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Zheng Y, Zhong G, Song Q, Zhang H, Wang S, Lin C, He C, Li M. Mapping alternative splicing events in colorectal cancer. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:280. [PMID: 39004679 PMCID: PMC11247070 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01149-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Although aberrant splicing events of genes are closely related to the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), the mapping of abnormal splicing events, especially alternative splicing (AS) event types and the underlying effects, remain investigational. In the present study, we analyzed a public RNA-seq database (GSE138202) and identified 14,314 significant AS events in CRC patients compared to healthy individuals. Most of the key genes such as oncogenes involved in the development of CRC have different AS event types. Moreover, the results demonstrate that certain AS events may play a significant role in the functioning of key genes involved in splicing factors and microRNAs. Furthermore, we observed that the oncogene CDK4 in CRC tends to undergo exon 2 skipping AS events, resulting in a stronger tendency for protein expression to form complexes with CCND1, thereby inhibiting the cell cycle and weakening cell proliferation, while enhancing cell migration capability. These findings not only provide new insights into the mechanism of AS in regulating CRC, but also offers a theoretical basis for targeted splicing therapy in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoqiang Zhong
- Department of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiuyu Song
- Department of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haonan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shanping Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuangzhen Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chengcheng He
- Department of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Mingsong Li
- Department of Gastroenterology; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Zheng Y, Zhong G, He C, Li M. Targeted splicing therapy: new strategies for colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1222932. [PMID: 37664052 PMCID: PMC10470845 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1222932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA splicing is the process of forming mature mRNA, which is an essential phase necessary for gene expression and controls many aspects of cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Abnormal gene-splicing events are closely related to the development of tumors, and the generation of oncogenic isoform in splicing can promote tumor progression. As a main process of tumor-specific splicing variants, alternative splicing (AS) can promote tumor progression by increasing the production of oncogenic splicing isoforms and/or reducing the production of normal splicing isoforms. This is the focus of current research on the regulation of aberrant tumor splicing. So far, AS has been found to be associated with various aspects of tumor biology, including cell proliferation and invasion, resistance to apoptosis, and sensitivity to different chemotherapeutic drugs. This article will review the abnormal splicing events in colorectal cancer (CRC), especially the tumor-associated splicing variants arising from AS, aiming to offer an insight into CRC-targeted splicing therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chengcheng He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Yamazaki M, Hino S, Usuki S, Miyazaki Y, Oda T, Nakao M, Ito T, Yamagata K. YAP/BRD4-controlled ROR1 promotes tumor-initiating cells and hyperproliferation in pancreatic cancer. EMBO J 2023:e112614. [PMID: 37096681 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022112614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-initiating cells are major drivers of chemoresistance and attractive targets for cancer therapy, however, their identity in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and the key molecules underlying their traits remain poorly understood. Here, we show that a cellular subpopulation with partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like signature marked by high expression of receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is the origin of heterogeneous tumor cells in PDAC. We demonstrate that ROR1 depletion suppresses tumor growth, recurrence after chemotherapy, and metastasis. Mechanistically, ROR1 induces the expression of Aurora kinase B (AURKB) by activating E2F through c-Myc to enhance PDAC proliferation. Furthermore, epigenomic analyses reveal that ROR1 is transcriptionally dependent on YAP/BRD4 binding at the enhancer region, and targeting this pathway reduces ROR1 expression and prevents PDAC growth. Collectively, our findings reveal a critical role for ROR1high cells as tumor-initiating cells and the functional importance of ROR1 in PDAC progression, thereby highlighting its therapeutic targetability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Yamazaki
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shinjiro Hino
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shingo Usuki
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Miyazaki
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Oda
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Mitsuyoshi Nakao
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takaaki Ito
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Health Science, Kumamoto Health Science University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kazuya Yamagata
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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Machida M, Machida T, Kikuchi M, Shimizu A, Ida S, Tawaraya Y, Kato R, Haramaki K, Yama K, Shiga S, Hirafuji M, Iizuka K. Methotrexate mediates the integrity of intestinal stem cells partly through nitric oxide-dependent Wnt/β-catenin signaling in methotrexate-induced rat ileal mucositis. J Pharmacol Sci 2022; 148:281-285. [PMID: 35177206 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to elucidate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in intestinal stem cells in methotrexate-induced ileal mucositis in rats. Methotrexate induced the mRNA expressions of the Wnt/β-catenin target genes Wnt3a, Sox9, and Lgr5 and the Wnt-antagonist gene sFRP-1 and the protein expressions of Lgr5 and sFRP-1. Methotrexate also induced Lgr5+ cells and lysozyme+ cells. A non-selective NO inhibitor inhibited the methotrexate induction of Wnt/β-catenin target genes and Lgr5+ cells but enhanced that of sFRP-1 expression. Thus, methotrexate mediates the integrity of intestinal stem cells partly through NO-dependent Wnt/β-catenin signaling and may enhance tolerability to methotrexate-induced injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiko Machida
- Division of Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 006-8590, Japan
| | - Takuji Machida
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Tobetsu, Ishikari, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan.
