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Stasevich EM, Simonova AV, Bogomolova EA, Murashko MM, Uvarova AN, Zheremyan EA, Korneev KV, Schwartz AM, Kuprash DV, Demin DE. Cut from the same cloth: RNAs transcribed from regulatory elements. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2024; 1867:195049. [PMID: 38964653 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
A certain degree of chromatin openness is necessary for the activity of transcription-regulating regions within the genome, facilitating accessibility to RNA polymerases and subsequent synthesis of regulatory element RNAs (regRNAs) from these regions. The rapidly increasing number of studies underscores the significance of regRNAs across diverse cellular processes and diseases, challenging the paradigm that these transcripts are non-functional transcriptional noise. This review explores the multifaceted roles of regRNAs in human cells, encompassing rather well-studied entities such as promoter RNAs and enhancer RNAs (eRNAs), while also providing insights into overshadowed silencer RNAs and insulator RNAs. Furthermore, we assess notable examples of shorter regRNAs, like miRNAs, snRNAs, and snoRNAs, playing important roles. Expanding our discourse, we deliberate on the potential usage of regRNAs as biomarkers and novel targets for cancer and other human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Stasevich
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - A V Simonova
- Laboratory of Intracellular Signaling in Health and Disease, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - E A Bogomolova
- Laboratory of Intracellular Signaling in Health and Disease, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Moscow Center for Advanced Studies, Moscow, Russia
| | - M M Murashko
- Laboratory of Intracellular Signaling in Health and Disease, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Moscow Center for Advanced Studies, Moscow, Russia
| | - A N Uvarova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - E A Zheremyan
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - K V Korneev
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - A M Schwartz
- Department of Human Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - D V Kuprash
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - D E Demin
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
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2
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Abu Rabe D, Chdid L, Lamson DR, Laudeman CP, Tarpley M, Elsayed N, Smith GR, Zheng W, Dixon MS, Williams KP. Identification of Novel GANT61 Analogs with Activity in Hedgehog Functional Assays and GLI1-Dependent Cancer Cells. Molecules 2024; 29:3095. [PMID: 38999049 PMCID: PMC11243198 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29133095] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been implicated in various cancers. Current FDA-approved inhibitors target the seven-transmembrane receptor Smoothened, but resistance to these drugs has been observed. It has been proposed that a more promising strategy to target this pathway is at the GLI1 transcription factor level. GANT61 was the first small molecule identified to directly suppress GLI-mediated activity; however, its development as a potential anti-cancer agent has been hindered by its modest activity and aqueous chemical instability. Our study aimed to identify novel GLI1 inhibitors. JChem searches identified fifty-two compounds similar to GANT61 and its active metabolite, GANT61-D. We combined high-throughput cell-based assays and molecular docking to evaluate these analogs. Five of the fifty-two GANT61 analogs inhibited activity in Hh-responsive C3H10T1/2 and Gli-reporter NIH3T3 cellular assays without cytotoxicity. Two of the GANT61 analogs, BAS 07019774 and Z27610715, reduced Gli1 mRNA expression in C3H10T1/2 cells. Treatment with BAS 07019774 significantly reduced cell viability in Hh-dependent glioblastoma and lung cancer cell lines. Molecular docking indicated that BAS 07019774 is predicted to bind to the ZF4 region of GLI1, potentially interfering with its ability to bind DNA. Our findings show promise in developing more effective and potent GLI inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Abu Rabe
- INBS PhD Program, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Lhoucine Chdid
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - David R Lamson
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Christopher P Laudeman
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Michael Tarpley
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Naglaa Elsayed
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Ginger R Smith
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Weifan Zheng
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Maria S Dixon
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Kevin P Williams
- Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
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3
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Liu BW, Cao JL, Wang Y, Zhao X, Zeng Q, Liu WP, Zhang JH, Fan YZ, Dou J. GANT61, an inhibitor of Gli1, inhibits the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. J Investig Med 2024; 72:181-192. [PMID: 37724700 DOI: 10.1177/10815589231204056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Constitutive activation of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been implicated in many cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Among them, the terminal glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) regulates the expression of critical genes in the Hh pathway. The current study aims to evaluate the anti-HCC effect of the Gli1 inhibitor, GANT61. In vitro analysis including cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry, and migration and invasion assay were adopted to evaluate the effect of GANT61 on HCC cell lines. In vivo, xenograft studies were also performed to verify the effect of GANT61 on HCC. By CCK-8 assay, we found that GANT61 could significantly reduce the growth of HCC cell lines Huh7 and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLE), and their IC50 concentrations were 4.481 and 6.734 μM, respectively. Flow cytometry shows that GANT61 induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and accelerated apoptosis of both HLE and Huh7 cells. While migration and invasion assay shows that GANT61 weakens cells' migration and invasion ability. Besides that, GANT61 inhibits the expression of Gli1, FoxM1, CyclinD1, and Bcl-2, upregulates the level of Bax protein, and also reverses the epithelial-mesenchymal transition program by downregulating the expression of Vimentin and N-Cadherin and upregulating the expression of epithelial E-Cadherin expression. Furthermore, GANT61 inhibits the growth of subcutaneous xenografts of Huh7 cells in nude mice. Overall, this study suggests that Gli1 is a potential target for therapy and GANT61 shows promising therapeutic potential for future treatment in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Wang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jing-Lin Cao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Qiang Zeng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Wen-Peng Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jun-Hong Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Yi-Ze Fan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jian Dou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
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4
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Chang J, Huang C, Li S, Jiang X, Chang H, Li M. Research Progress Regarding the Effect and Mechanism of Dietary Polyphenols in Liver Fibrosis. Molecules 2023; 29:127. [PMID: 38202710 PMCID: PMC10779665 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010127] [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] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of liver fibrosis is a result of chronic liver injuries may progress to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. In recent years, liver fibrosis has become a major global problem, and the incidence rate and mortality are increasing year by year. However, there are currently no approved treatments. Research on anti-liver-fibrosis drugs is a top priority. Dietary polyphenols, such as plant secondary metabolites, have remarkable abilities to reduce lipid metabolism, insulin resistance and inflammation, and are attracting more and more attention as potential drugs for the treatment of liver diseases. Gradually, dietary polyphenols are becoming the focus for providing an improvement in the treatment of liver fibrosis. The impact of dietary polyphenols on the composition of intestinal microbiota and the subsequent production of intestinal microbial metabolites has been observed to indirectly modulate signaling pathways in the liver, thereby exerting regulatory effects on liver disease. In conclusion, there is evidence that dietary polyphenols can be therapeutically useful in preventing and treating liver fibrosis, and we highlight new perspectives and key questions for future drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayin Chang
- Department of Pharmacy, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014040, China; (J.C.); (C.H.); (S.L.); (X.J.)
| | - Congying Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014040, China; (J.C.); (C.H.); (S.L.); (X.J.)
| | - Siqi Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014040, China; (J.C.); (C.H.); (S.L.); (X.J.)
| | - Xiaolei Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014040, China; (J.C.); (C.H.); (S.L.); (X.J.)
| | - Hong Chang
- Department of Pharmacy, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014040, China; (J.C.); (C.H.); (S.L.); (X.J.)
| | - Minhui Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014040, China; (J.C.); (C.H.); (S.L.); (X.J.)
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hohhot 010020, China
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Characteristic Geoherbs Resources Protection and Utilization, Baotou 014040, China
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5
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Xinling Z, Zhongyang S, Yujie C, Zhiyu L, Zhenmin Z, Hongyi Z. Coexpression analysis of angiogenesis, proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy and SHH pathway genes involved in skin expansion. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 750:109773. [PMID: 37944780 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2023.109773] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Skin and soft tissue expansion is a widely used technique in plastic surgery. However, the regulatory mechanisms associated with cellular processes involved in skin expansion are not well elucidated. In the present study, we aimed at exploring the transcriptome changes associated with skin expansion and profiling the difference in gene expression between the skin tissue in the top of the dilator and the skin tissue in the side of the dilator. A mouse model of skin expansion was established and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed on samples collected at different time points. Differential expression analysis was performed using the DESeq2 package while STEM was used for time series clustering profiling. The regulatory networks were established and the functions of sets of genes were analyzed. The mRNA expression levels of candidate genes were validated by the quantitative RT-PCR. Among the skin tissue in the top of the dilator and normal samples at days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28, 53 commonly upregulated and 7 commonly downregulated genes were identified while among the skin tissue in the side of the dilator and normal samples, 98 downregulated and 255 upregulated genes were identified. Genes differentially expressed among the skin tissue in the top of the dilator and normal samples were involved in coagulation and proliferation-associated pathways while those among the skin tissue in the side of the dilator and normal samples were involved in the inflammation, immune response, and defense response. Among the skin tissue in the top of the dilator and the skin tissue in the side of the dilator samples, 161 were constantly upregulated while 27 were constantly downregulated; these genes were enriched in the biological processes of cell adhesion and regulation of cell proliferation (n = 11). Furthermore, we identified that SHH signaling genes formed a coexpression regulatory network with cellular proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy and angiogenesis-related genes in the expanded skin. In conclusion, our findings can promote research and understanding of the mechanism of skin expansion and will find application in plastic surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Xinling
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PR China
| | - Sun Zhongyang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PR China
| | - Chen Yujie
- Plastic Surgery Department, Peking University Third Hospital, No. 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
| | - Lin Zhiyu
- Plastic Surgery Department, Peking University Third Hospital, No. 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
| | - Zhao Zhenmin
- Plastic Surgery Department, Peking University Third Hospital, No. 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China.
| | - Zhao Hongyi
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, PR China.
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6
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Wang Q, Xin X, Dai Q, Sun M, Chen J, Mostafavi E, Shen Y, Li X. Medulloblastoma targeted therapy: From signaling pathways heterogeneity and current treatment dilemma to the recent advances in development of therapeutic strategies. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 250:108527. [PMID: 37703952 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a major pediatric malignant brain tumor that arises in the cerebellum. MB tumors exhibit highly heterogeneous driven by diverse genetic alterations and could be divided into four major subgroups based on their different biological drivers and molecular features (Wnt, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), group 3, and group 4 MB). Even though the therapeutic strategies for each MB subtype integrate their pathogenesis and were developed to focus on their specific target sites, the unexpected drug non-selective cytotoxicity, low drug accumulation in the brain, and complexed MB tumor microenvironment still be huge obstacles to achieving satisfied MB therapeutic efficiency. This review discussed the current advances in modern MB therapeutic strategy development. Through the recent advances in knowledge of the origin, molecular pathogenesis of MB subtypes and their current therapeutic barriers, we particularly reviewed the current development in advanced MB therapeutic strategy committed to overcome MB treatment obstacles, focusing on novel signaling pathway targeted therapeutic agents and their combination discovery, advanced drug delivery systems design, and MB immunotherapy strategy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyue Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Xiaofei Xin
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Qihao Dai
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Mengjuan Sun
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jinhua Chen
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ebrahim Mostafavi
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Yan Shen
- Center for Research Development and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Generic Drugs, Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Xueming Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China.
