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Hill W, Weeden CE, Swanton C. Tumor Promoters and Opportunities for Molecular Cancer Prevention. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:1154-1160. [PMID: 38870403 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-24-0128] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Environmental carcinogens increase cancer incidence via both mutagenic and non-mutagenic mechanisms. There are over 500 known or suspected carcinogens classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Sequencing of both cancerous and histologically non-cancerous tissue has been instrumental in improving our understanding of how environmental carcinogens cause cancer. Understanding how and defining which environmental or lifestyle exposures drive cancer will support cancer prevention. Recent research is revisiting the mechanisms of early tumorigenesis, paving the way for an era of molecular cancer prevention. Significance: Recent data have improved our understanding of how carcinogens cause cancer, which may reveal novel opportunities for molecular cancer prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Hill
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Clare E Weeden
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
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2
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Tan QX, Shannon NB, Lim WK, Teo JX, Yap DRY, Lek SM, Tan JWS, Tan SJJ, Hendrikson J, Liu Y, Ng G, Chong CYL, Guo W, Koh KKN, Ng CCY, Rajasegaran V, Wong JS, Seo CJ, Ong CK, Lim TKH, Teh BT, Kon OL, Chia CS, Soo KC, Iyer NG, Ong CAJ. Transcriptomic convergence despite genomic divergence drive field cancerization in synchronous squamous tumors. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1272432. [PMID: 38939336 PMCID: PMC11208456 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1272432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Field cancerization is suggested to arise from imbalanced differentiation in individual basal progenitor cells leading to clonal expansion of mutant cells that eventually replace the epithelium, although without evidence. Methods We performed deep sequencing analyses to characterize the genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of field change in two patients with synchronous aerodigestive tract tumors. Results Our data support the emergence of numerous genetic alterations in cancer-associated genes but refutes the hypothesis that founder mutation(s) underpin this phenomenon. Mutational signature analysis identified defective homologous recombination as a common underlying mutational process unique to synchronous tumors. Discussion Our analyses suggest a common etiologic factor defined by mutational signatures and/or transcriptomic convergence, which could provide a therapeutic opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Xuan Tan
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nicholas B. Shannon
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Weng Khong Lim
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jing Xian Teo
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniel R. Y. Yap
- Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sze Min Lek
- Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joey W. S. Tan
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shih Jia J. Tan
- Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Josephine Hendrikson
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gillian Ng
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Clara Y. L. Chong
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wanyu Guo
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kelvin K. N. Koh
- Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cedric C. Y. Ng
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vikneswari Rajasegaran
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jolene S.M. Wong
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chin Jin Seo
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Choon Kiat Ong
- Cancer and Stem Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Lymphoma Genomics Translational Laboratory, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tony K. H. Lim
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Pathology Academic Clinical Program, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bin Tean Teh
- Cancer and Stem Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, ASTAR Research Entities, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Oi Lian Kon
- Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Claramae S. Chia
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Oncology Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Surgery Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Khee Chee Soo
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Oncology Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Surgery Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - N. Gopalakrishna Iyer
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer and Stem Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Therapeutics Research Laboratory, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chin-Ann J. Ong
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Sarcoma, Peritoneal and Rare Tumours (SPRinT), Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Laboratory of Applied Human Genetics, Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, ASTAR Research Entities, Singapore, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Oncology Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- SingHealth Duke-NUS Surgery Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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3
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Wu SHS, Kim S, Lee H, Lee JH, Park SY, Bakonyi R, Teriyapirom I, Hallay N, Pilat-Carotta S, Theussl HC, Kim J, Lee JH, Simons BD, Kim JK, Colozza G, Koo BK. Red2Flpe-SCON: a versatile, multicolor strategy for generating mosaic conditional knockout mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4963. [PMID: 38862535 PMCID: PMC11166929 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49382-y] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Image-based lineage tracing enables tissue turnover kinetics and lineage potentials of different adult cell populations to be investigated. Previously, we reported a genetic mouse model system, Red2Onco, which ectopically expressed mutated oncogenes together with red fluorescent proteins (RFP). This system enabled the expansion kinetics and neighboring effects of oncogenic clones to be dissected. We now report Red2Flpe-SCON: a mosaic knockout system that uses multicolor reporters to label both mutant and wild-type cells. We develop the Red2Flpe mouse line for red clone-specific Flpe expression, as well as the FRT-based SCON (Short Conditional IntrON) method to facilitate tunable conditional mosaic knockouts in mice. We use the Red2Flpe-SCON method to study Sox2 mutant clonal analysis in the esophageal epithelium of adult mice which reveal that the stem cell gene, Sox2, is less essential for adult stem cell maintenance itself, but rather for stem cell proliferation and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Hsien Sam Wu
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Somi Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Heetak Lee
- Center for Genome Engineering, Institute for Basic Science, Expo-ro 55, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34126, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hyun Lee
- Center for Genome Engineering, Institute for Basic Science, Expo-ro 55, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34126, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Yeon Park
- Center for Genome Engineering, Institute for Basic Science, Expo-ro 55, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34126, Republic of Korea
| | - Réka Bakonyi
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Isaree Teriyapirom
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Natalia Hallay
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Pilat-Carotta
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jihoon Kim
- Center for Genome Engineering, Institute for Basic Science, Expo-ro 55, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34126, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, 14662, South Korea
| | - Joo-Hyeon Lee
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Benjamin D Simons
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge, CB3 0WA, UK
| | - Jong Kyoung Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Gabriele Colozza
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Bon-Kyoung Koo
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea.
- Center for Genome Engineering, Institute for Basic Science, Expo-ro 55, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34126, Republic of Korea.
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Zhao YX, Zhao HP, Zhao MY, Yu Y, Qi X, Wang JH, Lv J. Latest insights into the global epidemiological features, screening, early diagnosis and prognosis prediction of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30:2638-2656. [PMID: 38855150 PMCID: PMC11154680 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i20.2638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024] Open
Abstract
As a highly invasive carcinoma, esophageal cancer (EC) was the eighth most prevalent malignancy and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide in 2020. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the major histological subtype of EC, and its incidence and mortality rates are decreasing globally. Due to the lack of specific early symptoms, ESCC patients are usually diagnosed with advanced-stage disease with a poor prognosis, and the incidence and mortality rates are still high in many countries, especially in China. Therefore, enormous challenges still exist in the management of ESCC, and novel strategies are urgently needed to further decrease the incidence and mortality rates of ESCC. Although the key molecular mechanisms underlying ESCC pathogenesis have not been fully elucidated, certain promising biomarkers are being investigated to facilitate clinical decision-making. With the advent and advancement of high-throughput technologies, such as genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, valuable biomarkers with high sensitivity, specificity and stability could be identified for ESCC. Herein, we aimed to determine the epidemiological features of ESCC in different regions of the world, especially in China, and focused on novel molecular biomarkers associated with ESCC screening, early diagnosis and prognosis prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Xin Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - He-Ping Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Meng-Yao Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yan Yu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xi Qi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Ji-Han Wang
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Jing Lv
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi Province, China
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5
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Huang H, Jiang Y, Liu J, Luo D, Yuan J, Mu R, Yu X, Sun D, Lin J, Chen Q, Li X, Jiang M, Xu J, Chu B, Yin C, Zhang L, Ye Y, Cao B, Wang Q, Zhang Y. Jag1/2 maintain esophageal homeostasis and suppress foregut tumorigenesis by restricting the basal progenitor cell pool. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4124. [PMID: 38750026 PMCID: PMC11096375 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48347-5] [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: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Basal progenitor cells are crucial for maintaining foregut (the esophagus and forestomach) homeostasis. When their function is dysregulated, it can promote inflammation and tumorigenesis. However, the mechanisms underlying these processes remain largely unclear. Here, we employ genetic mouse models to reveal that Jag1/2 regulate esophageal homeostasis and foregut tumorigenesis by modulating the function of basal progenitor cells. Deletion of Jag1/2 in mice disrupts esophageal and forestomach epithelial homeostasis. Mechanistically, Jag1/2 deficiency impairs activation of Notch signaling, leading to reduced squamous epithelial differentiation and expansion of basal progenitor cells. Moreover, Jag1/2 deficiency exacerbates the deoxycholic acid (DCA)-induced squamous epithelial injury and accelerates the initiation of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the forestomach. Importantly, expression levels of JAG1/2 are lower in the early stages of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) carcinogenesis. Collectively, our study demonstrates that Jag1/2 are important for maintaining esophageal and forestomach homeostasis and the onset of foregut SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Yu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Jiangying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Dan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Jianghong Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Rongzi Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Xiang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Donglei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Jihong Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, PR China
| | - Qiyue Chen
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, PR China
- Department of General Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, PR China
| | - Xinjing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Ming Jiang
- Center for Genetic Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310030, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Jianming Xu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Bo Chu
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, PR China
| | - Chengqian Yin
- Institute of Cancer Research, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Cancer Research, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Youqiong Ye
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, PR China
| | - Bo Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, PR China.
| | - Yongchun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, PR China.