| | - Masaki Kikuchi
- Division of Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 006-8590, Japan
| | - Ayaka Shimizu
- Division of Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 006-8590, Japan
| | - Syunsuke Ida
- Division of Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 006-8590, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Tawaraya
- Division of Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 006-8590, Japan
| | - Risa Kato
- Division of Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 006-8590, Japan
| | - Keisuke Haramaki
- Division of Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 006-8590, Japan
| | - Kaori Yama
- Division of Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 006-8590, Japan
| | - Saki Shiga
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Tobetsu, Ishikari, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Masahiko Hirafuji
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Tobetsu, Ishikari, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Kenji Iizuka
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Tobetsu, Ishikari, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
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Miura K, Oshima T, Ito C, Horikawa T, Yamada M, Tomita T, Fukui H, Miwa H. Vitamin D receptor is overexpressed in the duodenum of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 36:951-958. [PMID: 32839988 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders, and bile acids are thought to be associated with the pathogenesis of IBS. Bile acid receptors are expressed on intestinal epithelial cells. However, no study has assessed bile acid receptor proteins in IBS. Therefore, we examined the intestinal mucosal expression of bile acid receptors in patients with IBS. METHODS Intestinal biopsies were performed in patients with IBS and controls. Mast cells, vitamin D receptor (VDR), and somatostatin were stained with specific antibodies. Levels of VDR, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), takeda-G-protein-receptor-5 (TGR5), claudins, and transient-receptor-potential-cation-channel-subfamily-V-member 6 (TRPV6) were assessed by western blotting. RESULTS 3Mast cell counts in the second part of the duodenum were significantly higher in patients with IBS than in controls. VDR protein levels were significantly elevated in the duodenum and terminal ileum of patients with IBS compared with controls, although this difference was not seen in the cecum or rectum. FXR and TGR5 protein levels did not differ in any part of the intestine. VDR-positive cryptal epithelia in IBS were distributed not only at basal crypt but also along the upper part of the basal crypt epithelial cells. In contrast, the pattern of gut somatostatin-positive cells, claudins, and TRPV6 levels did not differ. CONCLUSIONS The number of mast cells in the duodenum was significantly increased, and the protein expression levels of VDR, but not those of FXR or TGR5, were elevated in the duodenal epithelial crypt in patients with IBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ko Miura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Tadayuki Oshima
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Chiyomi Ito
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Tomoki Horikawa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Mayumi Yamada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Tomita
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Fukui
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Hiroto Miwa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
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The Expression Analysis of Intestinal Cancer Stem Cell Marker Lgr5 in Colorectal Cancer Patients and the Correlation with Histopathological Markers. J Gastrointest Cancer 2021; 51:591-599. [PMID: 31422541 DOI: 10.1007/s12029-019-00295-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have frequently been utilized in the cell characterization and identified responsible for tumor development, metastasis, recurrence, and chemoresistance. CSC surface markers function in cancer cell signaling and are indicated as potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. As well, dysregulation of cancer-related signaling pathways could promote CSC development and progression. Our aim was to evaluate the expression of colorectal CSC markers and their correlation with cancer proliferation and angiogenesis. METHODS In this case-control study, total RNA was extracted from a total of 74 colorectal tumors and 74 adjacent normal tissue biopsies. Then, using a quantitative real-time PCR, the relative expression levels of Lgr5 and Lrig1 were measured in all malignant and healthy samples. Also, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of tumor tissues was performed for Ki-67 (proliferation) and CD34 (angiogenesis) markers, and the immunoexpression staining scores were obtained. The diagnostic value of the genes was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Possible correlation between CSC markers and immunohistochemical markers in CRC was analyzed by Pearson's correlation test and linear regression. RESULTS The expression level of Lgr5 in tumor samples showed a significant increase compared with normal samples (p < 0.001) with a fold change of 2.54 (± 0.182). However, there was no significant difference in the relative expression of Lrig1 gene in tissue samples of healthy subjects and patients. The analysis of the ROC showed an AUC of 0.92 for Lgr5 and sensitivity 80% and specificity 96%. Further analysis revealed a significant correlation between mRNA levels of Lgr5 and immunoexpression of Ki-67 (r2 = 0.680, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The high expression levels of Lgr5 found in tumor tissues were correlated with histological parameters, indicating a significant role in CRC development and diagnosis.