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7
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Maresca L, Crivaro E, Migliorini F, Anichini G, Giammona A, Pepe S, Poggialini F, Vagaggini C, Giannini G, Sestini S, Borgognoni L, Lapucci A, Dreassi E, Taddei M, Manetti F, Petricci E, Stecca B. Targeting GLI1 and GLI2 with small molecule inhibitors to suppress GLI-dependent transcription and tumor growth. Pharmacol Res 2023; 195:106858. [PMID: 37473878 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of Hedgehog (HH) signaling in cancer is the result of genetic alterations of upstream pathway components (canonical) or other oncogenic mechanisms (noncanonical), that ultimately concur to activate the zinc-finger transcription factors GLI1 and GLI2. Therefore, inhibition of GLI activity is a good therapeutic option to suppress both canonical and noncanonical activation of the HH pathway. However, only a few GLI inhibitors are available, and none of them have the profile required for clinical development due to poor metabolic stability and aqueous solubility, and high hydrophobicity. Two promising quinoline inhibitors of GLI were selected by virtual screening and subjected to hit-to-lead optimization, thus leading to the identification of the 4-methoxy-8-hydroxyquinoline derivative JC19. This molecule impaired GLI1 and GLI2 activities in several cellular models interfering with the binding of GLI1 and GLI2 to DNA. JC19 suppressed cancer cell proliferation by enhancing apoptosis, inducing a strong anti-tumor response in several cancer cell lines in vitro. Specificity towards GLI1 and GLI2 was demonstrated by lower activity of JC19 in GLI1- or GLI2-depleted cancer cells. JC19 showed excellent metabolic stability and high passive permeability. Notably, JC19 inhibited GLI1-dependent melanoma xenograft growth in vivo, with no evidence of toxic effects in mice. These results highlight the potential of JC19 as a novel anti-cancer agent targeting GLI1 and GLI2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Maresca
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Enrica Crivaro
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy; Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Migliorini
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Anichini
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giammona
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Pepe
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Poggialini
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Vagaggini
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Serena Sestini
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit Regional Melanoma Referral Center and Melanoma & Skin Cancer Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Borgognoni
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit Regional Melanoma Referral Center and Melanoma & Skin Cancer Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Lapucci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Dreassi
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Taddei
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Manetti
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Elena Petricci
- Dept. of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Barbara Stecca
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy.
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8
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Sun Y, Fang Q, Liu W, Liu Y, Zhang C. GANT-61 induces cell cycle resting and autophagy by down-regulating RNAP III signal pathway and tRNA-Gly-CCC synthesis to combate chondrosarcoma. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:461. [PMID: 37488121 PMCID: PMC10366213 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05926-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Chondrosarcoma is ineffective for conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy with a poor prognosis. Hedgehog (Hh) signal pathway plays a crucial role in tumor growth and progression, which is constitutive activated in chondrosarcoma. GLI transcription factors as targets for new drugs or interference technology for the treatment of chondrosarcoma are of great significance. In this study, we indicated that the Hedgehog-GLI1 signal pathway is activated in chondrosarcoma, which further enhances the RNAP III signal pathway to mediate endogenous tRNA fragments synthesis. Downstream oncology functions of endogenous tRNA fragments, such as "cell cycle" and "death receptor binding", are involved in malignant chondrosarcoma. The GANT-61, as an inhibitor of GLI1, could inhibit chondrosarcoma tumor growth effectively by inhibiting the RNAP III signal pathway and tRNA-Gly-CCC synthesis in vivo. Induced G2/M cell cycle resting, apoptosis, and autophagy were the main mechanisms for the inhibitory effect of GANT-61 on chondrosarcoma, which correspond with the above-described downstream oncology functions of endogenous tRNA fragments. We also identified the molecular mechanism by which GANT-61-induced autophagy is involved in ULK1 expression and MAPK signaling pathway. Thus, GANT-61 will be an ideal and promising strategy for combating chondrosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Sun
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University &Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, PR China
- Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Qiongxuan Fang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University &Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, PR China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University &Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, PR China
| | - Chunming Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University &Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250014, PR China.
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9
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Rechberger JS, Toll SA, Vanbilloen WJF, Daniels DJ, Khatua S. Exploring the Molecular Complexity of Medulloblastoma: Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2398. [PMID: 37510143 PMCID: PMC10378552 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13142398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Over the last few decades, significant progress has been made in revealing the key molecular underpinnings of this disease, leading to the identification of distinct molecular subgroups with different clinical outcomes. In this review, we provide an update on the molecular landscape of medulloblastoma and treatment strategies. We discuss the four main molecular subgroups (WNT-activated, SHH-activated, and non-WNT/non-SHH groups 3 and 4), highlighting the key genetic alterations and signaling pathways associated with each entity. Furthermore, we explore the emerging role of epigenetic regulation in medulloblastoma and the mechanism of resistance to therapy. We also delve into the latest developments in targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Continuing collaborative efforts are needed to further unravel the complex molecular mechanisms and profile optimal treatment for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian S Rechberger
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Stephanie A Toll
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Wouter J F Vanbilloen
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Neurology, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, 5022 Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - David J Daniels
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Soumen Khatua
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Section of Neuro-Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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10
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Hong SP, Kim KW, Ahn SK. Inhibition of GLI Transcriptional Activity and Prostate Cancer Cell Growth and Proliferation by DAX1. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:5347-5361. [PMID: 37504255 PMCID: PMC10378570 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45070339] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays an essential role in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer. This is mediated by transcriptional factors belonging to the GLI (glioma-associated oncogene) family, which regulate downstream targets to drive prostate cancer progression. The activity of GLI proteins is tightly controlled by a range of mechanisms, including molecular interactions and post-translational modifications. In particular, mitogenic and oncogenic signaling pathways have been shown to regulate GLI protein activity independently of upstream Hh pathway signaling. Identifying GLI protein regulators is critical for the development of targeted therapies that can improve patient outcomes. This study aimed to identify a novel protein that directly regulates the activity of GLI transcription factors in prostate cancer. We performed gene expression, cellular analyses, and reporter assays to demonstrate that DAX1 (dosage-sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia congenital critical region on X chromosome, gene 1) interacts with GLI1 and GLI2, the master regulators of Hh signaling. Interestingly, DAX1 overexpression significantly inhibited Hh signaling by reducing GLI1 and GLI2 activity, prostate cancer cell proliferation, and viability. Our results shed light on a novel regulatory mechanism of Hh signaling in prostate cancer cells. The interaction between DAX1 and GLI transcription factors provides insight into the complex regulation of Hh signaling in prostate cancer. Given the importance of Hh signaling in prostate cancer progression, targeting DAX1-GLI interactions may represent a promising therapeutic approach against prostate cancer. Overall, this study provides new insights into the regulation of the Hh pathway and its role in prostate cancer progression. The findings suggest that DAX1 could serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Pyo Hong
- Institute for New Drug Development, Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Kil Won Kim
- Institute for New Drug Development, Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon Kil Ahn
- Institute for New Drug Development, Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
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Han L, Li T, Wang Y, Lai W, Zhou H, Niu Z, Su J, Lv G, Zhang G, Gao J, Huang J, Lou Z. Weierning, a Chinese patent medicine, improves chronic atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 309:116345. [PMID: 36906155 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Weierning tablet (WEN) is a traditional Chinese patent medicine widely used in clinical for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) therapy for years. However, the underlying mechanisms of WEN on anti-CAG are still unveiled. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study aimed to elucidate the characteristic function of WEN on anti-CAG and to illuminate its potential mechanism. METHODS The CAG model was established by gavage rats with a modeling solution (consisting of 2% sodium salicylate and 30% alcohol) with irregular diets and free access to 0.1% ammonia solution for two months on end. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum levels of gastrin, pepsinogen, and inflammatory cytokines. qRT-PCR was applied to measure mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-18, IL-10, TNF-α, and γ-IFN in gastric tissue. Pathological changes and the ultrastructure of gastric mucosa were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. AB-PAS staining was applied to observe the intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to measure the expression levels of mitochondria apoptosis-related proteins and Hedgehog pathway-related proteins in gastric tissues. Expressions of Cdx2 and Muc2 protein were determined by immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS WEN could dose-dependently lower the serum level of IL-1β and the mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and γ-IFN in gastric tissue. Also, WEN significantly alleviated the collagen deposition in gastric submucosa, regulated the expressions of Bax, Cleaved-caspase9, Bcl2, and Cytochrome c to reduce the apoptosis of gastric mucosa epithelial cells, and maintained the integrity of the gastric mucosal barrier. Moreover, WEN could reduce protein expressions of Cdx2, Muc2, Shh, Gli1, and Smo, and reverse intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa to block the progress of CAG. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated a positive effect of WEN on improving CAG and reverse intestinal metaplasia. These functions were related to the suppression of gastric mucosal cells' apoptosis and the inhibition of Hedgehog pathways' activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Han
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Ting Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yingying Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Weizi Lai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Hengpu Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Zhuangwei Niu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Jie Su
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Guiyuan Lv
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Guangji Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Jianli Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Jianbo Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Zhaohuan Lou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
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Chen B, Jin W. A comprehensive review of stroke-related signaling pathways and treatment in western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1200061. [PMID: 37351420 PMCID: PMC10282194 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1200061] [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: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This review provides insight into the complex network of signaling pathways and mechanisms involved in stroke pathophysiology. It summarizes the historical progress of stroke-related signaling pathways, identifying potential interactions between them and emphasizing that stroke is a complex network disease. Of particular interest are the Hippo signaling pathway and ferroptosis signaling pathway, which remain understudied areas of research, and are therefore a focus of the review. The involvement of multiple signaling pathways, including Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT, and AMPK in pathophysiological mechanisms such as oxidative stress and apoptosis, highlights the complexity of stroke. The review also delves into the details of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapies such as Rehmanniae and Astragalus, providing an analysis of the recent status of western medicine in the treatment of stroke and the advantages and disadvantages of TCM and western medicine in stroke treatment. The review proposes that since stroke is a network disease, TCM has the potential and advantages of a multi-target and multi-pathway mechanism of action in the treatment of stroke. Therefore, it is suggested that future research should explore more treasures of TCM and develop new therapies from the perspective of stroke as a network disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binhao Chen
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weifeng Jin
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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Liu L, Zhang Y, Fu J, Ai X, Long D, Leng X, Zhang Y, Huang B, Li C, Zhou Y, Feng C. Gli1 depletion induces oxidative stress and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells via Fos in intervertebral disc degeneration. J Orthop Translat 2023; 40:116-131. [PMID: 37457313 PMCID: PMC10338909 DOI: 10.1016/j.jot.2023.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the most common chronic disease. Oxidative stress and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells disrupt intervertebral disc (IVD) homeostasis, which is the main cause of IDD. Glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1) is an important transcription factor in the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. Depletion of Gli1 accelerates the occurrence and development of degenerative diseases. This study aimed to explore the role of aging related Gli1 depletion in the progression of IDD. Methods The relationship between aging related Gli1 depletion and IDD was studied in the NP tissues of human and rats of different ages, and the levels of oxidative stress and NP cell apoptosis during IDD were explored. Gli1 depletion of NP cells were established by targeting inhibitor GANT61 or lentivirus-coated Gli1 sh-RNA (sh-Gli1) to explore the role of Gli1 in NP cells and underlying mechanism. Exogenous Gli1 depletion induced IDD of rats was established by intraperitoneal injection of GANT61. Also, the roles of Fos in the Gli1 depletion induced NP cell oxidative stress, apoptosis and IDD were investigated. Results Gli1 was down-regulated in the tissues of degenerative NP, and the level of Gli1 was negatively correlated with the severity of aging related IDD in human and rats. Furthermore, we found enhanced oxidative stress and apoptosis in degenerative NP tissues. Gli1 depletion promoted oxidative stress and apoptosis of NP cells and resulted in the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreased ECM synthesis. Transcriptome sequencing showed that Gli1 depletion caused Fos activation in NP cells. the effect of Gli1 depletion on the oxidative stress and apoptosis of NP cells were retarded by Fos inhibitor. In vivo, Fos inhibition alleviated the IDD induced by exogenous Gli1 depletion. Conclusions This study revealed for the first time that Gli1 is gradually depleted in NP with IDD progression. Exogenous Gli1 depletion causes oxidative stress and apoptosis of NP cells both in vivo and in vitro. Fos suppression effectively retards the destructive effects of Gli1 depletion on IVD homoeostasis.The translational potential of this article: This study may provide new potential targets for preventing and reversing IDD. Maintaining Gli1 expression in NP and suppressing Fos activation may be an effective treatment strategy for IDD.
