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González-Muñoz T, Di Giannatale A, García-Silva S, Santos V, Sánchez-Redondo S, Savini C, Graña-Castro O, Blanco-Aparicio C, Fischer S, De Wever O, Creus-Bachiller E, Ortega-Bertran S, Pisapia DJ, Rodríguez-Peralto JL, Fernández-Rodríguez J, Pérez-Portabella CR, Alaggio R, Benassi MS, Pazzaglia L, Scotlandi K, Ratner N, Yohay K, Theuer CP, Peinado H. Endoglin, a Novel Biomarker and Therapeutical Target to Prevent Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Growth and Metastasis. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:3744-3758. [PMID: 37432984 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-2462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are highly aggressive soft-tissue sarcomas that lack effective treatments, underscoring the urgent need to uncover novel mediators of MPNST pathogenesis that may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Tumor angiogenesis is considered a critical event in MPNST transformation and progression. Here, we have investigated whether endoglin (ENG), a TGFβ coreceptor with a crucial role in angiogenesis, could be a novel therapeutic target in MPNSTs. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN ENG expression was evaluated in human peripheral nerve sheath tumor tissues and plasma samples. Effects of tumor cell-specific ENG expression on gene expression, signaling pathway activation and in vivo MPNST growth and metastasis, were investigated. The efficacy of ENG targeting in monotherapy or in combination with MEK inhibition was analyzed in xenograft models. RESULTS ENG expression was found to be upregulated in both human MPNST tumor tissues and plasma-circulating small extracellular vesicles. We demonstrated that ENG modulates Smad1/5 and MAPK/ERK pathway activation and pro-angiogenic and pro-metastatic gene expression in MPNST cells and plays an active role in tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Targeting with ENG-neutralizing antibodies (TRC105/M1043) decreased MPNST growth and metastasis in xenograft models by reducing tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Moreover, combination of anti-ENG therapy with MEK inhibition effectively reduced tumor cell growth and angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our data unveil a tumor-promoting function of ENG in MPNSTs and support the use of this protein as a novel biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa González-Muñoz
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Angela Di Giannatale
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Susana García-Silva
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa Santos
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Sánchez-Redondo
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Claudia Savini
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Patients in Science, Medical Writing and Communication, Valencia, Spain
| | - Osvaldo Graña-Castro
- Bioinformatics Unit, Structural Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Blanco-Aparicio
- Experimental Therapeutics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Suzanne Fischer
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier De Wever
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Edgar Creus-Bachiller
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Ortega-Bertran
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David J Pisapia
- Englander Institute of Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Jose L Rodríguez-Peralto
- Department of Dermatology, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Complutense University of Madrid, Investigation institute I+12, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juana Fernández-Rodríguez
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Plataforma Mouse Lab, Servicios Científico-Técnicos, IDIBELL, l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Rita Alaggio
- Pathology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Serena Benassi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Pazzaglia
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Kaleb Yohay
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | | | - Héctor Peinado
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
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2
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Hakuno SK, Janson SGT, Trietsch MD, de Graaf M, de Jonge-Muller E, Crobach S, Harryvan TJ, Boonstra JJ, Dinjens WNM, Slingerland M, Hawinkels LJAC. Endoglin and squamous cell carcinomas. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1112573. [PMID: 37396898 PMCID: PMC10313935 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1112573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the fact that the role of endoglin on endothelial cells has been extensively described, its expression and biological role on (epithelial) cancer cells is still debatable. Especially its function on squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells is largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated SCC endoglin expression and function in three types of SCCs; head and neck (HNSCC), esophageal (ESCC) and vulvar (VSCC) cancers. Endoglin expression was evaluated in tumor specimens and 14 patient-derived cell lines. Next to being expressed on angiogenic endothelial cells, endoglin is selectively expressed by individual SCC cells in tumor nests. Patient derived HNSCC, ESCC and VSCC cell lines express varying levels of endoglin with high interpatient variation. To assess the function of endoglin in signaling of TGF-β ligands, endoglin was overexpressed or knocked out or the signaling was blocked using TRC105, an endoglin neutralizing antibody. The endoglin ligand BMP-9 induced strong phosphorylation of SMAD1 independent of expression of the type-I receptor ALK1. Interestingly, we observed that endoglin overexpression leads to strongly increased soluble endoglin levels, which in turn decreases BMP-9 signaling. On the functional level, endoglin, both in a ligand dependent and independent manner, did not influence proliferation or migration of the SCC cells. In conclusion, these data show endoglin expression on individual cells in the tumor nests in SCCs and a role for (soluble) endoglin in paracrine signaling, without directly affecting proliferation or migration in an autocrine manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Hakuno
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Stefanus G. T. Janson
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marjolijn D. Trietsch
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Manon de Graaf
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Eveline de Jonge-Muller
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Stijn Crobach
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Tom J. Harryvan
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jurjen J. Boonstra
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Winand N. M. Dinjens
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marije Slingerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lukas J. A. C. Hawinkels
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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3
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Ruiz-Llorente L, Ruiz-Rodríguez MJ, Savini C, González-Muñoz T, Riveiro-Falkenbach E, Rodríguez-Peralto JL, Peinado H, Bernabeu C. Correlation Between Endoglin and Malignant Phenotype in Human Melanoma Cells: Analysis of hsa-mir-214 and hsa-mir-370 in Cells and Their Extracellular Vesicles. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1408:253-272. [PMID: 37093432 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-26163-3_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Endoglin (CD105) is an auxiliary receptor of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family members that is expressed in human melanomas. It is heterogeneously expressed by primary and metastatic melanoma cells, and endoglin targeting as a therapeutic strategy for melanoma tumors is currently been explored. However, its involvement in tumor development and malignancy is not fully understood. Here, we find that endoglin expression correlates with malignancy of primary melanomas and cultured melanoma cell lines. Next, we have analyzed the effect of ectopic endoglin expression on two miRNAs (hsa-mir-214 and hsa-mir-370), both involved in melanoma tumor progression and endoglin regulation. We show that compared with control cells, overexpression of endoglin in the WM-164 melanoma cell line induces; (i) a significant increase of hsa-mir-214 levels in small extracellular vesicles (EVs) as well as an increased trend in cells; and (ii) significantly lower levels of hsa-mir-370 in the EVs fractions, whereas no significant differences were found in cells. As hsa-mir-214 and hsa-mir-370 are not just involved in melanoma tumor progression, but they can also target endoglin-expressing endothelial cells in the tumor vasculature, these results suggest a complex and differential regulatory mechanism involving the intracellular and extracellular signaling of hsa-mir-214 and hsa-mir-370 in melanoma development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Ruiz-Llorente
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of System Biology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
| | - María Jesús Ruiz-Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Claudia Savini
- Microenvironment & Metastasis Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa González-Muñoz
- Microenvironment & Metastasis Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Erica Riveiro-Falkenbach
- Department of Pathology, Instituto i+12, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - José L Rodríguez-Peralto
- Department of Pathology, Instituto i+12, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Héctor Peinado
- Microenvironment & Metastasis Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmelo Bernabeu
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040, Madrid, Spain
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4
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Ewing Sarcoma Meets Epigenetics, Immunology and Nanomedicine: Moving Forward into Novel Therapeutic Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14215473. [PMID: 36358891 PMCID: PMC9658520 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ewing Sarcoma treatment is traditionally based on chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. Although these standard of care regimens are efficient at early disease stages, many patients fail to respond appropriately, which has prompted the search for more efficacious and specific treatments. A deeper understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms underlying the biology of both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment, as well as advances in drug delivery, has led to the development of different approaches to improve the treatment in Ewing Sarcoma patients. Thus, epigenetic, and immunotherapy-based drugs, along with nanotechnology delivery strategies, represent novel preclinical and clinical studies in the treatment of Ewing Sarcoma. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of these emerging therapeutic strategies and summarize the potential of the latest preclinical and clinical trials in Ewing Sarcoma research. Finally, we underline the value and future directions of these new treatments. Abstract Ewing Sarcoma (EWS) is an aggressive bone and soft tissue tumor that mainly affects children, adolescents, and young adults. The standard therapy, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy, has substantially improved the survival of EWS patients with localized disease. Unfortunately, this multimodal treatment remains elusive in clinics for those patients with recurrent or metastatic disease who have an unfavorable prognosis. Consistently, there is an urgent need to find new strategies for patients that fail to respond to standard therapies. In this regard, in the last decade, treatments targeting epigenetic dependencies in tumor cells and the immune system have emerged into the clinical scenario. Additionally, recent advances in nanomedicine provide novel delivery drug systems, which may address challenges such as side effects and toxicity. Therefore, therapeutic strategies stemming from epigenetics, immunology, and nanomedicine yield promising alternatives for treating these patients. In this review, we highlight the most relevant EWS preclinical and clinical studies in epigenetics, immunotherapy, and nanotherapy conducted in the last five years.