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Yadav VK, Huang YJ, George TA, Wei PL, Sumitra MR, Ho CL, Chang TH, Wu ATH, Huang HS. Preclinical Evaluation of the Novel Small-Molecule MSI-N1014 for Treating Drug-Resistant Colon Cancer via the LGR5/β-catenin/miR-142-3p Network and Reducing Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Transformation. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061590. [PMID: 32560222 PMCID: PMC7352915 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer represents one of the most prevalent malignancies globally, with an estimated 140,000 new cases in the United States alone in 2019. Despite advancements in interventions, drug resistance occurs in virtually all patients diagnosed with late stages of colon cancer. Amplified epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is one of the most prevalent oncogenic drivers in patients and induces increased Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transduction and activator of transcription (STAT) and β-catenin functions, all of which facilitate disease progression. Equally important, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) transformed by cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) further facilitate malignancy by secreting interleukin (IL)-6 and augmenting STAT3 signaling in colon cancer cells and promoting the generation of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). Based on these premises, single-targeted therapeutics have proven ineffective for treating malignant colon cancer, and alternative multiple-targeting agents should be explored. Herein, we synthesized a tetracyclic heterocyclic azathioxanthone, MSI-N1014, and demonstrated its therapeutic potential both in vitro and in vivo. First, we used a co-culture system to demonstrate that colon cancer cells co-cultured with CAFs resulted in heightened 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance and tumor sphere-forming ability and increased side populations, accompanied by elevated expression of cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), β-catenin, leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), and ATP-binding cassette super-family G member 2 (ABCG2). MSI-N1014 suppressed cell viability, colony formation, and migration in both DLD1 and HCT116 cells. MSI-N1014 treatment led to decreased expressions of oncogenic markers, including mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), EGFR, and IL-6 and stemness markers such as CD44, β-catenin, and LGR5. More importantly, MSI-N1014 treatment suppressed the transformation of CAFs, and was associated with decreased secretion of IL-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by CAFs. Furthermore, MSI-N1014 treatment resulted in significantly reduced oncogenic properties, namely the migratory ability, tumor-sphere generation, and resistance against 5-FU. Notably, an increased level of the tumor suppressor, miR-142-3p, whose targets include LGR5, IL-6, and ABCG2, was detected in association with MSI-N1014 treatment. Finally, we demonstrated the therapeutic potential of MSI-N1014 in vivo, where combined treatment with MSI-N1014 and 5-FU led to the lowest tumor growth, followed by MSI-N1014 only, 5-FU, and the vehicle control. Tumor samples from the MSI-N1014 group showed markedly reduced expressions of LGR5, β-catenin, IL-6, and mTOR, but increased expression of the tumor suppressor, miR-142-3p, according to qRT-PCR analysis. Collectively, we present preclinical support for the application of MSI-N1014 in treating 5-FU-resistant colon cancer cells. Further investigation is warranted to translate these findings into clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijesh Kumar Yadav
- The Program for Translational Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
| | - Yan-Jiun Huang
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-J.H.); (P.-L.W.)
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Thomashire Anita George
- International PhD Program in Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
| | - Po-Li Wei
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-J.H.); (P.-L.W.)
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Maryam rachmawati Sumitra
- Graduate Institute for Cancer Biology & Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
| | - Ching-Liang Ho
- Division of Hematology and Oncology Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan;
| | - Tzu-Hao Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- Clinical Big Data Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Alexander T. H. Wu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (A.T.H.W.); (H.-S.H.); Tel.: +886-2-2697-2035 (ext. 112) (A.T.H.W.); +886-2-6638-2736 (ext. 1377) (H.-S.H.)
| | - Hsu-Shan Huang
- Graduate Institute for Cancer Biology & Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Biotechnology Research and Development, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (A.T.H.W.); (H.-S.H.); Tel.: +886-2-2697-2035 (ext. 112) (A.T.H.W.); +886-2-6638-2736 (ext. 1377) (H.-S.H.)
