Transforming growth-interacting factor (TGIF) regulates proliferation and differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells

Phosphorylation of TG-interacting factor 1 at carboxyl-terminal sites in response to insulin regulates adipocyte differentiation

TG-interacting factor 1 (TGIF1) contributes to the differentiation of murine white preadipocyte and human adipose tissue-derived stem cells; however, its regulation is not well elucidated. Insulin is a component of the adipogenic cocktail that induces ERK signaling. TGIF1 phosphorylation and sustained stability in response to insulin were reduced through the use of specific MEK inhibitor U0126. Mutagenesis at T235 or T239 residue of TGIF1 in preadipocytes led to dephosphorylation of TGIF1. The reduced TGIF1 stability resulted in an increase in p27kip1 expression, a decrease in phosphorylated Rb expression and cellular proliferation, and a reduced accumulation of lipids compared to the TGIF1-overexpressed cells. These findings highlight that insulin/ERK-driven phosphorylation of the T235 or T239 residue at TGIF1 is crucial for adipocyte differentiation.

Integrated analysis of mRNAs and lncRNAs reveals candidate marker genes and potential hub lncRNAs associated with growth regulation of the Pacific Oyster, Crassostrea gigas

BACKGROUND

The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, is an economically important shellfish around the world. Great efforts have been made to improve its growth rate through genetic breeding. However, the candidate marker genes, pathways, and potential lncRNAs involved in oyster growth regulation remain largely unknown. To identify genes, lncRNAs, and pathways involved in growth regulation, C. gigas spat was cultured at a low temperature (15 ℃) to yield a growth-inhibited model, which was used to conduct comparative transcriptome analysis with spat cultured at normal temperature (25 ℃).

RESULTS

In total, 8627 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 1072 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) were identified between the normal-growth oysters (cultured at 25 ℃, hereinafter referred to as NG) and slow-growth oysters (cultured at 15 ℃, hereinafter referred to as SG). Functional enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were mostly enriched in the AMPK signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, autophagy, apoptosis, calcium signaling pathway, and endocytosis process. LncRNAs analysis identified 265 cis-acting pairs and 618 trans-acting pairs that might participate in oyster growth regulation. The expression levels of LNC_001270, LNC_003322, LNC_011563, LNC_006260, and LNC_012905 were inducible to the culture temperature and food abundance. These lncRNAs were located at the antisense, upstream, or downstream of the SREBP1/p62, CDC42, CaM, FAS, and PIK3CA genes, respectively. Furthermore, the expression of the trans-acting lncRNAs, including XR_9000022.2, LNC_008019, LNC_015817, LNC_000838, LNC_00839, LNC_011859, LNC_007294, LNC_006429, XR_002198885.1, and XR_902224.2 was also significantly associated with the expression of genes enriched in AMPK signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, autophagy, apoptosis, calcium signaling pathway, and endocytosis process.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we identified the critical growth-related genes and lncRNAs that could be utilized as candidate markers to illustrate the molecular mechanisms underlying the growth regulation of Pacific oysters.

The TFEB-TGIF1 axis regulates EMT in mouse epicardial cells

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex and pivotal process involved in organogenesis and is related to several pathological processes, including cancer and fibrosis. During heart development, EMT mediates the conversion of epicardial cells into vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiac interstitial fibroblasts. Here, we show that the oncogenic transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a key regulator of EMT in epicardial cells and that its genetic overexpression in mouse epicardium is lethal due to heart defects linked to impaired EMT. TFEB specifically orchestrates the EMT-promoting function of transforming growth factor (TGF) β, and this effect results from activated transcription of thymine-guanine-interacting factor (TGIF)1, a TGFβ/Smad pathway repressor. The Tgif1 promoter is activated by TFEB, and in vitro and in vivo findings demonstrate its increased expression when Tfeb is overexpressed. Furthermore, Tfeb overexpression in vitro prevents TGFβ-induced EMT, and this effect is abolished by Tgif1 silencing. Tfeb loss of function, similar to that of Tgif1, sensitizes cells to TGFβ, inducing an EMT response to low doses of TGFβ. Together, our findings reveal an unexpected function of TFEB in regulating EMT, which might provide insights into injured heart repair and control of cancer progression.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex process involved in organogenesis. Here, the authors show that the transcription factor EB (TFEB) regulates EMT in epicardium during heart development by tuning sensitivity to TGFβ signaling.

Loss of IRF7 accelerates acute myeloid leukemia progression and induces VCAM1-VLA-4 mediated intracerebral invasion

Interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) is widely studied in inflammatory models. Its effects on malignant progression have been documented mainly from the perspective of the microenvironment. However, its role in leukemia has not been established. Here we used MLL-AF9-induced acute myeloid leukemia (AML) mouse models with IRF7 knockout or overexpression and xenograft mouse models to explore the intrinsic effects of IRF7 in AML. AML-IRF7^−/− mice exhibited accelerated disease progression with intracerebral invasion of AML cells. AML-IRF7^−/− cells showed increased proliferation and elevated leukemia stem cell (LSC) levels. Overexpression of IRF7 in AML cells decreased cell proliferation and LSC levels. Furthermore, overexpression of transforming growth-interacting factor 1 (TGIF1) rescued the enhanced proliferation and high LSC levels caused by IRF7 deficiency. Moreover, upregulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), which correlated with high LSC levels, was detected in AML-IRF7^−/− cells. In addition, blocking VCAM1-very late antigen 4 (VLA-4) axis delayed disease progression and attenuated intracerebral invasion of AML cells. Therefore, our findings uncover the intrinsic effects of IRF7 in AML and provide a potential strategy to control central nervous system myeloid leukemia.

Structural Insight into the Binding of TGIF1 to SIN3A PAH2 Domain through a C-Terminal Amphipathic Helix

TGIF1 is a transcriptional repressor playing crucial roles in human development and function and is associated with holoprosencephaly and various cancers. TGIF1-directed transcriptional repression of specific genes depends on the recruitment of corepressor SIN3A. However, to date, the exact region of TGIF1 binding to SIN3A was not clear, and the structural basis for the binding was unknown. Here, we demonstrate that TGIF1 utilizes a C-terminal domain (termed as SIN3A-interacting domain, SID) to bind with SIN3A PAH2. The TGIF1 SID adopts a disordered structure at the apo state but forms an amphipathic helix binding into the hydrophobic cleft of SIN3A PAH2 through the nonpolar side at the holo state. Residues F379, L382 and V383 of TGIF1 buried in the hydrophobic core of the complex are critical for the binding. Moreover, homodimerization of TGIF1 through the SID and key residues of F379, L382 and V383 was evidenced, which suggests a dual role of TGIF1 SID and a correlation between dimerization and SIN3A-PAH2 binding. This study provides a structural insight into the binding of TGIF1 with SIN3A, improves the knowledge of the structure–function relationship of TGIF1 and its homologs and will help in recognizing an undiscovered SIN3A-PAH2 binder and developing a peptide inhibitor for cancer treatment.