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Choksi Y. Autophagy Regulates Esophageal Epithelial Renewal. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 18:155-156. [PMID: 38583484 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Yash Choksi
- Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
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Levra Levron C, Elettrico L, Duval C, Piacenti G, Proserpio V, Donati G. Bridging tissue repair and epithelial carcinogenesis: epigenetic memory and field cancerization. Cell Death Differ 2024:10.1038/s41418-023-01254-6. [PMID: 38228801 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01254-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The epigenome coordinates spatial-temporal specific gene expression during development and in adulthood, for the maintenance of homeostasis and upon tissue repair. The upheaval of the epigenetic landscape is a key event in the onset of many pathologies including tumours, where epigenetic changes cooperate with genetic aberrations to establish the neoplastic phenotype and to drive cell plasticity during its evolution. DNA methylation, histone modifiers and readers or other chromatin components are indeed often altered in cancers, such as carcinomas that develop in epithelia. Lining the surfaces and the cavities of our body and acting as a barrier from the environment, epithelia are frequently subjected to acute or chronic tissue damages, such as mechanical injuries or inflammatory episodes. These events can activate plasticity mechanisms, with a deep impact on cells' epigenome. Despite being very effective, tissue repair mechanisms are closely associated with tumour onset. Here we review the similarities between tissue repair and carcinogenesis, with a special focus on the epigenetic mechanisms activated by cells during repair and opted by carcinoma cells in multiple epithelia. Moreover, we discuss the recent findings on inflammatory and wound memory in epithelia and describe the epigenetic modifications that characterise them. Finally, as wound memory in epithelial cells promotes carcinogenesis, we highlight how it represents an early step for the establishment of field cancerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Levra Levron
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Elettrico
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Carlotta Duval
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Gabriele Piacenti
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Valentina Proserpio
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Giacomo Donati
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy.
- Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy.
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8
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Greulich P. Quantitative Modelling in Stem Cell Biology and Beyond: How to Make Best Use of It. CURRENT STEM CELL REPORTS 2023; 9:67-76. [PMID: 38145009 PMCID: PMC10739548 DOI: 10.1007/s40778-023-00230-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review This article gives a broad overview of quantitative modelling approaches in biology and provides guidance on how to employ them to boost stem cell research, by helping to answer biological questions and to predict the outcome of biological processes. Recent Findings The twenty-first century has seen a steady increase in the proportion of cell biology publications employing mathematical modelling to aid experimental research. However, quantitative modelling is often used as a rather decorative element to confirm experimental findings, an approach which often yields only marginal added value, and is in many cases scientifically questionable. Summary Quantitative modelling can boost biological research in manifold ways, but one has to take some careful considerations before embarking on a modelling campaign, in order to maximise its added value, to avoid pitfalls that may lead to wrong results, and to be aware of its fundamental limitations, imposed by the risks of over-fitting and "universality".
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Greulich
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Cui Z, Wei H, Goding C, Cui R. Stem cell heterogeneity, plasticity, and regulation. Life Sci 2023; 334:122240. [PMID: 37925141 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122240] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
As a population of homogeneous cells with both self-renewal and differentiation potential, stem cell pools are highly compartmentalized and contain distinct subsets that exhibit stable but limited heterogeneity during homeostasis. However, their striking plasticity is showcased under natural or artificial stress, such as injury, transplantation, cancer, and aging, leading to changes in their phenotype, constitution, metabolism, and function. The complex and diverse network of cell-extrinsic niches and signaling pathways, together with cell-intrinsic genetic and epigenetic regulators, tightly regulate both the heterogeneity during homeostasis and the plasticity under perturbation. Manipulating these factors offers better control of stem cell behavior and a potential revolution in the current state of regenerative medicine. However, disruptions of normal regulation by genetic mutation or excessive plasticity acquisition may contribute to the formation of tumors. By harnessing innovative techniques that enhance our understanding of stem cell heterogeneity and employing novel approaches to maximize the utilization of stem cell plasticity, stem cell therapy holds immense promise for revolutionizing the future of medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Cui
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.
| | - Hope Wei
- Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Colin Goding
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX37DQ, UK
| | - Rutao Cui
- Skin Disease Research Institute, The 2nd Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
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10
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Daigle N, Duan S, Song H, Lima N, Sontz R, Merchant JL, Sawyer TW. Wide field-of-view fluorescence imaging for organ-level lineage tracing of rare intestinal stem cell populations. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2023; 28:096004. [PMID: 37711357 PMCID: PMC10499363 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.28.9.096004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Significance Lineage tracing using fluorescent reporters is a common tool for monitoring the expression of genes and transcription factors in stem cell populations and their progeny. The zinc-binding protein 89 (ZBP-89/Zfp148 mouse gene) is a transcription factor that plays a role in gastrointestinal (GI) stem cell maintenance and cellular differentiation and has been linked to the progression of colon cancer. While lineage tracing is a useful tool, it is commonly performed with high-magnification microscopy on a small field of view within tissue sections, thereby limiting the ability to resolve reporter expression at the organ level. Furthermore, this technique requires extensive tissue processing, which is time consuming and requires euthanizing the animal. Further knowledge could be elucidated by measuring the expression of fluorescent reporters across entire organs with minimal tissue processing. Aim We present the application of wide-field fluorescence imaging for whole-organ lineage tracing of an inducible Zfp148-tdTomato-expressing transgenic mouse line to assess the expression of ZBP-89/Zfp148 in the GI tract. Approach We measured tdTomato fluorescence in ex vivo organs at time points between 24 h and 6 months post-induction. Fluctuations in tdTomato expression were validated by fluorescence microscopy of tissue sections. Results Quantification of the wide field-of-view images showed a statistically significant increase in fluorescent signal across the GI tract between transgenic mice and littermate controls. The results also showed a gradient of decreasing reporter expression from proximal to distal intestine, suggesting a higher abundance of ZBP-89 expressing stem cells, or higher expression of ZBP-89 within the stem cells, in the proximal intestine. Conclusions We demonstrate that wide-field fluorescence imaging is a valuable tool for monitoring whole-organ expression of fluorescent reporters. This technique could potentially be applied in vivo for longitudinal assessment of a single animal, further enhancing our ability to resolve rare stem cell lineages spatially and temporally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelle Daigle
- University of Arizona, Wyant College of Optical Sciences, Tucson, Arizona, United States
| | - Suzann Duan
- University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, United States
| | - Heyu Song
- University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, United States
| | - Natzem Lima
- University of Arizona, Wyant College of Optical Sciences, Tucson, Arizona, United States
| | - Ricky Sontz
- University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, United States
| | | | - Travis W. Sawyer
- University of Arizona, Wyant College of Optical Sciences, Tucson, Arizona, United States
- University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, United States
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11
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Menon V, Brash DE. Next-generation sequencing methodologies to detect low-frequency mutations: "Catch me if you can". MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2023; 792:108471. [PMID: 37716438 PMCID: PMC10843083 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2023.108471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Mutations, the irreversible changes in an organism's DNA sequence, are present in tissues at a variant allele frequency (VAF) ranging from ∼10-8 per bp for a founder mutation to ∼10-3 for a histologically normal tissue sample containing several independent clones - compared to 1%- 50% for a heterozygous tumor mutation or a polymorphism. The rarity of these events poses a challenge for accurate clinical diagnosis and prognosis, toxicology, and discovering new disease etiologies. Standard Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies report VAFs as low as 0.5% per nt, but reliably observing rarer precursor events requires additional sophistication to measure ultralow-frequency mutations. We detail the challenge; define terms used to characterize the results, which vary between laboratories and sometimes conflict between biologists and bioinformaticists; and describe recent innovations to improve standard NGS methodologies including: single-strand consensus sequence methods such as Safe-SeqS and SiMSen-Seq; tandem-strand consensus sequence methods such as o2n-Seq and SMM-Seq; and ultrasensitive parent-strand consensus sequence methods such as DuplexSeq, PacBio HiFi, SinoDuplex, OPUSeq, EcoSeq, BotSeqS, Hawk-Seq, NanoSeq, SaferSeq, and CODEC. Practical applications are also noted. Several methods quantify VAF down to 10-5 at a nt and mutation frequency (MF) in a target region down to 10-7 per nt. By expanding to > 1 Mb of sites never observed twice, thus forgoing VAF, other methods quantify MF < 10-9 per nt or < 15 errors per haploid genome. Clonal expansion cannot be directly distinguished from independent mutations by sequencing, so it is essential for a paper to report whether its MF counted only different mutations - the minimum independent-mutation frequency MFminI - or all mutations observed including recurrences - the larger maximum independent-mutation frequency MFmaxI which may reflect clonal expansion. Ultrasensitive methods reveal that, without their use, even mutations with VAF 0.5-1% are usually spurious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Menon
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8040, USA.
| | - Douglas E Brash
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8040, USA; Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8059, USA; Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8028, USA.
