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Ruiz-Lara G, Costa-Silva TA, Muso-Cachumba JJ, Cevallos Espinel J, Fontes MG, Garcia-Maya M, Rahman KM, Rangel-Yagui CDO, Monteiro G. Nonclinical Evaluation of Single-Mutant E. coli Asparaginases Obtained by Double-Mutant Deconvolution: Improving Toxicological, Immune and Inflammatory Responses. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6008. [PMID: 38892196 PMCID: PMC11172649 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116008] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is currently treated with bacterial L-asparaginase; however, its side effects raise the need for the development of improved and efficient novel enzymes. Previously, we obtained low anti-asparaginase antibody production and high serum enzyme half-life in mice treated with the P40S/S206C mutant; however, its specific activity was significantly reduced. Thus, our aim was to test single mutants, S206C and P40S, through in vitro and in vivo assays. Our results showed that the drop in specific activity was caused by P40S substitution. In addition, our single mutants were highly stable in biological environment simulation, unlike the double-mutant P40S/S206C. The in vitro cell viability assay demonstrated that mutant enzymes have a higher cytotoxic effect than WT on T-cell-derived ALL and on some solid cancer cell lines. The in vivo assays were performed in mice to identify toxicological effects, to evoke immunological responses and to study the enzymes' pharmacokinetics. From these tests, none of the enzymes was toxic; however, S206C elicited lower physiological changes and immune/allergenic responses. In relation to the pharmacokinetic profile, S206C exhibited twofold higher activity than WT and P40S two hours after injection. In conclusion, we present bioengineered E. coli asparaginases with high specific enzyme activity and fewer side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Ruiz-Lara
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (G.R.-L.); (J.J.M.-C.); (M.G.F.); (C.d.O.R.-Y.)
| | - Tales A. Costa-Silva
- Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Santo André 09210-580, SP, Brazil;
| | - Jorge Javier Muso-Cachumba
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (G.R.-L.); (J.J.M.-C.); (M.G.F.); (C.d.O.R.-Y.)
| | | | - Marina Gabriel Fontes
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (G.R.-L.); (J.J.M.-C.); (M.G.F.); (C.d.O.R.-Y.)
| | - Mitla Garcia-Maya
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London SE1 1UL, UK;
| | | | - Carlota de Oliveira Rangel-Yagui
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (G.R.-L.); (J.J.M.-C.); (M.G.F.); (C.d.O.R.-Y.)
| | - Gisele Monteiro
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil; (G.R.-L.); (J.J.M.-C.); (M.G.F.); (C.d.O.R.-Y.)
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Wang Y, Peng Y, Zi G, Chen J, Peng B. Co-delivery of Cas9 mRNA and guide RNAs for editing of LGMN gene represses breast cancer cell metastasis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8095. [PMID: 38582932 PMCID: PMC10998893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58765-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Legumain (or asparagine endopeptidase/AEP) is a lysosomal cysteine endopeptidase associated with increased invasive and migratory behavior in a variety of cancers. In this study, co-delivery of Cas9 mRNA and guide RNA (gRNA) by lipid nanoparticles (LNP) for editing of LGMN gene was performed. For in-vitro transcription (IVT) of gRNA, two templates were designed: linearized pUC57-T7-gRNA and T7-gRNA oligos, and the effectiveness of gRNA was verified in multiple ways. Cas9 plasmid was modified and optimized for IVT of Cas9 mRNA. The effects of LGMN gene editing on lysosomal/autophagic function and cancer cell metastasis were investigated. Co-delivery of Cas9 mRNA and gRNA resulted in impaired lysosomal/autophagic degradation, clone formation, migration, and invasion capacity of cancer cells in-vitro. Experimental lung metastasis experiment indicates co-delivery of Cas9 mRNA and gRNA by LNP reduced the migration and invasion capacity of cancer cells in-vivo. These results indicate that co-delivery of Cas9 mRNA and gRNA can enhance the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing in-vitro and in-vivo, and suggest that Cas9 mRNA and gRNA gene editing of LGMN may be a potential treatment for breast tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University, 2 HongShen Road, Dali, 671003, Yunnan, China
| | - Yatu Peng
- JinCai High School, 2788 Yang Gao Middle Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 200135, China
| | - Guanghui Zi
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University, 2 HongShen Road, Dali, 671003, Yunnan, China
| | - Jin Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University, 2 HongShen Road, Dali, 671003, Yunnan, China
| | - Baowei Peng
- College of Pharmacy, Dali University, 2 HongShen Road, Dali, 671003, Yunnan, China.
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3
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Bandi DR, Chitturi CMK, Aswathanarayan JB, Veeresh PKM, Bovilla VR, Sukocheva OA, Devi PS, Natraj SM, Madhunapantula SV. Pigmented Microbial Extract (PMB) from Exiguobacterium Species MB2 Strain (PMB1) and Bacillus subtilis Strain MB1 (PMB2) Inhibited Breast Cancer Cells Growth In Vivo and In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17412. [PMID: 38139241 PMCID: PMC10743659 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417412] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) continues to be one of the major causes of cancer deaths in women. Progress has been made in targeting hormone and growth factor receptor-positive BCs with clinical efficacy and success. However, little progress has been made to develop a clinically viable treatment for the triple-negative BC cases (TNBCs). The current study aims to identify potent agents that can target TNBCs. Extracts from microbial sources have been reported to contain pharmacological agents that can selectively inhibit cancer cell growth. We have screened and identified pigmented microbial extracts (PMBs) that can inhibit BC cell proliferation by targeting legumain (LGMN). LGMN is an oncogenic protein expressed not only in malignant cells but also in tumor microenvironment cells, including tumor-associated macrophages. An LGMN inhibition assay was performed, and microbial extracts were evaluated for in vitro anticancer activity in BC cell lines, angiogenesis assay with chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), and tumor xenograft models in Swiss albino mice. We have identified that PMB from the Exiguobacterium (PMB1), inhibits BC growth more potently than PMB2, from the Bacillus subtilis strain. The analysis of PMB1 by GC-MS showed the presence of a variety of fatty acids and fatty-acid derivatives, small molecule phenolics, and aldehydes. PMB1 inhibited the activity of oncogenic legumain in BC cells and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. PMB1 reduced the angiogenesis and inhibited BC cell migration. In mice, intraperitoneal administration of PMB1 retarded the growth of xenografted Ehrlich ascites mammary tumors and mitigated the proliferation of tumor cells in the peritoneal cavity in vivo. In summary, our findings demonstrate the high antitumor potential of PMB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepa R. Bandi
- Department of Applied Microbiology, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswavidyalayam, Tirupati 517502, Andhra Pradesh, India; (D.R.B.); (P.S.D.)