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5
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Kim MS, Lee WS, Lee H, Jin W. TrkC, a novel prognostic marker, induces and maintains cell survival and metastatic dissemination of Ewing sarcoma by inhibiting EWSR1-FLI1 degradation. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:836. [PMID: 36171207 PMCID: PMC9519565 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05275-w] [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: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Upregulation of EWSR1-FLI1 expression has been associated with invasiveness, induced cell survival, metastatic dissemination, and acquisition of self-renewal traits in Ewing sarcoma (ES). Although existing evidence implies that TrkC expression is linked to the pathogenesis of other cancer types, its role and the mechanism behind its correlation with EWSR1-FLI1 in the pathogenesis of ES remain unclear. In this study, we uncovered a novel physiological role of TrkC as a key regulator of EWSR1-FLI1 involved in the survival and metastatic dissemination of ES. TrkC was observed to be frequently overexpressed in human metastatic ES cells in vitro and in vivo, facilitating enhanced survival, tumorigenicity, and metastasis of ES cells. TrkC-mediated metastasis of ES cells was induced by the inhibition of the proteasomal degradation of EWSR1-FLI1 via the TrkC/EWSR1-FLI1 complex, which subsequently enabled the induction of the target proteins, EGR2 and NKX2.2. Moreover, TrkC significantly inhibited tumor suppressor activity of TGF-β through reduction of the mRNA expression of one of its receptors, TGFBR2 via TrkC-induced stabilization of EWSR1-FLI1. Furthermore, loss of TrkC expression inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in experimental mouse models. This study is the first to report the involvement and functional role of TrkC in the pathogenesis of ES, suggesting important implications for understanding the alterations of TrkC in Ewing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Soo Kim
- grid.256155.00000 0004 0647 2973Laboratory of Molecular Disease and Cell Regulation, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, 21999 Republic of Korea
| | - Won Sung Lee
- grid.256155.00000 0004 0647 2973Laboratory of Molecular Disease and Cell Regulation, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, 21999 Republic of Korea
| | - Hanki Lee
- grid.410898.c0000 0001 2339 0388Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Program of Biomodulation, Myongji University, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17058 Republic of Korea
| | - Wook Jin
- grid.256155.00000 0004 0647 2973Laboratory of Molecular Disease and Cell Regulation, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, 21999 Republic of Korea
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6
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Puerto-Camacho P, Díaz-Martín J, Olmedo-Pelayo J, Bolado-Carrancio A, Salguero-Aranda C, Jordán-Pérez C, Esteban-Medina M, Álamo-Álvarez I, Delgado-Bellido D, Lobo-Selma L, Dopazo J, Sastre A, Alonso J, Grünewald TGP, Bernabeu C, Byron A, Brunton VG, Amaral AT, Álava ED. Endoglin and MMP14 Contribute to Ewing Sarcoma Spreading by Modulation of Cell–Matrix Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158657. [PMID: 35955799 PMCID: PMC9369355 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Endoglin (ENG) is a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) marker typically expressed by active endothelium. This transmembrane glycoprotein is shed by matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14). Our previous work demonstrated potent preclinical activity of first-in-class anti-ENG antibody-drug conjugates as a nascent strategy to eradicate Ewing sarcoma (ES), a devastating rare bone/soft tissue cancer with a putative MSC origin. We also defined a correlation between ENG and MMP14 expression in ES. Herein, we show that ENG expression is significantly associated with a dismal prognosis in a large cohort of ES patients. Moreover, both ENG/MMP14 are frequently expressed in primary ES tumors and metastasis. To deepen in their functional relevance in ES, we conducted transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of in vitro ES models that unveiled a key role of ENG and MMP14 in cell mechano-transduction. Migration and adhesion assays confirmed that loss of ENG disrupts actin filament assembly and filopodia formation, with a concomitant effect on cell spreading. Furthermore, we observed that ENG regulates cell–matrix interaction through activation of focal adhesion signaling and protein kinase C expression. In turn, loss of MMP14 contributed to a more adhesive phenotype of ES cells by modulating the transcriptional extracellular matrix dynamics. Overall, these results suggest that ENG and MMP14 exert a significant role in mediating correct spreading machinery of ES cells, impacting the aggressiveness of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Puerto-Camacho
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Molecular Pathology of Sarcomas, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Juan Díaz-Martín
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Molecular Pathology of Sarcomas, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Department of Normal and Pathological Cytology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Joaquín Olmedo-Pelayo
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Molecular Pathology of Sarcomas, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Department of Normal and Pathological Cytology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Alfonso Bolado-Carrancio
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Carmen Salguero-Aranda
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Molecular Pathology of Sarcomas, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Department of Normal and Pathological Cytology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Carmen Jordán-Pérez
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Molecular Pathology of Sarcomas, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Marina Esteban-Medina
- Clinical Bioinformatics Area, Fundación Progreso y Salud (FPS), CDCA, Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Álamo-Álvarez
- Clinical Bioinformatics Area, Fundación Progreso y Salud (FPS), CDCA, Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Daniel Delgado-Bellido
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Molecular Pathology of Sarcomas, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Laura Lobo-Selma
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Molecular Pathology of Sarcomas, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Department of Normal and Pathological Cytology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Joaquín Dopazo
- Clinical Bioinformatics Area, Fundación Progreso y Salud (FPS), CDCA, Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Ana Sastre
- Unidad Hemato-oncología Pediátrica, Hospital Infantil Universitario La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Alonso
- Unidad Hemato-oncología Pediátrica, Hospital Infantil Universitario La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (IIER-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CB06/07/1009; CIBERER-ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Thomas G. P. Grünewald
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Hopp-Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carmelo Bernabeu
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Adam Byron
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Valerie G. Brunton
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Ana Teresa Amaral
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Molecular Pathology of Sarcomas, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Department of Normal and Pathological Cytology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.T.A.); (E.D.Á.)
| | - Enrique De Álava
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Molecular Pathology of Sarcomas, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Department of Normal and Pathological Cytology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.T.A.); (E.D.Á.)
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7
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Fayzullina D, Tsibulnikov S, Stempen M, Schroeder BA, Kumar N, Kharwar RK, Acharya A, Timashev P, Ulasov I. Novel Targeted Therapeutic Strategies for Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081988. [PMID: 35454895 PMCID: PMC9032664 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081988] [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: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ewing sarcoma is an uncommon cancer that arises in mesenchymal tissues and represents the second most widespread malignant bone neoplasm after osteosarcoma in children. Therapy has increased the 5-year survival rate in the last 40 years, although the recurrence rate has remained high. There is an immediate and unmet need for the development of novel Ewing sarcoma therapies. We offer new prospective targets for the therapy of Ewing sarcoma. The EWSR1/FLI1 fusion protein, which is identified in 85–90% of Ewing sarcoma tumors, and its direct targets are given special focus in this study. Experimantal therapy that targets multiple signaling pathways activated during ES progression, alone or in combination with existing regimens, may become the new standard of care for Ewing sarcoma patients, improving patient survival. Abstract Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an uncommon cancer that arises in mesenchymal tissues and represents the second most widespread malignant bone neoplasm after osteosarcoma in children. Amplifications in genomic, proteomic, and metabolism are characteristics of sarcoma, and targeting altered cancer cell molecular processes has been proposed as the latest promising strategy to fight cancer. Recent technological advancements have elucidated some of the underlying oncogenic characteristics of Ewing sarcoma. Offering new insights into the physiological basis for this phenomenon, our current review examines the dynamics of ES signaling as it related to both ES and the microenvironment by integrating genomic and proteomic analyses. An extensive survey of the literature was performed to compile the findings. We have also highlighted recent and ongoing studies integrating metabolomics and genomics aimed at better understanding the complex interactions as to how ES adapts to changing biochemical changes within the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Fayzullina
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Sergey Tsibulnikov
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Mikhail Stempen
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
| | - Brett A. Schroeder
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
| | - Naveen Kumar
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India; (N.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Rajesh Kumar Kharwar
- Endocrine Research Lab, Department of Zoology, Kutir Post Graduate College, Chakkey, Jaunpur 222146, India;
| | - Arbind Acharya
- Tumor Immunology Lab, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India; (N.K.); (A.A.)
| | - Peter Timashev
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
- Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Ilya Ulasov
- Group of Experimental Biotherapy and Diagnostic, Department of Advanced Materials, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia; (D.F.); (S.T.); (M.S.); (P.T.)
- Correspondence:
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8
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Pawlak JB, Blobe GC. TGF-β superfamily co-receptors in cancer. Dev Dyn 2022; 251:137-163. [PMID: 33797167 PMCID: PMC8484463 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily signaling via their cognate receptors is frequently modified by TGF-β superfamily co-receptors. Signaling through SMAD-mediated pathways may be enhanced or depressed depending on the specific co-receptor and cell context. This dynamic effect on signaling is further modified by the release of many of the co-receptors from the membrane to generate soluble forms that are often antagonistic to the membrane-bound receptors. The co-receptors discussed here include TβRIII (betaglycan), endoglin, BAMBI, CD109, SCUBE proteins, neuropilins, Cripto-1, MuSK, and RGMs. Dysregulation of these co-receptors can lead to altered TGF-β superfamily signaling that contributes to the pathophysiology of many cancers through regulation of growth, metastatic potential, and the tumor microenvironment. Here we describe the role of several TGF-β superfamily co-receptors on TGF-β superfamily signaling and the impact on cellular and physiological functions with a particular focus on cancer, including a discussion on recent pharmacological advances and potential clinical applications targeting these co-receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerard C. Blobe
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center,Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center,Corresponding author: Gerard Blobe, B354 LSRC, Box 91004 DUMC, Durham, NC 27708, , 919-668-1352
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9
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Morales E, Olson M, Iglesias F, Dahiya S, Luetkens T, Atanackovic D. Role of immunotherapy in Ewing sarcoma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-000653. [PMID: 33293354 PMCID: PMC7725096 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is thought to arise from mesenchymal stem cells and is the second most common bone sarcoma in pediatric patients and young adults. Given the dismal overall outcomes and very intensive therapies used, there is an urgent need to explore and develop alternative treatment modalities including immunotherapies. In this article, we provide an overview of ES biology, features of ES tumor microenvironment (TME) and review various tumor-associated antigens that can be targeted with immune-based approaches including cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, T cell receptor-transduced T cells, and chimeric antigen receptor T cells. We highlight key reasons for the limited efficacy of various immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of ES to date. These factors include absence of human leukocyte antigen class I molecules from the tumor tissue, lack of an ideal surface antigen, and immunosuppressive TME due to the presence of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, F2 fibrocytes, and M2-like macrophages. Lastly, we offer insights into strategies for novel therapeutics development in ES. These strategies include the development of gene-modified T cell receptor T cells against cancer–testis antigen such as XAGE-1, surface target discovery through detailed profiling of ES surface proteome, and combinatorial approaches. In summary, we provide state-of-the-art science in ES tumor immunology and immunotherapy, with rationale and recommendations for future therapeutics development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Morales
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Michael Olson
- Cancer Immunotherapy, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Fiorella Iglesias
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Saurabh Dahiya
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tim Luetkens
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Cancer Immunotherapy, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Djordje Atanackovic
- Cancer Immunotherapy, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA .,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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10
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Antibody Conjugates for Sarcoma Therapy: How Far along Are We? Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9080978. [PMID: 34440182 PMCID: PMC8392509 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are one of the most difficult type of cancer to manage and treat because of their extremely heterogeneous molecular and morphological features. Despite the progress made over the years in the establishment of standard protocols for high and low grading/staging sarcoma patients, mostly with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, 50% of treated patients experience relapse episodes. Because of this, in the last 20 years, new therapeutic approaches for sarcoma treatment have been evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. Among them, antibody-based therapies have been the most studied. Immunoconjugates consist of a carrier portion, frequently represented by an antibody, linked to a toxic moiety, i.e., a drug, toxin, or radionuclide. While the efficacy of immunoconjugates is well demonstrated in the therapy of hematological tumors and more recently also of epithelial ones, their potential as therapeutic agents against sarcomas is still not completely explored. In this paper, we summarize the results obtained with immunoconjugates targeting sarcoma surface antigens, considering both preclinical and clinical studies. To date, the encouraging results obtained in preclinical studies allowed nine immunoconjugates to enter clinical trials, demonstrating the validity of immunotherapy as a promising pharmacological tool also for sarcoma therapy.