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12
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Zeng J, Alvarez-Yela AC, Casarez E, Jiang Y, Wang L, Kelly BE, Jenkins T, Ke E, Atkins KA, Janes KA, Slack-Davis JK, Zong H. Dichotomous ovarian cancer-initiating potential of Pax8+ cells revealed by a mouse genetic mosaic model. iScience 2023; 26:106742. [PMID: 37207276 PMCID: PMC10189502 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Different cellular compartments within a tissue present distinct cancer-initiating capacities. Current approaches to dissect such heterogeneity require cell-type-specific genetic tools based on a well-understood lineage hierarchy, which are lacking for many tissues. Here, we circumvented this hurdle and revealed the dichotomous capacity of fallopian tube Pax8+ cells in initiating ovarian cancer, utilizing a mouse genetic system that stochastically generates rare GFP-labeled mutant cells. Through clonal analysis and spatial profiling, we determined that only clones founded by rare, stem/progenitor-like Pax8+ cells can expand on acquiring oncogenic mutations whereas vast majority of clones stall immediately. Furthermore, expanded mutant clones undergo further attrition: many turn quiescent shortly after the initial expansion, whereas others sustain proliferation and manifest a bias toward Pax8+ fate, underlying early pathogenesis. Our study showcases the power of genetic mosaic system-based clonal analysis for revealing cellular heterogeneity of cancer-initiating capacity in tissues with limited prior knowledge of lineage hierarchy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhao Zeng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | | | - Eli Casarez
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Lixin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Brianna E. Kelly
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Taylor Jenkins
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Eugene Ke
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Kristen A. Atkins
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Kevin A. Janes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Jill K. Slack-Davis
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Hui Zong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
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13
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Levra Levron C, Watanabe M, Proserpio V, Piacenti G, Lauria A, Kaltenbach S, Tamburrini A, Nohara T, Anselmi F, Duval C, Elettrico L, Donna D, Conti L, Baev D, Natsuga K, Hagai T, Oliviero S, Donati G. Tissue memory relies on stem cell priming in distal undamaged areas. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:740-753. [PMID: 37081165 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01120-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial cells that participated in wound repair elicit a more efficient response to future injuries, which is believed to be locally restricted. Here we show that cell adaptation resulting from a localized tissue damage has a wide spatial impact at a scale not previously appreciated. We demonstrate that a specific stem cell population, distant from the original injury, originates long-lasting wound memory progenitors residing in their own niche. Notably, these distal memory cells have not taken part in the first healing but become intrinsically pre-activated through priming. This cell state, maintained at the chromatin and transcriptional level, leads to an enhanced wound repair that is partially recapitulated through epigenetic perturbation. Importantly wound memory has long-term harmful consequences, exacerbating tumourigenesis. Overall, we show that sub-organ-scale adaptation to injury relies on spatially organized memory-dedicated progenitors, characterized by an actionable cell state that establishes an epigenetic field cancerization and predisposes to tumour onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Levra Levron
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center 'Guido Tarone', University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Mika Watanabe
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center 'Guido Tarone', University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Valentina Proserpio
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center 'Guido Tarone', University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Gabriele Piacenti
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center 'Guido Tarone', University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Lauria
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center 'Guido Tarone', University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Stefan Kaltenbach
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Annalaura Tamburrini
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center 'Guido Tarone', University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Takuma Nohara
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Francesca Anselmi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center 'Guido Tarone', University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Carlotta Duval
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center 'Guido Tarone', University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Elettrico
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center 'Guido Tarone', University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Daniela Donna
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center 'Guido Tarone', University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Molecular Biotechnology Center 'Guido Tarone', University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Denis Baev
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Ken Natsuga
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tzachi Hagai
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Salvatore Oliviero
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Molecular Biotechnology Center 'Guido Tarone', University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine, Candiolo (TO), Italy
| | - Giacomo Donati
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy.
- Molecular Biotechnology Center 'Guido Tarone', University of Turin, Torino, Italy.
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14
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Weeden CE, Hill W, Lim EL, Grönroos E, Swanton C. Impact of risk factors on early cancer evolution. Cell 2023; 186:1541-1563. [PMID: 37059064 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Recent identification of oncogenic cells within healthy tissues and the prevalence of indolent cancers found incidentally at autopsies reveal a greater complexity in tumor initiation than previously appreciated. The human body contains roughly 40 trillion cells of 200 different types that are organized within a complex three-dimensional matrix, necessitating exquisite mechanisms to restrain aberrant outgrowth of malignant cells that have the capacity to kill the host. Understanding how this defense is overcome to trigger tumorigenesis and why cancer is so extraordinarily rare at the cellular level is vital to future prevention therapies. In this review, we discuss how early initiated cells are protected from further tumorigenesis and the non-mutagenic pathways by which cancer risk factors promote tumor growth. By nature, the absence of permanent genomic alterations potentially renders these tumor-promoting mechanisms clinically targetable. Finally, we consider existing strategies for early cancer interception with perspectives on the next steps for molecular cancer prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare E Weeden
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - William Hill
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Emilia L Lim
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Center of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Eva Grönroos
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Center of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK; Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
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15
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Wang Q, Qin Y, Li B. CD8 + T cell exhaustion and cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2023; 559:216043. [PMID: 36584935 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.216043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy plays an increasingly important role in the treatment of most malignant tumors, and CD8+ T cells are the most important antitumor effector cells in the process of immunotherapy, and their number and functional status largely determine the antitumor effect. However, under continuous antigen exposure and the stimulation of inflammatory factors, CD8+ T cells gradually show a weakened proliferation and effector function, accompanied by the expression of a variety of inhibitory receptors. This state is known as CD8+ T cell "exhaustion" and often leads to the loss of control and progression of tumors. Recent studies provided us a better understanding of the mechanisms of T cell exhaustion, this review provides an overview of the activation, exhaustion mechanisms and exhaustion characteristics of CD8+ T cells. Although immunotherapy can reverse the exhaustion of CD8+ T cells and significantly improve the antitumor effects, single immunotherapy often has limitations, and it is difficult to achieve satisfactory antitumor effects, therefore, this review also summarizes up-to-date information related to cancer immunotherapy, and these emerging insights provide promising clues to the future management of malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingda Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University Medical School, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Qin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University Medical School, Chengdu, China.
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16
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Lee ND, Kaveh K, Bozic I. Clonal interactions in cancer: integrating quantitative models with experimental and clinical data. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 92:61-73. [PMID: 37023969 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.04.002] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumors consist of different genotypically distinct subpopulations-or subclones-of cells. These subclones can influence neighboring clones in a process called "clonal interaction." Conventionally, research on driver mutations in cancer has focused on their cell-autonomous effects that lead to an increase in fitness of the cells containing the driver. Recently, with the advent of improved experimental and computational technologies for investigating tumor heterogeneity and clonal dynamics, new studies have shown the importance of clonal interactions in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. In this review we provide an overview of clonal interactions in cancer, discussing key discoveries from a diverse range of approaches to cancer biology research. We discuss common types of clonal interactions, such as cooperation and competition, its mechanisms, and the overall effect on tumorigenesis, with important implications for tumor heterogeneity, resistance to treatment, and tumor suppression. Quantitative models-in coordination with cell culture and animal model experiments-have played a vital role in investigating the nature of clonal interactions and the complex clonal dynamics they generate. We present mathematical and computational models that can be used to represent clonal interactions and provide examples of the roles they have played in identifying and quantifying the strength of clonal interactions in experimental systems. Clonal interactions have proved difficult to observe in clinical data; however, several very recent quantitative approaches enable their detection. We conclude by discussing ways in which researchers can further integrate quantitative methods with experimental and clinical data to elucidate the critical-and often surprising-roles of clonal interactions in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Lee
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Kamran Kaveh
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Ivana Bozic
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America; Herbold Computational Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
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17
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Deguchi K, Zambaiti E, De Coppi P. Regenerative medicine: current research and perspective in pediatric surgery. Pediatr Surg Int 2023; 39:167. [PMID: 37014468 PMCID: PMC10073065 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-023-05438-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
The field of regenerative medicine, encompassing several disciplines including stem cell biology and tissue engineering, continues to advance with the accumulating research on cell manipulation technologies, gene therapy and new materials. Recent progress in preclinical and clinical studies may transcend the boundaries of regenerative medicine from laboratory research towards clinical reality. However, for the ultimate goal to construct bioengineered transplantable organs, a number of issues still need to be addressed. In particular, engineering of elaborate tissues and organs requires a fine combination of different relevant aspects; not only the repopulation of multiple cell phenotypes in an appropriate distribution but also the adjustment of the host environmental factors such as vascularisation, innervation and immunomodulation. The aim of this review article is to provide an overview of the recent discoveries and development in stem cells and tissue engineering, which are inseparably interconnected. The current status of research on tissue stem cells and bioengineering, and the possibilities for application in specific organs relevant to paediatric surgery have been specifically focused and outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Deguchi
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Elisa Zambaiti
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- UOC Chirurgia Pediatrica, Ospedale Infantile Regina Margherita, Turin, Italy
| | - Paolo De Coppi
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
- NIHR BRC SNAPS Great Ormond Street Hospitals, London, UK.
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK.
