1
|
Li XF, Zhang HB, Huo Y. High HOXA9 gene expression predicts response to chemotherapy and prognosis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients. J Int Med Res 2022; 50:3000605221135864. [DOI: 10.1177/03000605221135864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is a deadly malignancy. Homeobox protein A9 ( HOXA9) is linked with serous papillary histotype differentiation, and inappropriate HOXA9 expression is a step in ovarian cancer that induces aberrant differentiation. This study aimed to reveal the significance of HOXA9 in HGSOC. Methods HOXA9 mRNA and protein expression were examined by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The chi-square test was used to evaluate associations between HOXA9 expression and clinical characteristics. The prognostic value of HOXA9 was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method. The Kaplan–Meier Plotter database was used to assess the prognostic value of HOXA9. Results The mRNA and protein expression of HOXA9 were significantly upregulated in chemotherapy-resistant HGSOC compared with chemotherapy-sensitive HGSOC. The chi-square test showed that high HOXA9 expression was significantly related with grade, clinical stage, and residual disease. High HOXA9 expression was significantly associated with poor prognosis. The Kaplan–Meier Plotter database further confirmed these results. Cox hazard regression showed that high HOXA9 expression was an independent prognostic factor for survival in HGSOC patients. Conclusion This study showed that HOXA9 expression was associated with chemotherapy resistance and poor outcomes in HGSOC patients. High HOXA9 expression might be a prognostic indicator for HGSOC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-fei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hebei Medical University, Fourth Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hai-Bo Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hebei Medical University, Fourth Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yan Huo
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Hebei Medical University, Fourth Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
ST8SIA6-AS1 Promotes the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Angiogenesis of Pituitary Adenoma. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:7960261. [PMID: 35783150 PMCID: PMC9242794 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7960261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the effect of long noncoding RNA ST8SIA6-AS1 on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis of pituitary adenoma and its possible mechanism. The expression levels of ST8SIA6-AS1 and HOXA9 in noninvasive pituitary adenoma and invasive pituitary adenoma were detected using qRT-PCR. sh-ST8SIA6-AS1 transfection silenced the expression of ST8SIA6-AS1 in GH3 and GTI-1 cells. The effects of ST8SIA6-AS1 on the proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and EMT of GH3 and GTI-1 pituitary adenoma cells were detected. The migration ability of cells was detected through scratch assay. Dual luciferase analysis verified the targeting relationship between ST8SIA6-AS1 and miR-5195-3p. ST8SIA6-AS1 and HOXA9 were highly expressed in invasive pituitary adenoma. In pituitary adenomas, miR-5195-3p directly targeted HOXA9. miR-5195-3p is the target gene of ST8SIA6-AS1. ST8SIA6-AS1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and EMT of pituitary adenoma. HOXA9 expression mediates the biological effect of ST8SIA6-AS1. ST8SIA6-AS1 targets miR-5195-3p to regulate the expression of HOXA9 and promote the EMT of pituitary adenomas.
Collapse
|
3
|
Arunachalam E, Rogers W, Simpson GR, Möller-Levet C, Bolton G, Ismael M, Smith C, Keegen K, Bagwan I, Brend T, Short SC, Hong B, Otani Y, Kaur B, Annels N, Morgan R, Pandha H. HOX and PBX gene dysregulation as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma multiforme. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:400. [PMID: 35418059 PMCID: PMC9006463 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09466-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common high-grade malignant brain tumour in adults and arises from the glial cells in the brain. The prognosis of treated GBM remains very poor with 5-year survival rates of 5%, a figure which has not improved over the last few decades. Currently, there is a modest 14-month overall median survival in patients undergoing maximum safe resection plus adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. HOX gene dysregulation is now a widely recognised feature of many malignancies. METHODS In this study we have focused on HOX gene dysregulation in GBM as a potential therapeutic target in a disease with high unmet need. RESULTS We show significant dysregulation of these developmentally crucial genes and specifically that HOX genes A9, A10, C4 and D9 are strong candidates for biomarkers and treatment targets for GBM and GBM cancer stem cells. We evaluated a next generation therapeutic peptide, HTL-001, capable of targeting HOX gene over-expression in GBM by disrupting the interaction between HOX proteins and their co-factor, PBX. HTL-001 induced both caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis in GBM cell lines. CONCLUSION In vivo biodistribution studies confirmed that the peptide was able to cross the blood brain barrier. Systemic delivery of HTL-001 resulted in improved control of subcutaneous murine and human xenograft tumours and improved survival in a murine orthotopic model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Einthavy Arunachalam
- Targeted Cancer Therapy, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7WG, UK
| | - William Rogers
- Targeted Cancer Therapy, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7WG, UK
