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Do AD, Wu KS, Chu SS, Giang LH, Lin YL, Chang CC, Wong TT, Hsieh CL, Sung SY. LOXL1-AS1 contributes to metastasis in sonic-hedgehog medulloblastoma by promoting cancer stem-like phenotypes. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:130. [PMID: 38689348 PMCID: PMC11059759 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03057-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastomas (MBs) are one of the most common malignant brain tumor types in children. MB prognosis, despite improvement in recent years, still depends on clinical and biological risk factors. Metastasis is the leading cause of MB-related deaths, which highlights an unmet need for risk stratification and targeted therapy to improve clinical outcomes. Among the four molecular subgroups, sonic-hedgehog (SHH)-MB harbors clinical and genetic heterogeneity with a subset of high-risk cases. Recently, long non-coding (lnc)RNAs were implied to contribute to cancer malignant progression, but their role in MB remains unclear. This study aimed to identify pro-malignant lncRNAs that have prognostic and therapeutic significance in SHH-MB. METHODS The Daoy SHH-MB cell line was engineered for ectopic expression of MYCN, a genetic signature of SHH-MB. MYCN-associated lncRNA genes were identified using RNA-sequencing data and were validated in SHH-MB cell lines, MB tissue samples, and patient cohort datasets. SHH-MB cells with genetic manipulation of the candidate lncRNA were evaluated for metastatic phenotypes in vitro, including cell migration, invasion, sphere formation, and expressions of stemness markers. An orthotopic xenograft mouse model was used to evaluate metastasis occurrence and survival. Finally, bioinformatic screening and in vitro assays were performed to explore downstream mechanisms. RESULTS Elevated lncRNA LOXL1-AS1 expression was identified in MYCN-expressing Daoy cells and MYCN-amplified SHH-MB tumors, and was significantly associated with lower survival in SHH-MB patients. Functionally, LOXL1-AS1 promoted SHH-MB cell migration and cancer stemness in vitro. In mice, MYCN-expressing Daoy cells exhibited a high metastatic rate and adverse effects on survival, both of which were suppressed under LOLX1-AS1 perturbation. Integrative bioinformatic analyses revealed associations of LOXL1-AS1 with processes of cancer stemness, cell differentiation, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. LOXL1-AS1 positively regulated the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2. Knockdown of TGF-β2 in SHH-MB cells significantly abrogated their LOXL1-AS1-mediated prometastatic functions. CONCLUSIONS This study proved the functional significance of LOXL1-AS1 in SHH-MB metastasis by its promotion of TGF-β2-mediated cancer stem-like phenotypes, providing both prognostic and therapeutic potentials for targeting SHH-MB metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Duy Do
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Immunology, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
| | - Kuo-Sheng Wu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Shing-Shung Chu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Le Hien Giang
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Biology and Genetics, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hai Phong, 180000, Vietnam
| | - Yu-Ling Lin
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Che-Chang Chang
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Tong Wong
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Pediatric Brain Tumor Program, Taipei Cancer Center, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ling Hsieh
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Institute for Drug Evaluation Platform, Development Center for Biotechnology, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan.
| | - Shian-Ying Sung
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
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Niu L, Hu G. EHMT2 Suppresses ARRB1 Transcription and Activates the Hedgehog Signaling to Promote Malignant Phenotype and Stem Cell Property in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Mol Biotechnol 2024:10.1007/s12033-024-01130-9. [PMID: 38573544 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-024-01130-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents the primary subtype of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), characterized by a high morbidity and mortality rate. Although previous studies have established specific correlations between euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2), a histone lysine methyltransferase, and the malignant phenotype of OSCC cells, its biological functions in OSCC remain largely unknown. This study, grounded in bioinformatics predictions, aims to clarify the influence of EHMT2 on the malignant behavior of OSCC cells and delve into the underlying mechanisms. EHMT2 exhibited high expression in OSCC tissues and demonstrated an association with poor patient outcomes. Artificial EHMT2 silencing in OSCC cells, achieved through lentiviral vector infection, significantly inhibited colony formation, migration, invasion, and cell survival. Regarding the mechanism, EHMT2 was found to bind the promoter of arrestin beta 1 (ARRB1), thereby suppressing its transcription through H3K9me2 modification. ARRB1, in turn, was identified as a negative regulator of the Hedgehog pathway, leading to a reduction in the proteins GLI1 and PTCH1. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) were enriched through repeated sphere formation assays in two OSCC cell lines. EHMT2 was found to activate the Hedgehog pathway, thus promoting sphere formation, migration and invasion, survival, and tumorigenic activity of the OSCC-CSCs. Notably, these effects were counteracted by the additional overexpression of ARRB1. In conclusion, this study provides novel evidence suggesting that EHMT2 plays specific roles in enhancing stem cell properties in OSCC by modulating the ARRB1-Hedgehog signaling cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Niu
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Beihua University, No. 3999, Binjiang East Road, Fengman District, Jilin, 132011, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangyao Hu
- Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Beihua University, No. 3999, Binjiang East Road, Fengman District, Jilin, 132011, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Liu T, Zhang Z, Wang C, Huang H, Li Y. BRD4 promotes the migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells through the Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway and enhances cisplatin resistance. Biochem Cell Biol 2022; 100:179-187. [PMID: 35167374 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2021-0552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Platinum-based chemotherapy is a widely used strategy for bladder cancer (BCa) treatment. However, its clinical efficacy is affected by chemotherapy resistance via complex molecular mechanisms. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore new targets for BCa therapy. Here, we showed that bromodomain-4 protein (BRD4) expression is upregulated in BCa tissues and cells. Inhibition of BRD4 attenuated the migration and invasion of BCa cells, which was rescued by the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway activator recombinant human Sonic hedgehog peptide (rhSHH). We further found that cisplatin (DDP) suppressed the migration and invasion of BCa cells in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. However, overexpression of BRD4 weakened the pharmacological effects of DDP. In brief, our research revealed that BRD4 promotes migration and invasion by positively regulating the SHH pathway, drives DDP resistance in BCa, and is a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of BCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Liu
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519000 Guangdong, P.R. China.,Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001 Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Non-coding RNA Transformation Research of Anhui Higher Education Institution (Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, 241001 Anhui, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519000 Guangdong, P.R. China.,Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001 Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Non-coding RNA Transformation Research of Anhui Higher Education Institution (Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, 241001 Anhui, China
| | - Chong Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001 Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Non-coding RNA Transformation Research of Anhui Higher Education Institution (Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, 241001 Anhui, China
| | - Houbao Huang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001 Anhui, China
| | - Yawei Li
- Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519000 Guangdong, P.R. China
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Samanta S, Mahata R, Santra MK. The Cross-Talk between Epigenetic Gene Regulation and Signaling Pathways Regulates Cancer Pathogenesis. Subcell Biochem 2022; 100:427-472. [PMID: 36301502 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-07634-3_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cancer begins due to uncontrolled cell division. Cancer cells are insensitive to the signals that control normal cell proliferation. This uncontrolled cell division is due to the accumulation of abnormalities in different factors associated with the cell division, including different cyclins, cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors, and cellular signaling. Cellular signaling pathways are aberrantly activated in cancer mainly due to epigenetic regulation and post-translational regulation. In this chapter, the role of epigenetic regulation in aberrant activation of PI3K/AKT, Ras, Wnt, Hedgehog, Notch, JAK/STAT, and mTOR signaling pathways in cancer progression is discussed. The role of epigenetic regulators in controlling the upstream regulatory proteins and downstream effector proteins responsible for abnormal cellular signaling-mediated cancer progression is covered in this chapter. Similarly, the role of signaling pathways in controlling epigenetic gene regulation-mediated cancer progression is also discussed. We have tried to ascertain the current status of potential epigenetic drugs targeting several epigenetic regulators to prevent different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snigdha Samanta
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rumpa Mahata
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manas Kumar Santra
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
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Li L, Zhao J, Zhang Q, Tao Y, Shen C, Li R, Ma Z, Li J, Wang Z. Cancer Cell-Derived Exosomes Promote HCC Tumorigenesis Through Hedgehog Pathway. Front Oncol 2021; 11:756205. [PMID: 34692546 PMCID: PMC8529041 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.756205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for more than 80% of primary liver cancers and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in many countries. Cancer cell-derived exosomes are shown to mediate communications between cancer cells and the microenvironment, promoting tumorigenesis. Hedgehog signaling pathway plays important roles in cancer development of HCC. Methods Exosomes were isolated from culture medium of HCC cell lines PLC/PRF/5 and MHCC-97H and were found to promote cancer cell growth measured with cell proliferation and colony formation assay. HCC cells cultured with cancer cell-derived exosome had increased cancer stem cell (CSC) population demonstrated by increased cell sphere formation CSC marker expressions. Hedgehog protein Shh was found to be highly expressed in these two HCC cell lines and preferably carried by exosomes. When Shh was knocked down with shRNA, the resulting exosomes had a reduced effect on promoting cancer cell growth or CSC population increase compared to normal cell-derived exosomes. Results The ability of PLC/PRF/5 cells to form tumor in a xenograft model was increased by the addition of the exosomes from control cancer cells but not the exosomes from Shh knocked down cancer cells. Finally, the higher plasma Exo-Shh levels were associated with later tumor stages, higher histological grades, multiple tumors, and higher recurrence rates. Conclusion This study demonstrated that HCC cells secreted Shh via exosome and promote tumorigenesis through the activated Hedgehog pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Quanbao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yifeng Tao
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Conghuan Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruidong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengyu Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianhua Li
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengxin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Organ Transplantation, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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6
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Trejo-Solis C, Escamilla-Ramirez A, Jimenez-Farfan D, Castillo-Rodriguez RA, Flores-Najera A, Cruz-Salgado A. Crosstalk of the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in the Induction of Apoptosis on Cancer Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14090871. [PMID: 34577571 PMCID: PMC8465904 DOI: 10.3390/ph14090871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a major role in cell survival and proliferation, as well as in angiogenesis, migration, invasion, metastasis, and stem cell renewal in various cancer types. However, the modulation (either up- or downregulation) of this pathway can inhibit cell proliferation and apoptosis both through β-catenin-dependent and independent mechanisms, and by crosstalk with other signaling pathways in a wide range of malignant tumors. Existing studies have reported conflicting results, indicating that the Wnt signaling can have both oncogenic and tumor-suppressing roles, depending on the cellular context. This review summarizes the available information on the role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and its crosstalk with other signaling pathways in apoptosis induction in cancer cells and presents a modified dual-signal model for the function of β-catenin. Understanding the proapoptotic mechanisms induced by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway could open new therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Trejo-Solis
- Laboratorio Experimental de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de Mexico 14269, Mexico; (A.E.-R.); (A.C.-S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Angel Escamilla-Ramirez
- Laboratorio Experimental de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de Mexico 14269, Mexico; (A.E.-R.); (A.C.-S.)
| | - Dolores Jimenez-Farfan
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico;
| | | | - Athenea Flores-Najera
- Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, Departamento de Cirugía General, Ciudad de Mexico 03229, Mexico;
| | - Arturo Cruz-Salgado
- Laboratorio Experimental de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de Mexico 14269, Mexico; (A.E.-R.); (A.C.-S.)