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c-Jun phosphorylated by JNK is required for protecting Gli2 from proteasomal-ubiquitin degradation by PGE2-JNK signaling axis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119418. [PMID: 36581088 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway includes canonical and non-canonical activation manners. In colorectal cancer, we have previously shown that PGE2-JNK could initiate non-canonical activation of the Hh signaling pathway. In this study, we showed that c-Jun, a classic substrate of JNK, increased Gli2 protein stability after phosphorylated by PGE2. Suppressing the function of c-Jun or JNK indicated that c-Jun prevents Gli2 from protease degradation caused by PGE2-JNK. Moreoer, we revealed that less ubiquitination of Gli2 was detected in colorectal cancer cells treated with PGE2 while suppression of c-Jun restored the ubiquitination of Gli2. In addition, we observed that suppression of c-Jun significantly decreased Gli2 expression no matter when Gli2 remained in phosphorylation or non-phosphorylation state. These phenomena were recapitulated, when the endpoint of Gli2 expression was replaced by Gli2 ubiquitination. Furthermore, we demonstrated that restricting c-Jun function ablated the PGE2-provoked Hh activity and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. These results elucidated that the evasion of Gli2 with phosphorylation from proteasomal-ubiquitin degradation needed the cooperation of phosphorylated c-Jun by kinase JNK, which contributed to promoting Hh activation and the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. This study provides a theoretical foundation to target PGE2 downstream for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.
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15
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Emerging Roles of Hedgehog Signaling in Cancer Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021321. [PMID: 36674836 PMCID: PMC9864846 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021321] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog-GLI (HH) signaling plays an essential role in embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis. Aberrant activation of the pathway through mutations or other mechanisms is involved in the development and progression of numerous types of cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma, melanoma, breast, prostate, hepatocellular and pancreatic carcinomas. Activation of HH signaling sustains proliferation, suppresses cell death signals, enhances invasion and metastasis, deregulates cellular metabolism and promotes angiogenesis and tumor inflammation. Targeted inhibition of the HH pathway has therefore emerged as an attractive therapeutic strategy for the treatment of a wide range of cancers. Currently, the Smoothened (SMO) receptor and the downstream GLI transcriptional factors have been investigated for the development of targeted drugs. Recent studies have revealed that the HH signaling is also involved in tumor immune evasion and poor responses to cancer immunotherapy. Here we focus on the effects of HH signaling on the major cellular components of the adaptive and innate immune systems, and we present recent discoveries elucidating how the immunosuppressive function of the HH pathway is engaged by cancer cells to prevent immune surveillance. In addition, we discuss the future prospect of therapeutic options combining the HH pathway and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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de Almeida Magalhães T, Alencastro Veiga Cruzeiro G, Ribeiro de Sousa G, Englinger B, Fernando Peinado Nagano L, Ancliffe M, Rodrigues da Silva K, Jiang L, Gojo J, Cherry Liu Y, Carline B, Kuchibhotla M, Pinto Saggioro F, Kazue Nagahashi Marie S, Mieko Oba-Shinjo S, Andres Yunes J, Gomes de Paula Queiroz R, Alberto Scrideli C, Endersby R, Filbin MG, Silva Borges K, Salic A, Gonzaga Tone L, Valera ET. Activation of Hedgehog signaling by the oncogenic RELA fusion reveals a primary cilia-dependent vulnerability in supratentorial ependymoma. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:185-198. [PMID: 35640920 PMCID: PMC9825332 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Supratentorial RELA fusion (ST-RELA) ependymomas (EPNs) are resistant tumors without an approved chemotherapeutic treatment. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms that lead to chemoresistance traits of ST-RELA remain elusive. The aim of this study was to assess RELA fusion-dependent signaling modules, specifically the role of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway as a novel targetable vulnerability in ST-RELA. METHODS Gene expression was analyzed in EPN from patient cohorts, by microarray, RNA-seq, qRT-PCR, and scRNA-seq. Inhibitors against Smoothened (SMO) (Sonidegib) and Aurora kinase A (AURKA) (Alisertib) were evaluated. Protein expression, primary cilia formation, and drug effects were assessed by immunoblot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Hh components were selectively overexpressed in EPNs induced by the RELA fusion. Single-cell analysis showed that the Hh signature was primarily confined to undifferentiated, stem-like cell subpopulations. Sonidegib exhibited potent growth-inhibitory effects on ST-RELA cells, suggesting a key role in active Hh signaling; importantly, the effect of Sonidegib was reversed by primary cilia loss. We, thus, tested the effect of AURKA inhibition by Alisertib, to induce cilia stabilization/reassembly. Strikingly, Alisertib rescued ciliogenesis and synergized with Sonidegib in killing ST-RELA cells. Using a xenograft model, we show that cilia loss is a mechanism for acquiring resistance to the inhibitory effect of Sonidegib. However, Alisertib fails to rescue cilia and highlights the need for other strategies to promote cilia reassembly, for treating ST-RELA tumors. CONCLUSION Our study reveals a crucial role for the Hh pathway in ST-RELA tumor growth, and suggests that rescue of primary cilia represents a vulnerability of the ST-RELA EPNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taciani de Almeida Magalhães
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gustavo Alencastro Veiga Cruzeiro
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Graziella Ribeiro de Sousa
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bernhard Englinger
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luis Fernando Peinado Nagano
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mathew Ancliffe
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute and the University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Keteryne Rodrigues da Silva
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute and the University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Johannes Gojo
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yulu Cherry Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brooke Carline
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute and the University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mani Kuchibhotla
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute and the University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Fabiano Pinto Saggioro
- Department of Pathology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Suely Kazue Nagahashi Marie
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina (FMUSP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sueli Mieko Oba-Shinjo
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina (FMUSP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Andres Yunes
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Boldrini Children’s Center, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Carlos Alberto Scrideli
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raelene Endersby
- Brain Tumour Research Program, Telethon Kids Institute and the University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mariella G Filbin
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kleiton Silva Borges
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adrian Salic
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Luiz Gonzaga Tone
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elvis Terci Valera
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Chen J, Ma D, Zeng C, White LV, Zhang H, Teng Y, Lan P. Solasodine suppress MCF7 breast cancer stem-like cells via targeting Hedgehog/Gli1. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 107:154448. [PMID: 36116198 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, a novel therapy to treat cancer has been to target cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of solasodine, a steroidal alkaloid isolated from Solanum incanum L., on MCF7 CSCs and to understand the compound's underlying mechanism of action. METHOD A tumorsphere formation assay was used to evaluate the effects of solasodine on the proliferation and self-renewal ability of MCF7 CSCs. The level of expression of proteins associated with cancer stemness markers and Hh signaling mediators was determined. The interaction between solasodine and Gli1 was calculated by molecular docking and further demonstrated by cellular thermal shift assay. RESULTS Solasodine significantly decreased the proliferation of MCF7 tumorspheres and showed a stronger cytotoxicity on breast cancer cells with higher levels of Gli1 expression. The results showed that the levels of CD44 and ALDH1 expression were suppressed. Furthermore, expression of CD24 was enhanced by solasodine, via a mechanism that involved dampening Gli1 expression and blocking the nuclear translocation of this protein in MCF7 tumorspheres. Computational studies predicted that solasodine showed a high affinity with the Gli1 zinc finger domain that resulted from hydrogen-bonds to the THR243 and ASP216 amino acids residues. In addition, solasodine specifically bound with Gli1 and enhanced Gli1 protein stability in MCF7 cells. CONCLUSION Here, our findings indicated that solasodine can directly suppresses Hh/Gli1 signaling, and is a novel anticancer candidate that targets CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Da Ma
- College of Packaging engineering, Jinan University, Zhuhai, 519070, China.
| | - Cuicui Zeng
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Lorenzo V White
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Huanqing Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yinglai Teng
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ping Lan
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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Modulation of Hedgehog Signaling for the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma and the Development of Preclinical Models. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102376. [PMID: 36289637 PMCID: PMC9598418 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. While the survivability of BCC is high, many patients are excluded from clinically available treatments due to health risks or personal choice. Further, patients with advanced or metastatic disease have severely limited treatment options. The dysregulation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling cascade drives onset and progression of BCC. As such, the modulation of this pathway has driven advancements in BCC research. In this review, we focus firstly on inhibitors that target the Hh pathway as chemotherapeutics against BCC. Two therapies targeting Hh signaling have been made clinically available for BCC patients, but these treatments suffer from limited initial efficacy and a high rate of chemoresistant tumor recurrence. Herein, we describe more recent developments of chemical scaffolds that have been designed to hopefully improve upon the available therapeutics. We secondly discuss the history and recent efforts involving modulation of the Hh genome as a method of producing in vivo models of BCC for preclinical research. While there are many advancements left to be made towards improving patient outcomes with BCC, it is clear that targeting the Hh pathway will remain at the forefront of research efforts in designing more effective chemotherapeutics as well as relevant preclinical models.
