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Guidetti L, Castelli R, Zappia A, Ferrari FR, Giorgio C, Barocelli E, Pagliaro L, Vento F, Roti G, Scalvini L, Vacondio F, Rivara S, Mor M, Lodola A, Tognolini M. Discovery of a new 1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indole derivative targeting the EphA2 receptor with antiproliferative activity on U251 glioblastoma cell line. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 276:116681. [PMID: 39024966 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116681] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
In our continuing effort devoted at developing agents targeting the EphA2 receptor by means of protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors, we report here the design and synthesis of a new class of l-β-homotryptophan conjugates of 3-β-hydroxy-Δ5-cholenic acid bearing a set of arylsulfonyl substituents at the indole nitrogen atom. An extensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis indicates that the presence of a bulky lipophilic moiety at the indole nitrogen is fundamental for improving potency on the EphA2 receptor, while abrogating activity on the EphB1-EphB3 receptor subtypes. A rational exploration, guided by the combined application of an experimental design on σp and π physicochemical descriptors and docking simulations, led to the discovery of UniPR1454, a 1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)sulfonyl derivative acting as potent and competitive EphA2 antagonist able to inhibit ephrin-A1 dependent signals and to reduce proliferation of glioblastoma (U251) cell line at micromolar concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Guidetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Riccardo Castelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alfonso Zappia
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Carmine Giorgio
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Barocelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Pagliaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy; Ematologia e CTMO, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy; Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics (THEC), Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Vento
- Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics (THEC), Università di Parma, Parma, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Università di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Roti
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy; Ematologia e CTMO, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy; Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics (THEC), Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Scalvini
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Vacondio
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia Rivara
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy; Microbiome Research Hub, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Tognolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
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Tennett JC, Epstein SR, Sawyer N. Enhanced EphB2-Specific Peptide Inhibitors through Stabilization of Polyproline II Helical Structure. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:1214-1221. [PMID: 38739742 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Ephrin (Eph) receptors are the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases. Interactions between Eph receptors and their membrane-bound ephrin protein ligands are associated with many developmental processes as well as various cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. With significant crosstalk between different Eph receptors and ephrin ligands, there is an urgent need for high-affinity ligands that bind specifically to individual Eph receptors to interrogate and modulate their functions. Here, we describe the rational development of potent EphB2 receptor inhibitors derived from the EphB2 receptor-specific SNEW peptide. To improve inhibitory potency, we evaluated 20+ cross-linkers with the goal of spanning and stabilizing a single polyproline II helical turn observed when SNEW binds to the EphB2 receptor. Of the cross-linkers evaluated, an 11-atom cross-linker, composed of a rigid 2,7-dimethylnaphthyl moiety between two cysteine residues, was found to yield the most potent inhibitor. Analysis of the cyclized region of this peptide by NMR and molecular dynamics simulations suggests that cross-linking stabilizes the receptor-bound polyproline II helix structure observed in the receptor-peptide complex. Cross-linked SNEW variants retained binding specificity for EphB2 and showed cross-linker-dependent resistance to trypsin proteolysis. Beyond the discovery of more potent EphB2 receptor inhibitors, these studies illustrate a novel cyclization approach with potential to stabilize polyproline II helical structure in various peptides for specific targeting of the myriad protein-protein interactions (PPIs) mediated by polyproline II helices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica C Tennett
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx, New York 10458, United States
| | - Sophie R Epstein
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx, New York 10458, United States
| | - Nicholas Sawyer
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx, New York 10458, United States
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Schuck RJ, Ward AE, Sahoo AR, Rybak JA, Pyron RJ, Trybala TN, Simmons TB, Baccile JA, Sgouralis I, Buck M, Lamichhane R, Barrera FN. Cholesterol inhibits assembly and activation of the EphA2 receptor. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.10.598255. [PMID: 38915729 PMCID: PMC11195142 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.10.598255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 drives cancer malignancy by facilitating metastasis. EphA2 can be found in different self-assembly states: as a monomer, dimer, and oligomer. However, our understanding remains limited regarding which EphA2 state is responsible for driving pro-metastatic signaling. To address this limitation, we have developed SiMPull-POP, a single-molecule method for accurate quantification of membrane protein self-assembly. Our experiments revealed that a reduction of plasma membrane cholesterol strongly promoted EphA2 self-assembly. Indeed, low cholesterol caused a similar effect to the EphA2 ligand ephrinA1-Fc. These results indicate that cholesterol inhibits EphA2 assembly. Phosphorylation studies in different cell lines revealed that low cholesterol increased phospho-serine levels, the signature of oncogenic signaling. Investigation of the mechanism that cholesterol uses to inhibit the assembly and activity of EphA2 indicate an in-trans effect, where EphA2 is phosphorylated by protein kinase A downstream of beta-adrenergic receptor activity, which cholesterol also inhibits. Our study not only provides new mechanistic insights on EphA2 oncogenic function, but also suggests that cholesterol acts as a molecular safeguard mechanism that prevents uncontrolled self-assembly and activation of EphA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Schuck
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Alyssa E Ward
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Amita R Sahoo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, USA
| | - Jennifer A Rybak
- Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Robert J Pyron
- Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Thomas N Trybala
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Timothy B Simmons
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Joshua A Baccile
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | | | - Matthias Buck
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, USA
| | - Rajan Lamichhane
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - Francisco N Barrera
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
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Wirth D, Özdemir E, Wimley WC, Pasquale EB, Hristova K. Transmembrane helix interactions regulate oligomerization of the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107441. [PMID: 38838777 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107441] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The transmembrane helices of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) have been proposed to switch between two different dimeric conformations, one associated with the inactive RTK and the other with the active RTK. Furthermore, recent work has demonstrated that some full-length RTKs are associated with oligomers that are larger than dimers, raising questions about the roles of the TM helices in the assembly and function of these oligomers. Here we probe the roles of the TM helices in the stability of EphA2 RTK oligomers in the plasma membrane. We employ mutagenesis to evaluate the relevance of a published NMR dimeric structure of the isolated EphA2 TM helix in the context of the full-length EphA2 in the plasma membrane. We use two fluorescence methods, Förster Resonance Energy Transfer and Fluorescence Intensity Fluctuations spectrometry, which yield complementary information about the EphA2 oligomerization process. These studies reveal that the TM helix mutations affect the stability, structure, and size of EphA2 oligomers. However, the effects are multifaceted and point to a more complex role of the TM helix than the one expected from the "TM dimer switch" model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Wirth
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ece Özdemir
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - William C Wimley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Elena B Pasquale
- Cancer Metabolism and Microenvironment Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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Rubinfeld H, Cohen ZR, Bendavid U, Fichman-Horn S, Levy-Barda A, David C, Melamed P, Shimon I. Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor B6 is highly expressed in non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumors and its expression correlates with tumor size. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:297. [PMID: 38341842 PMCID: PMC10859332 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09186-7] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (EPH) receptors are the largest known family of receptor tyrosine kinases characterized in humans. These proteins are involved in tissue organization, synaptic plasticity, vascular development and the progression of various diseases including cancer. The Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor tyrosine kinase member EphB6 is a pseudokinase which has not attracted an equivalent amount of interest as its enzymatically-active counterparts. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of EphB6 in pituitary tumors. METHODS AND RESULTS Human normal pituitaries and pituitary tumors were examined for EphB6 mRNA expression using real-time PCR and for EphB6 protein by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. EphB6 was highly expressed in non-functioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PitNETs) versus the normal pituitary and GH-secreting PitNETs. EphB6 mRNA expression was correlated with tumor size. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest EphB6 aberrant expression in NF-PitNETs. Future studies are warranted to determine the role and significance of EphB6 in NF-PitNETs tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadara Rubinfeld
- Institute of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism and Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, 49100, Petach Tikva, Israel
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Zvi R Cohen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Uzi Bendavid
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | | | - Adva Levy-Barda
- Biobank, Department of Pathology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Cfir David
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Philippa Melamed
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ilan Shimon
- Institute of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism and Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, 49100, Petach Tikva, Israel.
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Joseph R, Dasari SK, Umamaheswaran S, Mangala LS, Bayraktar E, Rodriguez-Aguayo C, Wu Y, Nguyen N, Powell RT, Sobieski M, Liu Y, Kim MS, Corvigno S, Foster K, Hanjra P, Vu TC, Chowdhury MA, Amero P, Stephan C, Lopez-Berestein G, Westin SN, Sood AK. EphA2- and HDAC-Targeted Combination Therapy in Endometrial Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1278. [PMID: 38279277 PMCID: PMC10816153 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021278] [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: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is the most frequent malignant tumor of the female reproductive tract but lacks effective therapy. EphA2, a receptor tyrosine kinase, is overexpressed by various cancers including endometrial cancer and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. In preclinical models, EphA2-targeted drugs had modest efficacy. To discover potential synergistic partners for EphA2-targeted drugs, we performed a high-throughput drug screen and identified panobinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, as a candidate. We hypothesized that combination therapy with an EphA2 inhibitor and panobinostat leads to synergistic cell death. Indeed, we found that the combination enhanced DNA damage, increased apoptosis, and decreased clonogenic survival in Ishikawa and Hec1A endometrial cancer cells and significantly reduced tumor burden in mouse models of endometrial carcinoma. Upon RNA sequencing, the combination was associated with downregulation of cell survival pathways, including senescence, cyclins, and cell cycle regulators. The Axl-PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway was also decreased by combination therapy. Together, our results highlight EphA2 and histone deacetylase as promising therapeutic targets for endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robiya Joseph
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
| | - Santosh K. Dasari
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
| | - Sujanitha Umamaheswaran
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
- UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lingegowda S. Mangala
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
| | - Emine Bayraktar
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
| | - Cristian Rodriguez-Aguayo
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.R.-A.); (P.A.); (G.L.-B.)
| | - Yutuan Wu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
| | - Nghi Nguyen
- High-Throughput Research and Screening Center, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.N.); (R.T.P.); (M.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Reid T. Powell
- High-Throughput Research and Screening Center, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.N.); (R.T.P.); (M.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Mary Sobieski
- High-Throughput Research and Screening Center, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.N.); (R.T.P.); (M.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
| | - Mark Seungwook Kim
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
| | - Sara Corvigno
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
| | - Katherine Foster
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
| | - Pahul Hanjra
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
- UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Thanh Chung Vu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
| | - Mamur A. Chowdhury
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
| | - Paola Amero
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.R.-A.); (P.A.); (G.L.-B.)
| | - Clifford Stephan
- High-Throughput Research and Screening Center, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (N.N.); (R.T.P.); (M.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Gabriel Lopez-Berestein
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (C.R.-A.); (P.A.); (G.L.-B.)
| | - Shannon N. Westin
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
| | - Anil K. Sood
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (R.J.); (S.K.D.); (S.U.); (L.S.M.); (E.B.); (Y.W.); (Y.L.); (M.S.K.); (S.C.); (K.F.); (P.H.); (T.C.V.); (M.A.C.); (S.N.W.)