Effects of TG interaction factor 1 on synthesis of estradiol and progesterone in granulosa cells of goats through SMAD2/3-SP1 signaling pathway

The TG interaction factor 1 (TGIF1) is of the TALE homologue domain protein family and is considered as a transcriptional repressor of SMAD protein that interacts with DNA through a specific consensus-binding site for TG and recruits mSin3A and histone deacetylases to the SMAD complex. In this study, there is the first detailed description of TGIF1 on steroidogenesis in goat granulosa cells. When there is a relatively greater expression of the TGIF1 gene, there is a lesser abundance of CYP11A1, CYP19A1, and StAR mRNA transcript and protein and 3β-HSD mRNA transcript in granulosa cells of goats. Furthermore, there were lesser concentrations of 17β-estradiol (E₂) and progesterone (P₄) in culture medium when there was greater TGIF1 gene expression and there were greater concentrations of these hormones in the culture medium when there was lesser TGIF1 gene expression. There may be functions of TGIF1, therefore, in suppression of SMAD-induced E₂ and P₄ production and in decreasing the phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 in granulosa cells of goats and relative abundance of the SMAD2/3 protein transcription factor, SP1. With suppression of TGIF1 gene expression, there was a reversal of SP1-induced suppression of steroidogenesis-related genes. Results of the present study provide insights about the potential mechanism underlying the regulation of granulosa cell steroidogenesis of goats by TGIF1.

TGIF1 Knockdown Inhibits the Proliferation and Invasion of Gastric Cancer via AKT Signaling Pathway

Introduction

Gastric cancer is a kind of cancer with high mortality. TGIF1, as a transcription inhibitor, can inhibit the transcription of specific genes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of TGIF1 in gastric cancer by knocking down TGIF1.

Methods

The expression of TGIF1 was detected by qPCR and Western blotting; CCK8 assay, colony formation assay, transwell, and wound-healing assay were used to evaluate the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells; cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry and Hoechst-PI double staining; cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. Gelatinase experiment was performed to detect the expression level of MMP-2; apoptosis related proteins and AKT singling pathway were assessed by Western blotting.

Results

Knockdown of TGIF1 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells and promoted apoptosis. TGIF1 knockdown down-regulated the expression levels of MMP-2, Bcl2, CyclinD1, and p-Akt, and up-regulated the expression levels of Bax and Caspase3. These data suggested that knockdown of TGIF1 inhibited the development of gastric cancer via AKT signaling pathway.

Conclusion

TGIF1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis of gastric cancer cells via the AKT signaling pathway, suggesting that TGIF1 is considered a potential inhibitor in gastric cancer.

Reprogramming Axial Level Identity to Rescue Neural-Crest-Related Congenital Heart Defects

The cardiac neural crest arises in the hindbrain, then migrates to the heart and contributes to critical structures, including the outflow tract septum. Chick cardiac crest ablation results in failure of this septation, phenocopying the human heart defect persistent truncus arteriosus (PTA), which trunk neural crest fails to rescue. Here, we probe the molecular mechanisms underlying the cardiac crest's unique potential. Transcriptional profiling identified cardiac-crest-specific transcription factors, with single-cell RNA sequencing revealing surprising heterogeneity, including an ectomesenchymal subpopulation within the early migrating population. Loss-of-function analyses uncovered a transcriptional subcircuit, comprised of Tgif1, Ets1, and Sox8, critical for cardiac neural crest and heart development. Importantly, ectopic expression of this subcircuit was sufficient to imbue trunk crest with the ability to rescue PTA after cardiac crest ablation. Together, our results reveal a transcriptional program sufficient to confer cardiac potential onto trunk neural crest cells, thus implicating new genes in cardiovascular birth defects.

Loss of TG-Interacting Factor 1 decreases survival in mouse models of myeloid leukaemia

TG‐Interacting Factor 1 (Tgif1) affects proliferation and differentiation of myeloid cells and regulates self‐renewal of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). To determine its impact on leukaemic haematopoiesis, we induced acute or chronic myeloid leukaemias (AML or CML) in mice by enforced expression of MLL‐AF9 or BCR‐ABL, respectively, in Tgif1^+/+ or Tgif1^−/− haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and transplanted them into syngeneic recipients. We find that loss of Tgif1 accelerates leukaemic progression and shortens survival in mice with either AML or CML. Leukaemia‐initiating cells (LICs) occur with higher frequency in AML among mice transplanted with MLL‐AF9‐transduced Tgif1^−/− HSPCs than with Tgif1^+/+ BMCs. Moreover, AML in mice generated with Tgif1^−/− HSPCs are chemotherapy resistant and relapse more rapidly than those whose AML arose in Tgif1^+/+ HSPCs. Whole transcriptome analysis shows significant alterations in gene expression profiles associated with transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐beta) and retinoic acid (RA) signalling pathways because of Tgif1 loss. These findings indicate that Tgif1 has a protective role in myeloid leukaemia initiation and progression, and its anti‐leukaemic contributions are connected to TGF‐beta‐ and RA‐driven functions.

Backbone and side chain resonance assignments of the C-terminal domain of human TGIF1

TGIF1 is an essential regulator of cell differentiation in various biological processes, and is associated with holoprosencephaly and many cancers. The C-terminal domain of TGIF1 that was originally defined as repressive domain 2 can interact with a variety of proteins, such as transcription factor Smad2 and co-repressor Sin3A, to mediate the regulative roles of TGIF1 in diverse cell signaling pathways. However, the recognition mechanism of TGIF1 C-terminal domain for different interacting proteins remains unknown. Here, we report the nearly complete ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N backbone and side chain resonance assignments of TGIF1 C-terminal domain (residues 256-375), laying a foundation for further research on the structure-function relationship of TGIF1.

Long-term cadmium exposure promoted breast cancer cell migration and invasion by up-regulating TGIF

Cadmium (Cd) is a known human carcinogen. Previous studies have demonstrated that Cd exposure promoted migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process have not yet been clearly addressed. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether TG-interacting factor (TGIF) was involved in long-term Cd exposure-induced migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Human breast cancer cells were continuously exposed to Cd for eight weeks. Western blot and qRT-PCR assays were performed to measure the expression of protein and mRNA. Migration and invasion assays were performed to assess the migratory and invasive ability of human breast cancer cells. Our data indicated that long-term Cd exposure obviously increased the expression of TGIF protein and mRNA in human breast cancer cells. Long-term Cd exposure increased the ability of migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells, which could be inhibited by transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting TGIF. We also observed that the long-term Cd exposure-induced up-regulation of MMP2 mRNA expression was modulated by TGIF. In conclusion, our findings suggested that TGIF/MMP2 signaling axis might be involved in malignant progression stimulated by long-term Cd exposure in human breast cancer.

A Review on T Cell Epitopes Identified Using Prediction and Cell-Mediated Immune Models for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Bordetella pertussis

In the present review, we summarize work from our as well as other groups related to the characterization of bacterial T cell epitopes, with a specific focus on two important pathogens, namely, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB), and Bordetella pertussis (BP), the bacterium that causes whooping cough. Both bacteria and their associated diseases are of large societal significance. Although vaccines exist for both pathogens, their efficacy is incomplete. It is widely thought that defects and/or alteration in T cell compartments are associated with limited vaccine effectiveness. As discussed below, a full genome-wide map was performed in the case of Mtb. For BP, our focus has thus far been on the antigens contained in the acellular vaccine; a full genome-wide screen is in the planning stage. Nevertheless, the sum-total of the results in the two different bacterial systems allows us to exemplify approaches and techniques that we believe are generally applicable to the mapping and characterization of human immune responses to bacterial pathogens. Finally, we add, as a disclaimer, that this review by design is focused on the work produced by our laboratory as an illustration of approaches to the study of T cell responses to Mtb and BP, and is not meant to be comprehensive, nor to detract from the excellent work performed by many other groups.