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18
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Yusupova M, Fuchs Y. To not love thy neighbor: mechanisms of cell competition in stem cells and beyond. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:979-991. [PMID: 36813919 PMCID: PMC10070350 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01114-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell competition describes the process in which cells of greater fitness are capable of sensing and instructing elimination of lesser fit mutant cells. Since its discovery in Drosophila, cell competition has been established as a critical regulator of organismal development, homeostasis, and disease progression. It is therefore unsurprising that stem cells (SCs), which are central to these processes, harness cell competition to remove aberrant cells and preserve tissue integrity. Here, we describe pioneering studies of cell competition across a variety of cellular contexts and organisms, with the ultimate goal of better understanding competition in mammalian SCs. Furthermore, we explore the modes through which SC competition takes place and how this facilitates normal cellular function or contributes to pathological states. Finally, we discuss how understanding of this critical phenomenon will enable targeting of SC-driven processes, including regeneration and tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Yusupova
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
- Lorry Lokey Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences & Engineering, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yaron Fuchs
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biology, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
- Lorry Lokey Interdisciplinary Center for Life Sciences & Engineering, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
- Augmanity, Rehovot, Israel.
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19
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Vercauteren Drubbel A, Beck B. Single-cell transcriptomics uncovers the differentiation of a subset of murine esophageal progenitors into taste buds in vivo. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd9135. [PMID: 36888721 PMCID: PMC9995038 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add9135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mouse esophagus is lined with a stratified epithelium, which is maintained by the constant renewal of unipotent progenitors. In this study, we profiled mouse esophagus by single-cell RNA sequencing and found taste buds specifically in the cervical segment of the esophagus. These taste buds have the same cellular composition as the ones from the tongue but express fewer taste receptor types. State-of-the-art transcriptional regulatory network analysis allowed the identification of specific transcription factors associated to the differentiation of immature progenitors into the three different taste bud cell types. Lineage tracing experiments revealed that esophageal taste buds arise from squamous bipotent progenitor, thus demonstrating that all esophageal progenitors are not unipotent. Our cell resolution characterization of cervical esophagus epithelium will enable a better understanding of esophageal progenitor potency and insights into the mechanisms involved in the development of taste buds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin Beck
- IRIBHM, ULB/ Faculty of medicine, 808 Route de Lennik, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
- Welbio/FNRS Principal investigator at IRIBHM, 808 Route de Lennik, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
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20
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Abstract
Organ development and homeostasis involve dynamic interactions between individual cells that collectively regulate tissue architecture and function. To ensure the highest tissue fidelity, equally fit cell populations are continuously renewed by stochastic replacement events, while cells perceived as less fit are actively removed by their fitter counterparts. This renewal is mediated by surveillance mechanisms that are collectively known as cell competition. Recent studies have revealed that cell competition has roles in most, if not all, developing and adult tissues. They have also established that cell competition functions both as a tumour-suppressive mechanism and as a tumour-promoting mechanism, thereby critically influencing cancer initiation and development. This Review discusses the latest insights into the mechanisms of cell competition and its different roles during embryonic development, homeostasis and cancer.
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21
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Liao G, Tang J, Bai J. Early development of esophageal squamous cell cancer: Stem cells, cellular origins and early clone evolution. Cancer Lett 2023; 555:216047. [PMID: 36587837 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.216047] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a highly malignant cancer with poor prognosis, is an example of the classical view of cancer development based on stem cell origin and multistep progression. In the past five years, the applications of large-scale sequencing and single-cell sequencing have expanded to human esophageal normal tissues and precancerous lesions, which, coupled with the application of transgenic lineage tracing technology in mouse models, has provided a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of esophageal stem cell heterogeneity and early clonal evolution of ESCC. In this review, we discuss the heterogeneity of esophageal basal-layer stem cells and their potential relationship with cells of ESCC origin. We present evidence that expansion of NOTCH1 mutants may call into play an evolutionarily conserved anti-cancer mechanism and mold the model of early clonal evolution in ESCCs. Finally, we discuss the potential avenues in this context. This review provides a focused understanding of the early development of ESCC, as a background for early tumor detection, intervention, and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guobin Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The 901 Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Service Support Unit, Hefei, 230000, China.
| | - Jun Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The 901 Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Service Support Unit, Hefei, 230000, China.
| | - Jianying Bai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
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22
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Abby E, Dentro SC, Hall MWJ, Fowler JC, Ong SH, Sood R, Herms A, Piedrafita G, Abnizova I, Siebel CW, Gerstung M, Hall BA, Jones PH. Notch1 mutations drive clonal expansion in normal esophageal epithelium but impair tumor growth. Nat Genet 2023; 55:232-245. [PMID: 36658434 PMCID: PMC9925379 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-022-01280-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
NOTCH1 mutant clones occupy the majority of normal human esophagus by middle age but are comparatively rare in esophageal cancers, suggesting NOTCH1 mutations drive clonal expansion but impede carcinogenesis. Here we test this hypothesis. Sequencing NOTCH1 mutant clones in aging human esophagus reveals frequent biallelic mutations that block NOTCH1 signaling. In mouse esophagus, heterozygous Notch1 mutation confers a competitive advantage over wild-type cells, an effect enhanced by loss of the second allele. Widespread Notch1 loss alters transcription but has minimal effects on the epithelial structure and cell dynamics. In a carcinogenesis model, Notch1 mutations were less prevalent in tumors than normal epithelium. Deletion of Notch1 reduced tumor growth, an effect recapitulated by anti-NOTCH1 antibody treatment. Notch1 null tumors showed reduced proliferation. We conclude that Notch1 mutations in normal epithelium are beneficial as wild-type Notch1 favors tumor expansion. NOTCH1 blockade may have therapeutic potential in preventing esophageal squamous cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan C Dentro
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, UK
- Artificial Intelligence in Oncology (B450), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael W J Hall
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | - Albert Herms
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Piedrafita
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Christian W Siebel
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Moritz Gerstung
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, UK
- Artificial Intelligence in Oncology (B450), Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Benjamin A Hall
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Philip H Jones
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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23
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Dang Y, Rulands S. Making sense of fragmentation and merging in lineage tracing experiments. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1054476. [PMID: 36589749 PMCID: PMC9794873 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1054476] [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: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lineage tracing experiments give dynamic information on the functional behaviour of dividing cells. These experiments therefore have become an important tool for studying stem and progenitor cell fate behavior in vivo. When cell proliferation is high or the frequency of induced clones cannot be precisely controlled, the merging and fragmentation of clones renders the retrospective interpretation of clonal fate data highly ambiguous, potentially leading to unguarded interpretations about lineage relationships and fate behaviour. Here, we discuss and generalize statistical strategies to detect, resolve and make use of clonal fragmentation and merging. We first explain how to detect the rates of clonal fragmentation and merging using simple statistical estimates. We then discuss ways to restore the clonal provenance of labelled cells algorithmically and statistically and elaborate on how the process of clonal fragmentation can indirectly inform about cell fate. We generalize and extend results from the context of their original publication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiteng Dang
- Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany,Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Steffen Rulands
- Max-Planck-Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany,Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Arnold-Sommerfeld-Center for Theoretical Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany,*Correspondence: Steffen Rulands,
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24
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Georgy SR, Rudiatmoko DR, Auden A, Partridge D, Butt T, Srivastava S, Wong N, Swaroop D, Carpinelli MR, Bogeski M, Jane SM. Identification of a Novel GRHL3/HOPX/Wnt/β-Catenin Proto-oncogenic Axis in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 15:1051-1069. [PMID: 36442813 PMCID: PMC10036738 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor long-term prognosis. The molecular mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of this tumor are largely unknown. The transcription factor GRHL3 functions as a potent tumor suppressor in SCC of skin, head, and neck. This study aims to determine whether GRHL3 also plays a role in the homeostasis of the esophageal epithelium and in the development of ESCC. METHODS The effects of Grhl3 deletion on squamous epithelial homeostasis in embryos and adult mice were examined using immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The conditionally deleted mice were subsequently used to determine susceptibility to ESCC. Whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on ESCC in wild-type and Grhl3 deleted animals. To decipher the signaling pathways, real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, analysis of chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation-polymerase chain reaction, and RNA seq datasets were used. Primary human samples were used to validate the findings in the mouse model. RESULTS Loss of Grhl3 perturbs the proliferation-differentiation balance in the esophageal epithelium, thereby increasing the susceptibility to esophageal carcinogenesis in adult mice. Grhl3 imparts its tumor suppressor function by regulating the expression of HOPX. We have identified the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as the downstream effectors of GRHL3 and HOPX through our integrated approach using patient-derived ESCC samples and mouse models. CONCLUSIONS GRHL3 conveys its tumor suppressor function in ESCC through regulating its target gene HOPX, which limits Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Targeted therapies to inhibit this pathway could be a potential treatment strategy for ESCC patients with reduced GRHL3 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smitha Rose Georgy
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Australia.