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Addiction of Cancer Stem Cells to MUC1-C in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158219. [PMID: 35897789 PMCID: PMC9331006 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options. TNBC progression is associated with expansion of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Few insights are available regarding druggable targets that drive the TNBC CSC state. This review summarizes the literature on TNBC CSCs and the compelling evidence that they are addicted to the MUC1-C transmembrane protein. In normal epithelia, MUC1-C is activated by loss of homeostasis and induces reversible wound-healing responses of inflammation and repair. However, in settings of chronic inflammation, MUC1-C promotes carcinogenesis. MUC1-C induces EMT, epigenetic reprogramming and chromatin remodeling in TNBC CSCs, which are dependent on MUC1-C for self-renewal and tumorigenicity. MUC1-C-induced lineage plasticity in TNBC CSCs confers DNA damage resistance and immune evasion by chronic activation of inflammatory pathways and global changes in chromatin architecture. Of therapeutic significance, an antibody generated against the MUC1-C extracellular domain has been advanced in a clinical trial of anti-MUC1-C CAR T cells and in IND-enabling studies for development as an antibody–drug conjugate (ADC). Agents targeting the MUC1-C cytoplasmic domain have also entered the clinic and are undergoing further development as candidates for advancing TNBC treatment. Eliminating TNBC CSCs will be necessary for curing this recalcitrant cancer and MUC1-C represents a promising druggable target for achieving that goal.
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Brue CR, Dukes MW, Masotti M, Holmgren R, Meade TJ. Functional Disruption of Gli1-DNA Recognition via a Cobalt(III) Complex. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200025. [PMID: 35302712 PMCID: PMC10826845 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The aberrant activation of the Gli family of zinc finger transcription factors (ZFTFs) is associated with several types of human cancer, including medulloblastoma and basal cell carcinoma. We have reported the use of cobalt(III) Schiff-base complexes (Co(III)-sb) as potent inhibitors of ZFTFs in vivo. These complexes inhibit transcription by displacing the zinc finger domain's structural Zn(II) ion, destabilizing the alpha helix necessary for DNA recognition. Here, we describe the use of Co(III)-sb complexes for the selective inhibition of Gli1. Spectroscopic and computational studies of the Gli1 DNA binding domain found that Co(III)-sb displaced Zn(II) through direct coordination with the His residues of the Cys2 His2 Zn(II) binding site. As a result, there is a dose-dependent degradation of the alpha-helix content in the DNA binding domain of Gli1 and corresponding inhibition of consensus sequence recognition. We conclude that this strategy is well suited for the development of new and potent inhibitors of Gli1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Brue
- Departments of Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Neurobiology, and Radiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208-3113, USA
| | - Meghan W Dukes
- Departments of Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Neurobiology, and Radiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208-3113, USA
| | - Meghan Masotti
- Departments of Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Neurobiology, and Radiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208-3113, USA
| | - Robert Holmgren
- Departments of Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Neurobiology, and Radiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208-3113, USA
| | - Thomas J Meade
- Departments of Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Neurobiology, and Radiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208-3113, USA
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21
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Su GF, Huang ZX, Huang DL, Chen PX, Wang Y, Wang YF. Cepharanthine hydrochloride inhibits the Wnt/β‑catenin/Hedgehog signaling axis in liver cancer. Oncol Rep 2022; 47:83. [PMID: 35211762 PMCID: PMC8908316 DOI: 10.3892/or.2022.8294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cepharanthine, a biscoclaurine alkaloid isolated from the roots of Stephania cephalantha Hayata, has been reported to demonstrate antitumor activity across multiple cancer types; however, the mechanisms are still under investigation. High transcriptional responses by both the Hedgehog and Wnt pathways are frequently associated with specific human cancers, including liver cancer. To investigate whether these signaling pathways are involved in the pharmaceutical action of cepharanthine, we investigated Hedgehog and Wnt signaling in models of liver cancer treated with a semi‑synthetic cepharanthine derivative, cepharanthine hydrochloride (CH), in vitro and in vivo. By using MTT cytotoxic, scratch, Transwell, colony formation and flow cytometry assays, the pharmaceutical effect of CH was assessed. The compound was found to inhibit cellular proliferation and invasion, and promote apoptosis. Subsequent mechanistic investigations revealed that CH suppressed the Hedgehog/Gli1 signaling pathway by inhibiting Gli1 transcription and its transcriptional activity. CH also inhibited Wnt/β‑catenin signaling, and the pathway was found to be an upstream regulator of Hedgehog signaling in CH‑treated liver cancer cells. Finally, the antitumor effects of CH were demonstrated in an in vivo xenograft tumor model. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that Gli1 protein levels were diminished in CH‑treated xenografts, compared with that noted in the controls. In summary, our results highlight a novel pharmaceutical antitumor mechanism of cepharanthine and provide support for CH as a clinical therapy for refractory liver cancer and other Wnt/Hedgehog‑driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Feng Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, P.R. China
| | - Ze-Xiu Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, P.R. China
| | - Deng-Liang Huang
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai 810001, P.R. China
| | - Peng-Xiao Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, P.R. China
| | - Yao Wang
- Guangzhou Jinan Biomedicine Research and Development Center Co. Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Fei Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, P.R. China
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22
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A novel promoter-associated non-coding small RNA paGLI1 recruits FUS/P65 to transactivate GLI1 gene expression and promotes infiltrating glioma progression. Cancer Lett 2022; 530:68-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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23
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He L, Wick N, Germans SK, Peng Y. The Role of Breast Cancer Stem Cells in Chemoresistance and Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246209. [PMID: 34944829 PMCID: PMC8699562 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains an aggressive disease due to the lack of targeted therapies and low rate of response to chemotherapy that is currently the main treatment modality for TNBC. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a small subpopulation of breast tumors and recognized as drivers of tumorigenesis. TNBC tumors are characterized as being enriched for BCSCs. Studies have demonstrated the role of BCSCs as the source of metastatic disease and chemoresistance in TNBC. Multiple targets against BCSCs are now under investigation, with the considerations of either selectively targeting BCSCs or co-targeting BCSCs and non-BCSCs (majority of tumor cells). This review article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the role of BCSCs in TNBC and the identification of cancer stem cell biomarkers, paving the way for the development of new targeted therapies. The review also highlights the resultant discovery of cancer stem cell targets in TNBC and the ongoing clinical trials treating chemoresistant breast cancer. We aim to provide insights into better understanding the mutational landscape of BCSCs and exploring potential molecular signaling pathways targeting BCSCs to overcome chemoresistance and prevent metastasis in TNBC, ultimately to improve the overall survival of patients with this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin He
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6201 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (L.H.); (N.W.); (S.K.G.)
| | - Neda Wick
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6201 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (L.H.); (N.W.); (S.K.G.)
| | - Sharon Koorse Germans
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6201 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (L.H.); (N.W.); (S.K.G.)
| | - Yan Peng
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6201 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; (L.H.); (N.W.); (S.K.G.)
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
- Correspondence:
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24
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Frappaz D, Barritault M, Montané L, Laigle-Donadey F, Chinot O, Le Rhun E, Bonneville-Levard A, Hottinger AF, Meyronnet D, Bidaux AS, Garin G, Pérol D. MEVITEM-a phase I/II trial of vismodegib + temozolomide vs temozolomide in patients with recurrent/refractory medulloblastoma with Sonic Hedgehog pathway activation. Neuro Oncol 2021; 23:1949-1960. [PMID: 33825892 PMCID: PMC8563312 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vismodegib specifically inhibits Sonic Hedgehog (SHH). We report results of a phase I/II evaluating vismodegib + temozolomide (TMZ) in immunohistochemically defined SHH recurrent/refractory adult medulloblastoma. METHODS TMZ-naïve patients were randomized 2:1 to receive vismodegib + TMZ (arm A) or TMZ (arm B). Patients previously treated with TMZ were enrolled in an exploratory cohort of vismodegib (arm C). If the safety run showed no excessive toxicity, a Simon's 2-stage phase II design was planned to explore the 6-month progression-free survival (PFS-6). Stage II was to proceed if arm A PFS-6 was ≥3/9 at the end of stage I. RESULTS A total of 24 patients were included: arm A (10), arm B (5), and arm C (9). Safety analysis showed no excessive toxicity. At the end of stage I, the PFS-6 of arm A was 20% (2/10 patients, 95% unilateral lower confidence limit: 3.7%) and the study was prematurely terminated. The overall response rates (ORR) were 40% (95% CI, 12.2-73.8) and 20% (95% CI, 0.5-71.6) in arm A and B, respectively. In arm C, PFS-6 was 37.5% (95% CI, 8.8-75.5) and ORR was 22.2% (95% CI, 2.8-60.0). Among 11 patients with an expected sensitivity according to new generation sequencing (NGS), 3 had partial response (PR), 4 remained stable disease (SD) while out of 7 potentially resistant patients, 1 had PR and 1 SD. CONCLUSION The addition of vismodegib to TMZ did not add toxicity but failed to improve PFS-6 in SHH recurrent/refractory medulloblastoma. Prediction of sensitivity to vismodegib needs further refinements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laure Montané
- Clinical Research Platform (DRCI) of Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | | | - Olivier Chinot
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, La Timone Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Emilie Le Rhun
- University of Lille, U-1192, F-59000 Lille, Lille, France
- Inserm, U-1192, F-59000 Lille, Lille, France
- General and Stereotaxic Neurosurgery Service, CHU Lille, Lille, France
- Oscar Lambret Center, Lille, France
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Andreas F Hottinger
- Brain and Spine Tumor Center, Departments of Clinical Neurosciences & Oncology, CHUV Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Gwenaële Garin
- Clinical Research Platform (DRCI) of Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - David Pérol
- Clinical Research Platform (DRCI) of Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
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25
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Chai JY, Sugumar V, Alshawsh MA, Wong WF, Arya A, Chong PP, Looi CY. The Role of Smoothened-Dependent and -Independent Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Tumorigenesis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1188. [PMID: 34572373 PMCID: PMC8466551 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh)-glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) signaling pathway is highly conserved among mammals, with crucial roles in regulating embryonic development as well as in cancer initiation and progression. The GLI transcription factors (GLI1, GLI2, and GLI3) are effectors of the Hh pathway and are regulated via Smoothened (SMO)-dependent and SMO-independent mechanisms. The SMO-dependent route involves the common Hh-PTCH-SMO axis, and mutations or transcriptional and epigenetic dysregulation at these levels lead to the constitutive activation of GLI transcription factors. Conversely, the SMO-independent route involves the SMO bypass regulation of GLI transcription factors by external signaling pathways and their interacting proteins or by epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of GLI transcription factors expression. Both routes of GLI activation, when dysregulated, have been heavily implicated in tumorigenesis of many known cancers, making them important targets for cancer treatment. Hence, this review describes the various SMO-dependent and SMO-independent routes of GLI regulation in the tumorigenesis of multiple cancers in order to provide a holistic view of the paradigms of hedgehog signaling networks involving GLI regulation. An in-depth understanding of the complex interplay between GLI and various signaling elements could help inspire new therapeutic breakthroughs for the treatment of Hh-GLI-dependent cancers in the future. Lastly, we have presented an up-to-date summary of the latest findings concerning the use of Hh inhibitors in clinical developmental studies and discussed the challenges, perspectives, and possible directions regarding the use of SMO/GLI inhibitors in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Yi Chai
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (J.Y.C.); (P.P.C.)
| | - Vaisnevee Sugumar
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia;
| | | | - Won Fen Wong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia;
| | - Aditya Arya
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Building 184, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Pei Pei Chong
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (J.Y.C.); (P.P.C.)
