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Gnanagurusamy J, Krishnamoorthy S, Muthusami S. Transforming growth factor-β micro-environment mediated immune cell functions in cervical cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 140:112837. [PMID: 39111147 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112837] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
Propensity to develop cervical cancer (CC) in human papilloma virus (HPV) infected individual could potentially involve the impaired immune functioning. Several stages of HPV surveillance by immune cells in tumor micro-environment (TME) is regulated mainly by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and is crucial for the establishment of CC. The role of TGF-β in the initiation and progression of CC is very complex and involve different suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) dependent and SMAD independent signaling mechanism(s). This review summarizes the handling of HPV by immune cells such as T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer cells (NK), dendritic cells (DC), monocytes, macrophages, myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and their regulation by TGF-β. The hijack mechanisms adapted by HPV to evade this surveillance process is discussed. Biomarkers indicating the stages of CC and immune checkpoints that can be targeted for improved outcome are included for immune-based theragnostics. This review also addresses the direct actions of TGF-β on CC cells and tumor/immune cell interactions. Therapies focused on targeting TGF-β using small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies and TGF-β chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)T cells are collated to understand the current strategies related to TGF-β in the management of CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayapradha Gnanagurusamy
- Department of Biochemistry, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore 641 021, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sneha Krishnamoorthy
- Department of Biochemistry, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore 641 021, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sridhar Muthusami
- Department of Biochemistry, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore 641 021, Tamil Nadu, India; Centre for Cancer Research, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore 641 021, Tamil Nadu, India.
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2
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Lee H, Nam J, Jang H, Park YS, Son MH, Lee IH, Eyun SI, Yang JH, Jeon J, Yang S. BRD2-specific inhibitor, BBC0403, inhibits the progression of osteoarthritis pathogenesis in osteoarthritis-induced C57BL/6 male mice. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:2528-2544. [PMID: 38600628 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16359] [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: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The discovery of new bromo- and extra-terminal inhibitors presents new drugs to treat osteoarthritis (OA). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The new drug, BBC0403, was identified in the DNA-encoded library screening system by searching for compounds that target BRD (bromodomain-containing) proteins. The binding force with BRD proteins was evaluated using time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer (TR-FRET) and binding kinetics assays. Subsequently, in vitro and ex vivo analyses demonstrated the effects of the BRD2 inhibitor, BBC0403, on OA. For animal experiments, medial meniscus destabilization was performed to create a 12-week-old male C57BL/6 mouse model, and intra-articular (i.a.) injections were administered. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were then performed. The underlying mechanism was confirmed by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) using RNA-seq. KEY RESULTS TR-FRET and binding kinetics assays revealed that BBC0403 exhibited higher binding specificity for BRD2 compared to BRD3 and BRD4. The anti-OA effects of BBC0403 were tested at concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 μM (no cell toxicity in the range tested). The expression of catabolic factors, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation was reduced. Additionally, the i.a. injection of BBC0403 prevented OA cartilage degradation in mice. Finally, BBC0403 was demonstrated to suppress NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS This study demonstrated that BBC0403 is a novel BRD2-specific inhibitor and a potential i.a.-injectable therapeutic agent to treat OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyemi Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Jiho Nam
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Hahyeong Jang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | | | | | | | - Seong-Il Eyun
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae-Hyun Yang
- Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research, Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute Harvard Medical School (HMS), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jimin Jeon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Siyoung Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
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Viviano M, Cipriano A, Fabbrizi E, Feoli A, Castellano S, Sbardella G, Mai A, Milite C, Rotili D. Successes and challenges in the development of BD1-selective BET inhibitors: a patent review. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:529-545. [PMID: 38465537 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2327300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bromodomain and ExtraTerminal (BET) domain proteins are transcriptional cofactors that, recognizing acetylated lysines of histone and non-histone proteins, can modulate gene expression. The BET family consists of four members, each of which contains two bromodomains (BD1 and BD2) able to recognize the acetylated mark. Pan-BET inhibitors (BETi) have shown a promising anticancer potential in many clinical trials; however, their further development has been in part hampered by the side effects due to their lack of selectivity. Mounting evidence suggests that BD1 is primarily involved in cancer and that its selective inhibition can phenocopy the anticancer effects of pan-BETi with increased tolerability. Therefore, the development of BD1 selective inhibitors is highly pursed in both academia and industry. AREAS COVERED This review aims at giving an overview of the patent literature of BD1-selective BETi between 2014 and 2023. WIPO, USPTO, EPO, and SciFinder® databases were used for the search of patents. EXPERT OPINION The development of BD1-selective BETi, despite challenging, is highly desirable as it could have a great impact on the development of new safer anticancer therapeutics. Several strategies could be applied to discover potent and selective compounds with limited side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Viviano
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cipriano
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Emanuele Fabbrizi
- Department of Drug Chemistry & Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Feoli
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Sabrina Castellano
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Gianluca Sbardella
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Drug Chemistry & Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ciro Milite
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Dante Rotili
- Department of Drug Chemistry & Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Gothwal SK, Refaat AM, Nakata M, Stanlie A, Honjo T, Begum N. BRD2 promotes antibody class switch recombination by facilitating DNA repair in collaboration with NIPBL. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:4422-4439. [PMID: 38567724 PMCID: PMC11077081 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Efficient repair of DNA double-strand breaks in the Ig heavy chain gene locus is crucial for B-cell antibody class switch recombination (CSR). The regulatory dynamics of the repair pathway direct CSR preferentially through nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) over alternative end joining (AEJ). Here, we demonstrate that the histone acetyl reader BRD2 suppresses AEJ and aberrant recombination as well as random genomic sequence capture at the CSR junctions. BRD2 deficiency impairs switch (S) region synapse, optimal DNA damage response (DDR), and increases DNA break end resection. Unlike BRD4, a similar bromodomain protein involved in NHEJ and CSR, BRD2 loss does not elevate RPA phosphorylation and R-loop formation in the S region. As BRD2 stabilizes the cohesion loader protein NIPBL in the S regions, the loss of BRD2 or NIPBL shows comparable deregulation of S-S synapsis, DDR, and DNA repair pathway choice during CSR. This finding extends beyond CSR, as NIPBL and BRD4 have been linked to Cornelia de Lange syndrome, a developmental disorder exhibiting defective NHEJ and Ig isotype switching. The interplay between these proteins sheds light on the intricate mechanisms governing DNA repair and immune system functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh K Gothwal
- Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ahmed M Refaat
- Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, El-Minia 61519, Egypt
| | - Mikiyo Nakata
- Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Andre Stanlie
- Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tasuku Honjo
- Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Nasim A Begum
- Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Center for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunobiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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Cheung KL, Zhao L, Sharma R, Ghosh AA, Appiah M, Sun Y, Jaganathan A, Hu Y, LeJeune A, Xu F, Han X, Wang X, Zhang F, Ren C, Walsh MJ, Xiong H, Tsankov A, Zhou MM. Class IIa HDAC4 and HDAC7 cooperatively regulate gene transcription in Th17 cell differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2312111121. [PMID: 38657041 PMCID: PMC11067014 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312111121] [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: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Class II histone deacetylases (HDACs) are important in regulation of gene transcription during T cell development. However, our understanding of their cell-specific functions is limited. In this study, we reveal that class IIa Hdac4 and Hdac7 (Hdac4/7) are selectively induced in transcription, guiding the lineage-specific differentiation of mouse T-helper 17 (Th17) cells from naive CD4+ T cells. Importantly, Hdac4/7 are functionally dispensable in other Th subtypes. Mechanistically, Hdac4 interacts with the transcription factor (TF) JunB, facilitating the transcriptional activation of Th17 signature genes such as Il17a/f. Conversely, Hdac7 collaborates with the TF Aiolos and Smrt/Ncor1-Hdac3 corepressors to repress transcription of Th17 negative regulators, including Il2, in Th17 cell differentiation. Inhibiting Hdac4/7 through pharmacological or genetic methods effectively mitigates Th17 cell-mediated intestinal inflammation in a colitis mouse model. Our study uncovers molecular mechanisms where HDAC4 and HDAC7 function distinctively yet cooperatively in regulating ordered gene transcription during Th17 cell differentiation. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic strategy of targeting HDAC4/7 for treating Th17-related inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Lung Cheung
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Li Zhao
- Institute of Epigenetic Medicine of the First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun130061, China
| | - Rajal Sharma
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Anurupa Abhijit Ghosh
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Michael Appiah
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Yifei Sun
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Anbalagan Jaganathan
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Yuan Hu
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Alannah LeJeune
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Feihong Xu
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Xinye Han
- Institute of Epigenetic Medicine of the First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun130061, China
| | - Xueting Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Chunyan Ren
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Martin J. Walsh
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Huabao Xiong
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Alexander Tsankov
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Ming-Ming Zhou
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
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6
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Nakazawa Y, Miyano M, Tsukamoto S, Kogai H, Yamamoto A, Iso K, Inoue S, Yamane Y, Yabe Y, Umihara H, Taguchi J, Akagi T, Yamaguchi A, Koga M, Toshimitsu K, Hirayama T, Mukai Y, Machinaga A. Delivery of a BET protein degrader via a CEACAM6-targeted antibody-drug conjugate inhibits tumour growth in pancreatic cancer models. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2192. [PMID: 38467634 PMCID: PMC10928091 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46167-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has the worst prognosis of all cancers. To improve PDAC therapy, we establish screening systems based on organoid and co-culture technologies and find a payload of antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), a bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) protein degrader named EBET. We select CEACAM6/CD66c as an ADC target and developed an antibody, #84.7, with minimal reactivity to CEACAM6-expressing normal cells. EBET-conjugated #84.7 (84-EBET) has lethal effects on various PDAC organoids and bystander efficacy on CEACAM6-negative PDAC cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts. In mouse studies, a single injection of 84-EBET induces marked tumor regression in various PDAC-patient-derived xenografts, with a decrease in the inflammatory phenotype of stromal cells and without significant body weight loss. Combination with standard chemotherapy or PD-1 antibody induces more profound and sustained regression without toxicity enhancement. Our preclinical evidence demonstrates potential efficacy by delivering BET protein degrader to PDAC and its microenvironment via CEACAM6-targeted ADC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youya Nakazawa
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Masayuki Miyano
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Hiroyuki Kogai
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Kentaro Iso
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inoue
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Yuki Yabe
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Junichi Taguchi
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Akagi
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan
- KAN Research Institute, Inc., Kobe, Japan
| | | | - Minaho Koga
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Akihito Machinaga
- Tsukuba Research Laboratory, Eisai Co., Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan
- KAN Research Institute, Inc., Kobe, Japan
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7
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Sun C, Li D, Wang Z. BATF-mediated regulation of exhausted CD8 + T-cell responses and potential implications for chimeric antigen receptor-T therapy. Immunotherapy 2024; 16:331-340. [PMID: 38264838 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2023-0170] [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: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for malignant tumors has reached a crucial stage, with recent studies underscoring the role of T-cell exhaustion in determining the efficacy of CAR-T therapy. This trailblazing discovery has opened new avenues to augment the potency of CAR-T therapy. Basic leucine zipper ATF-like transcription factor (BATF) is indispensable in alleviating T-cell exhaustion and is pivotal in the early stages of CD8+ T-cell differentiation. In cooperation with other transcription factors, it plays a key role in the differentiation and maturation processes of exhausted T cells. A deeper comprehension of BATF's mechanisms in T-cell biology may yield novel insights into amplifying the efficacy of CAR-T therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Sun