| | - Guy R Simpson
- Targeted Cancer Therapy, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7WG, UK
| | - Carla Möller-Levet
- Targeted Cancer Therapy, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7WG, UK
| | - Gemma Bolton
- Targeted Cancer Therapy, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7WG, UK
- Surrey Technology Centre, HOX Therapeutics Ltd, Unit 2440 Occam Rd, Guildford, GU2 7YG, UK
| | - Mohammed Ismael
- Targeted Cancer Therapy, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7WG, UK
- Surrey Technology Centre, HOX Therapeutics Ltd, Unit 2440 Occam Rd, Guildford, GU2 7YG, UK
| | - Christopher Smith
- Targeted Cancer Therapy, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7WG, UK
| | - Karl Keegen
- Surrey Technology Centre, HOX Therapeutics Ltd, Unit 2440 Occam Rd, Guildford, GU2 7YG, UK
| | - Izhar Bagwan
- Department of Pathology, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford, GU2 7XX, Surrey, UK
| | - Tim Brend
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Susan C Short
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK
| | - Bangxing Hong
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, 7000 Fannin Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yoshihiro Otani
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, 7000 Fannin Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Balveen Kaur
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, 7000 Fannin Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nicola Annels
- Targeted Cancer Therapy, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7WG, UK
| | - Richard Morgan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of West London, St Mary's Road, Ealing, London, W5 5RF, UK
| | - Hardev Pandha
- Targeted Cancer Therapy, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7WG, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gonçalves CS, Le Boiteux E, Arnaud P, Costa BM. HOX gene cluster (de)regulation in brain: from neurodevelopment to malignant glial tumours. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:3797-3821. [PMID: 32239260 PMCID: PMC11105007 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03508-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
HOX genes encode a family of evolutionarily conserved homeodomain transcription factors that are crucial both during development and adult life. In humans, 39 HOX genes are arranged in four clusters (HOXA, B, C, and D) in chromosomes 7, 17, 12, and 2, respectively. During embryonic development, particular epigenetic states accompany their expression along the anterior-posterior body axis. This tightly regulated temporal-spatial expression pattern reflects their relative chromosomal localization, and is critical for normal embryonic brain development when HOX genes are mainly expressed in the hindbrain and mostly absent in the forebrain region. Epigenetic marks, mostly polycomb-associated, are dynamically regulated at HOX loci and regulatory regions to ensure the finely tuned HOX activation and repression, highlighting a crucial epigenetic plasticity necessary for homeostatic development. HOX genes are essentially absent in healthy adult brain, whereas they are detected in malignant brain tumours, namely gliomas, where HOX genes display critical roles by regulating several hallmarks of cancer. Here, we review the major mechanisms involved in HOX genes (de)regulation in the brain, from embryonic to adult stages, in physiological and oncologic conditions. We focus particularly on the emerging causes of HOX gene deregulation in glioma, as well as on their functional and clinical implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Céline S Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Elisa Le Boiteux
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM-iGReD, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Philippe Arnaud
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM-iGReD, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Bruno M Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bondos SE, Geraldo Mendes G, Jons A. Context-dependent HOX transcription factor function in health and disease. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 174:225-262. [PMID: 32828467 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
During animal development, HOX transcription factors determine the fate of developing tissues to generate diverse organs and appendages. The power of these proteins is striking: mis-expressing a HOX protein causes homeotic transformation of one body part into another. During development, HOX proteins interpret their cellular context through protein interactions, alternative splicing, and post-translational modifications to regulate cell proliferation, cell death, cell migration, cell differentiation, and angiogenesis. Although mutation and/or mis-expression of HOX proteins during development can be lethal, changes in HOX proteins that do not pattern vital organs can result in survivable malformations. In adults, mutation and/or mis-expression of HOX proteins disrupts their gene regulatory networks, deregulating cell behaviors and leading to arthritis and cancer. On the molecular level, HOX proteins are composed of DNA binding homeodomain, and large regions of unstructured, or intrinsically disordered, protein sequence. The primary roles of HOX proteins in arthritis and cancer suggest that mutations associated with these diseases in both the structured and disordered regions of HOX proteins can have substantial functional effects. These insights lead to new questions critical for understanding and manipulating HOX function in physiological and pathological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Bondos
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States.