| | - Ch M. Kumari Chitturi
- Department of Applied Microbiology, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswavidyalayam, Tirupati 517502, Andhra Pradesh, India; (D.R.B.); (P.S.D.)
| | - Jamuna Bai Aswathanarayan
- Department of Microbiology, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysore 570015, Karnataka, India;
| | - Prashant Kumar M. Veeresh
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CEMR) Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysore 570015, Karnataka, India; (P.K.M.V.); (V.R.B.); (S.M.N.)
| | - Venugopal R. Bovilla
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CEMR) Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysore 570015, Karnataka, India; (P.K.M.V.); (V.R.B.); (S.M.N.)
| | - Olga A. Sukocheva
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
| | - Potireddy Suvarnalatha Devi
- Department of Applied Microbiology, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswavidyalayam, Tirupati 517502, Andhra Pradesh, India; (D.R.B.); (P.S.D.)
| | - Suma M. Natraj
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CEMR) Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysore 570015, Karnataka, India; (P.K.M.V.); (V.R.B.); (S.M.N.)
| | - SubbaRao V. Madhunapantula
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CEMR) Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysore 570015, Karnataka, India; (P.K.M.V.); (V.R.B.); (S.M.N.)
- Special Interest Group (SIG) in Cancer Biology and Cancer Stem Cells (CBCSC), JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), Mysore 570015, Karnataka, India
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Pang L, Guo S, Khan F, Dunterman M, Ali H, Liu Y, Huang Y, Chen P. Hypoxia-driven protease legumain promotes immunosuppression in glioblastoma. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101238. [PMID: 37858339 PMCID: PMC10694605 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101238] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a hypoxic and "immune-cold" tumor containing rich stromal signaling molecules and cell populations, such as proteases and immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Here, we seek to profile and characterize the potential proteases that may contribute to GBM immunosuppression. Legumain (LGMN) emerges as the key protease that is highly enriched in TAMs and transcriptionally upregulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1α). Functionally, the increased LGMN promotes TAM immunosuppressive polarization via activating the GSK-3β-STAT3 signaling pathway. Inhibition of macrophage HIF1α and LGMN reduces TAM immunosuppressive polarization, impairs tumor progression, enhances CD8+ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity, and synergizes with anti-PD1 therapy in GBM mouse models. Thus, LGMN is a key molecular switch connecting two GBM hallmarks of hypoxia and immunosuppression, providing an actionable therapeutic intervention for this deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhi Pang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Songlin Guo
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Fatima Khan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Madeline Dunterman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Heba Ali
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yuyun Huang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Peiwen Chen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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5
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Kwon MJ, Kang HS, Choi HG, Kim JH, Kim JH, Bang WJ, Hong SK, Kim NY, Hong S, Lee HK. Risk for Esophageal Cancer Based on Lifestyle Factors-Smoking, Alcohol Consumption, and Body Mass Index: Insight from a South Korean Population Study in a Low-Incidence Area. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7086. [PMID: 38002698 PMCID: PMC10672319 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12227086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer constitutes a global public health challenge. However, South Korean population-specific information on the association of lifestyle (smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity status) with esophageal cancer risk is sparse. This nested case-control study analyzed the Korean national health screening cohort data (2002-2019) of 1114 patients with esophageal cancer and 4456 controls (1:4 propensity-score matched for sex, age, income, and residential region). Conditional and unconditional logistic regression analyses, after adjustment for multiple covariates, determined the effects of lifestyle factors on esophageal cancer risk. Smoking and alcohol consumption increased the esophageal cancer risk (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.37 [1.15-1.63] and 1.89 [1.60-2.23], respectively). Overweight (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 23 to <25 kg/m2), obese I (BMI ≥ 25 to <30 kg/m2), or obese II (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) categories had reduced odds of esophageal cancer (0.76 [0.62-0.92], 0.59 [0.48-0.72], and 0.47 [0.26-0.85], respectively). In the subgroup analyses, the association of incident esophageal cancer with smoking and alcohol consumption persisted, particularly in men or those aged ≥55 years, whereas higher BMI scores remained consistently associated with a reduced esophageal cancer likelihood across all age groups, in both sexes, and alcohol users or current smokers. Underweight current smokers exhibited a higher propensity for esophageal cancer. In conclusion, smoking and alcohol drinking may potentially increase the risk, whereas weight maintenance, with BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2, may potentially decrease the risk, for esophageal cancer in the South Korean population. Lifestyle modification in the specific subgroups may be a potential strategy for preventing esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Jung Kwon
- Department of Pathology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang 14068, Republic of Korea;
| | - Ho Suk Kang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang 14068, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hyo Geun Choi
- Suseo Seoul E.N.T. Clinic and MD Analytics, 10, Bamgogae-ro 1-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06349, Republic of Korea;
| | - Joo-Hee Kim
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang 14068, Republic of Korea;
| | - Ji Hee Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang 14068, Republic of Korea;
| | - Woo Jin Bang
- Department of Urology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang 14068, Republic of Korea;
| | - Sung Kwang Hong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang 14068, Republic of Korea;
| | - Nan Young Kim
- Hallym Institute of Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, Hallym University Medical Center, Anyang 14068, Republic of Korea; (N.Y.K.); (S.H.)
