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavros P Papadakos
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Leonidas Petrogiannopoulos
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Pergaris
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
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20
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Podkościelna B, Klimek K, Karczmarzyk Z, Wysocki W, Brodacka M, Serafin K, Kozyra P, Kowalczuk D, Ginalska G, Pitucha M. Polymer microspheres modified with pyrazole derivatives as potential agents in anticancer therapy – preliminary studies. Bioorg Chem 2022; 123:105765. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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21
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Honoré B, Andersen MD, Wilken D, Kamper P, d’Amore F, Hamilton-Dutoit S, Ludvigsen M. Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma Refractory for ABVD Treatment Is Characterized by Pathologically Activated Signal Transduction Pathways as Revealed by Proteomic Profiling. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14010247. [PMID: 35008410 PMCID: PMC8750842 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) patients refractory to standard ABVD chemo-therapy are known to have a dismal prognosis. This has led to the hypothesis that ABVD treatment-sensitive and ABVD treatment-refractory tumours are biologically distinct. In this study, cHL patients refractory to standard ABVD treatment show subtle but significant differences in protein expression that enable clustering of the two response groups, thus indicating differences between ABVD sensitive and refractory patients at the molecular level, and thereby strengthening the hypothesis that ABVD sensitive and ABVD refractory tumours may be biologically distinct. Abstract In classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), the tumour microenvironment (TME) is of major pathological relevance. The paucity of neoplastic cells makes it important to study the entire TME when searching for prognostic biomarkers. Cure rates in cHL have improved markedly over the last several decades, but patients with primary refractory disease still show inferior survival. We performed a proteomic comparison of pretreatment tumour tissue from ABVD treatment-refractory versus ABVD treatment-sensitive cHL patients, in order to identify biological differences correlating with treatment outcome. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour tissues from 36 patients with cHL, 15 with treatment-refractory disease, and 21 with treatment-sensitive disease, were processed for proteomic investigation. Label-free quantification nano liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was performed on the tissues. A total of 3920 proteins were detected and quantified between the refractory and sensitive groups. This comparison revealed several subtle but significant differences in protein expression which could identify subcluster characteristics of the refractory group. Bioinformatic analysis of the biological differences indicated that a number of pathologically activated signal transduction pathways are disturbed in ABVD treatment-refractory cHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bent Honoré
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (B.H.); (D.W.)
| | - Maja Dam Andersen
- Department of Haematology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (M.D.A.); (P.K.); (F.d.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark;
| | - Diani Wilken
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (B.H.); (D.W.)
| | - Peter Kamper
- Department of Haematology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (M.D.A.); (P.K.); (F.d.)
| | - Francesco d’Amore
- Department of Haematology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (M.D.A.); (P.K.); (F.d.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark;
| | - Stephen Hamilton-Dutoit
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark;
- Department of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Maja Ludvigsen
- Department of Haematology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (M.D.A.); (P.K.); (F.d.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-22859523
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22
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Cholenic acid derivative UniPR1331 impairs tumor angiogenesis via blockade of VEGF/VEGFR2 in addition to Eph/ephrin. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:908-917. [PMID: 34426652 PMCID: PMC9293752 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00379-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting ones, is crucial for tumor growth and metastatization, and is considered a promising therapeutic target. Unfortunately, drugs directed against a specific proangiogenic growth factor or receptor turned out to be of limited benefit for oncology patients, likely due to the high biochemical redundancy of the neovascularization process. In this scenario, multitarget compounds that are able to simultaneously tackle different proangiogenic pathways are eagerly awaited. UniPR1331 is a 3β-hydroxy-Δ5-cholenic acid derivative, which is already known to inhibit Eph-ephrin interaction. Here, we employed an analysis pipeline consisting of molecular modeling and simulation, surface plasmon resonance spectrometry, biochemical assays, and endothelial cell models to demonstrate that UniPR1331 directly interacts with the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) too. The binding of UniPR1331 to VEGFR2 prevents its interaction with the natural ligand vascular endothelial growth factor and subsequent autophosphorylation, signal transduction, and in vitro proangiogenic activation of endothelial cells. In vivo, UniPR1331 inhibits tumor cell-driven angiogenesis in zebrafish. Taken together, these data shed light on the pleiotropic pharmacological effect of UniPR1331, and point to Δ5-cholenic acid as a promising molecular scaffold for the development of multitarget antiangiogenic compounds.
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Krauss C, Aurelus C, Johnston K, Hedley J, Banerjee S, Wisniewski S, Reaves Q, Dia K, Brown S, Bartlet V, Gavin S, Cuffee J, Banerjee N, Rawat K, Mandal S, Abedin Z, Ghosh S, Banerjee H. A Study of Differential Gene Expression and Core Canonical Pathways Involved in Rhenium Ligand Treated Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Induced A549 Lung Cancer Cell Lines by INGENUITY Software System. COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE 2022; 12:12-19. [PMID: 35342659 PMCID: PMC8955764 DOI: 10.4236/cmb.2022.121002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Krauss
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chelsey Aurelus
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
| | - Kayla Johnston
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
| | - Joseph Hedley
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
| | - Satyendra Banerjee
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
| | - Sarah Wisniewski
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
| | - Quentin Reaves
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
| | - Khadimou Dia
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
| | - Shenell Brown
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
| | - Victoria Bartlet
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
| | - Sheritta Gavin
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
| | - Jazmine Cuffee
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
| | - Narendra Banerjee
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
| | - Kuldeep Rawat
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
| | - Santosh Mandal
- Department of Chemistry, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Somiranjan Ghosh
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Howard University Medical School, Washington DC, USA
| | - Hirendra Banerjee
- Department of Natural Sciences and Department of Health and Human Studies, Elizabeth City State University, University of NC, Elizabeth City, NC, USA
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Prognostic Biomarkers in Uveal Melanoma: The Status Quo, Recent Advances and Future Directions. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010096. [PMID: 35008260 PMCID: PMC8749988 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Although rare, uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common cancer that develops inside adult eyes. The prognosis is poor, since 50% of patients will develop lethal metastases in the first decade, especially to the liver. Once metastases are detected, life expectancy is limited, given that the available treatments are mostly unsuccessful. Thus, there is a need to find methods that can accurately predict UM prognosis and also effective therapeutic strategies to treat this cancer. In this manuscript, we initially compile the current knowledge on epidemiological, clinical, pathological and molecular features of UM. Then, we cover the most relevant prognostic factors currently used for the evaluation and follow-up of UM patients. Afterwards, we highlight emerging molecular markers in UM published over the last three years. Finally, we discuss the problems preventing meaningful advances in the treatment and prognostication of UM patients, as well as forecast new roadblocks and paths of UM-related research. Abstract Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common malignant intraocular tumour in the adult population. It is a rare cancer with an incidence of nearly five cases per million inhabitants per year, which develops from the uncontrolled proliferation of melanocytes in the choroid (≈90%), ciliary body (≈6%) or iris (≈4%). Patients initially present either with symptoms like blurred vision or photopsia, or without symptoms, with the tumour being detected in routine eye exams. Over the course of the disease, metastases, which are initially dormant, develop in nearly 50% of patients, preferentially in the liver. Despite decades of intensive research, the only approach proven to mildly control disease spread are early treatments directed to ablate liver metastases, such as surgical excision or chemoembolization. However, most patients have a limited life expectancy once metastases are detected, since there are limited therapeutic approaches for the metastatic disease, including immunotherapy, which unlike in cutaneous melanoma, has been mostly ineffective for UM patients. Therefore, in order to offer the best care possible to these patients, there is an urgent need to find robust models that can accurately predict the prognosis of UM, as well as therapeutic strategies that effectively block and/or limit the spread of the metastatic disease. Here, we initially summarized the current knowledge about UM by compiling the most relevant epidemiological, clinical, pathological and molecular data. Then, we revisited the most important prognostic factors currently used for the evaluation and follow-up of primary UM cases. Afterwards, we addressed emerging prognostic biomarkers in UM, by comprehensively reviewing gene signatures, immunohistochemistry-based markers and proteomic markers resulting from research studies conducted over the past three years. Finally, we discussed the current hurdles in the field and anticipated the future challenges and novel avenues of research in UM.