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LGR5 marks targetable tumor-initiating cells in mouse liver cancer. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1961. [PMID: 32327656 PMCID: PMC7181628 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15846-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are thought to be the main drivers for disease progression and treatment resistance across various cancer types. Identifying and targeting these rare cancer cells, however, remains challenging with respect to therapeutic benefit. Here, we report the enrichment of LGR5 expressing cells, a well-recognized stem cell marker, in mouse liver tumors, and the upregulation of LGR5 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Isolated LGR5 expressing cells from mouse liver tumors are superior in initiating organoids and forming tumors upon engraftment, featuring candidate TICs. These cells are resistant to conventional treatment including sorafenib and 5-FU. Importantly, LGR5 lineage ablation significantly inhibits organoid initiation and tumor growth. The combination of LGR5 ablation with 5-FU, but not sorafenib, further augments the therapeutic efficacy in vivo. Thus, we have identified the LGR5+ compartment as an important TIC population, representing a viable therapeutic target for combating liver cancer.
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Expression of LGR5, FZD7, TROY, and MIST1 in Perioperatively Treated Gastric Carcinomas and Correlation with Therapy Response. DISEASE MARKERS 2019; 2019:8154926. [PMID: 31827644 PMCID: PMC6885822 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8154926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The cancer stem cell model is considered as a putative cause of resistance to chemotherapy and disease recurrence in malignant tumors. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the response to neoadjuvant/perioperative chemotherapy correlates with the expression of four different putative cancer stem cell markers of gastric cancer (GC), i.e., LGR5, FZD7, TROY, and MIST1. The expression of LGR5, FZD7, TROY, and MIST1 was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 119 perioperatively treated GCs including pretherapeutic biopsies, resected primary GCs, and corresponding nodal and distant metastases. All four markers were detected in our cohort with variable prevalence and histoanatomical distributions. Few tumor cells expressed TROY. LGR5, FZD7, and MIST1 were coexpressed in 41.2% and completely absent in 6.2%. The prevalence of LGR5- and FZD7-positive GCs was higher and of TROY-positive GCs lower in perioperatively treated GCs compared with treatment-naïve tumors. LGR5, FZD7, and MIST1 in the primary tumors correlated significantly with their expression in the corresponding lymph node metastasis. An increased expression of LGR5 in primary GC correlated significantly with tumor regression. The expression of MIST1 in lymph node metastases correlated significantly with the number of lymph node metastases as well as overall and tumor-specific survival. FZD7 did not correlate with any clinicopathological patient characteristic. Our study on clinical patient samples shows that GCs may coexpress independently different stem cell markers; that neoadjuvant/perioperative treatment of GC significantly impacts on the expression of stem cell markers, which cannot be predicted by the analysis of pretherapeutic biopsies; and that their expression and tumor biological effect are heterogeneous and have to be viewed as a function of histoanatomical distribution.
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Vázquez-Iglesias L, Barcia-Castro L, Rodríguez-Quiroga M, Páez de la Cadena M, Rodríguez-Berrocal J, Cordero OJ. Surface expression marker profile in colon cancer cell lines and sphere-derived cells suggests complexity in CD26 + cancer stem cells subsets. Biol Open 2019; 8:bio.041673. [PMID: 31285270 PMCID: PMC6679411 DOI: 10.1242/bio.041673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Taking advantage of eight established cell lines from colorectal cancer patients at different stages of the disease and the fact that all of them could form spheres, cell surface biomarkers of cancer stem cells and epithelial-mesenchymal transition were tested. The aim was to investigate cancer stem cells and metastatic stem cells in order to provide functional characterization of circulating tumor cells and promote the development of new anti-metastatic therapies. Our model showed an important heterogeneity in EpCAM, CD133, CD44, LGR5, CD26 and E-cadherin expression. We showed the presence of a subset of E-cadherin+ (some cells being E-cadherinhigh) expressing CD26+ (or CD26high) together with the well-known CSC markers LGR5 and EpCAMhigh, sometimes in the absence of CD44 or CD133. The already described CD26+/E-cadherinlow or negative and CD26+/EpCAM−/CD133− subsets were also present. Cell division drastically affected the expression of all markers, in particular E-cadherin, so new-born cells resembled mesenchymal cells in surface staining. CD26 and/or dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors have already shown anti-metastatic effects in pre-clinical models, and the existence of these CD26+ subsets may help further research against cancer metastasis. Summary: In our model of eight established cell lines from colorectal cancer patients we show the presence of different putative cancer stem cell (CSC) subsets with expression of CD26/DPP4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Vázquez-Iglesias