Novel Consensus Gene Selection Criteria for Distributed GPU Partial Least Squares-Based Gene Microarray Analysis in Diffused Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and Related Findings

This paper proposes a novel consensus gene selection criteria for partial least squares-based gene microarray analysis. By quantifying the extent of consistency and distinctiveness of the differential gene expressions across different double cross validations (CV) or randomizations in terms of occurrence and randomization p-values, the proposed criteria are able to identify a more comprehensive genes associated with the underlying disease. A Distributed GPU implementation has been proposed to accelerate the gene selection problem and about 8-11 times speed up has been achieved based on the microarray datasets considered. Simulation results using various cancer gene microarray datasets show that the proposed approach is able to achieve highly comparable classification accuracy in comparing with many conventional approaches. Furthermore, enrichment analysis on the selected genes for Diffused Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and Prostate Cancer datasets and show that only the proposed approach is able to identify gene lists enriched in different pathways with significant p-values. In contrast, sufficient statistical significance cannot be found for conventional SVM-RFE and the t-test. The reliability in identifying and establishing statistical significance of the gene findings makes the proposed approach an attractive alternative for cancer related researches based on gene expression profiling or other similar data.

Th1/Th17 polarization persists following whole-cell pertussis vaccination despite repeated acellular boosters

In the mid-1990s, whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccines were associated with local and systemic adverse events that prompted their replacement with acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines in many high-income countries. In the past decade, rates of pertussis disease have increased in children receiving only aP vaccines. We compared the immune responses to aP boosters in individuals who received their initial doses with either wP or aP vaccines using activation-induced marker (AIM) assays. Specifically, we examined pertussis-specific memory CD4+ T cell responses ex vivo, highlighting a type 2/Th2 versus type 1/Th1 and Th17 differential polarization as a function of childhood vaccination. Remarkably, after a contemporary aP booster, cells from donors originally primed with aP were (a) associated with increased IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-9, and TGF-β and decreased IFN-γ and IL-17 production, (b) defective in their ex vivo capacity to expand memory cells, and (c) less capable of proliferating in vitro. These differences appeared to be T cell specific, since equivalent increases of antibody titers and plasmablasts after aP boost were seen in both groups. In conclusion, our data suggest that there are long-lasting effects and differences in polarization and proliferation of T cell responses in adults originally vaccinated with aP compared with those that initially received wP, despite repeated acellular boosters.

Characterization of the interaction interface and conformational dynamics of human TGIF1 homeodomain upon the binding of consensus DNA

The TG interacting factor-1 homeodomain (TGIF1-HD) binds with the consensus DNA motif 5'-TGTCA-3' in gene promoters through its three-amino acid loop extension (TALE) type homeodomain, and then recruits co-regulators to regulate gene expression. Although the solution NMR structure of human TGIF1-HD has been reported previously, little is known about its DNA binding mechanism. NMR titrations have been extensively used to study mechanisms of ligand binding to target proteins; however, an intermediate exchange occurred predominantly between TGIF1-HD in the free and bound states when titrated with the consensus DNA, which resulted in poor-quality NMR spectra and precluded further exploration of its interaction interface and conformational dynamics. Here, the helix α3 of TGIF1-HD was speculated as the specific DNA binding interface by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) experiments, and subsequently confirmed by chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) spectroscopy. In addition, simultaneous conformational changes in other regions, including α1 and α2, were induced by DNA binding, explaining the observation of chemical shift perturbations from extensive residues besides those located in α3. Further, low-populated DNA-bound TGIF1-HD undergoing a slow exchange at a rate of 130.2 ± 3.6 s^-1 was derived from the analysis of the CEST data, and two residues, R220 and R221, located in the middle of α3 were identified to be crucial for DNA binding. Our study provides structural and dynamic insights into the mechanisms of TGIF1-HD recognition of extensive promoter DNA.

RARα2 and PML-RAR similarities in the control of basal and retinoic acid induced myeloid maturation of acute myeloid leukemia cells

Treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is the first example of targeted therapy. In fact, the oncogenic fusion-protein (PML-RAR) typical of this leukemia contains the retinoid-nuclear-receptor RARα. PML-RAR is responsible for the differentiation block of the leukemic blast. Besides PML-RAR, two endogenous RARα proteins are present in APL blasts, i.e. RARα1 and RARα2. We developed different cell populations characterized by PML-RAR, RARα2 and RARα1 knock-down in the APL-derived NB4 cell-line. Unexpectedly, silencing of PML-RAR and RARα2 results in similar increases in the constitutive expression of several granulocytic differentiation markers. This is accompanied by enhanced expression of the same granulocytic markers upon exposure of the NB4 blasts to ATRA. Silencing of PML-RAR and RARα2 causes also similar perturbations in the whole genome gene-expression profiles of vehicle and ATRA treated NB4 cells. Unlike PML-RAR and RARα2, RARα1 knock-down blocks ATRA-dependent induction of several granulocytic differentiation markers. Many of the effects on myeloid differentiation are confirmed by over-expression of RARα2 in NB4 cells. RARα2 action on myeloid differentiation does not require the presence of PML-RAR, as it is recapitulated also upon knock-down in PML-RAR-negative HL-60 cells. Thus, relative to RARα1, PML-RAR and RARα2 exert opposite effects on APL-cell differentiation. These contrasting actions may be related to the fact that both PML-RAR and RARα2 interact with and inhibit the transcriptional activity of RARα1. The interaction surface is located in the carboxy-terminal domain containing the D/E/F regions and it is influenced by phosphorylation of Ser-369 of RARα1.

Structural insights into the impact of two holoprosencephaly-related mutations on human TGIF1 homeodomain

Human protein TGIF1 is an essential regulator of cell fate with broad roles in different tissues, and has been implicated in holoprosencephaly (HPE) and many cancers. The function of TGIF1 in transcriptional regulation depends on its three-amino acid loop extension (TALE) type of homeodomain (HD). Two missense mutations that led to P192A and R219C substitutions in TGIF1-HD were previously found in HPE patients and suggested to be the causes for these cases. However, how these mutations affected TGIF1 function has not been investigated from a structural view. Here, we investigated the roles of P192 and R219 in TGIF1-HD structure packing through determining the NMR structure of TGIF1-HD. Surprisingly, P192 and R219 were found to play roles in packing α1 and α2 to α3 together with A190 and F215 through side-chain interactions. Circular dichroism (CD) showed that P192A and R219C mutants displayed structural change and less folding compared with wild-type TGIF1-HD, and ¹H-¹⁵N HSQC spectrum of P192A mutant exhibited chemical shift perturbations in all three helices of TGIF1-HD. Thus, it is suggested that P192A and R219C mutations led to structure disturbances of TGIF1-HD, which subsequently reduced the DNA-binding affinity of TGIF1-HD by 23-fold and 10-fold respectively, as revealed by the isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments. Our study provides structural insights of the probable pathogenesis mechanism of two TGIF1-related HPE cases, and evidences for the roles of P192 and R219 in HD folding.