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11
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Endoglin in the Spotlight to Treat Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063186. [PMID: 33804796 PMCID: PMC8003971 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A spotlight has been shone on endoglin in recent years due to that fact of its potential to serve as both a reliable disease biomarker and a therapeutic target. Indeed, endoglin has now been assigned many roles in both physiological and pathological processes. From a molecular point of view, endoglin mainly acts as a co-receptor in the canonical TGFβ pathway, but also it may be shed and released from the membrane, giving rise to the soluble form, which also plays important roles in cell signaling. In cancer, in particular, endoglin may contribute to either an oncogenic or a non-oncogenic phenotype depending on the cell context. The fact that endoglin is expressed by neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells within the tumor microenvironment suggests new possibilities for targeted therapies. Here, we aimed to review and discuss the many roles played by endoglin in different tumor types, as well as the strong evidence provided by pre-clinical and clinical studies that supports the therapeutic targeting of endoglin as a novel clinical strategy.
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12
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Abstract
Microvascular proliferation is a key feature of glioblastoma and neovascularization has been implicated in tumor progression. Glioblastomas use pro-angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for new blood vessel formation. Yet, anti-VEGF therapy does not prolong overall survival so that alternative angiogenic pathways may need to be explored as drug targets. Both glioma cells and glioma-associated endothelial cells produce TGF-β superfamily ligands which bind TGF-β receptors (TGF-βR). The TGF-βR type III endoglin (CD105), is a marker of proliferating endothelium that has already been studied as a potential therapeutic target. We studied endoglin expression in glioblastoma tissue and in glioma-associated endothelial cells in a cohort of 52 newly diagnosed and 10 recurrent glioblastoma patients by immunohistochemistry and by ex vivo single-cell gene expression profiling of 6 tumors. Endoglin protein levels were similar in tumor stroma and endothelium and correlated within tumors. Similarly, endoglin mRNA determined by ex vivo single-cell gene expression profiling was expressed in both compartments. There was positive correlation between endoglin and proteins of TGF-β superfamily signaling. No prognostic role of endoglin expression in either compartment was identified. Endoglin gene silencing in T98G glioma cells and in human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC) did not affect constitutive or exogenous TGF-β superfamily ligand-dependent signaling, except for a minor facilitation of pSmad1/5 signaling in hCMEC. These observations challenge the notion that endoglin might become a promising therapeutic target in glioblastoma.
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13
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Chen TWW, Burns J, Jones RL, Huang PH. Optimal Clinical Management and the Molecular Biology of Angiosarcomas. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3321. [PMID: 33182685 PMCID: PMC7696056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiosarcomas comprise less than 3% of all soft tissue sarcomas but have a poor prognosis. Most angiosarcomas occur without obvious risk factors but secondary angiosarcoma could arise after radiotherapy or chronic lymphedema. Surgery remains the standard treatment for localized angiosarcoma but neoadjuvant systemic treatment may improve the curability. For advanced angiosarcoma, anthracyclines and taxanes are the main chemotherapy options. Anti-angiogenic agents have a substantial role but the failure of a randomized phase 3 trial of pazopanib with or without an anti-endoglin antibody brings a challenge to future trials in angiosarcomas. Immune checkpoint inhibitors as single agents or in combination with oncolytic virus may play an important role but the optimal duration remains to be investigated. We also report the current understanding of the molecular pathways involved in angiosarcoma pathogenesis including MYC amplification, activation of angiogenic pathways and different molecular alterations that are associated with angiosarcomas of different aetiology. The success of the patient-partnered Angiosarcoma Project (ASCProject) has provided not only detailed insights into the molecular features of angiosarcomas of different origins but also offers a template for future fruitful collaborations between patients, physicians, and researchers. Lastly, we provide our perspective of future developments in optimizing the clinical management of angiosarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Wei-Wu Chen
- Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital and Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Jessica Burns
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK;
| | - Robin L. Jones
- Sarcoma Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JJ, UK;
| | - Paul H. Huang
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK;
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14
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Fahs A, Ramadan F, Ghamloush F, Ayoub AJ, Ahmad FA, Kobeissy F, Mechref Y, Zhao J, Zhu R, Hussein N, Saab R, Ghayad SE. Effects of the Oncoprotein PAX3-FOXO1 on Modulation of Exosomes Function and Protein Content: Implications on Oxidative Stress Protection and Enhanced Plasticity. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1784. [PMID: 33117671 PMCID: PMC7560303 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly malignant soft tissue sarcoma classified into two major histologic subtypes: embryonal (ERMS) and alveolar (ARMS). ARMS subtype is clinically more aggressive, and characterized by an oncogenic fusion protein PAX3-FOXO1 (P3F) that drives oncogenic cellular properties. To understand the role of the fusion oncoprotein in paracrine signaling, we focused on secreted exosomes, which have been demonstrated to contribute to metastasis in multiple tumor types. Advanced Proteomics-bioinformatics analysis of the protein cargo of exosomes isolated from C2C12 myoblasts transduced with P3F fusion gene revealed 52 deregulated proteins compared to control cells, with 26 enriched and 26 depleted proteins. Using both PANTHER gene classification and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software, we found that the main biological processes in which the 52 deregulated proteins are involved, include “catalytic activity,” “binding,” “metabolic process,” and “cellular process.” The pathways engaging the 26 enriched proteins include the “14-3-3 mediated signaling,” “cell cycle,” and “ERK5, VEGF, IGF1,and p70S6K signaling.” Furthermore, the main nodes in which deregulated exosome proteins and miRNAs intersected revealed pathways conferring protection from stress and promoting plasticity. Based on the bioinformatics analysis and the altered exosome proteome profile, we performed biochemical functional analysis to study the diverse properties of these exosomes where angiogenesis, stemness, and anti-oxidative stress properties were validated using different platforms. P3F-modulated exosomes activated ERK, 4-EBP1, and MMP-2 in recipient cells, and enhanced angiogenesis and stemness. In addition, P3F led to lower cellular reactive oxygen species levels and enhanced resistance against oxidative stress; and treatment of stromal cells with P3F-modulated exosomes also conferred protection against exogenous oxidative stress. Our findings highlight the role of P3F fusion protein in modulating exosome cargo to confer a protective effect on recipient cells against oxidative stress and to promote plasticity and survival, potentially contributing to the known aggressive phenotype of the fusion gene-positive subtype of RMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assil Fahs
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon.,Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Farah Ramadan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
| | - Farah Ghamloush
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Children's Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Abeer J Ayoub
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon.,Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Fatima Ali Ahmad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Yehia Mechref
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Jingfu Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Rui Zhu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Nader Hussein
- Cancer Biology Stem Cells and Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Raya Saab
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Children's Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sandra E Ghayad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
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15
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Hawkins AG, Pedersen EA, Treichel S, Temprine K, Sperring C, Read JA, Magnuson B, Chugh R, Lawlor ER. Wnt/β-catenin-activated Ewing sarcoma cells promote the angiogenic switch. JCI Insight 2020; 5:135188. [PMID: 32544094 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.135188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is active in small subpopulations of Ewing sarcoma cells, and these cells display a more metastatic phenotype, in part due to antagonism of EWS-FLI1-dependent transcriptional activity. Importantly, these β-catenin-activated Ewing sarcoma cells also alter secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. We thus hypothesized that, in addition to cell-autonomous mechanisms, Wnt/β-catenin-active tumor cells might contribute to disease progression by altering the tumor microenvironment (TME). Analysis of transcriptomic data from primary patient biopsies and from β-catenin-active versus -nonactive tumor cells identified angiogenic switch genes as being highly and reproducibly upregulated in the context of β-catenin activation. In addition, in silico and in vitro analyses, along with chorioallantoic membrane assays, demonstrated that β-catenin-activated Ewing cells secreted factors that promote angiogenesis. In particular, activation of canonical Wnt signaling leads Ewing sarcoma cells to upregulate expression and secretion of proangiogenic ECM proteins, collectively termed the angiomatrix. Significantly, our data show that induction of the angiomatrix by Wnt-responsive tumor cells is indirect and is mediated by TGF-β. Mechanistically, Wnt/β-catenin signaling antagonizes EWS-FLI1-dependent repression of TGF-β receptor type 2, thereby sensitizing tumor cells to TGF-β ligands. Together, these findings suggest that Wnt/β-catenin-active tumor cells can contribute to Ewing sarcoma progression by promoting angiogenesis in the local TME.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rashmi Chugh
- Rogel Cancer Center, and.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Lawlor
- Department of Pediatrics.,Department of Pathology.,Rogel Cancer Center, and
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16
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Qin SH, Lau ATY, Liang ZL, Tan HW, Ji YC, Zhong QH, Zhao XY, Xu YM. Resveratrol Promotes Tumor Microvessel Growth via Endoglin and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling Pathway and Enhances the Anticancer Efficacy of Gemcitabine against Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040974. [PMID: 32326402 PMCID: PMC7225973 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The synergistic anticancer effect of gemcitabine (GEM) and resveratrol (RSVL) has been noted in certain cancer types. However, whether the same phenomenon would occur in lung cancer is unclear. Here, we uncovered the molecular mechanism by which RSVL enhances the anticancer effect of GEM against lung cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. We established human lung adenocarcinoma HCC827 xenografts in nude mice and treated them with GEM and RSVL to detect their synergistic effect in vivo. Tumor tissue sections from nude mice were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining for blood vessel morphological observation, and immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect CD31-positive staining blood vessels. We also established the HCC827-human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) co-culture model to observe the tubule network formation. Human angiogenesis antibody array was used to screen the angiogenesis-related proteins in RSVL-treated HCC827. RSVL suppressed the expression of endoglin (ENG) and increased tumor microvessel growth and blood perfusion into tumor. Co-treatment of RSVL and GEM led to more tumor growth suppression than treatment of GEM alone. Mechanistically, using the HCC827-HUVEC co-culture model, we showed that RSVL-suppressed ENG expression was accompanied with augmented levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and increased tubule network formation, which may explain why RSVL promoted tumor microvessel growth in vivo. RSVL promoted tumor microvessel growth via ENG and ERK and enhanced the anticancer efficacy of GEM. Our results suggest that intake of RSVL may be beneficial during lung cancer chemotherapy.