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Vigo, 36200 Vigo, Galicia, Spain (EU)
| | - Leticia Barcia-Castro
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Vigo, 36200 Vigo, Galicia, Spain (EU)
| | - Marta Rodríguez-Quiroga
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Vigo, 36200 Vigo, Galicia, Spain (EU)
| | - María Páez de la Cadena
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Vigo, 36200 Vigo, Galicia, Spain (EU)
| | - Javier Rodríguez-Berrocal
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Vigo, 36200 Vigo, Galicia, Spain (EU)
| | - Oscar J Cordero
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. CIBUS Building, Facultade de Bioloxía. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain (EU)
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Transcriptome Analysis Did Not Show Endogenous Stem Cell Characteristics in Murine Lgr5 + Retinal Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20143547. [PMID: 31331079 PMCID: PMC6678859 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lgr5, an intestinal adult stem cell marker, was recently also found in neuronal tissues. We investigated whether retinal Lgr5+ cells express properties of neural stem cells (NSC) and/or of differentiated interneurons during retinal development. RNA was isolated from Lgr5+ and Lgr5− populations from postnatal day 5 (PN5) and adult retinas of Lgr5EGFP-Ires-CreERT2 knock-in mice sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Transcriptome analyses were performed on two RNA samples of each developmental stage (PN5 and adult). The online platform PANTHER (Protein ANalysis THrough Evolutionary Relationships) was used to determine overrepresented gene ontology (GO) terms of biological processes within the set of differentially expressed genes. The detailed evaluation included gene expression in regard to stem cell maintenance/proliferation, cell cycle, and Wnt signaling but also markers of differentiated retinal neurons. None of the enriched GO terms of upregulated genes of Lgr5+ cells showed a positive association to NSC. On the contrary, NSC maintenance and proliferation rather prevail in the Lgr5− cell population. Furthermore, results suggesting that Wnt signaling is not active in the Lgr5+ population. Therefore, our transcriptome analysis of Lgr5+ retinal cells suggest that these cells are differentiated neurons, specifically glycinergic amacrine cells.
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12
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Nagata H, Ishihara S, Abe H, Ushiku T, Kishikawa J, Tanaka T, Hata K, Kawai K, Fukayama M, Nozawa H. LGR5 expression predicts peritoneal recurrence after curative resection of primary colon cancer. Br J Cancer 2019; 120:996-1002. [PMID: 31000786 PMCID: PMC6734652 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0442-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to clarify whether a cancer stem cell marker could be an indicator of post-operative peritoneal recurrence of colon cancer. Methods Expression of four putative markers (CD133, CD44 variant 6, aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 and leucine-rich repeating G-protein-coupled receptor-5 (LGR5)) was evaluated immunohistochemically in primary tumour samples from 292 patients who underwent curative resection for non-metastasised pT4 colon cancer at the University of Tokyo Hospital between 1997 and 2015. Results Peritoneal recurrence was significantly higher in LGR5-negative cases (5-year cumulative incidence: 27.5% vs. 14.4%, p = 0.037). Multivariable analysis confirmed that negative LGR5 expression was an independent risk factor for peritoneal recurrence (hazard ratio (HR) 2.79, p = 0.005) in addition to poor differentiation, positive lymph node metastasis, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen > 5 ng/mL and anastomotic leakage. The addition of LGR5 significantly improved the predictive value of the multivariable model (net reclassification improvement: 0.186, p = 0.028: integrated discrimination improvement: 0.047, p = 0.008). Conclusions Negative LGR5 expression was a significant predictor of peritoneal recurrence in patients with pT4 colon cancer. Therefore, LGR5 might be a promising biomarker to identify patients at high risk of post-operative peritoneal metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Nagata
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Soichiro Ishihara
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Abe
- Department of Pathology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ushiku
- Department of Pathology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junko Kishikawa
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Tanaka
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Hata
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazushige Kawai
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Hiroaki Nozawa
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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13