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Ephrin Receptors (Ephs) Expression in Thymic Epithelial Tumors: Prognostic Implications and Future Therapeutic Approaches. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11122265. [PMID: 34943502 PMCID: PMC8700455 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11122265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ephrin receptors (Ephs) are receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) implicated in tissue development and homeostasis, and they are aberrantly expressed in tumors. Here, immunohistochemical Eph type-A and -B expression in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) was assessed and correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Tissue microarrays from 98 TETs were stained for EphA1, -A2, -A4 -A6, -B1, -B2, -B4 and -B6. The relationship between neoplastic and lymphoid cell immunoreactivity score (H-score), histopathological parameters (Pearson’s test) and survival of 35 patients (Mantel-Cox model) was explored. Epithelial-rich subtypes showed higher EphA6 cytoplasmic H-score (B2/B3, carcinoma) (p < 0.001) and stronger EphA4 H-score (B3, carcinoma) (p = 0.011). The immature T-cells, especially in subtypes AB/B1, had higher EphB6 H-score than carcinoma-associated mature lymphocytes (p < 0.001); carcinomas had higher lymphocytic EphB1 H-score (p = 0.026). Higher lymphocytic and lower epithelial EphB6 H-score correlated with Masaoka stage ≤II (p = 0.043, p = 0.010, respectively). All cases showed variable epithelial and lymphocytic EphA2 expression, but clinicopathological associations were not reached. Our study confirmed that Eph type-A and -B expression in TETs is associated with established prognostic parameters, i.e., tumor subtype and Masaoka stage, although correlation with patient survival was not reached. Such findings suggest involvement of these RTKs in thymic neoplasia, as well as their potential utility as treatment targets.
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Graziani V, Rodriguez-Hernandez I, Maiques O, Sanz-Moreno V. The amoeboid state as part of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition programme. Trends Cell Biol 2021; 32:228-242. [PMID: 34836782 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cell migration is essential for many biological processes, while abnormal cell migration is characteristic of cancer cells. Epithelial cells become motile by undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and mesenchymal cells increase migration speed by adopting amoeboid features. This review highlights how amoeboid behaviour is not merely a migration mode but rather a cellular state - within the EMT spectra - by which cancer cells survive, invade and colonise challenging microenvironments. Molecular biomarkers and physicochemical triggers associated with amoeboid behaviour are discussed, including an amoeboid associated tumour microenvironment. We reflect on how amoeboid characteristics support metastasis and how their liabilities could turn into therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Graziani
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | | | - Oscar Maiques
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
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Yi C, Zhang X, Li H, Chen G, Zeng B, Li Y, Wang C, He Y, Chen X, Huang Z, Yu D. EPHB4 Regulates the Proliferation and Metastasis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma through the HMGB1/NF-κB Signalling Pathway. J Cancer 2021; 12:5999-6011. [PMID: 34539874 PMCID: PMC8425198 DOI: 10.7150/jca.59331] [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: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Malignant proliferation and cervical lymphatic metastasis restrict the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular B4 (EPHB4) regulates a series of tumour functions involving tumourigenesis, cancer cell attachment and metastasis. However, the mechanism of EphB4 regulating the malignant progression of OSCC has not been fully elucidated. Methods: EPHB4 expression was analysed in 65 OSCC samples and adjacent noncancerous tissues through immunohistochemistry (IHC). siRNA and overexpression plasmids were transfected into OSCC cells to modify EPHB4 expression, and then, regulatory functions were explored in vitro and in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and mass spectrometry were applied to detect proteins interacting with EPHB4. Subsequently, protein stability assays and NF-κB pathway inhibition assays were used to verify the regulation of EPHB4, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. Results: EPHB4 was found to be highly expressed in OSCC tissues, which was related to tumour stage and lymphatic metastasis and resulted in a poor prognosis. Cellular experiments and mouse tongue xenograft models further confirmed that high EPHB4 expression promoted the proliferation and metastasis of OSCC tumours. Mechanistically, co-IP and mass spectrometry studies indicated that EPHB4 could bind to HMGB1 and maintain HMGB1 stability. Downregulation of HMGB1 inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of OSCC cells and inhibited NF-κB phosphorylation activation but did not affect EPHB4 expression. Conclusion: This study revealed the mechanism by which EPHB4 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of OSCC by activating the HMGB1-mediated NF-κB signalling pathway, which can be exploited as a novel marker or therapeutic target to control metastasis and improve the survival rate of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Xiliu Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Hongyu Li
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Guanhui Chen
- Department of Stomatology, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen. Guangdong, China, 518107
| | - Binghui Zeng
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Yiming Li
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Yi He
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Xun Chen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Zixian Huang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510120
| | - Dongsheng Yu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
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The Clinical Impact of the EPH/Ephrin System in Cancer: Unwinding the Thread. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168412. [PMID: 34445116 PMCID: PMC8395090 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular receptors (EPHs) compose the largest known subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). They bind and interact with the EPH family receptor interacting proteins (ephrins). EPHs/ephrins are implicated in a variety of physiological processes, as well as in cancer pathogenesis. With neoplastic disease remaining a leading cause of death world-wide, the development of novel biomarkers aiding in the field of diagnosis, prognosis, and disease monitoring is of utmost importance. A multitude of studies have proven the association between the expression of members of the EPH/ephrin system and various clinicopathological parameters, including disease stage, tumor histologic grade, and patients' overall survival. Besides their utilization in timely disease detection and assessment of outcome, EPHs/ephrins could also represent possible novel therapeutic targets. The aim of the current review of the literature was to present the existing data regarding the association between EPH/ephrin system expression and the clinical characteristics of malignant tumors.