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7
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Paul MR, Zage PE. Overview and recent advances in the targeting of medulloblastoma cancer stem cells. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2021; 21:957-974. [PMID: 34047251 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2021.1932472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Medulloblastoma, an embryonal small round blue cell tumor primarily arising in the posterior fossa, is the most common malignancy of the central nervous system in children and requires intensive multi-modality therapy for cure. Overall 5-year survival is approximately 75% in children with primary disease, but outcomes for relapsed disease are very poor. Recent advances have identified molecular subgroups with excellent prognosis, with 5-year overall survival rates >90%, and subgroups with very poor prognosis with overall survival rates <50%. Molecular subtyping has allowed for more sophisticated risk stratification of patients, but new treatments for the highest risk patients have not yet improved outcomes. Targeting cancer stem cells may improve outcomes, and several candidate targets and novel drugs are under investigation.Areas covered: We discuss medulloblastoma epidemiology, biology, treatment modalities, risk stratification, and molecular subgroup analysis, links between subgroup and developmental biology, cancer stem cell biology in medulloblastoma including previously described cancer stem cell markers and proposed targeted treatments in the current literature.Expert opinion: The understanding of cancer stem cells in medulloblastoma will advance therapies targeting the most treatment-resistant cells within the tumor and therefore reduce the incidence of treatment refractory and relapsed disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Rose Paul
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA (M.R.P., P.E.Z.); Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Peter E Zage
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA (M.R.P., P.E.Z.); Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
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8
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Dumasia NP, Khanna AP, Pethe PS. Sonic hedgehog signals hinder the transcriptional network necessary for pancreatic endoderm formation from human embryonic stem cells. Genes Cells 2021; 26:282-297. [PMID: 33599359 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Hedgehog morphogens govern multiple aspects of pancreas organogenesis and functioning with diverse outcomes across species. Although most current differentiation protocols repress Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signals during in vitro endocrine specification, the role and mechanisms through which the SHH pathway antagonizes pancreas development during in vitro human embryonic stem (hES) cell differentiation remain unclear. We modulated SHH signaling at transitory stages of hES cell-derived pancreatic progenitors and analyzed the effect on cellular fate decisions. We identify the Hedgehog pathway as a negative regulator of pancreatic endoderm formation through up-regulation of a set of pancreatobiliary markers required for ductal specification, including SOX17, FOXA2, HNF1β, HNF6, PDX1, and SOX9. Surprisingly, active Hedgehog signals impeded a group of pancreatic epithelium markers, including HNF4α, HHEX, PAX6, and PTF1α. To understand how SHH signals repress the transcription of these specific markers, we analyzed Polycomb group proteins. We found differential expression of Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 subunit, BMI1 upon Shh pathway modulation in the pancreatic progenitors. Ectopic activation of Sonic hedgehog results in over-expression of BMI1 and its associated repressive histone mark, H2AK119Ub1, in the multipotent progenitors. Our data suggest that Sonic hedgehog restricts the pancreatic differentiation program by limiting progenitor cells acquiring pancreatic epithelial fates and instead promotes pancreatobiliary differentiation. We further provide mechanistic cues of an association between Hedgehog signaling and epigenetic silencers during pancreatic lineage decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloufer P Dumasia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sunandan Divatia School of Science, SVKM's NMIMS (deemed to-be) University, Mumbai, India
| | - Aparna P Khanna
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sunandan Divatia School of Science, SVKM's NMIMS (deemed to-be) University, Mumbai, India
- Centre for Computational Biology & Translational Research, Amity Institute of Biotechnology (AIB), Amity University, Mumbai, India
| | - Prasad S Pethe
- Symbiosis Centre for Stem Cell Research (SCSCR), Symbiosis International University, Pune, India
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Soeda S, Saito R, Fujii A, Tojo S, Tokumura Y, Taniura H. Abnormal DNA methylation in pluripotent stem cells from a patient with Prader-Willi syndrome results in neuronal differentiation defects. Stem Cell Res 2021; 53:102351. [PMID: 33895503 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2021.102351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is a common method of gene expression regulation, and this form of regulation occurs in the neurodevelopmental disorder Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Gene expression regulation via methylation is important for humans, although there is little understanding of the role of methylation in neuronal differentiation. We characterized the cellular differentiation potential of iPS cells derived from a patient with PWS with abnormal methylation (M-iPWS cells). A comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) array revealed that, unlike iPWS cells (deletion genes type), the abnormally methylated M-iPWS cells had no deletion in the15q11.2-q13 chromosome region. In addition, methylation-specific PCR showed that M-iPWS cells had strong methylation in CpG island of the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N (SNRPN) on both alleles. To assess the effect of abnormal methylation on cell differentiation, the M-iPWS and iPWS cells were induced to differentiate into embryoid bodies (EBs). The results suggest that iPWS and M-iPWS cells are defective at differentiation into ectoderm. Neural stem cells (NSCs) and neurons derived from M-iPWS cells had fewer NSCs and mature neurons with low expression of NSCs and neuronal markers. We conclude that expression of the downstream of genes in the PWS region regulated by methylation is involved in neuronal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Soeda
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga 525-8577, Japan.
| | - Ryo Saito
- Advanced Clinical Research Center, Southern Tohoku Research Institute for Neuroscience, Kanagawa 215-0026, Japan; Core Research Facilities for Basic Science, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8471, Japan
| | - Ai Fujii
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga 525-8577, Japan
| | - Shusei Tojo
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga 525-8577, Japan
| | - Yuka Tokumura
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga 525-8577, Japan
| | - Hideo Taniura
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga 525-8577, Japan
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10
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Zhou M, Xu Q, Huang D, Luo L. Regulation of gene transcription of B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog (Review). Biomed Rep 2021; 14:52. [PMID: 33884195 PMCID: PMC8056379 DOI: 10.3892/br.2021.1428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog (Bmi-1) is a core protein component of the polycomb repressive complex 1 that inhibits cell senescence and maintains the self-renewal ability of stem cells via downregulation of p16Ink4a and p19Arf expression. Bmi-1 serves an important role in hematopoietic stem cell maintenance and neurodevelopment during embryonic development, and it has been shown to enhance tumorigenesis by promoting cancer stem cell self-renewal and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Emerging evidence suggests that Bmi-1 overexpression is closely related to the development and progression of various types of cancer, and that downregulation of Bmi-1 expression can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. It is therefore important to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the regulation of Bmi-1 expression both under normal growth conditions and in malignant tissues. In the present review, the current body of knowledge pertaining to the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of the BMI-1 gene is discussed, and the potential mechanisms by which Bmi-1 is dysregulated in various types of cancer are highlighted. Bmi-1 expression is primarily controlled via transcriptional regulation, and is regulated by the transcription https://www.ushuaia.pl/hyphen/?ln=en factors of the Myc family, including Myb, Twist1, SALL4 and E2F-1. Post-transcriptionally, regulation of Bmi-1 expression is inhibited by several microRNAs and certain small-molecule drugs. Thus, regulatory transcriptional factors are potential therapeutic targets to reduce Bmi-1 expression in cancer cells. Thus, the present review provides an up-to-date review on the regulation of BMI-1 gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meizhen Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Research Institute of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Qichao Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Research Institute of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Deqiang Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Research Institute of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Lingyu Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Research Institute of Digestive Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
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11
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Rana T, Behl T, Sehgal A, Sachdeva M, Mehta V, Sharma N, Singh S, Bungau S. Exploring Sonic Hedgehog Cell Signaling in Neurogenesis: Its Potential Role in Depressive Behavior. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:1589-1602. [PMID: 33786718 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03307-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Depression is the most prevalent form of neuropsychiatric disorder affecting all age groups globally. As per the estimation of the World Health Organization (WHO), depression will develop into the foremost reason for disability globally by the year 2030. The primary neurobiological mechanism implicated in depression remains ambiguous; however, dysregulation of molecular and signaling transductions results in depressive disorders. Several theories have been developed to explain the pathogenesis of depression, however, none of them completely explained all aspects of depressive-pathogenesis. In the current review, we aimed to explore the role of the sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway in the development of the depressive disorder and its potential as the therapeutic target. Shh signaling has a crucial function in neurogenesis and neural tube patterning during the development of the central nervous system (CNS). Shh signaling performs a basic function in embryogenesis and hippocampal neurogenesis. Moreover, antidepressants are also known to enhance neurogenesis in the hippocampus, which further suggests the potential of Shh signaling. Furthermore, there is decreased expression of a glioma-associated oncogene (Gli1) and Smoothened (Smo) in depression. Moreover, antidepressants also regulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and wingless protein (Wnt) signaling, therefore, Shh may be implicated in the pathogenesis of the depressive disorder. Deregulation of Shh signaling in CNS results in neurological disorders such as depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarapati Rana
- Government Pharmacy College, Seraj, Distt. Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India.,Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Tapan Behl
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India.