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17
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Schoonderwoerd MJA, Goumans MJTH, Hawinkels LJAC. Endoglin: Beyond the Endothelium. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10020289. [PMID: 32059544 PMCID: PMC7072477 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Keywords: endoglin; CD105 TGF-β; BMP9; ALK-1; TRC105; tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J. A. Schoonderwoerd
- Department of Gastrenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Lukas J. A. C. Hawinkels
- Department of Gastrenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-71-526-6736
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18
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Dituri F, Cossu C, Mancarella S, Giannelli G. The Interactivity between TGFβ and BMP Signaling in Organogenesis, Fibrosis, and Cancer. Cells 2019; 8:E1130. [PMID: 31547567 PMCID: PMC6829314 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGFβ) and Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP) pathways intersect at multiple signaling hubs and cooperatively or counteractively participate to bring about cellular processes which are critical not only for tissue morphogenesis and organogenesis during development, but also for adult tissue homeostasis. The proper functioning of the TGFβ/BMP pathway depends on its communication with other signaling pathways and any deregulation leads to developmental defects or diseases, including fibrosis and cancer. In this review we explore the cellular and physio-pathological contexts in which the synergism or antagonism between the TGFβ and BMP pathways are crucial determinants for the normal developmental processes, as well as the progression of fibrosis and malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Dituri
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. De Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy.
| | - Carla Cossu
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. De Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy.
| | - Serena Mancarella
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. De Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy.
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. De Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy.
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19
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Gallardo-Vara E, Ruiz-Llorente L, Casado-Vela J, Ruiz-Rodríguez MJ, López-Andrés N, Pattnaik AK, Quintanilla M, Bernabeu C. Endoglin Protein Interactome Profiling Identifies TRIM21 and Galectin-3 as New Binding Partners. Cells 2019; 8:cells8091082. [PMID: 31540324 PMCID: PMC6769930 DOI: 10.3390/cells8091082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Endoglin is a 180-kDa glycoprotein receptor primarily expressed by the vascular endothelium and involved in cardiovascular disease and cancer. Heterozygous mutations in the endoglin gene (ENG) cause hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type 1, a vascular disease that presents with nasal and gastrointestinal bleeding, skin and mucosa telangiectases, and arteriovenous malformations in internal organs. A circulating form of endoglin (alias soluble endoglin, sEng), proteolytically released from the membrane-bound protein, has been observed in several inflammation-related pathological conditions and appears to contribute to endothelial dysfunction and cancer development through unknown mechanisms. Membrane-bound endoglin is an auxiliary component of the TGF-β receptor complex and the extracellular region of endoglin has been shown to interact with types I and II TGF-β receptors, as well as with BMP9 and BMP10 ligands, both members of the TGF-β family. To search for novel protein interactors, we screened a microarray containing over 9000 unique human proteins using recombinant sEng as bait. We find that sEng binds with high affinity, at least, to 22 new proteins. Among these, we validated the interaction of endoglin with galectin-3, a secreted member of the lectin family with capacity to bind membrane glycoproteins, and with tripartite motif-containing protein 21 (TRIM21), an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. Using human endothelial cells and Chinese hamster ovary cells, we showed that endoglin co-immunoprecipitates and co-localizes with galectin-3 or TRIM21. These results open new research avenues on endoglin function and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunate Gallardo-Vara
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.G.-V.); (L.R.-L.)
| | - Lidia Ruiz-Llorente
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.G.-V.); (L.R.-L.)
| | - Juan Casado-Vela
- Bioengineering and Aerospace Engineering Department, Universidad Carlos III and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Leganés, 28911 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Natalia López-Andrés
- Cardiovascular Translational Research, Navarrabiomed, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra (CHN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Asit K. Pattnaik
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA;
| | - Miguel Quintanilla
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols”, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), and Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.Q.); (C.B.)
| | - Carmelo Bernabeu
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (E.G.-V.); (L.R.-L.)
- Correspondence: (M.Q.); (C.B.)
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20
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The Tumor Microenvironment of Pediatric Sarcoma: Mesenchymal Mechanisms Regulating Cell Migration and Metastasis. Curr Oncol Rep 2019; 21:90. [PMID: 31418125 PMCID: PMC6695368 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-019-0839-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review presents a selection of regulatory molecules of tumor microenvironmental properties and metastasis. Signaling pathways controlling mesenchymal biology in bone and soft-tissue sarcomas found in children and adolescents are prioritized. RECENT FINDINGS The tumor microenvironment of pediatric tumors is still relatively unexplored. Highlighted findings are mainly on deregulated genes associated with cell adhesion, migration, and tumor cell dissemination. How these processes are involved in a mesenchymal phenotype and metastasis is further discussed in relation to the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in epithelial tumors. Cell plasticity is emerging as a concept with impact on tumor behavior. Sarcomas belong to a heterogeneous group of tumors where local recurrence and tumor spread pose major challenges despite intense multimodal treatments. Molecular pathways involved in the metastatic process are currently being characterized, and tumor-regulatory properties of structural components, and infiltrating, non-malignant cell types should be further investigated.
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21
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Giner F, López-Guerrero JA, Fernández-Serra A, Machado I, Mayordomo-Aranda E, Peydró-Olaya A, Llombart-Bosch A. Chemokine Expression Is Involved in the Vascular Neogenesis of Ewing Sarcoma: A Preliminary Analysis of the Early Stages of Angiogenesis in a Xenograft Model. Pediatr Dev Pathol 2019; 22:30-39. [PMID: 29895220 DOI: 10.1177/1093526618782497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is the second most common bone cancer in pediatric patients. Angiogenesis is a major factor for tumor growth and metastasis. Our aim was to carry out a histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular characterization of the neovascularization established between xenotransplanted tumors and the host during the initial phases of growth in nude mice in three angiogenesis experiments (ES2, ES3, and ES4). METHODS The original human EWS were implanted subcutaneously on the backs of three nude mice. Tumor pieces 3 mm-4 mm in size from early passages of Nu432, Nu495, and Nu471 were also implanted subcutaneously on the backs of three sets (ES2, ES3, and ES4) of athymic Balb-c nude mice (n = 14 each). The animals were sacrificed at 24, 48, and 96 hours and at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after implantation to perform histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular studies (neovascularization experiments). RESULTS We observed histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical changes in the xenografted tumor at different times after implantation. Chemokine ligand expression peaked twice, once during the first 48 hours and again in the second week. We observed that tumor cells in contact with murine peritumoral stroma presented higher expression of chemokine ligands as well as more tumor cells around the capillary vessels. Mouse serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels peaked twice, once in the first hours and then in the second week after tumor implantation. CONCLUSION Chemokines and other angiogenic factors may be relevant in the angiogenic mechanism during tumor growth. This model provides information on the early stages of the angiogenic process and could be a useful tool in researching anti-angiogenic drugs for new therapeutic strategies in EWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Giner
- 1 Department of Pathology, Universitat de València Estudi General, Valencia, Spain
| | - José A López-Guerrero
- 2 Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernández-Serra
- 2 Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, Valencia, Spain
| | - Isidro Machado
- 3 Department of Pathology, Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Amando Peydró-Olaya
- 1 Department of Pathology, Universitat de València Estudi General, Valencia, Spain
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22
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Xia Y, Cai XY, Fan JQ, Zhang LL, Ren JH, Li ZY, Zhang RG, Zhu F, Wu G. The role of sema4D in vasculogenic mimicry formation in non-small cell lung cancer and the underlying mechanisms. Int J Cancer 2018; 144:2227-2238. [PMID: 30374974 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 10/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a special vascular pattern in malignant tumors, which is composed of highly aggressive tumor cells. This tumor cell-mediated blood supply pattern is closely associated with a poor prognosis in cancer patients. The interaction of axon guidance factor Sema4D and its high affinity receptor plexinB1 could activate small GTPase RhoA and its downstream ROCKs; this process has an active role in the migration of endothelial cells and tumor angiogenesis. Here, we have begun to uncover the role of this pathway in VM formation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). First, we confirmed this special form of vasculature in NSCLC tissues and found the existence of VM channels in tumor tissues was correlated with Sema4D expression. Further, we found that inhibition of Sema4D in the human NSCLC cells H1299 and HCC827 reduces VM formation both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we demonstrated that downregulating the expression of plexinB1 by siRNA expressing vectors and inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway using fasudil can reduce VM formation of H1299 and HCC827 cells. Finally, we found that suppression of Sema4D leads to less stress fibers and depleted the motility of H1299 and HCC827 cells. Collectively, our study implicates Sema4D plays an important role in the process of VM formation in NSCLC through activating the RhoA/ROCK pathway and regulating tumor cell plasticity and migration. Modulation of the Sema4D/plexinB1 and downstream RhoA/ROCK pathway may prevent the tumor blood supply through the VM pattern, which may eventually halt growth and metastasis of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Xia
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xian-Yi Cai
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ji-Quan Fan
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li-Ling Zhang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing-Hua Ren
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhen-Yu Li
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui-Guang Zhang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Zhu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gang Wu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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23
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Puerto-Camacho P, Amaral AT, Lamhamedi-Cherradi SE, Menegaz BA, Castillo-Ecija H, Ordóñez JL, Domínguez S, Jordan-Perez C, Diaz-Martin J, Romero-Pérez L, Lopez-Alvarez M, Civantos-Jubera G, Robles-Frías MJ, Biscuola M, Ferrer C, Mora J, Cuglievan B, Schadler K, Seifert O, Kontermann R, Pfizenmaier K, Simón L, Fabre M, Carcaboso ÁM, Ludwig JA, de Álava E. Preclinical Efficacy of Endoglin-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugates for the Treatment of Ewing Sarcoma. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 25:2228-2240. [PMID: 30420447 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-0936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Endoglin (ENG; CD105) is a coreceptor of the TGFβ family that is highly expressed in proliferating endothelial cells. Often coopted by cancer cells, ENG can lead to neo-angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry in aggressive malignancies. It exists both as a transmembrane cell surface protein, where it primarily interacts with TGFβ, and as a soluble matricellular protein (sENG) when cleaved by matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14). High ENG expression has been associated with poor prognosis in Ewing sarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer that primarily occurs in adolescents and young adults. However, the therapeutic value of ENG targeting has not been fully explored in this disease. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We characterized the expression pattern of transmembrane ENG, sENG, and MMP14 in preclinical and clinical samples. Subsequently, the antineoplastic potential of two novel ENG-targeting monoclonal antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), OMTX503 and OMTX703, which differed only by their drug payload (nigrin-b A chain and cytolysin, respectively), was assessed in cell lines and preclinical animal models of Ewing sarcoma. RESULTS Both ADCs suppressed cell proliferation in proportion to the endogenous levels of ENG observed in vitro. Moreover, the ADCs significantly delayed tumor growth in Ewing sarcoma cell line-derived xenografts and patient-derived xenografts in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these studies demonstrate potent preclinical activity of first-in-class anti-ENG ADCs as a nascent strategy to eradicate Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Puerto-Camacho
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Seville, Spain
| | - Ana Teresa Amaral
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Brian A Menegaz
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Helena Castillo-Ecija
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Luis Ordóñez
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Jordan-Perez
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Seville, Spain
| | - Juan Diaz-Martin
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Seville, Spain
| | - Laura Romero-Pérez
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Seville, Spain
| | - Maria Lopez-Alvarez
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Seville, Spain
| | - Gema Civantos-Jubera
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Seville, Spain
| | - María José Robles-Frías
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Seville, Spain
| | - Michele Biscuola
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Jaume Mora
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Spain
| | - Branko Cuglievan
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Keri Schadler
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ángel M Carcaboso
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joseph A Ludwig
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| | - Enrique de Álava
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Seville, Spain.