| | | | - Alana Auden
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Darren Partridge
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tariq Butt
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Seema Srivastava
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nick Wong
- Monash Bioinformatics Platform, Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dijina Swaroop
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Marina Rose Carpinelli
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mirjana Bogeski
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, Australia
| | - Stephen M Jane
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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25
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Murai K, Dentro S, Ong SH, Sood R, Fernandez-Antoran D, Herms A, Kostiou V, Abnizova I, Hall BA, Gerstung M, Jones PH. p53 mutation in normal esophagus promotes multiple stages of carcinogenesis but is constrained by clonal competition. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6206. [PMID: 36266286 PMCID: PMC9584949 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33945-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging normal human oesophagus accumulates TP53 mutant clones. These are the origin of most oesophageal squamous carcinomas, in which biallelic TP53 disruption is almost universal. However, how p53 mutant clones expand and contribute to cancer development is unclear. Here we show that inducing the p53R245W mutant in single oesophageal progenitor cells in transgenic mice confers a proliferative advantage and clonal expansion but does not disrupt normal epithelial structure. Loss of the remaining p53 allele in mutant cells results in genomically unstable p53R245W/null epithelium with giant polyaneuploid cells and copy number altered clones. In carcinogenesis, p53 mutation does not initiate tumour formation, but tumours developing from areas with p53 mutation and LOH are larger and show extensive chromosomal instability compared to lesions arising in wild type epithelium. We conclude that p53 has distinct functions at different stages of carcinogenesis and that LOH within p53 mutant clones in normal epithelium is a critical step in malignant transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasumi Murai
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Dentro
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
- DKFZ, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Swee Hoe Ong
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Roshan Sood
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - David Fernandez-Antoran
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
- Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, Henry Wellcome Building of Cancer and Developmental Biology, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, United Kingdom
| | - Albert Herms
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Vasiliki Kostiou
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Irina Abnizova
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin A Hall
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Moritz Gerstung
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
- DKFZ, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philip H Jones
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom.
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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26
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Sankaran VG, Weissman JS, Zon LI. Cellular barcoding to decipher clonal dynamics in disease. Science 2022; 378:eabm5874. [PMID: 36227997 PMCID: PMC10111813 DOI: 10.1126/science.abm5874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Cellular barcodes are distinct DNA sequences that enable one to track specific cells across time or space. Recent advances in our ability to detect natural or synthetic cellular barcodes, paired with single-cell readouts of cell state, have markedly increased our knowledge of clonal dynamics and genealogies of the cells that compose a variety of tissues and organs. These advances hold promise to redefine our view of human disease. Here, we provide an overview of cellular barcoding approaches, discuss applications to gain new insights into disease mechanisms, and provide an outlook on future applications. We discuss unanticipated insights gained through barcoding in studies of cancer and blood cell production and describe how barcoding can be applied to a growing array of medical fields, particularly with the increasing recognition of clonal contributions in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay G Sankaran
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Jonathan S Weissman
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.,David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Leonard I Zon
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.,Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Harvard Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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27
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The KEAP1-NRF2 System and Esophageal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194702. [PMID: 36230622 PMCID: PMC9564177 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of many cytoprotective genes. NRF2 activation is mainly regulated by KEAP1 (kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) through ubiquitination and proteasome degradation. Esophageal cancer is classified histologically into two major types: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). ESCC harbors more genetic alterations in the KEAP-NRF2 system than EAC does, which results in NRF2 activation in these cancers. NRF2-addicted ESCC exhibits increased malignancy and acquisition of resistance to chemoradiotherapy. Therefore, it has been recognized that the development of drugs targeting the KEAP1-NRF2 system based on the molecular dissection of NRF2 function is important and urgent for the treatment of ESCC, along with efficient clinical screening for NRF2-addicted ESCC patients. Recently, the fate of NRF2-activated cells in esophageal tissues, which was under the influence of strong cell competition, and its relationship to the pathogenesis of ESCC, was clarified. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge of the KEAP1-NRF2 system and the treatment of ESCC. We propose three main strategies for the treatment of NRF2-addicted cancer: (1) NRF2 inhibitors, (2) synthetic lethal drugs for NRF2-addicted cancers, and (3) NRF2 inducers of the host defense system.
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28
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The β-TrCP-Mediated Pathway Cooperates with the Keap1-Mediated Pathway in Nrf2 Degradation In Vivo. Mol Cell Biol 2022; 42:e0056321. [PMID: 35674451 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00563-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nrf2 activates cytoprotective gene expression, and Nrf2 activity is regulated through at least two protein degradation pathways: the Keap1-mediated and β-TrCP-mediated pathways. To address the relative contributions of these pathways, we generated knock-in mouse lines expressing an Nrf2SA mutant that harbored two substitution mutations of serine residues interacting with β-TrCP. The homozygous (Nrf2SA/SA) mice grew normally, with Nrf2 levels comparable to those of wild-type (WT) mice under unstressed conditions. However, when Keap1 activity was suppressed, high levels of Nrf2 accumulated in Nrf2SA/SA macrophages compared with that in WT macrophages. We crossed Nrf2SA/SA mice with mice in which Keap1 was knocked down to two different levels. We found that the Nrf2SA/SA mutation induced higher Nrf2 activity when the Keap1 level was strongly reduced, and these mice showed severe growth retardation. However, activation and growth retardation were not evident when Keap1 was moderately suppressed. These increases in Nrf2 activity induced by the Nrf2SA mutation caused severe hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis in the esophageal epithelium but did not cause abnormalities in the other tissues/organs examined. These results indicate that the β-TrCP-mediated pathway cooperates with the Keap1-mediated pathway to regulate Nrf2 activity, which is apparent when the Keap1-mediated pathway is profoundly suppressed.
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29
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Maheden K, Zhang VW, Shakiba N. The Field of Cell Competition Comes of Age: Semantics and Technological Synergy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:891569. [PMID: 35646896 PMCID: PMC9132545 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.891569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells experience many selective pressures which shape their cellular populations, potentially pushing them to skew towards dominance of a few break-through clones. An evolutionarily conserved answer to curb these aberrant selective pressures is cell competition, the elimination of a subset of cells by their neighbours in a seemingly homogenous population. Cell competition in mammalian systems is a relatively recent discovery that has now been observed across many tissue systems, such as embryonic, haematopoietic, intestinal, and epithelial compartments. With this rapidly growing field, there is a need to revisit and standardize the terminology used, much of which has been co-opted from evolutionary biology. Further, the implications of cell competition across biological scales in organisms have been difficult to capture. In this review, we make three key points. One, we propose new nomenclature to standardize concepts across dispersed studies of different types of competition, each of which currently use the same terminology to describe different phenomena. Second, we highlight the challenges in capturing information flow across biological scales. Third, we challenge the field to incorporate next generation technologies into the cell competition toolkit to bridge these gaps. As the field of cell competition matures, synergy between cutting edge tools will help elucidate the molecular events which shape cellular growth and death dynamics, allowing a deeper examination of this evolutionarily conserved mechanism at the core of multicellularity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nika Shakiba
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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30
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Liang J, Wang Y, Cai L, Liu J, Yan J, Chen X, Wu X, Chen Q. Comparative Genomic Analysis Reveals Genetic Variations in Multiple Primary Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Chinese Population. Front Oncol 2022; 12:868301. [PMID: 35515115 PMCID: PMC9065449 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.868301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common and lethal malignant tumors. The incidence of malignant transformation of esophageal mucosa increases greatly due to long-term exposure to factors such as smoking, drinking, and poor eating habits. Furthermore, multiple primary tumors could occur synchronously or asynchronously in the upper aerodigestive tract, especially in the esophagus, adding difficulty to the treatment of ESCC. Genetic mutations are important during the malignant transformation from normal mucosa to esophageal cancer, but the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we used whole-exome sequencing (WES) to profile genetic variations in physiologically normal mucosa (PNM) and ESCC tumors, as well as PNM of non-ESCC subjects. We found significant differences in mutation frequencies of NOTCH1 and NOTCH2, copy number variations (CNVs) at both gene and chromosomal arm levels, and cancer-related HIPPO, WNT, and NRF2 signaling pathways between ESCC tumors and normal mucosa. Our analysis of both primary tumors and paired PNM in bifocal ESCC revealed three different primary tumor evolution modes, and the most common mode exhibited a complete genomic divergence in all the samples from the same patient. Furthermore, the mutation frequency of TP53 was significantly higher in ESCC cases than that in non-ESCC cases. Overall, our results provide important evidence for further elucidating the mechanisms of genetic mutations underlying the cause of ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxiao Liang
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yinjie Wang
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Cai
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinshi Liu
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junrong Yan
- Geneseeq Research Institute, Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Geneseeq Research Institute, Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoying Wu
- Geneseeq Research Institute, Nanjing Geneseeq Technology Inc., Nanjing, China
| | - Qixun Chen
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
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31
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Fowler JC, Jones PH. Somatic mutation: What shapes the mutational landscape of normal epithelia? Cancer Discov 2022; 12:1642-1655. [PMID: 35397477 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-0145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial stem cells accumulate mutations throughout life. Some of these mutants increase competitive fitness and may form clones that colonize the stem cell niche and persist to acquire further genome alterations. After a transient expansion, mutant stem cells must revert to homeostatic behavior so normal tissue architecture is maintained. Some positively selected mutants may promote cancer development while others inhibit carcinogenesis. Factors that shape the mutational landscape include wild type and mutant stem cell dynamics, competition for the niche, and environmental exposures. Understanding these processes may give new insight into the basis of cancer risk and opportunities for cancer prevention.