| | - Aayush Sehgal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Monika Sachdeva
- Fatimah College of Health Sciences, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Vineet Mehta
- Government College of Pharmacy, Rohru, Distt. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Neelam Sharma
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Sukhbir Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Simona Bungau
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
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12
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Lu Y, Zhu Y, Deng S, Chen Y, Li W, Sun J, Xu X. Targeting the Sonic Hedgehog Pathway to Suppress the Expression of the Cancer Stem Cell (CSC)-Related Transcription Factors and CSC-Driven Thyroid Tumor Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030418. [PMID: 33499351 PMCID: PMC7866109 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancers respond poorly to surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy. Cancer stem cells play an important role in tumor growth, drug resistance, and recurrence. This study focuses on how the sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway maintains thyroid cancer stem cell self-renewal and whether it can be targeted for anticancer therapy. The authors report that the Shh pathway regulates the expression of BMI1 and SOX2, two genes involved in stem cell self-renewal, and that targeting the Shh pathway has little effect on thyroid tumor xenografts but can inhibit the growth of tumor xenografts derived from thyroid cancer stem cells. This study advances the knowledge on how thyroid cancer stem cells regenerate and highlights the potential therapeutic values of targeting the Shh pathway. Abstract The sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway plays important roles in tumorigenesis, tumor growth, drug resistance, and metastasis. We and others have reported earlier that this pathway is highly activated in thyroid cancer. However, its role in thyroid cancer stem cell (CSC) self-renewal and tumor development remains incompletely understood. B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog (BMI1) and SRY-Box Transcription Factor 2 (SOX2) are two CSC-related transcription factors that have been implicated in promoting CSC self-renewal. The objective of our current investigation was to determine the role of the Shh pathway in regulating BMI1 and SOX2 expression in thyroid cancer and promoting thyroid tumor growth and development. Here we report that inhibition of the Shh pathway by Gli1 siRNA or by cyclopamine and GANT61 reduced BMI1 and SOX2 expression in SW1736 and KAT-18 cells, two anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines. The opposite results were obtained in cells overexpressing Gli1 or its downstream transcription factor Snail. The Shh pathway regulated SOX2 and BMI1 expression at a transcriptional and post-transcriptional level, respectively. GANT61 treatment suppressed the growth of SW1736 CSC-derived tumor xenografts but did not significantly inhibit the growth of tumors grown from bulk tumor cells. Clinicopathological analyses of thyroid tumor specimens by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining revealed that BMI1 and SOX2 were highly expressed in thyroid cancer and correlated with Gli1 expression. Our study provides evidence that activation of the Shh pathway leads to increased BMI1 and SOX2 expression in thyroid cancer and promotes thyroid CSC-driven tumor initiation. Targeting the Shh pathway may have therapeutic value for treating thyroid cancer and preventing recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Lu
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Yiwen Zhu
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Shihan Deng
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Yuhuang Chen
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Wei Li
- College of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China;
| | - Jing Sun
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.C.); (J.S.)
| | - Xiulong Xu
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China; (Y.L.); (Y.Z.); (S.D.); (Y.C.); (J.S.)
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-514-8797-7382; Fax: +86-514-8797-7046
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13
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Wu X, Xiao S, Zhang M, Yang L, Zhong J, Li B, Li F, Xia X, Li X, Zhou H, Liu D, Huang N, Yang X, Xiao F, Zhang N. A novel protein encoded by circular SMO RNA is essential for Hedgehog signaling activation and glioblastoma tumorigenicity. Genome Biol 2021; 22:33. [PMID: 33446260 PMCID: PMC7807754 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-020-02250-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog pathway drives tumorigenesis of many cancers, including glioblastoma. However, the sensitization mechanism of the G protein-coupled-like receptor smoothened (SMO), a key component of Hedgehog signaling, remains largely unknown. RESULTS In this study, we describe a novel protein SMO-193a.a. that is essential for Hedgehog signaling activation in glioblastoma. Encoded by circular SMO (circ-SMO), SMO-193a.a. is required for sonic hedgehog (Shh) induced SMO activation, via interacting with SMO, enhancing SMO cholesterol modification, and releasing SMO from the inhibition of patched transmembrane receptors. Deprivation of SMO-193a.a. in brain cancer stem cells attenuates Hedgehog signaling intensity and suppresses self-renewal, proliferation in vitro, and tumorigenicity in vivo. Moreover, circ-SMO/SMO-193a.a. is positively regulated by FUS, a direct transcriptional target of Gli1. Shh/Gli1/FUS/SMO-193a.a. form a positive feedback loop to sustain Hedgehog signaling activation in glioblastoma. Clinically, SMO-193a.a. is more specifically expressed in glioblastoma than SMO and is relevant to Gli1 expression. Higher expression of SMO-193a.a. predicts worse overall survival of glioblastoma patients, indicating its prognostic value. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals that SMO-193a.a., a novel protein encoded by circular SMO, is critical for Hedgehog signaling, drives glioblastoma tumorigenesis and is a novel target for glioblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xujia Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Songhua Xiao
- Department of Neurology, The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, Guangdong, China
| | - Maolei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Lixuan Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Fanying Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin Xia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Xixi Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Huangkai Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Dawei Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Nunu Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuesong Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Feizhe Xiao
- Department of Scientific Research Section, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Nu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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14
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Wei X, Chen Y, Jiang X, Peng M, Liu Y, Mo Y, Ren D, Hua Y, Yu B, Zhou Y, Liao Q, Wang H, Xiang B, Zhou M, Li X, Li G, Li Y, Xiong W, Zeng Z. Mechanisms of vasculogenic mimicry in hypoxic tumor microenvironments. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:7. [PMID: 33397409 PMCID: PMC7784348 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01288-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a recently discovered angiogenetic process found in many malignant tumors, and is different from the traditional angiogenetic process involving vascular endothelium. It involves the formation of microvascular channels composed of tumor cells; therefore, VM is considered a new model for the formation of new blood vessels in aggressive tumors, and can provide blood supply for tumor growth. Many studies have pointed out that in recent years, some clinical treatments against angiogenesis have not been satisfactory possibly due to the activation of VM. Although the mechanisms underlying VM have not been fully elucidated, increasing research on the soil “microenvironment” for tumor growth suggests that the initial hypoxic environment in solid tumors is inseparable from VM. Main body In this review, we describe that the stemness and differentiation potential of cancer stem cells are enhanced under hypoxic microenvironments, through hypoxia-induced epithelial-endothelial transition (EET) and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling to form the specific mechanism of vasculogenic mimicry; we also summarized some of the current drugs targeting VM through these processes, suggesting a new reference for the clinical treatment of tumor angiogenesis. Conclusion Overall, the use of VM inhibitors in combination with conventional anti-angiogenesis treatments is a promising strategy for improving the effectiveness of targeted angiogenesis treatments; further, considering the importance of hypoxia in tumor invasion and metastasis, drugs targeting the hypoxia signaling pathway seem to achieve good results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxu Wei
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yunhua Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xianjie Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Miao Peng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yiduo Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongzhen Mo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Daixi Ren
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yuze Hua
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Boyao Yu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yujuan Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qianjin Liao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bo Xiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medicine, Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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15
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Doheny D, Manore SG, Wong GL, Lo HW. Hedgehog Signaling and Truncated GLI1 in Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092114. [PMID: 32957513 PMCID: PMC7565963 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway regulates normal cell growth and differentiation. As a consequence of improper control, aberrant HH signaling results in tumorigenesis and supports aggressive phenotypes of human cancers, such as neoplastic transformation, tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Canonical activation of HH signaling occurs through binding of HH ligands to the transmembrane receptor Patched 1 (PTCH1), which derepresses the transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor Smoothened (SMO). Consequently, the glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1) zinc-finger transcription factors, the terminal effectors of the HH pathway, are released from suppressor of fused (SUFU)-mediated cytoplasmic sequestration, permitting nuclear translocation and activation of target genes. Aberrant activation of this pathway has been implicated in several cancer types, including medulloblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, basal cell carcinoma, glioblastoma, and cancers of lung, colon, stomach, pancreas, ovarian, and breast. Therefore, several components of the HH pathway are under investigation for targeted cancer therapy, particularly GLI1 and SMO. GLI1 transcripts are reported to undergo alternative splicing to produce truncated variants: loss-of-function GLI1ΔN and gain-of-function truncated GLI1 (tGLI1). This review covers the biochemical steps necessary for propagation of the HH activating signal and the involvement of aberrant HH signaling in human cancers, with a highlight on the tumor-specific gain-of-function tGLI1 isoform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Doheny
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (D.D.); (S.G.M.); (G.L.W.)
| | - Sara G. Manore
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (D.D.); (S.G.M.); (G.L.W.)
| | - Grace L. Wong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (D.D.); (S.G.M.); (G.L.W.)
| | - Hui-Wen Lo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (D.D.); (S.G.M.); (G.L.W.)
- Wake Forest Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-336-716-0695
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16
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Wnt activation as a therapeutic strategy in medulloblastoma. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4323. [PMID: 32859895 PMCID: PMC7455709 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17953-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is defined by four molecular subgroups (Wnt, Shh, Group 3, Group 4) with Wnt MB having the most favorable prognosis. Since prior reports have illustrated the antitumorigenic role of Wnt activation in Shh MB, we aimed to assess the effects of activated canonical Wnt signaling in Group 3 and 4 MBs. By using primary patient-derived MB brain tumor-initiating cell (BTIC) lines, we characterize differences in the tumor-initiating capacity of Wnt, Group 3, and Group 4 MB. With single cell RNA-seq technology, we demonstrate the presence of rare Wnt-active cells in non-Wnt MBs, which functionally retain the impaired tumorigenic potential of Wnt MB. In treating MB xenografts with a Wnt agonist, we provide a rational therapeutic option in which the protective effects of Wnt-driven MBs may be augmented in Group 3 and 4 MB and thereby support emerging data for a context-dependent tumor suppressive role for Wnt/β-catenin signaling. The Wnt molecular subgroup of medulloblastoma is associated with better prognosis than the other molecular subgroups. Here, the authors show that activating Wnt signaling impairs tumor development and improves survival in Group 3 and Group 4 medulloblastoma preclinical models.