| | - Sangkyoon Hong
- Hallym Institute of Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, Hallym University Medical Center, Anyang 14068, Republic of Korea; (N.Y.K.); (S.H.)
| | - Hong Kyu Lee
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang 14068, Republic of Korea
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Chen J, Xu W, Song K, Da LT, Zhang X, Lin M, Hong X, Zhang S, Guo F. Legumain inhibitor prevents breast cancer bone metastasis by attenuating osteoclast differentiation and function. Bone 2023; 169:116680. [PMID: 36702335 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2023.116680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the main lethal disease among females, and metastasis to lung and bone poses a serious threat to patients' life. Therefore, identification of novel molecular mediators that can potentially be exploited as therapeutic targets for treating osteolytic bone metastases is needed. A murine model of breast cancer bone metastasis was developed by injection of 4 T1.2 cells into the left ventricle and hence directly into the arterial system leading to bone. AEP (Asparagine endopeptidase) inhibitor combined with epirubicin or epirubicin alone was administered by intraperitoneal injection into animal model. The presence of bone metastatic and osteolytic lesions in bone were assessed by bioluminescent imaging and X-rays analysis. The expression of EMT (Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition) relevant genes were examined by Western blotting. Cell migration and invasion were investigated with a transwell assay. Compound BIC-113, small molecule inhibitors of AEP, inhibited AEP enzymatic activity in breast cancer cell lines, and affected invasion and migration of cancer cells, but had no effect on cell growth. In animal model of breast cancer bone metastasis, compound BIC-113 combined with epirubicin inhibited breast cancer bone metastasis and attenuated breast cancer osteolytic lesions in bone by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and EMT. These results indicate that compound BIC-113 combined with epirubicin has the potential to be used in breast cancer therapy by preventing bone metastasis via improving E-cadherin expression and inhibition of osteoclast formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junsong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Wenke Xu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Kaiyuan Song
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Lin-Tai Da
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Mengyao Lin
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaowu Hong
- Department of Immunology, School of basic medical sciences, Fudan University, No.138, Yixueyuan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Chazhong Road, Fuzhou 350000, China.
| | - Fang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China.
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Chen B, Wang M, Qiu J, Liao K, Zhang W, Lv Q, Ma C, Qian Z, Shi Z, Liang R, Lin Y, Ye J, Qiu Y, Lin Y. Cleavage of tropomodulin-3 by asparagine endopeptidase promotes cancer malignancy by actin remodeling and SND1/RhoA signaling. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:209. [PMID: 35765111 PMCID: PMC9238189 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02411-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Abnormal proliferation and migration of cells are hallmarks of cancer initiation and malignancy. Asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) has specific substrate cleavage ability and plays a pro-cancer role in a variety of cancers. However, the underlying mechanism of AEP in cancer proliferation and migration still remains unclear.
Methods
Co-immunoprecipitation and following mass spectrometry were used to identify the substrate of AEP. Western blotting was applied to measure the expression of proteins. Single cell/nuclear-sequences were done to detect the heterogeneous expression of Tmod3 in tumor tissues. CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry assays, colony formation assay, Transwell assay and scratch wound-healing assay were performed as cellular functional experiments. Mouse intracranial xenograft tumors were studied in in vivo experiments.
Results
Here we showed that AEP cleaved a ubiquitous cytoskeleton regulatory protein, tropomodulin-3 (Tmod3) at asparagine 157 (N157) and produced two functional truncations (tTmod3-N and tTmod3-C). Truncated Tmod3 was detected in diverse tumors and was found to be associated with poor prognosis of high-grade glioma. Functional studies showed that tTmod3-N and tTmod3-C enhanced cancer cell migration and proliferation, respectively. Animal models further revealed the tumor-promoting effects of AEP truncated Tmod3 in vivo. Mechanistically, tTmod3-N was enriched in the cell cortex and competitively inhibited the pointed-end capping effect of wild-type Tmod3 on filamentous actin (F-actin), leading to actin remodeling. tTmod3-C translocated to the nucleus, where it interacted with Staphylococcal Nuclease And Tudor Domain Containing 1 (SND1), facilitating the transcription of Ras Homolog Family Member A/Cyclin Dependent Kinases (RhoA/CDKs).
Conclusion
The newly identified AEP-Tmod3 protease signaling axis is a novel “dual-regulation” mechanism of tumor cell proliferation and migration. Our work provides new clues to the underlying mechanisms of cancer proliferation and invasive progression and evidence for targeting AEP or Tmod3 for therapy.
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8
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Ćwilichowska N, Świderska KW, Dobrzyń A, Drąg M, Poręba M. Diagnostic and therapeutic potential of protease inhibition. Mol Aspects Med 2022; 88:101144. [PMID: 36174281 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Proteases are enzymes that hydrolyze peptide bonds in proteins and peptides; thus, they control virtually all biological processes. Our understanding of protease function has advanced considerably from nonselective digestive enzymes to highly specialized molecular scissors that orchestrate complex signaling networks through a limited proteolysis. The catalytic activity of proteases is tightly regulated at several levels, ranging from gene expression through trafficking and maturation to posttranslational modifications. However, when this delicate balance is disturbed, many diseases develop, including cancer, inflammatory disorders, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. This new understanding of the role of proteases in pathologic physiology indicates that these enzymes represent excellent molecular targets for the development of therapeutic inhibitors, as well as for the design of chemical probes to visualize their redundant activity. Recently, numerous platform technologies have been developed to identify and optimize protease substrates and inhibitors, which were further used as lead structures for the development of chemical probes and therapeutic drugs. Due to this considerable success, the clinical potential of proteases in therapeutics and diagnostics is rapidly growing and is still not completely explored. Therefore, small molecules that can selectively target aberrant protease activity are emerging in diseases cells. In this review, we describe modern trends in the design of protease drugs as well as small molecule activity-based probes to visualize selected proteases in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Ćwilichowska
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Karolina W Świderska
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Dobrzyń
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Ludwika Pasteura 3, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Drąg
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Marcin Poręba
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland.