- Liver Transplant Center, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Dan Li
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Zhengxin Wang
- Liver Transplant Center, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Urumqi Road (M), Shanghai, 200040, China
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8
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Sun M, Clayton N, Alam S, Asmussen N, Wong A, Kim JH, Luong G, Mokhtari S, Pellei D, Carrico CK, Schwartz Z, Boyan BD, Giannobile WV, Sahingur SE, Lin Z. Selective BET inhibitor RVX-208 ameliorates periodontal inflammation and bone loss. J Clin Periodontol 2023; 50:1658-1669. [PMID: 37855275 DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.13887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
AIM To determine the effects of RVX-208, a selective bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) inhibitor targeting bromodomain 2 (BD2), on periodontal inflammation and bone loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS Macrophage-like cells (RAW264.7) and human gingival epithelial cells were challenged by Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) with or without RVX-208. Inflammatory gene expression and cytokine production were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RAW264.7 cells were induced to osteoclast differentiation. After RVX-208 treatment, osteoclast differentiation was evaluated by histology, tartrate-resistant-acid-phosphatase (TRAP) activity and the expression of osteoclast-specific genes. The effect of RVX-208 on osteoclast transcriptome was studied by RNA sequencing. Periodontitis was induced in rats by ligature and local RVX-208 treatment was administered every other day. Alveolar bone loss was measured by micro-computed tomography. RESULTS RVX-208 inhibited inflammatory gene expression and cytokine production in Pg-infected cells. Osteoclast differentiation was inhibited by RVX-208, as evidenced by reduced osteoclast number, TRAP activity and osteoclast-specific gene expression. RVX-208 displayed a more selective and less profound suppressive impact on transcriptome compared with pan-BET inhibitor, JQ1. RVX-208 administration prevented the alveolar bone loss in vivo. CONCLUSIONS RVX-208 regulated both upstream (inflammatory cytokine production) and downstream (osteoclast differentiation) events that lead to periodontal tissue destruction, suggesting that it may be a promising 'epi-drug' for the prevention of periodontitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxu Sun
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Jianbo Dental Clinic, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Nicholas Clayton
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Sheikh Alam
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Niels Asmussen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Andrew Wong
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Jin Ha Kim
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Gary Luong
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Sasan Mokhtari
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - David Pellei
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Caroline K Carrico
- Department of Dental Public Health and Policy, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Zvi Schwartz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Barbara D Boyan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - William V Giannobile
- Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sinem Esra Sahingur
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zhao Lin
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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9
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Wahi A, Manchanda N, Jain P, Jadhav HR. Targeting the epigenetic reader "BET" as a therapeutic strategy for cancer. Bioorg Chem 2023; 140:106833. [PMID: 37683545 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins have the ability to bind to acetylated lysine residues present in both histones and non-histone proteins. This binding is facilitated by the presence of tandem bromodomains. The regulatory role of BET proteins extends to chromatin dynamics, cellular processes, and disease progression. The BET family comprises of BRD 2, 3, 4 and BRDT. The BET proteins are a class of epigenetic readers that regulate the transcriptional activity of a multitude of genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of cancer. Thus, targeting BET proteins has been identified as a potentially efficacious approach for the treatment of cancer. BET inhibitors (BETis) are known to interfere with the binding of BET proteins to acetylated lysine residues of chromatin, thereby leading to the suppression of transcription of several genes, including oncogenic transcription factors. Here in this review, we focus on role of Bromodomain and extra C-terminal (BET) proteins in cancer progression. Furthermore, numerous small-molecule inhibitors with pan-BET activity have been documented, with certain compounds currently undergoing clinical assessment. However, it is apparent that the clinical effectiveness of the present BET inhibitors is restricted, prompting the exploration of novel technologies to enhance their clinical outcomes and mitigate undesired adverse effects. Thus, strategies like development of selective BET-BD1, & BD2 inhibitors, dual and acting BET are also presented in this review and attempts to cover the chemistry needed for proper establishment of designed molecules into BRD have been made. Moreover, the review attempts to summarize the details of research till date and proposes a space for future development of BET inhibitor with diminished side effects. It can be concluded that discovery of isoform selective BET inhibitors can be a way forward in order to develop BET inhibitors with negligible side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Wahi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Namish Manchanda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi, New Delhi 110017, India
| | - Priti Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi, New Delhi 110017, India.
| | - Hemant R Jadhav
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani-Pilani Campus, Vidya Vihar Pilani, Rajasthan 333031, India
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Medof ME, Rieder SA, Shevach EM. Disabled C3ar1/C5ar1 Signaling in Foxp3+ T Regulatory Cells Leads to TSDR Demethylation and Long-Term Stability. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:1359-1366. [PMID: 37756526 PMCID: PMC10591991 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Demethylation of the T regulatory cell (Treg)-specific demethylation region (TSDR) of the Foxp3 gene is the hallmark of Foxp3+ Treg stability, but the cellular signaling that programs this epigenetic state remains undefined. In this article, we show that suppressed C3a and C5a receptor (C3ar1/C5ar1) signaling in murine Tregs plays an obligate role. Murine C3ar1-/-C5ar1-/- Foxp3+ cells showed increased suppressor of cytokine signaling 1/2/3 expression, vitamin C stabilization, and ten-eleven translocation (TET) 1, TET2, and TET3 expression, all of which are linked to Treg stability. C3ar1-/-C5ar1-/- Foxp3+ cells additionally were devoid of BRD4 signaling that primes Th17 cell lineage commitment. Orally induced OVA-specific C3ar1-/-C5ar1-/- Foxp3+ OT-II Tregs transferred to OVA-immunized wild-type recipients remained >90% Foxp3+ out to 4 mo, whereas identically generated CD55-/- (DAF-/-) Foxp3+ OT-II Tregs (in which C3ar1/C5ar1 signaling is potentiated) lost >75% of Foxp3 expression by 14 d. After 4 mo in vivo, the C3ar1-/-C5ar1-/- Foxp3+ OT-II Tregs fully retained Foxp3 expression even with OVA challenge and produced copious TGF-β and IL-10. Their TSDR was demethylated comparably with that of thymic Tregs. They exhibited nuclear translocation of NFAT and NF-κB reported to stabilize thymic Tregs by inducing hairpin looping of the TSDR to the Foxp3 promoter. Thus, disabled CD4+ cell C3ar1/C5ar1 signaling triggers the sequential cellular events that lead to demethylation of the Foxp3 TSDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Edward Medof
- Institute of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Sadiye A. Rieder
- Laboratory of Immune System Biology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD USA
| | - Ethan M. Shevach
- Laboratory of Immune System Biology, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD USA
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11
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Khatun A, Wu X, Qi F, Gai K, Kharel A, Kudek MR, Fraser L, Ceicko A, Kasmani MY, Majnik A, Burns R, Chen Y, Salzman N, Taparowsky EJ, Fang D, Williams CB, Cui W. BATF is Required for Treg Homeostasis and Stability to Prevent Autoimmune Pathology. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206692. [PMID: 37587835 PMCID: PMC10558681 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are inevitable to prevent deleterious immune responses to self and commensal microorganisms. Treg function requires continuous expression of the transcription factor (TF) FOXP3 and is divided into two major subsets: resting (rTregs) and activated (aTregs). Continuous T cell receptor (TCR) signaling plays a vital role in the differentiation of aTregs from their resting state, and in their immune homeostasis. The process by which Tregs differentiate, adapt tissue specificity, and maintain stable phenotypic expression at the transcriptional level is still inconclusivei. In this work, the role of BATF is investigated, which is induced in response to TCR stimulation in naïve T cells and during aTreg differentiation. Mice lacking BATF in Tregs developed multiorgan autoimmune pathology. As a transcriptional regulator, BATF is required for Treg differentiation, homeostasis, and stabilization of FOXP3 expression in different lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues. Epigenetically, BATF showed direct regulation of Treg-specific genes involved in differentiation, maturation, and tissue accumulation. Most importantly, FOXP3 expression and Treg stability require continuous BATF expression in Tregs, as it regulates demethylation and accessibility of the CNS2 region of the Foxp3 locus. Considering its role in Treg stability, BATF should be considered an important therapeutic target in autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achia Khatun
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Versiti Blood Research InstituteVersiti WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Xiaopeng Wu
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Versiti Blood Research InstituteVersiti WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Fu Qi
- Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City2401 Gillham RdKansas CityMO64108USA
| | - Kexin Gai
- Department of PathologyFeinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University303 E Chicago AveChicagoIL60611USA
| | - Arjun Kharel
- Department of PathologyFeinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University303 E Chicago AveChicagoIL60611USA
| | - Matthew R. Kudek
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Versiti Blood Research InstituteVersiti WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Department of PediatricsMedical College of Wisconsin8701 Watertown Plank RoadMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Lisa Fraser
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Ashley Ceicko
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Moujtaba Y. Kasmani
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Versiti Blood Research InstituteVersiti WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Amber Majnik
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City2401 Gillham RdKansas CityMO64108USA
| | - Robert Burns
- Versiti Blood Research InstituteVersiti WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Yi‐Guang Chen
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Max McGee National Research Center for Juvenile DiabetesMedical College of Wisconsin8701 Watertown Plank RoadMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Nita Salzman
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Department of PediatricsMedical College of Wisconsin8701 Watertown Plank RoadMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | | | - Dayu Fang
- Department of PathologyFeinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University303 E Chicago AveChicagoIL60611USA
| | - Calvin B. Williams
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Department of PediatricsMedical College of Wisconsin8701 Watertown Plank RoadMilwaukeeWI53226USA
| | - Weiguo Cui
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Versiti Blood Research InstituteVersiti WisconsinMilwaukeeWI53226USA
- Department of PathologyFeinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern University303 E Chicago AveChicagoIL60611USA
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12
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Zheng B, Gold S, Iwanaszko M, Howard BC, Wang L, Shilatifard A. Distinct layers of BRD4-PTEFb reveal bromodomain-independent function in transcriptional regulation. Mol Cell 2023; 83:2896-2910.e4. [PMID: 37442129 PMCID: PMC10527981 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The BET family protein BRD4, which forms the CDK9-containing BRD4-PTEFb complex, is considered to be a master regulator of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) pause release. Because its tandem bromodomains interact with acetylated histone lysine residues, it has long been thought that BRD4 requires these bromodomains for its recruitment to chromatin and transcriptional regulatory function. Here, using rapid depletion and genetic complementation with domain deletion mutants, we demonstrate that BRD4 bromodomains are dispensable for Pol II pause release. A minimal, bromodomain-less C-terminal BRD4 fragment containing the PTEFb-interacting C-terminal motif (CTM) is instead both necessary and sufficient to mediate Pol II pause release in the absence of full-length BRD4. Although BRD4-PTEFb can associate with chromatin through acetyl recognition, our results indicate that a distinct, active BRD4-PTEFb population functions to regulate transcription independently of bromodomain-mediated chromatin association. These findings may enable more effective pharmaceutical modulation of BRD4-PTEFb activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zheng
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Sarah Gold
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Marta Iwanaszko
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Benjamin Charles Howard
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lu Wang
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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13