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The EphB6 Receptor: Kinase-Dead but Very Much Alive. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158211. [PMID: 34360976 PMCID: PMC8347583 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Eph receptor tyrosine kinase member EphB6 is a pseudokinase, and similar to other pseudoenzymes has not attracted an equivalent amount of interest as its enzymatically-active counterparts. However, a greater appreciation for the role pseudoenzymes perform in expanding the repertoire of signals generated by signal transduction systems has fostered more interest in the field. EphB6 acts as a molecular switch that is capable of modulating the signal transduction output of Eph receptor clusters. Although the biological effects of EphB6 activity are well defined, the molecular mechanisms of EphB6 function remain enigmatic. In this review, we use a comparative approach to postulate how EphB6 acts as a scaffold to recruit adaptor proteins to an Eph receptor cluster and how this function is regulated. We suggest that the evolutionary repurposing of EphB6 into a kinase-independent molecular switch in mammals has involved repurposing the kinase activation loop into an SH3 domain-binding site. In addition, we suggest that EphB6 employs the same SAM domain linker and juxtamembrane domain allosteric regulatory mechanisms that are used in kinase-positive Eph receptors to regulate its scaffold function. As a result, although kinase-dead, EphB6 remains a strategically active component of Eph receptor signaling.
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Wang GH, Ni K, Gu C, Huang J, Chen J, Wang XD, Ni Q. EphA8 inhibits cell apoptosis via AKT signaling and is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. Oncol Rep 2021; 46:183. [PMID: 34278497 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8134] [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: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin‑producing hepatocellular receptors (Ephs) comprise the largest subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases and have been reported to be involved in a variety of biological cellular processes, including tumorigenesis and cancer progression. The present study aimed to determine the expression levels and clinicopathological significance of EphA8 in breast cancer (BC) using immunohistochemistry analysis of tissue microarrays. The results of the present study revealed that EphA8 expression levels were upregulated in BC tissue and were associated with tumor size and TNM stage. In addition, upregulated expression levels of EphA8 were identified to be a poor prognostic biomarker for patients with BC. The knockdown of EphA8 expression using short hairpin RNA resulted in increased levels of apoptosis as well as decreased proliferation, migration and invasion of BC cells both in vivo and in vitro. The knockdown of EphA8 also decreased the phosphorylation of AKT, which was accompanied by downregulation of Bcl‑2 expression levels and upregulation of p53, Caspase‑3 and Bax expression levels. Moreover, knockdown of EphA8 expression increased the chemosensitivity of BC cells to paclitaxel. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that EphA8 may be a useful prognostic marker in BC and that knockdown of EphA8 may represent a novel strategy in adjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Hua Wang
- Department of Clinical Biobank, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Kan Ni
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Changjiang Gu
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Jianfei Huang
- Department of Clinical Biobank, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Xu-Dong Wang
- Department of Clinical Biobank, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Qichao Ni
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
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RNA-sequence reveals differentially expressed genes affecting the crested trait of Wumeng crested chicken. Poult Sci 2021; 100:101357. [PMID: 34329989 PMCID: PMC8335650 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Wumeng crested chicken has a cluster of slender feathers on its head, and the underlying skull region exhibits an obvious tumor-like protrusion. This is the typical skull structure of crested chickens. The associated regulatory genes are located on autosomes and are incompletely dominant. This trait is related to brain herniation, but the genetic mechanisms of its formation and development are unclear. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis was conducted on 6 skull tissue samples from 3 Wumeng crested chickens with prominent skull protrusions and 3 without a prominent skull protrusion phenotype. A total of 46,376,934 to 43,729,046 clean reads were obtained, the percentage of uniquely mapped reads compared with the reference genome was between 89.73%-91.00%, and 39,795,458-41,836,502 unique reads were obtained. Among different genomic regions, the highest frequency of sequencing reads occurred in exon regions (85.44-88.28%). Additionally, a total of 423 new transcripts and 26,999 alternative splicings (AS) events were discovered in this sequencing analysis. This study identified 1,089 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), among which 485 were upregulated and 604 were downregulated. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses indicated that the DEGs were enriched in terms related to signal transduction, cell development, cell differentiation, the lysosome, serine, and threonine metabolism, and the interaction of cytokines with cytokine receptors. Based on the comprehensive analysis of DEGs combined with reported quantitative trait loci (QTLs), the expression of BMP2, EPHA3, EPHB1, HOXC6, SCN2B, BMP7, and HOXC10 was verified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The qRT-PCR results were consistent with the RNA-Seq results, indicating that these 7 genes may be candidates genes regulating the crested trait.
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Udompholkul P, Baggio C, Gambini L, Sun Y, Zhao M, Hoffman RM, Pellecchia M. Effective Tumor Targeting by EphA2-Agonist-Biotin-Streptavidin Conjugates. Molecules 2021; 26:3687. [PMID: 34204178 PMCID: PMC8235110 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123687] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently reported on a potent synthetic agent, 135H11, that selectively targets the receptor tyrosine kinase, EphA2. While 135H11 possesses a relatively high binding affinity for the ligand-binding domain of EphA2 (Kd~130 nM), receptor activation in the cell required the synthesis of dimeric versions of such agent (namely 135H12). This was expected given that the natural ephrin ligands also need to be dimerized or clustered to elicit agonistic activity in cell. In the present report we investigated whether the agonistic activity of 135H11 could be enhanced by biotin conjugation followed by complex formation with streptavidin. Therefore, we measured the agonistic EphA2 activity of 135H11-biotin (147B5) at various agent/streptavidin ratios, side by side with 135H12, and a scrambled version of 147B5 in pancreatic- and breast-cancer cell lines. The (147B5)n-streptavidin complexes (when n = 2, 3, 4, but not when n = 1) induced a strong receptor degradation effect in both cell lines compared to 135H12 or the (scrambled-147B5)4-streptavidin complex as a control, indicating that multimerization of the targeting agent resulted in an increased ability to cause receptor clustering and internalization. Subsequently, we prepared an Alexa-Fluor-streptavidin conjugate to demonstrate that (147B5)4-AF-streptavidin, but not the scrambled equivalent complex, concentrates in pancreatic and breast cancers in orthotopic nude-mouse models. Hence, we conclude that these novel targeting agents, with proper derivatization with imaging reagents or chemotherapy, can be used as diagnostics, and/or to deliver chemotherapy selectively to EphA2-expressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parima Udompholkul
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; (P.U.); (C.B.); (L.G.)