Silencing of TGIF sensitizes MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis

The present study was designed to explore the sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 cells to cisplatin after silencing the expression of TG-interacting factor (TGIF) protein. Cell viability was measured using an MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by the annexin V and dead cell assay and the Hoechst staining assay. Protein expression was analyzed using western blot analysis. A colony formation assay was also performed. It was observed that cisplatin reduced the expression of TGIF protein in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Silencing TGIF significantly suppressed the cell proliferation and colony formation in MDA-MB-231 cells with the treatment of cisplatin. Results indicated that silencing TGIF could dramatically increase the cisplatin-induced apoptosis rate in MDA-MB-231 cells. The expression of PARP and caspase-3 proteins was correlated with the effect that silencing TGIF enhanced cisplatin sensitivity in MDA-MB-231 cells. The present data showed that silencing TGIF promoted apoptotic sensitivity that was induced by cisplatin in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells and suggested that TGIF might be a therapeutic target for improving the chemotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer.

Knockdown of TGIF attenuates the proliferation and tumorigenicity of EC109 cells and promotes cisplatin-induced apoptosis

A previous study has reported that frequent amplifications of the TG-interacting factor (TGIF) were observed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of TGIF in the proliferation and tumorigenicity of the esophageal cancer cell line EC109 and cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Stable TGIF-knockdown EC109 cell line was established by infecting short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentiviral particles. Soft agar and tumor xenograft assays were applied in nude mice. Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the cell cycle and apoptosis. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of proteins. TGIF knockdown suppressed EC109 cell proliferation, colony formation in soft agar and tumor growth in nude mice, induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, and promoted cisplatin-induced apoptosis. In addition, TGIF knockdown significantly reduced the expression of phospho-Rb in EC109 cells. The reduced level of full length PARP expression and the increased level of cleaved caspase-3 expression were observed in EC109 cells with the treatment of cisplatin and TGIF knockdown. The results suggest that knockdown of TGIF attenuated the proliferation and tumorigenicity of EC109 cells, and promoted cisplatin-induced apoptosis.

Homeodomain Protein Transforming Growth Factor Beta-Induced Factor 2 Like, X-Linked Function in Colon Adenocarcinoma Cells

Background:

TGIF2LX (transforming growth factor beta-induced factor 2 like, X-linked) is a homeodomain (HD) protein that has been implicated in the negative regulation of cell signaling pathways. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible functions of TGIF2LX in colon adenocarcinoma cells.

Methods:

The human SW48 cell line was transfected with cDNA for the wild-type TGIF2LX gene and gene/protein over-expression was confirmed by microscopic analysis, real time RT-PCR and Western blotting techniques. In vitro cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT and BrdU assays. After developing a colon tumor model in nude mice, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of tumor tissue was carried out for Ki-67 (proliferation) and CD34 (angiogenesis) markers. To predict potential protein partners of TGIF2LX, in-silico analysis was also conducted.

Results:

Obtained results showed over-expression of TGIF2LX as a potential transcription factor could inhibit either proliferation or angiogenesis (P<0.05) in colon tumors. In-silico results predicted interaction of TGIF2LX with other proteins considered important for cellular development.

Conclusions:

Our findings provided evidence of molecular mechanisms by which TGIF2LX could act as a tumor suppressor in colon adenocarcinoma cells. Thus, this gene may potentially be a promising option for colon cancer gene-based therapeutic strategies.

TGFβ induced factor homeobox 1 promotes colorectal cancer development through activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers, but the mechanisms underlying its initiation and progression are largely unknown. TGIF1 (TGFB induced factor homeobox 1) is a transcriptional corepressor that belongs to the three-amino acid loop extension (TALE) superclass of atypical homeodomains. It has been reported that TGIF1 is highly expressed in mammary cancer and non-small cell lung cancer and can enhance tumor progression. However, the role of TGIF1 in colorectal cancer remains unknown. Here, we report that TGIF1 is significantly upregulated in colorectal cancers, and its high expression predicts poor prognosis. Overexpression of TGIF1 markedly promotes the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, TGIF1 activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and the homeodomain is indispensable for Wnt activation and β-catenin interaction. Taken together, our results suggest that TGIF1 is a novel colorectal tumor promoter and indicate that TGIF1 enhances colorectal cancer tumorigenesis through activating Wnt signaling.

Identification of a Novel Autoimmune Peptide Epitope of Prostein in Prostate Cancer

There is a demand for novel targets and approaches to diagnose and treat prostate cancer (PCA). In this context, serum and plasma samples from a total of 609 individuals from two independent patient cohorts were screened for IgG reactivity against a sum of 3833 human protein fragments. Starting from planar protein arrays with 3786 protein fragments to screen 80 patients with and without PCA diagnosis, 161 fragments (4%) were chosen for further analysis based on their reactivity profiles. Adding 71 antigens from literature, the selection of antigens was corroborated for their reactivity in a set of 550 samples using suspension bead arrays. The antigens prostein (SLC45A3), TATA-box binding protein (TBP), and insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) showed higher reactivity in PCA patients with late disease compared with early disease. Because of its prostate tissue specificity, we focused on prostein and continued with mapping epitopes of the 66-mer protein fragment using patient samples. Using bead-based assays and 15-mer peptides, a minimal peptide epitope was identified and refined by alanine scanning to the KPxAPFP. Further sequence alignment of this motif revealed homology to transmembrane protein 79 (TMEM79) and TGF-beta-induced factor 2 (TGIF2), thus providing a reasoning for cross-reactivity found in females. A comprehensive workflow to discover and validate IgG reactivity against prostein and homologous targets in human serum and plasma was applied. This study provides useful information when searching for novel biomarkers or drug targets that are guided by the reactivity of the immune system against autoantigens.

Targeted interference of SIN3A-TGIF1 function by SID decoy treatment inhibits Wnt signaling and invasion in triple negative breast cancer cells

Cancer cell invasion is an obligatory step for metastatic dissemination that contributes to rapid relapse and a poorer survival in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. Development of novel therapeutic strategies to block tumor invasion is an unmet need in the treatment of cancer. We reported that the selective inhibition of the PAH2 domain of SIN3A protein function markedly suppressed metastatic dissemination to the lungs in TNBC xenograft bearing mice. Here, we show that TNBC cell lines treated with Sin3 interaction domain (SID) decoy peptides that bind to PAH2 display a strong in vitro inhibition of transwell invasion. This is accompanied by actin cytoskeleton reorganization with increased cortical actin deposition and downregulation of known Wnt target genes that are associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer cell invasion. Wnt pathway inhibition by SID decoy peptide was confirmed by decreased Wnt reporter activity and altered cytoplasmic localization of nuclear β-catenin. TGIF1, a transcription factor that modulates Wnt signaling and known to interact with the PAH2 domain of SIN3A, can be dissociated from the SIN3A complex by SID decoys. TGIF1 knockdown inhibits WNT target genes and in vitro cell invasion suggesting that TGIF1 might be a key target of the SID decoys to block tumor invasion. Taken together, targeting SIN3 function using SID decoys is a novel strategy to reverse invasion and the EMT program in TNBC translating into the inhibition of metastasis dissemination and eradication of residual disease.

Relevance of HCN2-expressing human mesenchymal stem cells for the generation of biological pacemakers

BACKGROUND

The transfection of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel 2 (HCN2) gene has been demonstrated to provide biological pacing in dogs with complete heart block. The mechanism appears to be the generation of the ion current (If) by the HCN2-expressing hMSCs. However, it is not clear how the transfection process and/or the HCN2 gene affect the growth functions of the hMSCs. Therefore, we investigated survival, proliferation, cell cycle, and growth on a Kapton® scaffold of HCN2-expressing hMSCs.