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Kumar K, Kanojia D, Bentrem DJ, Hwang RF, Butchar JP, Tridandapani S, Munshi HG. Targeting BET Proteins Decreases Hyaluronidase-1 in Pancreatic Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:1490. [PMID: 37296612 PMCID: PMC10253193 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by the presence of dense stroma that is enriched in hyaluronan (HA), with increased HA levels associated with more aggressive disease. Increased levels of the HA-degrading enzymes hyaluronidases (HYALs) are also associated with tumor progression. In this study, we evaluate the regulation of HYALs in PDAC. METHODS Using siRNA and small molecule inhibitors, we evaluated the regulation of HYALs using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot analysis, and ELISA. The binding of BRD2 protein on the HYAL1 promoter was evaluated by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Proliferation was evaluated by WST-1 assay. Mice with xenograft tumors were treated with BET inhibitors. The expression of HYALs in tumors was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and by qRT-PCR. RESULTS We show that HYAL1, HYAL2, and HYAL3 are expressed in PDAC tumors and in PDAC and pancreatic stellate cell lines. We demonstrate that inhibitors targeting bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins, which are readers of histone acetylation marks, primarily decrease HYAL1 expression. We show that the BET family protein BRD2 regulates HYAL1 expression by binding to its promoter region and that HYAL1 downregulation decreases proliferation and enhances apoptosis of PDAC and stellate cell lines. Notably, BET inhibitors decrease the levels of HYAL1 expression in vivo without affecting the levels of HYAL2 or HYAL3. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the pro-tumorigenic role of HYAL1 and identify the role of BRD2 in the regulation of HYAL1 in PDAC. Overall, these data enhance our understanding of the role and regulation of HYAL1 and provide the rationale for targeting HYAL1 in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishan Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Deepak Kanojia
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - David J. Bentrem
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Rosa F. Hwang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jonathan P. Butchar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Susheela Tridandapani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Hidayatullah G. Munshi
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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14
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Pavlova I, Iudin M, Surdina A, Severov V, Varizhuk A. G-Quadruplexes in Nuclear Biomolecular Condensates. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14051076. [PMID: 37239436 DOI: 10.3390/genes14051076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) have long been implicated in the regulation of chromatin packaging and gene expression. These processes require or are accelerated by the separation of related proteins into liquid condensates on DNA/RNA matrices. While cytoplasmic G4s are acknowledged scaffolds of potentially pathogenic condensates, the possible contribution of G4s to phase transitions in the nucleus has only recently come to light. In this review, we summarize the growing evidence for the G4-dependent assembly of biomolecular condensates at telomeres and transcription initiation sites, as well as nucleoli, speckles, and paraspeckles. The limitations of the underlying assays and the remaining open questions are outlined. We also discuss the molecular basis for the apparent permissive role of G4s in the in vitro condensate assembly based on the interactome data. To highlight the prospects and risks of G4-targeting therapies with respect to the phase transitions, we also touch upon the reported effects of G4-stabilizing small molecules on nuclear biomolecular condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliia Pavlova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Mikhail Iudin
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Anastasiya Surdina
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vjacheslav Severov
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Varizhuk
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
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15
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Zhao L, Wang Y, Jaganathan A, Sun Y, Ma N, Li N, Han X, Sun X, Yi H, Fu S, Han F, Li X, Xiao K, Walsh MJ, Zeng L, Zhou M, Cheung KL. BRD4-PRC2 represses transcription of T-helper 2-specific negative regulators during T-cell differentiation. EMBO J 2023; 42:e111473. [PMID: 36719036 PMCID: PMC10015369 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022111473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BRD4 is a well-recognized transcriptional activator, but how it regulates gene transcriptional repression in a cell type-specific manner has remained elusive. In this study, we report that BRD4 works with Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) to repress transcriptional expression of the T-helper 2 (Th2)-negative regulators Foxp3 and E3-ubiqutin ligase Fbxw7 during lineage-specific differentiation of Th2 cells from mouse primary naïve CD4+ T cells. Brd4 binds to the lysine-acetylated-EED subunit of the PRC2 complex via its second bromodomain (BD2) to facilitate histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) at target gene loci and thereby transcriptional repression. We found that Foxp3 represses transcription of Th2-specific transcription factor Gata3, while Fbxw7 promotes its ubiquitination-directed protein degradation. BRD4-mediated repression of Foxp3 and Fbxw7 in turn promotes BRD4- and Gata3-mediated transcriptional activation of Th2 cytokines including Il4, Il5, and Il13. Chemical inhibition of the BRD4 BD2 induces transcriptional de-repression of Foxp3 and Fbxw7, and thus transcriptional downregulation of Il4, Il5, and Il13, resulting in inhibition of Th2 cell lineage differentiation. Our study presents a previously unappreciated mechanism of BRD4's role in orchestrating a Th2-specific transcriptional program that coordinates gene repression and activation, and safeguards cell lineage differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhao
- Institute of Epigenetic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Yiqi Wang
- Institute of Epigenetic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Anbalagan Jaganathan
- Department of Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Yifei Sun
- Department of Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Ning Ma
- Institute of Epigenetic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Ning Li
- The Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Xinye Han
- Institute of Epigenetic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Xueying Sun
- Institute of Epigenetic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Huanfa Yi
- Institute of Epigenetic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Shibo Fu
- Institute of Epigenetic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Fangbin Han
- Institute of Epigenetic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Xue Li
- Department of ChemistryMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - Kunhong Xiao
- Center for Proteomics & Artificial Intelligence and Center for Clinical Mass SpectrometryAllegheny Health Network Cancer InstitutePittsburghPAUSA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
| | - Martin J Walsh
- Department of Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Lei Zeng
- Institute of Epigenetic Medicine, First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Ming‐Ming Zhou
- Department of Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Ka Lung Cheung
- Department of Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
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16
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Singh AK, Chen Q, Nguyen C, Meerzaman D, Singer DS. Cohesin regulates alternative splicing. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade3876. [PMID: 36857449 PMCID: PMC9977177 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade3876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cohesin, a trimeric complex that establishes sister chromatid cohesion, has additional roles in chromatin organization and transcription. We report that among those roles is the regulation of alternative splicing through direct interactions and in situ colocalization with splicing factors. Degradation of cohesin results in marked changes in splicing, independent of its effects on transcription. Introduction of a single cohesin point mutation in embryonic stem cells alters splicing patterns, demonstrating causality. In primary human acute myeloid leukemia, mutations in cohesin are highly correlated with distinct patterns of alternative splicing. Cohesin also directly interacts with BRD4, another splicing regulator, to generate a pattern of splicing that is distinct from either factor alone, documenting their functional interaction. These findings identify a role for cohesin in regulating alternative splicing in both normal and leukemic cells and provide insights into the role of cohesin mutations in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit K. Singh
- Experimental Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Computational Genomics and Bioinformatics Branch, Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Qingrong Chen
- Computational Genomics and Bioinformatics Branch, Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Cu Nguyen
- Computational Genomics and Bioinformatics Branch, Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Daoud Meerzaman
- Computational Genomics and Bioinformatics Branch, Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dinah S. Singer
- Experimental Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Computational Genomics and Bioinformatics Branch, Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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17
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Jaradat NJ, Alshaer W, Hatmal M, Taha MO. Discovery of new STAT3 inhibitors as anticancer agents using ligand-receptor contact fingerprints and docking-augmented machine learning. RSC Adv 2023; 13:4623-4640. [PMID: 36760267 PMCID: PMC9896621 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra07007c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
STAT3 belongs to a family of seven vital transcription factors. High levels of STAT3 are detected in several types of cancer. Hence, STAT3 inhibition is considered a promising therapeutic anti-cancer strategy. In this work, we used multiple docked poses of STAT3 inhibitors to augment training data for machine learning QSAR modeling. Ligand-Receptor Contact Fingerprints and scoring values were implemented as descriptor variables. Escalating docking-scoring consensus levels were scanned against orthogonal machine learners, and the best learners (Random Forests and XGBoost) were coupled with genetic algorithm and Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) to identify critical descriptors that determine anti-STAT3 bioactivity to be translated into pharmacophore model(s). Two successful pharmacophores were deduced and subsequently used for in silico screening against the National Cancer Institute (NCI) database. A total of 26 hits were evaluated in vitro for their anti-STAT3 bioactivities. Out of which, three hits of novel chemotypes, showed cytotoxic IC50 values in the nanomolar range (35 nM to 6.7 μM). However, two are potent dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors and therefore should have significant indirect STAT3 inhibitory effects. The third hit (cytotoxic IC50 = 0.44 μM) is purely direct STAT3 inhibitor (devoid of DHFR activity) and caused, at its cytotoxic IC50, more than two-fold reduction in the expression of STAT3 downstream genes (c-Myc and Bcl-xL). The presented work indicates that the concept of data augmentation using multiple docked poses is a promising strategy for generating valid machine learning models capable of discriminating active from inactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour Jamal Jaradat
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Jordan Amman 11492 Jordan +962 6 5339649 +962 6 5355000 ext. 23305
| | - Walhan Alshaer
- Cell Therapy Center, The University of Jordan Amman 11942 Jordan
| | - Mamon Hatmal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University P.O. Box 330127 Zarqa 13133 Jordan
| | - Mutasem Omar Taha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Jordan Amman 11492 Jordan +962 6 5339649 +962 6 5355000 ext. 23305
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18
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Zerio CJ, Sivinski J, Wijeratne EMK, Xu YM, Ngo DT, Ambrose AJ, Villa-Celis L, Ghadirian N, Clarkson MW, Zhang DD, Horton NC, Gunatilaka AAL, Fromme R, Chapman E. Physachenolide C is a Potent, Selective BET Inhibitor. J Med Chem 2023; 66:913-933. [PMID: 36577036 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
A pulldown using a biotinylated natural product of interest in the 17β-hydroxywithanolide (17-BHW) class, physachenolide C (PCC), identified the bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family of proteins (BRD2, BRD3, and BRD4), readers of acetyl-lysine modifications and regulators of gene transcription, as potential cellular targets. BROMOscan bromodomain profiling and biochemical assays support PCC as a BET inhibitor with increased selectivity for bromodomain (BD)-1 of BRD3 and BRD4, and X-ray crystallography and NMR studies uncovered specific contacts that underlie the potency and selectivity of PCC toward BRD3-BD1 over BRD3-BD2. PCC also displays characteristics of a molecular glue, facilitating proteasome-mediated degradation of BRD3 and BRD4. Finally, PCC is more potent than other withanolide analogues and gold-standard pan-BET inhibitor (+)-JQ1 in cytotoxicity assays across five prostate cancer (PC) cell lines regardless of androgen receptor (AR)-signaling status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Zerio
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel Street, PO Box 210207, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jared Sivinski
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel Street, PO Box 210207, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - E M Kithsiri Wijeratne
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, University of Arizona, 250 E. Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706, United States
| | - Ya-Ming Xu
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, University of Arizona, 250 E. Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706, United States
| | - Duc T Ngo
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel Street, PO Box 210207, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Andrew J Ambrose
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel Street, PO Box 210207, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Luis Villa-Celis
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel Street, PO Box 210207, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Niloofar Ghadirian
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Michael W Clarkson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1041 E. Lowell Street, Tucson, Arizona 85719, United States
| | - Donna D Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel Street, PO Box 210207, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Nancy C Horton
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, 1007 E. Lowell Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - A A Leslie Gunatilaka
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, Southwest Center for Natural Products Research, University of Arizona, 250 E. Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona 85706, United States
| | - Raimund Fromme
- School of Molecular Sciences, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Eli Chapman
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, 1703 E. Mabel Street, PO Box 210207, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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19