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Molecular Pharmacology (CDDMP), Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
| | - Chung Yeng Looi
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (J.Y.C.); (P.P.C.)
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Molecular Pharmacology (CDDMP), Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, 1 Jalan Taylors, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
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26
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Viswakarma N, Sondarva G, Principe DR, Nair RS, Kumar S, Singh SK, Das S, Sinha SC, Grippo PJ, Grimaldo S, Giulianotti PC, Rana B, Rana A. Mixed Lineage Kinase 3 phosphorylates prolyl-isomerase PIN1 and potentiates GLI1 signaling in pancreatic cancer development. Cancer Lett 2021; 515:1-13. [PMID: 34052323 PMCID: PMC8215900 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor Glioma-Associated Oncogene Homolog 1 (GLI1) is activated by sonic hedgehog (SHH) cascade and is an established driver of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, therapies targeting upstream hedgehog signaling have shown little to no efficacy in clinical trials. Here, we identify Mixed Lineage Kinase 3 (MLK3) as a druggable regulator of oncogenic GLI1. Earlier, we reported that MLK3 phosphorylated a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase PIN1 on the S138 site, and the PIN1-pS138 translocated to the nucleus. In this report, we identify GLI1 as one of the targets of PIN1-pS138 and demonstrate that PIN1-pS138 is upregulated in human PDAC and strongly associates with the upregulation of GLI1 and MLK3 expression. Moreover, we also identified two new phosphorylation sites on GLI1, T394, and S1089, which are directly phosphorylated by MLK3 to promote GLI1 nuclear translocation, transcriptional activity, and cell proliferation. Additionally, pharmacological inhibition of MLK3 by CEP-1347 promoted apoptosis in PDAC cell lines, reduced tumor burden, extended survival, and reduced GLI1 expression in the Pdx1-Cre x LSL-KRASG12D x LSL-TP53R172H (KPC) mouse model of PDAC. These findings collectively suggest that MLK3 is an important regulator of oncogenic GLI1 and that therapies targeting MLK3 warrant consideration in the management of PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navin Viswakarma
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Gautam Sondarva
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Daniel R Principe
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Rakesh Sathish Nair
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Sunil Kumar Singh
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Subhasis Das
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | | | - Paul J Grippo
- Department of Medicine, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Sam Grimaldo
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Pier Cristoforo Giulianotti
- Division of General, Minimally Invasive, and Robotic Surgery, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Basabi Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA; University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Cancer Center, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Ajay Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA; University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System Cancer Center, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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27
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Yang J, Wang J, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Huang W, Zou Y, Qiu Y, Cai W, Gao J, Zhou H, Wu Y, Liu W, Ding Q, Zhang Y, Yin PH, Tan W. PGE2-JNK signaling axis non-canonically promotes Gli activation by protecting Gli2 from ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:707. [PMID: 34267186 PMCID: PMC8282835 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03995-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Both bench and bedside investigations have challenged the supportive role of Hedgehog (Hh) activity in the progression of colorectal cancers, thus raising a critical need to further deeply determine the contribution of Hh to the growth of colorectal cancer. Combining multiple complementary means, including in vitro and in vivo inflammatory colorectal cancer models, and pathological analysis of clinical colorectal cancer patients samples. We report that colorectal cancer cells hijack prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to non-canonically promote Hh transcriptional factor Gli activity and Gli-dependent proliferation of colorectal cancer cells in a Smo-independent manner. Mechanistically, PGE2 activates c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which in turn enables Gli2 to evade ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation by phosphorylating Gli2 at Thr1546. This study not only presents evidence for understanding the contribution of Hh to colorectal cancers, but also provides a novel molecular portrait underlying how PGE2-activated JNK fine-tunes the evasion of Gli2 from ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation. Therefore, it proposes a rationale for the future evaluation of chemopreventive and selective therapeutic strategies for colorectal cancers by targeting PGE2-JNK-Gli signaling route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjing Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zou
- Department of General Surgery, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 200062, Shanghai, China.,Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Putuo Central School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 230601, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yanyan Qiu
- Department of General Surgery, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 200062, Shanghai, China.,Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Putuo Central School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 230601, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Weiyang Cai
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai 9th pepople's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Road, 201999, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- Department of Analytical Chemistry and CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingli Wu
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital/Faculty of Basic Medicine, Chemical Biology Division of Shanghai Universities E-Institutes, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijun Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63108, USA
| | - Qingqing Ding
- Department of pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yanjie Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai 9th pepople's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 Mohe Road, 201999, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei-Hao Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 200062, Shanghai, China. .,Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Putuo Central School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 230601, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Wenfu Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 201203, Shanghai, China.
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28
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Wang W, Yan T, Guo W, Niu J, Zhao Z, Sun K, Zhang H, Yu Y, Ren T. Constitutive GLI1 expression in chondrosarcoma is regulated by major vault protein via mTOR/S6K1 signaling cascade. Cell Death Differ 2021; 28:2221-2237. [PMID: 33637972 PMCID: PMC8257592 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-021-00749-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog signaling plays a pivotal role in embryonic pattern formation and diverse aspects of the postnatal biological process. Perturbation of the hedgehog pathway and overexpression of GLI1, a downstream transcription factor in the hedgehog pathway, are highly relevant to several malignancies including chondrosarcoma (CS). We previously found that knocking down expression of GLI1 attenuates the disrupted Indian hedgehog (IHH) signal pathway and suppresses cell survival in human CS cells. However, the underlying mechanisms regulating the expression of GLI1 are still unknown. Here, we demonstrated the implication of GLI1 in SMO-independent pathways in CS cells. A GLI1 binding protein, major vault protein (MVP), was identified using the affinity purification method. MVP promoted the nuclear transport and stabilization of GLI1 by compromising the binding affinity of GLI1 with suppressor of fused homolog (SUFU) and increased GLI1 expression via mTOR/S6K1 signaling cascade. Functionally, knockdown of MVP suppressed cell growth and induced apoptosis. Simultaneous inhibition of MVP and GLI1 strongly inhibits the growth of CS in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, IHC results showed that MVP, GLI1, and P-p70S6K1 were highly expressed and positively correlated with each other in 71 human CS tissues. Overall, our findings revealed a novel regulating mechanism for HH-independent GLI1 expression and provide a rationale for combination therapy in patients with advanced CS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Taiqiang Yan
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China.
| | - Wei Guo
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China.
| | - Jianfang Niu
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqing Zhao
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Kunkun Sun
- Department of Pathology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hongliang Zhang
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Yiyang Yu
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Ren
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Beijing, China
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29
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Caimano M, Lospinoso Severini L, Loricchio E, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L. Drug Delivery Systems for Hedgehog Inhibitors in the Treatment of SHH-Medulloblastoma. Front Chem 2021; 9:688108. [PMID: 34164380 PMCID: PMC8215655 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.688108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly aggressive pediatric tumor of the cerebellum. Hyperactivation of the Hedgehog (HH) pathway is observed in about 30% of all MB diagnoses, thereby bringing out its pharmacological blockade as a promising therapeutic strategy for the clinical management of this malignancy. Two main classes of HH inhibitors have been developed: upstream antagonists of Smoothened (SMO) receptor and downstream inhibitors of GLI transcription factors. Unfortunately, the poor pharmacological properties of many of these molecules have limited their investigation in clinical trials for MB. In this minireview, we focus on the drug delivery systems engineered for SMO and GLI inhibitors as a valuable approach to improve their bioavailability and efficiency to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), one of the main challenges in the treatment of MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Caimano
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Elena Loricchio
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
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30
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Liu J, Yin J, Chen P, Liu D, He W, Li Y, Li M, Fu X, Zeng G, Guo Y, Wang X, DiSanto ME, Zhang X. Smoothened inhibition leads to decreased cell proliferation and suppressed tissue fibrosis in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:115. [PMID: 34006832 PMCID: PMC8131753 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00501-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in aging males. It has been proven that the Hedgehog (HH) is implied as an effective and fundamental regulatory growth factor signal for organogenesis, homeostasis, and regeneration. Smoothened (SMO), as the major control point of HH signals, activates aberrantly in most human solid tumors. However, the specific function of SMO and its downstream glioma-associated oncogene (GLI) family in BPH has not been well understood. Here, we first revealed that the SMO cascade was upregulated in BPH tissues and was localized in both the stromal and the epithelium compartments of human prostate tissues. Cyclopamine, as a specific SMO inhibitor, was incubated with BPH-1 and WPMY-1, and intraperitoneally injected into a BPH rat model established by castration with testosterone supplementation. SMO inhibition could induce cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, and a reduction of tissue fibrosis markers, both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, a tissue microarray, containing 104 BPH specimens, was constructed to analyze the correlations between the expression of SMO cascade and clinical parameters. The GLI2 was correlated positively with nocturia and negatively with fPSA. The GLI3 was in a positive relationship with International Prostate Symptom Score and nocturia. In conclusion, our study suggested that SMO cascade could play important roles in the development of BPH and it might be rediscovered as a promising therapeutic target for BPH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianmin Liu
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Yin
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Chen
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Daoquan Liu
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weixiang He
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingzhou Li
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xun Fu
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Guang Zeng
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuming Guo
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinghuan Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Michael E DiSanto
- Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Xinhua Zhang
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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31
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MIRLET7BHG promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by activating hepatic stellate cells through exosomal SMO to trigger Hedgehog pathway. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:326. [PMID: 33771969 PMCID: PMC7997896 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03494-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), commonly caused by liver fibrosis, is a global challenge with high morbidity. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) contributes to hepatic fibrosis. Exosomes are small vesicles that play a significant role in cell-to-cell communication. Smoothened (SMO) is the key signal transducer for Hedgehog pathway. This study was designed to study the function and underlying mechanism of SMO in HSC activation. Functional assays including 5-Ethynyl-2´-deoxyuridine, colony formation, wound healing, transwell, and sphere formation assays disclosed the function of SMO. Western blot analysis of exosome biomarkers, immunofluorescence staining assay, electron microscope, and flow cytometry revealed the existence of exosomes. Bioinformatics analyses and mechanistic assays uncovered the interplays between RNAs. Nude mice xenograft model was established to evaluate HCC tumor growth. We uncovered that SMO was an oncogene in HCC cells and was low-expressed in quiescent HSCs. Then, SMO was upregulated in HSCs cultured with HCC cells-conditioned medium. Next, it was revealed that HCC cells-derived exosomes activated HSCs by transmitting SMO to HSCs. Subsequently, we recognized that microRNA let-7b host gene (MIRLET7BHG) served as the competing endogenous RNA against miR-330-5p to upregulate SMO. In turn, SMO induced hedgehog pathway to promote GLI family zinc finger 1 (Gli1), leading to transcriptional activation of MIRLET7BHG in activated HSCs. In summary, this study demonstrated that Gli1-induced MIRLET7BHG facilitated HCC by activating HSCs through exosomal SMO to stimulate hedgehog pathway, providing a new road for HCC treatment.