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17
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Laneve P, Caffarelli E. The Non-coding Side of Medulloblastoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:275. [PMID: 32528946 PMCID: PMC7266940 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric brain tumor and a primary cause of cancer-related death in children. Until a few years ago, only clinical and histological features were exploited for MB pathological classification and outcome prognosis. In the past decade, the advancement of high-throughput molecular analyses that integrate genetic, epigenetic, and expression data, together with the availability of increasing wealth of patient samples, revealed the existence of four molecularly distinct MB subgroups. Their further classification into 12 subtypes not only reduced the well-characterized intertumoral heterogeneity, but also provided new opportunities for the design of targets for precision oncology. Moreover, the identification of tumorigenic and self-renewing subpopulations of cancer stem cells in MB has increased our knowledge of its biology. Despite these advancements, the origin of MB is still debated, and its molecular bases are poorly characterized. A major goal in the field is to identify the key genes that drive tumor growth and the mechanisms through which they are able to promote tumorigenesis. So far, only protein-coding genes acting as oncogenic drivers have been characterized in each MB subgroup. The contribution of the non-coding side of the genome, which produces a plethora of transcripts that control fundamental biological processes, as the cell choice between proliferation and differentiation, is still unappreciated. This review wants to fill this major gap by summarizing the recent findings on the impact of non-coding RNAs in MB initiation and progression. Furthermore, their potential role as specific MB biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets is also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Laneve
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Caffarelli
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
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18
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Castagnoli L, De Santis F, Volpari T, Vernieri C, Tagliabue E, Di Nicola M, Pupa SM. Cancer Stem Cells: Devil or Savior-Looking behind the Scenes of Immunotherapy Failure. Cells 2020; 9:E555. [PMID: 32120774 PMCID: PMC7140486 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the introduction of immunotherapy has tremendously improved the prognosis of patients with metastatic cancers of different histological origins, some tumors fail to respond or develop resistance. Broadening the clinical efficacy of currently available immunotherapy strategies requires an improved understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying cancer immune escape. Globally, tumor cells evade immune attack using two main strategies: avoiding recognition by immune cells and instigating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Emerging data suggest that the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy or molecularly targeted therapy is related to the ability of these therapies to target cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, little is known about the role of CSCs in mediating tumor resistance to immunotherapy. Due to their immunomodulating features and plasticity, CSCs can be especially proficient at evading immune surveillance, thus potentially representing the most prominent malignant cell component implicated in primary or acquired resistance to immunotherapy. The identification of immunomodulatory properties of CSCs that include mechanisms that regulate their interactions with immune cells, such as bidirectional release of particular cytokines/chemokines, fusion of CSCs with fusogenic stromal cells, and cell-to-cell communication exerted by extracellular vesicles, may significantly improve the efficacy of current immunotherapy strategies. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current scientific evidence linking CSC biological, immunological, and epigenetic features to tumor resistance to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Castagnoli
- Department of Research, Molecular Targeting Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.C.); (E.T.)
| | - Francesca De Santis
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Unit of Immunotherapy and Anticancer Innovative Therapeutics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.D.S.); (T.V.); (M.D.N.)
| | - Tatiana Volpari
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Unit of Immunotherapy and Anticancer Innovative Therapeutics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.D.S.); (T.V.); (M.D.N.)
| | - Claudio Vernieri
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy;
- IFOM, FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Elda Tagliabue
- Department of Research, Molecular Targeting Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.C.); (E.T.)
| | - Massimo Di Nicola
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Unit of Immunotherapy and Anticancer Innovative Therapeutics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.D.S.); (T.V.); (M.D.N.)
| | - Serenella M. Pupa
- Department of Research, Molecular Targeting Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Amadeo 42, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.C.); (E.T.)
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da Cunha Jaeger M, Ghisleni EC, Cardoso PS, Siniglaglia M, Falcon T, Brunetto AT, Brunetto AL, de Farias CB, Taylor MD, Nör C, Ramaswamy V, Roesler R. HDAC and MAPK/ERK Inhibitors Cooperate To Reduce Viability and Stemness in Medulloblastoma. J Mol Neurosci 2020; 70:981-992. [PMID: 32056089 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-020-01505-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB), which originates from embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) or neural precursors in the developing cerebellum, is the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood. Recurrent and metastatic disease is the principal cause of death and may be related to resistance within cancer stem cells (CSCs). Chromatin state is involved in maintaining signaling pathways related to stemness, and inhibition of histone deacetylase enzymes (HDAC) has emerged as an experimental therapeutic strategy to target this cell population. Here, we observed antitumor actions and changes in stemness induced by HDAC inhibition in MB. Analyses of tumor samples from patients with MB showed that the stemness markers BMI1 and CD133 are expressed in all molecular subgroups of MB. The HDAC inhibitor (HDACi) NaB reduced cell viability and expression of BMI1 and CD133 and increased acetylation in human MB cells. Enrichment analysis of genes associated with CD133 or BMI1 expression showed mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK signaling as the most enriched processes in MB tumors. MAPK/ERK inhibition reduced expression of the stemness markers, hindered MB neurosphere formation, and its antiproliferative effect was enhanced by combination with NaB. These results suggest that combining HDAC and MAPK/ERK inhibitors may be a novel and more effective approach in reducing MB proliferation when compared to single-drug treatments, through modulation of the stemness phenotype of MB cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane da Cunha Jaeger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Eduarda Chiesa Ghisleni
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Paula Schoproni Cardoso
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Marialva Siniglaglia
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Tiago Falcon
- Bioinformatics Core, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - André T Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Algemir L Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Children's Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Michael D Taylor
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carolina Nör
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite, 500 (ICBS, Campus Centro/UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
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20
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Bahmad HF, Poppiti RJ. Medulloblastoma cancer stem cells: molecular signatures and therapeutic targets. J Clin Pathol 2020; 73:243-249. [PMID: 32034059 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2019-206246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant primary intracranial neoplasm diagnosed in childhood. Although numerous efforts have been made during the past few years to exploit novel targeted therapies for this aggressive neoplasm, there still exist substantial hitches hindering successful management of MB. Lately, progress in cancer biology has shown evidence that a subpopulation of cells within the tumour, namely cancer stem cells (CSCs), are thought to be responsible for the resistance to most chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy, accounting for cancer recurrence. Hence, it is crucial to identify the molecular signatures and genetic aberrations that characterise those CSCs and develop therapies that specifically target them. In this review, we aim to give an overview of the main genetic and molecular cues that depict MB-CSCs and provide a synopsis of the novel therapeutic approaches that specifically target this population of cells to attain enhanced antitumorous effects and therefore overcome resistance to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisham F Bahmad
- Arkadi M Rywlin MD Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, Florida, USA.,Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Robert J Poppiti
- Arkadi M Rywlin MD Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, Florida, USA .,Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
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21
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Human Medulloblastoma Cell Lines: Investigating on Cancer Stem Cell-Like Phenotype. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12010226. [PMID: 31963405 PMCID: PMC7016648 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. Despite the progress of new treatments, the risk of recurrence, morbidity, and death remains significant and the long-term adverse effects in survivors are substantial. The fraction of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) because of their self-renewal ability and multi-lineage differentiation potential is critical for tumor initiation, growth, and resistance to therapies. For the development of new CSC-targeted therapies, further in-depth studies are needed using enriched and stable MB-CSCs populations. This work, aimed at identifying the amount of CSCs in three available human cell lines (DAOY, D341, and D283), describes different approaches based on the expression of stemness markers. First, we explored potential differences in gene and protein expression patterns of specific stem cell markers. Then, in order to identify and discriminate undifferentiated from differentiated cells, MB cells were characterized using a physical characterization method based on a high-frequency dielectrophoresis approach. Finally, we compared their tumorigenic potential in vivo, through engrafting in nude mice. Concordantly, our findings identified the D283 human cell line as an ideal model of CSCs, providing important evidence on the use of a commercial human MB cell line for the development of new strategic CSC-targeting therapies.
