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Bustos MA, Yokoe T, Shoji Y, Kobayashi Y, Mizuno S, Murakami T, Zhang X, Sekhar SC, Kim S, Ryu S, Knarr M, Vasilev SA, DiFeo A, Drapkin R, Hoon DSB. MiR-181a targets STING to drive PARP inhibitor resistance in BRCA- mutated triple-negative breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:200. [PMID: 37932806 PMCID: PMC10626784 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01151-y] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) are approved for the treatment of BRCA-mutated breast cancer (BC), including triple-negative BC (TNBC) and ovarian cancer (OvCa). A key challenge is to identify the factors associated with PARPi resistance; although, previous studies suggest that platinum-based agents and PARPi share similar resistance mechanisms. METHODS Olaparib-resistant (OlaR) cell lines were analyzed using HTG EdgeSeq miRNA Whole Transcriptomic Analysis (WTA). Functional assays were performed in three BRCA-mutated TNBC cell lines. In-silico analysis were performed using multiple databases including The Cancer Genome Atlas, the Genotype-Tissue Expression, The Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer, and Gene Omnibus Expression. RESULTS High miR-181a levels were identified in OlaR TNBC cell lines (p = 0.001) as well as in tumor tissues from TNBC patients (p = 0.001). We hypothesized that miR-181a downregulates the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and the downstream proinflammatory cytokines to mediate PARPi resistance. BRCA1 mutated TNBC cell lines with miR-181a-overexpression were more resistant to olaparib and showed downregulation in STING and the downstream genes controlled by STING. Extracellular vesicles derived from PARPi-resistant TNBC cell lines horizontally transferred miR-181a to parental cells which conferred PARPi-resistance and targeted STING. In clinical settings, STING levels were positively correlated with interferon gamma (IFNG) response scores (p = 0.01). In addition, low IFNG response scores were associated with worse response to neoadjuvant treatment including PARPi for high-risk HER2 negative BC patients (p = 0.001). OlaR TNBC cell lines showed resistance to platinum-based drugs. OvCa cell lines resistant to platinum showed resistance to olaparib. Knockout of miR-181a significantly improved olaparib sensitivity in OvCa cell lines (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION miR-181a is a key factor controlling the STING pathway and driving PARPi and platinum-based drug resistance in TNBC and OvCa. The miR-181a-STING axis can be used as a potential marker for predicting PARPi responses in TNBC and OvCa tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matias A Bustos
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute (SJCI) at Providence Saint John's Health Center (SJHC), 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Takamichi Yokoe
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute (SJCI) at Providence Saint John's Health Center (SJHC), 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Yoshiaki Shoji
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute (SJCI) at Providence Saint John's Health Center (SJHC), 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Yuta Kobayashi
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute (SJCI) at Providence Saint John's Health Center (SJHC), 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Shodai Mizuno
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute (SJCI) at Providence Saint John's Health Center (SJHC), 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Tomohiro Murakami
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute (SJCI) at Providence Saint John's Health Center (SJHC), 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute (SJCI) at Providence Saint John's Health Center (SJHC), 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Sreeja C Sekhar
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, Rogel Cancer Center, University Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - SooMin Kim
- Department of Genome Sequencing, SJCI at Providence SJHC, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Suyeon Ryu
- Department of Genome Sequencing, SJCI at Providence SJHC, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Matthew Knarr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Steven A Vasilev
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research, SJCI at SJHC, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA
| | - Analisa DiFeo
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Pathology, Rogel Cancer Center, University Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Dave S B Hoon
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Cancer Institute (SJCI) at Providence Saint John's Health Center (SJHC), 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA.
- Department of Genome Sequencing, SJCI at Providence SJHC, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA.
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2
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Chan SK, Steinmetz NF. microRNA-181a silencing by antisense oligonucleotides delivered by virus-like particles. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:816-825. [PMID: 36597907 PMCID: PMC9898218 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb02199d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) is a positive-sense RNA virus that can be repurposed for gene delivery applications. Understanding the self-assembly process of the virus enabled to remove its genome and replace it with desired nucleic acids, and we and others have previously reported using CCMV virus-like particle (VLP) to encapsulate siRNA, mRNA, as well as CpG oligodeoxynucleotides. In this study, the CCMV VLP was applied to encapsulate two different formats of anti-miR-181a oligonucleotides: naked RNA and chemically stabilized RNA to knockdown highly regulated miR-181a in ovarian cancer cells. miR-181a expression in ovarian tumors is associated with high aggressiveness, invasiveness, resistance to chemotherapy, and overall poor prognosis. Therefore, miR-181a is an important target for ovarian cancer therapy. qPCR data and cancer cell migration assays demonstrated higher knockdown efficacy when anti-miR-181a oligonucleotides were encapsulated and delivered using the VLPs resulting in reduced cancer cell invasiveness. Importantly, delivery of anti-miR-181a oligonucleotide into cells could be achieved without the aid of a transfection agent or surface modification. These results highlight the opportunity of plant-derived VLPs as nucleic acid carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Khim Chan
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Nicole F. Steinmetz
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,Center for Engineering in Cancer, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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3
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Gollavilli PN, Parma B, Siddiqui A, Yang H, Ramesh V, Napoli F, Schwab A, Natesan R, Mielenz D, Asangani IA, Brabletz T, Pilarsky C, Ceppi P. The role of miR-200b/c in balancing EMT and proliferation revealed by an activity reporter. Oncogene 2021; 40:2309-2322. [PMID: 33654197 PMCID: PMC7994202 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01708-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Since their discovery, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been widely studied in almost every aspect of biology and medicine, leading to the identification of important gene regulation circuits and cellular mechanisms. However, investigations are generally focused on the analysis of their downstream targets and biological functions in overexpression and knockdown approaches, while miRNAs endogenous levels and activity remain poorly understood. Here, we used the cellular plasticity-regulating process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as a model to show the efficacy of a fluorescent sensor to separate cells with distinct EMT signatures, based on miR-200b/c activity. The system was further combined with a CRISPR-Cas9 screening platform to unbiasedly identify miR-200b/c upstream regulating genes. The sensor allows to infer miRNAs fundamental biological properties, as profiling of sorted cells indicated miR-200b/c as a molecular switch between EMT differentiation and proliferation, and suggested a role for metabolic enzymes in miR-200/EMT regulation. Analysis of miRNAs endogenous levels and activity for in vitro and in vivo applications could lead to a better understanding of their biological role in physiology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paradesi Naidu Gollavilli