| | - Gabriela Geraldo Mendes
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Amanda Jons
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gonçalves CS, Xavier-Magalhães A, Martins EP, Pinto AA, Pires MM, Pinheiro C, Reis RM, Sousa N, Costa BM. A novel molecular link between HOXA9 and WNT6 in glioblastoma identifies a subgroup of patients with particular poor prognosis. Mol Oncol 2020; 14:1224-1241. [PMID: 31923345 PMCID: PMC7266278 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite much effort to improve treatments, patients with malignant glioma still present a very poor prognosis that has not changed significantly in the last decades. In this context, it is crucial to better understand glioma pathogenesis to identify new molecular prognostic subgroups and therapeutic targets. WNT6 was recently identified as a new oncogenic molecule in glioblastoma (GBM), with prognostic value in patients, but the mechanisms underlying WNT6 aberrant expression in glioma are still unknown. WNT6 was overexpressed in a subset of gliomas independently of IDH mutations, 1p/19q codeletion status, and WNT6 gene copy number. Interestingly, WNT6 expression is associated with the DNA methylation levels of particular CpG regions at both the WNT6 promoter and the gene body in glioma patient samples. HOXA9, a transcription factor previously associated with poorer clinical outcome in GBM, was identified as a novel transcriptional regulator of WNT6, activating the WNT/β‐catenin pathway in vitro and in vivo. In various cohorts of glioma patients, mRNA levels of WNT6 and HOXA9 were significantly correlated, extending our in vitro and in vivo findings into the clinical setting. Interestingly, this novel molecular link between WNT6 and HOXA9 was not limited to glioma, as they were co‐expressed also in patients with other tumor types. Clinically, WNT6 was a prognostic biomarker of shorter survival in GBM, independently of HOXA9 expression. Concomitant high expression of both WNT6 and HOXA9 identified a subgroup of patients with particularly dismal survival. These findings describe novel WNT6 regulatory mechanisms in GBM, establishing particular DNA methylation patterns and HOXA9 as critical regulators of WNT6 expression in glioma. This HOXA9‐WNT6 molecular link supports WNT signaling in GBM cells and is a powerful prognostic biomarker, highlighting the clinical relevance of this axis in patients. Novel therapies targeting WNT6‐HOXA9 signaling may thus be useful for this deadly disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Céline S Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Xavier-Magalhães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Eduarda P Martins
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Afonso A Pinto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Escala Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | | | - Célia Pinheiro
- Neurosurgery Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui M Reis
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Brazil
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Bruno M Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Depauw S, Lambert M, Jambon S, Paul A, Peixoto P, Nhili R, Morongiu L, Figeac M, Dassi C, Paul-Constant C, Billoré B, Kumar A, Farahat AA, Ismail MA, Mineva E, Sweat DP, Stephens CE, Boykin DW, Wilson WD, David-Cordonnier MH. Heterocyclic Diamidine DNA Ligands as HOXA9 Transcription Factor Inhibitors: Design, Molecular Evaluation, and Cellular Consequences in a HOXA9-Dependant Leukemia Cell Model. J Med Chem 2019; 62:1306-1329. [PMID: 30645099 PMCID: PMC6561105 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Most transcription factors were for a long time considered as undruggable targets because of the absence of binding pockets for direct targeting. HOXA9, implicated in acute myeloid leukemia, is one of them. To date, only indirect targeting of HOXA9 expression or multitarget HOX/PBX protein/protein interaction inhibitors has been developed. As an attractive alternative by inhibiting the DNA binding, we selected a series of heterocyclic diamidines as efficient competitors for the HOXA9/DNA interaction through binding as minor groove DNA ligands on the HOXA9 cognate sequence. Selected DB818 and DB1055 compounds altered HOXA9-mediated transcription in luciferase assays, cell survival, and cell cycle, but increased cell death and granulocyte/monocyte differentiation, two main HOXA9 functions also highlighted using transcriptomic analysis of DB818-treated murine Hoxa9-transformed hematopoietic cells. Altogether, these data demonstrate for the first time the propensity of sequence-selective DNA ligands to inhibit HOXA9/DNA binding both in vitro and in a murine Hoxa9-dependent leukemic cell model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Depauw
- UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), INSERM, University of Lille, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Institut pour la recherché sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), F-59045 Lille, France
| | - Mélanie Lambert
- UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), INSERM, University of Lille, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Institut pour la recherché sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), F-59045 Lille, France
| | - Samy Jambon
- UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), INSERM, University of Lille, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Institut pour la recherché sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), F-59045 Lille, France
| | - Ananya Paul
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
| | - Paul Peixoto
- UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), INSERM, University of Lille, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Institut pour la recherché sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), F-59045 Lille, France
| | - Raja Nhili
- UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), INSERM, University of Lille, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Institut pour la recherché sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), F-59045 Lille, France
| | - Laura Morongiu
- UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), INSERM, University of Lille, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Institut pour la recherché sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), F-59045 Lille, France
| | - Martin Figeac