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Ma Z, Bolinger AA, Zhou J, Tian B. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4): a key player in inflammatory bowel disease and potential to inspire epigenetic therapeutics. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:1-7. [PMID: 36710583 PMCID: PMC11092387 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2175317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are debilitating chronic inflammatory disorders with increasing prevalence worldwide. Epigenetic regulator bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is critical in controlling gene expression of IBD-associated inflammatory cytokine networks. BRD4 as a promising therapeutic target is also tightly associated with many other diseases, such as airway inflammation and fibrosis, cancers, infectious diseases and central nervous system disorders. AREAS COVERED This review briefly summarized the critical role of BRD4 in the pathogenesis of IBDs and the current clinical landscape of developing bromodomain and extra terminal domain (BET) inhibitors. The challenges and opportunities as well as future directions of targeting BRD4 inhibition for potential IBD medications were also discussed. EXPERT OPINION Targeting BRD4 with potent and specific inhibitors may offer novel effective therapeutics for IBD patients, particularly those who are refractory to anti-TNFα therapy and IBD-related profibrotic. Developing highly specific BRD4 inhibitors for IBD medications may help erase the drawbacks of most current pan-BET/BRD4 inhibitors, such as off-target effects, poor oral bioavailability, and low gut mucosal absorbance. Novel strategies such as combinatorial therapy, BRD4-based dual inhibitors and proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) may also have great potential to mitigate side effects and overcome drug resistance during IBD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonghui Ma
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Andrew A. Bolinger
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jia Zhou
- Chemical Biology Program, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Bing Tian
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Eischer N, Arnold M, Mayer A. Emerging roles of BET proteins in transcription and co-transcriptional RNA processing. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1734. [PMID: 35491403 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) gives rise to all nuclear protein-coding and a large set of non-coding RNAs, and is strictly regulated and coordinated with RNA processing. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family proteins including BRD2, BRD3, and BRD4 have been implicated in the regulation of Pol II transcription in mammalian cells. However, only recent technological advances have allowed the analysis of direct functions of individual BET proteins with high precision in cells. These studies shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of transcription control by BET proteins challenging previous longstanding views. The most studied BET protein, BRD4, emerges as a master regulator of transcription elongation with roles also in coupling nascent transcription with RNA processing. In contrast, BRD2 is globally required for the formation of transcriptional boundaries to restrict enhancer activity to nearby genes. Although these recent findings suggest non-redundant functions of BRD4 and BRD2 in Pol II transcription, more research is needed for further clarification. Little is known about the roles of BRD3. Here, we illuminate experimental work that has initially linked BET proteins to Pol II transcription in mammalian cells, outline main methodological breakthroughs that have strongly advanced the understanding of BET protein functions, and discuss emerging roles of individual BET proteins in transcription and transcription-coupled RNA processing. Finally, we propose an updated model for the function of BRD4 in transcription and co-transcriptional RNA maturation. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > 3' End Processing RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Eischer
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mirjam Arnold
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Mayer
- Otto-Warburg-Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
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21
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The Role of Bromodomain and Extraterminal (BET) Proteins in Controlling the Phagocytic Activity of Microglia In Vitro: Relevance to Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010013. [PMID: 36613460 PMCID: PMC9820364 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010013] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The correct phagocytic activity of microglia is a prerequisite for maintaining homeostasis in the brain. In the analysis of mechanisms regulating microglial phagocytosis, we focused on the bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins: Brd2, Brd3, and Brd4, the acetylation code readers that control gene expression in cooperation with transcription factors. We used pharmacological (JQ1) and genetic (siRNA) inhibition of BET proteins in murine microglial cell line BV2. Inhibition of BET proteins reduced the phagocytic activity of BV2, as determined by using a fluorescent microspheres-based assay and fluorescently labelled amyloid-beta peptides. Gene silencing experiments demonstrated that all brain-existing BET isoforms control phagocytosis in microglia. From a set of 84 phagocytosis-related genes, we have found the attenuation of the expression of 14: Siglec1, Sirpb1a, Cd36, Clec7a, Itgam, Tlr3, Fcgr1, Cd14, Marco, Pld1, Fcgr2b, Anxa1, Tnf, Nod1, upon BET inhibition. Further analysis of the mRNA level of other phagocytosis-related genes which were involved in the pathomechanism of Alzheimer's disease demonstrated that JQ1 significantly reduced the expression of Cd33, Trem2, and Zyx. Our results indicate the important role of BET proteins in controlling microglial phagocytosis; therefore, targeting BET may be the efficient method of modulating microglial activity.
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22
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Jeevanandam J, Paramasivam E, Palanisamy A, Ragavendran S, Thangavel SN. Molecular insights on bioactive compounds againstCovid-19: A Network pharmacological and computational study. Curr Comput Aided Drug Des 2022; 18:CAD-EPUB-126303. [PMID: 36111763 DOI: 10.2174/1573409918666220914092145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Network pharmacology based identification of phytochemicals in the form of cocktails against off-targets can play a significant role in inhibition of SARS_CoV2 viral entry and its propagation. This study includes network pharmacology, virtual screening, docking and molecular dynamics to investigate the distinct antiviral mechanisms of effective phytochemicals against SARS_CoV2. METHODS SARS_CoV2 human-protein interaction network was explored from the BioGRID database and analysed using Cytoscape. Further analysis was performed to explore biological function, protein-phytochemical/drugs network and up-down regulation of pathological host target proteins. This lead to understand the antiviral mechanism of phytochemicals against SARS_CoV2. The network was explored through g:Profiler, EnrichR, CTD, SwissTarget, STITCH, DrugBank, BindingDB, STRING and SuperPred. Virtual screening of phytochemicals against potential antiviral targets such as M-Pro, NSP1, Receptor binding domain, RNA binding domain, and ACE2 discloses the effective interaction between them. Further, the binding energy calculations through simulation of the docked complex explains the efficiency and stability of the interactions. RESULTS The network analysis identified quercetin, genistein, luteolin, eugenol, berberine, isorhamnetin and cinnamaldehyde to be interacting with host proteins ACE2, DPP4, COMT, TUBGCP3, CENPF, BRD2 and HMOX1 which are involved in antiviral mechanisms such as viral entry, viral replication, host immune response, and antioxidant activity. Thus indicating that herbal cocktails can effectively tackle the viral hijacking of the crucial biological functions of human host. Further exploration through Virtual screening, docking and molecular dynamics recognizes the effective interaction of phytochemicals such as punicalagin, scutellarin, and solamargine with their respective potential targets. CONCLUSION This work illustrates probable strategy for identification of phytochemical based cocktails and off-targets which are effective against SARS_CoV 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayanth Jeevanandam
- Molecular Biophysics lab, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to- be University, Thanjavur-613401, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Esackimuthu Paramasivam
- Molecular Biophysics lab, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to- be University, Thanjavur-613401, Tamilnadu, India
| | | | - Srikanth Ragavendran
- TATA-Realty Data science lab, School of Humanity and Science, SASTRA Deemed to-be University, Thanjavur-613401, Tamilnadu, India
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23
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Zhou D, Wu Z, Park JG, Fiches GN, Li TW, Ma Q, Huang H, Biswas A, Martinez-Sobrido L, Santoso NG, Zhu J. FACT subunit SUPT16H associates with BRD4 and contributes to silencing of interferon signaling. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:8700-8718. [PMID: 35904816 PMCID: PMC9410884 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
FACT (FAcilitates Chromatin Transcription) is a heterodimeric protein complex composed of SUPT16H and SSRP1, and a histone chaperone participating in chromatin remodeling during gene transcription. FACT complex is profoundly regulated, and contributes to both gene activation and suppression. Here we reported that SUPT16H, a subunit of FACT, is acetylated in both epithelial and natural killer (NK) cells. The histone acetyltransferase TIP60 contributes to the acetylation of SUPT16H middle domain (MD) at lysine 674 (K674). Such acetylation of SUPT16H is recognized by bromodomain protein BRD4, which promotes protein stability of SUPT16H in both epithelial and NK cells. We further demonstrated that SUPT16H-BRD4 associates with histone modification enzymes (HDAC1, EZH2), and further regulates their activation status and/or promoter association as well as affects the relevant histone marks (H3ac, H3K9me3 and H3K27me3). BRD4 is known to profoundly regulate interferon (IFN) signaling, while such function of SUPT16H has never been explored. Surprisingly, our results revealed that SUPT16H genetic knockdown via RNAi or pharmacological inhibition by using its inhibitor, curaxin 137 (CBL0137), results in the induction of IFNs and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Through this mechanism, depletion or inhibition of SUPT16H is shown to efficiently inhibit infection of multiple viruses, including Zika, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, we demonstrated that depletion or inhibition of SUPT16H also causes the remarkable activation of IFN signaling in NK cells, which promotes the NK-mediated killing of virus-infected cells in a co-culture system using human primary NK cells. Overall, our studies unraveled the previously un-appreciated role of FACT complex in coordinating with BRD4 and regulating IFN signaling in both epithelial and NK cells, and also proposed the novel application of the FACT inhibitor CBL0137 to treat viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Zhou
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Zhenyu Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jun-Gyu Park
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA
| | - Guillaume N Fiches
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Tai-Wei Li
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Qin Ma
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Huachao Huang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, NY, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ayan Biswas
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | | | - Netty G Santoso
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jian Zhu
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Chen H, Liu Z, Zheng L, Wang R, Shi L. BET inhibitors: an updated patent review (2018-2021). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:953-968. [PMID: 35982031 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2115354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins are epigenetic readers that regulate gene transcription and cell growth by binding to acetylated lysine resides on histones. They are involved in many physiological processes and pathological conditions such as cancer, inflammation, and metabolic diseases. Blockade of BET proteins has become an encouraging approach for the treatment of these human diseases, especially cancer. To date, a number of potent and specific BET inhibitors have been discovered and many of them have entered clinical trials. AREAS COVERED This review aims at providing an overview of molecular mechanisms of BET inhibitors and highlighting the research advancements published in recent patent literatures between 2018 and 2021. Web of Science, PubMed, SciFinder, WIPO, EPO, USPTO and CNIPA databases were used for searching the literature and patents for BET inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION In recent years, an increasing number of structurally diverse BET inhibitors have been identified, including pan BET inhibitors, BD1 or BD2 selective BET inhibitors, bivalent BET inhibitors, kinase and BET dual inhibitors and BET-PROTACs. Despite of many challenges, BET inhibitors have high potential in the treatment of cancer and other diseases and the development of next-generation BET inhibitors could be promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Zhenling Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Lili Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Rongrong Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Lei Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
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25
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Wang C, Xu Q, Zhang X, Day DS, Abraham BJ, Lun K, Chen L, Huang J, Ji X. BRD2 interconnects with BRD3 to facilitate Pol II transcription initiation and elongation to prime promoters for cell differentiation. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:338. [PMID: 35665862 PMCID: PMC11072765 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04349-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The bromodomain and extraterminal motif (BET) proteins are critical drug targets for diseases. The precise functions and relationship of BRD2 with other BET proteins remain elusive mechanistically. Here, we used acute protein degradation and quantitative genomic and proteomic approaches to investigate the primary functions of BRD2 in transcription. We report that BRD2 is required for TAF3-mediated Pol II initiation at promoters with low levels of H3K4me3 and for R-loop suppression during Pol II elongation. Single and double depletion revealed that BRD2 and BRD3 function additively, independently, or perhaps antagonistically in Pol II transcription at different promoters. Furthermore, we found that BRD2 regulates the expression of different genes during embryonic body differentiation processes by promoter priming in embryonic stem cells. Therefore, our results suggest complex interconnections between BRD2 and BRD3 at promoters to fine-tune Pol II initiation and elongation for control of cell state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenlu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Qiqin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xianhong Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Daniel S Day
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Brian J Abraham
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Kehuan Lun
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, RNA Institute, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Xiong Ji
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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26
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Chen IP, Longbotham JE, McMahon S, Suryawanshi RK, Khalid MM, Taha TY, Tabata T, Hayashi JM, Soveg FW, Carlson-Stevermer J, Gupta M, Zhang MY, Lam VL, Li Y, Yu Z, Titus EW, Diallo A, Oki J, Holden K, Krogan N, Fujimori DG, Ott M. Viral E Protein Neutralizes BET Protein-Mediated Post-Entry Antagonism of SARS-CoV-2. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111088. [PMID: 35839775 PMCID: PMC9234021 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors of bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins are possible anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) prophylactics as they downregulate angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Here we show that BET proteins should not be inactivated therapeutically because they are critical antiviral factors at the post-entry level. Depletion of BRD3 or BRD4 in cells overexpressing ACE2 exacerbates SARS-CoV-2 infection; the same is observed when cells with endogenous ACE2 expression are treated with BET inhibitors during infection and not before. Viral replication and mortality are also enhanced in BET inhibitor-treated mice overexpressing ACE2. BET inactivation suppresses interferon production induced by SARS-CoV-2, a process phenocopied by the envelope (E) protein previously identified as a possible “histone mimetic.” E protein, in an acetylated form, directly binds the second bromodomain of BRD4. Our data support a model where SARS-CoV-2 E protein evolved to antagonize interferon responses via BET protein inhibition; this neutralization should not be further enhanced with BET inhibitor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene P Chen