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; (P.U.); (C.B.); (L.G.)
| | - Luca Gambini
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; (P.U.); (C.B.); (L.G.)
| | - Yu Sun
- AntiCancer Inc., 7917 Ostrow St., San Diego, CA 92111, USA; (Y.S.); (M.Z.); (R.M.H.)
- Department of Surgery, University of California, 9300 Campus Point Dr #7220, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ming Zhao
- AntiCancer Inc., 7917 Ostrow St., San Diego, CA 92111, USA; (Y.S.); (M.Z.); (R.M.H.)
| | - Robert M. Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc., 7917 Ostrow St., San Diego, CA 92111, USA; (Y.S.); (M.Z.); (R.M.H.)
- Department of Surgery, University of California, 9300 Campus Point Dr #7220, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; (P.U.); (C.B.); (L.G.)
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Mendoza R, Saha N, Momeni A, Gabutan E, Alawad M, Dehghani A, Diks J, Lin B, Wang D, Alshal M, Fyke W, Wang B, Himanen JP, Premsrirut P, Nikolov DB. Ephrin-A1 and the sheddase ADAM12 are upregulated in COVID-19. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07200. [PMID: 34095559 PMCID: PMC8165044 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 3.5 million people have died globally from COVID-19, yet an effective therapy is not available. It is, therefore, important to understand the signaling pathways that mediate disease progression in order to identify new molecular targets for therapeutic development. Here, we report that the blood serum levels of ephrin-A1 and the sheddase ADAM12 were significantly elevated in COVID-19 patients treated at SUNY Downstate Hospital of Brooklyn, New York. Both ephrin-A1 and ADAM12 are known to be involved in inflammation and regulate endothelial cell permeability, thus providing a gateway to lung injury. The clinical outcome correlated with the ephrin-A1 and ADAM12 serum levels during the first week of hospitalization. In contrast, the serum levels of TNFα were elevated in only a small subset of the patients, and these same patients also had highly elevated levels of the sheddase ADAM17. These data indicate that ephrin-A1-mediated inflammatory signaling may contribute to COVID-19 disease progression more so than TNFα-mediated inflammatory signaling. They also support the notion that, in COVID-19 inflammation, ADAM12 sheds ephrin-A1, while ADAM17 sheds TNFα. Furthermore, the results suggest that elevated serum levels and activity of cytokines, such as TNFα, and other secreted inflammatory molecules, such as ephrin-A1, are not simply due to overexpression, but also to upregulation of sheddases that release them into the blood circulation. Our results identify ephrin-A1, ADAM12, and other molecules in the ephrin-A1 signaling pathway as potential pharmacological targets for treating COVID-19 inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle Mendoza
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Nayanendu Saha
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Amir Momeni
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Elmer Gabutan
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Mouyed Alawad
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Amir Dehghani
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - John Diks
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Bo Lin
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Donghai Wang
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Mohamed Alshal
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - William Fyke
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Bingcheng Wang
- Rammelkamp Center for Research, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44109, USA
| | - Juha P. Himanen
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Prem Premsrirut
- Department of Cell Biology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
- Mirimus Inc., 760 Parkside Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226, USA
| | - Dimitar B. Nikolov
- Structural Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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UniPR1331: Small Eph/Ephrin Antagonist Beneficial in Intestinal Inflammation by Interfering with Type-B Signaling. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060502. [PMID: 34074058 PMCID: PMC8225182 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060502] [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: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Eph receptors, comprising A and B classes, interact with cell-bound ephrins generating bidirectional signaling. Although mainly related to carcinogenesis and organogenesis, the role of Eph/ephrin system in inflammation is growingly acknowledged. Recently, we showed that EphA/ephrin-A proteins can modulate the acute inflammatory responses induced by mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion, while beneficial effects were granted by EphB4, acting as EphB/ephrin-B antagonist, in a murine model of Crohn’s disease (CD). Accordingly, we now aim to evaluate the effects of UniPR1331, a pan-Eph/ephrin antagonist, in TNBS-induced colitis and to ascertain whether UniPR1331 effects can be attributed to A- or B-type signaling interference. The potential anti-inflammatory action of UniPR1331 was compared to those of the recombinant proteins EphA2, a purported EphA/ephrin-A antagonist, and of ephrin-A1-Fc and EphA2-Fc, supposedly activating forward and reverse EphA/ephrin-A signaling, in murine TNBS-induced colitis and in stimulated cultured mononuclear splenocytes. UniPR1331 antagonized the inflammatory responses both in vivo, mimicking EphB4 protection, and in vitro; EphA/ephrin-A proteins were inactive or only weakly effective. Our findings represent a further proof-of-concept that blockade of EphB/ephrin-B signaling is a promising pharmacological strategy for CD management and highlight UniPR1331 as a novel drug candidate, seemingly working through the modulation of immune responses.
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EPHA2 Interacts with DNA-PK cs in Cell Nucleus and Controls Ionizing Radiation Responses in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051010. [PMID: 33671073 PMCID: PMC7957683 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ephrin (EFN)/ Erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular receptors (Eph) signaling has earlier been reported to regulate non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell survival and cell death as well as invasion and migration. Here, the role of Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2) on the DNA damage response (DDR) signaling and ionizing radiation (IR) cellular effect was studied in NSCLC cells. Silencing of EphA2 resulted in IR sensitization, with increased activation of caspase-3, PARP-1 cleavage and reduced clonogenic survival. Profiling of EphA2 expression in a NSCLC cell line panel showed a correlation to an IR refractory phenotype. EphA2 was found to be transiently and rapidly phosphorylated at Ser897 in response to IR, which was paralleled with the activation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase (RSK). Using cell fractionation, a transient increase in both total and pSer897 EphA2 in the nuclear fraction in response to IR was revealed. By immunoprecipitation and LC-MS/MS analysis of EphA2 complexes, nuclear localized EphA2 was found in a complex with DNA-PKcs. Such complex formation rapidly increased after IR but returned back to basal level within an hour. Targeting EphA2 with siRNA or by treatment with EFNA1 ligand partly reduced phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs at S2056 at early time points after IR. Thus, we report that EphA2 interacts with DNA-PKcs in the cell nucleus suggesting a novel mechanism involving the EphA2 receptor in DDR signaling and IR responsiveness.