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7
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Li X, Zhang C, Deng M, Jiang Y, He Z, Qian H. EFNB1 levels determine distinct drug response patterns guiding precision therapy for B-cell neoplasms. iScience 2024; 27:108667. [PMID: 38155773 PMCID: PMC10753073 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108667] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The multi-omics data has greatly improved the molecular diagnosis of B-cell neoplasms, but there is still a lack of predictive biomarkers to guide precision therapy. Here, we analyzed publicly available data and found that B-cell neoplasm cell lines with different levels of EFNB1 had distinctive drug response patterns of inhibitors targeting SRC/PI3K/AKT. Overexpression of EFNB1 promoted phosphorylation of key proteins in drug response, such as SRC and STMN1, conferring sensitivity to SRC inhibitor and cytotoxic drugs. EFNB1 phosphorylation signaling network was significantly associated with the prognosis of GCB-DLBCL patients. Moreover, EFNB1 levels were correlated with cell of origin (COO) scores, suggesting that EFNB1 is a quantitative indicator of cell differentiation. Ultimately, we proposed a model for the stratification of human B-cell malignancies and the implementation of targeted therapies based on EFNB1 levels. Our findings highlight that EFNB1 level is a promising biomarker for predicting drug response, COO and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxi Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chenxiao Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Minyao Deng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yong Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengjin He
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Qian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
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8
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Han Y, Song H, Li Y, Li R, Chen L, Gao B, Chen Y, Wang S. The combination of tetracyclines effectively ameliorates liver fibrosis via inhibition of EphB1/2. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 126:111261. [PMID: 37992441 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Eph receptor tyrosine kinase EphB1/2 contributes to the development of liver fibrosis, suggesting the rationale that EphB1/2 inhibitors may be effective in liver fibrosis therapy. Since tetracycline antibiotics were recently demonstrated as EphB kinase inhibitors, in present study we investigated their therapeutic potential against liver fibrosis. Our results showed that the tetracycline combination of demeclocycline (D), chlortetracycline (C), and minocycline (M) inhibited the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro and alleviated CCl4-induced animal model of liver fibrosis in vivo. Mechanistically, DCM combination inhibited EphB1/2 phosphorylation and subsequent activation of the MAPK signaling. Moreover, we found that short-term and low-dose DCM combination treatment decreased tissue inflammation and improved liver fibrosis in mice. Thus, our study indicates that tetracyclines may be repurposed for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueqing Han
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Haoxin Song
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yanshan Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Rongxin Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Ling Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Bo Gao
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yijun Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
| | - Shuzhen Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
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9
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Pasquale EB. Eph receptors and ephrins in cancer progression. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:5-27. [PMID: 37996538 PMCID: PMC11015936 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00634-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Evidence implicating Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands (that together make up the 'Eph system') in cancer development and progression has been accumulating since the discovery of the first Eph receptor approximately 35 years ago. Advances in the past decade and a half have considerably increased the understanding of Eph receptor-ephrin signalling mechanisms in cancer and have uncovered intriguing new roles in cancer progression and drug resistance. This Review focuses mainly on these more recent developments. I provide an update on the different mechanisms of Eph receptor-ephrin-mediated cell-cell communication and cell autonomous signalling, as well as on the interplay of the Eph system with other signalling systems. I further discuss recent advances in elucidating how the Eph system controls tumour expansion, invasiveness and metastasis, supports cancer stem cells, and drives therapy resistance. In addition to functioning within cancer cells, the Eph system also mediates the reciprocal communication between cancer cells and cells of the tumour microenvironment. The involvement of the Eph system in tumour angiogenesis is well established, but recent findings also demonstrate roles in immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix. Lastly, I discuss strategies under evaluation for therapeutic targeting of Eph receptors-ephrins in cancer and conclude with an outlook on promising future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena B Pasquale
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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10
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Moreddu R. Nanotechnology and Cancer Bioelectricity: Bridging the Gap Between Biology and Translational Medicine. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304110. [PMID: 37984883 PMCID: PMC10767462 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304110] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Bioelectricity is the electrical activity that occurs within living cells and tissues. This activity is critical for regulating homeostatic cellular function and communication, and disruptions of the same can lead to a variety of conditions, including cancer. Cancer cells are known to exhibit abnormal electrical properties compared to their healthy counterparts, and this has driven researchers to investigate the potential of harnessing bioelectricity as a tool in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. In parallel, bioelectricity represents one of the means to gain fundamental insights on how electrical signals and charges play a role in cancer insurgence, growth, and progression. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the literature in this field, addressing the fundamentals of bioelectricity in single cancer cells, cancer cell cohorts, and cancerous tissues. The emerging role of bioelectricity in cancer proliferation and metastasis is introduced. Based on the acknowledgement that this biological information is still hard to access due to the existing gap between biological findings and translational medicine, the latest advancements in the field of nanotechnologies for cellular electrophysiology are examined, as well as the most recent developments in micro- and nano-devices for cancer diagnostics and therapy targeting bioelectricity.
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11
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Chang FL, Lee CC, Tsai KC, Lin TY, Chiang CW, Pan SL, Lee YC. An auristatin-based antibody-drug conjugate targeting EphA2 in pancreatic cancer treatment. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 688:149214. [PMID: 37951154 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149214] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma, a highly aggressive form of cancer with a poor prognosis, necessitates the development of innovative treatment strategies. Our prior research showcased the growth-inhibiting effects of the anti-EphA2 antibody drug hSD5 on pancreatic cancer tumors. This antibody targets and induces the degradation of the EphA2 receptor while also prompting the antibody's internalization. A deeper dive into the hSD5 Fab crystallographic structure and docking studies revealed that hSD5's CDRH3 drives the primary interaction between hSD5 and the EphA2 active site. In this study, we developed a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)-the auristatin-based hSD5-vedotin specifically targeting EphA2 in pancreatic cancer cells. This ADC aims at the tumor-specific antigen EphA2, triggering endocytosis and releasing the conjugated payload molecule Monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), amplifying the tumor-killing effect. Upon cellular entry, hSD5-vedotin demonstrated an impressive tumor-killing response, inhibiting tumor cell growth and promoting apoptosis even at lower antibody concentrations. In a pancreatic cancer xenograft animal model, hSD5-vedotin showcased the potential to suppress tumor growth entirely. Notably, potential immune resistance responses were also observed in recurrent pancreatic cancer tumors. Our empirical results underscore the possibility of developing hSD5-vedotin further, which we anticipate will have a broader and more potent therapeutic impact on pancreatic cancer and other EphA2-related cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Ling Chang
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chung Lee
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Keng-Chang Tsai
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Yu Lin
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Wei Chiang
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiow-Lin Pan
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Ching Lee
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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12
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Gomez-Soler M, Olson EJ, de la Torre ER, Zhao C, Lamberto I, Flood DT, Danho W, Lechtenberg BC, Riedl SJ, Dawson PE, Pasquale EB. Lipidation and PEGylation Strategies to Prolong the in Vivo Half-Life of a Nanomolar EphA4 Receptor Antagonist. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115876. [PMID: 38523699 PMCID: PMC10959496 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115876] [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] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The EphA4 receptor tyrosine kinase plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases, inhibition of nerve regeneration, cancer progression and other diseases. Therefore, EphA4 inhibition has potential therapeutic value. Selective EphA4 kinase inhibitors are not available, but we identified peptide antagonists that inhibit ephrin ligand binding to EphA4 with high specificity. One of these peptides is the cyclic APY-d3 (βAPYCVYRβASWSC-NH2), which inhibits ephrin-A5 ligand binding to EphA4 with low nanomolar binding affinity and is highly protease resistant. Here we describe modifications of APY-d3 that yield two different key derivatives with greatly increased half-lives in the mouse circulation, the lipidated APY-d3-laur8 and the PEGylated APY-d3-PEG4. These two derivatives inhibit ligand induced EphA4 activation in cells with sub-micromolar potency. Since they retain high potency and specificity for EphA4, lipidated and PEGylated APY-d3 derivatives represent new tools for discriminating EphA4 activities in vivo and for preclinical testing of EphA4 inhibition in animal disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricel Gomez-Soler
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Erika J. Olson
- Departments of Chemistry and Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Elena Rubio de la Torre
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Chunxia Zhao
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Ilaria Lamberto
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Dillon T. Flood
- Departments of Chemistry and Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Waleed Danho
- Del Mar, California 92014, United States
- Deceased
| | - Bernhard C. Lechtenberg
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Stefan J. Riedl
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Philip E. Dawson
- Departments of Chemistry and Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Elena B. Pasquale
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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13
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Kayesh MEH, Kohara M, Tsukiyama-Kohara K. Effects of neddylation on viral infection: an overview. Arch Virol 2023; 169:6. [PMID: 38081982 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05930-3] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Neddylation is a post-translational modification that plays an important role not only in cancer development but also in regulating viral infection and replication. Upregulation of neddylation occurs in viral infections, and inhibition of neddylation can suppress viral replication. Neddylation is thought to enhance viral protein stability and replication. Neddylation has been reported to enhance the stability of the regulatory hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein, modulate viral replication, and enhance hepatocarcinogenesis. Inhibition of neddylation using the NEDD8-activating enzyme E1 inhibitor MLN4924 inhibits viral replication, including that of HBV. Understanding of the role of neddylation in viral infections is critical for developing new therapeutic targets and potential treatment strategies. In this review, we discuss recent progress in the understanding of the effects of neddylation during viral infection, particularly in HBV infection, and strategies for curing viral infection by targeting the neddylation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Enamul Hoque Kayesh
- Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barishal, 8210, Bangladesh.
| | - Michinori Kohara
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan
| | - Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Centre, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan.