METHODS

hMSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of healthy volunteers applying a selective cell adhesion procedure and were identified by their expression of specific surface markers. Cells from passages 2-3 were transfected by electroporation using commercial transfection kits and a pIRES2-EGFP vector carrying the pacemaker gene, mouse HCN2 (mHCN2). Transfection efficiency was confirmed by enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fluorescence, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After hMSCs were transfected, their viability, proliferation, If generation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and expression of transcription factors were measured and compared with non-transfected cells and cells transfected with pIRES2-EGFP vector alone.

RESULTS

Intracellular mHCN2 expression after transfection increased from 22.14 to 62.66 ng/mg protein (p < 0.05). Transfection efficiency was 45 ± 5 %. The viability of mHCN2-transfected cells was 82 ± 5 %; they grew stably for more than 3 weeks and induced If current. mHCN2-transfected cells had low mitotic activity (10.4 ± 1.24 % in G2/M and 83.6 ± 2.5 % in G1 phases) as compared with non-transfected cells (52-53 % in G2/M and 31-35 % in G1 phases). Transfected cells showed increased activation of nine cell cycle-regulating transcription factors: the most prominent upregulation was of AMP-dependent transcription factor ATF3 (7.11-fold, p = 0.00056) which regulates the G1 phase. mHCN2-expressing hMSCs were attached and made anchorage-dependent connection with other cells without transmigration through a 12.7-μm thick Kapton® HN film with micromachined 1-3 μm diameter pores.

CONCLUSIONS

mHCN2-expressing hMSCs preserved the major cell functions required for the generation of biological pacemakers: high viability, functional activity, but low proliferation rate through the arrest of cell cycle in the G1 phase. mHCN2-expressing hMSCs attached and grew on a Kapton® scaffold without transmigration, confirming the relevance of these cells for the generation of biological pacemakers.

Correlation of proliferation, TGF-β3 promoter methylation, and Smad signaling in MEPM cells during the development of ATRA-induced cleft palate

Mesenchymal cell proliferation is one of the processes in shelf outgrowth. Both all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) and transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3) play an important role in mouse embryonic palate mesenchymal (MEPM) cell proliferation. The cellular effects of TGF-β are mediated by Smad-dependent or Smad-independent pathways. In the present study, we demonstrate that atRA promotes TGF-β3 promoter demethylation and protein expression, but can cause depression of mesenchymal cell proliferation, especially at embryonic day 14 (E14). Moreover, the inhibition of MEPM cell proliferation by atRA results in the downregulation of Smad signaling mediated by transforming growth interacting factor (TGIF). We speculate that the effects of atRA on MEPM cell proliferation may be mediated by Smad pathways, which are regulated by TGIF but are not related to TGF-β3 expression. Finally, the cellular effects of TGF-β3 on MEPM cell proliferation may be mediated by Smad-independent pathways.

TGIF function in oncogenic Wnt signaling

Transforming growth-interacting factor (TGIF) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many types of human cancer, but the underlying mechanisms remained mostly enigmatic. Our recent study has revealed that TGIF functions as a mediator of oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling. We found that TGIF can interact with and sequesters Axin1 and Axin2 into the nucleus, thereby culminating in disassembly of the β-catenin-destruction complex and attendant accumulation of β-catenin in the nucleus, where it activates expression of Wnt target genes, including TGIF itself. We have provided proof-of-concept evidences that high levels of TGIF expression correlate with poor prognosis in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and that TGIF empowers Wnt-driven mammary tumorigenesis in vivo. Here, we will briefly summarize how TGIF influences Wnt signaling to promote tumorigenesis.

Role of 5'TG3'-interacting factors (TGIFs) in Vorinostat (HDAC inhibitor)-mediated Corneal Fibrosis Inhibition

PURPOSE

We have previously reported that vorinostat, an FDA-approved, clinically used histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, attenuates corneal fibrosis in vivo in rabbits by blocking transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). The 5'TG3'-interacting factors (TGIFs) are transcriptional repressors of TGFβ1 signaling via the Smad pathway. The present study was designed to explore the expression of TGIFs in human corneal fibroblasts and to investigate their role in mediating the antifibrotic effect of vorinostat.

METHODS

Human corneal fibroblast cultures were generated from donor corneas. RNA isolation, cDNA preparation, and PCR were performed to detect the presence of TGIF1 and TGIF2 transcripts. The cultures were exposed to vorinostat (2.5 µM) to test its effect on TGIF mRNA and protein levels using qPCR and immunoblotting. Myofibroblast formation was induced with TGFβ1 (5 ng/ml) treatment under serum-free conditions. The changes in fibrosis parameters were quantified by measuring fibrosis marker α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) mRNA and protein levels with qPCR, immunostaining, and immunoblotting. Smad2/3/4 and TGIF knockdowns were performed using pre-validated RNAi/siRNAs and a commercially available transfection reagent.

RESULTS

Human corneal fibroblasts showed the expression of TGIF1 and TGIF2. Vorinostat (2.5 µM) caused a 2.8-3.3-fold increase in TGIF1 and TGIF2 mRNA levels and a 1.4-1.8-fold increase in TGIF1 and TGIF2 protein levels. Vorinostat treatment also caused a significant increase in acetylhistone H3 and acetylhistone H4. Vorinostat-induced increases in TGIF1 and TGIF2 were accompanied by a concurrent decrease in corneal fibrosis, as indicated by a decrease in αSMA mRNA by 83±7.7% and protein levels by 97±5%. The RNAi-mediated knockdown of Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 markedly attenuated TGFβ1-evoked transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of TGIF1 and TGIF2 neutralized vorinostat-evoked decreases in αSMA mRNA by 31%-45% and protein levels by 12%-23%.

CONCLUSIONS

Human corneal fibroblasts demonstrate the expression of TGIF1 and TGIF2 transcription factors. These transcriptional repressors are critical, at least partially, in mediating the antifibrotic effect of vorinostat in the cornea.

Transforming growth factor β-interacting factor-induced malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma cells depends on superoxide production from Nox4

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most deadly malignancies worldwide because of its high recurrence rate, high metastatic potential, and resistance to drugs. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying malignancy in HCC is needed to improve diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis. Previously, we showed that transforming growth factor β-interacting factor (TGIF) antagonizes arsenic trioxide-induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells and is associated with poor prognosis and progression of urothelial carcinoma in patients after radical nephroureterectomy. To determine whether TGIF plays a role in HCC tumorigenesis, we compared the expression of TGIF, its downstream targets, and reactive oxygen species levels between HCC HepG2 cells and the more invasive SK-Hep1 cells. Superoxide production, phosphorylation of c-Src(Y416) and AKT(S473), and expression of TGIF and NADPH oxidase (Nox) were higher in invasive SK-Hep1 cells than in HepG2 cells. TGIF-overexpressing HepG2 xenograft tumors markedly promoted tumor growth and metastasis to the lungs. Overexpression of TGIF in HepG2 cells increased superoxide production from Nox4, matrix metalloproteinase expression, invadopodia formation, and cellular migration/invasion ability. Conversely, knockdown of TGIF in SK-Hep1 cells attenuated these processes. Using gene knockdown and pharmacological inhibitors, we demonstrate that c-Src/AKT is the upstream signaling that regulates TGIF-induced Nox4 activation and subsequent superoxide production. Taken together, our results implicate TGIF as a potential biomarker for prognosis and target for clinical therapy in patients with advanced HCC.