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Identification of Potential Biomarkers for Cancer Cachexia and Anti-Fn14 Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225533. [PMID: 36428623 PMCID: PMC9688504 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225533] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Developing therapies for cancer cachexia has not been successful to date, in part due to the challenges of achieving robust quantitative measures as a readout of patient treatment. Hence, identifying biomarkers to assess the outcomes of treatments for cancer cachexia is of great interest and important for accelerating future clinical trials. METHODS We established a novel xenograft model for cancer cachexia with a cachectic human PC3* cell line, which was responsive to anti-Fn14 mAb treatment. Using RNA-seq and secretomic analysis, genes differentially expressed in cachectic and non-cachectic tumors were identified and validated by digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). Correlation analysis was performed to investigate their impact on survival in cancer patients. RESULTS A total of 46 genes were highly expressed in cachectic PC3* tumors, which were downregulated by anti-Fn14 mAb treatment. High expression of the top 10 candidates was correlated with low survival and high cachexia risk in different cancer types. Elevated levels of LCN2 were observed in serum samples from cachectic patients compared with non-cachectic cancer patients. CONCLUSION The top 10 candidates identified in this study are candidates as potential biomarkers for cancer cachexia. The diagnostic value of LCN2 in detecting cancer cachexia is confirmed in patient samples.
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10
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Liu C, Wang J, Zheng Y, Zhu Y, Zhou Z, Liu Z, Lin C, Wan Y, Wen Y, Liu C, Yuan M, Zeng YA, Yan Z, Ge G, Chen J. Autocrine pro-legumain promotes breast cancer metastasis via binding to integrin αvβ3. Oncogene 2022; 41:4091-4103. [PMID: 35854065 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02409-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality. Unfortunately, the underlying mechanism of metastasis is poorly understood. Expression of legumain (LGMN), an endo-lysosomal cysteine protease, positively correlates with breast cancer metastatic progression and poor prognosis. Here, we report that LGMN is secreted in the zymogen form by motile breast cancer cells. Through binding to cell surface integrin αvβ3 via an RGD motif, the autocrine pro-LGMN activates FAK-Src-RhoA signaling in cancer cells and promotes cancer cell migration and invasion independent of LGMN protease activity. Either silencing LGMN expression or mutationally abolishing pro-LGMN‒αvβ3 interaction significantly inhibits cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and breast cancer metastasis in vivo. Finally, we developed a monoclonal antibody against LGMN RGD motif, which blocks pro-LGMN‒αvβ3 binding, and effectively suppresses cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and breast cancer metastasis in vivo. Thus, disruption of pro-LGMN‒integrin αvβ3 interaction may be a potentially promising strategy for treating breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - JunLei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - YaJuan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yue Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - ZhengHang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - ZhaoYuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - ChangDong Lin
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - YaoYing Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - YaTing Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - ChunYe Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - MengYa Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Yi Arial Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - ZhanJun Yan
- Department of Orthopedics, Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China.
| | - GaoXiang Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
| | - JianFeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
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11
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Xuan W, Hsu WH, Khan F, Dunterman M, Pang L, Wainwright DA, Ahmed AU, Heimberger AB, Lesniak MS, Chen P. Circadian Regulator CLOCK Drives Immunosuppression in Glioblastoma. Cancer Immunol Res 2022; 10:770-784. [PMID: 35413115 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The symbiotic interactions between cancer stem cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) are critical for tumor progression. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this symbiosis in glioblastoma (GBM) remains enigmatic. Here, we show that circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) and its heterodimeric partner brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (BMAL1) in glioma stem cells (GSCs) drive immunosuppression in GBM. Integrated analyses of the data from transcriptome profiling, single-cell RNA sequencing, and TCGA datasets, coupled with functional studies, identified legumain (LGMN) as a direct transcriptional target of the CLOCK-BMAL1 complex in GSCs. Moreover, CLOCK-directed olfactomedin-like 3 (OLFML3) upregulates LGMN in GSCs via hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1α) signaling. Consequently, LGMN promotes microglial infiltration into the GBM TME via upregulating CD162 and polarizes infiltrating microglia towards an immune-suppressive phenotype. In GBM mouse models, inhibition of the CLOCK-OLFML3-HIF1α-LGMN-CD162 axis reduces intratumoral immune-suppressive microglia, increases CD8+ T-cell infiltration, activation and cytotoxicity, and synergizes with anti-PD1 therapy. In human GBM, the CLOCK-regulated LGMN signaling correlates positively with microglial abundance and poor prognosis. Together, these findings uncover the CLOCK-OLFML3-HIF1α-LGMN axis as a molecular switch that controls microglial biology and immunosuppression, thus revealing potential new therapeutic targets for GBM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wen-Hao Hsu
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Fatima Khan
- Northwestern University, Chicago, United States
| | | | - Lizhi Pang
- Northwestern University, Chicago, United States
| | - Derek A Wainwright
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Amy B Heimberger
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Maciej S Lesniak
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Peiwen Chen
- Northwestern University, Chicago, United States
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12