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14
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Guidetti L, Zappia A, Scalvini L, Ferrari FR, Giorgio C, Castelli R, Galvani F, Vacondio F, Rivara S, Mor M, Urbinati C, Rusnati M, Tognolini M, Lodola A. Molecular Determinants of EphA2 and EphB2 Antagonism Enable the Design of Ligands with Improved Selectivity. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:6900-6911. [PMID: 37910792 PMCID: PMC10647059 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
With the aim of identifying novel antagonists selective for the EphA receptor family, a combined experimental and computational approach was taken to investigate the molecular basis of the recognition between a prototypical Eph-ephrin antagonist (UniPR1447) and two representative receptors of the EphA and EphB subfamilies, namely, EphA2 and EphB2 receptors. The conformational free-energy surface (FES) of the binding state of UniPR1447 within the ligand binding domain of EphA2 and EphB2, reconstructed from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations performed on the microsecond time scale, was exploited to drive the design and synthesis of a novel antagonist selective for EphA2 over the EphB2 receptor. The availability of compounds with this pharmacological profile will help discriminate the importance of these two receptors in the insurgence and progression of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Guidetti
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Alfonso Zappia
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Scalvini
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Ferrari
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Carmine Giorgio
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Riccardo Castelli
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Galvani
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Vacondio
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia Rivara
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
- Microbiome
Research Hub, Università degli Studi
di Parma, Parco Area
delle scienze 11/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Chiara Urbinati
- Dipartimento
di Medicina Molecolare Traslazionale, Università
degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia 25121, Italy
| | - Marco Rusnati
- Dipartimento
di Medicina Molecolare Traslazionale, Università
degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia 25121, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Tognolini
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Dipartimento
di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I- 43124 Parma, Italy
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15
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Chang FL, Tsai KC, Lin TY, Chiang CW, Pan SL, Lee YC. Effectiveness of anti-erythropoietin producing Hepatocellular receptor Type-A2 antibody in pancreatic cancer treatment. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21774. [PMID: 38034633 PMCID: PMC10682614 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21774] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocyte receptor type A2 (EphA2) is a tyrosine kinase that binds to ephrins (e.g., ephrin-A1) to initiate bidirectional signaling between cells. The binding of EphA2 and ephrin-A1 leads to the inhibition of Ras-MAPK activity and tumor growth. During tumorigenesis, the normal interaction between EphA2 and ephrin-A1 is hindered, which leads to the overexpression of EphA2 and induces cancer. The overexpression of EphA2 has been identified as a notable tumor marker in diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer. In this study, we used phage display to isolate specific antibodies against the active site of EphA2 by using a discontinuous recombinant epitope for immunization. The therapeutic efficacy and inhibition mechanism of the generated antibody against pancreatic cancer was validated and clarified. The generated antibodies were bound to the conformational epitope of endogenous EphA2 on cancer cells, thus inducing cellular endocytosis and causing EphA2 degradation. Molecule signals pAKT, pERK, pFAK, and pSTAT3 were weakened, inhibiting the proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells. The humanized antibody hSD5 could effectively inhibit the growth of the xenograft pancreatic cancer tumor cells BxPc-3 and Mia PaCa-2 in mice, respectively. When antibody hSD5 was administered with gemcitabine, significantly improved effects on tumor growth inhibition were observed. Based on the efficacy of the IgG hSD5 antibodies, clinical administration of the hSD5 antibodies is likely to suppress tumors in patients with pancreatic cancer and abnormal activation or overexpression of EphA2 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Ling Chang
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Keng-Chang Tsai
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Yu Lin
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Wei Chiang
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiow-Lin Pan
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center for Drug Discovery, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ching Lee
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program for Cancer Molecular Biology and Drug Discovery, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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16
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Ding Y, Chen Q, Shan H, Liu J, Lv C, Wang Y, Yuan L, Chen Y, Wang Z, Yin Y, Xiao K, Li J, Liu W. SASH1: A Novel Eph Receptor Partner and Insights into SAM-SAM Interactions. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168243. [PMID: 37619706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168243] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The Eph (erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular) receptor family, the largest subclass of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), plays essential roles in embryonic development and neurogenesis. The intracellular Sterile Alpha Motif (SAM) domain presents a critical structural feature that distinguishes Eph receptors from other RTKs and participates in recruiting and binding downstream molecules. This study identified SASH1 (SAM and SH3 domain containing 1) as a novel Eph receptor-binding partner through SAM-SAM domain interactions. Our comprehensive biochemical analyses revealed that SASH1 selectively interacts with Eph receptors via its SAM1 domain, displaying the highest affinity for EphA8. The high-resolution crystal structure of the EphA8-SASH1 complex provided insights into the specific intermolecular interactions between these proteins. Cellular assays confirmed that EphA8 and SASH1 co-localize and co-precipitate in mammalian cells, with cancer mutations (EphA8 R942H or G978D) impairing this interaction. We demonstrated that SAM-SAM interaction is critical for SASH1-mediated regulation of EphA8 kinase activity, shedding new light on the Eph signaling pathway and expanding our understanding of the molecular basis of the tumor suppressor gene SASH1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhen Ding
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Neuronal Structural Biology, Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China. https://twitter.com/dingyuzhen8
| | - Qiangou Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Neuronal Structural Biology, Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Hui Shan
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Neuronal Structural Biology, Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Chunyu Lv
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Neuronal Structural Biology, Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Yanhui Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Neuronal Structural Biology, Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Lin Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Innovative Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yuxin Yin
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Kang Xiao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Neuronal Structural Biology, Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China; HKUST Shenzhen-Hong Kong Collaborative Innovation Research Institute, Futian, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Jianchao Li
- Division of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Wei Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Neuronal Structural Biology, Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China.
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17
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Ye P, Chen Z, Lou H, Mai Y, Zhu X, Fu X. Ephrin-A4 Ligand (EFNA4) Predicts Poor Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Promotes Tumor Proliferation. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2023; 13:767-773. [PMID: 37693261 PMCID: PMC10482992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal tumor diseases in the world. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are thought to play a vital role in HCC and Ephrin-A4 ligand (EFNA4) is a membrane-bound molecule that can activate RTKs through erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (Eph) receptors. However, the specific role of EFNA4 remains unknown. The aim of our study was to explore the prognostic value of EFNA4 expression in HCC. Methods Bioinformatics analyses were conducted to probe the expression levels and prognostic value of EFNA4 in HCC. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical and western blot were used to confirm the expression of EFNA4 in paired clinical specimens of HCC. Colony formation assay was used to confirm the proliferation of tumor cell. Results The expression of EFNA4 is generally elevated in various cancers. Especially, EFNA4 was upregulated in tumor tissue and associated with clinical stage in HCC patients. HCC patients with lower levels of EFNA4 possessed better survival and progression-free survival times. Colony formation assay indicated that the overexpression of EFNA4 promoted tumor cell proliferation. Conclusion These results demonstrated that EFNA4 played as an oncogenic gene and a prognostic biomarker for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Ye
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zide Chen
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Haibo Lou
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanjun Mai
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Central Hospital of Zibo, Zibo, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xihua Fu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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18
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Stergiou IE, Papadakos SP, Karyda A, Tsitsilonis OE, Dimopoulos MA, Theocharis S. EPH/Ephrin Signaling in Normal Hematopoiesis and Hematologic Malignancies: Deciphering Their Intricate Role and Unraveling Possible New Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3963. [PMID: 37568780 PMCID: PMC10417178 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153963] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptors (EPHs) represent the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). EPH interaction with ephrins, their membrane-bound ligands, holds a pivotal role in embryonic development, while, though less active, it is also implicated in various physiological functions during adult life. In normal hematopoiesis, different patterns of EPH/ephrin expression have been correlated with hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance and lineage-committed hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) differentiation, as well as with the functional properties of their mature offspring. Research in the field of hematologic malignancies has unveiled a rather complex involvement of the EPH/ephrinsignaling pathway in the pathophysiology of these neoplasms. Aberrations in genetic, epigenetic, and protein levels have been identified as possible players implicated both in tumor progression and suppression, while correlations have also been highlighted regarding prognosis and response to treatment. Initial efforts to therapeutically target the EPH/ephrin axis have been undertaken in the setting of hematologic neoplasia but are mainly confined to the preclinical level. To this end, deciphering the complexity of this signaling pathway both in normal and malignant hematopoiesis is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna E. Stergiou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Stavros P. Papadakos
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Anna Karyda
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Ourania E. Tsitsilonis
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece;
| | - Meletios-Athanasios Dimopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (A.K.)
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19
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Hanover G, Vizeacoumar FS, Banerjee SL, Nair R, Dahiya R, Osornio-Hernandez AI, Morales AM, Freywald T, Himanen JP, Toosi BM, Bisson N, Vizeacoumar FJ, Freywald A. Integration of cancer-related genetic landscape of Eph receptors and ephrins with proteomics identifies a crosstalk between EPHB6 and EGFR. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112670. [PMID: 37392382 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Eph receptors and their ephrin ligands are viewed as promising targets for cancer treatment; however, targeting them is hindered by their context-dependent functionalities. To circumvent this, we explore molecular landscapes underlying their pro- and anti-malignant activities. Using unbiased bioinformatics approaches, we construct a cancer-related network of genetic interactions (GIs) of all Ephs and ephrins to assist in their therapeutic manipulation. We also apply genetic screening and BioID proteomics and integrate them with machine learning approaches to select the most relevant GIs of one Eph receptor, EPHB6. This identifies a crosstalk between EPHB6 and EGFR, and further experiments confirm the ability of EPHB6 to modulate EGFR signaling, enhancing the proliferation of cancer cells and tumor development. Taken together, our observations show EPHB6 involvement in EGFR action, suggesting its targeting might be beneficial in EGFR-dependent tumors, and confirm that the Eph family genetic interactome presented here can be effectively exploited in developing cancer treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glinton Hanover
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Room 2841, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, GA20 Health Sciences, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Frederick S Vizeacoumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Room 2841, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Sara L Banerjee
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, PROTEO and Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Quebec-Université Laval, Division Oncologie, 9 Rue McMahon, Québec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Raveena Nair
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Room 2841, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, GA20 Health Sciences, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Renuka Dahiya
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Room 2841, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, Canada
| | - Ana I Osornio-Hernandez
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, PROTEO and Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Quebec-Université Laval, Division Oncologie, 9 Rue McMahon, Québec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Alain Morejon Morales
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Room 2841, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, GA20 Health Sciences, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Tanya Freywald
- Cancer Research, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and Division of Oncology, University of Saskatchewan, 4D30.2 Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Juha P Himanen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Behzad M Toosi
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - Nicolas Bisson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, PROTEO and Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Quebec-Université Laval, Division Oncologie, 9 Rue McMahon, Québec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada.
| | - Franco J Vizeacoumar
- Cancer Research, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and Division of Oncology, University of Saskatchewan, 4D30.2 Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada.
| | - Andrew Freywald
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Royal University Hospital, Room 2841, 103 Hospital Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, Canada.