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22
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Basati G, Khaksarian M, Abbaszadeh S, Lashgarian HE, Marzban A. Cancer stem cells and nanotechnological approaches for eradication. Stem Cell Investig 2019; 6:38. [PMID: 31853454 DOI: 10.21037/sci.2019.10.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are currently known as the main cause of tumor recurrence. After chemotherapy is completed, CSCs proliferate and then differentiate to generate new tumor tissues. Similar to normal stem cells, this non-uniformly distributed cell population in the tumor tissue has self-renewal capacity and is responsible for survival of the tumor and difference in its genetic and metabolic characteristics. Followed by gene instability in CSCs, new phenotypic markers are aberrantly expressed in CSCs subpopulation. Hence, some of the surface markers and metabolic pathways that are upregulated in CSCs may be applied as specific targets for development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. In this review article, the distinctive properties of CSCs including signal pathways implicated in self-renewal and surface markers were discussed. Moreover, targeting CSCs based on their specific properties using nanodrugs was reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gholam Basati
- Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Khaksarian
- Razi Herbal Medicine Research Center & Department of Physiology, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Saber Abbaszadeh
- Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Hamed Esmaeil Lashgarian
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Hepatitis Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Abdolrazagh Marzban
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
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23
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Tamayo-Orrego L, Charron F. Recent advances in SHH medulloblastoma progression: tumor suppressor mechanisms and the tumor microenvironment. F1000Res 2019; 8. [PMID: 31700613 PMCID: PMC6820827 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.20013.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma, the most common of the malignant pediatric brain tumors, is a group of four molecularly and clinically distinct cancers with different cells of origin. One of these medulloblastoma groups displays activation of Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling and originates from granule cell precursors of the developing cerebellum. Ongoing basic and clinical research efforts are tailored to discover targeted and safer therapies, which rely on the identification of the basic mechanisms regulating tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. In SHH medulloblastoma, the mechanisms regulating neural progenitor transformation and progression to advanced tumors have been studied in some detail. The present review discusses recent advances on medulloblastoma progression derived from studies using mouse models of SHH medulloblastoma. We focus on mechanisms that regulate progression from precancerous lesions to medulloblastoma, describing novel roles played by tumor suppressor mechanisms and the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Tamayo-Orrego
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Grupo Neuroaprendizaje, Autonomous University of Manizales, Manizales, Colombia
| | - Frédéric Charron
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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24
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Kowolik CM, Lin M, Xie J, Overman LE, Horne DA. Attenuation of hedgehog/GLI signaling by NT1721 extends survival in pancreatic cancer. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:431. [PMID: 31661013 PMCID: PMC6819529 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1445-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies due to frequent late diagnosis, aggressive tumor growth and metastasis formation. Continuously raising incidence rates of pancreatic cancer and a lack of significant improvement in survival rates over the past 30 years highlight the need for new therapeutic agents. Thus, new therapeutic agents and strategies are urgently needed to improve the outcome for patients with pancreatic cancer. Here, we evaluated the anti-tumor activity of a new natural product-based epidithiodiketopiperazine, NT1721, against pancreatic cancer. METHODS We characterized the anticancer efficacy of NT1721 in multiple pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro and in two orthotopic models. We also compared the effects of NT1721 to clinically used hedgehog inhibitors and the standard-of-care drug, gemcitabine. The effect of NT1721 on hedgehog/GLI signaling was assessed by determining the expression of GLI and GLI target genes both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS NT1721 displayed IC50 values in the submicromolar range in multiple pancreatic cancer cell lines, while largely sparing normal pancreatic epithelial cells. NT1721 attenuated hedgehog/GLI signaling through downregulation of GLI1/2 transcription factors and their downstream target genes, which reduced cell proliferation and invasion in vitro and significantly decreased tumor growth and liver metastasis in two preclinical orthotopic mouse models of pancreatic cancer. Importantly, treatment with NT1721 significantly improved survival times of mice with pancreatic cancer compared to the standard-of-care drug, gemcitabine. CONCLUSIONS Favorable therapeutics properties, i.e. 10-fold lower IC50 values than clinically used hedgehog inhibitors (vismodegib, erismodegib), a 90% reduction in liver metastasis and significantly better survival times compared to the standard-of-care drug, gemcitabine, provide a rational for testing NT1721 in the clinic either as a single agent or possibly in combination with gemcitabine or other therapeutic agents in PDAC patients overexpressing GLI1/2. This could potentially result in promising new treatment options for patients suffering from this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia M Kowolik
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Min Lin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Jun Xie
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Larry E Overman
- Department of Chemistry, 1102 Natural Sciences II, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-2025, USA
| | - David A Horne
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
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25
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Xiao Q, Zhao XY, Jiang RC, Chen XH, Zhu X, Chen KF, Chen SY, Zhang XL, Qin Y, Liu YH, Luo JD. Increased expression of Sonic hedgehog restores diabetic endothelial progenitor cells and improves cardiac repair after acute myocardial infarction in diabetic mice. Int J Mol Med 2019; 44:1091-1105. [PMID: 31524224 PMCID: PMC6657988 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Damaged endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are associated with poor prognosis in diabetic myocardial infarction (DMI). Our previous studies revealed that an impaired Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway contributes to insufficient function in diabetic EPCs; however, the roles of the Shh pathway in diabetic EPC apoptosis under basal and hypoxic/ischemic conditions remain unknown. Therefore, the present study investigated whether Shh revitalized diabetic EPCs and consequently improved the deteriorative status of DMI. For this purpose, streptozotocin injection was used in male C57/BL6 mice to induce type-1 diabetes, and diabetic EPCs were isolated from the bone marrow. Apoptosis, cell function, and protein expression were investigated in EPCs in vitro. Mouse hearts were injected with adenovirus Shh-modified diabetic EPCs (DM-EPCShh) or control DM-EPCNull immediately after coronary artery ligation in vivo. Cardiac function, capillary numbers, fibrosis, and cell apoptosis were then detected. First, the in vitro results demonstrated that the apoptosis of diabetic EPCs was reduced following treatment with Shh protein for 24 h, under normal or hypoxic conditions. BMI1 proto-oncogene (Bmi1), an antiapoptotic protein found in several cells, was reduced in diabetic EPCs under normal or hypoxic conditions, but was upregulated after Shh protein stimulation. When Bmi1-siRNA was administered, the antiapoptotic effect of Shh protein was significantly reversed. In addition, p53, a Bmi1-targeted gene, was demonstrated to mediate the antiapoptotic effect of the Shh/Bmi1 pathway in diabetic EPCs. The Shh/Bmi1/p53 axis also enhanced the diabetic EPC function. In vivo, Shh-modified diabetic EPCs exhibited increased EPC retention and decreased apoptosis at 3 days post-DMI. At 14 days post-DMI, these cells presented enhanced capillary density, reduced myocardial fibrosis and improved cardiac function. In conclusion, the present results demonstrated that the Shh pathway restored diabetic EPCs through the Shh/Bmi1/p53 axis, suppressed myocardial apoptosis and improved myocardial angiogenesis, thus reducing cardiac fibrosis and finally restoring myocardial repair and cardiac function in DMI. Thus, the Shh pathway may serve as a potential target for autologous cell therapy in diabetic myocardial ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Ya Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, P.R. China
| | - Ru-Chao Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, P.R. China
| | - Xiu-Hui Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, P.R. China
| | - Kai-Feng Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, P.R. China
| | - Sheng-Ying Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Ling Zhang
- Maternal and Children Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510260, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Qin
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, P.R. China
| | - Ying-Hua Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Dong Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, P.R. China
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26
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TSPAN8 promotes cancer cell stemness via activation of sonic Hedgehog signaling. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2863. [PMID: 31253779 PMCID: PMC6599078 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10739-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a major source of treatment resistance and tumor progression. However, regulation of CSCs stemness is not entirely understood. Here, we report that TSPAN8 expression is upregulated in breast CSCs, promotes the expression of the stemness gene NANOG, OCT4, and ALDHA1, and correlates with therapeutic resistance. Mechanistically, TSPAN8 interacts with PTCH1 and inhibits the degradation of the SHH/PTCH1 complex through recruitment of deubiquitinating enzyme ATXN3. This results in the translocation of SMO to cilia, downstream gene expression, resistance of CSCs to chemotherapeutic agents, and enhances tumor formation in mice. Accordingly, expression levels of TSPAN8, PTCH1, SHH, and ATXN3 are positively correlated in human breast cancer specimens, and high TSPAN8 and ATXN3 expression levels correlate with poor prognosis. These findings reveal a molecular basis of TSPAN8-enhanced Sonic Hedgehog signaling and highlight a role for TSPAN8 in promoting cancer stemness. Tetraspanin 8 (TSPAN8) has been implicated in a number of different tumours, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, in breast cancer the authors highlight a role for TSPAN8 in promoting tumorigenesis through the activation of Hedgehog signalling.
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Lv LN, Wang XC, Tao LJ, Li HW, Li SY, Zheng FM. β-Asarone increases doxorubicin sensitivity by suppressing NF-κB signaling and abolishes doxorubicin-induced enrichment of stem-like population by destabilizing Bmi1. Cancer Cell Int 2019; 19:153. [PMID: 31171917 PMCID: PMC6547485 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-019-0873-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lymphoma is one of the most common hematologic malignancy. Drug resistance is the main obstacle faced in lymphoma treatment. Cancer stem cells are considered as the source of tumor recurrence, metastasis and drug resistance. The β-Asarone, a low-toxicity compound from the traditional medical herb Acorus calamus, has been shown to act as an anti-cancer reagent in various cancer types. However, the anti-cancer activities of β-Asarone in lymphoma have not been shown. Methods Cell counting assay was used to evaluate Raji cell proliferation. CCK8 assay was used to evaluate the cell viability. Annexin-V/PI staining and flow cytometry analysis were used to evaluate apoptosis. ALDEFLUOR assay was used to evaluate the stem-like population. Luciferase reporter assay was used to examine the activation of NF-κB signaling. Western blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to determine the expression of interested genes. Results We showed that β-Asarone inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in Raji lymphoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, β-Asarone functioned as a sensitizer of doxorubicin and resulted in synergistic effects on inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis when combined with doxorubicin treatment. Interestingly, we found that β-Asarone also reduced the stem-like population of Raji lymphoma cells in a dose-dependent manner, and suppressed the expression of c-Myc and Bmi1. Importantly, β-Asarone abolished doxorubicin-induced enrichment of the stem-like population. In the mechanism study, we revealed that β-Asarone suppressed not only basal NF-κB activity but also Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) induced NF-κB activity. Moreover, blocking NF-κB signaling inactivation was critical for β-Asarone induced apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation, but not for the effect on β-Asarone reduced stem-like population. In fact, β-Asarone suppressed stem-like population by destabilizing Bmi1 via a proteasome-mediated mechanism. Conclusions Our data suggested the application of β-Asarone to lower the toxic effect of doxorubicin and increase the sensitivity of doxorubicin in clinical treatment. More importantly, our data revealed a novel role of β-Asarone which could be used to eliminate stem-like population in lymphoma, implying that β-Asarone might reduce relapse and drug resistance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12935-019-0873-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Na Lv
- 2Department of Hematology, Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiao-Chao Wang
- 3Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Li-Ju Tao
- 3Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Hong-Wen Li
- 3Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Shu-You Li
- 5Department of Medical Oncology, Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Fei-Meng Zheng
- 1Department of Medical Oncology of The Eastern Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhong Shan Er Lu, Guangzhou, 510080 China.,4Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Chen X, Hu L, Yang H, Ma H, Ye K, Zhao C, Zhao Z, Dai H, Wang H, Fang Z. DHHC protein family targets different subsets of glioma stem cells in specific niches. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:25. [PMID: 30658672 PMCID: PMC6339410 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1033-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Glioblastomas (GBM) comprise different subsets that exhibit marked heterogeneity and plasticity, leading to a lack of success of genomic profiling in guiding the development of precision medicine approaches against these tumors. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to investigate the regulatory mechanisms for different GBM subsets and identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets relevant in the context of GBM-specific niches. The DHHC family of proteins is associated tightly with the malignant development and progression of gliomas. However, the role of these proteins in the plasticity of GBM subsets remains unclear. Methods This study utilized human glioma proneural or mesenchymal stem cells as indicated. The effects of DHHC proteins on different GBM subsets were investigated through in vitro and in vivo assays (i.e., colony formation assay, flow cytometry assay, double immunofluorescence, western blot, and xenograft model). Western blot, co-immunoprecipitation, and liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer-mass spectrometry assays were used to detect the protein complexes of ZDHHC18 and ZDHHC23 in various GBM subtypes, and explore the mechanism of DHHC proteins in targeting different subsets of GSCs in specific niches. Results ZDHHC18 and ZDHHC23 could target the glioma stem cells of different GBM subsets in the context of their specific niches and regulate the cellular plasticity of these subtypes. Moreover, mechanistic investigations revealed that ZDHHC18 and ZDHHC23 competitively interact with a BMI1 E3 ligase, RNF144A, to regulate the polyubiquitination and accumulation of BMI1. These events contributed to the transition of glioma stem cells in GBM and cell survival under the stressful tumor microenvironment. Conclusions Our work highlights the role of DHHC proteins in the plasticity of GBM subsets and reveals that BMI1 represents a potential therapeutic target for human gliomas. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1033-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueran Chen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Center of Medical Physics and Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China. .,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, Anhui, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.