TGIF1 promoted the growth and migration of cancer cells in nonsmall cell lung cancer

Transforming growth factor beta-inducing factor 1 (TGIF1) was reported to be dysregulated in several types of cancer. However, its expression pattern and functions in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remained unknown. In the present study, the expression of TGIF1 was found to be elevated in the clinical NSCLC tissues. TGIF1 promoted the growth and migration of NSCLC cells, while knocking down the expression of TGIF1 inhibited the growth and migration of NSCLC cells. Moreover, downregulation of TGIF1 impaired the metastasis of NSCLC cells. In the study for the molecular mechanisms, it was found that TGIF1 positively regulated beta-catenin/TCF signaling. In summary, our study demonstrated the oncogenic role of TGIF1 in NSCLC, and TGIF1 might be a therapeutic target for NSCLC.

TG-interacting factor transcriptionally induced by AKT/FOXO3A is a negative regulator that antagonizes arsenic trioxide-induced cancer cell apoptosis

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a multi-target drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration as the first-line chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. In addition, several clinical trials are being conducted with arsenic-based drugs for the treatment of other hematological malignancies and solid tumors. However, ATO's modest clinical efficacy on some cancers, and potential toxic effects on humans have been reported. Determining how best to reduce these adverse effects while increasing its therapeutic efficacy is obviously a critical issue. Previously, we demonstrated that the JNK-induced complex formation of phosphorylated c-Jun and TG-interacting factor (TGIF) antagonizes ERK-induced cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor CDKN1A (p21(WAF1/CIP1)) expression and resultant apoptosis in response to ATO in A431 cells. Surprisingly, at low-concentrations (0.1-0.2 μM), ATO increased cellular proliferation, migration and invasion, involving TGIF expression, however, at high-concentrations (5-20 μM), ATO induced cell apoptosis. Using a promoter analysis, TGIF was transcriptionally regulated by ATO at the FOXO3A binding site (-1486 to -1479bp) via the c-Src/EGFR/AKT pathway. Stable overexpression of TGIF promoted advancing the cell cycle into the S phase, and attenuated 20 μM ATO-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, blockage of the AKT pathway enhanced ATO-induced CDKN1A expression and resultant apoptosis in cancer cells, but overexpression of AKT1 inhibited CDKN1A expression. Therefore, we suggest that TGIF is transcriptionally regulated by the c-Src/EGFR/AKT pathway, which plays a role as a negative regulator in antagonizing ATO-induced CDKN1A expression and resultant apoptosis. Suppression of these antagonistic effects might be a promising therapeutic strategy toward improving clinical efficacy of ATO.

Negative interplay of retinoic acid and TGF-β signaling mediated by TG-interacting factor to modulate mouse embryonic palate mesenchymal-cell proliferation

Mesenchymal-cell proliferation is the main process in shelf outgrowth. Both all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) and transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3) play an important role in mouse embryonic palate mesenchymal (MEPM) cell proliferation. In the present study, we investigated the crosstalk between RA and TGF-β signaling in MEPM-cell proliferation. We found that atRA inhibited MEPM-cell proliferation by downregulating TGF-β/Smad signaling and that TGF-β3 treatment was able to antagonize RA signaling. Transforming growth-interacting factor (TGIF) is a transcriptional repressor that suppresses both TGF-β- and retinoid-driven gene transcription. Furthermore, we investigated the role of TGIF in the interaction between both TGF-β and RA signaling in MEPM-cell proliferation. The results showed that both atRA and TGF-β3 significantly increased the expression level of TGIF, and TGIF mediated the negative interaction between TGF-β and RA signaling pathways, which depended on TGIF binding to Smad2 or RARβ (RA receptor beta). Moreover, after deletion of TGIF, both the effects of atRA on TGF-β-dependent protein expression and the effects of TGF-β on RA-dependent protein expression were lost. So we conclude that there is a negative functional interplay of RA and TGF-β signaling mediated by TGIF to modulate MEPM-cell proliferation.

TGIF1 is a negative regulator of MLL-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia

Members of the TALE (three-amino-acid loop extension) family of atypical homeodomain-containing transcription factors are important downstream effectors of oncogenic fusion proteins involving the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene. A well-characterized member of this protein family is MEIS1, which orchestrates a transcriptional program required for the maintenance of MLL-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia (AML). TGIF1/TGIF2 are relatively uncharacterized TALE transcription factors, which, in contrast to the remaining family, have been shown to act as transcriptional repressors. Given the general importance of this family in malignant hematopoiesis, we therefore tested the potential function of TGIF1 in the maintenance of MLL-rearranged AML. Gene expression analysis of MLL-rearranged patient blasts demonstrated reduced TGIF1 levels, and, in accordance, we find that forced expression of TGIF1 in MLL-AF9-transformed cells promoted differentiation and cell cycle exit in vitro, and delayed leukemic onset in vivo. Mechanistically, we show that TGIF1 interferes with a MEIS1-dependent transcriptional program by associating with MEIS1-bound regions in a competitive manner and that the MEIS1:TGIF1 ratio influence the clinical outcome. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that TALE family members can act both positively and negatively on transcriptional programs responsible for leukemic maintenance and provide novel insights into the regulatory gene expression circuitries in MLL-rearranged AML.

Control of asymmetric Hopfield networks and application to cancer attractors

The asymmetric Hopfield model is used to simulate signaling dynamics in gene regulatory networks. The model allows for a direct mapping of a gene expression pattern into attractor states. We analyze different control strategies aimed at disrupting attractor patterns using selective local fields representing therapeutic interventions. The control strategies are based on the identification of signaling bottlenecks, which are single nodes or strongly connected clusters of nodes that have a large impact on the signaling. We provide a theorem with bounds on the minimum number of nodes that guarantee control of bottlenecks consisting of strongly connected components. The control strategies are applied to the identification of sets of proteins that, when inhibited, selectively disrupt the signaling of cancer cells while preserving the signaling of normal cells. We use an experimentally validated non-specific and an algorithmically-assembled specific B cell gene regulatory network reconstructed from gene expression data to model cancer signaling in lung and B cells, respectively. Among the potential targets identified here are TP53, FOXM1, BCL6 and SRC. This model could help in the rational design of novel robust therapeutic interventions based on our increasing knowledge of complex gene signaling networks.

Distinguishing between cancer cell differentiation and resistance induced by all-trans retinoic acid using transcriptional profiles and functional pathway analysis

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) induces differentiation in various cell types and has been investigated extensively for its effective use in cancer prevention and treatment. Relapsed or refractory disease that is resistant to ATRA is a clinically significant problem. To identify the molecular mechanism that bridges ATRA differentiation and resistance in cancer, we selected the multidrug-resistant leukemia cell line HL-60[R] by exposing it to ATRA, followed by sequential increases of one-half log concentration. A cytotoxicity analysis revealed that HL-60[R] cells were highly resistant to ATRA, doxorubicin, and etoposide. A comparative genome hybridization analysis of HL-60[R] cells identified gains of 4q34, 9q12, and 19q13 and a loss of Yq12 compared with in the parental HL-60 cell line. Transcriptional profiles and functional pathway analyses further demonstrated that 7 genes (FEN1, RFC5, EXO1, XRCC5, PARP1, POLR2F, and GTF2H3) that were relatively up-regulated in HL-60[R] cells and repressed in cells with ATRA-induced differentiation were related to mismatch repair in eukaryotes, DNA double-strand break repair, and nucleotide excision repair pathways. Our results suggest that transcriptional time series profiles and a functional pathway analysis of drug resistance and ATRA-induced cell differentiation will be useful for identifying promyelocytic leukemia patients who are eligible for new therapeutic strategies.