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20
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Papadakos SP, Stergiou IE, Gkolemi N, Arvanitakis K, Theocharis S. Unraveling the Significance of EPH/Ephrin Signaling in Liver Cancer: Insights into Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3434. [PMID: 37444544 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133434] [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: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a complex and challenging disease with limited treatment options and dismal prognosis. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms driving liver cancer progression and metastasis is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies. The EPH/ephrin system, which comprises a family of cell surface receptors and their corresponding ligands, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of HCC. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of the role of the EPH/ephrin system in HCC. Specifically, we discuss the dysregulation of EPH/ephrin signaling in HCC and its impact on various cellular processes, including cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Overall, the EPH/ephrin signaling system emerges as a compelling and multifaceted player in liver cancer biology. Elucidating its precise mechanisms and understanding its implications in disease progression and therapeutic responses may pave the way for novel targeted therapies and personalized treatment approaches for liver cancer patients. Further research is warranted to unravel the full potential of the EPH/ephrin system in liver cancer and its clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavros P Papadakos
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioanna E Stergiou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolina Gkolemi
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Arvanitakis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, St. Kiriakidi 1, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Basic and Translational Research Unit, Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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21
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Tarantino P, Ricciuti B, Pradhan SM, Tolaney SM. Optimizing the safety of antibody-drug conjugates for patients with solid tumours. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023:10.1038/s41571-023-00783-w. [PMID: 37296177 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00783-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 5 years, improvements in the design of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have enabled major advances that have reshaped the treatment of several advanced-stage solid tumours. Considering the intended rationale behind the design of ADCs, which is to achieve targeted delivery of cytotoxic molecules by linking them to antibodies targeting tumour-specific antigens, ADCs would be expected to be less toxic than conventional chemotherapy. However, most ADCs are still burdened by off-target toxicities that resemble those of the cytotoxic payload as well as on-target toxicities and other poorly understood and potentially life-threatening adverse effects. Given the rapid expansion in the clinical indications of ADCs, including use in curative settings and various combinations, extensive efforts are ongoing to improve their safety. Approaches currently being pursued include clinical trials optimizing the dose and treatment schedule, modifications of each ADC component, identification of predictive biomarkers for toxicities, and the development of innovative diagnostic tools. In this Review, we describe the determinants of the toxicities of ADCs in patients with solid tumours, highlighting key strategies that are expected to improve tolerability and enable improvements in the treatment outcomes of patients with advanced-stage and those with early stage cancers in the years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Tarantino
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Biagio Ricciuti
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shan M Pradhan
- Office of Oncologic Diseases, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Sara M Tolaney
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Breast Oncology Program, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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22
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Kakavandi S, Zare I, VaezJalali M, Dadashi M, Azarian M, Akbari A, Ramezani Farani M, Zalpoor H, Hajikhani B. Structural and non-structural proteins in SARS-CoV-2: potential aspects to COVID-19 treatment or prevention of progression of related diseases. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:110. [PMID: 37189112 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01104-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a new member of the Coronaviridae family known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There are structural and non-structural proteins (NSPs) in the genome of this virus. S, M, H, and E proteins are structural proteins, and NSPs include accessory and replicase proteins. The structural and NSP components of SARS-CoV-2 play an important role in its infectivity, and some of them may be important in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, including cancer, coagulation disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. The SARS-CoV-2 proteins interact with targets such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 can stimulate pathological intracellular signaling pathways by triggering transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), CD147, and Eph receptors, which play important roles in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis, and multiple cancers such as glioblastoma, lung malignancies, and leukemias. Several compounds such as polyphenols, doxazosin, baricitinib, and ruxolitinib could inhibit these interactions. It has been demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has a stronger affinity for human ACE2 than the spike protein of SARS-CoV, leading the current study to hypothesize that the newly produced variant Omicron receptor-binding domain (RBD) binds to human ACE2 more strongly than the primary strain. SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) viruses against structural and NSPs have become resistant to previous vaccines. Therefore, the review of recent studies and the performance of current vaccines and their effects on COVID-19 and related diseases has become a vital need to deal with the current conditions. This review examines the potential role of these SARS-CoV-2 proteins in the initiation of chronic diseases, and it is anticipated that these proteins could serve as components of an effective vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 and related diseases. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sareh Kakavandi
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Iman Zare
- Research and Development Department, Sina Medical Biochemistry Technologies Co. Ltd., Shiraz, 7178795844, Iran
| | - Maryam VaezJalali
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Dadashi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Maryam Azarian
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Abdullatif Akbari
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Ramezani Farani
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Nano Bio High-Tech Materials Research Center, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Hamidreza Zalpoor
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Bahareh Hajikhani
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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23
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Eph Receptors in Cancer. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020315. [PMID: 36830852 PMCID: PMC9953285 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases play critical functions during development, in the formation of tissue and organ borders, and the vascular and neural systems. Uniquely among tyrosine kinases, their activities are controlled by binding to membrane-bound ligands, called ephrins. Ephs and ephrins generally have a low expression in adults, functioning mainly in tissue homeostasis and plasticity, but are often overexpressed in cancers, where they are especially associated with undifferentiated or progenitor cells, and with tumour development, vasculature, and invasion. Mutations in Eph receptors also occur in various tumour types and are suspected to promote tumourigenesis. Ephs and ephrins have the capacity to operate as both tumour promoters and tumour suppressors, depending on the circumstances. They have been demonstrated to impact tumour cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, as well as tumour development, angiogenesis, and metastases in vivo, making them potential therapeutic targets. However, successful development of therapies will require detailed understanding of the opposing roles of Ephs in various cancers. In this review, we discuss the variations in Eph expression and functions in a variety of malignancies. We also describe the multiple strategies that are currently available to target them in tumours, including preclinical and clinical development.
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24
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Proteomics uncover EPHA2 as a potential novel therapeutic target in colorectal cancer cell lines with acquired cetuximab resistance. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:669-682. [PMID: 36401637 PMCID: PMC9931833 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04416-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), acquired resistance against anti-EGFR targeted monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab (CET), was shown to be frequently caused by activating alterations in the RAS genes KRAS or NRAS. To this day, no efficient follow-up treatment option has emerged to treat mCRC in such a setting of resistance. METHODS To uncover potential targets for second-line targeted therapies, we used mass-spectrometric proteomics to shed light on kinome reprogramming in an established cellular model of acquired, KRAS-associated CET resistance. RESULTS This CET resistance was reflected by significant changes in the kinome, most of them individual to each cell line. Interestingly, all investigated resistant cell lines displayed upregulation of the Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EPHA2), a well-known driver of traits of progression. Expectedly resistant cell lines displayed increased migration (p < 0.01) that was significantly reduced by targeting the EPHA2 signalling axis using RNA interference (RNAi) (p < 0.001), ephrin-A1 stimulation (p < 0.001), dasatinib (p < 0.01), or anti-EPHA2 antibody treatment (p < 0.001), identifying it as an actionable target in mCRC with acquired CET resistance. CONCLUSION These results highlight EPHA2 and its role in mCRC with KRAS-gene mutated acquired CET resistance and support its use as a potential actionable target for the development of future precision medicine therapies.
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25
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VanderWeele DJ, Kocherginsky M, Munir S, Martone B, Sagar V, Morgans A, Stadler WM, Abdulkadir S, Hussain M. A Phase II Study of sEphB4-HSA in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Clin Genitourin Cancer 2022; 20:575-580. [PMID: 36210299 DOI: 10.1016/j.clgc.2022.08.012] [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: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ephrin receptors and their membrane-localized ligands induce bidirectional signaling and facilitate tumor-stroma interactions. Blocking the EphB4-EphrinB2 pathway, which can be accomplished by soluble EphB4 conjugated to human serum albumin (sEphB4-HSA), promotes cell death in preclinical models of aggressive prostate cancer. We hypothesized that targeting the EphB4-EphrinB2 pathway may serve as a therapeutic target in the treatment of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a single arm, phase II trial in patients with progressive mCRPC who had received no more than 3 prior therapies for mCRPC. sEphB4-HSA 1000 mg IV was administered every 2 weeks, extending to 3 weeks starting from cycle 7. The primary endpoint was confirmed prostate specific antigen (PSA) response rate. We employed a Simon 2-stage Minimax design with 15 patients in the first stage and 10 additional patients in the second stage. RESULTS Fourteen eligible patients enrolled in the study with median age of 73.5 years (range: 52-83) and median baseline PSA of 65.11 ng/mL (range: 7.77-2850 ng/mL). Most patients received 3 prior therapies for mCRPC. The median treatment duration with sEphB4-HSA was 6.5 weeks (range: 2-35 weeks). Three patients experienced a serious adverse event potentially related to therapy, including 1 patient with a grade 5 event (cerebral vascular accident) possibly related to the study drug. No patient had a confirmed PSA response, and the study was stopped for futility. Thirteen patients had PSA progression. The median time to PSA progression was 28 days (90% CI: 28-42 days), and median time to radiologic progression was 55 days (90% CI: 54-72 days). Of 3 patients with measurable disease, 2 had stable disease and one had progressive disease. CONCLUSION In patients with mCRPC who progressed on prior second generation AR-targeted therapy, sEphB4-HSA monotherapy had no discernable anti-tumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J VanderWeele
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Masha Kocherginsky
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Sabah Munir
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Brenda Martone
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Vinay Sagar
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Alicia Morgans
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | | | - Sarki Abdulkadir
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Department of Urology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Maha Hussain
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
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26
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HIF1α-AS1 is a DNA:DNA:RNA triplex-forming lncRNA interacting with the HUSH complex. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6563. [PMID: 36323673 PMCID: PMC9630315 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34252-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA:DNA:RNA triplexes that are formed through Hoogsteen base-pairing of the RNA in the major groove of the DNA duplex have been observed in vitro, but the extent to which these interactions occur in cells and how they impact cellular functions remains elusive. Using a combination of bioinformatic techniques, RNA/DNA pulldown and biophysical studies, we set out to identify functionally important DNA:DNA:RNA triplex-forming long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) in human endothelial cells. The lncRNA HIF1α-AS1 was retrieved as a top hit. Endogenous HIF1α-AS1 reduces the expression of numerous genes, including EPH Receptor A2 and Adrenomedullin through DNA:DNA:RNA triplex formation by acting as an adapter for the repressive human silencing hub complex (HUSH). Moreover, the oxygen-sensitive HIF1α-AS1 is down-regulated in pulmonary hypertension and loss-of-function approaches not only result in gene de-repression but also enhance angiogenic capacity. As exemplified here with HIF1α-AS1, DNA:DNA:RNA triplex formation is a functionally important mechanism of trans-acting gene expression control.