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Lei K, Kang SS, Ahn EH, Chen C, Liao J, Liu X, Li H, Edgington-Mitchell LE, Jin L, Ye K. C/EBPβ/AEP Signaling Regulates the Oxidative Stress in Malignant Cancers, Stimulating the Metastasis. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:1640-1652. [PMID: 34158346 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Solid tumors start as a local disease, but some are capable of metastasizing to the lymph nodes and distant organs. The hypoxic microenvironment, which is critical during cancer development, plays a key role in regulating cancer progression and metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating the disseminated cancer cell metastasis remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that C/EBPβ/AEP signaling that is upregulated in breast cancers mediates oxidative stress and lung metastasis, and inactivation of asparagine endopeptidase (AEP, also known as legumain) robustly regulates breast cancer reactive oxygen species (ROS) and metastasis. AEP, a protease activated in acidic conditions, is overexpressed in numerous types of cancer and promotes metastasis. Employing a breast cancer cell line MDA-MD-231, we show that C/EBPβ, an oxidative stress or inflammation-activated transcription factor, and its downstream target AEP mediate ROS production as well as migration and invasion in cancer cells. Deficiency of AEP in the MMTV-PyMT transgenic breast cancer mouse model significantly regulates oxidative stress and suppresses lung metastasis. Administration of an innovative AEP inhibitor substantially mitigates ROS production and cancer metastasis. Hence, our study demonstrates that pharmacologic inhibition of AEP activity might provide a disease-modifying strategy to suppress cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kecheng Lei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.,Neurotoxin Research Center of Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Neurological Department of Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Seong Su Kang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Eun Hee Ahn
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Chun Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jianming Liao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hua Li
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong Science & Technology University, Wuhan, China
| | - Laura E Edgington-Mitchell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, New York University College of Dentistry, Bluestone Center for Clinical Research, New York, New York
| | - Lingjing Jin
- Neurotoxin Research Center of Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Neurological Department of Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.,Neurorehabilitation Center of Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Songjiang Disc, Shanghai, China
| | - Keqiang Ye
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
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13
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Lei K, Gu X, Alvarado AG, Du Y, Luo S, Ahn EH, Kang SS, Ji B, Liu X, Mao H, Fu H, Kornblum HI, Jin L, Li H, Ye K. Discovery of a dual inhibitor of NQO1 and GSTP1 for treating glioblastoma. J Hematol Oncol 2020; 13:141. [PMID: 33087132 PMCID: PMC7579906 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-020-00979-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) is a universally lethal tumor with frequently overexpressed or mutated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and glutathione-S-transferase Pi 1 (GSTP1) are commonly upregulated in GBM. NQO1 and GSTP1 decrease the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which mediates the oxidative stress and promotes GBM cell proliferation. METHODS High-throughput screen was used for agents selectively active against GBM cells with EGFRvIII mutations. Co-crystal structures were revealed molecular details of target recognition. Pharmacological and gene knockdown/overexpression approaches were used to investigate the oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS We identified a small molecular inhibitor, "MNPC," that binds to both NQO1 and GSTP1 with high affinity and selectivity. MNPC inhibits NQO1 and GSTP1 enzymes and induces apoptosis in GBM, specifically inhibiting the growth of cell lines and primary GBM bearing the EGFRvIII mutation. Co-crystal structures between MNPC and NQO1, and molecular docking of MNPC with GSTP1 reveal that it binds the active sites and acts as a potent dual inhibitor. Inactivation of both NQO1 and GSTP1 with siRNA or MNPC results in imbalanced redox homeostasis, leading to apoptosis and mitigated cancer proliferation in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Thus, MNPC, a dual inhibitor for both NQO1 and GSTP1, provides a novel lead compound for treating GBM via the exploitation of specific vulnerabilities created by mutant EGFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kecheng Lei
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA USA ,grid.24516.340000000123704535Neurotoxin Research Center of Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Neurological Department of Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxia Gu
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 People’s Republic of China
| | - Alvaro G. Alvarado
- grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Yuhong Du
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Atlanta, USA
| | - Shilin Luo
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Eun Hee Ahn
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Seong Su Kang
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Bing Ji
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Xia Liu
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Hui Mao
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Haian Fu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory Chemical Biology Discovery Center, Atlanta, USA
| | - Harley I. Kornblum
- grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Lingjing Jin
- grid.24516.340000000123704535Neurotoxin Research Center of Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Neurological Department of Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hua Li
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 People’s Republic of China ,grid.412561.50000 0000 8645 4345Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Keqiang Ye
- grid.189967.80000 0001 0941 6502Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA USA
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14
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Gupta R, Kumar G, Jain BP, Chandra S, Goswami SK. Ectopic expression of 35 kDa and knocking down of 78 kDa SG2NAs induce cytoskeletal reorganization, alter membrane sialylation, and modulate the markers of EMT. Mol Cell Biochem 2020; 476:633-648. [PMID: 33083950 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-020-03932-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
SG2NA is a protein of the striatin family that organizes STRIPAK complexes. It has splice variants expressing differentially in tissues. Its 78 kDa isoform regulates cell cycle, maintains homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum, and prevents oxidative injuries. The 35 kDa variant is devoid of the signature WD-40 repeats in the carboxy terminal, and its function is unknown. We expressed it in NIH 3T3 cells that otherwise express 78 kDa variant only. These cells (35 EE) have altered morphology, faster rate of migration, and enhanced growth as measured by the MTT assay. Similar phenotypes were also seen in cells where the endogenous 78 kDa isoform was downregulated by siRNA (78 KD). Proteomic analyses showed that several cancer-associated proteins are modulated in both 35 EE and 78 KD cells. The 35 EE cells have diffused actin fibers, distinctive ultrastructure, reduced sialylation, and increased expression of MMP2 & 9. The 78 KD cells also had diffused actin fibers and an upregulated expression of MMP2. In both cells, markers epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) viz, E- & N-cadherins, β-catenin, slug, vimentin, and ZO-1 were modulated partially in tune with the EMT process. Since NIH 3T3 cells are mesenchymal, we also expressed 35 kDa SG2NA in MCF-7 cells of epithelial origin. In these cells (MCF-7-35), the actin fibers were also diffused and the modulation of the markers was more in tune with the EMT process. However, unlike in 35 EE cells, in MCF-7-35 cells, membrane sialylation rather increased. We infer that ectopic expression of 35 kDa and downregulation of 78 kDa SG2NAs partially induce transformed phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Gupta