Tgif1 regulates quiescence and self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells

TG-interacting factor 1 (TGIF1) is a transcriptional repressor that can modulate retinoic acid and transforming growth factor β signaling pathways. It is required for myeloid progenitor cell differentiation and survival, and mutations in the TGIF1 gene cause holoprosencephaly. Furthermore, we have previously observed that acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) patients with low TGIF1 levels had worse prognoses. Here, we explored the role of Tgif1 in murine hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function. CFU assays showed that Tgif1(-/-) bone marrow cells produced more total colonies and had higher serial CFU potential. These effects were also observed in vivo, where Tgif1(-/-) bone marrow cells had higher repopulation potential in short- and long-term competitive repopulation assays than wild-type cells. Serial transplantation and replating studies showed that Tgif1(-/-) HSCs exhibited greater self-renewal and were less proliferative and more quiescent than wild-type cells, suggesting that Tgif1 is required for stem cells to enter the cell cycle. Furthermore, HSCs from Tgif1(+/-) mice had a phenotype similar to that of HSCs from Tgif1(-/-) mice, while bone marrow cells with overexpressing Tgif1 showed increased proliferation and lower survival in long-term transplant studies. Taken together, our data suggest that Tgif1 suppresses stem cell self-renewal and provide clues as to how reduced expression of TGIF1 may contribute to poor long-term survival in patients with AML.

Retinal regeneration in adult zebrafish requires regulation of TGFβ signaling

Müller glia are the resident radial glia in the vertebrate retina. The response of mammalian Müller glia to retinal damage often results in a glial scar and no functional replacement of lost neurons. Adult zebrafish Müller glia, in contrast, are considered tissue-specific stem cells that can self-renew and generate neurogenic progenitors to regenerate all retinal neurons after damage. Here, we demonstrate that regulation of TGFβ signaling by the corepressors Tgif1 and Six3b is critical for the proliferative response to photoreceptor destruction in the adult zebrafish retina. When function of these corepressors is disrupted, Müller glia and their progeny proliferate less, leading to a significant reduction in photoreceptor regeneration. Tgif1 expression and regulation of TGFβ signaling are implicated in the function of several types of stem cells, but this is the first demonstration that this regulatory network is necessary for regeneration of neurons.

LGR5 is a proneural factor and is regulated by OLIG2 in glioma stem-like cells

The biological functional roles of LGR5 (leucine-rich repeat containing G protein-coupled receptor 5, also known as GPR49), a novel potential marker for stem-like cells in glioblastoma (GSCs), is poorly acknowledged. Here, we demonstrated that LGR5 was detected in glioblastoma tissues and GSCs. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that LGR5 is closely related to neurogenesis and neuronal functions, and preferentially expressed in Proneural subtype of GBMs. Furthermore, LGR5 is regulated by Proneural factor OLIG2, which is important for both neurogenesis and GSC maintenance. Biological experiments in GSC cells validated the bioinformatics analysis results and revealed that LGR5 regulated the tumor sphere formation capacity, an important stem cell property for GSCs. Therefore, LGR5 expression may be functionally correlated with the neurogenic competence, and be regulated by OLIG2 in GSCs.

Homeobox gene transforming growth factor β-induced factor-1 (TGIF-1) is a regulator of villous trophoblast differentiation and its expression is increased in human idiopathic fetal growth restriction

Abnormal trophoblast function is associated with human fetal growth restriction (FGR). Targeted disruption of homeobox gene transforming growth β-induced factor (TGIF-1) results in placental dysfunction in the mouse. The role of human TGIF-1 in placental cell function is unknown. The aims of this study were to determine the expression of TGIF-1 in human idiopathic FGR-affected placentae compared with gestation-matched controls (GMC), to elucidate the functional role of TGIF-1 in trophoblasts and to identify its downstream targets. Real-time PCR and immunoblotting revealed that TGIF-1 mRNA and protein expression was significantly increased in FGR-affected placentae compared with GMC (n = 25 in each group P < 0.05). Immunoreactive TGIF-1 was localized to the villous cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblast, microvascular endothelial cells and in scattered stromal cells in both FGR and GMC. TGIF-1 inactivation in BeWo cells using two independent siRNA resulted in significantly decreased mRNA and protein of trophoblast differentiation markers, human chorionic gonadotrophin (CGB/hCG), syncytin and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/3β-honest significant difference expression. Our data demonstrate that homeobox gene TGIF-1 is a potential up-stream regulator of trophoblast differentiation and the altered TGIF-1 expression may contribute to aberrant villous trophoblast differentiation in FGR.

TG-interacting factor-induced superoxide production from NADPH oxidase contributes to the migration/invasion of urothelial carcinoma

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder is the fourth most common cancer and the ninth leading cause of death from cancer among men in the United States. However, higher recurrence, resistance to therapy, and poor diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers of UC prompt us to identify novel targets to improve the clinical applications. TG-interacting factor (TGIF), a transcriptional corepressor to modulate the TGF-β signaling, is associated with various types of human cancer. In the present study, we found that cellular migration activity, reactive oxygen species production, AKT(S473) phosphorylation, TGIF, and p67(phox) expression were higher in invasive T24 cells than in noninvasive RT4 cells. In addition, overexpression of TGIF in RT4 cells enhanced cellular migration/invasion ability; it involved NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2)/p67(phox) complex activation, reactive oxygen species production, and AKT(S473) phosphorylation. In contrast, the migration/invasion ability of T24 cells was suppressed by the knockdown of TGIF or p67(phox), respectively. Overexpression of AKT1 could increase cellular superoxide production and invasion. Moreover, by using the PI3K/AKT inhibitor wortmannin or shRNA of AKT1, the TGIF-induced Nox activation and superoxide production were significantly inhibited. Accordingly, we suggest that PI3K/AKT signaling mediates TGIF-induced Nox2/p67(phox) complex activation and the resultant superoxide production which reinforces the PI3K/AKT signaling to promote the cellular migration/invasion ability of UC.

Overexpression of TG-interacting factor is associated with worse prognosis in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Prognostic outcome prediction would be useful for the treatment of patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UC). However, its prognostic biomarkers are not well established so far. According to the results of analysis of 168 human upper urinary tract UC specimens, overexpressed TG-interacting factor (TGIF) in nuclei of tumor tissues is significantly correlated with poor progression-free survival and higher cancer-related death. When both TGIF and p21 expression are altered, these patients had an even worse prognosis than those with one or no marker altered. Furthermore, to elucidate the role of TGIF in the progression of UC, overexpression of TGIF in RT4 or TSGH8301 cells was performed, and the results revealed that TGIF can significantly increase migration/invasion ability, matrix metalloproteinase expression, and invadopodia formation via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT pathway. In contrast, knockdown of TGIF with its specific short hairpin RNA inhibited the invasion ability of T24 cells. Besides, TGIF could inhibit p21(WAF/CIP1) expression, up-regulate cyclin D1 expression, and phosphorylate retinoblastoma to promote G1-S transition and cellular proliferation. In conclusion, we demonstrated that TGIF contributes to the progression of urothelial carcinoma via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT pathway. It may serve as an attractive therapeutic or prognostic target for selected patients with upper urinary tract UC.