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32
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Valls PO, Esposito A. Signalling dynamics, cell decisions, and homeostatic control in health and disease. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2022; 75:102066. [PMID: 35245783 PMCID: PMC9097822 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Cell signalling engenders cells with the capability to receive and process information from the intracellular and extracellular environments, trigger and execute biological responses, and communicate with each other. Ultimately, cell signalling is responsible for maintaining homeostasis at the cellular, tissue and systemic level. For this reason, cell signalling is a topic of intense research efforts aimed to elucidate how cells coordinate transitions between states in developing and adult organisms in physiological and pathological conditions. Here, we review current knowledge of how cell signalling operates at multiple spatial and temporal scales, focusing on how single-cell analytical techniques reveal mechanisms underpinning cell-to-cell variability, signalling plasticity, and collective cellular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Oriol Valls
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Esposito
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ, United Kingdom; Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom.
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33
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Saunders-Wood T, Egawa N, Zheng K, Giaretta A, Griffin HM, Doorbar J. Role of E6 in Maintaining the Basal Cell Reservoir during Productive Papillomavirus Infection. J Virol 2022; 96:e0118121. [PMID: 35019722 PMCID: PMC8906426 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01181-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Papillomaviruses exclusively infect stratified epithelial tissues and cause chronic infections. To achieve this, infected cells must remain in the epithelial basal layer alongside their uninfected neighbors for years or even decades. To examine how papillomaviruses achieve this, we used the in vivo MmuPV1 (Mus musculus papillomavirus 1) model of lesion formation and persistence. During early lesion formation, an increased cell density in the basal layer, as well as a delay in the infected cells' commitment to differentiation, was apparent in cells expressing MmuPV1 E6/E7 RNA. Using cell culture models, keratinocytes exogenously expressing MmuPV1 E6, but not E7, recapitulated this delay in differentiation postconfluence and also grew to a significantly higher density. Cell competition assays further showed that MmuPV1 E6 expression led to a preferential persistence of the cell in the first layer, with control cells accumulating almost exclusively in the second layer. Interestingly, the disruption of MmuPV1 E6 binding to MAML1 protein abrogated these phenotypes. This suggests that the interaction between MAML1 and E6 is necessary for the lower (basal)-layer persistence of MmuPV1 E6-expressing cells. Our results indicate a role for E6 in lesion establishment by facilitating the persistence of infected cells in the epithelial basal layer, a mechanism that is most likely shared by other papillomavirus types. Interruption of this interaction is predicted to impede persistent papillomavirus infection and consequently provides a novel treatment target. IMPORTANCE Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types can lead to development of HPV-associated cancers, and persistent low-risk HPV infection causes problematic diseases, such as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. The management and treatment of these conditions pose a considerable economic burden. Maintaining a reservoir of infected cells in the basal layer of the epithelium is critical for the persistence of infection in the host, and our studies using the mouse papillomavirus model suggest that E6 gene expression leads to the preferential persistence of epithelial cells in the lower layers during stratification. The E6 interaction with MAML1, a component of the Notch pathway, is required for this phenotype and is linked to E6 effects on cell density and differentiation. These observations are likely to reflect a common E6 role that is preserved among papillomaviruses and provide us with a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of recalcitrant lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nagayasu Egawa
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ke Zheng
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alberto Giaretta
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Heather M. Griffin
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - John Doorbar
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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34
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Alzheimer's disease protease-containing plasma extracellular vesicles transfer to the hippocampus via the choroid plexus. EBioMedicine 2022; 77:103903. [PMID: 35220044 PMCID: PMC8889140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plasma extracellular vesicles (pEV) can harbor a diverse array of factors including active proteases and the amyloid-precursor-protein (APP) cleavage product Aβ, involved in plaque formation in Alzheimer`s diseases (AD). A potential role of such vesicles in AD pathology is unexplored. Methods In a case-control study of randomly selected patients with AD and other neurological diseases (n = 14), and healthy controls (n = 7), we systematically analyzed the content of pEV, using different assay systems. In addition, we determined their entry path into brain tissue, employing animal (mice) injection experiments with ex vivo generated EV that were similar to AD-pEV, followed by multi antigen analysis (MAA) of brain tissue (n = 4 per condition). The results were compared with an IHC staining of human brain tissue in a small cohort of AD patients (n = 3) and controls with no neurodegenerative diseases (n = 3). Findings We show that pEV levels are considerably upregulated in AD patients. Besides numerous inflammatory effectors, AD-pEV contained α-, β- and γ-secretases, able to cleave APP in in target cells. In vitro generated EV with similar characteristics as AD-pEV accumulated in the choroid plexus (CP) of injected animals and reached primarily hippocampal neurons. Corroborating findings were made in human brain samples. An inhibitor of hyaluronic-acid-synthetase (HAS) blocked uploading of proteases and Hyaluronan onto EV in vitro and abolished CP targeting in animal injection experiments. Interpretation We conclude that protease-containing pEV could be part of a communication axis between the periphery and the brain that could be become detrimental depending on pEV concentration and duration of target cell impact.
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35
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D'Ambrogio J, Hill L, Hogan C. Cell competition: Clonal competition protects against early tumorigenesis. Curr Biol 2022; 32:R52-R54. [PMID: 35015999 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Aging tissues accumulate somatic mutations, yet cancer occurrence is relatively rare. A new study provides compelling evidence for why this may be the case and reveals that competition between mutant clones in oesophageal tissues protects against early tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D'Ambrogio
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Liam Hill
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Catherine Hogan
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK.
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36
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Hill W, Caswell DR, Swanton C. Capturing cancer evolution using genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs). Trends Cell Biol 2021; 31:1007-1018. [PMID: 34400045 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Initiating from a single cell, cancer undergoes clonal evolution, leading to a high degree of intratumor heterogeneity (ITH). The arising genetic heterogeneity between cancer cells is influenced by exogenous and endogenous forces that shape the composition of clones within tumors. Preclinical mouse models have provided a valuable tool for understanding cancer, helping to build a fundamental understanding of tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Until recently, genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMS) of cancer had lacked the genetic diversity found in human tumors, in which evolution may be driven by long-term carcinogen exposure and DNA damage. However, advances in sequencing technology and in our understanding of the drivers of genetic instability have given us the knowledge to generate new mouse models, offering an approach to functionally explore mechanisms of tumor evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Hill
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Deborah R Caswell
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Charles Swanton
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK; Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK; University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK.