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Gaurav Kumar
- Peptide and Proteomics Division, Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), DRDO, Delhi, 110054, India
| | - Buddhi Prakash Jain
- Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, 845401, Bihar, India
| | - Sunandini Chandra
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shyamal K Goswami
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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15
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Rodrigues MAD, Pimenta MV, Costa IM, Zenatti PP, Migita NA, Yunes JA, Rangel-Yagui CO, de Sá MM, Pessoa A, Costa-Silva TA, Toyama MH, Breyer CA, de Oliveira MA, Santiago VF, Palmisano G, Barbosa CMV, Hebeda CB, Farsky SHP, Monteiro G. Influence of lysosomal protease sensitivity in the immunogenicity of the antitumor biopharmaceutical asparaginase. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 182:114230. [PMID: 32979352 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
L-asparaginase (ASNase) from Escherichia coli (EcAII) is used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). EcAII activity in vivo has been described to be influenced by the human lysosomal proteases asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP) and cathepsin B (CTSB); these hydrolases cleave and could expose epitopes associated with the immune response against EcAII. In this work, we show that ASNase resistance to CTSB and/or AEP influences the formation of anti-ASNase antibodies, one of the main causes of hypersensitivity reactions in patients. Error-prone polymerase chain reaction was used to produce variants of EcAII more resistant to proteolytic cleavage by AEP and CTSB. The variants with enzymatic activity and cytotoxicity levels equivalent to or better than EcAII WT were submitted to in vivo assays. Only one of the mutants presented increased serum half-life, so resistance to these proteases is not the only feature involved in EcAII stability in vivo. Our results showed alteration of the phenotypic profile of B cells isolated after animal treatment with different protease-resistant proteoforms. Furthermore, mice that were exposed to the protease-resistant proteoforms presented lower anti-asparaginase antibodies production in vivo. Our data suggest that modulating resistance to lysosomal proteases can result in less immunogenic protein drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane A D Rodrigues
- Departamento de Tecnologia Bioquímico-Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcela V Pimenta
- Departamento de Tecnologia Bioquímico-Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Iris M Costa
- Departamento de Tecnologia Bioquímico-Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Natacha A Migita
- Centro Infantil Boldrini, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José A Yunes
- Centro Infantil Boldrini, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlota O Rangel-Yagui
- Departamento de Tecnologia Bioquímico-Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Matheus M de Sá
- Heart Institute (InCor), Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adalberto Pessoa
- Departamento de Tecnologia Bioquímico-Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tales A Costa-Silva
- Departamento de Tecnologia Bioquímico-Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos H Toyama
- Biosciences Institute, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Coastal Campus, São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Breyer
- Biosciences Institute, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Coastal Campus, São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcos A de Oliveira
- Biosciences Institute, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Coastal Campus, São Vicente, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Veronica F Santiago
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Christiano M V Barbosa
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristina B Hebeda
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandra H P Farsky
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gisele Monteiro
- Departamento de Tecnologia Bioquímico-Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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16
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Zhao T, Liu Y, Hao Y, Zhang W, Tao L, Wang D, Li Y, Liu Z, McKenzie EA, Zhao Q, Diao A. Esomeprazole inhibits the lysosomal cysteine protease legumain to prevent cancer metastasis. Invest New Drugs 2020; 39:337-347. [PMID: 32978718 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-020-01011-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Legumain is a newly discovered lysosomal cysteine protease that can cleave asparagine bonds and plays crucial roles in regulating immunity and cancer metastasis. Legumain has been shown to be highly expressed in various solid tumors, within the tumor microenvironment and its levels are directly related to tumor metastasis and poor prognosis. Therefore, legumain presents as a potential cancer therapeutic drug target. In this study, we have identified esomeprazole and omeprazole as novel legumain small molecule inhibitors by screening an FDA approved-drug library. These compounds inhibited enzyme activity of both recombinant and endogenous legumain proteins with esomeprazole displaying the highest inhibitory effect. Further molecular docking analysis also indicated that esomeprazole, the S- form of omeprazole had the most stable binding to legumain protein compared to R-omeprazole. Transwell assay data showed that esomeprazole and omeprazole reduced MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell invasion without effecting cell viability. Moreover, an in vivo orthotopic transplantation nude mouse model study showed that esomeprazole reduced lung metastasis of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. These results indicated that esomeprazole has the exciting potential to be used in anti-cancer therapy by preventing cancer metastasis via the inhibition of legumain enzyme activity. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA), Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Yujie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA), Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Yanfei Hao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA), Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA), Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Li Tao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA), Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA), Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Yuyin Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA), Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Zhenxing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA), Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Edward A McKenzie
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB), Manchester University, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Qing Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA), Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China.
| | - Aipo Diao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA), Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin, 300457, China.