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - James E Longbotham
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Sarah McMahon
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | | | - Mir M Khalid
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Taha Y Taha
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Meghna Gupta
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Meng Yao Zhang
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Victor L Lam
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Zanlin Yu
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Erron W Titus
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Amy Diallo
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jennifer Oki
- Synthego Corporation, 3696 Haven Avenue, Suite A, Menlo Park, CA 94063, USA
| | - Kevin Holden
- Synthego Corporation, 3696 Haven Avenue, Suite A, Menlo Park, CA 94063, USA
| | - Nevan Krogan
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Danica Galonić Fujimori
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Melanie Ott
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Quantitative Biosciences Institute COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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27
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Xie L, Dong P, Qi Y, Hsieh THS, English BP, Jung S, Chen X, De Marzio M, Casellas R, Chang HY, Zhang B, Tjian R, Liu Z. BRD2 compartmentalizes the accessible genome. Nat Genet 2022; 54:481-491. [PMID: 35410381 PMCID: PMC9099420 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-022-01044-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian chromosomes are organized into megabase-sized compartments that are further subdivided into topologically associated domains (TADs). While the formation of TADs is dependent on Cohesin, the mechanism behind compartmentalization remains enigmatic. Here, we show that the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family scaffold protein BRD2 promotes spatial mixing and compartmentalization of active chromatin after Cohesin loss. This activity is independent of transcription but requires BRD2 to recognize acetylated targets through its double bromodomain and interact with binding partners with its low complexity domain. Notably, genome compartmentalization mediated by BRD2 is antagonized on one hand by Cohesin and on the other by the BET homolog protein BRD4, both of which inhibit BRD2 binding to chromatin. Polymer simulation of our data supports a BRD2-Cohesin interplay model of nuclear topology, where genome compartmentalization results from a competition between loop extrusion and chromatin state-specific affinity interactions.
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28
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Cheung KL, Jaganathan A, Hu Y, Xu F, Lejeune A, Sharma R, Caescu CI, Meslamani J, Vincek A, Zhang F, Lee K, Zaware N, Qayum AA, Ren C, Kaplan MH, He JC, Xiong H, Zhou MM. HIPK2 directs cell type-specific regulation of STAT3 transcriptional activity in Th17 cell differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2117112119. [PMID: 35344430 PMCID: PMC9168845 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2117112119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
SignificanceSTAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) is a master transcription factor that organizes cellular responses to cytokines and growth factors and is implicated in inflammatory disorders. STAT3 is a well-recognized therapeutic target for human cancer and inflammatory disorders, but how its function is regulated in a cell type-specific manner has been a major outstanding question. We discovered that Stat3 imposes self-directed regulation through controlling transcription of its own regulator homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (Hipk2) in a T helper 17 (Th17) cell-specific manner. Our validation of the functional importance of the Stat3-Hipk2 axis in Th17 cell development in the pathogenesis of T cell-induced colitis in mice suggests an approach to therapeutically treat inflammatory bowel diseases that currently lack a safe and effective therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Lung Cheung
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Anbalagan Jaganathan
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Yuan Hu
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Institute of Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Feihong Xu
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Institute of Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Alannah Lejeune
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Rajal Sharma
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Cristina I. Caescu
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Jamel Meslamani
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Adam Vincek
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Kyung Lee
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Nilesh Zaware
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Amina Abdul Qayum
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Chunyan Ren
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Mark H. Kaplan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - John Cijiang He
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Huabao Xiong
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- Institute of Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| | - Ming-Ming Zhou
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
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29
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Hoffner O’Connor M, Berglind A, Kennedy Ng MM, Keith BP, Lynch ZJ, Schaner MR, Steinbach EC, Herzog J, Trad OK, Jeck WR, Arthur JC, Simon JM, Sartor RB, Furey TS, Sheikh SZ. BET Protein Inhibition Regulates Macrophage Chromatin Accessibility and Microbiota-Dependent Colitis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:856966. [PMID: 35401533 PMCID: PMC8988134 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.856966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In colitis, macrophage functionality is altered compared to normal homeostatic conditions. Loss of IL-10 signaling results in an inappropriate chronic inflammatory response to bacterial stimulation. It remains unknown if inhibition of bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins alters usage of DNA regulatory elements responsible for driving inflammatory gene expression. We determined if the BET inhibitor, (+)-JQ1, could suppress inflammatory activation of macrophages in Il10-/- mice. Methods We performed ATAC-seq and RNA-seq on Il10-/- bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) cultured in the presence and absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with and without treatment with (+)-JQ1 and evaluated changes in chromatin accessibility and gene expression. Germ-free Il10-/- mice were treated with (+)-JQ1, colonized with fecal slurries and underwent histological and molecular evaluation 14-days post colonization. Results Treatment with (+)-JQ1 suppressed LPS-induced changes in chromatin at distal regulatory elements associated with inflammatory genes, particularly in regions that contain motifs for AP-1 and IRF transcription factors. This resulted in attenuation of inflammatory gene expression. Treatment with (+)-JQ1 in vivo resulted in a mild reduction in colitis severity as compared with vehicle-treated mice. Conclusion We identified the mechanism of action associated with a new class of compounds that may mitigate aberrant macrophage responses to bacteria in colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Hoffner O’Connor
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Genetics, Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ana Berglind
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Genetics, Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Meaghan M. Kennedy Ng
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Genetics, Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Benjamin P. Keith
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Genetics, Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Zachary J. Lynch
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Matthew R. Schaner
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Erin C. Steinbach
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jeremy Herzog
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Omar K. Trad
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - William R. Jeck
- Department of Pathology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Janelle C. Arthur
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jeremy M. Simon
- Department of Genetics, Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Carolina Institute for Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - R. Balfour Sartor
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Terrence S. Furey
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Genetics, Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Shehzad Z. Sheikh
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Genetics, Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Tsume-Kajioka M, Kimura-Yoshida C, Mochida K, Ueda Y, Matsuo I. BET proteins are essential for the specification and maintenance of the epiblast lineage in mouse preimplantation embryos. BMC Biol 2022; 20:64. [PMID: 35264162 PMCID: PMC8905768 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01251-0] [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: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During mammalian preimplantation development, as the fertilized egg develops and differentiates, three cell lineages become specified: trophectoderm (TE), epiblast, and primitive endoderm (PrE). Through two steps of cell fate decisions, 16-cell blastomeres develop into TE and an inner cell mass (ICM), and thereafter, the latter differentiates into pluripotent epiblast and PrE. Although bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins, such as BRD4, are necessary for the transcriptional activation of genes involved in the maintenance of mouse embryonic stem cells by occupying their enhancers, their roles in the development of mouse preimplantation are unknown. Results To evaluate the effect of BET protein deficiency on cell lineage formation, we cultured preimplantation embryos in the presence of JQ1, which blocks the binding of BET bromodomains to acetylated-histones. We found BET inhibition blocked the transcriptional activation of genes, such as Nanog, Otx2, and Sox2, important for the formation of the epiblast lineage in blastocysts. Expression studies with lineage-specific markers in morulae and blastocysts revealed BET proteins were essential for the specification and maintenance of the epiblast lineage but were dispensable for the formation of primarily extraembryonic TE and PrE lineages. Additional Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and expression studies with a transcriptionally active form of signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 (STAT3) suggested BET-dependent activation was partly associated with the STAT3-dependent pathway to maintain the epiblast lineage. To identify BET proteins involved in the formation of the epiblast lineage, we analyzed mutant embryos deficient in Brd4, Brd2, and double mutants. Abolishment of NANOG-positive epiblast cells was only evident in Brd4/Brd2 double-deficient morulae. Thus, the phenotype of JQ1-treated embryos is reproduced not by a Brd4- or Brd2-single deficiency, but only Brd4/Brd2-double deficiency, demonstrating the redundant roles of BRD2 and BRD4 in the specification of the epiblast lineage. Conclusions BET proteins are essential to the specification and maintenance of the epiblast lineage by activating lineage-specific core transcription factors during mouse preimplantation development. Among BET proteins, BRD4 plays a central role and BRD2 a complementary role in the specification and maintenance of epiblast lineages. Additionally, BET-dependent maintenance of the epiblast lineage may be partly associated with the STAT3-dependent pathway. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01251-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mami Tsume-Kajioka
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Research Institute, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Osaka Prefectural Hospital Organization, 840, Murodo-cho, Izumi, Osaka, 594-1101, Japan
| | - Chiharu Kimura-Yoshida
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Research Institute, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Osaka Prefectural Hospital Organization, 840, Murodo-cho, Izumi, Osaka, 594-1101, Japan
| | - Kyoko Mochida
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Research Institute, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Osaka Prefectural Hospital Organization, 840, Murodo-cho, Izumi, Osaka, 594-1101, Japan
| | - Yoko Ueda
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Research Institute, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Osaka Prefectural Hospital Organization, 840, Murodo-cho, Izumi, Osaka, 594-1101, Japan
| | - Isao Matsuo
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Research Institute, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Osaka Prefectural Hospital Organization, 840, Murodo-cho, Izumi, Osaka, 594-1101, Japan. .,Department of Pediatric and Neonatal-Perinatal Research, Osaka Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
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BRD4-directed super-enhancer organization of transcription repression programs links to chemotherapeutic efficacy in breast cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2109133119. [PMID: 35105803 PMCID: PMC8832982 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2109133119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BRD4 is well known for its role in super-enhancer organization and transcription activation of several prominent oncogenes including c-MYC and BCL2 As such, BRD4 inhibitors are being pursued as promising therapeutics for cancer treatment. However, drug resistance also occurs for BRD4-targeted therapies. Here, we report that BRD4 unexpectedly interacts with the LSD1/NuRD complex and colocalizes with this repressive complex on super-enhancers. Integrative genomic and epigenomic analyses indicate that the BRD4/LSD1/NuRD complex restricts the hyperactivation of a cluster of genes that are functionally linked to drug resistance. Intriguingly, treatment of breast cancer cells with a small-molecule inhibitor of BRD4, JQ1, results in no immediate activation of the drug-resistant genes, but long-time treatment or destabilization of LSD1 by PELI1 decommissions the BRD4/LSD1/NuRD complex, leading to resistance to JQ1 as well as to a broad spectrum of therapeutic compounds. Consistently, PELI1 is up-regulated in breast carcinomas, its level is negatively correlated with that of LSD1, and the expression level of the BRD4/LSD1/NuRD complex-restricted genes is strongly correlated with a worse overall survival of breast cancer patients. Together, our study uncovers a functional duality of BRD4 in super-enhancer organization of transcription activation and repression linking to oncogenesis and chemoresistance, respectively, supporting the pursuit of a combined targeting of BRD4 and PELI1 in effective treatment of breast cancer.