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Jia Y, Li Z, Cheng X, Wu X, Pang F, Shi J, Li S, Li X, Hu Y, Zhang L, Ji J. Depletion of death-associated protein-3 induces chemoresistance in gastric cancer cells through the β-catenin/LGR5/Bcl-2 axis. J Investig Med 2019; 67:856-861. [PMID: 30792218 DOI: 10.1136/jim-2018-000934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Previously, we demonstrated that death-associated protein-3 (DAP3) loss drives chemoresistance in gastric cancer cells. In the present study, we aimed to determine the underlying molecular mechanism. The effect of DAP3 silencing on β-catenin signaling was assessed. The direct mediator of DAP3 silencing-induced chemoresistance was identified. Depletion of DAP3 stimulates nuclear accumulation of β-catenin and enhances β-catenin-dependent transcriptional activity in gastric cancer cells. However, the protein kinase B , , extracellular regulated protein kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathways remain unaffected by DAP3 loss. We found that the downstream target gene LGR5 (leucine-rich G-protein coupled receptor 5) is upregulated in DAP3-depleted gastric cancer cells. Moreover, knockdown of LGR5 resensitizes DAP3-depleted gastric cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and oxaliplatin. We also observed that ectopic expression of LGR5 reduces apoptosis in gastric cancer cells on treatment with 5-FU and oxaliplatin, which is accompanied by prevention of caspase-3 cleavage. The antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 is identified as a key mediator of LGR5-induced apoptosis resistance in gastric cancer cells. The present findings indicate that DAP3 deficiency-induced chemoresistance in gastric cancer is at least partially mediated through the β-catenin/LGR5/Bcl-2 axis. Targeting LGR5 may provide a novel strategy to overcome chemoresistance in DAP3-deficient gastric cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongning Jia
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyu Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojing Cheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Translational Research, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojiang Wu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Pang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jinyao Shi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shen Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolong Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Hu
- Tissue Bank, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Lianhai Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.,Tissue Bank, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jiafu Ji
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China.,Tissue Bank, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
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14
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Rot S, Kaune T, Taubert H, Greither T, Kotrba J, Güttler A, Wichmann H, Bilkenroth U, Wienke A, Al-Nawas B, Bache M, Vordermark D, Wickenhauser C, Bethmann D, Eckert AW, Kappler M. Prognostic impact of mRNA levels of LGR5 transcript variants in OSCC patients. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:155. [PMID: 30770730 PMCID: PMC6377725 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The human leucine-rich, repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) is a stem cell marker in numerous adult tissues and is overexpressed in a large number of human carcinoma including colon cancer, breast cancer and oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). The role of the full length transcript (LGR5FL) in progression and prognosis of several cancers was reported. However, the biological function of three splice variants of LGR5 (LGR5Δ5, LGR5Δ8 and LGR5Δ5–8) has yet to be thoroughly investigated. Methods Seventy-eight frozen tumor samples from adult OSCC patients were studied using quantitative real-time TaqMan™ PCR analysis. The mRNA levels of full length LGR5, the splice variant of LGR5 lacking exon 5 (LGR5Δ5), the splice variant of LGR5 lacking exon 8 (LGR5Δ8) and the mRNA level of all known transcript variants together (LGR5all) were quantified and correlated to overall and disease-specific survival of OSCC patients, clinical parameters and the mRNA level of different tumor-associated markers. Results An elevated level of tumoral LGR5Δ5 mRNA, but not LGR5FL, LGR5Δ8 or LGR5all mRNA was significantly associated with a poor prognosis for the overall and disease-specific survival of OSCC patients (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.0; p = 0.02; 95% CI: 1.1–3.7; HR = 3.2; p = 0.01; 95% CI: 1.3–8.0; multivariable Cox regression), respectively. Additionally, a higher tumoral level of LGR5Δ5 mRNA in primary tumors was associated with the occurrence of regional lymph node metastases in OSCC patients (odds ratio (OR) = 3.1; p = 0.022; 95% CI: 1.2–7.9; binary logistic regression). Furthermore, the mRNA levels of all investigated LGR5 transcript variants were significantly correlated with the mRNA expression of Wnt-target genes and markers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conclusion The mRNA level of the LGR5 splice variant LGR5Δ5 is an independent negative prognostic marker for overall and disease-specific survival and metastasis in OSCC patients. Additionally, we suggest, all LGR5 transcript variants are involved in the EMT process mainly through activating the Wnt-signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swetlana Rot
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str, 40 06097, Halle/Saale, Germany.