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17
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Kanathasan JS, Gunasagaram D, Khan SU, Palanisamy UD, Radhakrishnan AK, Ahemad N, Swamy V. Linear versus Branched Peptide with Same Amino Acid Sequence for Legumain‐Targeting in Macrophages: Targeting Efficiency and Bioimaging Potential. ChemistrySelect 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202002161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jayasree S. Kanathasan
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline School of Engineering Monash University Malaysia Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Diivananthan Gunasagaram
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline School of Engineering Monash University Malaysia Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Shafi Ullah Khan
- School of Pharmacy Monash University Malaysia Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Uma D. Palanisamy
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences Monash University Malaysia Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Ammu Kutty Radhakrishnan
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences Monash University Malaysia Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Nafees Ahemad
- School of Pharmacy Monash University Malaysia Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Varghese Swamy
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline School of Engineering Monash University Malaysia Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500 Selangor Malaysia
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Lloyd
- Drug & Target Development, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
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19
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Wang H, Chen B, Lin Y, Zhou Y, Li X. Legumain Promotes Gastric Cancer Progression Through Tumor-associated Macrophages In vitro and In vivo. Int J Biol Sci 2020; 16:172-180. [PMID: 31892854 PMCID: PMC6930372 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.36467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment. Legumain (LGMN) has been shown to be a tumor-promoting protein, but the effect of LGMN on TAMs in the progression of gastric cancer (GC) is under exploration. Our studies included the construction of LGMN-knockdown and LGMN-overexpressing TAMs induced from the human cell line THP-1 (PMA/IL-4/IL-13) and murine cell line Raw264.7 (IL-4/IL-13). A CCK-8 assay and transwell migration assay indicated that upregulation of LGMN expression in TAMs stimulated cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, while downregulation of LGMN expression reduced cell proliferation, migration and invasion. In vivo experiments revealed slower growth, less angiogenesis, and less Ki67 expression in LGMN-knockdown TAMs injected with gastric cancer cells compared to control TAMs injected with GC cells. Together, these study results suggested that LGMN+ TAMs, which may serve as a potential target for GC treatment, promoted gastric cancer cell proliferation and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbin Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Gastroenterology, Punan Hospital, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
| | - Binghong Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingying Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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20
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Li X, Liu Q, Ye S, Wang S, Li K, Lv G, Peng Y, Qiu L, Lin J. A protease-responsive fluorescent probe for sensitive imaging of legumain activity in living tumor cells. Chem Biol Drug Des 2019; 94:1494-1503. [PMID: 31002467 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Legumain, a lysosomal cysteine protease, is critical for pathological progression and has been found to play an important role in the occurrence and development of several cancers. However, its biological functions remain few recognized. To further understand the role of legumain activity in tumor progression, a legumain protease-responsive fluorescent probe was developed in the present study. The probe 1 was synthesized by conjugating an aminoluciferin fluorophore with an alanine-alanine-asparagine (AAN) peptide sequence. The successful synthesis of probe 1 was validated by NMR and MS spectra as well as HPLC analysis. The probe 1 was non-toxic and exhibited great stability in the physiological solutions. More importantly, compared with the aminoluciferin fluorophore, the peptide conjugation may dramatically increase the targeting specificity. Probe 1 was able to effectively detect the legumain activity in living HCT116 cells through fluorescence imaging. All these results implied that probe 1 could act as a promising fluorescent probe specialized for the monitoring of legumain activity in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Li
- School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Qingzhu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Siqin Ye
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Shijie Wang
- School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Ke Li
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Gaochao Lv
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Ying Peng
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Ling Qiu
- School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China
| | - Jianguo Lin
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, China
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21
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Legumain Promotes Atherosclerotic Vascular Remodeling. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20092195. [PMID: 31060209 PMCID: PMC6539540 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20092195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Legumain, a recently discovered cysteine protease, is increased in both carotid plaques and plasma of patients with carotid atherosclerosis. Legumain increases the migration of human monocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). However, the causal relationship between legumain and atherosclerosis formation is not clear. We assessed the expression of legumain in aortic atheromatous plaques and after wire-injury-induced femoral artery neointimal thickening and investigated the effect of chronic legumain infusion on atherogenesis in Apoe-/- mice. We also investigated the associated cellular and molecular mechanisms in vitro, by assessing the effects of legumain on inflammatory responses in HUVECs and THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages; macrophage foam cell formation; and migration, proliferation, and extracellular matrix protein expression in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). Legumain was expressed at high levels in atheromatous plaques and wire injury-induced neointimal lesions in Apoe-/- mice. Legumain was also expressed abundantly in THP-1 monocytes, THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages, HASMCs, and HUVECs. Legumain suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced mRNA expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1), but potentiated the expression of interleukin-6 (IL6) and E-selectin (SELE) in HUVECs. Legumain enhanced the inflammatory M1 phenotype and oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced foam cell formation in macrophages. Legumain did not alter the proliferation or apoptosis of HASMCs, but it increased their migration. Moreover, legumain increased the expression of collagen-3, fibronectin, and elastin, but not collagen-1, in HASMCs. Chronic infusion of legumain into Apoe-/- mice potentiated the development of atherosclerotic lesions, accompanied by vascular remodeling, an increase in the number of macrophages and ASMCs, and increased collagen-3 expression in plaques. Our study provides the first evidence that legumain contributes to the induction of atherosclerotic vascular remodeling.
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22
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Bosnjak T, Solberg R, Hemati PD, Jafari A, Kassem M, Johansen HT. Lansoprazole inhibits the cysteine protease legumain by binding to the active site. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2019; 125:89-99. [PMID: 30916878 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are prodrugs used in the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases. Once activated by acidic pH, the PPIs subsequently inhibit the secretion of gastric acid by covalently forming disulphide bonds with the SH groups of the parietal proton pump, that is the H+ /K+ -ATPase. Long-term use of PPIs has been associated with numerous adverse effects, including bone fractures. Considering the mechanism of activation, PPIs could also be active in acidic micro-environments such as in lysosomes, tumours and bone resorption sites. We suggested that the SH group in the active site of cysteine proteases could be susceptible for inhibition by PPIs. In this study, the inhibition by lansoprazole was shown on the cysteine proteases legumain and cathepsin B by incubating purified proteases or cell lysates with lansoprazole at different concentrations and pH conditions. The mechanism of legumain inhibition was shown to be a direct interaction of lansoprazole with the SH group in the active site, and thus blocking binding of the legumain-selective activity-based probe MP-L01. Lansoprazole was also shown to inhibit both legumain and cathepsin B in various cell models like HEK293, monoclonal legumain over-expressing HEK293 cells (M38L) and RAW264.7 macrophages, but not in human bone marrow-derived skeletal (mesenchymal) stem cells (hBMSC-TERT). During hBMSC-TERT differentiation to osteoblasts, lansoprazole inhibited legumain secretion, alkaline phosphatase activity, but had no effects on in vitro mineralization capacity. In conclusion, lansoprazole acts as a direct covalent inhibitor of cysteine proteases via disulphide bonds with the SH group in the protease active site. Such inhibition of cysteine proteases could explain some of the off-target effects of PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Bosnjak
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rigmor Solberg
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Paya Diana Hemati
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Abbas Jafari
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Moustapha Kassem
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Harald Thidemann Johansen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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23
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Bai P, Lyu L, Yu T, Zuo C, Fu J, He Y, Wan Q, Wan N, Jia D, Lyu A. Macrophage-Derived Legumain Promotes Pulmonary Hypertension by Activating the MMP (Matrix Metalloproteinase)-2/TGF (Transforming Growth Factor)-β1 Signaling. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019; 39:e130-e145. [PMID: 30676070 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.118.312254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective—
Macrophages participate in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Lgmn (Legumain), a newly discovered cysteine proteinase belonging to the C13 peptidase family, is primarily expressed in macrophages; however, its roles in PAH remain unknown.