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Yang T, Hu Y, Miao J, Chen J, Liu J, Cheng Y, Gao X. A BRD4 PROTAC nanodrug for glioma therapy via the intervention of tumor cells proliferation, apoptosis and M2 macrophages polarization. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:2658-2671. [PMID: 35755286 PMCID: PMC9214068 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioma is a primary aggressive brain tumor with high recurrence rate. The poor efficiency of chemotherapeutic drugs crossing the blood‒brain barrier (BBB) is well-known as one of the main challenges for anti-glioma therapy. Moreover, massive infiltrated tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in glioma further thwart the drug efficacy. Herein, a therapeutic nanosystem (SPP-ARV-825) is constructed by incorporating the BRD4-degrading proteolytic targeting chimera (PROTAC) ARV-825 into the complex micelle (SPP) composed of substance P (SP) peptide-modified poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(d,l-lactic acid)(SP-PEG-PDLLA) and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(d,l-lactic acid) (mPEG-PDLLA, PP), which could penetrate BBB and target brain tumor. Subsequently, released drug engenders antitumor effect via attenuating cells proliferation, inducing cells apoptosis and suppressing M2 macrophages polarization through the inhibition of IRF4 promoter transcription and phosphorylation of STAT6, STAT3 and AKT. Taken together, our work demonstrates the versatile role and therapeutic efficacy of SPP-ARV-825 micelle against glioma, which may provide a novel strategy for glioma therapy in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yuzhu Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Junming Miao
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jiagang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yongzhong Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute of Neurosurgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, China
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +86 28 85422136, fax +86 28 85502796.
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Lysine Acetylation, Cancer Hallmarks and Emerging Onco-Therapeutic Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020346. [PMID: 35053509 PMCID: PMC8773583 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Several histone deacetylase inhibitors have been approved by FDA for cancer treatment. Intensive efforts have been devoted to enhancing its anti-cancer efficacy by combining it with various other agents. Yet, no guideline is available to assist in the choice of candidate drugs for combination towards optimal solutions for different clinical problems. Thus, it is imperative to characterize the primary cancer hallmarks that lysine acetylation is associated with and gain knowledge on the key cancer features that each combinatorial onco-therapeutic modality targets to aid in the combinatorial onco-therapeutic design. Cold atmospheric plasma represents an emerging anti-cancer modality via manipulating cellular redox level and has been demonstrated to selectively target several cancer hallmarks. This review aims to delineate the intrinsic connections between lysine acetylation and cancer properties, and forecast opportunities histone deacetylase inhibitors may have when combined with cold atmospheric plasma as novel precision onco-therapies. Abstract Acetylation, a reversible epigenetic process, is implicated in many critical cellular regulatory systems including transcriptional regulation, protein structure, activity, stability, and localization. Lysine acetylation is the most prevalent and intensively investigated among the diverse acetylation forms. Owing to the intrinsic connections of acetylation with cell metabolism, acetylation has been associated with metabolic disorders including cancers. Yet, relatively little has been reported on the features of acetylation against the cancer hallmarks, even though this knowledge may help identify appropriate therapeutic strategies or combinatorial modalities for the effective treatment and resolution of malignancies. By examining the available data related to the efficacy of lysine acetylation against tumor cells and elaborating the primary cancer hallmarks and the associated mechanisms to target the specific hallmarks, this review identifies the intrinsic connections between lysine acetylation and cancer hallmarks and proposes novel modalities that can be combined with HDAC inhibitors for cancer treatment with higher efficacy and minimum adverse effects.
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He Z, Jiao H, An Q, Zhang X, Zengyangzong D, Xu J, Liu H, Ma L, Zhao W. Discovery of novel 4-phenylquinazoline-based BRD4 inhibitors for cardiac fibrosis. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:291-307. [PMID: 35127386 PMCID: PMC8799877 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.07.018] [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: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain containing protein 4 (BRD4), as an epigenetic reader, can specifically bind to the acetyl lysine residues of histones and has emerged as an attractive therapeutic target for various diseases, including cancer, cardiac remodeling and heart failure. Herein, we described the discovery of hit 5 bearing 4-phenylquinazoline skeleton through a high-throughput virtual screen using 2,003,400 compound library (enamine). Then, structure-activity relationship (SAR) study was performed and 47 new 4-phenylquinazoline derivatives toward BRD4 were further designed, synthesized and evaluated, using HTRF assay set up in our lab. Eventually, we identified compound C-34, which possessed better pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties as well as lower cytotoxicity against NRCF and NRCM cells, compared to the positive control JQ1. Using computer-based molecular docking and cellular thermal shift assay, we further verified that C-34 could target BRD4 at molecular and cellular levels. Furthermore, treatment with C-34 effectively alleviated fibroblast activation in vitro and cardiac fibrosis in vivo, which was correlated with the decreased expression of BRD4 downstream target c-MYC as well as the depressed TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings indicate that novel BRD4 inhibitor C-34 tethering a 4-phenylquinazoline scaffold can serve as a lead compound for further development to treat fibrotic cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangxu He
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Haomiao Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Qi An
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Dan Zengyangzong
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jiale Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Hongmin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Liying Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- China Meheco Topfond Pharmaceutical Co., Zhumadian 463000, China
| | - Wen Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology, Ministry of Education of China, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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Zeng S, Qiu Q, Zhou Y, Xiao Y, Wang J, Li R, Xu S, Shi M, Wang C, Kuang Y, Lao M, Cai X, Liang L, Xu H. The suppression of Brd4 inhibits peripheral plasma cell differentiation and exhibits therapeutic potential for systemic lupus erythematosus. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 103:108498. [PMID: 34972067 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms that control B cell terminal differentiation remain undefined. Here, we investigate the role of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (Brd4) in regulating B cell differentiation and its therapeutic potential for B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We showed that Brd4 inhibitor PFI-1 suppressed plasmablast-mediated plasma cell differentiation in healthy human CD19+ B cells. PFI-1 reduced IgG and IgM secretion in costimulation-induced human B cells. We also observed a reduced percentage of plasma cells in mice with B cell-specific deletion of the Brd4 gene (Brd4flox/floxCD19-cre+). Mechanistically, using the luciferase reporter assay and the chromatin immunoprecipitation, we explored that Brd4 regulates the expression of B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (BLIMP1), an important transcript factor that is involved in modulation of plasma cell differentiation. Interestingly, PFI-1 decreased the percentages of plasmablasts and plasma cells from patients with SLE. PFI-1 administration reduced the percentages of plasma cells, hypergammaglobulinemia, and attenuated nephritis in MRL/lpr lupus mice. Pristane-injected Brd4flox/floxCD19-cre+ mice exhibited improved nephritis and reduced percentages of plasma cells. These findings suggest an essential factor of Brd4 in regulating plasma cell differentiation. Brd4 inhibition may be a potential strategy for the treatment of B cell-associated autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Zeng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qian Qiu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Youjun Xiao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingnan Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ruiru Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Siqi Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Maohua Shi
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Cuicui Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Kuang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Minxi Lao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyan Cai
- Department of Rheumatology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Liuqin Liang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Hanshi Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Li Y, Chen J, Bolinger AA, Chen H, Liu Z, Cong Y, Brasier AR, Pinchuk IV, Tian B, Zhou J. Target-Based Small Molecule Drug Discovery Towards Novel Therapeutics for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2021; 27:S38-S62. [PMID: 34791293 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izab190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is a class of severe and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract with recurrent symptoms and significant morbidity. Long-term persistence of chronic inflammation in IBD is a major contributing factor to neoplastic transformation and the development of colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Conversely, persistence of transmural inflammation in CD is associated with formation of fibrosing strictures, resulting in substantial morbidity. The recent introduction of biological response modifiers as IBD therapies, such as antibodies neutralizing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, have replaced nonselective anti-inflammatory corticosteroids in disease management. However, a large proportion (~40%) of patients with the treatment of anti-TNF-α antibodies are discontinued or withdrawn from therapy because of (1) primary nonresponse, (2) secondary loss of response, (3) opportunistic infection, or (4) onset of cancer. Therefore, the development of novel and effective therapeutics targeting specific signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of IBD is urgently needed. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the recent advances in drug discovery of new small molecules in preclinical or clinical development for treating IBD that target biologically relevant pathways in mucosal inflammation. These include intracellular enzymes (Janus kinases, receptor interacting protein, phosphodiesterase 4, IκB kinase), integrins, G protein-coupled receptors (S1P, CCR9, CXCR4, CB2) and inflammasome mediators (NLRP3), etc. We will also discuss emerging evidence of a distinct mechanism of action, bromodomain-containing protein 4, an epigenetic regulator of pathways involved in the activation, communication, and trafficking of immune cells. We highlight their chemotypes, mode of actions, structure-activity relationships, characterizations, and their in vitro/in vivo activities and therapeutic potential. The perspectives on the relevant challenges, new opportunities, and future directions in this field are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jianping Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew A Bolinger
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Haiying Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Zhiqing Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Yingzi Cong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Allan R Brasier
- Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR), University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Irina V Pinchuk
- Department of Medicine, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, PA, USA
| | - Bing Tian
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jia Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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Chen IP, Longbotham JE, McMahon S, Suryawanshi RK, Carlson-Stevermer J, Gupta M, Zhang MY, Soveg FW, Hayashi JM, Taha TY, Lam VL, Li Y, Yu Z, Titus EW, Diallo A, Oki J, Holden K, Krogan N, Galonić Fujimori D, Ott M. Viral E Protein Neutralizes BET Protein-Mediated Post-Entry Antagonism of SARS-CoV-2. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021. [PMID: 34816261 DOI: 10.1101/2021.11.14.468537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitors of Bromodomain and Extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins are possible anti-SARS-CoV-2 prophylactics as they downregulate angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Here, we show that BET proteins should not be inactivated therapeutically as they are critical antiviral factors at the post-entry level. Knockouts of BRD3 or BRD4 in cells overexpressing ACE2 exacerbate SARS-CoV-2 infection; the same is observed when cells with endogenous ACE2 expression are treated with BET inhibitors during infection, and not before. Viral replication and mortality are also enhanced in BET inhibitor-treated mice overexpressing ACE2. BET inactivation suppresses interferon production induced by SARS-CoV-2, a process phenocopied by the envelope (E) protein previously identified as a possible "histone mimetic." E protein, in an acetylated form, directly binds the second bromodomain of BRD4. Our data support a model where SARS-CoV-2 E protein evolved to antagonize interferon responses via BET protein inhibition; this neutralization should not be further enhanced with BET inhibitor treatment.