| | - Tom Kaune
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str, 40 06097, Halle/Saale, Germany.,Present address: Department of Internal Medicine I, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Helge Taubert
- Clinic of Urology and Pediatric Urology, FA University Hospital Erlangen, FA University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Greither
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Johanna Kotrba
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str, 40 06097, Halle/Saale, Germany.,Present address: Institute of Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Antje Güttler
- Department of Radiotherapy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Henri Wichmann
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str, 40 06097, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Wienke
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Informatics, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Bilal Al-Nawas
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str, 40 06097, Halle/Saale, Germany.,Present address: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Plastic Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Bache
- Department of Radiotherapy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Dirk Vordermark
- Department of Radiotherapy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Daniel Bethmann
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Alexander W Eckert
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str, 40 06097, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Matthias Kappler
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str, 40 06097, Halle/Saale, Germany
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15
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Targeting LGR5 in Colorectal Cancer: therapeutic gold or too plastic? Br J Cancer 2018; 118:1410-1418. [PMID: 29844449 PMCID: PMC5988707 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-018-0118-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor (LGR5 or GPR49) potentiates canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling and is a marker of normal stem cells in several tissues, including the intestine. Consistent with stem cell potential, single isolated LGR5+ cells from the gut generate self-organising crypt/villus structures in vitro termed organoids or 'mini-guts', which accurately model the parent tissue. The well characterised deregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling that occurs during the adenoma-carcinoma sequence in colorectal cancer (CRC) renders LGR5 an interesting therapeutic target. Furthermore, recent studies demonstrating that CRC tumours contain LGR5+ subsets and retain a degree of normal tissue architecture has heightened translational interest. Such reports fuel hope that specific subpopulations or molecules within a tumour may be therapeutically targeted to prevent relapse and induce long-term remissions. Despite these observations, many studies within this field have produced conflicting and confusing results with no clear consensus on the therapeutic value of LGR5. This review will recap the various oncogenic and tumour suppressive roles that have been described for the LGR5 molecule in CRC. It will further highlight recent studies indicating the plasticity or redundancy of LGR5+ cells in intestinal cancer progression and assess the overall merit of therapeutically targeting LGR5 in CRC.
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16
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Fiore D, Ramesh P, Proto MC, Piscopo C, Franceschelli S, Anzelmo S, Medema JP, Bifulco M, Gazzerro P. Rimonabant Kills Colon Cancer Stem Cells without Inducing Toxicity in Normal Colon Organoids. Front Pharmacol 2018; 8:949. [PMID: 29354056 PMCID: PMC5758598 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC), like other tumor types, is a highly heterogeneous disease. Within the tumor bulk, intra-tumoral heterogeneity is also ascribable to Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) subpopulation, characterized by high chemoresistance and the unique ability to retain tumorigenic potential, thus associated to tumor recurrence. High dynamic plasticity of CSCs, makes the development of winning therapeutic strategies even more complex to completely eradicate tumor fuel. Rimonabant, originally synthesized as antagonist/inverse agonist of Cannabinoid Receptor 1, is able to inactivate Wnt signaling, both in vitro and in vivo, in CRC models, through inhibition of p300-histone acetyltransferase activity. Since Wnt/β-Catenin pathway is the main player underlying CSCs dynamic, this finding candidates Rimonabant as potential modulator of cancer stemness, in CRC. In this work, using established 3D cultures of primary colon CSCs, taking into account the tumor heterogeneity through monitoring of Wnt activity, we demonstrated that Rimonabant was able to reduces both tumor differentiated cells and colon CSCs proliferation and to control their survival in long term cultures. Interestingly, in ex vivo model of wild type human organoids, retaining both architecture and heterogeneity of original tissue, Rimonabant showed no toxicity against cells from healthy colon epithelium, suggesting its potential selectivity toward cancer cells. Overall, results from this work provided new insights on anti-tumor efficacy of Rimonabant, strongly suggesting that it could be a novel lead compound for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Fiore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Prashanthi Ramesh
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academisch Medisch Centrum, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maria C Proto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Chiara Piscopo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | | | - Serena Anzelmo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Jan P Medema
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academisch Medisch Centrum, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maurizio Bifulco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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17