Approach and Results—
Herein, Lgmn was upregulated in lung tissues of PAH mice subjected to hypoxia plus SU5416 and PAH rats challenged with monocrotaline. Global Lgmn ablation and macrophage-specific ablation alleviated PAH compared with wild-type mice, evident from a reduction in right ventricular systolic pressure, the ratio of the right ventricular wall to the left ventricular wall plus the septum, the pulmonary vascular media thickness, and pulmonary vascular muscularization. Increased expression of ECM (extracellular matrix) proteins was correlated with MMP (matrix metalloproteinase)-2 activation and TGF (transforming growth factor)-β1 signaling in the PAs. Although Lgmn did not affect inflammatory cell infiltration and PA smooth muscle cell proliferation, it drove increased the synthesis of ECM proteins via MMP-2 activation. MMP-2 hydrolyzed the TGF-β1 precursor to the active form. An Lgmn-specific inhibitor markedly ameliorated PAH. Clinically, serum Lgmn levels were closely associated with the severity of idiopathic PAH.
Conclusions—
Our results indicate that Lgmn inhibition could be an effective strategy for preventing or delaying PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyuan Bai
- From the Department of Cardiology, Ruijin Hospital (P.B., N.W., A.L.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China
| | - Luheng Lyu
- Biology Major, School of Arts and Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL (L.L.)
| | - Tingting Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital (T.Y.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China
| | - Caojian Zuo
- Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China (C.Z., Q.W.)
| | - Jie Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China (J.F.)
| | - Yuhu He
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China (Y.H.)
| | - Qiangyou Wan
- Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China (C.Z., Q.W.)
| | - Naifu Wan
- From the Department of Cardiology, Ruijin Hospital (P.B., N.W., A.L.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China
| | - Daile Jia
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (D.J.)
| | - Ankang Lyu
- From the Department of Cardiology, Ruijin Hospital (P.B., N.W., A.L.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China
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24
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Wang ZC, Shen FQ, Yang MR, You LX, Chen LZ, Zhu HL, Lu YD, Kong FL, Wang MH. Dihydropyrazothiazole derivatives as potential MMP-2/MMP-8 inhibitors for cancer therapy. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018; 28:3816-3821. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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25
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Combination therapy with BH3 mimetic and hyperthermia tends to be more effective on anti-melanoma treatment. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 503:249-256. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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26
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Wang ZH, Wu W, Kang SS, Liu X, Wu Z, Peng J, Yu SP, Manfredsson FP, Sandoval IM, Liu X, Wang JZ, Ye K. BDNF inhibits neurodegenerative disease-associated asparaginyl endopeptidase activity via phosphorylation by AKT. JCI Insight 2018; 3:99007. [PMID: 30135302 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.99007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AEP is an age-dependent lysosomal asparaginyl endopeptidase that cleaves numerous substrates including tau and α-synuclein and mediates their pathological roles in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the molecular mechanism regulating this critical protease remains incompletely understood. Here, we show that Akt phosphorylates AEP on residue T322 upon brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) treatment and triggers its lysosomal translocation and inactivation. When BDNF levels are reduced in neurodegenerative diseases, AEP T322 phosphorylation is attenuated. Consequently, AEP is activated and translocates into the cytoplasm, where it cleaves both tau and α-synuclein. Remarkably, the unphosphorylated T322A mutant increases tau or α-synuclein cleavage by AEP and augments cell death, whereas phosphorylation mimetic T322E mutant represses these effects. Interestingly, viral injection of T322E into Tau P301S mice antagonizes tau N368 cleavage and tau pathologies, rescuing synaptic dysfunction and cognitive deficits. By contrast, viral administration of T322A into young α-SNCA mice elicits α-synuclein N103 cleavage and promotes dopaminergic neuronal loss, facilitating motor defects. Therefore, our findings support the notion that BDNF contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases by suppressing AEP via Akt phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Hao Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of Neurological Diseases, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wanqiang Wu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Laboratory of Functional Chemistry and Nutrition of Food, College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Seong Su Kang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Zhiping Wu
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Proteomics Facility, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Junmin Peng
- Departments of Structural Biology and Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Proteomics Facility, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Shan Ping Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Fredric P Manfredsson
- Department of Translational Science & Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Ivette M Sandoval
- Department of Translational Science & Molecular Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Xuebo Liu
- Laboratory of Functional Chemistry and Nutrition of Food, College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of Neurological Diseases, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Keqiang Ye
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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27
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Wang C, Zhang J, Tang J, Li YY, Gu Y, Yu Y, Xiong J, Zhao X, Zhang Z, Li TT, Chen J, Wan Q, Zhang Z. Lysophosphatidic acid induces neuronal cell death via activation of asparagine endopeptidase in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Exp Neurol 2018; 306:1-9. [PMID: 29673933 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), an extracellular signaling molecule, influences diverse biological events, including the pathophysiological process induced after ischemic brain injury. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating the pathological change after ischemic stroke remain elusive. Here we report that asparagine endopeptidase (AEP), a lysosomal cysteine proteinase, is regulated by LPA during stroke. AEP proteolytically cleaves tau and generates tauN368 fragments, triggering neuronal death. Inhibiting the generation of LPA reduces the expression of AEP and tauN368, and alleviates neuronal cell death. Together, this evidence indicates that the LPA-AEP pathway plays a key role in the pathophysiological process induced after ischemic stroke. Inhibition of LPA could be a useful therapeutic for treating neuronal injury after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Junchun Tang
- Department of Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University School of Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Yi Li
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - YanXia Gu
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Ying Yu
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Xueqing Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Jutao Chen
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Qi Wan
- Institute of Neuroregeneration & Neurorehabilitation, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Street, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Zhaohui Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China.
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