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A chalcone derivative suppresses TSLP induction in mice and human keratinocytes through binding to BET family proteins. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 194:114819. [PMID: 34757034 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Although treatments for allergic diseases have improved, side effects and treatment resistance remain as challenges. New therapeutic drugs for allergic diseases are urgently required. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine target for prevention and treatment of allergic diseases. Since TSLP is produced from epithelial cells in allergic diseases, TSLP inhibitors may be new anti-allergic drugs. We previously identified a new inhibitor of TSLP production, named 16D10. However, its target of action remained unclarified. In this study, we found proteins binding to 16D10 from 24,000 human protein arrays by AlphaScreen-based high-throughput screening and identified bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family proteins as targets. We also clarified the detailed mode of interaction between 16D10 and a BET family protein using X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, we confirmed that inhibitors of BET family proteins suppressed TSLP induction and IL-33 and IL-36γ expression in both mouse and human keratinocyte cell lines. Taken together, our findings suggest that BET family proteins are involved in the suppression of TSLP production by 16D10. These proteins can contribute to the pathology of atopic dermatitis via TSLP regulation in keratinocytes and have potential as therapeutic targets in allergic diseases.
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A combination approach of pseudotime analysis and mathematical modeling for understanding drug-resistant mechanisms. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18511. [PMID: 34531471 PMCID: PMC8445918 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97887-z] [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: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells acquire drug resistance through the following stages: nonresistant, pre-resistant, and resistant. Although the molecular mechanism of drug resistance is well investigated, the process of drug resistance acquisition remains largely unknown. Here we elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the process of drug resistance acquisition by sequential analysis of gene expression patterns in tamoxifen-treated breast cancer cells. Single-cell RNA-sequencing indicates that tamoxifen-resistant cells can be subgrouped into two, one showing altered gene expression related to metabolic regulation and another showing high expression levels of adhesion-related molecules and histone-modifying enzymes. Pseudotime analysis showed a cell transition trajectory to the two resistant subgroups that stem from a shared pre-resistant state. An ordinary differential equation model based on the trajectory fitted well with the experimental results of cell growth. Based on the established model, it was predicted and experimentally validated that inhibition of transition to both resistant subtypes would prevent the appearance of tamoxifen resistance.
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Cheung KL, Kim C, Zhou MM. The Functions of BET Proteins in Gene Transcription of Biology and Diseases. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:728777. [PMID: 34540900 PMCID: PMC8446420 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.728777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal domain) family proteins, consisting of BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and testis-specific BRDT, are widely acknowledged as major transcriptional regulators in biology. They are characterized by two tandem bromodomains (BDs) that bind to lysine-acetylated histones and transcription factors, recruit transcription factors and coactivators to target gene sites, and activate RNA polymerase II machinery for transcriptional elongation. Pharmacological inhibition of BET proteins with BD inhibitors has been shown as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of many human diseases including cancer and inflammatory disorders. The recent advances in bromodomain protein biology have further uncovered the complex and versatile functions of BET proteins in the regulation of gene expression in chromatin. In this review article, we highlight our current understanding of BET proteins' functions in mediating protein-protein interactions required for chromatin-templated gene transcription and splicing, chromatin remodeling, DNA replication, and DNA damage repair. We further discuss context-dependent activator vs. repressor functions of individual BET proteins, isoforms, and bromodomains that may be harnessed for future development of BET bromodomain inhibitors as emerging epigenetic therapies for cancer and inflammatory disorders.
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Wang Q, Shao X, Leung ELH, Chen Y, Yao X. Selectively targeting individual bromodomain: Drug discovery and molecular mechanisms. Pharmacol Res 2021; 172:105804. [PMID: 34450309 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing proteins include bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) and non-BET families. Due to the conserved bromodomain (BD) module between BD-containing proteins, and especially BETs with each member having two BDs (BD1 and BD2), the high degree of structural similarity makes BD-selective inhibitors much difficult to be designed. However, increasing evidences emphasized that individual BDs had distinct functions and different cellular phenotypes after pharmacological inhibition, and selectively targeting one of the BDs could result in a different efficacy and tolerability profile. This review is to summarize the pioneering progress of BD-selective inhibitors targeting BET and non-BET proteins, focusing on their structural features, biological activity, therapeutic application and experimental/theoretical mechanisms. The present proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTAC) degraders targeting BDs, and clinical status of BD-selective inhibitors were also analyzed, providing a new insight into future direction of bromodomain-selective drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Wang
- Chronic Disease Research Center, Medical College, Dalian University, Dalian 116622, China
| | - Xiaomin Shao
- Chronic Disease Research Center, Medical College, Dalian University, Dalian 116622, China
| | - Elaine Lai Han Leung
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau(SAR) 999078, China
| | - Yingqing Chen
- Chronic Disease Research Center, Medical College, Dalian University, Dalian 116622, China.
| | - Xiaojun Yao
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau(SAR) 999078, China.
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Peng Z, Zhang Y, Ma X, Zhou M, Wu S, Song Z, Yuan Y, Chen Y, Li Y, Wang G, Huang F, Qiao Y, Xia B, Liu W, Liu J, Zhang X, He X, Pan T, Xu H, Zhang H. Brd4 Regulates the Homeostasis of CD8 + T-Lymphocytes and Their Proliferation in Response to Antigen Stimulation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:728082. [PMID: 34512660 PMCID: PMC8427756 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.728082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are major components of adaptive immunity and confer robust protective cellular immunity, which requires adequate T-cell numbers, targeted migration, and efficient T-cell proliferation. Altered CD8+ T-cell homeostasis and impaired proliferation result in dysfunctional immune response to infection or tumorigenesis. However, intrinsic factors controlling CD8+ T-cell homeostasis and immunity remain largely elusive. Here, we demonstrate the prominent role of Brd4 on CD8+ T cell homeostasis and immune response. By upregulating Myc and GLUT1 expression, Brd4 facilitates glucose uptake and energy production in mitochondria, subsequently supporting naïve CD8+ T-cell survival. Besides, Brd4 promotes the trafficking of naïve CD8+ T cells partially through maintaining the expression of homing receptors (CD62L and LFA-1). Furthermore, Brd4 is required for CD8+ T cell response to antigen stimulation, as Brd4 deficiency leads to a severe defect in clonal expansion and terminal differentiation by decreasing glycolysis. Importantly, as JQ1, a pan-BRD inhibitor, severely dampens CD8+ T-cell immune response, its usage as an anti-tumor agent or latency-reversing agent for human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) should be more cautious. Collectively, our study identifies a previously-unexpected role of Brd4 in the metabolic regulation of CD8+ T cell-mediated immune surveillance and also provides a potential immunomodulation target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilin Peng
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiancai Ma
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mo Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiyu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zheng Song
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaochang Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingshi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuzhuang Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guanwen Wang
- Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Huang
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yidan Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baijing Xia
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin He
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Pan
- Center for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hanshi Xu
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Institute of Human Virology, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Investigating crosstalk between H3K27 acetylation and H3K4 trimethylation in CRISPR/dCas-based epigenome editing and gene activation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15912. [PMID: 34354157 PMCID: PMC8342468 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95398-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenome editing methods enable the precise manipulation of epigenetic modifications, such as histone posttranscriptional modifications (PTMs), for uncovering their biological functions. While histone PTMs have been correlated with certain gene expression status, the causalities remain elusive. Histone H3 Lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) and histone H3 Lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) are both associated with active genes, and located at active promoters and enhancers or around transcriptional start sites (TSSs). Although crosstalk between histone lysine acetylation and H3K4me3 has been reported, relationships between specific epigenetic marks during transcriptional activation remain largely unclear. Here, using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/dCas-based epigenome editing methods, we discovered that the ectopic introduction of H3K27ac in the promoter region lead to H3K4me3 enrichment around TSS and transcriptional activation, while H3K4me3 installation at the promoter cannot induce H3K27ac increase and failed to activate gene expression. Blocking the reading of H3K27ac by BRD proteins using inhibitor JQ1 abolished H3K27ac-induced H3K4me3 installation and downstream gene activation. Furthermore, we uncovered that BRD2, not BRD4, mediated H3K4me3 installation and gene activation upon H3K27ac writing. Our studies revealed the relationships between H3K27ac and H3K4me3 in gene activation process and demonstrated the application of CRISPR/dCas-based epigenome editing methods in elucidating the crosstalk between epigenetic mechanisms.