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Huang F, Shu Q, Qin Z, Tian J, Su Z, Huang Y, Gao M. Anticancer Actions of Azurin and Its Derived Peptide p28. Protein J 2020; 39:182-189. [PMID: 32180097 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-020-09891-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cancers are a great threat to humans. In cancer therapy, surgical removal of the tumor combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the most routine treatment procedure and usually the most effective. However, radiotherapy and chemotherapy drugs that kill cancer cells efficiently also kill normal cells, thus exhibiting large side effects. Cancer-targeted drugs, which aim to specifically recognize proteins or signaling pathways associated with tumor proliferation and migration, have achieved marked progress in recent years. Azurin is a copper-containing redox protein secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Azurin and its derived peptide p28 preferentially enter a variety of cancer cells and induce apoptosis or cell cycle arrest. Mechanistic studies revealed that azurin and p28 target the p53 and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathways as well as other pathways. Two phase I trials of p28 have been carried out, with findings that p28 is safe and exhibits anticancer activity in both adult and pediatric patients. In this review paper, we provide an up-to-date summary of progress on the anticancer mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for azurin and p28.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qianhui Shu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhaojie Qin
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianglin Tian
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhengding Su
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongqi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng Gao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, Hubei, China. .,Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Ling Z, Cheng B, Tao X. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Challenges and opportunities. Int J Cancer 2020; 148:1548-1561. [PMID: 33091960 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignancy representing 90% of all forms of oral cancer worldwide. Although great efforts have been made in the past decades, the 5-year survival rate of OSCC patients is no more than 60% due to tumor metastasis and subsequent recurrence. The metastasis from the primary site is due to a complex process known as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). During the EMT, epithelial cells gradually acquire the structural and functional characteristics of mesenchymal cells, leading to the upregulation of cell migration and the promotion of tumor cell dissemination. Therefore, EMT attracted broad attention due to its close relationship with cancer invasion and metastasis. Therefore, in the present review, an extensive description of the current research on OSCC and the role of EMT in this cancer type is provided, including diverse EMT markers, regulatory networks and crucial EMT-inducing transcription factors in OSCC. Moreover, a brief summary was made regarding the current application of EMT-correlated indexes in the prognostic analysis of OSCC patients, and the potential therapeutic approaches against OSCC and difficulties in the development of an effective anti-EMT treatment are discussed. Our aim is to provide novel insights to develop new strategies to combat OSCC by targeting EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihang Ling
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Cheng
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoan Tao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
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Salem AF, Gambini L, Billet S, Sun Y, Oshiro H, Zhao M, Hoffman RM, Bhowmick NA, Pellecchia M. Prostate Cancer Metastases Are Strongly Inhibited by Agonistic Epha2 Ligands in an Orthotopic Mouse Model. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102854. [PMID: 33023262 PMCID: PMC7600344 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We demonstrate that pro-oncogenic EphA2 (ephrin type-A receptor 2) expression is activated in aggressive prostate cancers, and in mouse models of prostate cancers that are treated with enzalutamide. We also demonstrate in mouse models, that agonistic EphA2 targeting agents are very effective in suppressing cell migration and tumor metastases, hence anticipating the possible use of such agents in innovative anti-metastatic therapeutic modalities. Abstract The EphA2 tyrosine kinase receptor is highly expressed in several types of solid tumors. In our recent studies, we targeted EphA2 in pancreatic cancer with agonistic agents and demonstrated that suppression of EphA2 significantly reduced cancer-cell migration in cell-based assays. In the present study, we focused on targeting EphA2 in prostate cancer. While not all prostate cancers express EphA2, we showed that enzalutamide induced EphA2 expression in prostate cancer cells and in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) animal model, which provides further impetus to target EphA2 in prostate cancer. Western blot studies showed that agonistic dimeric synthetic (135H12) and natural (ephrinA1-Fc) ligands effectively degraded EphA2 receptor in the prostate cancer cell line PC-3. The agents also delayed cell migration of prostate cancer (PC-3) cells, while an in vivo PC-3 orthotopic metastatic nude-mouse model also revealed that administration of ephrinA1-Fc or 135H12 strongly reduced metastases. The present study further validates EphA2 as an important target in metastatic prostate cancer treatment. Our results should incentivize further efforts aimed at developing potent and effective EphA2 synthetic agonistic agents for the treatment of EphA2-driven aggressive metastatic tumors including prostate, pancreatic, and breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed F. Salem
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; (A.F.S.); (L.G.)
| | - Luca Gambini
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; (A.F.S.); (L.G.)
| | - Sandrine Billet
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (S.B.); (N.A.B.)
| | - Yu Sun
- AntiCancer Inc., 7917 Ostrow St., San Diego, CA 92111, USA; (Y.S.); (H.O.); (M.Z.); (R.M.H.)
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Hiromichi Oshiro
- AntiCancer Inc., 7917 Ostrow St., San Diego, CA 92111, USA; (Y.S.); (H.O.); (M.Z.); (R.M.H.)
| | - Ming Zhao
- AntiCancer Inc., 7917 Ostrow St., San Diego, CA 92111, USA; (Y.S.); (H.O.); (M.Z.); (R.M.H.)
| | - Robert M. Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc., 7917 Ostrow St., San Diego, CA 92111, USA; (Y.S.); (H.O.); (M.Z.); (R.M.H.)
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Neil A. Bhowmick
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; (S.B.); (N.A.B.)