The TGF-β/Smad repressor TG-interacting factor 1 (TGIF1) plays a role in radiation-induced intestinal injury independently of a Smad signaling pathway

Despite advances in radiation delivery protocols, exposure of normal tissues during the course of radiation therapy remains a limiting factor of cancer treatment. If the canonical TGF-β/Smad pathway has been extensively studied and implicated in the development of radiation damage in various organs, the precise modalities of its activation following radiation exposure remain elusive. In the present study, we hypothesized that TGF-β1 signaling and target genes expression may depend on radiation-induced modifications in Smad transcriptional co-repressors/inhibitors expressions (TGIF1, SnoN, Ski and Smad7). In endothelial cells (HUVECs) and in a model of experimental radiation enteropathy in mice, radiation exposure increases expression of TGF-β/Smad pathway and of its target gene PAI-1, together with the overexpression of Smad co-repressor TGIF1. In mice, TGIF1 deficiency is not associated with changes in the expression of radiation-induced TGF-β pathway-related transcripts following localized small intestinal irradiation. In HUVECs, TGIF1 overexpression or silencing has no influence either on the radiation-induced Smad activation or the Smad3-dependent PAI-1 overexpression. However, TGIF1 genetic deficiency sensitizes mice to radiation-induced intestinal damage after total body or localized small intestinal radiation exposure, demonstrating that TGIF1 plays a role in radiation-induced intestinal injury. In conclusion, the TGF-β/Smad co-repressor TGIF1 plays a role in radiation-induced normal tissue damage by a Smad-independent mechanism.

Premature senescence and increased TGFβ signaling in the absence of Tgif1

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling regulates cell cycle progression in several cell types, primarily by inducing a G1 cell cycle arrest. Tgif1 is a transcriptional corepressor that limits TGFβ responsive gene expression. Here we demonstrate that primary mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) lacking Tgif1 proliferate slowly, accumulate increased levels of DNA damage, and senesce prematurely. We also provide evidence that the effects of loss of Tgif1 on proliferation and senescence are not limited to primary cells. The increased DNA damage in Tgif1 null MEFs can be partially reversed by culturing cells at physiological oxygen levels, and growth in normoxic conditions also partially rescues the proliferation defect, suggesting that in the absence of Tgif1 primary MEFs are less able to cope with elevated levels of oxidative stress. Additionally, we show that Tgif1 null MEFs are more sensitive to TGFβ-mediated growth inhibition, and that treatment with a TGFβ receptor kinase inhibitor increases proliferation of Tgif1 null MEFs. Conversely, persistent treatment of wild type cells with low levels of TGFβ slows proliferation and induces senescence, suggesting that TGFβ signaling also contributes to cellular senescence. We suggest that in the absence of Tgif1, a persistent increase in TGFβ responsive transcription and a reduced ability to deal with hyperoxic stress result in premature senescence in primary MEFs.

Application of paclitaxel in low non-cytotoxic doses supports vaccination with melanoma antigens in normal mice

Chemotherapeutic agents such as paclitaxel applied in ultra-low, non-cytotoxic doses were previously shown to stimulate dendritic cell activity and anti-tumor immune responses upon vaccination in mouse transplantable tumor models. However, the mechanisms of these alterations-termed chemoimmunomodulation or chemomodulation-are still not clear. This study investigated the effect of paclitaxel applied in ultra-low, non-cytotoxic doses on the efficiency of immunization of healthy C57BL/6 mice with the peptide derived from tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-2 as a model melanoma antigen. Using an IFNγ ELISPOT assay, it was found that administration of 1 mg paclitaxel/kg in combination with the peptide vaccination strongly increased the frequencies of TRP-2 specific spleen T-cells as compared to levels due to the vaccination alone. This was associated with a significant decrease in the levels of regulatory T-cells (T(reg)) and immature myeloid cells (known as a counterpart of myeloid derived suppressor cells [MDSC] in healthy mice). Such impairments of potential immunosuppressive cells were found to correlate with a strong increase in the amount of effector CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells in the bone marrow and spleen. Furthermore, in paclitaxel-treated mice, a significant augmentation of natural killer (NK) cell numbers in the bone marrow and their ability to produce IFNγ were observed. In addition, the level of NK-T-cells in the lymph nodes was also increased. It is suggested that paclitaxel applied in ultra-low, non-cytotoxic doses may potentially enhance the efficacy of anti-tumor vaccinations by neutralizing immunosuppressive T(reg) and MDSC populations in tumor-bearing hosts.

FBXW7 mutations typically found in human cancers are distinct from null alleles and disrupt lung development

FBXW7 is the substrate recognition component of a SCF-type E3 ubiquitin ligase. It has multiple targets such as Notch1, c-Jun, and cyclin E that function in critical developmental and signalling pathways. Mutations in FBXW7 are often found in many types of cancer. In most cases, these mutations do not inactivate the protein, but are mono-allelic missense changes at specific arginine resides involved in substrate binding. We have hypothesized that FBXW7 mutations are selected in cancers for reasons other than haploinsufficiency or full loss-of-function. Given that the existing mutant Fbxw7 mice carry null alleles, we created a mouse model carrying one of the commonly occurring point mutations (Fbxw7) in the WD40 substrate recognition domain of Fbxw7. Mice heterozygous for this mutation apparently developed normally in utero, died perinatally due to a defect in lung development, and in some cases showed cleft palate and eyelid fusion defects. By comparison, Fbxw7^+/− mice were viable and developed normally. Fbxw7^−/− animals died of vascular abnormalities at E10.5. We screened known FBXW7 targets for changes in the lungs of the Fbxw7^R482Q/+ mice and found Tgif1 and Klf5 to be up-regulated. Fbxw7 alleles are not functionally equivalent to heterozygous or homozygous null alleles, and we propose that they are selected in tumourigenesis because they cause a selective or partial loss of FBXW7 function. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Transforming growth-interacting factor (TGIF) regulates proliferation and differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells

Transforming growth-interacting factor (TGIF) is a homeobox transcriptional repressor that has been implicated in holoprosencephaly and various types of cancer. TGIF is expressed in hematopoietic stem cells and modulates TGF-beta and retinoic acid (RA) signaling, both of which play an important role in hematopoiesis. We recently reported that TGIF's levels correlate inversely with survival in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia. Here we present the first direct evidence of a role for TGIF in myelopoiesis. We used short hairpin RNA interference to define the effects of TGIF knockdown on proliferation and differentiation of myeloid leukemia-derived cell lines. Decreased TGIF expression resulted in reduced proliferation and differentiation and lower expression of CEBPbeta, CEBPepsilon, PU.1 and RUNX1, key myeloid transcription factors. Furthermore, TGF-beta signaling was increased and RA signaling was decreased. Further insights into the molecular basis of TGIF's effects were provided by a genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation-based elucidation of TGIF target genes. Together, these data suggest that TGIF has an important role myelopoiesis and may regulate the balance between proliferation and differentiation. Reduced TGIF expression could tip the balance toward quiescence thus providing progenitor as well as hematopoietic stem cells protection from anti-cycle agents.