| | - Lei Hu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Center of Medical Physics and Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Haoran Yang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Center of Medical Physics and Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Huihui Ma
- Key Laboratory of Ion Beam Bioengineering, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, No. 218, Jixi Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Kaiqin Ye
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Center of Medical Physics and Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, Anhui, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Chenggang Zhao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Center of Medical Physics and Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Zhiyang Zhao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Center of Medical Physics and Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, Jin Zhai Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Haiming Dai
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Center of Medical Physics and Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, Anhui, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Hongzhi Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Center of Medical Physics and Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, Anhui, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Zhiyou Fang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Center of Medical Physics and Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China. .,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, Anhui, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.
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Wang X, Holgado BL, Ramaswamy V, Mack S, Zayne K, Remke M, Wu X, Garzia L, Daniels C, Kenney AM, Taylor MD. miR miR on the wall, who's the most malignant medulloblastoma miR of them all? Neuro Oncol 2019; 20:313-323. [PMID: 28575493 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nox106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) have wide-ranging effects on large-scale gene regulation. As such, they play a vital role in dictating normal development, and their aberrant expression has been implicated in cancer. There has been a large body of research on the role of miRNAs in medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood. The identification of the 4 molecular subgroups with distinct biological, genetic, and transcriptional features has revolutionized the field of medulloblastoma research over the past 5 years. Despite this, the growing body of research on miRNAs in medulloblastoma has largely focused on the clinical entity of a single disease rather than the molecular subgroups. This review begins by highlighting the role of miRNAs in development and progresses to explore their myriad of implications in cancer. Medulloblastoma is characterized by increased proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, and maintenance of stemness programs-features that are inadvertently regulated by altered expression patterns in miRNAs. This review aims to contextualize the large body of work on miRNAs within the framework of medulloblastoma subgroups. The goal of this review is to stimulate new areas of research, including potential therapeutics, within a rapidly growing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Borja L Holgado
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Haematology & Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen Mack
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kory Zayne
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marc Remke
- German Cancer Consortium, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Xiaochong Wu
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Livia Garzia
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Craig Daniels
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna M Kenney
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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30
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Therapeutic targeting of lipid synthesis metabolism for selective elimination of cancer stem cells. Arch Pharm Res 2018; 42:25-39. [PMID: 30536027 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-018-1098-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to have an essential role in tumor resistance and metastasis; however, no therapeutic strategy for the selective elimination of CSCs has been established. Recently, several studies have shown that the metabolic regulation for ATP synthesis and biological building block generation in CSCs are different from that in bulk cancer cells and rather similar to that in normal tissue stem cells. To take advantage of this difference for CSC elimination therapy, many studies have tested the effect of blocking these metabolism. Two specific processes for lipid biosynthesis, i.e., fatty acid unsaturation and cholesterol biosynthesis, have been shown to be very effective and selective for CSC targets. In this review, lipid metabolism specific to CSCs are summarized. In addition, how monounsaturated fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis may contribute to CSC maintenance are discussed. Specifically, the molecular mechanism required for lipid synthesis and essential for stem cell biology is highlighted. The limit and preview of the lipid metabolism targeting for CSCs are also discussed.
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31
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BMI1 is a therapeutic target in recurrent medulloblastoma. Oncogene 2018; 38:1702-1716. [PMID: 30348991 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0549-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most frequent malignant pediatric brain tumor, representing 20% of newly diagnosed childhood central nervous system malignancies. Although advances in multimodal therapy yielded a 5-year survivorship of 80%, MB still accounts for the leading cause of childhood cancer mortality. In this work, we describe the epigenetic regulator BMI1 as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of recurrent human Group 3 MB, a childhood brain tumor for which there is virtually no treatment option beyond palliation. Current clinical trials for recurrent MB patients based on genomic profiles of primary, treatment-naive tumors will provide limited clinical benefit since recurrent metastatic MBs are highly genetically divergent from their primary tumor. Using a small molecule inhibitor against BMI1, PTC-028, we were able to demonstrate complete ablation of self-renewal of MB stem cells in vitro. When administered to mice xenografted with patient tumors, we observed significant reduction in tumor burden in both local and metastatic compartments and subsequent increased survival, without neurotoxicity. Strikingly, serial in vivo re-transplantation assays demonstrated a marked reduction in tumor initiation ability of recurrent MB cells upon re-transplantation of PTC-028-treated cells into secondary recipient mouse brains. As Group 3 MB is often metastatic and uniformly fatal at recurrence, with no current or planned trials of targeted therapy, an efficacious targeted agent would be rapidly transitioned to clinical trials.
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32
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Arai MA, Ochi F, Makita Y, Chiba T, Higashi K, Suganami A, Tamura Y, Toida T, Iwama A, Sadhu SK, Ahmed F, Ishibashi M. GLI1 Inhibitors Identified by Target Protein Oriented Natural Products Isolation (TPO-NAPI) with Hedgehog Inhibition. ACS Chem Biol 2018; 13:2551-2559. [PMID: 30160475 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.8b00492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
This report describes the development of a target-protein-oriented natural-products-isolation (TPO-NAPI) method for Hedgehog inhibitors and the direct GLI1 inhibitor, 5'- O-methyl-3-hydroxyflemingin A (3), which inhibited hedgehog (Hh) signal transduction and diminished characteristics of cancer stem cells. Eight natural products (including three newly described products) that directly bind to GLI1 were rapidly obtained via the TPO-NAPI method developed using GLI1 protein-immobilized beads. 5'- O-Methyl-3-hydroxyflemingin A (3) inhibited Hh signaling (IC50 7.3 μM), leading to decreasing production of the Hh target proteins BCL2, PTCH1, and BMI1. 5'- O-Methyl-3-hydroxyflemingin A (3) was cytotoxic to Hh-related cancer cells. CD experiments revealed that 5'- O-methyl-3-hydroxyflemingin A (3) directly bound GLI1 ( Kd = 7.7 μM). Moreover, 5'- O-methyl-3-hydroxyflemingin A (3) diminished cancer stem cell characters of Huh7 such as sphere formation and production of the cancer stem cell marker EpCAM. These results suggest that Hh inhibitors can efficiently suppress the activity of cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Midori A. Arai
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Fumie Ochi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Makita
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Tetsuhiro Chiba
- Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Kyohei Higashi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Akiko Suganami
- Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Yutaka Tamura
- Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Toida
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Atsushi Iwama
- Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Samir K. Sadhu
- Pharmacy Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
| | - Firoj Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
| | - Masami Ishibashi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
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33
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Zeng X, Ju D. Hedgehog Signaling Pathway and Autophagy in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E2279. [PMID: 30081498 PMCID: PMC6121518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) pathway controls complex developmental processes in vertebrates. Abnormal activation of Hh pathway is responsible for tumorigenesis and maintenance of multiple cancers, and thus addressing this represents promising therapeutic opportunities. In recent years, two Hh inhibitors have been approved for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) treatment and show extraordinary clinical outcomes. Meanwhile, a series of novel agents are being developed for the treatment of several cancers, including lung cancer, leukemia, and pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, Hh inhibition fails to show satisfactory benefits in these cancer types compared with the success stories in BCC, highlighting the need for better understanding of Hh signaling in cancer. Autophagy, a conserved biological process for cellular component elimination, plays critical roles in the initiation, progression, and drug resistance of cancer, and therefore, implied potential to be targeted. Recent evidence demonstrated that Hh signaling interplays with autophagy in multiple cancers. Importantly, modulating this crosstalk exhibited noteworthy capability to sensitize primary and drug-resistant cancer cells to Hh inhibitors, representing an emerging opportunity to reboot the efficacy of Hh inhibition in those insensitive tumors, and to tackle drug resistance challenges. This review will highlight recent advances of Hh pathway and autophagy in cancers, and focus on their crosstalk and the implied therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Zeng
- Department of Microbiological and Biochemical Pharmacy & The Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| | - Dianwen Ju
- Department of Microbiological and Biochemical Pharmacy & The Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery MOE, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
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34
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Non-Canonical Hedgehog Signaling Is a Positive Regulator of the WNT Pathway and Is Required for the Survival of Colon Cancer Stem Cells. Cell Rep 2018; 21:2813-2828. [PMID: 29212028 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer is a heterogeneous tumor driven by a subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). To study CSCs in colon cancer, we used limiting dilution spheroid and serial xenotransplantation assays to functionally define the frequency of CSCs in a panel of patient-derived cancer organoids. These studies demonstrated cancer organoids to be enriched for CSCs, which varied in frequency between tumors. Whole-transcriptome analysis identified WNT and Hedgehog signaling components to be enhanced in CSC-enriched tumors and in aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)-positive CSCs. Canonical GLI-dependent Hedgehog signaling is a negative regulator of WNT signaling in normal intestine and intestinal tumors. Here, we show that Hedgehog signaling in colon CSCs is autocrine SHH-dependent, non-canonical PTCH1 dependent, and GLI independent. In addition, using small-molecule inhibitors and RNAi against SHH-palmitoylating Hedgehog acyltransferase (HHAT), we demonstrate that non-canonical Hedgehog signaling is a positive regulator of WNT signaling and required for colon CSC survival.