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24
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Paauwe M, Schoonderwoerd MJA, Helderman RFCP, Harryvan TJ, Groenewoud A, van Pelt GW, Bor R, Hemmer DM, Versteeg HH, Snaar-Jagalska BE, Theuer CP, Hardwick JCH, Sier CFM, Ten Dijke P, Hawinkels LJAC. Endoglin Expression on Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Regulates Invasion and Stimulates Colorectal Cancer Metastasis. Clin Cancer Res 2018; 24:6331-6344. [PMID: 29945992 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-0329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) are a major component of the colorectal cancer tumor microenvironment. CAFs play an important role in tumor progression and metastasis, partly through TGF-β signaling pathway. We investigated whether the TGF-β family coreceptor endoglin is involved in CAF-mediated invasion and metastasis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN CAF-specific endoglin expression was studied in colorectal cancer resection specimens using IHC and related to metastases-free survival. Endoglin-mediated invasion was assessed in vitro by transwell invasion, using primary colorectal cancer-derived CAFs. Effects of CAF-specific endoglin expression on tumor cell invasion were investigated in a colorectal cancer zebrafish model, whereas liver metastases were assessed in a mouse model. RESULTS CAFs specifically at invasive borders of colorectal cancer express endoglin and increased expression intensity correlated with increased disease stage. Endoglin-expressing CAFs were also detected in lymph node and liver metastases, suggesting a role in colorectal cancer metastasis formation. In stage II colorectal cancer, CAF-specific endoglin expression at invasive borders correlated with poor metastasis-free survival. In vitro experiments revealed that endoglin is indispensable for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-9-induced signaling and CAF survival. Targeting endoglin using the neutralizing antibody TRC105 inhibited CAF invasion in vitro. In zebrafish, endoglin-expressing fibroblasts enhanced colorectal tumor cell infiltration into the liver and decreased survival. Finally, CAF-specific endoglin targeting with TRC105 decreased metastatic spread of colorectal cancer cells to the mouse liver. CONCLUSIONS Endoglin-expressing CAFs contribute to colorectal cancer progression and metastasis. TRC105 treatment inhibits CAF invasion and tumor metastasis, indicating an additional target beyond the angiogenic endothelium, possibly contributing to beneficial effects reported during clinical evaluations.See related commentary by Becker and LeBleu, p. 6110.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelon Paauwe
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Thrombosis & Hemostasis, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mark J A Schoonderwoerd
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Roxan F C P Helderman
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tom J Harryvan
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Arwin Groenewoud
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gabi W van Pelt
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Rosalie Bor
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Danielle M Hemmer
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Henri H Versteeg
- Department of Thrombosis & Hemostasis, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - James C H Hardwick
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Cornelis F M Sier
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, the Netherlands
| | - Lukas J A C Hawinkels
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands. .,Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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25
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Schwentner R, Herrero-Martin D, Kauer MO, Mutz CN, Katschnig AM, Sienski G, Alonso J, Aryee DNT, Kovar H. The role of miR-17-92 in the miRegulatory landscape of Ewing sarcoma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:10980-10993. [PMID: 28030800 PMCID: PMC5355239 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs serve to fine-tune gene expression and play an important regulatory role in tissue specific gene networks. The identification and validation of miRNA target genes in a tissue still poses a significant problem since the presence of a seed sequence in the 3′UTR of an mRNA and its expression modulation upon ectopic expression of the miRNA do not reliably predict regulation under physiological conditions. The chimeric oncoprotein EWS-FLI1 is the driving pathogenic force in Ewing sarcoma. MiR-17-92, one of the most potent oncogenic miRNAs, was recently reported to be among the top EWS-FLI1 activated miRNAs. Using a combination of AGO2 pull-down experiments by PAR-CLIP (Photoactivatable-Ribonucleoside-Enhanced Crosslinking and Immunoprecipitation) and of RNAseq upon miRNA depletion by ectopic sponge expression, we aimed to identify the targetome of miR-17-92 in Ewing sarcoma. Intersecting both datasets we found an enrichment of PAR-CLIP hits for members of the miR-17-92 cluster in the 3′UTRs of genes up-regulated in response to mir-17-92 specific sponge expression. Strikingly, approximately a quarter of these genes annotate to the TGFB/BMP pathway, the majority mapping downstream of SMAD signaling. Testing for SMAD phosphorylation, we identify quiet but activatable TGFB signaling and cell autonomous activity of the BMP pathway resulting in the activation of the stemness regulatory transcriptional repressors ID1 and ID3. Taken together, our findings shed light on the complex miRegulatory landscape of Ewing Sarcoma pointing miR-17-92 as a key node connected to TGFB/BMP pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaela Schwentner
- Children´s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - David Herrero-Martin
- Children´s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna 1090, Austria.,Present address: Sarcoma research group, Molecular Oncology Lab, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat 08908, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maximilian O Kauer
- Children´s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Cornelia N Mutz
- Children´s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Anna M Katschnig
- Children´s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Grzegorz Sienski
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter Campus, 1030 Vienna, Austria.,Present address: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Javier Alonso
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, ISCIII, Ctra, Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Dave N T Aryee
- Children´s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna 1090, Austria.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical University, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Heinrich Kovar
- Children´s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna 1090, Austria.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical University, Vienna 1090, Austria
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26
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Tian H, Ketova T, Hardy D, Xu X, Gao X, Zijlstra A, Blobe GC. Endoglin Mediates Vascular Maturation by Promoting Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and Spreading. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2017; 37:1115-1126. [PMID: 28450296 PMCID: PMC5444426 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.116.308859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Objective— Endoglin, a transforming growth factor-β superfamily coreceptor, is predominantly expressed in endothelial cells and has essential roles in vascular development. However, whether endoglin is also expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), especially in vivo, remains controversial. Furthermore, the roles of endoglin in VSMC biology remain largely unknown. Our objective was to examine the expression and determine the function of endoglin in VSMCs during angiogenesis. Approach and Results— Here, we determine that endoglin is robustly expressed in VSMCs. Using CRISPR/CAS9 knockout and short hairpin RNA knockdown in the VSMC/endothelial coculture model system, we determine that endoglin in VSMCs, but not in endothelial cells, promotes VSMCs recruitment by the endothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo. Using an unbiased bioinformatics analysis of RNA sequencing data and further study, we determine that, mechanistically, endoglin mediates VSMC recruitment by promoting VSMC migration and spreading on endothelial cells via increasing integrin/FAK pathway signaling, whereas endoglin has minimal effects on VSMC adhesion to endothelial cells. In addition, we further determine that loss of endoglin in VSMCs inhibits VSMC recruitment in vivo. Conclusions— These studies demonstrate that endoglin has an important role in VSMC recruitment and blood vessel maturation during angiogenesis and also provide novel insights into how discordant endoglin function in endothelial and VSMCs may regulate vascular maturation and angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Tian
- From the Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine (H.T., D.H., G.C.B.) and Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology (G.C.B.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology (T.K., A.Z.) and Department of Cancer Biology (A.Z.), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; Integrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC (X.X.); Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (X.G.); and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (A.Z.);
| | - Tatiana Ketova
- From the Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine (H.T., D.H., G.C.B.) and Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology (G.C.B.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology (T.K., A.Z.) and Department of Cancer Biology (A.Z.), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; Integrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC (X.X.); Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (X.G.); and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (A.Z.)
| | - Duriel Hardy
- From the Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine (H.T., D.H., G.C.B.) and Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology (G.C.B.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology (T.K., A.Z.) and Department of Cancer Biology (A.Z.), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; Integrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC (X.X.); Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (X.G.); and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (A.Z.)
| | - Xiaojiang Xu
- From the Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine (H.T., D.H., G.C.B.) and Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology (G.C.B.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology (T.K., A.Z.) and Department of Cancer Biology (A.Z.), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; Integrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC (X.X.); Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (X.G.); and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (A.Z.)
| | - Xia Gao
- From the Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine (H.T., D.H., G.C.B.) and Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology (G.C.B.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology (T.K., A.Z.) and Department of Cancer Biology (A.Z.), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; Integrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC (X.X.); Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (X.G.); and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (A.Z.)