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Bhola NE, Njatcha C, Hu L, Lee ED, Shiah JV, Kim MO, Johnson DE, Grandis JR. PD-L1 is upregulated via BRD2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma models of acquired cetuximab resistance. Head Neck 2021; 43:3364-3373. [PMID: 34346116 DOI: 10.1002/hed.26827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor models resistant to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors or cisplatin express higher levels of the immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1. We sought to determine whether PD-L1 expression is elevated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) models of acquired cetuximab resistance and whether the expression is regulated by bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins. METHODS Expression of PD-L1 was assessed in HNSCC cell line models of acquired cetuximab resistance. Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC)- and RNAi-mediated targeting were used to assess the role of BET proteins. RESULTS Cetuximab-resistant HNSCC cells expressed elevated PD-L1 compared to cetuximab-sensitive controls. Treatment with the BET inhibitor JQ1, the BET PROTAC MZ1, or RNAi-mediated knockdown of BRD2 decreased PD-L1 expression. Knockdown of BRD2 also reduced the elevated levels of PD-L1 seen in a model of acquired cisplatin resistance. CONCLUSIONS PD-L1 is significantly elevated in HNSCC models of acquired cetuximab and cisplatin resistance where BRD2 is the primary regulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil E Bhola
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Christian Njatcha
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lanlin Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Eliot D Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jamie V Shiah
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mi-Ok Kim
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Daniel E Johnson
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jennifer R Grandis
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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45
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Milner JJ, Toma C, Quon S, Omilusik K, Scharping NE, Dey A, Reina-Campos M, Nguyen H, Getzler AJ, Diao H, Yu B, Delpoux A, Yoshida TM, Li D, Qi J, Vincek A, Hedrick SM, Egawa T, Zhou MM, Crotty S, Ozato K, Pipkin ME, Goldrath AW. Bromodomain protein BRD4 directs and sustains CD8 T cell differentiation during infection. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20202512. [PMID: 34037670 PMCID: PMC8160575 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20202512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to infection, pathogen-specific CD8 T cells differentiate into functionally diverse effector and memory T cell populations critical for resolving disease and providing durable immunity. Through small-molecule inhibition, RNAi studies, and induced genetic deletion, we reveal an essential role for the chromatin modifier and BET family member BRD4 in supporting the differentiation and maintenance of terminally fated effector CD8 T cells during infection. BRD4 bound diverse regulatory regions critical to effector T cell differentiation and controlled transcriptional activity of terminal effector-specific super-enhancers in vivo. Consequentially, induced deletion of Brd4 or small molecule-mediated BET inhibition impaired maintenance of a terminal effector T cell phenotype. BRD4 was also required for terminal differentiation of CD8 T cells in the tumor microenvironment in murine models, which we show has implications for immunotherapies. Taken together, these data reveal an unappreciated requirement for BRD4 in coordinating activity of cis regulatory elements to control CD8 T cell fate and lineage stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Justin Milner
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Clara Toma
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Sara Quon
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Kyla Omilusik
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Nicole E. Scharping
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Anup Dey
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Miguel Reina-Campos
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Hongtuyet Nguyen
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Adam J. Getzler
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL
| | - Huitian Diao
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL
| | - Bingfei Yu
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Arnaud Delpoux
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Tomomi M. Yoshida
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Deyao Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jun Qi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Adam Vincek
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Stephen M. Hedrick
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Takeshi Egawa
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Ming-Ming Zhou
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Shane Crotty
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Keiko Ozato
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Matthew E. Pipkin
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL
| | - Ananda W. Goldrath
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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BATF regulates progenitor to cytolytic effector CD8 + T cell transition during chronic viral infection. Nat Immunol 2021; 22:996-1007. [PMID: 34282329 PMCID: PMC9258987 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-021-00965-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
During chronic viral infection, CD8+ T cells develop into three major phenotypically and functionally distinct subsets: Ly108+TCF-1+ progenitors, Ly108-CX3CR1- terminally exhausted cells and the recently identified CX3CR1+ cytotoxic effector cells. Nevertheless, how CX3CR1+ effector cell differentiation is transcriptionally and epigenetically regulated remains elusive. Here, we identify distinct gene regulatory networks and epigenetic landscapes underpinning the formation of these subsets. Notably, our data demonstrate that CX3CR1+ effector cells bear a striking similarity to short-lived effector cells during acute infection. Genetic deletion of Tbx21 significantly diminished formation of the CX3CR1+ subset. Importantly, we further identify a previously unappreciated role for the transcription factor BATF in maintaining a permissive chromatin structure that allows the transition from TCF-1+ progenitors to CX3CR1+ effector cells. BATF directly bound to regulatory regions near Tbx21 and Klf2, modulating their enhancer accessibility to facilitate the transition. These mechanistic insights can potentially be harnessed to overcome T cell exhaustion during chronic infection and cancer.
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47
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A BRD4-mediated elongation control point primes transcribing RNA polymerase II for 3'-processing and termination. Mol Cell 2021; 81:3589-3603.e13. [PMID: 34324863 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Transcription elongation has emerged as a regulatory hub in gene expression of metazoans. A major control point occurs during early elongation before RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is released into productive elongation. Prior research has linked BRD4 with transcription elongation. Here, we use rapid BET protein and BRD4-selective degradation along with quantitative genome-wide approaches to investigate direct functions of BRD4 in Pol II transcription regulation. Notably, as an immediate consequence of acute BRD4 loss, promoter-proximal pause release is impaired, and transcriptionally engaged Pol II past this checkpoint undergoes readthrough transcription. An integrated proteome-wide analysis uncovers elongation and 3'-RNA processing factors as core BRD4 interactors. BRD4 ablation disrupts the recruitment of general 3'-RNA processing factors at the 5'-control region, which correlates with RNA cleavage and termination defects. These studies, performed in human cells, reveal a BRD4-mediated checkpoint and begin to establish a molecular link between 5'-elongation control and 3'-RNA processing.
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48
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Ijaz T, Burke MA. BET Protein-Mediated Transcriptional Regulation in Heart Failure. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6059. [PMID: 34199719 PMCID: PMC8199980 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116059] [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: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart failure is a complex disease process with underlying aberrations in neurohormonal systems that promote dysregulated cellular signaling and gene transcription. Over the past 10 years, the advent of small-molecule inhibitors that target transcriptional machinery has demonstrated the importance of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family of epigenetic reader proteins in regulating gene transcription in multiple mouse models of cardiomyopathy. BETs bind to acetylated histone tails and transcription factors to integrate disparate stress signaling networks into a defined gene expression program. Under myocardial stress, BRD4, a BET family member, is recruited to superenhancers and promoter regions of inflammatory and profibrotic genes to promote transcription elongation. Whole-transcriptome analysis of BET-dependent gene networks suggests a major role of nuclear-factor kappa b and transforming growth factor-beta in the development of cardiac fibrosis and systolic dysfunction. Recent investigations also suggest a prominent role of BRD4 in maintaining cardiomyocyte mitochondrial respiration under basal conditions. In this review, we summarize the data from preclinical heart failure studies that explore the role of BET-regulated transcriptional mechanisms and delve into landmark studies that define BET bromodomain-independent processes involved in cardiac homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael A. Burke
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
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Salahong T, Schwartz C, Sungthong R. Are BET Inhibitors yet Promising Latency-Reversing Agents for HIV-1 Reactivation in AIDS Therapy? Viruses 2021; 13:v13061026. [PMID: 34072421 PMCID: PMC8228869 DOI: 10.3390/v13061026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
AIDS first emerged decades ago; however, its cure, i.e., eliminating all virus sources, is still unachievable. A critical burden of AIDS therapy is the evasive nature of HIV-1 in face of host immune responses, the so-called "latency." Recently, a promising approach, the "Shock and Kill" strategy, was proposed to eliminate latently HIV-1-infected cell reservoirs. The "Shock and Kill" concept involves two crucial steps: HIV-1 reactivation from its latency stage using a latency-reversing agent (LRA) followed by host immune responses to destroy HIV-1-infected cells in combination with reinforced antiretroviral therapy to kill the progeny virus. Hence, a key challenge is to search for optimal LRAs. Looking at epigenetics of HIV-1 infection, researchers proved that some bromodomains and extra-terminal motif protein inhibitors (BETis) are able to reactivate HIV-1 from latency. However, to date, only a few BETis have shown HIV-1-reactivating functions, and none of them have yet been approved for clinical trial. In this review, we aim to demonstrate the epigenetic roles of BETis in HIV-1 infection and HIV-1-related immune responses. Possible future applications of BETis and their HIV-1-reactivating properties are summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanarat Salahong
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand;
| | - Christian Schwartz
- Research Unit 7292, DHPI, IUT Louis Pasteur, University of Strasbourg, 67300 Schiltigheim, France
- Correspondence: (C.S.); (R.S.)
| | - Rungroch Sungthong
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
- Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg, UMR 7517 CNRS/EOST, 67084 Strasbourg CEDEX, France
- Correspondence: (C.S.); (R.S.)
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Xu C, Tsai YH, Galbo PM, Gong W, Storey AJ, Xu Y, Byrum SD, Xu L, Whang YE, Parker JS, Mackintosh SG, Edmondson RD, Tackett AJ, Huang J, Zheng D, Earp HS, Wang GG, Cai L. Cistrome analysis of YY1 uncovers a regulatory axis of YY1:BRD2/4-PFKP during tumorigenesis of advanced prostate cancer. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:4971-4988. [PMID: 33849067 PMCID: PMC8136773 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a terminal disease and the molecular underpinnings of CRPC development need to be better understood in order to improve its treatment. Here, we report that a transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is significantly overexpressed during prostate cancer progression. Functional and cistrome studies of YY1 uncover its roles in promoting prostate oncogenesis in vitro and in vivo, as well as sustaining tumor metabolism including the Warburg effect and mitochondria respiration. Additionally, our integrated genomics and interactome profiling in prostate tumor show that YY1 and bromodomain-containing proteins (BRD2/4) co-occupy a majority of gene-regulatory elements, coactivating downstream targets. Via gene loss-of-function and rescue studies and mutagenesis of YY1-bound cis-elements, we unveil an oncogenic pathway in which YY1 directly binds and activates PFKP, a gene encoding the rate-limiting enzyme for glycolysis, significantly contributing to the YY1-enforced Warburg effect and malignant growth. Altogether, this study supports a master regulator role for YY1 in prostate tumorigenesis and reveals a YY1:BRD2/4-PFKP axis operating in advanced prostate cancer with implications for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Xu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Yi-Hsuan Tsai
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Phillip M Galbo
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Weida Gong
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Aaron J Storey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Yuemei Xu
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Stephanie D Byrum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Lingfan Xu
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Young E Whang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Joel S Parker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Samuel G Mackintosh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Ricky D Edmondson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Alan J Tackett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Jiaoti Huang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Neurology and Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ling Cai
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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