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35
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Lee TH, Chennakrishnaiah S, Meehan B, Montermini L, Garnier D, D'Asti E, Hou W, Magnus N, Gayden T, Jabado N, Eppert K, Majewska L, Rak J. Barriers to horizontal cell transformation by extracellular vesicles containing oncogenic H-ras. Oncotarget 2018; 7:51991-52002. [PMID: 27437771 PMCID: PMC5239530 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) enable the exit of regulatory, mutant and oncogenic macromolecules (proteins, RNA and DNA) from their parental tumor cells and uptake of this material by unrelated cellular populations. Among the resulting biological effects of interest is the notion that cancer-derived EVs may mediate horizontal transformation of normal cells through transfer of mutant genes, including mutant ras. Here, we report that H-ras-mediated transformation of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-18) results in the emission of exosome-like EVs containing genomic DNA, HRAS oncoprotein and transcript. However, EV-mediated horizontal transformation of non-transformed cells (epithelial, astrocytic, fibroblastic and endothelial) is transient, limited or absent due to barrier mechanisms that curtail the uptake, retention and function of oncogenic H-ras in recipient cells. Thus, epithelial cells and astrocytes are resistant to EV uptake, unless they undergo malignant transformation. In contrast, primary and immortalized fibroblasts are susceptible to the EV uptake, retention of H-ras DNA and phenotypic transformation, but these effects are transient and fail to produce a permanent tumorigenic conversion of these cells in vitro and in vivo, even after several months of observation. Increased exposure to EVs isolated from H-ras-transformed cancer cells, but not to those from their indolent counterparts, triggers demise of recipient fibroblasts. Uptake of H-ras-containing EVs stimulates but fails to transform primary endothelial cells. Thus, we suggest that intercellular transfer of oncogenes exerts regulatory rather than transforming influence on recipient cells, while cancer cells may often act as preferential EV recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Hoon Lee
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, McGill University, QC, H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Shilpa Chennakrishnaiah
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, McGill University, QC, H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Brian Meehan
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, McGill University, QC, H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Laura Montermini
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, McGill University, QC, H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Delphine Garnier
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, McGill University, QC, H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Esterina D'Asti
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, McGill University, QC, H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Wenyang Hou
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, McGill University, QC, H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Nathalie Magnus
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, McGill University, QC, H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Tenzin Gayden
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, McGill University, QC, H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Nada Jabado
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, McGill University, QC, H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Kolja Eppert
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, McGill University, QC, H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Loydie Majewska
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, McGill University, QC, H4A 3J1 Canada
| | - Janusz Rak
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, McGill University, QC, H4A 3J1 Canada
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36
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Yi J, Wu J. Epigenetic regulation in medulloblastoma. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017; 87:65-76. [PMID: 29269116 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant childhood brain tumor. The heterogeneous tumors are classified into four subgroups based on transcription profiles. Recent developments in genome-wide sequencing techniques have rapidly advanced the understanding of these tumors. The high percentages of somatic alterations of genes encoding chromatin regulators in all subgroups suggest that epigenetic deregulation is a major driver of medulloblastoma. In this report, we review the current understanding of epigenetic regulation in medulloblastoma with a focus on the functional studies of chromatin regulators in the initiation and progression of specific subgroups of medulloblastoma. We also discuss the potential usage of epigenetic inhibitors for medulloblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqing Yi
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9040, USA
| | - Jiang Wu
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9040, USA.
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37
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Zhou A, Lin K, Zhang S, Ma L, Xue J, Morris SA, Aldape KD, Huang S. Gli1-induced deubiquitinase USP48 aids glioblastoma tumorigenesis by stabilizing Gli1. EMBO Rep 2017. [PMID: 28623188 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201643124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway drives the tumorigenesis of multiple cancers. In this study, we screened a panel of deubiquitinases that may regulate the Hh pathway. We find that deubiquitinase USP48 activates Gli-dependent transcription by stabilizing Gli1 protein. Mechanistically, USP48 interacts with Gli1 and cleaves its ubiquitin off directly. In glioblastoma cells, knockdown of USP48 inhibits cell proliferation and the expression of Gli1's downstream targets, which leads to repressed glioblastoma tumorigenesis. Importantly, USP48's effect on cell proliferation and tumorigenesis depends to some extent on Gli1. In addition, we find that the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway induces USP48 expression through Gli1-mediated transcriptional activation, which forms thus a positive feedback loop to regulate Hh signaling. In human glioblastoma specimens, the expression levels of USP48 and Gli1 proteins are clinically relevant, and high expression of USP48 correlates with glioma malignancy. In summary, our study reveals that the USP48-Gli1 regulatory axis is critical for glioma cell proliferation and glioblastoma tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidong Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kangyu Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sicong Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Program in Cancer Biology, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Neuro-oncology and Neurosurgery, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jianfei Xue
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Saint-Aaron Morris
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kenneth D Aldape
- MacFeeters Hamilton Centre for Neuro-Oncology Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Suyun Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA .,Program in Cancer Biology, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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38
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Solanki A, Lau CI, Saldaña JI, Ross S, Crompton T. The transcription factor Gli3 promotes B cell development in fetal liver through repression of Shh. J Exp Med 2017; 214:2041-2058. [PMID: 28533268 PMCID: PMC5502423 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20160852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Solanki et al. show that stromal activity of the transcription factor Gli3 is required for B cell development in the fetal liver. Gli3 functions to repress Shh expression, and Shh signals to developing B cells to regulate their development at multiple developmental stages. Before birth, B cells develop in the fetal liver (FL). In this study, we show that Gli3 activity in the FL stroma is required for B cell development. In the Gli3-deficient FL, B cell development was reduced at multiple stages, whereas the Sonic hedgehog (Hh [Shh])–deficient FL showed increased B cell development, and Gli3 functioned to repress Shh transcription. Use of a transgenic Hh-reporter mouse showed that Shh signals directly to developing B cells and that Hh pathway activation was increased in developing B cells from Gli3-deficient FLs. RNA sequencing confirmed that Hh-mediated transcription is increased in B-lineage cells from Gli3-deficient FL and showed that these cells expressed reduced levels of B-lineage transcription factors and B cell receptor (BCR)/pre-BCR–signaling genes. Expression of the master regulators of B cell development Ebf1 and Pax5 was reduced in developing B cells from Gli3-deficient FL but increased in Shh-deficient FL, and in vitro Shh treatment or neutralization reduced or increased their expression, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisha Solanki
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, England, UK
| | - Ching-In Lau
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, England, UK
| | - José Ignacio Saldaña
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, England, UK.,School of Health, Sport, and Bioscience, University of East London, London, England, UK
| | - Susan Ross
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, England, UK
| | - Tessa Crompton
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, England, UK
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39
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NSPc1 promotes cancer stem cell self-renewal by repressing the synthesis of all-trans retinoic acid via targeting RDH16 in malignant glioma. Oncogene 2017; 36:4706-4718. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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40
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Abou-Antoun TJ, Hale JS, Lathia JD, Dombrowski SM. Brain Cancer Stem Cells in Adults and Children: Cell Biology and Therapeutic Implications. Neurotherapeutics 2017; 14:372-384. [PMID: 28374184 PMCID: PMC5398995 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-017-0524-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors represent some of the most malignant cancers in both children and adults. Current treatment options target the majority of tumor cells but do not adequately target self-renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs have been reported to resist the most aggressive radiation and chemotherapies, and give rise to recurrent, treatment-resistant secondary malignancies. With advancing technologies, we now have a better understanding of the genetic, epigenetic and molecular signatures and microenvironmental influences which are useful in distinguishing between distinctly different tumor subtypes. As a result, efforts are now underway to identify and target CSCs within various tumor subtypes based on this foundation. This review discusses progress in CSC biology as it relates to targeted therapies which may be uniquely different between pediatric and adult brain tumors. Studies to date suggest that pediatric brain tumors may benefit more from genetic and epigenetic targeted therapies, while combination treatments aimed specifically at multiple molecular pathways may be more effective in treating adult brain tumors which seem to have a greater propensity towards microenvironmental interactions. Ultimately, CSC targeting approaches in combination with current clinical therapies have the potential to be more effective owing to their ability to compromise CSCs maintenance and the mechanisms which underlie their highly aggressive and deadly nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara J Abou-Antoun
- School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - James S Hale
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Justin D Lathia
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case, Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Stephen M Dombrowski
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Section of Pediatric Neurosurgical Oncology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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41
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Patel SS, Tomar S, Sharma D, Mahindroo N, Udayabanu M. Targeting sonic hedgehog signaling in neurological disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 74:76-97. [PMID: 28088536 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling influences neurogenesis and neural patterning during the development of central nervous system. Dysregulation of Shh signaling in brain leads to neurological disorders like autism spectrum disorder, depression, dementia, stroke, Parkinson's diseases, Huntington's disease, locomotor deficit, epilepsy, demyelinating disease, neuropathies as well as brain tumors. The synthesis, processing and transport of Shh ligand as well as the localization of its receptors and signal transduction in the central nervous system has been carefully reviewed. Further, we summarize the regulation of small molecule modulators of Shh pathway with potential in neurological disorders. In conclusion, further studies are warranted to demonstrate the potential of positive and negative regulators of the Shh pathway in neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sita Sharan Patel
- Department of Pharmacy, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat 173234, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sunil Tomar
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Post Box 9, Solan 173212, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Diksha Sharma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Post Box 9, Solan 173212, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Neeraj Mahindroo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, Post Box 9, Solan 173212, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Malairaman Udayabanu
- Department of Pharmacy, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat 173234, Himachal Pradesh, India.