| | - Andries Zijlstra
- From the Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine (H.T., D.H., G.C.B.) and Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology (G.C.B.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology (T.K., A.Z.) and Department of Cancer Biology (A.Z.), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; Integrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC (X.X.); Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (X.G.); and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (A.Z.)
| | - Gerard C Blobe
- From the Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine (H.T., D.H., G.C.B.) and Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology (G.C.B.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology (T.K., A.Z.) and Department of Cancer Biology (A.Z.), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; Integrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC (X.X.); Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (X.G.); and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (A.Z.);
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27
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Myszczyszyn A, Czarnecka AM, Matak D, Szymanski L, Lian F, Kornakiewicz A, Bartnik E, Kukwa W, Kieda C, Szczylik C. The Role of Hypoxia and Cancer Stem Cells in Renal Cell Carcinoma Pathogenesis. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2016. [PMID: 26210994 PMCID: PMC4653234 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-015-9611-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The cancer stem cell (CSC) model has recently been approached also in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A few populations of putative renal tumor-initiating cells (TICs) were identified, but they are indifferently understood; however, the first and most thoroughly investigated are CD105-positive CSCs. The article presents a detailed comparison of all renal CSC-like populations identified by now as well as their presumable origin. Hypoxic activation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) contributes to tumor aggressiveness by multiple molecular pathways, including the governance of immature stem cell-like phenotype and related epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)/de-differentiation, and, as a result, poor prognosis. Due to intrinsic von Hippel-Lindau protein (pVHL) loss of function, clear-cell RCC (ccRCC) develops unique pathological intra-cellular pseudo-hypoxic phenotype with a constant HIF activation, regardless of oxygen level. Despite satisfactory evidence concerning pseudo-hypoxia importance in RCC biology, its influence on putative renal CSC-like largely remains unknown. Thus, the article discusses a current knowledge of HIF-1α/2α signaling pathways in the promotion of undifferentiated tumor phenotype in general, including some experimental findings specific for pseudo-hypoxic ccRCC, mostly dependent from HIF-2α oncogenic functions. Existing gaps in understanding both putative renal CSCs and their potential connection with hypoxia need to be filled in order to propose breakthrough strategies for RCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Myszczyszyn
- Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserow 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna M Czarnecka
- Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserow 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Damian Matak
- Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserow 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland.,School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Lukasz Szymanski
- Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserow 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland.,Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Fei Lian
- Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anna Kornakiewicz
- Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserow 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland.,School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.,Department of General Surgery and Transplantology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Bartnik
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.,Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Kukwa
- Department of Otolaryngology, Czerniakowski Hospital, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Claudine Kieda
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, Orléans, France
| | - Cezary Szczylik
- Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserow 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland
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Ali IHA, Brazil DP. Bone morphogenetic proteins and their antagonists: current and emerging clinical uses. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 171:3620-32. [PMID: 24758361 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the TGFβ superfamily of secreted cysteine knot proteins that includes TGFβ1, nodal, activins and inhibins. BMPs were first discovered by Urist in the 1960s when he showed that implantation of demineralized bone into intramuscular tissue of rabbits induced bone and cartilage formation. Since this seminal discovery, BMPs have also been shown to play key roles in several other biological processes, including limb, kidney, skin, hair and neuronal development, as well as maintaining vascular homeostasis. The multifunctional effects of BMPs make them attractive targets for the treatment of several pathologies, including bone disorders, kidney and lung fibrosis, and cancer. This review will summarize current knowledge on the BMP signalling pathway and critically evaluate the potential of recombinant BMPs as pharmacological agents for the treatment of bone repair and tissue fibrosis in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran H A Ali
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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29
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Zhang J, Wei Z. An empirical Bayes change-point model for identifying 3' and 5' alternative splicing by next-generation RNA sequencing. Bioinformatics 2016; 32:1823-31. [PMID: 26873932 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btw060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Next-generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) has been widely used to investigate alternative isoform regulations. Among them, alternative 3 ': splice site (SS) and 5 ': SS account for more than 30% of all alternative splicing (AS) events in higher eukaryotes. Recent studies have revealed that they play important roles in building complex organisms and have a critical impact on biological functions which could cause disease. Quite a few analytical methods have been developed to facilitate alternative 3 ': SS and 5 ': SS studies using RNA-seq data. However, these methods have various limitations and their performances may be further improved. RESULTS We propose an empirical Bayes change-point model to identify alternative 3 ': SS and 5 ': SS. Compared with previous methods, our approach has several unique merits. First of all, our model does not rely on annotation information. Instead, it provides for the first time a systematic framework to integrate various information when available, in particular the useful junction read information, in order to obtain better performance. Second, we utilize an empirical Bayes model to efficiently pool information across genes to improve detection efficiency. Third, we provide a flexible testing framework in which the user can choose to address different levels of questions, namely, whether alternative 3 ': SS or 5 ': SS happens, and/or where it happens. Simulation studies and real data application have demonstrated that our method is powerful and accurate. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The software is implemented in Java and can be freely downloaded from http://ebchangepoint.sourceforge.net/ CONTACT zhiwei@njit.edu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Zhi Wei
- Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
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30
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Lin RL, Zhao LJ. Mechanistic basis and clinical relevance of the role of transforming growth factor-β in cancer. Cancer Biol Med 2016; 12:385-93. [PMID: 26779375 PMCID: PMC4706525 DOI: 10.7497/j.issn.2095-3941.2015.0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a key factor in cancer development and progression. TGF-β can suppress tumorigenesis by inhibiting cell cycle progression and stimulating apoptosis in early stages of cancer progression. However, TGF-β can modulate cancer-related processes, such as cell invasion, distant metastasis, and microenvironment modification that may be used by cancer cells to their advantage in late stages. Corresponding mechanisms include angiogenesis promotion, anti-tumor immunity suppression, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induction. The correlation between TGF-β expression and cancer prognosis has also been extensively investigated. Results suggest that TGF-β pathway can be targeted to treat cancer; as such, the feasibility of this treatment is investigated in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run-Long Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Lu-Jun Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China
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31
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Abstract
Sarcomas are rare malignant tumors affecting all age groups. They are typically classified according to their resemblance to corresponding normal tissue. Their heterogeneous features, for example, in terms of disease-driving genetic aberrations and body location, complicate both disease classification and development of novel treatment regimens. Many years of failure of improved patient outcome in clinical trials has led to the conclusion that novel targeted therapies are likely needed in combination with current multimodality regimens. Sarcomas have not, in contrast to the common carcinomas, been the subject of larger systematic studies on how tumor behavior relates to characteristics of the tumor microenvironment. There is consequently an urgent need for identifying suitable molecular targets, not only in tumor cells but also in the tumor microenvironment. This review discusses preclinical and clinical data about potential molecular targets in sarcomas. Studies on targeted therapies involving the tumor microenvironment are prioritized. A greater understanding of the biological context is expected to facilitate more successful design of future clinical trials in sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Ehnman
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Olle Larsson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital , Stockholm , Sweden
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32
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Sand L, Scotlandi K, Berghuis D, Snaar-Jagalska B, Picci P, Schmidt T, Szuhai K, Hogendoorn P. CXCL14, CXCR7 expression and CXCR4 splice variant ratio associate with survival and metastases in Ewing sarcoma patients. Eur J Cancer 2015; 51:2624-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2015.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Sand LGL, Szuhai K, Hogendoorn PCW. Sequencing Overview of Ewing Sarcoma: A Journey across Genomic, Epigenomic and Transcriptomic Landscapes. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:16176-215. [PMID: 26193259 PMCID: PMC4519945 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160716176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive neoplasm occurring predominantly in adolescent Caucasians. At the genome level, a pathognomonic EWSR1-ETS translocation is present. The resulting fusion protein acts as a molecular driver in the tumor development and interferes, amongst others, with endogenous transcription and splicing. The Ewing sarcoma cell shows a poorly differentiated, stem-cell like phenotype. Consequently, the cellular origin of Ewing sarcoma is still a hot discussed topic. To further characterize Ewing sarcoma and to further elucidate the role of EWSR1-ETS fusion protein multiple genome, epigenome and transcriptome level studies were performed. In this review, the data from these studies were combined into a comprehensive overview. Presently, classical morphological predictive markers are used in the clinic and the therapy is dominantly based on systemic chemotherapy in combination with surgical interventions. Using sequencing, novel predictive markers and candidates for immuno- and targeted therapy were identified which were summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurens G L Sand
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands.
| | - Karoly Szuhai
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands.
| | - Pancras C W Hogendoorn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands.