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27
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Daly RJ, Scott AM, Klein O, Ernst M. Enhancing therapeutic anti-cancer responses by combining immune checkpoint and tyrosine kinase inhibition. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:189. [PMID: 36175961 PMCID: PMC9523960 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01656-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has been established as the standard of care for many types of cancer, but the strategies employed have continued to evolve. Recently, much clinical focus has been on combining targeted therapies with ICI for the purpose of manipulating the immune setpoint. The latter concept describes the equilibrium between factors that promote and those that suppress anti-cancer immunity. Besides tumor mutational load and other cancer cell-intrinsic determinants, the immune setpoint is also governed by the cells of the tumor microenvironment and how they are coerced by cancer cells to support the survival and growth of the tumor. These regulatory mechanisms provide therapeutic opportunities to intervene and reduce immune suppression via application of small molecule inhibitors and antibody-based therapies against (receptor) tyrosine kinases and thereby improve the response to ICIs. This article reviews how tyrosine kinase signaling in the tumor microenvironment can promote immune suppression and highlights how therapeutic strategies directed against specific tyrosine kinases can be used to lower the immune setpoint and elicit more effective anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger J Daly
- Cancer Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 23 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia. .,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University, 23 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
| | - Andrew M Scott
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University, 23 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.,Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, 145 Studley Rd, Melbourne-Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Department of Molecular Imaging & Therapy, Austin Health, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, 145 Studley Rd, Melbourne-Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Oliver Klein
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, 145 Studley Rd, Melbourne-Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Matthias Ernst
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Monash University, 23 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia. .,Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, 145 Studley Rd, Melbourne-Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.
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28
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Wirth D, Paul MD, Pasquale EB, Hristova K. Direct quantification of ligand-induced lipid and protein microdomains with distinctive signaling properties. CHEMSYSTEMSCHEM 2022; 4:e202200011. [PMID: 36337751 PMCID: PMC9634703 DOI: 10.1002/syst.202200011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Lipid rafts are ordered lipid domains that are enriched in saturated lipids, such as the ganglioside GM1. While lipid rafts are believed to exist in cells and to serve as signaling platforms through their enrichment in signaling components, they have not been directly observed in the plasma membrane without treatments that artificially cluster GM1 into large lattices. Here, we report that microscopic GM1-enriched domains can form, in the plasma membrane of live mammalian cells expressing the EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase in response to its ligand ephrinA1-Fc. The GM1-enriched microdomains form concomitantly with EphA2-enriched microdomains. To gain insight into how plasma membrane heterogeneity controls signaling, we quantify the degree of EphA2 segregation and study initial EphA2 signaling steps in both EphA2-enriched and EphA2-depleted domains. By measuring dissociation constants, we demonstrate that the propensity of EphA2 to oligomerize is similar in EphA2-enriched and -depleted domains. However, surprisingly, EphA2 interacts preferentially with its downstream effector SRC in EphA2-depleted domains. The ability to induce microscopic GM1-enriched domains in live cells using a ligand for a transmembrane receptor will give us unprecedented opportunities to study the biophysical chemistry of lipid rafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Wirth
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Michael D. Paul
- Program in Molecular Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Elena B. Pasquale
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Road, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
- Program in Molecular Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
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29
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Wu T, Jiang J, Wang H, He Y, Zhao X, Xue Y, Xu H. Design, synthesis, and in vivo evaluation of GO-SWL-Ahx-K-SWL. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 70:128802. [PMID: 35598792 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In order to acquire both expanded binding ability with the EphA2 receptor and superior drug delivery capacity, we designed and synthesized the modified GO-SWL-Ahx-K-SWL conjugate as a potential targeted therapeutic drug for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Various characterization methods have confirmed that the conjugate is consistent with the theoretical peptide. The cytotoxicity test results showed that the conjugate was slightly more toxic to A549 cells than in 3 T3 cells, and the toxicity increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) fusion imaging was performed to evaluate the conjugate binding to EphA2 receptor in vivo. The images showed obvious radioactive concentration in tumor tissues and significantly higher ratios of the tumor and muscle in the 125I-GO-SWL-Ahx-K-SWL group (10.78) than in the 125I-SWL-Ahx-K-SWL group (5.21) at all three time points (P < 0.01).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Jinhui Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Yanhui He
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Xuefeng Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Yangyang Xue
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Huiqin Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.
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30
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Gandhi GR, Antony PJ, Ceasar SA, Vasconcelos ABS, Montalvão MM, Farias de Franca MN, Resende ADS, Sharanya CS, Liu Y, Hariharan G, Gan RY. Health functions and related molecular mechanisms of ellagitannin-derived urolithins. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 64:280-310. [PMID: 35959701 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2106179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Ellagitannins are vital bioactive polyphenols that are widely distributed in a variety of plant-based foods. The main metabolites of ellagitannins are urolithins, and current research suggests that urolithins provide a variety of health benefits. This review focused on the role of the gut bacteria in the conversion of ellagitannins to urolithins. Based on the results of in vitro and in vivo studies, the health benefits of urolithins, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-aging, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, kidney protective, and muscle mass protective effects, were thoroughly outlined, with a focus on their associated molecular mechanisms. Finally, we briefly commented on urolithins' safety. Overall, urolithins' diverse health benefits indicate the potential utilization of ellagitannins and urolithins in the creation of functional foods and nutraceuticals to treat and prevent some chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopalsamy Rajiv Gandhi
- Department of Biosciences, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamaserry, Kochi, India
| | | | | | - Alan Bruno Silva Vasconcelos
- Postgraduate Program of Physiological Sciences (PROCFIS), Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Monalisa Martins Montalvão
- Postgraduate Program of Physiological Sciences (PROCFIS), Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Mariana Nobre Farias de Franca
- Postgraduate Program of Health Sciences (PPGCS), Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Campus Prof. João Cardoso Nascimento, Aracaju, CEP, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Ayane de Sá Resende
- Postgraduate Program of Health Sciences (PPGCS), Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), Campus Prof. João Cardoso Nascimento, Aracaju, CEP, Sergipe, Brazil
| | | | - Yi Liu
- Research Center for Plants and Human Health, Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Chengdu National Agricultural Science and Technology Center, Chengdu, China
| | - Govindasamy Hariharan
- Department of Biochemistry, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College (Autonomous) affiliated to the Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli, India
| | - Ren-You Gan
- Nepal Jesuit Society, St. Xavier's College, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur Dt. Kathmandu, Nepal
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31
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Jiao Z, Feng X, Cui Y, Wang L, Gan J, Zhao Y, Meng Q. Expression characteristic, immune signature, and prognosis value of EFNA family identified by multi-omics integrative analysis in pan-cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:871. [PMID: 35945523 PMCID: PMC9364540 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09951-0] [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: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background EphrinA (EFNA) are Eph receptor ligands that regulate various disease processes. Nonetheless, the expression characteristics of EFNAs in pan-cancer, their relationship with tumor immune microenvironment, and prognostic value landscape remain unknown. Methods A comprehensive landscape of EFNAs was created using various statistical data extracted from 33 cancers. Subsequently, we identified differential expression, genetic variations, potential function enrichment, tumor immune-related analysis, and drug sensitivity. Further, we investigated the clinical features and diagnostic prognostic value of EFNAs. RT-qPCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to validate the expression level and significant clinical value of EFNA5 in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines and tissues. Results EFNAs were highly mutated in various cancers. Genomic and epigenetic alterations of EFNAs were observed in various tumors, where an oncogenic mutation in specific cancer types potentially affected EFNA expression. Moreover, tumor-derived EFNAs were significantly related to the tumor immune microenvironment, suggesting that they are promising therapeutic targets. The majority of EFNA family genes were significantly linked to patient prognosis. Eventually, EFNA5 was an independent prognostic factor in lung adenocarcinoma. Conclusion In summary, EFNAs are crucial in tumor immune regulation, and EFNA5 is a prognostic marker in lung adenocarcinoma. Our findings provide new insights into EFNAs from a bioinformatics standpoint and highlight the significance of EFNAs in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09951-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonglin Jiao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Xiao Feng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.,Department of Oncology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuqing Cui
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Junqing Gan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yanbin Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.
| | - Qingwei Meng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China.