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; (A.F.S.); (L.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-951-8277829
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Wan X, Saban DV, Kim SN, Weng Y, Dammann P, Keyvani K, Sure U, Zhu Y. PDCD10-Deficiency Promotes Malignant Behaviors and Tumor Growth via Triggering EphB4 Kinase Activity in Glioblastoma. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1377. [PMID: 32850441 PMCID: PMC7427606 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported an angiogenic and tumor-suppressor-like function of programmed cell death 10 (PDCD10) in glioblastoma (GBM). However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. We hypothesized that loss of PDCD10 activates GBM cells and tumor progression via EphB4. To this end, PDCD10 was knocked down in U87 and T98g by lentiviral mediated shRNA transduction (shPDCD10). GBM cell phenotype in vitro and tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model were investigated in presence or absence of the treatment with a specific EphB4 kinase inhibitor NVP-BHG712 (NVP). We demonstrated that knockdown of PDCD10 in GBM cells significantly upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of EphB4 accompanied by the activation of Erk1/2. EphB4 kinase activity, reflected by phospho-EphB4, significantly increased in shPDCD10 GBM cells, and in tumors derived from shPDCD10 GBM xenografts, which was abolished by the treatment with NVP. Furthermore, NVP treatment significantly suppressed PDCD10-knockdown mediated aggressive GBM cell phenotype in vitro and extensive tumor cell proliferation, the tumor neo-angiogenesis, and a quick progression of tumor formation in vivo. In summary, loss of PDCD10 activates GBM cells and promotes tumor growth via triggering EphB4. Targeting EphB4 might be an effective strategy particularly for the personalized therapy in GBM patients with PDCD10-deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyan Wan
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dino Vitali Saban
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Su Na Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Yinlun Weng
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Philipp Dammann
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kathy Keyvani
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Sure
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Yuan Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Baudet S, Bécret J, Nicol X. Approaches to Manipulate Ephrin-A:EphA Forward Signaling Pathway. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13070140. [PMID: 32629797 PMCID: PMC7407804 DOI: 10.3390/ph13070140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma A (EphA) receptors and their ephrin-A ligands are key players of developmental events shaping the mature organism. Their expression is mostly restricted to stem cell niches in adults but is reactivated in pathological conditions including lesions in the heart, lung, or nervous system. They are also often misregulated in tumors. A wide range of molecular tools enabling the manipulation of the ephrin-A:EphA system are available, ranging from small molecules to peptides and genetically-encoded strategies. Their mechanism is either direct, targeting EphA receptors, or indirect through the modification of intracellular downstream pathways. Approaches enabling manipulation of ephrin-A:EphA forward signaling for the dissection of its signaling cascade, the investigation of its physiological roles or the development of therapeutic strategies are summarized here.
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Harnessing the Power of Eph/ephrin Biosemiotics for Theranostic Applications. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13060112. [PMID: 32492868 PMCID: PMC7345574 DOI: 10.3390/ph13060112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive basic biological knowledge of the Eph/ephrin system in the physiologic setting is needed to facilitate an understanding of its role and the effects of pathological processes on its activity, thereby paving the way for development of prospective therapeutic targets. To this end, this review briefly addresses what is currently known and being investigated in order to highlight the gaps and possible avenues for further investigation to capitalize on their diverse potential.
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Buckens OJ, El Hassouni B, Giovannetti E, Peters GJ. The role of Eph receptors in cancer and how to target them: novel approaches in cancer treatment. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:567-582. [PMID: 32348169 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1762566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular (Eph) receptors are among the largest family of tyrosine kinases that are divided into two classes: EphA and EphB receptors. Over the past two decades, their role in cancer has become more evident. AREAS COVERED There is a need for new anticancer treatments and more insight in the emerging role of Eph receptors in cancer. Molecular mechanisms underlying the pro-tumorigenic effects of Eph receptors could be exploited for future therapeutic strategies. This review describes the variability in expression levels and different effects on oncogenic and tumor suppressive downstream signaling of Eph receptors in various cancer types, and the small molecules, antibodies and peptides that target these receptors. EXPERT OPINION The complexity of Eph signaling is a challenge for the definition of clear targets for cancer treatment. Nevertheless, numerous drugs that target EphA2 and EphB4 are currently in clinical trials. However, some Eph targeted drugs also inhibit other tyrosine kinases, so it is unclear to what extent the targeting of Eph receptors contributes to their efficacy. Future research is warranted for an improved understanding of the full network in which Eph receptors function. This will be critical for the improvement of the anticancer effects of drugs that target the Eph receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar J Buckens
- Amsterdam University College , Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC Location VUMC, CCA , Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Btissame El Hassouni
- Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC Location VUMC, CCA , Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC Location VUMC, CCA , Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start up Unit, Fondazione Pisana per La Scienza , Pisa, Italy
| | - Godefridus J Peters
- Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC Location VUMC, CCA , Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk , Gdansk, Poland
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Salem AF, Gambini L, Udompholkul P, Baggio C, Pellecchia M. Therapeutic Targeting of Pancreatic Cancer via EphA2 Dimeric Agonistic Agents. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13050090. [PMID: 32397624 PMCID: PMC7281375 DOI: 10.3390/ph13050090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, we reported on potent EphA2 targeting compounds and demonstrated that dimeric versions of such agents can exhibit remarkably increased agonistic activity in cellular assays compared to the monomers. Here we further characterize the activity of dimeric compounds at the structural, biochemical, and cellular level. In particular, we propose a structural model for the mechanism of receptor activation by dimeric agents and characterize the effect of most potent compounds in inducing EphA2 activation and degradation in a pancreatic cancer cell line. These cellular studies indicate that the pro-migratory effects induced by the receptor can be reversed in EphA2 knockout cells, by treatment with either a dimeric natural ligand (ephrinA1-Fc), or by our synthetic agonistic dimers. Based on these data we conclude that the proposed agents hold great potential as possible therapeutics in combination with standard of care, where these could help suppressing a major driver for cell migration and tumor metastases. Finally, we also found that, similar to ephrinA1-Fc, dimeric agents cause a sustained internalization of the EphA2 receptor, hence, with proper derivatizations, these could also be used to deliver chemotherapy selectively to pancreatic tumors.