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37
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Naxerova K, Di Stefano B, Makofske JL, Watson EV, de Kort MA, Martin TD, Dezfulian M, Ricken D, Wooten EC, Kuroda MI, Hochedlinger K, Elledge SJ. Integrated loss- and gain-of-function screens define a core network governing human embryonic stem cell behavior. Genes Dev 2021; 35:1527-1547. [PMID: 34711655 PMCID: PMC8559676 DOI: 10.1101/gad.349048.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In this Resource/Methodology, Naxerova et al. describe an integrated genome-scale loss- and gain-of-function screening approach to identify genetic networks governing embryonic stem cell proliferation and differentiation into the three germ layers. They identify a deep link between pluripotency maintenance and survival by showing that genetic alterations that cause pluripotency dissolution simultaneously increase apoptosis resistance, and their results show the power of integrated multilayer genetic screening for the robust mapping of complex genetic networks. Understanding the genetic control of human embryonic stem cell function is foundational for developmental biology and regenerative medicine. Here we describe an integrated genome-scale loss- and gain-of-function screening approach to identify genetic networks governing embryonic stem cell proliferation and differentiation into the three germ layers. We identified a deep link between pluripotency maintenance and survival by showing that genetic alterations that cause pluripotency dissolution simultaneously increase apoptosis resistance. We discovered that the chromatin-modifying complex SAGA and in particular its subunit TADA2B are central regulators of pluripotency, survival, growth, and lineage specification. Joint analysis of all screens revealed that genetic alterations that broadly inhibit differentiation across multiple germ layers drive proliferation and survival under pluripotency-maintaining conditions and coincide with known cancer drivers. Our results show the power of integrated multilayer genetic screening for the robust mapping of complex genetic networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Naxerova
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Center for Systems Biology, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Bruno Di Stefano
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Jessica L Makofske
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Emma V Watson
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Marit A de Kort
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Timothy D Martin
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Mohammed Dezfulian
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Dominik Ricken
- Center for Systems Biology, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Eric C Wooten
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Mitzi I Kuroda
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Konrad Hochedlinger
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Stephen J Elledge
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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38
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Wolf AM. The tumor suppression theory of aging. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 200:111583. [PMID: 34637937 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite continued increases in human life expectancy, the factors determining the rate of human biological aging remain unknown. Without understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying aging, efforts to prevent aging are unlikely to succeed. The tumor suppression theory of aging introduced here proposes somatic mutation as the proximal cause of aging, but postulates that oncogenic transformation and clonal expansion, not functional impairment, are the relevant consequences of somatic mutation. Obesity and caloric restriction accelerate and decelerate aging due to their effect on cell proliferation, during which most mutations arise. Most phenotypes of aging are merely tumor-suppressive mechanisms that evolved to limit malignant growth, the dominant age-related cause of death in early and middle life. Cancer limits life span for most long-lived mammals, a phenomenon known as Peto's paradox. Its conservation across species demonstrates that mutation is a fundamental but hard limit on mammalian longevity. Cell senescence and apoptosis and differentiation induced by oncogenes, telomere shortening or DNA damage evolved as a second line of defense to limit the tumorigenic potential of clonally expanding cells, but accumulating senescent cells, senescence-associated secretory phenotypes and stem cell exhaustion eventually cause tissue dysfunction and the majority, if not most, phenotypes of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Wolf
- Laboratory for Morphological and Biomolecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Sendagi 1-1-5, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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39
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Colom B, Herms A, Hall MWJ, Dentro SC, King C, Sood RK, Alcolea MP, Piedrafita G, Fernandez-Antoran D, Ong SH, Fowler JC, Mahbubani KT, Saeb-Parsy K, Gerstung M, Hall BA, Jones PH. Mutant clones in normal epithelium outcompete and eliminate emerging tumours. Nature 2021; 598:510-514. [PMID: 34646013 PMCID: PMC7612642 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03965-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Human epithelial tissues accumulate cancer-driver mutations with age1-9, yet tumour formation remains rare. The positive selection of these mutations suggests that they alter the behaviour and fitness of proliferating cells10-12. Thus, normal adult tissues become a patchwork of mutant clones competing for space and survival, with the fittest clones expanding by eliminating their less competitive neighbours11-14. However, little is known about how such dynamic competition in normal epithelia influences early tumorigenesis. Here we show that the majority of newly formed oesophageal tumours are eliminated through competition with mutant clones in the adjacent normal epithelium. We followed the fate of nascent, microscopic, pre-malignant tumours in a mouse model of oesophageal carcinogenesis and found that most were rapidly lost with no indication of tumour cell death, decreased proliferation or an anti-tumour immune response. However, deep sequencing of ten-day-old and one-year-old tumours showed evidence of selection on the surviving neoplasms. Induction of highly competitive clones in transgenic mice increased early tumour removal, whereas pharmacological inhibition of clonal competition reduced tumour loss. These results support a model in which survival of early neoplasms depends on their competitive fitness relative to that of mutant clones in the surrounding normal tissue. Mutant clones in normal epithelium have an unexpected anti-tumorigenic role in purging early tumours through cell competition, thereby preserving tissue integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Colom
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - A Herms
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - M W J Hall
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - S C Dentro
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - C King
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - R K Sood
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - M P Alcolea
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - G Piedrafita
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
- Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - D Fernandez-Antoran
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
- Wellcome Trust-Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - S H Ong
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | | | - K T Mahbubani
- Department of Surgery and Cambridge NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - K Saeb-Parsy
- Department of Surgery and Cambridge NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - M Gerstung
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, UK
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Genome Biology Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - B A Hall
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - P H Jones
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Cambridge, UK.
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40
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Kostiou V, Hall MWJ, Jones PH, Hall BA. Simulations reveal that different responses to cell crowding determine the expansion of p53 and Notch mutant clones in squamous epithelia. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210607. [PMID: 34637643 PMCID: PMC8510697 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
During ageing, normal epithelial tissues progressively accumulate clones carrying mutations that increase mutant cell fitness above that of wild-type cells. Such mutants spread widely through the tissues, yet despite this cellular homeostasis and functional integrity of the epithelia are maintained. Two of the genes most commonly mutated in human skin and oesophagus are p53 and Notch1, both of which are also recurrently mutated in cancers of these tissues. From observations taken in human and mouse epithelia, we find that clones carrying p53 and Notch pathway mutations have different clone dynamics which can be explained by their different responses to local cell crowding. p53 mutant clone growth in mouse epidermis approximates a logistic curve, but feedbacks responding to local crowding are required to maintain tissue homeostasis. We go on to show that the observed ability of Notch pathway mutant cells to displace the wild-type population in the mouse oesophageal epithelium reflects a local density feedback that affects both mutant and wild-type cells equally. We then show how these distinct feedbacks are consistent with the distribution of mutations observed in human datasets and are suggestive of a putative mechanism to constrain these cancer-associated mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Kostiou
- Department of medical physics and biomedical engineering, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Michael W. J. Hall
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Box 197, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Philip H. Jones
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Box 197, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Benjamin A. Hall
- Department of medical physics and biomedical engineering, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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41
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Marongiu F, Cheri S, Laconi E. Cell competition, cooperation, and cancer. Neoplasia 2021; 23:1029-1036. [PMID: 34500336 PMCID: PMC8429595 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2021.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Complex multicellular organisms require quantitative and qualitative assessments on each of their constitutive cell types to ensure coordinated and cooperative behavior towards overall functional proficiency. Cell competition represents one of the operating arms of such quality control mechanisms and relies on fitness comparison among individual cells. However, what is exactly included in the fitness equation for each cell type is still uncertain. Evidence will be discussed to suggest that the ability of the cell to integrate and collaborate within the organismal community represents an integral part of the best fitness phenotype. Thus, under normal conditions, cell competition will select against the emergence of altered cells with disruptive behavior towards tissue integrity and/or tissue pattern formation. On the other hand, the winner phenotype prevailing as a result of cell competition does not entail, by itself, any degree of growth autonomy. While cell competition per se should not be considered as a biological driving force towards the emergence of the neoplastic phenotype, it is possible that the molecular machinery involved in the winner/loser interaction could be hijacked by evolving cancer cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Marongiu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Samuele Cheri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Ezio Laconi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy.
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42
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Pereira D, Sequeira I. A Scarless Healing Tale: Comparing Homeostasis and Wound Healing of Oral Mucosa With Skin and Oesophagus. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:682143. [PMID: 34381771 PMCID: PMC8350526 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.682143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial tissues are the most rapidly dividing tissues in the body, holding a natural ability for renewal and regeneration. This ability is crucial for survival as epithelia are essential to provide the ultimate barrier against the external environment, protecting the underlying tissues. Tissue stem and progenitor cells are responsible for self-renewal and repair during homeostasis and following injury. Upon wounding, epithelial tissues undergo different phases of haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodelling, often resulting in fibrosis and scarring. In this review, we explore the phenotypic differences between the skin, the oesophagus and the oral mucosa. We discuss the plasticity of these epithelial stem cells and contribution of different fibroblast subpopulations for tissue regeneration and wound healing. While these epithelial tissues share global mechanisms of stem cell behaviour for tissue renewal and regeneration, the oral mucosa is known for its outstanding healing potential with minimal scarring. We aim to provide an updated review of recent studies that combined cell therapy with bioengineering exporting the unique scarless properties of the oral mucosa to improve skin and oesophageal wound healing and to reduce fibrotic tissue formation. These advances open new avenues toward the ultimate goal of achieving scarless wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Inês Sequeira
- Institute of Dentistry, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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43
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Tata A, Chow RD, Tata PR. Epithelial cell plasticity: breaking boundaries and changing landscapes. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e51921. [PMID: 34096150 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202051921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial tissues respond to a wide variety of environmental and genotoxic stresses. As an adaptive mechanism, cells can deviate from their natural paths to acquire new identities, both within and across lineages. Under extreme conditions, epithelial tissues can utilize "shape-shifting" mechanisms whereby they alter their form and function at a tissue-wide scale. Mounting evidence suggests that in order to acquire these alternate tissue identities, cells follow a core set of "tissue logic" principles based on developmental paradigms. Here, we review the terminology and the concepts that have been put forward to describe cell plasticity. We also provide insights into various cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including genetic mutations, inflammation, microbiota, and therapeutic agents that contribute to cell plasticity. Additionally, we discuss recent studies that have sought to decode the "syntax" of plasticity-i.e., the cellular and molecular principles through which cells acquire new identities in both homeostatic and malignant epithelial tissues-and how these processes can be manipulated for developing novel cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Tata
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ryan D Chow
- Department of Genetics, Systems Biology Institute, Medical Scientist Training Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Purushothama Rao Tata
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Regeneration Next, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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44
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Kostiou V, Zhang H, Hall MWJ, Jones PH, Hall BA. Methods for analysing lineage tracing datasets. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:202231. [PMID: 34035949 PMCID: PMC8097194 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.202231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A single population of progenitor cells maintains many epithelial tissues. Transgenic mouse cell tracking has frequently been used to study the growth dynamics of competing clones in these tissues. A mathematical model (the 'single-progenitor model') has been argued to reproduce the observed progenitor dynamics accurately. This requires three parameters to describe the growth dynamics observed in transgenic mouse cell tracking-a division rate, a stratification rate and the probability of dividing symmetrically. Deriving these parameters is a time intensive and complex process. We compare the alternative strategies for analysing this source of experimental data, identifying an approximate Bayesian computation-based approach as the best in terms of efficiency and appropriate error estimation. We support our findings by explicitly modelling biological variation and consider the impact of different sampling regimes. All tested solutions are made available to allow new datasets to be analysed following our workflows. Based on our findings, we make recommendations for future experimental design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Kostiou
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Huairen Zhang
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Box 197, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
| | - Michael W. J. Hall
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Box 197, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Philip H. Jones
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Box 197, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Benjamin A. Hall
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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45
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McGinn J, Hallou A, Han S, Krizic K, Ulyanchenko S, Iglesias-Bartolome R, England FJ, Verstreken C, Chalut KJ, Jensen KB, Simons BD, Alcolea MP. A biomechanical switch regulates the transition towards homeostasis in oesophageal epithelium. Nat Cell Biol 2021; 23:511-525. [PMID: 33972733 PMCID: PMC7611004 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-021-00679-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial cells rapidly adapt their behaviour in response to increasing tissue demands. However, the processes that finely control these cell decisions remain largely unknown. The postnatal period covering the transition between early tissue expansion and the establishment of adult homeostasis provides a convenient model with which to explore this question. Here, we demonstrate that the onset of homeostasis in the epithelium of the mouse oesophagus is guided by the progressive build-up of mechanical strain at the organ level. Single-cell RNA sequencing and whole-organ stretching experiments revealed that the mechanical stress experienced by the growing oesophagus triggers the emergence of a bright Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) committed basal population, which balances cell proliferation and marks the transition towards homeostasis in a yes-associated protein (YAP)-dependent manner. Our results point to a simple mechanism whereby mechanical changes experienced at the whole-tissue level are integrated with those sensed at the cellular level to control epithelial cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie McGinn
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge and Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Adrien Hallou
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Seungmin Han
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kata Krizic
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Svetlana Ulyanchenko
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ramiro Iglesias-Bartolome
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Frances J England
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Kevin J Chalut
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kim B Jensen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Benjamin D Simons
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria P Alcolea
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge and Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, Cambridge, UK.