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Suzuki Y, Okabayashi K, Hasegawa H, Tsuruta M, Seishima R, Tokuda T, Kitagawa Y. Role of EphB2/ephrin‑B1 signalling in the development and progression of obesity‑associated colorectal cancer. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:316. [PMID: 35949596 PMCID: PMC9353875 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13436] [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: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a major problem worldwide and has been associated with colorectal cancer development, among other diseases. Ephrin receptors and ligands play an important role in the turnover of the intestinal mucosa and intestinal crypt compartmentalization. It has been hypothesised that obesity-induced inflammation affects ephrin signals, leading to carcinogenesis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between Eph-ephrin B signalling, obesity and obesity-associated colorectal cancer. An azoxymethane-induced obesity-associated cancer KKAy mouse model developed in our prior study was used. A total of 46 patients with consecutive colorectal cancer and 48 tumours were analysed. Immunohistological analyses were performed in mouse and human samples, and immunoreactive scores (IRS) were determined. KKAy mice were significantly more prone to cancer development compared with control C57/BL mice (2/15 in C57/BL vs. 10/10 in KKAy; P<0.001). TUNEL assay revealed a lower number of apoptotic cells in normal mucosa of KKAy mice (8.8% in C57/BL vs. 3.2% in KKAy; P<0.001) and obese patients (9.2% with BMI <25 vs. 3.6% with BMI ≥25; P=0.021). Immunohistological analysis revealed that ephrin-B1 was downregulated in normal mucosa from KKAy mice and obese patients (IRS, 2.86 with BMI <25 vs. 6.00 with BMI ≥25; P=0.002). Moreover, EphB2 was downregulated in tumours from KKAy mice and obese patients (IRS, 6.58 with BMI <25 vs. 3.83 with BMI ≥25; P<0.001). The distribution of infiltrated macrophages corresponded to the MCP-1 expression pattern in KKAy mice, and the number of macrophages was also significantly higher in those mice (36.3 in C57/BL vs. 120.0 in KKAy; P=0.029). The findings suggested that obesity results in disruption of EphB2/ephrin-B1 signalling, promoting colorectal cancer development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiyuki Suzuki
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Koji Okabayashi
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Hirotoshi Hasegawa
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Masashi Tsuruta
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Ryo Seishima
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Toshiki Tokuda
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Yuko Kitagawa
- Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
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Bhatia S, Nguyen D, Darragh LB, Van Court B, Sharma J, Knitz MW, Piper M, Bukkapatnam S, Gadwa J, Bickett TE, Bhuvane S, Corbo S, Wu B, Lee Y, Fujita M, Joshi M, Heasley LE, Ferris RL, Rodriguez O, Albanese C, Kapoor M, Pasquale EB, Karam SD. EphB4 and ephrinB2 act in opposition in the head and neck tumor microenvironment. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3535. [PMID: 35725568 PMCID: PMC9209511 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31124-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Differential outcomes of EphB4-ephrinB2 signaling offers formidable challenge for the development of cancer therapeutics. Here, we interrogate the effects of targeting EphB4 and ephrinB2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and within its microenvironment using genetically engineered mice, recombinant constructs, pharmacologic agonists and antagonists. We observe that manipulating the EphB4 intracellular domain on cancer cells accelerates tumor growth and angiogenesis. EphB4 cancer cell loss also triggers compensatory upregulation of EphA4 and T regulatory cells (Tregs) influx and their targeting results in reversal of accelerated tumor growth mediated by EphB4 knockdown. EphrinB2 knockout on cancer cells and vasculature, on the other hand, results in maximal tumor reduction and vascular normalization. We report that EphB4 agonism provides no additional anti-tumoral benefit in the absence of ephrinB2. These results identify ephrinB2 as a tumor promoter and its receptor, EphB4, as a tumor suppressor in HNSCC, presenting opportunities for rational drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Bhatia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Diemmy Nguyen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Laurel B Darragh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Benjamin Van Court
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jaspreet Sharma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Michael W Knitz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Miles Piper
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sanjana Bukkapatnam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jacob Gadwa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Thomas E Bickett
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Shiv Bhuvane
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sophia Corbo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Brian Wu
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yichien Lee
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mayumi Fujita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Molishree Joshi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lynn E Heasley
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Robert L Ferris
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Olga Rodriguez
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Christopher Albanese
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mohit Kapoor
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elena B Pasquale
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sana D Karam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Amiri Souri E, Laddach R, Karagiannis SN, Papageorgiou LG, Tsoka S. Novel drug-target interactions via link prediction and network embedding. BMC Bioinformatics 2022; 23:121. [PMID: 35379165 PMCID: PMC8978405 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-022-04650-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As many interactions between the chemical and genomic space remain undiscovered, computational methods able to identify potential drug-target interactions (DTIs) are employed to accelerate drug discovery and reduce the required cost. Predicting new DTIs can leverage drug repurposing by identifying new targets for approved drugs. However, developing an accurate computational framework that can efficiently incorporate chemical and genomic spaces remains extremely demanding. A key issue is that most DTI predictions suffer from the lack of experimentally validated negative interactions or limited availability of target 3D structures. RESULTS We report DT2Vec, a pipeline for DTI prediction based on graph embedding and gradient boosted tree classification. It maps drug-drug and protein-protein similarity networks to low-dimensional features and the DTI prediction is formulated as binary classification based on a strategy of concatenating the drug and target embedding vectors as input features. DT2Vec was compared with three top-performing graph similarity-based algorithms on a standard benchmark dataset and achieved competitive results. In order to explore credible novel DTIs, the model was applied to data from the ChEMBL repository that contain experimentally validated positive and negative interactions which yield a strong predictive model. Then, the developed model was applied to all possible unknown DTIs to predict new interactions. The applicability of DT2Vec as an effective method for drug repurposing is discussed through case studies and evaluation of some novel DTI predictions is undertaken using molecular docking. CONCLUSIONS The proposed method was able to integrate and map chemical and genomic space into low-dimensional dense vectors and showed promising results in predicting novel DTIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Amiri Souri
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences, King's College London, Bush House, London, WC2B 4BG, UK
| | - R Laddach
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences, King's College London, Bush House, London, WC2B 4BG, UK
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - S N Karagiannis
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Cancer Centre, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - L G Papageorgiou
- Centre for Process Systems Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - S Tsoka
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences, King's College London, Bush House, London, WC2B 4BG, UK.
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Nakanishi Y, Kang S, Kumanogoh A. Crosstalk between axon guidance signaling and bone remodeling. Bone 2022; 157:116305. [PMID: 34973495 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2021.116305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The maintenance of skeletal integrity is tightly regulated by two cell types, bone forming osteoblasts and bone resorbing osteoclasts. Although the role of the nervous system in regulating osteoblasts and osteoclasts was identified over a decade ago, the molecular mechanism of skeletal-neural interactions in bone homeostasis has only been studied recently. In particular, the complex roles of axon guidance molecules, such as semaphorins and ephrins, in the bone have been studied extensively. In this review, we highlight the latest advances in determining the functions of semaphorins and ephrins in the establishment and maintenance of the skeletal system, with a focus on the functional interaction between the skeletal and nervous systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimitsu Nakanishi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita City, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Immunopathology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita City, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Suita City, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Sujin Kang
- Department of Immune Regulation, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita City, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kumanogoh
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita City, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Department of Immunopathology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita City, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Suita City, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Center for Infectious Diseases for Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
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36
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Gomez-Soler M, Gehring MP, Lechtenberg BC, Zapata-Mercado E, Ruelos A, Matsumoto MW, Hristova K, Pasquale EB. Ligands with different dimeric configurations potently activate the EphA2 receptor and reveal its potential for biased signaling. iScience 2022; 25:103870. [PMID: 35243233 PMCID: PMC8858996 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase activates signaling pathways with different, and sometimes opposite, effects in cancer and other pathologies. Thus, highly specific and potent biased ligands that differentially control EphA2 signaling responses could be therapeutically valuable. Here, we use EphA2-specific monomeric peptides to engineer dimeric ligands with three different geometric configurations to combine a potential ability to differentially modulate EphA2 signaling responses with the high potency and prolonged receptor residence time characteristic of dimeric ligands. The different dimeric peptides readily induce EphA2 clustering, autophosphorylation and signaling, the best with sub-nanomolar potency. Yet, there are differences in two EphA2 signaling responses induced by peptides with different configurations, which exhibit distinct potency and efficacy. The peptides bias signaling when compared with the ephrinA1-Fc ligand and do so via different mechanisms. These findings provide insights into Eph receptor signaling, and proof-of-principle that different Eph signaling responses can be distinctly modulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricel Gomez-Soler
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Marina P. Gehring
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Bernhard C. Lechtenberg
- Ubiquitin Signalling Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville Victoria 3052, Australia and Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Elmer Zapata-Mercado
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Alyssa Ruelos
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Mike W. Matsumoto
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kalina Hristova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Elena B. Pasquale
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Tamura Y, Nakamizo Y, Watanabe Y, Kimura I, Katoh H. Filamin A forms a complex with EphA2 and regulates EphA2 serine 897 phosphorylation and glioblastoma cell proliferation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 597:64-70. [PMID: 35124461 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
EphA2 is phosphorylated on serine 897 (S897) in response to growth factors such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and on tyrosine 588 (Y588) in response to its ligand ephrinA1, causing different cellular responses. In this study, we show that the actin-binding protein Filamin A forms a complex with EphA2 and promotes its S897 phosphorylation and glioblastoma cell proliferation. Suppression of Filamin A expression by siRNAs inhibited glioblastoma cell proliferation induced by EGF stimulation or overexpression of EphA2. Knockdown of Filamin A inhibited EGF-induced S897 phosphorylation of EphA2, whereas it had little effect on ephrinA1-induced Y588 phosphorylation of EphA2. Furthermore, Filamin A expression affected the subcellular localization of EphA2. This study suggests that Filamin A selectively promotes EphA2 S897 phosphorylation and plays an important role in glioblastoma cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuho Tamura
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshidakonoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan; Department of Pharmacology, Division of Pathological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Misasagi Nakauchi-cho 5, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto, 607-8414, Japan
| | - Yuta Nakamizo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshidakonoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yuzo Watanabe
- Proteomics Facility, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshidakonoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ikuo Kimura
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshidakonoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan; Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshidakonoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Hironori Katoh
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshidakonoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan; Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshidakonoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
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Nikas I, Giaginis C, Petrouska K, Alexandrou P, Michail A, Sarantis P, Tsourouflis G, Danas E, Pergaris A, Politis PK, Nakopoulou L, Theocharis S. EPHA2, EPHA4, and EPHA7 Expression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12020366. [PMID: 35204461 PMCID: PMC8871500 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12020366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ongoing research continues to elucidate the complex role of ephrin receptors (EPHs) and their ligands (ephrins) in breast cancer pathogenesis, with their varying expression patterns implied to have an important impact on patients’ outcome. The current study aims to investigate the clinical significance of EPHA2, EPHA4, and EPHA7 expression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cases. EPHA2, EPHA4, and EPHA7 protein expression was assessed immunohistochemically on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) TNBC tissue sections from 52 TNBC patients and correlated with key clinicopathologic parameters and patients’ survival data (overall survival (OS); disease-free survival (DFS)). EPHA2, EPHA4, and EPHA7 expression was further examined in TNBC cell lines. EPHA2 overexpression was observed in 26 (50%) of the TNBC cases, who exhibited a shorter OS and DFS than their low-expression counterparts, with EPHA2 representing an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS (p = 0.0041 and p = 0.0232, respectively). EPHA4 overexpression was associated with lymph node metastasis in TNBC patients (p = 0.0546). Alterations in EPHA2, EPHA4, and EPHA7 expression levels were also noted in the examined TNBC cell lines. Our study stresses that EPHA2 expression constitutes a potential prognostic factor for TNBC patients. Given the limited treatment options and poorer outcome that accompany the TNBC subtype, EPHA2 could also pose as a target for novel, more personalized, and effective therapeutic approaches for those patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Nikas
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (I.N.); (K.P.); (P.A.); (P.S.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (L.N.)
- School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Constantinos Giaginis
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, Myrina, 811 00 Lemnos, Greece;
| | - Kalliopi Petrouska
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (I.N.); (K.P.); (P.A.); (P.S.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (L.N.)
| | - Paraskevi Alexandrou
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (I.N.); (K.P.); (P.A.); (P.S.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (L.N.)
| | - Artemis Michail
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Efesiou Str., 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.M.); (P.K.P.)
| | - Panagiotis Sarantis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (I.N.); (K.P.); (P.A.); (P.S.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (L.N.)
| | - Gerasimos Tsourouflis
- Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Laikon Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
| | - Eugene Danas
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (I.N.); (K.P.); (P.A.); (P.S.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (L.N.)
| | - Alexandros Pergaris
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (I.N.); (K.P.); (P.A.); (P.S.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (L.N.)
| | - Panagiotis K. Politis
- Center for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Efesiou Str., 115 27 Athens, Greece; (A.M.); (P.K.P.)
| | - Lydia Nakopoulou
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (I.N.); (K.P.); (P.A.); (P.S.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (L.N.)