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Mencucci MV, Lapyckyj L, Rosso M, Besso MJ, Belgorosky D, Isola M, Vanzulli S, Lodillinsky C, Eiján AM, Tejerizo JC, Gonzalez MI, Zubieta ME, Vazquez-Levin MH. Ephrin-B1 Is a Novel Biomarker of Bladder Cancer Aggressiveness. Studies in Murine Models and in Human Samples. Front Oncol 2020; 10:283. [PMID: 32292715 PMCID: PMC7119101 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) is the ninth most common cancer worldwide, but molecular changes are still under study. During tumor progression, Epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) expression is altered and β-catenin may be translocated to the nucleus, where it acts as co-transcription factor of tumor invasion associated genes. This investigation further characterizes E-cadherin and β-catenin associated changes in BC, by combining bioinformatics, an experimental murine cell model (MB49/MB49-I) and human BC samples. In in silico studies, a DisGeNET (gene-disease associations database) analysis identified CDH1 (E-cadherin gene) as one with highest score among 130 BC related-genes. COSMIC mutation analysis revealed CDH1 low mutations rates. Compared to MB49 control BC cells, MB49-I invasive cells showed decreased E-cadherin expression, E- to P-cadherin switch, higher β-catenin nuclear signal and lower cytoplasmic p-Ser33-β-catenin signal, higher Ephrin-B1 ligand and EphB2 receptor expression, higher Phospho-Stat3 and Urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator (UPA), and UPA receptor expression. MB49-I cells transfected with Ephrin-B1 siRNA showed lower migratory and invasive capacity than control cells (scramble siRNA). By immunohistochemistry, orthotopic MB49-I tumors had lower E-cadherin, increased nuclear β-catenin, lower pSer33-β-catenin cytoplasmic signal, and higher Ephrin-B1 expression than MB49 tumors. Similar changes were found in human BC tumors, and 83% of infiltrating tumors depicted a high Ephrin-B1 stain. An association between higher Ephrin-B1 expression and higher stage and tumor grade was found. No association was found between abnormal E-cadherin signal, Ephrin-B1 expression or clinical-pathological parameter. This study thoroughly analyzed E-cadherin and associated changes in BC, and reports Ephrin-B1 as a new marker of tumor aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Victoria Mencucci
- Laboratorio de Estudios de la Interacción Celular en Reproducción y Cáncer, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME; CONICET-FIBYME), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lara Lapyckyj
- Laboratorio de Estudios de la Interacción Celular en Reproducción y Cáncer, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME; CONICET-FIBYME), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marina Rosso
- Laboratorio de Estudios de la Interacción Celular en Reproducción y Cáncer, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME; CONICET-FIBYME), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María José Besso
- Laboratorio de Estudios de la Interacción Celular en Reproducción y Cáncer, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME; CONICET-FIBYME), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Denise Belgorosky
- Research Area, Instituto de Oncología Angel H. Roffo, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana Isola
- Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Catalina Lodillinsky
- Research Area, Instituto de Oncología Angel H. Roffo, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana María Eiján
- Research Area, Instituto de Oncología Angel H. Roffo, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Carlos Tejerizo
- Departamento de Urología, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - María Ercilia Zubieta
- Departamento de Urología, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mónica Hebe Vazquez-Levin
- Laboratorio de Estudios de la Interacción Celular en Reproducción y Cáncer, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME; CONICET-FIBYME), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Giorgio C, Zanotti I, Lodola A, Tognolini M. Ephrin or not? Six tough questions on Eph targeting. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:403-415. [PMID: 32197575 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1745187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The Eph-ephrin is a cell-cell communication system generating a forward signal in cell expressing Eph receptors and a reverse signal in ephrin-ligand expressing cells. While clearly involved in the insurgence and progression of cancer, the understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulated by this system needs development; this is a hurdle to the development of therapeutic strategies that can target the Eph receptors and/or their ephrin ligands.Areas covered: We have taken the opportunity to share some key questions on the most effective strategies to target the Eph-ephrin system. This article is based on our experience of the field and therefore is a Perspective and not comprehensive examination of the literature.Expert opinion: Targeting of the Eph-ephrin system has emerged as a potentially valuable approach for cancer therapy. Pharmacological tools have been reported in the last 15 years and these include forward signaling blockers such as kinases inhibitors and antagonists of forward and reverse signaling. Also, biologics including antibodies and recombinant proteins have been developed and some have reached early clinical stages. Data deem the Eph-ephrin system as a signaling axis that is an elusive target. A better understanding of the basic pharmacology behind the activity of available agents and a comprehensive knowledge of the ephrin biology are necessary. We are looking forward to knowing the opinion of the readers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Giorgio
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Ilaria Zanotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
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Tong D, Tian Y, Zhou T, Ye Q, Li J, Ding K, Li J. Improving prediction performance of colon cancer prognosis based on the integration of clinical and multi-omics data. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2020; 20:22. [PMID: 32033604 PMCID: PMC7006213 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-020-1043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Colon cancer is common worldwide and is the leading cause of cancer-related death. Multiple levels of omics data are available due to the development of sequencing technologies. In this study, we proposed an integrative prognostic model for colon cancer based on the integration of clinical and multi-omics data. Methods In total, 344 patients were included in this study. Clinical, gene expression, DNA methylation and miRNA expression data were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). To accommodate the high dimensionality of omics data, unsupervised clustering was used as dimension reduction method. The bias-corrected Harrell’s concordance index was used to verify which clustering result provided the best prognostic performance. Finally, we proposed a prognostic prediction model based on the integration of clinical data and multi-omics data. Uno’s concordance index with cross-validation was used to compare the discriminative performance of the prognostic model constructed with different covariates. Results Combinations of clinical and multi-omics data can improve prognostic performance, as shown by the increase of the bias-corrected Harrell’s concordance of the prognostic model from 0.7424 (clinical features only) to 0.7604 (clinical features and three types of omics features). Additionally, 2-year, 3-year and 5-year Uno’s concordance statistics increased from 0.7329, 0.7043, and 0.7002 (clinical features only) to 0.7639, 0.7474 and 0.7597 (clinical features and three types of omics features), respectively. Conclusion In conclusion, this study successfully combined clinical and multi-omics data for better prediction of colon cancer prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Tong
- Engineering Research Center of EMR and Intelligent Expert System, Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, No. 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Engineering Research Center of EMR and Intelligent Expert System, Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, No. 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Tianshu Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of EMR and Intelligent Expert System, Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, No. 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Qiancheng Ye
- Engineering Research Center of EMR and Intelligent Expert System, Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, No. 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 31009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Kefeng Ding
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 31009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jingsong Li
- Engineering Research Center of EMR and Intelligent Expert System, Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, No. 38 Zheda Road, Hangzhou, 310027, Zhejiang Province, China. .,Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, China.