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Wu Z, Song W, Cheng Z, Yang D, Yu L. Expression of LGR5 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its correlation to vasculogenic mimicry. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2017; 10:11267-11275. [PMID: 31966480 PMCID: PMC6965846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND LGR5, also named as GPR49, is considered as a biomarker of cancer stem cells which have been responsible for the initiation, progression, metastasis, and recurrence of cancers. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) which defines the formation of fluid-conducting tubes by highly progressive and genetically dysregulated cancer cells has been considered as useful biomarker for metastasis and prognosis in various cancers. In this study, we analyzed associations between LGR5 and VM in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and their association with clinicopathological characters in OSCC. METHODS Positive rates of LGR5 and VM in 190 OSCC tissue samples and correspondence normal tissues were detected by immunohistochemical and histochemical staining. Patients' clinical data were also collected. RESULTS Positive rates of LGR5 and VM were significantly higher in OSCC tissues than those in normal tissues. Positive rates of LGR5 and VM were positively related to tumor size, grades, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stages, and inversely with patients overall survival time. And there was a positive association between the expression of LGR5 and positive rate of VM. In multivariate analysis, high expression of LGR5 and positive VM and lymph node metastasis, as well as TNM stages were to be considered as independent prognosis factors for overall survival time in patients with OSCC. CONCLUSIONS The expression of LGR5 and VM represent potential biomarkers for metastasis and prognosis, as well as therapeutic targets for OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Wu
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
| | - Wenqing Song
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
| | - Zenong Cheng
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
| | - Dongkun Yang
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
| | - Lan Yu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical CollegeAnhui Province, China
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18
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Huang TH, Wu SY, Huang YJ, Wei PL, Wu ATH, Chao TY. The identification and validation of Trichosstatin A as a potential inhibitor of colon tumorigenesis and colon cancer stem-like cells. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:1227-1237. [PMID: 28560069 PMCID: PMC5446486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent cancer types in developed countries. Metastasis and drug resistance are two contributing factors to the high mortality rate. Accumulating evidence suggest that cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) represents as a major contributor to these malignant features. Here, we identified and isolated colon cancer stem-like cells using side-population (SP) method from human colon cancer cell lines. SP colon cells demonstrate cancer stem-like cell properties including enhanced sphere-forming ability and resistance towards fluorouracil (5-FU). The CSC properties were associated with the increased expression level of major oncogenic and stem cell markers including β-catenin, NF-kB, Akt/mTOR, KRAS and c-Myc. Trichostatin A (TSA), an antifungal antibiotic also a HDAC inhibitor, was found to function not only to decrease the expression of oncogenic markers but also the colon CSC properties. Importantly, TSA and 5-FU combined treatment synergistically suppressed colon cancer viability. Finally, in vivo results demonstrated that TSA alone and in combination with 5-FU effectively suppressed colon tumorigenesis. Collectively, this study provides preclinical evidence that TSA may function as a potential colon cancer therapeutic agent by targeting CSC and overcoming 5-FU resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tse-Hung Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial HospitalKeelung, Taiwan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung UniversityTaoyuan, Taiwan
- School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health SciencesTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Yuan Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Jiun Huang
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Li Wei
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
| | - Alexander TH Wu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical CenterTaipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Tsu-Yi Chao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research & Education, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho HospitalNew Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho HospitalNew Taipei, Taiwan
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19
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Li H, Yan X, Liu L, Huang L, Yin M, Pan C, Zhang P, Qin H. T-cell leukemia/lymphoma-1A predicts the clinical outcome for patients with stage II/III colorectal cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 88:924-930. [PMID: 28178623 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.01.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell leukemia/lymphoma-1A (TCL1A) as a stem cell marker is abundantly expressed in embryonic stem cells and has been identified as an oncogene in various hematological malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia and B-cell lymphoma. However, with regard to its role in solid tumors, few studies are available and less are for colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we aim to investigate the expression and clinical significance of TCL1A in a cohort of 278 stage II/III CRC patients. As a result, we find TCL1A expression is higher in CRC tissues than that in adjacent normal tissues, and significantly correlated with tumor differentiation, TNM stage and Ki-67 positive rate. The prognostic analysis suggests that TCL1A expression is an independent factor affecting CRC-specific and disease-free survival of these patients. Furthermore, we find stage II/III patients with high TCL1A expression have a significantly higher rate of postoperative local recurrence and metastasis than those with low TCL1A expression. Finally, through subgroup analysis, we find TCL1A expression can stratify the outcome of stage II/III patients who received standard adjuvant chemotherapy. Taken together, our findings suggest TCL1A is not only a useful biomarker for prognostic evaluation in stage II/III CRC patients, but also a promising therapeutic target for improving their clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University No. 301, Yan-chang Road, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Xuebing Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University No. 301, Yan-chang Road, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Liguo Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University No. 600, Yi-shan Road, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Linsheng Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University No. 301, Yan-chang Road, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Mingming Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University No. 301, Yan-chang Road, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Cheng Pan
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University No. 301, Yan-chang Road, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University No. 301, Yan-chang Road, Shanghai 200072, China.
| | - Huanlong Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University No. 301, Yan-chang Road, Shanghai 200072, China.
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