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (I.N.); (K.P.); (P.A.); (P.S.); (E.D.); (A.P.); (L.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: + 30-210-7462178; Fax: + 30-210-7456259
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Xia T, Xiang T, Xie H. Update on the role of C1GALT1 in cancer (Review). Oncol Lett 2022; 23:97. [PMID: 35154428 PMCID: PMC8822393 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13217] [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: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains one of the most difficult diseases to treat. In the quest for early diagnoses to improve patient survival and prognosis, targeted therapies have become a hot research topic in recent years. Glycosylation is the most common posttranslational modification in mammalian cells. Core 1β1,3-galactosyltransferase (C1GALT1) is a key glycosyltransferase in the glycosylation process and is the key enzyme in the formation of the core 1 structure on which most complex and branched O-glycans are formed. A recent study reported that C1GALT1 was aberrantly expressed in tumors. In cancer cells, C1GALT1 is regulated by different factors. In the present review, the expression of C1GALT1 in different tumors and its possible molecular mechanisms of action are described and the role of C1GALT1 in cancer development is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Xia
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Cancer Research, School of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Ting Xiang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Cancer Research, School of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
| | - Hailong Xie
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Cancer Research, School of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, P.R. China
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40
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Nam S, Lee S, Park S, Lee J, Park A, Kim YH, Park T. PATHOME-Drug: a subpathway-based polypharmacology drug-repositioning method. Bioinformatics 2022; 38:444-452. [PMID: 34515762 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btab566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Drug repositioning reveals novel indications for existing drugs and in particular, diseases with no available drugs. Diverse computational drug repositioning methods have been proposed by measuring either drug-treated gene expression signatures or the proximity of drug targets and disease proteins found in prior networks. However, these methods do not explain which signaling subparts allow potential drugs to be selected, and do not consider polypharmacology, i.e. multiple targets of a known drug, in specific subparts. RESULTS Here, to address the limitations, we developed a subpathway-based polypharmacology drug repositioning method, PATHOME-Drug, based on drug-associated transcriptomes. Specifically, this tool locates subparts of signaling cascading related to phenotype changes (e.g. disease status changes), and identifies existing approved drugs such that their multiple targets are enriched in the subparts. We show that our method demonstrated better performance for detecting signaling context and specific drugs/compounds, compared to WebGestalt and clusterProfiler, for both real biological and simulated datasets. We believe that our tool can successfully address the current shortage of targeted therapy agents. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The web-service is available at http://statgen.snu.ac.kr/software/pathome. The source codes and data are available at https://github.com/labnams/pathome-drug. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungyoon Nam
- Department of Genome Medicine and Science, College of Medicine, Gachon University, 21565 Incheon, Korea.,Department of Life Sciences, Gachon University, 13120 Seongnam, Korea.,Gachon Institute of Genomic Medicine and Science, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, 21565 Incheon, Korea.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Gachon Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Gachon University, 21999 Incheon, Korea
| | - Sungyoung Lee
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 03080 Seoul, Korea.,Center for Precision Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 03080 Seoul, Korea
| | - Sungjin Park
- Department of Genome Medicine and Science, College of Medicine, Gachon University, 21565 Incheon, Korea.,Gachon Institute of Genomic Medicine and Science, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, 21565 Incheon, Korea
| | - Jinhyuk Lee
- Korean Bioinformation Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 34141 Daejeon, Korea.,Department of Bioinformatics, University of Sciences and Technology, 34113 Daejeon, Korea
| | - Aron Park
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Gachon Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Gachon University, 21999 Incheon, Korea
| | - Yon Hui Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Hanyang University, 04763 Seoul, Korea
| | - Taesung Park
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioinformatics, Seoul National University, 08826 Seoul, Korea.,Department of Statistics, Seoul National University, 08826 Seoul, Korea
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41
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Cholenic acid derivative UniPR1331 impairs tumor angiogenesis via blockade of VEGF/VEGFR2 in addition to Eph/ephrin. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:908-917. [PMID: 34426652 PMCID: PMC9293752 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00379-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting ones, is crucial for tumor growth and metastatization, and is considered a promising therapeutic target. Unfortunately, drugs directed against a specific proangiogenic growth factor or receptor turned out to be of limited benefit for oncology patients, likely due to the high biochemical redundancy of the neovascularization process. In this scenario, multitarget compounds that are able to simultaneously tackle different proangiogenic pathways are eagerly awaited. UniPR1331 is a 3β-hydroxy-Δ5-cholenic acid derivative, which is already known to inhibit Eph-ephrin interaction. Here, we employed an analysis pipeline consisting of molecular modeling and simulation, surface plasmon resonance spectrometry, biochemical assays, and endothelial cell models to demonstrate that UniPR1331 directly interacts with the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) too. The binding of UniPR1331 to VEGFR2 prevents its interaction with the natural ligand vascular endothelial growth factor and subsequent autophosphorylation, signal transduction, and in vitro proangiogenic activation of endothelial cells. In vivo, UniPR1331 inhibits tumor cell-driven angiogenesis in zebrafish. Taken together, these data shed light on the pleiotropic pharmacological effect of UniPR1331, and point to Δ5-cholenic acid as a promising molecular scaffold for the development of multitarget antiangiogenic compounds.
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Regulation of the EphA2 receptor intracellular region by phosphomimetic negative charges in the kinase-SAM linker. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7047. [PMID: 34857764 PMCID: PMC8639986 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27343-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases play a key role in cell-cell communication. Lack of structural information on the entire multi-domain intracellular region of any Eph receptor has hindered understanding of their signaling mechanisms. Here, we use integrative structural biology to investigate the structure and dynamics of the EphA2 intracellular region. EphA2 promotes cancer malignancy through a poorly understood non-canonical form of signaling involving serine/threonine phosphorylation of the linker connecting its kinase and SAM domains. We show that accumulation of multiple linker negative charges, mimicking phosphorylation, induces cooperative changes in the EphA2 intracellular region from more closed to more extended conformations and perturbs the EphA2 juxtamembrane segment and kinase domain. In cells, linker negative charges promote EphA2 oligomerization. We also identify multiple kinases catalyzing linker phosphorylation. Our findings suggest multiple effects of linker phosphorylation on EphA2 signaling and imply that coordination of different kinases is necessary to promote EphA2 non-canonical signaling. Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands mediate cell-cell communication. Here, the authors assess the structure and dynamics of the EphA2 intracellular region and uncover complex effects of phosphorylation within the linker region between EphA2 kinase and SAM domains.
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Hit Identification of a Novel Quinazoline Sulfonamide as a Promising EphB3 Inhibitor: Design, Virtual Combinatorial Library, Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Docking Simulation Studies. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14121247. [PMID: 34959648 PMCID: PMC8708751 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121247] [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: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
EphB3 is a major key player in a variety of cellular activities, including cell migration, proliferation, and apoptosis. However, the exact role of EphB3 in cancer remains ambiguous. Accordingly, new EphB3 inhibitors can increase the understanding of the exact roles of the receptor and may act as promising therapeutic candidates. Herein, a hybrid approach of structure-based design and virtual combinatorial library generated 34 quinazoline sulfonamides as potential selective EphB3 inhibitors. A molecular docking study over EphB3 predicted the binding affinities of the generated library, and the top seven hit compounds (3a and 4a–f), with GlideScore ≥ −6.20 Kcal/mol, were chosen for further MM-GBSA calculations. Out of the seven top hits, compound 4c showed the highest MM-GBSA binding free energy (−74.13 Kcal/mol). To validate these predicted results, compounds 3a and 4a–f were synthesized and characterized using NMR, HRMS, and HPLC. The biological evaluation revealed compound 4c as a potent EphB3 inhibitory lead (IC50 = 1.04 µM). The screening of 4c over a mini-panel of kinases consisting of EGFR, Aurora A, Aurora B, CDK2/cyclin A, EphB1, EphB2, EphB4, ERBB2/HER2, and KDR/VEGFR2, showed a promising selective profile against EphB3 isoform. A dose-dependent assay of compound 4c and a molecular docking study over the different forms of EphB provided insights into the elicited biological activities and highlighted reasonable explanations of the selectivity.
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Liu H, Zhou YC, Song W. Involvement of IL-10R/STAT3 pathway in amyloid β clearance by microlgia in Alzheimer's disease. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 101:108263. [PMID: 34710847 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Both the total amount and annual growth rate of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients in China are much higher than in other regions in the world. This trend of rapid growth will be difficult to change in the next few decades, hence the prevention and treatment situation of AD patients in China is more severe. Maintaining the balance between the production and removal pathways of Aβ is an important guarantee for the body to maintain its normal physiological state. The dysfunction of Aβ clearance is an important factor of Aβ accumulation in brain tissue of AD patients causing neurotoxicity of synaptic damage and neuronal death. Based on the literature review, it introduced the important role of microglias in clearing Aβ deposits in the process of Alzheimer's disease. And most of these phagocytic cells were the specific phenotype of disease-related microglia (DAM-I/DAM-II) that induced microglial differentiation after activation. IL-10KO promoted the transformation of microglial phenotype DAM-II, and enhanced its phagocytosis for Aβ oligomers. There is a hypothesis that IL-10R/STAT3 negatively regulates microglial phagocytosis. It was learnt that blocking the IL-10R/STAT3 pathway promoted microglial activation and enhanced phagocytosis. The comprehensive review on the involvement of IL-10R/STAT3 pathway in the process of AD would open up new ideas and discover new targets for the development of new therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Liu
- Translational Medicine Center of Pain, Emotion and Cognition, Ningbo Key Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo 315211, China.
| | - Yu-Cong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China.
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Emerging Importance of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors against Cancer: Quo Vadis to Cure? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111659. [PMID: 34769090 PMCID: PMC8584061 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
GLOBOCAN 2020 estimated more than 19.3 million new cases, and about 10 million patients were deceased from cancer in 2020. Clinical manifestations showed that several growth factor receptors consisting of transmembrane and cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase (TK) domains play a vital role in cancer progression. Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are crucial intermediaries of the several cellular pathways and carcinogenesis that directly affect the prognosis and survival of higher tumor grade patients. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are efficacious drugs for targeted therapy of various cancers. Therefore, RTKs have become a promising therapeutic target to cure cancer. A recent report shows that TKIs are vital mediators of signal transduction and cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. In this review, we discuss the structure and function of RTKs to explore their prime role in cancer therapy. Various TKIs have been developed to date that contribute a lot to treating several types of cancer. These TKI based anticancer drug molecules are also discussed in detail, incorporating their therapeutic efficacy, mechanism of action, and side effects. Additionally, this article focuses on TKIs which are running in the clinical trial and pre-clinical studies. Further, to gain insight into the pathophysiological mechanism of TKIs, we also reviewed the impact of RTK resistance on TKI clinical drugs along with their mechanistic acquired resistance in different cancer types.