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47
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Montenegro RC, Howarth A, Ceroni A, Fedele V, Farran B, Mesquita FP, Frejno M, Berger BT, Heinzlmeir S, Sailem HZ, Tesch R, Ebner D, Knapp S, Burbano R, Kuster B, Müller S. Identification of molecular targets for the targeted treatment of gastric cancer using dasatinib. Oncotarget 2020; 11:535-549. [PMID: 32082487 PMCID: PMC7007292 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) remains the third leading cause of cancer-related death despite several improvements in targeted therapy. There is therefore an urgent need to investigate new treatment strategies, including the identification of novel biomarkers for patient stratification. In this study, we evaluated the effect of FDA-approved kinase inhibitors on GC. Through a combination of cell growth, migration and invasion assays, we identified dasatinib as an efficient inhibitor of GC proliferation. Mass-spectrometry-based selectivity profiling and subsequent knockdown experiments identified members of the SRC family of kinases including SRC, FRK, LYN and YES, as well as other kinases such as DDR1, ABL2, SIK2, RIPK2, EPHA2, and EPHB2 as dasatinib targets. The expression levels of the identified kinases were investigated on RNA and protein level in 200 classified tumor samples from patients, who had undergone gastrectomy, but had received no treatment. Levels of FRK, DDR1 and SRC expression on both mRNA and protein level were significantly higher in metastatic patient samples regardless of the tumor stage, while expression levels of SIK2 correlated with tumor size. Collectively, our data suggest dasatinib for treatment of GC based on its unique property, inhibiting a small number of key kinases (SRC, FRK, DDR1 and SIK2), highly expressed in GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alison Howarth
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford (NNRCO), Discovery Technologies and Genomics, Oxford, UK
| | - Alessandro Ceroni
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford (NNRCO), Discovery Technologies and Genomics, Oxford, UK
| | - Vita Fedele
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford (NNRCO), Discovery Technologies and Genomics, Oxford, UK
| | - Batoul Farran
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Felipe Pantoja Mesquita
- Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Martin Frejno
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Benedict-Tilman Berger
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stephanie Heinzlmeir
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heba Z Sailem
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford, UK
| | - Roberta Tesch
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Ebner
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford (NNRCO), Discovery Technologies and Genomics, Oxford, UK
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Bernhard Kuster
- Chair of Proteomics and Bioanalytics, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Bavarian Center for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry (BayBioMS), Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - Susanne Müller
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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48
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Incerti M, Russo S, Corrado M, Giorgio C, Ballabeni V, Chiodelli P, Rusnati M, Scalvini L, Callegari D, Castelli R, Vacondio F, Ferlenghi F, Tognolini M, Lodola A. Optimization of EphA2 antagonists based on a lithocholic acid core led to the identification of UniPR505, a new 3α-carbamoyloxy derivative with antiangiogenetic properties. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 189:112083. [PMID: 32000051 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The EphA2 receptor has been validated in animal models as new target for treating tumors depending on angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry. In the present work, we extended our current knowledge on structure-activity relationship (SAR) data of two related classes of antagonists of the EphA2 receptor, namely 5β-cholan-24-oic acids and 5β-cholan-24-oyl l-β-homotryptophan conjugates, with the aim to develop new antiangiogenic compounds able to efficiently prevent the formation of blood vessels. As a result of our exploration, we identified UniPR505, N-[3α-(Ethylcarbamoyl)oxy-5β-cholan-24-oyl]-l-β-homo-tryptophan (compound 14), as a submicromolar antagonist of the EphA2 receptor capable to block EphA2 phosphorylation and to inhibit neovascularization in a chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Incerti
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Simonetta Russo
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Miriam Corrado
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Carmine Giorgio
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Vigilio Ballabeni
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Paola Chiodelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Rusnati
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Scalvini
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Castelli
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Vacondio
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessio Lodola
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy.
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49
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Nanomedicine in osteosarcoma therapy: Micelleplexes for delivery of nucleic acids and drugs toward osteosarcoma-targeted therapies. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2020; 148:88-106. [PMID: 31958514 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2019.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma(OS) represents the main cancer affecting bone tissue, and one of the most frequent in children. In this review we discuss the major pathological hallmarks of this pathology, its current therapeutics, new active biomolecules, as well as the nanotechnology outbreak applied to the development of innovative strategies for selective OS targeting. Small RNA molecules play a role as key-regulator molecules capable of orchestrate different responses in what concerns cancer initiation, proliferation, migration and invasiveness. Frequently associated with lung metastasis, new strategies are urgent to upgrade the therapeutic outcomes and the life-expectancy prospects. Hence, the prominent rise of micelleplexes as multifaceted and efficient structures for nucleic acid delivery and selective drug targeting is revisited here with special emphasis on ligand-mediated active targeting. Future landmarks toward the development of novel nanostrategies for both OS diagnosis and OS therapy improvements are also discussed.
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50
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Ferlenghi F, Castelli R, Scalvini L, Giorgio C, Corrado M, Tognolini M, Mor M, Lodola A, Vacondio F. Drug-gut microbiota metabolic interactions: the case of UniPR1331, selective antagonist of the Eph-ephrin system, in mice. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2019; 180:113067. [PMID: 31891876 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.113067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The interest on the role of gut microbiota in the biotransformation of drugs and xenobiotics has grown over the last decades and a deeper understanding of the mutual interactions is expected to help future improvements in the fields of drug development, toxicological risk assessment and precision medicine. In this paper, a microbiome drug metabolism case is presented, involving a lipophilic small molecule, N-(3β-hydroxy-Δ5-cholen-24-oyl)-l-tryptophan, UniPR1331, active as antagonist of the Eph-ephrin system and effective in vivo in a murine orthotopic model of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Following the administration of a single 30 mg/kg dose (p.o.) to mice, maximal plasma levels were reached 30 min after dosing and rapidly declined thereafter. To explain the observed in vivo behaviour, in vitro phase I and II metabolism assays were conducted employing mouse and human liver subcellular fractions and profiling main metabolites by means of tandem (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) and high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-HR-MS). In the presence of in vitro mouse liver fractions, UniPR1331 showed a low phase I metabolic clearance, despite the identification of a 3-oxo and several hydroxylated metabolites. Conversely, after oral administration of UniPR1331 to mice, a novel isobaric metabolite was detected that (i) was subjected, as parent UniPR1331, to enterohepatic circulation (ii) had not been previously identified in vitro in mouse liver microsomes and (iii) was not observed forming after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of UniPR1331. An in vitro faecal fermentation assay produced the same chemical entity supporting a major role of gut microbiota in the in vivo clearance of UniPR1331.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ferlenghi
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Riccardo Castelli
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Scalvini
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Carmine Giorgio
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Miriam Corrado
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Tognolini
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy.
| | - Federica Vacondio
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124, Parma, Italy.
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