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32
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Cui H, Yu W, Yu M, Luo Y, Yang M, Cong R, Chu X, Gao G, Zhong M. GPR126 regulates colorectal cancer cell proliferation by mediating HDAC2 and GLI2 expression. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:1798-1810. [PMID: 33629464 PMCID: PMC8088945 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The G‐protein‐coupled receptor 126 (GPR126) may play an important role in tumor development, although its role remains poorly understood. We found that GPR126 had higher expression in most colorectal cancer cell lines than in normal colon epithelial cell lines, and higher expression levels in colorectal cancer tissues than in normal adjacent colon tissues. GPR126 knockdown induced by shRNA inhibited cell viability and colony formation in HT‐29, HCT116, and LoVo cells, decreased BrdU incorporation into newly synthesized proliferating HT‐29 cells, led to an arrest of cell cycle progression at the G1 phase in HCT‐116 and HT‐29 cells, and suppressed tumorigenesis of HT‐29, HCT116, and LoVo cells in nude mouse xenograft models. GPR126 knockdown engendered decreased transcription and translation of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), previously implicated in the activation of GLI1 and GLI2 in the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Ectopic expression of HDAC2 in GPR126‐silenced cells restored cell viability and proliferation, GLI2 luciferase reporter activity, partially recovered GLI2 expression, and reduced the cell cycle arrest. HDAC2 regulated GLI2 expression and, along with GLI2, it bound to the PTCH1 promoter, as evidenced by a chip assay with HT‐29 cells. Purmorphamine, a hedgehog agonist, largely restored the cell viability and expression of GLI2 proteins in GPR126‐silenced HT‐29 cells, whereas GANT61, a hedgehog inhibitor, further enhanced the GPR126 knockdown‐induced inhibitory effects. Our findings demonstrate that GPR126 regulates colorectal cancer cell proliferation by mediating the expression of HDAC2 and GLI2, therefore it may represent a suitable therapeutic target for colorectal cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengxiang Cui
- Medical Research Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjie Yu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Minhao Yu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Luo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingming Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ruochen Cong
- Medical Research Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xin Chu
- Medical Research Center, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ganglong Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Zhong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Feng H, Xing W, Han Y, Sun J, Kong M, Gao B, Yang Y, Yin Z, Chen X, Zhao Y, Bi Q, Zou W. Tendon-derived cathepsin K-expressing progenitor cells activate Hedgehog signaling to drive heterotopic ossification. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:6354-6365. [PMID: 32853181 DOI: 10.1172/jci132518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterotopic ossification (HO) is pathological bone formation characterized by ossification within muscle, tendons, or other soft tissues. However, the cells of origin and mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of HO remain elusive. Here we show that deletion of suppressor of fused (Sufu) in cathepsin K-Cre-expressing (Ctsk-Cre-expressing) cells resulted in spontaneous and progressive ligament, tendon, and periarticular ossification. Lineage tracing studies and cell functional analysis demonstrated that Ctsk-Cre could label a subpopulation of tendon-derived progenitor cells (TDPCs) marked by the tendon marker Scleraxis (Scx). Ctsk+Scx+ TDPCs are enriched for tendon stem cell markers and show the highest self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential. Sufu deficiency caused enhanced chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of Ctsk-Cre-expressing tendon-derived cells via upregulation of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Furthermore, pharmacological intervention in Hh signaling using JQ1 suppressed the development of HO. Thus, our results show that Ctsk-Cre labels a subpopulation of TDPCs contributing to HO and that their cell-fate changes are driven by activation of Hh signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhui Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yujiao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingxiang Kong
- Department of Orthopedics and Joint Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bo Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Orthopedic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zi Yin
- Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Bi
- Department of Orthopedics and Joint Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiguo Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Microsurgery on Extremities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
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Liu X, Zhang Y, Li Y, Wang J, Ding H, Huang W, Ding C, Liu H, Tan W, Zhang A. Development of hedgehog pathway inhibitors by epigenetically targeting GLI through BET bromodomain for the treatment of medulloblastoma. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:488-504. [PMID: 33643826 PMCID: PMC7893122 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a common yet highly heterogeneous childhood malignant brain tumor, however, clinically effective molecular targeted therapy is lacking. Modulation of hedgehog (HH) signaling by epigenetically targeting the transcriptional factors GLI through bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) has recently spurred new interest as potential treatment of HH-driven MB. Through screening of current clinical BRD4 inhibitors for their inhibitory potency against glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) protein, the BRD4 inhibitor 2 was selected as the lead for further structural optimization, which led to the identification of compounds 25 and 35 as the high potency HH inhibitors. Mechanism profiling showed that both compounds suppressed HH signaling by interacting with the transcriptional factor GLI, and were equally potent against the clinical resistant mutants and the wild type of smoothened (SMO) receptor with IC50 values around 1 nmol/L. In the resistant MB allograft mice, compound 25 was well tolerated and markedly suppressed tumor growth at both 5 mg/kg (TGI = 83.3%) and 10 mg/kg (TGI = 87.6%) doses. Although further modification is needed to improve the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters, compound 25 represents an efficacious lead compound of GLI inhibitors, possessing optimal safety and tolerance to fight against HH-driven MB.
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Key Words
- BCC, basal cell carcinoma
- BET, bromo and extra C-terminal bromodomain proteins
- BRD4
- BRD4, bromodomain-containing protein 4
- Drug resistance
- GLI
- HH, hedgehog
- HTRF, homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence
- Hedgehog signaling pathway
- MB, medulloblastoma
- Medulloblastoma
- PK, pharmacokinetic
- PTCH, patched
- SAR, structure−activity relationship
- SHH, Sonic hedgehog
- SMO, smoothened
- TGI, tumor growth inhibition
- WNT, wingless
- hERG, human ether-a-go-go-related gene
- i.v., intravenous injection
- p.o., per os
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yalei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Huaqian Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wenjing Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chunyong Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Hongchun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 21 50806072 (Hongchun Liu); +86 21 51980039 (Wenfu Tan); +86 21 34204020 (Ao Zhang).
| | - Wenfu Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 21 50806072 (Hongchun Liu); +86 21 51980039 (Wenfu Tan); +86 21 34204020 (Ao Zhang).
| | - Ao Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Ministry of Education of China, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 21 50806072 (Hongchun Liu); +86 21 51980039 (Wenfu Tan); +86 21 34204020 (Ao Zhang).