- Functional and Structural Genomic Platform, Lille University, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Christelle Dassi
- UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), INSERM, University of Lille, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Institut pour la recherché sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), F-59045 Lille, France
| | - Charles Paul-Constant
- UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), INSERM, University of Lille, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Institut pour la recherché sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), F-59045 Lille, France
| | - Benjamin Billoré
- UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), INSERM, University of Lille, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Institut pour la recherché sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), F-59045 Lille, France
| | - Arvind Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
| | - Abdelbasset A. Farahat
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A. Ismail
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Ekaterina Mineva
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
| | - Daniel P. Sweat
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30904, United States
| | - Chad E. Stephens
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30904, United States
| | - David W. Boykin
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
| | - W. David Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
| | - Marie-Hélène David-Cordonnier
- UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), INSERM, University of Lille, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Institut pour la recherché sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), F-59045 Lille, France
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mucientes A, Herranz E, Moro E, Lajas C, Candelas G, Fernández-Gutiérrez B, Lamas JR. Differential Expression of HOX Genes in Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Osteoarthritic Patients Is Independent of Their Promoter Methylation. Cells 2018; 7:cells7120244. [PMID: 30563049 PMCID: PMC6316585 DOI: 10.3390/cells7120244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletogenesis, remodeling, and maintenance in adult tissues are regulated by sequential activation of genes coding for specific transcription factors. The conserved Homeobox genes (HOX, in humans) are involved in several skeletal pathologies. Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by homeostatic alterations of cartilage and bone synthesis, resulting in cartilage destruction and increased bone formation. We postulate that alterations in HOX expression in Mesenchymal Stem cells (MSCs) are likely one of the causes explaining the homeostatic alterations in OA and that this altered expression could be the result of epigenetic regulation. The expression of HOX genes in osteoarthritic-derived MSCs was screened using PCR arrays. Epigenetic regulation of HOX was analyzed measuring the degree of DNA methylation in their promoters. We demonstrate the downregulated expression of HOXA9 and HOXC8 in OA-MSCs. However, their expression does not correlate with promoter methylation status, suggesting that other epigenetic mechanisms could be implicated in the regulation of HOX expression. Studies on the role of these genes under active differentiation conditions need to be addressed for a better knowledge of the mechanisms regulating the expression of HOX, to allow a better understanding of OA pathology and to define possible biomarkers for therapeutic treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arkaitz Mucientes
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC). UGC de Reumatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Eva Herranz
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC). UGC de Reumatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Enrique Moro
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC). UGC de Traumatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Cristina Lajas
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC). UGC de Reumatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Gloria Candelas
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC). UGC de Reumatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Benjamín Fernández-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC). UGC de Reumatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - José Ramón Lamas
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC). UGC de Reumatología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
The long non-coding RNA HOTAIR is transcriptionally activated by HOXA9 and is an independent prognostic marker in patients with malignant glioma. Oncotarget 2018; 9:15740-15756. [PMID: 29644006 PMCID: PMC5884661 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The lncRNA HOTAIR has been implicated in several human cancers. Here, we evaluated the molecular alterations and upstream regulatory mechanisms of HOTAIR in glioma, the most common primary brain tumors, and its clinical relevance. HOTAIR gene expression, methylation, copy-number and prognostic value were investigated in human gliomas integrating data from online datasets and our cohorts. High levels of HOTAIR were associated with higher grades of glioma, particularly IDH wild-type cases. Mechanistically, HOTAIR was overexpressed in a gene dosage-independent manner, while DNA methylation levels of particular CpGs in HOTAIR locus were associated with HOTAIR expression levels in GBM clinical specimens and cell lines. Concordantly, the demethylating agent 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine affected HOTAIR transcriptional levels in a cell line-dependent manner. Importantly, HOTAIR was frequently co-expressed with HOXA9 in high-grade gliomas from TCGA, Oncomine, and our Portuguese and French datasets. Integrated in silico analyses, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and qPCR data showed that HOXA9 binds directly to the promoter of HOTAIR. Clinically, GBM patients with high HOTAIR expression had a significantly reduced overall survival, independently of other prognostic variables. In summary, this work reveals HOXA9 as a novel direct regulator of HOTAIR, and establishes HOTAIR as an independent prognostic marker, providing new therapeutic opportunities to treat this highly aggressive cancer.
Collapse
|