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46
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Ferreira A, Aster JC. Notch signaling in cancer: Complexity and challenges on the path to clinical translation. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 85:95-106. [PMID: 33862222 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Notch receptors participate in a conserved pathway in which ligands expressed on neighboring cells trigger a series of proteolytic cleavages that allow the intracellular portion of the receptor to travel to the nucleus and form a short-lived transcription complex that turns on target gene expression. The directness and seeming simplicity of this signaling mechanism belies the complexity of the outcomes of Notch signaling in normal cells, which are highly context and dosage dependent. This complexity is reflected in the diverse roles of Notch in cancers of various types, in which Notch may be oncogenic or tumor suppressive and may have a wide spectrum of effects on tumor cells and stromal elements. This review provides an overview of the roles of Notch in cancer and discusses challenges to clinical translation of Notch targeting agents as well as approaches that may overcome these hurdles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Ferreira
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
| | - Jon C Aster
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, United States.
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47
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Abstract
Cancer is a clonal disorder derived from a single ancestor cell and its progenies that are positively selected by acquisition of 'driver mutations'. However, the evolution of positively selected clones does not necessarily imply the presence of cancer. On the contrary, it has become clear that expansion of these clones in phenotypically normal or non-cancer tissues is commonly seen in association with ageing and/or in response to environmental insults and chronic inflammation. Recent studies have reported expansion of clones harbouring mutations in cancer driver genes in the blood, skin, oesophagus, bronchus, liver, endometrium and bladder, where the expansion could be so extensive that tissues undergo remodelling of an almost entire tissue. The presence of common cancer driver mutations in normal tissues suggests a strong link to cancer development, providing an opportunity to understand early carcinogenic processes. Nevertheless, some driver mutations are unique to normal tissues or have a mutation frequency that is much higher in normal tissue than in cancer, indicating that the respective clones may not necessarily be destined for evolution to cancer but even negatively selected for carcinogenesis depending on the mutated gene. Moreover, tissues that are remodelled by genetically altered clones might define functionalities of aged tissues or modified inflammatory processes. In this Review, we provide an overview of major findings on clonal expansion in phenotypically normal or non-cancer tissues and discuss their biological significance not only in cancer development but also in ageing and inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuyuki Kakiuchi
- Department of Pathology and Tumour Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Seishi Ogawa
- Department of Pathology and Tumour Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto, Japan.
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Haematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
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48
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Zhang Y, Bailey D, Yang P, Kim E, Que J. The development and stem cells of the esophagus. Development 2021; 148:148/6/dev193839. [PMID: 33782045 PMCID: PMC8034879 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The esophagus is derived from the anterior portion of the foregut endoderm, which also gives rise to the respiratory system. As it develops, the esophageal lining is transformed from a simple columnar epithelium into a stratified squamous cell layer, accompanied by the replacement of unspecified mesenchyme with layers of muscle cells. Studies in animal models have provided significant insights into the roles of various signaling pathways in esophageal development. More recent studies using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) further demonstrate that some of these signaling pathways are conserved in human esophageal development. In addition, a combination of mouse genetics and hPSC differentiation approaches have uncovered new players that control esophageal morphogenesis. In this Review, we summarize these new findings and discuss how the esophagus is established and matures throughout different stages, including its initial specification, respiratory-esophageal separation, epithelial morphogenesis and maintenance. We also discuss esophageal muscular development and enteric nervous system innervation, which are essential for esophageal structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism & Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China,Authors for correspondence (; )
| | - Dominique Bailey
- Division of Digestive and Liver Disease, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA,Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA,Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Patrick Yang
- Division of Digestive and Liver Disease, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Eugene Kim
- Division of Digestive and Liver Disease, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA,Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jianwen Que
- Division of Digestive and Liver Disease, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA,Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA,Authors for correspondence (; )
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49
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Esposito A. Cooperation of partially-transformed clones: an invisible force behind the early stages of carcinogenesis. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:201532. [PMID: 33594337 PMCID: PMC7116746 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
1Most tumours exhibit significant heterogeneity and are best described as communities of cellular populations competing for resources. Growing experimental evidence also suggests, however, that cooperation between cancer clones is important as well for the maintenance of tumour heterogeneity and tumour progression. However, a role for cell communication during the earliest steps in oncogenesis is not well characterised despite its vital importance in normal tissue and clinically manifest tumours. Here, we present a simple analytical model and stochastic lattice-based simulations to study how the interaction between the mutational process and cell-to-cell communication in three-dimensional tissue architecture might contribute to shape early oncogenesis. We show that non-cell-autonomous mechanisms of carcinogenesis could support and accelerate pre-cancerous clonal expansion through the cooperation of different, non- or partially- transformed mutants. We predict the existence of a 'cell-autonomous time-horizon', a time before which cooperation between cell-to-cell communication and DNA mutations might be one of the most fundamental forces shaping the early stages of oncogenesis. The understanding of this process could shed new light on the mechanisms leading to clinically manifest cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Esposito
- The Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
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50
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Horiuchi M, Taguchi K, Hirose W, Tsuchida K, Suzuki M, Taniyama Y, Kamei T, Yamamoto M. Cellular Nrf2 Levels Determine Cell Fate during Chemical Carcinogenesis in Esophageal Epithelium. Mol Cell Biol 2021; 41:e00536-20. [PMID: 33257504 PMCID: PMC8093497 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00536-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Nrf2 is essential for cytoprotection against carcinogens, and through systemic Nrf2 knockout mice, Nrf2-deficient cells were shown to be susceptible to chemical carcinogens and prone to developing cancers. However, the oncogenic potential of Nrf2-deficient epithelial cells surrounded by normal cells in the esophagus could not be assessed by previous models, and the fate of Nrf2-deficient cells in such situations remains elusive. In this study, therefore, we generated mice that harbor almost equal levels of cells with Nrf2 deleted and those with Nrf2 intact in the basal layer of the esophageal epithelium, utilizing inducible Cre-mediated recombination of Nrf2 alleles in adults through moderate use of tamoxifen. In this mouse model, epithelial cells with Nrf2 deleted were maintained with no obvious decrease or phenotypic changes for 12 weeks under unstressed conditions. Upon exposure to the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO), the cells with Nrf2 deleted accumulated DNA damage and selectively disappeared from the epithelium, so almost all 4NQO-induced tumors originated from cells with Nrf2 intact and not from those with Nrf2 deleted. We propose that cells with Nrf2 deleted do not undergo carcinogenesis due to selective elimination upon exposure to 4NQO, indicating that cellular Nrf2 abundance and the epithelial environment determine the cell fate or oncogenic potential of esophageal epithelial cells in 4NQO-induced carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Horiuchi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Keiko Taguchi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Advanced Research Center for Innovations in Next-Generation Medicine (INGEM), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Wataru Hirose
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kouhei Tsuchida
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mikiko Suzuki
- Center for Radioisotope Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yusuke Taniyama
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Takashi Kamei
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masayuki Yamamoto
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Advanced Research Center for Innovations in Next-Generation Medicine (INGEM), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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