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34
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Wentink MQ, Huijbers EJM, de Gruijl TD, Verheul HMW, Olsson AK, Griffioen AW. Vaccination approach to anti-angiogenic treatment of cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2015; 1855:155-71. [PMID: 25641676 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Improvement of patient survival by anti-angiogenic therapy has proven limited. A vaccination approach inducing an immune response against the tumor vasculature combines the benefits of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis, and may overcome the limitations of current anti-angiogenic drugs. Strategies to use whole endothelial cell vaccines and DNA- or protein vaccines against key players in the VEGF signaling axis, as well as specific markers of tumor endothelial cells, have been tested in preclinical studies. Current clinical trials are now testing the promise of this specific anti-cancer vaccination approach. This review will highlight the state-of-the-art in this exciting field of cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelon Q Wentink
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tanja D de Gruijl
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henk M W Verheul
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anna-Karin Olsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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35
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del Castillo G, Sánchez-Blanco E, Martín-Villar E, Valbuena-Diez AC, Langa C, Pérez-Gómez E, Renart J, Bernabéu C, Quintanilla M. Soluble endoglin antagonizes Met signaling in spindle carcinoma cells. Carcinogenesis 2014; 36:212-22. [PMID: 25503931 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgu240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased levels of soluble endoglin (Sol-Eng) correlate with poor outcome in human cancer. We have previously shown that shedding of membrane endoglin, and concomitant release of Sol-Eng is a late event in chemical mouse skin carcinogenesis associated with the development of undifferentiated spindle cell carcinomas (SpCCs). In this report, we show that mouse skin SpCCs exhibit a high expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and an elevated ratio of its active tyrosine kinase receptor Met versus total Met levels. We have evaluated the effect of Sol-Eng in spindle carcinoma cells by transfection of a cDNA encoding most of the endoglin ectodomain or by using purified recombinant Sol-Eng. We found that Sol-Eng inhibited both mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity and cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Sol-Eng also blocked MAPK activation by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and impaired both basal and HGF-induced activation of Met and downstream MAPK. Moreover, Sol-Eng strongly reduced basal and HGF-stimulated spindle cell migration and invasion. Both Sol-Eng and full-length endoglin were shown to interact with Met by coimmunoprecipitation experiments. However, full-length endoglin expressed at the plasma membrane of spindle carcinoma cells had no effect on Met signaling activity, and was unable to inhibit HGF-induced cell migration/invasion. These results point to a paradoxical suppressor role for Sol-Eng in carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaelle del Castillo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain and Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain Present address: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Sánchez-Blanco
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain and Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain Present address: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ester Martín-Villar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain and Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain Present address: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana C Valbuena-Diez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Langa
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Pérez-Gómez
- Present address: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Renart
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain and Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain Present address: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmelo Bernabéu
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Quintanilla
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain and Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain Present address: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Vascular channels formed by subpopulations of PECAM1+ melanoma cells. Nat Commun 2014; 5:5200. [PMID: 25335460 PMCID: PMC4261234 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting the vasculature remains a promising approach for treating solid tumors; however, the mechanisms of tumor neovascularization are diverse and complex. Here we uncover a new subpopulation of melanoma cells that express the vascular cell adhesion molecule PECAM1, but not VEGFR-2, and participate in a PECAM1-dependent form of vasculogenic mimicry (VM). Clonally-derived PECAM1+ tumor cells coalesce to form PECAM1-dependent networks in vitro and they generate well-perfused, VEGF-independent channels in mice. The neural crest specifier AP-2α is diminished in PECAM1+ melanoma cells and is a transcriptional repressor of PECAM1. Reintroduction of AP-2α into PECAM1+ tumor cells represses PECAM1 and abolishes tube-forming ability whereas AP-2α knockdown in PECAM1− tumor cells up-regulates PECAM1 expression and promotes tube formation. Thus, VM-competent subpopulations, rather than all cells within a tumor, may instigate VM, supplant host-derived endothelium, and form PECAM1-dependent conduits that are not diminished by neutralizing VEGF.
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Conditionally immortalized human pancreatic stellate cell lines demonstrate enhanced proliferation and migration in response to IGF-I. Exp Cell Res 2014; 330:300-310. [PMID: 25304103 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a key role in the dense desmoplastic stroma associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Studies on human PSCs have been minimal due to difficulty in maintaining primary PSC in culture. We have generated the first conditionally immortalized human non-tumor (NPSC) and tumor-derived (TPSC) pancreatic stellate cells via transformation with the temperature-sensitive SV40 large T antigen and human telomerase (hTERT). These cells proliferate at 33°C. After transfer to 37°C, the SV40LT is switched off and the cells regain their primary PSC phenotype and growth characteristics. NPSC contained cytoplasmic vitamin A-storing lipid droplets, while both NPSC and TPSC expressed the characteristic markers αSMA, vimentin, desmin and GFAP. Proteome array analysis revealed that of the 55 evaluated proteins, 27 (49%) were upregulated ≥3-fold in TPSC compared to NPSC, including uPA, pentraxin-3, endoglin and endothelin-1. Two insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) were inversely expressed. Although discordant IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 levels, IGF-I was found to stimulate proliferation of both NPSC and TPSC. Both basal and IGF-I stimulated motility was significantly enhanced in TPSC compared to NPSC. In conclusion, these cells provide a unique resource that will facilitate further study of the active stroma compartment associated with pancreatic cancer.
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Abstract
Endoglin is a homodimeric cell membrane glycoprotein receptor for transforming growth factor β and bone morphogenetic proteins. Endoglin is essential for angiogenesis, being densely expressed on proliferating endothelial cells and upregulated during hypoxia. Its expression is implicated in development of resistance to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition. TRC105 is an antibody that binds endoglin and prevents endothelial cell activation. Targeting endoglin and the VEGF pathway concurrently improves treatment in vitro and appears to reverse resistance to bevacizumab in some refractory cancer patients. Randomized trials are under way to assess the clinical benefit of adding TRC105 therapy to bevacizumab therapy. Further trials are under way to assess the activity of TRC105 with small-molecule inhibitors of the VEGF pathway in renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and soft tissue sarcoma. Stratification of soft tissue sarcomas based on endoglin expression levels is proposed to identify patients most likely to benefit from TRC105 treatment. The development of a TRC105 antibody-drug conjugate is also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee S Rosen
- Hematology-Oncology, UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica, 2020 Santa Monica Blvd, Ste 600, Santa Monica, CA, 90404, USA,
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Omelchenko DO, Rzhaninova AA, Goldshtein DV. Comparative transcriptome pairwise analysis of spontaneously transformed multipotent stromal cells from human adipose tissue. RUSS J GENET+ 2014. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795414010098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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40
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Liu Z, Lebrin F, Maring JA, van den Driesche S, van der Brink S, van Dinther M, Thorikay M, Martin S, Kobayashi K, Hawinkels LJAC, van Meeteren LA, Pardali E, Korving J, Letarte M, Arthur HM, Theuer C, Goumans MJ, Mummery C, ten Dijke P. ENDOGLIN is dispensable for vasculogenesis, but required for vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86273. [PMID: 24489709 PMCID: PMC3904881 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
ENDOGLIN (ENG) is a co-receptor for transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family members that is highly expressed in endothelial cells and has a critical function in the development of the vascular system. Mutations in Eng are associated with the vascular disease known as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type l. Using mouse embryonic stem cells we observed that angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), induce vasculogenesis in embryoid bodies even when Eng deficient cells or cells depleted of Eng using shRNA are used. However, ENG is required for the stem cell-derived endothelial cells to organize effectively into tubular structures. Consistent with this finding, fetal metatarsals isolated from E17.5 Eng heterozygous mouse embryos showed reduced VEGF-induced vascular network formation. Moreover, shRNA-mediated depletion and pharmacological inhibition of ENG in human umbilical vein cells mitigated VEGF-induced angiogenesis. In summary, we demonstrate that ENG is required for efficient VEGF-induced angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Liu
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre, Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Franck Lebrin
- Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), CNRS UMR 7241/INSERM U1050, Collège de France, Paris, France
| | - Janita A. Maring
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre, Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Maarten van Dinther
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre, Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Midory Thorikay
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre, Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Martin
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), CNRS UMR 7241/INSERM U1050, Collège de France, Paris, France
| | - Kazuki Kobayashi
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre, Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lukas J. A. C. Hawinkels
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre, Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Laurens A. van Meeteren
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre, Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Evangelia Pardali
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre, Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Michelle Letarte
- Molecular Structure and Function Program, The Hospital of Sick Children, Department of Immunology and Heart and Stroke Richard Lewar Center of Excellence, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Helen M. Arthur
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Theuer
- Tracon Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Marie-José Goumans
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre, Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (MJG); (CM); (PtD)
| | - Christine Mummery
- Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (MJG); (CM); (PtD)
| | - Peter ten Dijke
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Genomics Centre, Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (MJG); (CM); (PtD)
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES CD105 expression correlates with prognosis for several cancers. However, its significance in pancreatic cancer is unclear. METHODS We analyzed CD105 expression in resected pancreatic cancer tissue and pancreatic cancer cell lines, compared the properties of CD105(+) and CD105(-) cells using quantitative RT-PCR and migration assays, and evaluated the relationship between CD105(+) cells and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). RESULTS Immunohistochemistry showed that the frequency of CD105 expression was higher in pancreatic cancer than that in normal tissue(8% vs 0%, respectively). In flow cytometry, CD105 was expressed in pancreatic cancer cells, whereas weak CD105 expression was detected in normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that E-cadherin mRNA expression was suppressed and vimentin mRNA was overexpressed in CD105(+) cells (P < 0.05). Migration of CD105(+) cancer cells was strongly enhanced (more than that of CD105(+) cells) in coculture with PSCs (P < 0.05). CD105 expression did not correlate to clinicopathologic characteristics or the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. CONCLUSIONS Suppression of an epithelial marker and over expression of a mesenchymal marker suggest that epithelial-mesenchymal transition is induced in CD105(+) pancreatic cancer cells. CD105(+) pancreatic cancer cell migration is strongly enhanced by PSCs, suggesting that these cells play a role in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment.