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35
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Ghirga F, Quaglio D, Mori M, Cammarone S, Iazzetti A, Goggiamani A, Ingallina C, Botta B, Calcaterra A. A unique high-diversity natural product collection as a reservoir of new therapeutic leads. Org Chem Front 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0qo01210f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We review the successful application of computer-aided methods to screen a unique and high-diversity in house collection library composed of around 1000 individual natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ghirga
- Center For Life Nano Science@Sapienza
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- 00161 Rome
- Italy
| | - Deborah Quaglio
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs
- “Department of Excellence 2018–2022”
- The Sapienza University of Rome
- 00185 Rome
- Italy
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology
- Chemistry and Pharmacy
- “Department of Excellence 2018–2022”
- University of Siena
- 53100 Siena
| | - Silvia Cammarone
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs
- “Department of Excellence 2018–2022”
- The Sapienza University of Rome
- 00185 Rome
- Italy
| | - Antonia Iazzetti
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs
- “Department of Excellence 2018–2022”
- The Sapienza University of Rome
- 00185 Rome
- Italy
| | - Antonella Goggiamani
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs
- “Department of Excellence 2018–2022”
- The Sapienza University of Rome
- 00185 Rome
- Italy
| | - Cinzia Ingallina
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs
- “Department of Excellence 2018–2022”
- The Sapienza University of Rome
- 00185 Rome
- Italy
| | - Bruno Botta
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs
- “Department of Excellence 2018–2022”
- The Sapienza University of Rome
- 00185 Rome
- Italy
| | - Andrea Calcaterra
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs
- “Department of Excellence 2018–2022”
- The Sapienza University of Rome
- 00185 Rome
- Italy
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36
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Zhang KQ, Chu XD. GANT61 plays antitumor effects by inducing oxidative stress through the miRNA-1286/RAB31 axis in osteosarcoma. Cell Biol Int 2021; 45:61-73. [PMID: 32936498 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare malignancy of bone associated with poor clinical outcomes. The antitumor effects of GANT61 on OS is unclear. To investigate antitumor effects and mechanism of GANT61 in OS cells and xenograft model. Effects of GANT61 on cell viability, clone formation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and invasion ability of OS cells were assessed. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels measured by dichlorofluorescein fluorescence were used to evaluate oxidative stress. The Xenograft model was constructed to investigate the antitumor effects of GANT61 in vivo. The microRNA (miRNA)-1286 was downregulated, while RAB31 upregulated in OS tissues and cells. GANT61 inhibited viability, migration, and invasion ability of OS cells (SaOS-2 and U2OS), and induced apoptosis and the ROS production, along with miRNA-1286 upregulation and RAB13 downregulation. After knockdown of miRNA-1286, GANT6-induced cell inhibition was attenuated, along with RAB31 upregulation. Inversely, miRNA-1286 overexpression downregulated RAB31. Dual-luciferase reporter assay verified that miR-1286 negatively targeted RAB13. Moreover, the knockdown of RAB31 stimulated apoptosis and ROS production while inhibited viability, migration, and invasion of GANT61-treated cells. In vivo experiments further confirmed that GANT61 inhibited tumor growth and RAB13 expression, but enhanced miRNA-1286. The study demonstrated that GANT61 inhibited cell aggressive phenotype and tumor growth by inducing oxidative stress through the miRNA-1286/RAB31 axis. Our findings provided a potential antitumor agent for the OS clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuai-Qiang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic, Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiang-Dong Chu
- Department of Orthopedic, Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
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37
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Infante P, Malfanti A, Quaglio D, Balducci S, De Martin S, Bufalieri F, Mastrotto F, Basili I, Garofalo M, Lospinoso Severini L, Mori M, Manni I, Moretti M, Nicoletti C, Piaggio G, Caliceti P, Botta B, Ghirga F, Salmaso S, Di Marcotullio L. Glabrescione B delivery by self-assembling micelles efficiently inhibits tumor growth in preclinical models of Hedgehog-dependent medulloblastoma. Cancer Lett 2020; 499:220-231. [PMID: 33249196 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway leads to the development of several tumors, including medulloblastoma (MB), the most common pediatric brain malignancy. Hh inhibitors acting on GLI1, the final effector of Hh signaling, offer a valuable opportunity to overcome the pitfalls of the existing therapies to treat Hh-driven cancers. In this study, the toxicity, delivery, biodistribution, and anticancer efficacy of Glabrescione B (GlaB), a selective GLI1 inhibitor, were investigated in preclinical models of Hh-dependent MB. To overcome its poor water solubility, GlaB was formulated with a self-assembling amphiphilic polymer forming micelles, called mPEG5kDa-cholane. mPEG5kDa-cholane/GlaB showed high drug loading and stability, low cytotoxicity, and long permanence in the bloodstream. We found that mPEG5kDa-cholane efficiently enhanced the solubility of GlaB, thus avoiding the use of organic solvents. mPEG5kDa-cholane/GlaB possesses favorable pharmacokinetics and negligible toxicity. Remarkably, GlaB encapsulated in mPEG5kDa-cholane micelles was delivered through the blood-brain barrier and drastically inhibited tumor growth in both allograft and orthotopic models of Hh-dependent MB. Our findings reveal that mPEG5kDa-cholane/GlaB is a good candidate for the treatment of Hh-driven tumors and provide relevant implications for the translation of GlaB into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessio Malfanti
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Deborah Quaglio
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Silvia Balducci
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Mastrotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Irene Basili
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Mariangela Garofalo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Isabella Manni
- UOSD SAFU, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Roma, Italy
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Carmine Nicoletti
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy; Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- UOSD SAFU, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Roma, Italy
| | - Paolo Caliceti
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Bruno Botta
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Francesca Ghirga
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Roma, Italy.
| | - Stefano Salmaso
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy; Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
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Mueller T, Stucklin ASG, Postlmayr A, Metzger S, Gerber N, Kline C, Grotzer M, Nazarian J, Mueller S. Advances in Targeted Therapies for Pediatric Brain Tumors. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11940-020-00651-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Over the last years, our understanding of the molecular biology of pediatric brain tumors has vastly improved. This has led to more narrowly defined subgroups of these tumors and has created new potential targets for molecularly driven therapies. This review presents an overview of the latest advances and challenges of implementing targeted therapies into the clinical management of pediatric brain tumors, with a focus on gliomas, craniopharyngiomas, and medulloblastomas.
Recent Findings
Pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGG) show generally a low mutational burden with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling presenting a key driver for these tumors. Direct inhibition of this pathway through BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors has proven to be a clinically relevant strategy. More recently, MEK and IL-6 receptor inhibitors have started to be evaluated in the treatment for craniopharyngiomas. Aside these low-grade tumors, pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG) and medulloblastomas exhibit substantially greater molecular heterogeneity with various and sometimes unknown tumor driver alterations. The clinical benefit of different targeted therapy approaches to interfere with altered signaling pathways and restore epigenetic dysregulation is undergoing active clinical testing. For these multiple pathway-driven tumors, combination strategies will most likely be required to achieve clinical benefit.
Summary
The field of pediatric neuro-oncology made tremendous progress with regard to improved diagnosis setting the stage for precision medicine approaches over the last decades. The potential of targeted therapies has been clearly demonstrated for a subset of pediatric brain tumors. However, despite clear response rates, questions of sufficient blood-brain barrier penetration, optimal dosing, treatment duration as well as mechanisms of resistance and how these can be overcome with potential combination strategies need to be addressed in future investigations. Along this line, it is critical for future trials to define appropriate endpoints to assess therapy responses as well as short and long-term toxicities in the growing and developing child.
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39
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Goto K, Nishitsuji H, Sugiyama M, Nishida N, Mizokami M, Shimotohno K. Orchestration of Intracellular Circuits by G Protein-Coupled Receptor 39 for Hepatitis B Virus Proliferation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165661. [PMID: 32784555 PMCID: PMC7460832 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165661] [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: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a highly persistent pathogen causing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), takes full advantage of host machinery, presenting therapeutic targets. Here we aimed to identify novel druggable host cellular factors using the reporter HBV we have recently generated. In an RNAi screen of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), GPCR39 (GPR39) appeared as the top hit to facilitate HBV proliferation. Lentiviral overexpression of active GPR39 proteins and an agonist enhanced HBV replication and transcriptional activities of viral promoters, inducing the expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (CEBP)-β (CEBPB). Meanwhile, GPR39 was uncovered to activate the heat shock response, upregulating the expression of proviral heat shock proteins (HSPs). In addition, glioma-associated oncogene homologue signaling, a recently reported target of GPR39, was suggested to inhibit HBV replication and eventually suppress expression of CEBPB and HSPs. Thus, GPR39 provirally governed intracellular circuits simultaneously affecting the carcinopathogenetic gene functions. GPR39 and the regulated signaling networks would serve as antiviral targets, and strategies with selective inhibitors of GPR39 functions can develop host-targeted antiviral therapies preventing HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaku Goto
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-47-372-3501; Fax: +81-47-375-4766
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Tian N, Wu H, Zhang H, Yang D, Lv L, Yang Z, Zhang T, Quan D, Zhou L, Xie Y, Xu Y, Wei N, Zhang J, Chen M, Schmitz JC, Tian Y, Wu S. Discovery of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridines as potent Smoothened inhibitors targeting the Hedgehog pathway with improved antitumor activity in vivo. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115584. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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DUBs Activating the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway: A Promising Therapeutic Target in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061518. [PMID: 32531973 PMCID: PMC7352588 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (HH) pathway governs cell proliferation and patterning during embryonic development and is involved in regeneration, homeostasis and stem cell maintenance in adult tissues. The activity of this signaling is finely modulated at multiple levels and its dysregulation contributes to the onset of several human cancers. Ubiquitylation is a coordinated post-translational modification that controls a wide range of cellular functions and signaling transduction pathways. It is mediated by a sequential enzymatic network, in which ubiquitin ligases (E3) and deubiquitylase (DUBs) proteins are the main actors. The dynamic balance of the activity of these enzymes dictates the abundance and the fate of cellular proteins, thus affecting both physiological and pathological processes. Several E3 ligases regulating the stability and activity of the key components of the HH pathway have been identified. Further, DUBs have emerged as novel players in HH signaling transduction, resulting as attractive and promising drug targets. Here, we review the HH-associated DUBs, discussing the consequences of deubiquitylation on the maintenance of the HH pathway activity and its implication in tumorigenesis. We also report the recent progress in the development of selective inhibitors for the DUBs here reviewed, with potential applications for the treatment of HH-related tumors.