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Sokolov AV, Dostdar SA, Attwood MM, Krasilnikova AA, Ilina AA, Nabieva AS, Lisitsyna AA, Chubarev VN, Tarasov VV, Schiöth HB. Brain Cancer Drug Discovery: Clinical Trials, Drug Classes, Targets, and Combinatorial Therapies. Pharmacol Rev 2021; 73:1-32. [PMID: 34663683 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain cancer is a formidable challenge for drug development, and drugs derived from many cutting-edge technologies are being tested in clinical trials. We manually characterized 981 clinical trials on brain tumors that were registered in ClinicalTrials.gov from 2010 to 2020. We identified 582 unique therapeutic entities targeting 581 unique drug targets and 557 unique treatment combinations involving drugs. We performed the classification of both the drugs and drug targets based on pharmacological and structural classifications. Our analysis demonstrates a large diversity of agents and targets. Currently, we identified 32 different pharmacological directions for therapies that are based on 42 structural classes of agents. Our analysis shows that kinase inhibitors, chemotherapeutic agents, and cancer vaccines are the three most common classes of agents identified in trials. Agents in clinical trials demonstrated uneven distribution in combination approaches; chemotherapy agents, proteasome inhibitors, and immune modulators frequently appeared in combinations, whereas kinase inhibitors, modified immune effector cells did not as was shown by combination networks and descriptive statistics. This analysis provides an extensive overview of the drug discovery field in brain cancer, shifts that have been happening in recent years, and challenges that are likely to come. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review provides comprehensive quantitative analysis and discussion of the brain cancer drug discovery field, including classification of drug, targets, and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr V Sokolov
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.V.S., S.A.D., M.M.A., H.B.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy (A.V.S., S.A.D., A.A.K., A.A.I., A.S.N., A.A.L., V.N.C., V.V.T.) and Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology (V.V.T., H.B.S.), I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Samira A Dostdar
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.V.S., S.A.D., M.M.A., H.B.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy (A.V.S., S.A.D., A.A.K., A.A.I., A.S.N., A.A.L., V.N.C., V.V.T.) and Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology (V.V.T., H.B.S.), I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Misty M Attwood
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.V.S., S.A.D., M.M.A., H.B.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy (A.V.S., S.A.D., A.A.K., A.A.I., A.S.N., A.A.L., V.N.C., V.V.T.) and Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology (V.V.T., H.B.S.), I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aleksandra A Krasilnikova
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.V.S., S.A.D., M.M.A., H.B.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy (A.V.S., S.A.D., A.A.K., A.A.I., A.S.N., A.A.L., V.N.C., V.V.T.) and Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology (V.V.T., H.B.S.), I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia A Ilina
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.V.S., S.A.D., M.M.A., H.B.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy (A.V.S., S.A.D., A.A.K., A.A.I., A.S.N., A.A.L., V.N.C., V.V.T.) and Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology (V.V.T., H.B.S.), I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Amina Sh Nabieva
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.V.S., S.A.D., M.M.A., H.B.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy (A.V.S., S.A.D., A.A.K., A.A.I., A.S.N., A.A.L., V.N.C., V.V.T.) and Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology (V.V.T., H.B.S.), I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna A Lisitsyna
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.V.S., S.A.D., M.M.A., H.B.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy (A.V.S., S.A.D., A.A.K., A.A.I., A.S.N., A.A.L., V.N.C., V.V.T.) and Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology (V.V.T., H.B.S.), I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir N Chubarev
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.V.S., S.A.D., M.M.A., H.B.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy (A.V.S., S.A.D., A.A.K., A.A.I., A.S.N., A.A.L., V.N.C., V.V.T.) and Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology (V.V.T., H.B.S.), I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vadim V Tarasov
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.V.S., S.A.D., M.M.A., H.B.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy (A.V.S., S.A.D., A.A.K., A.A.I., A.S.N., A.A.L., V.N.C., V.V.T.) and Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology (V.V.T., H.B.S.), I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Department of Neuroscience, Functional Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (A.V.S., S.A.D., M.M.A., H.B.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy (A.V.S., S.A.D., A.A.K., A.A.I., A.S.N., A.A.L., V.N.C., V.V.T.) and Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology (V.V.T., H.B.S.), I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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Abstract
Brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) is the most common cause of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), particularly in young patients. However, the exact cause of bAVM bleeding and rupture is not yet fully understood. In bAVMs, blood bypasses the entire capillary bed and directly flows from arteries to veins. The vessel walls in bAVMs have structural defects, which impair vascular integrity. Mural cells are essential structural and functional components of blood vessels and play a critical role in maintaining vascular integrity. Changes in mural cell number and coverage have been implicated in bAVMs. In this review, we discussed the roles of mural cells in bAVM pathogenesis. We focused on 1) the recent advances in human and animal studies of bAVMs; 2) the importance of mural cells in vascular integrity; 3) the regulatory signaling pathways that regulate mural cell function. More specifically, the platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B)/PDGF receptor-β (PDGFR-β), EphrinB2/EphB4, and angiopoietins/tie2 signaling pathways that regulate mural cell-recruitment during vascular remodeling were discussed in detail.
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Lavoie RR, Gargollo PC, Ahmed ME, Kim Y, Baer E, Phelps DA, Charlesworth CM, Madden BJ, Wang L, Houghton PJ, Cheville J, Dong H, Granberg CF, Lucien F. Surfaceome Profiling of Rhabdomyosarcoma Reveals B7-H3 as a Mediator of Immune Evasion. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184528. [PMID: 34572755 PMCID: PMC8466404 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel therapeutic strategies are needed for the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children. By using a combination of cell surface proteomics and transcriptomic profiling of RMS and normal muscle, we generated a catalog of targetable cell surface proteins enriched in RMS tumors. Among the top candidates, we identified B7-H3 as the major immunoregulatory molecule expressed by RMS tumors. By using a large cohort of tissue specimens, we demonstrated that B7-H3 is expressed in a majority of RMS tumors while not detected in normal human tissues. Through a deconvolution analysis of the RMS tumor RNA-seq data, we showed that B7-H3-rich tumors are enriched in macrophages M1, NK cells, and depleted in CD8+-T cells. Furthermore, in vitro functional assays showed that B7-H3 knockout in RMS tumor cells increases T-cell mediated cytotoxicity. Altogether, our study uncovers new potential targets for the treatment of RMS and provides the first biological insights into the role of B7-H3 in RMS biology, paving the way for the development of next-generation immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxane R. Lavoie
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (R.R.L.); (P.C.G.); (M.E.A.); (Y.K.); (E.B.); (H.D.); (C.F.G.)
| | - Patricio C. Gargollo
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (R.R.L.); (P.C.G.); (M.E.A.); (Y.K.); (E.B.); (H.D.); (C.F.G.)
| | - Mohamed E. Ahmed
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (R.R.L.); (P.C.G.); (M.E.A.); (Y.K.); (E.B.); (H.D.); (C.F.G.)
| | - Yohan Kim
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (R.R.L.); (P.C.G.); (M.E.A.); (Y.K.); (E.B.); (H.D.); (C.F.G.)
| | - Emily Baer
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (R.R.L.); (P.C.G.); (M.E.A.); (Y.K.); (E.B.); (H.D.); (C.F.G.)
| | - Doris A. Phelps
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (D.A.P.); (P.J.H.)
| | | | - Benjamin J. Madden
- Proteomic Core, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (C.M.C.); (B.J.M.)
| | - Liguo Wang
- Division of Computational Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA;
| | - Peter J. Houghton
- Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (D.A.P.); (P.J.H.)
| | - John Cheville
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA;
| | - Haidong Dong
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (R.R.L.); (P.C.G.); (M.E.A.); (Y.K.); (E.B.); (H.D.); (C.F.G.)
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Candace F. Granberg
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (R.R.L.); (P.C.G.); (M.E.A.); (Y.K.); (E.B.); (H.D.); (C.F.G.)
| | - Fabrice Lucien
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA; (R.R.L.); (P.C.G.); (M.E.A.); (Y.K.); (E.B.); (H.D.); (C.F.G.)
- Correspondence:
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Role of EphA4 in Mediating Motor Neuron Death in MND. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179430. [PMID: 34502339 PMCID: PMC8430883 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179430] [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: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron disease (MND) comprises a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases with no effective cure. As progressive motor neuron cell death is one of pathological characteristics of MND, molecules which protect these cells are attractive therapeutic targets. Accumulating evidence indicates that EphA4 activation is involved in MND pathogenesis, and inhibition of EphA4 improves functional outcomes. However, the underlying mechanism of EphA4’s function in MND is unclear. In this review, we first present results to demonstrate that EphA4 signalling acts directly on motor neurons to cause cell death. We then review the three most likely mechanisms underlying this effect.
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Yi C, Zhang X, Li H, Chen G, Zeng B, Li Y, Wang C, He Y, Chen X, Huang Z, Yu D. EPHB4 Regulates the Proliferation and Metastasis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma through the HMGB1/NF-κB Signalling Pathway. J Cancer 2021; 12:5999-6011. [PMID: 34539874 PMCID: PMC8425198 DOI: 10.7150/jca.59331] [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: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Malignant proliferation and cervical lymphatic metastasis restrict the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular B4 (EPHB4) regulates a series of tumour functions involving tumourigenesis, cancer cell attachment and metastasis. However, the mechanism of EphB4 regulating the malignant progression of OSCC has not been fully elucidated. Methods: EPHB4 expression was analysed in 65 OSCC samples and adjacent noncancerous tissues through immunohistochemistry (IHC). siRNA and overexpression plasmids were transfected into OSCC cells to modify EPHB4 expression, and then, regulatory functions were explored in vitro and in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and mass spectrometry were applied to detect proteins interacting with EPHB4. Subsequently, protein stability assays and NF-κB pathway inhibition assays were used to verify the regulation of EPHB4, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. Results: EPHB4 was found to be highly expressed in OSCC tissues, which was related to tumour stage and lymphatic metastasis and resulted in a poor prognosis. Cellular experiments and mouse tongue xenograft models further confirmed that high EPHB4 expression promoted the proliferation and metastasis of OSCC tumours. Mechanistically, co-IP and mass spectrometry studies indicated that EPHB4 could bind to HMGB1 and maintain HMGB1 stability. Downregulation of HMGB1 inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of OSCC cells and inhibited NF-κB phosphorylation activation but did not affect EPHB4 expression. Conclusion: This study revealed the mechanism by which EPHB4 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of OSCC by activating the HMGB1-mediated NF-κB signalling pathway, which can be exploited as a novel marker or therapeutic target to control metastasis and improve the survival rate of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Xiliu Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Hongyu Li
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Guanhui Chen
- Department of Stomatology, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen. Guangdong, China, 518107
| | - Binghui Zeng
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Yiming Li
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Yi He
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Xun Chen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
| | - Zixian Huang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510120
| | - Dongsheng Yu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510055
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