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Breen MJ, Moran DM, Liu W, Huang X, Vary CPH, Bergan RC. Endoglin-mediated suppression of prostate cancer invasion is regulated by activin and bone morphogenetic protein type II receptors. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72407. [PMID: 23967299 PMCID: PMC3742533 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mortality from prostate cancer (PCa) is due to the formation of metastatic disease. Understanding how that process is regulated is therefore critical. We previously demonstrated that endoglin, a type III transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily receptor, suppresses human PCa cell invasion and metastasis. Endoglin-mediated suppression of invasion was also shown by us to be dependent upon the type I TGFβ receptor, activin receptor-like kinase 2 (ALK2), and the downstream effector, Smad1. In this study we demonstrate for the first time that two type II TGFβ receptors are required for endoglin-mediated suppression of invasion: activin A receptor type IIA (ActRIIA) and bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II (BMPRII). Downstream signaling through these receptors is predominantly mediated by Smad1. ActRIIA stimulates Smad1 activation in a kinase-dependent manner, and this is required for suppression of invasion. In contrast BMPRII regulates Smad1 in a biphasic manner, promoting Smad1 signaling through its kinase domain but suppressing it through its cytoplasmic tail. BMPRII’s Smad1-regulatory effects are dependent upon its expression level. Further, its ability to suppress invasion is independent of either kinase function or tail domain. We demonstrate that ActRIIA and BMPRII physically interact, and that each also interacts with endoglin. The current findings demonstrate that both BMPRII and ActRIIA are necessary for endoglin-mediated suppression of human PCa cell invasion, that they have differential effects on Smad1 signaling, that they make separate contributions to regulation of invasion, and that they functionally and physically interact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Breen
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Diarmuid M. Moran
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Wenzhe Liu
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Xiaoke Huang
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Calvin P. H. Vary
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, Maine, United States of America
| | - Raymond C. Bergan
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Perrot CY, Javelaud D, Mauviel A. Insights into the Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling Pathway in Cutaneous Melanoma. Ann Dermatol 2013; 25:135-44. [PMID: 23717002 PMCID: PMC3662904 DOI: 10.5021/ad.2013.25.2.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic growth factor with broad tissue distribution that plays critical roles during embryonic development, normal tissue homeostasis, and cancer. While its cytostatic activity on normal epithelial cells initially defined TGF-β signaling as a tumor suppressor pathway, there is ample evidence indicating that TGF-β is a potent pro-tumorigenic agent, acting via autocrine and paracrine mechanisms to promote peri-tumoral angiogenesis, together with tumor cell migration, immune escape, and dissemination to metastatic sites. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the implication of TGF-β signaling in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Yolande Perrot
- Institut Curie, Team "TGF-β and Oncogenesis", Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Orsay, France
- INSERM U1021 Orsay, France
- CNRS UMR 3347, Orsay, France
| | - Delphine Javelaud
- Institut Curie, Team "TGF-β and Oncogenesis", Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Orsay, France
- INSERM U1021 Orsay, France
- CNRS UMR 3347, Orsay, France
| | - Alain Mauviel
- Institut Curie, Team "TGF-β and Oncogenesis", Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Orsay, France
- INSERM U1021 Orsay, France
- CNRS UMR 3347, Orsay, France
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Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer; there is no cure in advanced stages. Identifying molecular participants in melanoma progression may provide useful diagnostic and therapeutic tools. FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP51), an immunophilin with a relevant role in developmental stages, is highly expressed in melanoma and correlates with aggressiveness and therapy resistance. We hypothesized a role for FKBP51 in melanoma invasive behaviour. FKBP51 promoted activation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes and improved melanoma cell migration and invasion. In addition, FKBP51 induced some melanoma stem cell (MCSC) genes. Purified MCSCs expressed high EMT genes levels, suggesting that genetic programs of EMT and MCSCs overlap. Immunohistochemistry of samples from patients showed intense FKBP51 nuclear signal and cytoplasmic positivity for the stem cell marker nestin in extravasating melanoma cells and metastatic brains. In addition, FKBP51 targeting by small interfering RNA (siRNA) prevented the massive metastatic substitution of liver and lung in a mouse model of experimental metastasis. The present study provides evidence that the genetic programs of cancer stemness and invasiveness overlap in melanoma, and that FKBP51 plays a pivotal role in sustaining such a program.
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Crompton BD, Carlton AL, Thorner AR, Christie AL, Du J, Calicchio ML, Rivera MN, Fleming MD, Kohl NE, Kung AL, Stegmaier K. High-throughput tyrosine kinase activity profiling identifies FAK as a candidate therapeutic target in Ewing sarcoma. Cancer Res 2013; 73:2873-83. [PMID: 23536552 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-1944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Limited progress has been made in the treatment of advanced-stage pediatric solid tumors despite the accelerated pace of cancer discovery over the last decade. Tyrosine kinase inhibition is one tractable therapeutic modality for treating human malignancy. However, little is known about the kinases critical to the development or maintenance of many pediatric solid tumors such as Ewing sarcoma. Using a fluorescent, bead-based technology to profile activated tyrosine kinases, we identified focal adhesion kinase (FAK, PTK2) as a candidate target in Ewing sarcoma. FAK is a tyrosine kinase critical for cellular adhesion, growth, and survival. As such, it is a compelling target for cancer-based therapy. In this study, we have shown that FAK is highly phosphorylated in primary Ewing sarcoma tumor samples and that downregulation of FAK by short hairpin RNA and treatment with a FAK-selective kinase inhibitor, PF-562271, impaired growth and colony formation in Ewing sarcoma cell lines. Moreover, treatment of Ewing sarcoma cell lines with PF-562271 induced apoptosis and led to downregulation of AKT/mTOR and CAS activity. Finally, we showed that small-molecule inhibition of FAK attenuated Ewing sarcoma tumor growth in vivo. With FAK inhibitors currently in early-phase clinical trials for adult malignancies, these findings may bear immediate relevance to patients with Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D Crompton
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Children's Hospital Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Paauwe M, ten Dijke P, Hawinkels LJAC. Endoglin for tumor imaging and targeted cancer therapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2013; 17:421-35. [PMID: 23327677 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2013.758716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although cancer treatment has evolved substantially in the past decades, cancer-related mortality rates are still increasing. Therapies targeting tumor angiogenesis, crucial for the growth of solid tumors, mainly target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and have been clinically applied during the last decade. However, these therapies have not met high expectations, which were based on therapeutic efficacy in animal models. This can partly be explained by the upregulation of alternative angiogenic pathways. Therefore, additional therapies targeting other pro-angiogenic pathways are needed. AREAS COVERED The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway plays an important role in (tumor) angiogenesis. Therefore, components of this pathway are interesting candidates for anti-angiogenic therapy. Endoglin, a co-receptor for various TGF-β family members, is specifically overexpressed in tumor vessels and endoglin expression is associated with metastasis and patient survival. Therefore, endoglin might be a good candidate for anti-angiogenic therapy. In this review, we discuss the potential of using endoglin to target the tumor vasculature for imaging and therapeutic purposes. EXPERT OPINION Considering the promising results from various in vitro studies, in vivo animal models and the first clinical trial targeting endoglin, we are convinced that endoglin is a valuable tool for the diagnosis, visualization and ultimately treatment of solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelon Paauwe
- Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands and Centre for BioMedical Genetics, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Building-2, S1-P, PO-box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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Hawinkels LJAC, Paauwe M, Verspaget HW, Wiercinska E, van der Zon JM, van der Ploeg K, Koelink PJ, Lindeman JHN, Mesker W, ten Dijke P, Sier CFM. Interaction with colon cancer cells hyperactivates TGF-β signaling in cancer-associated fibroblasts. Oncogene 2012. [PMID: 23208491 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between epithelial cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) has a major role in cancer progression and eventually in metastasis. In colorectal cancer (CRC), CAFs are present in high abundance, but their origin and functional interaction with epithelial tumor cells has not been elucidated. In this study we observed strong activation of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway in CRC CAFs, accompanied by decreased signaling in epithelial tumor cells. We evaluated the TGF-β1 response and the expression of target genes including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 of various epithelial CRC cell lines and primary CAFs in vitro. TGF-β1 stimulation caused high upregulation of MMPs, PAI-1 and TGF-β1 itself. Next we showed that incubation of CAFs with conditioned medium (CM) from epithelial cancer cells led to hyperactivation of the TGF-β signaling pathway, enhanced expression of target genes like PAI-1, and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). We propose that the interaction of tumor cells with resident fibroblasts results in hyperactivated TGF-β1 signaling and subsequent transdifferentiation of the fibroblasts into α-SMA-positive CAFs. In turn this leads to cumulative production of TGF-β and proteinases within the tumor microenvironment, creating a cancer-promoting feedback loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J A C Hawinkels
- 1] Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands [2] Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M Paauwe
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - H W Verspaget
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - E Wiercinska
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J M van der Zon
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - K van der Ploeg
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - P J Koelink
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J H N Lindeman
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - W Mesker
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - P ten Dijke
- 1] Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands [2] Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - C F M Sier
- 1] Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands [2] Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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BMP and TGFbeta pathways in human central chondrosarcoma: enhanced endoglin and Smad 1 signaling in high grade tumors. BMC Cancer 2012; 12:488. [PMID: 23088614 PMCID: PMC3495847 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-12-488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background As major regulators of normal chondrogenesis, the bone morphogenic protein (BMP) and transforming growth factor β (TGFB) signaling pathways may be involved in the development and progression of central chondrosarcoma. In order to uncover their possible implication, the aim of this study was to perform a systematic quantitative study of the expression of BMPs, TGFBs and their receptors and to assess activity of the corresponding pathways in central chondrosarcoma. Methods Gene expression analysis was performed by quantitative RT-PCR in 26 central chondrosarcoma and 6 healthy articular cartilage samples. Expression of endoglin and nuclear localization of phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 and Smad2 was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis. Results The expression of TGFB3 and of the activin receptor-like kinase ALK2 was found to be significantly higher in grade III compared to grade I chondrosarcoma. Nuclear phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 and Smad2 were found in all tumors analyzed and the activity of both signaling pathways was confirmed by functional reporter assays in 2 chondrosarcoma cell lines. Immunohistochemical analysis furthermore revealed that phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 and endoglin expression were significantly higher in high-grade compared to low-grade chondrosarcoma and correlated to each other. Conclusions The BMP and TGFβ signaling pathways were found to be active in central chondrosarcoma cells. The correlation of Smad1/5/8 activity to endoglin expression suggests that, as described in other cell types, endoglin could enhance Smad1/5/8 signaling in high-grade chondrosarcoma cells. Endoglin expression coupled to Smad1/5/8 activation could thus represent a functionally important signaling axis for the progression of chondrosarcoma and a regulator of the undifferentiated phenotype of high-grade tumor cells.
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Characterization of liposarcoma cell lines for preclinical and biological studies. Sarcoma 2012; 2012:148614. [PMID: 22911243 PMCID: PMC3403520 DOI: 10.1155/2012/148614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Liposarcoma cell lines represent in vitro models for studying disease mechanisms at the cellular level and for preclinical evaluation of novel drugs. To date there are a limited number of well-characterized models available. In this study, nine immortal liposarcoma cell lines were evaluated for tumor-forming ability, stem cell- and differentiation potential, and metastatic potential, with the aim to generate a well-characterized liposarcoma cell line panel. Detailed stem cell and differentiation marker analyses were also performed. Five of the liposarcoma cell lines were tumorigenic, forming tumors in mice. Interestingly, tumor-forming ability correlated with high proliferative capacity in vitro. All the cell lines underwent adipocytic differentiation, but the degree varied. Surprisingly, the expression of stem cell and differentiation markers did not correlate well with function. Overall, the panel contains cell lines suited for in vivo analyses (LPS141, SA-4, T778, SW872, and LISA-2), for testing novel drugs targeting cancer stem cells (LPS141) and for studying tumor progression and metastasis (T449 and T778).
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50
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BMP signaling in vascular diseases. FEBS Lett 2012; 586:1993-2002. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2012.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2012] [Revised: 04/05/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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