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Chen B, Hu Z, Chen B, Li B. Effects and mechanism of Lanthanum Citrate on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721. TURKISH JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 2020; 31:264-271. [PMID: 32343239 DOI: 10.5152/tjg.2020.18800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS To investigate the effect and the possible mechanism of lanthanum citrate on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line SMMC-7721 through the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS Different concentrations of lanthanum citrate and KAAD-cyclopamine (the Hh signaling pathway representative inhibitor) were used to treat SMMC-7721 cells. Cell proliferation was detected using Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry analysis of Annexin V-FITC/ propidium iodide (PI). The protein expressions of regulatory genes, such as cell cycle protein D1 (CyclinD1), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (p21), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (Caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1), and sonic hedgehog (Shh) were quantified using Western blot assays. The mRNA expressions of Gli1 and Shh were tested using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays and the protein expressions of Gli1 and Shh were determined using immunofluorescence assays. RESULTS The Annexin V-FITC and PI double staining results revealed that the 0.1 mM lanthanum citrate group and the 15 µM KAAD-cyclopamine group had both increased the apoptosis rate of SMMC-7721 cells. Both lanthanum citrate and KAAD-cyclopamine downregulated the protein expressions of CyclinD1, Bcl-2, Gli1, and Shh and upregulated the protein expressions of p21 and Caspase-3. Additionally, the immunofluorescence results revealed that the protein expressions of Gli1 and Shh were significantly decreased in both the lanthanum citrate group and the KAAD-cyclopamine group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION Lanthanum citrate inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in HCC SMMC-7721 cells by suppressing the Hh signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Zeming Hu
- Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Biao Chen
- Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Bofei Li
- Department of General Surgery, Rucheng County People's Hospital, Chenzhou, China
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Liu X, Ding C, Tan W, Zhang A. Medulloblastoma: Molecular understanding, treatment evolution, and new developments. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 210:107516. [PMID: 32105673 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common childhood malignant brain tumor, accounting for approximately 20% of all pediatric central nervous system tumors. Current standard treatments involving surgical interventions followed by craniospinal irradiation and adjuvant chemotherapy have severe motor and cognitive defects. Therefore, individualized treatment regimens with reduced toxicity designed according to the presence of specific oncogenic 'driver' genes are urgently demanded. To this end, recent genetic and epigenetic findings have advanced the classification of MB into the international consensus of four distinct MB molecular subgroups (WNT, SHH, Group 3, and Group 4) based on their respective molecular and histopathological characteristics. More recent studies have indicated that up to seven molecular subgroups exist in childhood MB. Moreover, studies on the inter- and intra-tumoral features of the four subgroups revealed that each subgroup contains variant subtypes. These results have greatly helped risk stratification of MB patients at diagnosis and significantly improved clinical treatment options. Herein, we highlight the recent advances and challenges associated with MB classification, and the development of therapeutic treatments targeting novel subgroup-specific molecular and epigenetic factors, especially those in the SHH-driven MB tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Liu
- Research Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers on Drug Discovery (RLMCBFDD), School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chunyong Ding
- Research Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers on Drug Discovery (RLMCBFDD), School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wenfu Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Ao Zhang
- Research Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers on Drug Discovery (RLMCBFDD), School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Quaglio D, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L, Botta B, Mori M. Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors: an updated patent review (2015-present). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2020; 30:235-250. [PMID: 32070165 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2020.1730327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays a pivotal role in tissue development and stemness, and its deregulation is found in many different tumors. Several efforts have been devoted to discovery of Hh inhibitors, including three drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), targeting the upstream receptor smoothened (SMO). However, SMO mutations or SMO-independent Hh pathway activation raise the need for novel Hh inhibitors.Areas covered: This review describes Hh inhibitors with anticancer potential patented in the period 2015-present.Expert opinion: Despite the initial enthusiasm in SMO antagonists, drug-resistant mutations, and SMO-independent Hh activation limited their clinical application. A growing number of therapeutic strategies are currently focusing on downstream Hh effectors (i.e. glioma-associate oncogenes (GLI) proteins) or other signaling pathways related to Hh, in addition to drug repositioning. Given the heterogenic nature of cancers, a terrific clinical impact is expected by multi-targeting approaches able to modulate simultaneously SMO and GLI, and/or additional targets that act as regulators of Hh signaling. It is expected that these alternative strategies might be investigated in clinical trials in the next years against a wide variety of tumor types, and that they provide improved outcomes compared to current SMO antagonists or other single-agent anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Quaglio
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Botta
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Xu Y, Song S, Wang Z, Ajani JA. The role of hedgehog signaling in gastric cancer: molecular mechanisms, clinical potential, and perspective. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:157. [PMID: 31775795 PMCID: PMC6882007 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0479-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with advanced gastric cancer usually have a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Overcoming this challenge requires novel targets and effective drugs. The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the development of the gastrointestinal tract and maintenance of the physiologic function of the stomach. Aberrantly activated Hh signaling is implicated in carcinogenesis as well as maintenance of cancer stem cells. Somatic mutations in the components of Hh signaling (PTCH1 and SMO) have been shown to be a major cause of basal cell carcinoma, and dozens of Hh inhibitors have been developed. To date, two inhibitors (GDC-0449 and LDE225) have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma. Here, we review the role of the Hh signaling in the carcinogenesis and progression of gastric cancer and summarize recent findings on Hh inhibitors in gastric cancer. Hedgehog signaling is often aberrantly activated and plays an important role during inflammation and carcinogenesis of gastric epithelial cells. Further study of the precise mechanisms of Hh signaling in this disease is needed for the validation of therapeutic targets and evaluation of the clinical utility of Hh inhibitors for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Unit 426, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA.,Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Shumei Song
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Unit 426, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA.
| | - Zhenning Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jaffer A Ajani
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Unit 426, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030-4009, USA.
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A Smo/Gli Multitarget Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor Impairs Tumor Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101518. [PMID: 31601026 PMCID: PMC6826940 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibition has emerged as a valuable anticancer strategy. A number of small molecules able to block the pathway at the upstream receptor Smoothened (Smo) or the downstream effector glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1) has been designed and developed. In a recent study, we exploited the high versatility of the natural isoflavone scaffold for targeting the Hh signaling pathway at multiple levels showing that the simultaneous targeting of Smo and Gli1 provided synergistic Hh pathway inhibition stronger than single administration. This approach seems to effectively overcome the drug resistance, particularly at the level of Smo. Here, we combined the pharmacophores targeting Smo and Gli1 into a single and individual isoflavone, compound 22, which inhibits the Hh pathway at both upstream and downstream level. We demonstrate that this multitarget agent suppresses medulloblastoma growth in vitro and in vivo through antagonism of Smo and Gli1, which is a novel mechanism of action in Hh inhibition.
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Sarmento-Ribeiro AB, Scorilas A, Gonçalves AC, Efferth T, Trougakos IP. The emergence of drug resistance to targeted cancer therapies: Clinical evidence. Drug Resist Updat 2019; 47:100646. [PMID: 31733611 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2019.100646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
For many decades classical anti-tumor therapies included chemotherapy, radiation and surgery; however, in the last two decades, following the identification of the genomic drivers and main hallmarks of cancer, the introduction of therapies that target specific tumor-promoting oncogenic or non-oncogenic pathways, has revolutionized cancer therapeutics. Despite the significant progress in cancer therapy, clinical oncologists are often facing the primary impediment of anticancer drug resistance, as many cancer patients display either intrinsic chemoresistance from the very beginning of the therapy or after initial responses and upon repeated drug treatment cycles, acquired drug resistance develops and thus relapse emerges, resulting in increased mortality. Our attempts to understand the molecular basis underlying these drug resistance phenotypes in pre-clinical models and patient specimens revealed the extreme plasticity and adaptive pathways employed by tumor cells, being under sustained stress and extensive genomic/proteomic instability due to the applied therapeutic regimens. Subsequent efforts have yielded more effective inhibitors and combinatorial approaches (e.g. the use of specific pharmacologic inhibitors with immunotherapy) that exhibit synergistic effects against tumor cells, hence enhancing therapeutic indices. Furthermore, new advanced methodologies that allow for the early detection of genetic/epigenetic alterations that lead to drug chemoresistance and prospective validation of biomarkers which identify patients that will benefit from certain drug classes, have started to improve the clinical outcome. This review discusses emerging principles of drug resistance to cancer therapies targeting a wide array of oncogenic kinases, along with hedgehog pathway and the proteasome and apoptotic inducers, as well as epigenetic and metabolic modulators. We further discuss mechanisms of resistance to monoclonal antibodies, immunomodulators and immune checkpoint inhibitors, potential biomarkers of drug response/drug resistance, along with possible new therapeutic avenues for the clinicians to combat devastating drug resistant malignancies. It is foreseen that these topics will be major areas of focused multidisciplinary translational research in the years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Bela Sarmento-Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology and University Clinic of Hematology and Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research - Group of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (iCBR/CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra (FMUC), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal; Hematology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Andreas Scorilas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ana Cristina Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology and University Clinic of Hematology and Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research - Group of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (iCBR/CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra (FMUC), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Thomas Efferth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ioannis P Trougakos
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
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ERAP1 promotes Hedgehog-dependent tumorigenesis by controlling USP47-mediated degradation of βTrCP. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3304. [PMID: 31341163 PMCID: PMC6656771 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11093-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is essential for embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Aberrant Hh signaling may occur in a wide range of human cancers, such as medulloblastoma, the most common brain malignancy in childhood. Here, we identify endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1), a key regulator of innate and adaptive antitumor immune responses, as a previously unknown player in the Hh signaling pathway. We demonstrate that ERAP1 binds the deubiquitylase enzyme USP47, displaces the USP47-associated βTrCP, the substrate-receptor subunit of the SCFβTrCP ubiquitin ligase, and promotes βTrCP degradation. These events result in the modulation of Gli transcription factors, the final effectors of the Hh pathway, and the enhancement of Hh activity. Remarkably, genetic or pharmacological inhibition of ERAP1 suppresses Hh-dependent tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Our findings unveil an unexpected role for ERAP1 in cancer and indicate ERAP1 as a promising therapeutic target for Hh-driven tumors. ERAP1 is an endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase that trims MHC Class-I peptides for antigen presentation. Here, the authors show that ERAP1 enhances Hedgehog signalling by sequestering USP47 from βTrCP and promoting tumorigenesis through βTrCP degradation and increased Gli protein stability.
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Peer E, Tesanovic S, Aberger F. Next-Generation Hedgehog/GLI Pathway Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040538. [PMID: 30991683 PMCID: PMC6520835 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog/Glioma-associated oncogene homolog (HH/GLI) signaling pathway regulates self-renewal of rare and highly malignant cancer stem cells (CSC), which have been shown to account for the initiation and maintenance of tumor growth as well as for drug resistance, metastatic spread and relapse. Efficacious therapeutic approaches targeting CSC pathways, such as HH/GLI signaling in combination with chemo, radiation or immunotherapy are, therefore, of high medical need. Pharmacological inhibition of HH/GLI pathway activity represents a promising approach to eliminate malignant CSC. Clinically approved HH/GLI pathway inhibitors target the essential pathway effector Smoothened (SMO) with striking therapeutic efficacy in skin and brain cancer patients. However, multiple genetic and molecular mechanisms resulting in de novo and acquired resistance to SMO inhibitors pose major limitations to anti-HH/GLI therapies and, thus, the eradication of CSC. In this review, we summarize reasons for clinical failure of SMO inhibitors, including mechanisms caused by genetic alterations in HH pathway effectors or triggered by additional oncogenic signals activating GLI transcription factors in a noncanonical manner. We then discuss emerging novel and rationale-based approaches to overcome SMO-inhibitor resistance, focusing on pharmacological perturbations of enzymatic modifiers of GLI activity and on compounds either directly targeting oncogenic GLI factors or interfering with synergistic crosstalk signals known to boost the oncogenicity of HH/GLI signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Peer
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Suzana Tesanovic
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
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Montagnani V, Stecca B. Role of Protein Kinases in Hedgehog Pathway Control and Implications for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040449. [PMID: 30934935 PMCID: PMC6520855 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (HH) signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that is crucial for growth and tissue patterning during embryonic development. It is mostly quiescent in the adult, where it regulates tissue homeostasis and stem cell behavior. Aberrant reactivation of HH signaling has been associated to several types of cancer, including those in the skin, brain, prostate, breast and hematological malignancies. Activation of the canonical HH signaling is triggered by binding of HH ligand to the twelve-transmembrane protein PATCHED. The binding releases the inhibition of the seven-transmembrane protein SMOOTHENED (SMO), leading to its phosphorylation and activation. Hence, SMO activates the transcriptional effectors of the HH signaling, that belong to the GLI family of transcription factors, acting through a not completely elucidated intracellular signaling cascade. Work from the last few years has shown that protein kinases phosphorylate several core components of the HH signaling, including SMO and the three GLI proteins, acting as powerful regulatory mechanisms to fine tune HH signaling activities. In this review, we will focus on the mechanistic influence of protein kinases on HH signaling transduction. We will also discuss the functional consequences of this regulation and the possible implications for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Montagnani
- Core Research Laboratory⁻Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy.
| | - Barbara Stecca
- Core Research Laboratory⁻Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy.
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