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Beatrice Parma
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Aarif Siddiqui
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Hai Yang
- Department of Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen- Nuremberg (FAU) and University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vignesh Ramesh
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Francesca Napoli
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Oncology at San Luigi Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Annemarie Schwab
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ramakrishnan Natesan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Dirk Mielenz
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Irfan Ahmed Asangani
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine-I, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Pilarsky
- Department of Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen- Nuremberg (FAU) and University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Paolo Ceppi
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
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4
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Belur Nagaraj A, Knarr M, Sekhar S, Connor RS, Joseph P, Kovalenko O, Fleming A, Surti A, Nurmemmedov E, Beltrame L, Marchini S, Kahn M, DiFeo A. The miR-181a-SFRP4 Axis Regulates Wnt Activation to Drive Stemness and Platinum Resistance in Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Res 2021; 81:2044-2055. [PMID: 33574092 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling is a major driver of stemness and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer, yet the genetic drivers that stimulate its expression remain largely unknown. Unlike other cancers, mutations in the Wnt pathway are not reported in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Hence, a key challenge that must be addressed to develop effective targeted therapies is to identify nonmutational drivers of Wnt activation. Using an miRNA sensor-based approach, we have identified miR-181a as a novel driver of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. miR-181ahigh primary HGSOC cells exhibited increased Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which was associated with increased stem-cell frequency and platinum resistance. Consistent with these findings, inhibition of β-catenin decreased stem-like properties in miR-181ahigh cell populations and downregulated miR-181a. The Wnt inhibitor SFRP4 was identified as a novel target of miR-181a. Overall, our results demonstrate that miR-181a is a nonmutational activator of Wnt signaling that drives stemness and chemoresistance in HGSOC, suggesting that the miR-181a-SFRP4 axis can be evaluated as a novel biomarker for β-catenin-targeted therapy in this disease. SIGNIFICANCE: These results demonstrate that miR-181a is an activator of Wnt signaling that drives stemness and chemoresistance in HGSOC and may be targeted therapeutically in recurrent disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew Knarr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sreeja Sekhar
- Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,The Rogel Cancer Center, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - R Shae Connor
- University of Tennessee, Erlanger Health System, Chattanooga, Tennessee
| | - Peronne Joseph
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Olga Kovalenko
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Alexis Fleming
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Arshia Surti
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Elmar Nurmemmedov
- John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence St. John's Health, Santa Monica, California
| | - Luca Beltrame
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri," IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Sergio Marchini
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri," IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Michael Kahn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, California
| | - Analisa DiFeo
- Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. .,The Rogel Cancer Center, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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5
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Knarr M, Avelar RA, Sekhar SC, Kwiatkowski LJ, Dziubinski ML, McAnulty J, Skala S, Avril S, Drapkin R, DiFeo A. miR-181a initiates and perpetuates oncogenic transformation through the regulation of innate immune signaling. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3231. [PMID: 32591511 PMCID: PMC7320168 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17030-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability (GI) predisposes cells to malignant transformation, however the molecular mechanisms that allow for the propagation of cells with a high degree of genomic instability remain unclear. Here we report that miR-181a is able to transform fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells through the inhibition of RB1 and stimulator-of-interferon-genes (STING) to propagate cells with a high degree of GI. MiR-181a targeting of RB1 leads to profound nuclear defects and GI generating aberrant cytoplasmic DNA, however simultaneous miR-181a mediated inhibition of STING allows cells to bypass interferon mediated cell death. We also found that high miR-181a is associated with decreased IFNγ response and lymphocyte infiltration in patient tumors. DNA oncoviruses are the only known inhibitors of STING that allow for cellular transformation, thus, our findings are the first to identify a miRNA that can downregulate STING expression to suppress activation of intrinsic interferon signaling. This study introduces miR-181a as a putative biomarker and identifies the miR-181a-STING axis as a promising target for therapeutic exploitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Knarr
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Rita A Avelar
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,The Rogel Cancer Center, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sreeja C Sekhar
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,The Rogel Cancer Center, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Lily J Kwiatkowski
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Michele L Dziubinski
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,The Rogel Cancer Center, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jessica McAnulty
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.,The Rogel Cancer Center, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Stephanie Skala
- Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Stefanie Avril
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.,Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Analisa DiFeo
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. .,Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. .,The Rogel Cancer Center, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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