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42
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Xu X, Lu Y, Li Y, Prinz RA. Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Thyroid Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:284. [PMID: 29163356 PMCID: PMC5670164 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system. The initiation of thyroid cancer is often triggered by a genetic mutation in the phosphortidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, such as RAS and BRAF, or by the rearrangement of growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase genes such as RET/PTC. The sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway is evolutionarily conserved and plays an important role in the embryonic development of normal tissues and organs. Gene mutations in the Shh pathway are involved in basal cell carcinomas (BCC). Activation of the Shh pathway due to overexpression of the genes encoding the components of this pathway stimulates the growth and spread of a wide range of cancer types. The Shh pathway also plays an important role in cancer stem cell (CSC) self-renewal. GDC-0449 and LDE-225, two inhibitors of this pathway, have been approved for treating BCC and are being tested as a single agent or in combination with other drugs for treating various other cancers. Here, we review the recent findings on activation of the Shh pathway in thyroid cancer and its role in maintaining thyroid CSC self-renewal. We also summarize the recent developments on crosstalk of the Shh pathway with the MAPK and PI3K oncogenic pathways, and its implications for combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiulong Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Xiulong Xu, ,
| | - Yurong Lu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yi Li
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Richard A. Prinz
- Department of Surgery, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL, United States
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43
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Lin Z, Sheng H, You C, Cai M, Zhang Y, Yu LS, Yu X, Lin J, Zhang N. Inhibition of the CyclinD1 promoter in response to sonic hedgehog signaling pathway transduction is mediated by Gli1. Exp Ther Med 2016; 13:307-314. [PMID: 28123507 PMCID: PMC5244851 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant tumor of the central nervous system in children. Accumulating evidence suggests a major role for the activation of the sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway in the development of MB cells; however, the mechanisms underlying the effect of this pathway on tumor survival and growth remain poorly understood. The Gli family zinc finger 1 (Gli1) transcription factor is considered as a mediator of the SHH signaling pathway in MB cells. Therefore, the present study investigated whether the SHH signaling pathway promotes the apoptosis of MB cells via downregulation of Gli1. GANT61, a novel Gli1 inhibitor, is known to have an in vitro activity against tumors. In the current study, Daoy cells were treated with different concentrations of GANT61 for 24 h, and the effect on cell proliferation was assayed by cell counting kit-8 assay. In addition, the cell cycle progression and apoptosis were assayed by flow cytometry analysis and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The effects of GANT61 treatment on SHH signaling pathway at the mRNA level were assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To further elucidate the inhibitory effects of GANT61 on the expression of Gli1 and CyclinD1, their protein levels were examined by western blot and immunofluorescence. The results indicated that GANT61 significantly inhibited the proliferation of Daoy cells in a dose-dependent manner, compared with the control group (P<0.05). HE staining revealed that cells had increasingly abnormal protuberance with increasing GANT61 concentration. Flow cytometry analysis also demonstrated that GANT61 induced G1/S arrest and apoptosis of Daoy cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). Gli1 and CyclinD1 mRNA expression levels were downregulated by GANT61 treatment (P<0.05); similarly, their protein levels were downregulated by GANT61 treatment in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). In conclusion, Gli1 expression was significantly associated with CyclinD1 expression in MB. These data demonstrated that Gli1 is an important mediator of the SHH pathway activity in MB, and may be a novel agent for use in combined chemotherapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongxiao Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Hansong Sheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Chaoguo You
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Ming Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Yiping Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Li Sheng Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoming Yu
- Department of Neonatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Jian Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Nu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
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Garg N, Bakhshinyan D, Venugopal C, Mahendram S, Rosa DA, Vijayakumar T, Manoranjan B, Hallett R, McFarlane N, Delaney KH, Kwiecien JM, Arpin CC, Lai PS, Gómez-Biagi RF, Ali AM, de Araujo ED, Ajani OA, Hassell JA, Gunning PT, Singh SK. CD133 + brain tumor-initiating cells are dependent on STAT3 signaling to drive medulloblastoma recurrence. Oncogene 2016; 36:606-617. [PMID: 27775079 PMCID: PMC5541269 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant paediatric brain tumor, is currently treated using a combination of surgery, craniospinal radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Owing to MB stem cells (MBSCs), a subset of MB patients remains untreatable despite standard therapy. CD133 is used to identify MBSCs although its functional role in tumorigenesis has yet to be determined. In this work, we showed enrichment of CD133 in Group 3 MB is associated with increased rate of metastasis and poor clinical outcome. The signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 (STAT3) pathway are selectively activated in CD133+ MBSCs and promote tumorigenesis through regulation of c-MYC, a key genetic driver of Group 3 MB. We screened compound libraries for STAT3 inhibitors and treatment with the selected STAT3 inhibitors resulted in tumor size reduction in vivo. We propose that inhibition of STAT3 signaling in MBSCs may represent a potential therapeutic strategy to treat patients with recurrent MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Garg
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - D Bakhshinyan
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - C Venugopal
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - S Mahendram
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - D A Rosa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - T Vijayakumar
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - B Manoranjan
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - R Hallett
- McMaster Centre for Functional Genomics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - N McFarlane
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - K H Delaney
- Departement of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - J M Kwiecien
- Departement of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Neurosurgery and Paediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - C C Arpin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - P-S Lai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - R F Gómez-Biagi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - A M Ali
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - E D de Araujo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - O A Ajani
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - J A Hassell
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,McMaster Centre for Functional Genomics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Departments of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - P T Gunning
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | - S K Singh
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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45
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Vand-Rajabpour F, Sadeghipour N, Saee-Rad S, Fathi H, Noormohammadpour P, Yaseri M, Hesari KK, Bagherpour Z, Tabrizi M. Differential BMI1, TWIST1, SNAI2 mRNA expression pattern correlation with malignancy type in a spectrum of common cutaneous malignancies: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Clin Transl Oncol 2016; 19:489-497. [PMID: 27718152 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-016-1555-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) can be used as a unique model to identify molecular mechanisms to distinguish rarely metastatic (BCC), often metastatic (SCC) and most metastatic (melanoma) cancer. It is known that epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness transcription factors (TWIST1, SNAI2/SLUG, and BMI1) play an important role in metastasis and their dysregulation has been demonstrated in metastatic cancers. We hypothesized that this spectrum of cutaneous cancers (BCC, SCC, and melanoma) would be a unique cancer model system to elucidate steps toward cancer invasion and metastasis. METHODS We evaluated the mRNA expression level of BMI1, TWIST1, and SNAI2/SLUG and studied clinicopathological features in 170 skin cancers along with normal tissue samples. RESULTS We demonstrate downregulation of BMI1 mRNA expression in BCC samples compared with controls (p = 0.0001), SCC (p = 0.001), and melanoma (p = 0.0001) samples. Downregulation of TWIST1 mRNA expression is seen in only BCC samples compared with controls (p = 0.031). High SNAI2 mRNA expression is represented in melanoma samples compared with controls (p = 0.022) and SCC samples (p = 0.031). High mRNA expression of TWIST1 is seen in patients with positive history of cancers. Extremely low mRNA expression of BMI1 is detected in patients with positive history of cancers other than skin cancer. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide support for the hypothesis that the spectrum of cutaneous cancers could be better understood as a series of gene dosage-dependent entities with distinct molecular events. Oncogene-induced senescence, mechanism of which is still unclear, could be one explanation for these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Vand-Rajabpour
- Medical Genetics Department, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 14155-6447, Tehran, 14176-13151, Iran
| | - N Sadeghipour
- Medical Genetics Department, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 14155-6447, Tehran, 14176-13151, Iran
| | - S Saee-Rad
- Dietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - H Fathi
- Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Tumor Clinic, Pathology Department and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Razi Dermatology Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - P Noormohammadpour
- Tumor Clinic, Pathology Department and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Razi Dermatology Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - M Yaseri
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - K K Hesari
- Tumor Clinic, Pathology Department and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Razi Dermatology Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Z Bagherpour
- Medical Genetics Department, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 14155-6447, Tehran, 14176-13151, Iran
| | - M Tabrizi
- Medical Genetics Department, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 14155-6447, Tehran, 14176-13151, Iran.
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46
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Potential role of Shh-Gli1-BMI1 signaling pathway nexus in glioma chemoresistance. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:15107-15114. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-5365-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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47
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Inaguma S, Riku M, Ito H, Tsunoda T, Ikeda H, Kasai K. GLI1 orchestrates CXCR4/CXCR7 signaling to enhance migration and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Oncotarget 2016; 6:33648-57. [PMID: 26413813 PMCID: PMC4741792 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The up-regulation of chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7 impacts on the distant metastasis and prognosis of breast cancer, though knowledge about the regulatory mechanism of their expressions is limited. Meanwhile, the GLI transcription factors of Hedgehog signaling have been reported to play a pivotal role in the development and progression of many types of human cancer. In breast cancer, the increased expression of GLI1 correlated with metastasis and unfavorable overall prognosis, though its molecular mechanism is also not fully understood. Based on our findings that GLI1 enhanced the lung metastasis of breast cancer cells in a mouse model system, we comprehensively screened for genes up-regulated by GLI1 in breast cancer cells, and as such identified CXCR4, CXCR7/ACKR3, and actin-binding protein LCP1/L-PLASTIN, all of which have been reported to be involved in CXCL12-stimulating signaling. In breast cancer cells, we found that GLI1 and GLI2 up-regulated these expressions, while treatment with GLI-specific inhibitor GANT61 reduced the expressions. As for CXCR4, we confirmed it as a direct target of GLI1 through the reporter assay and the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. We also found that GLI1 enhanced CXCL12-induced ERK phosphorylation and cell migration, both of which were blocked by either CXCR4-specific inhibitor or knockdown of CXCR7 or LCP1. These evidences suggest an indispensable role of GLI1 in the migration and metastasis of breast cancer cells through CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Inaguma
- Department of Pathology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
| | - Miho Riku
- Department of Pathology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
| | - Hideaki Ito
- Department of Pathology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
| | - Takumi Tsunoda
- Department of Pathology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ikeda
- Department of Pathology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
| | - Kenji Kasai
- Department of Pathology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
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48
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STAT3 pathway regulates lung-derived brain metastasis initiating cell capacity through miR-21 activation. Oncotarget 2016; 6:27461-77. [PMID: 26314961 PMCID: PMC4695002 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases (BM) represent the most common tumor to affect the adult central nervous system. Despite the increasing incidence of BM, likely due to consistently improving treatment of primary cancers, BM remain severely understudied. In this study, we utilized patient-derived stem cell lines from lung-to-brain metastases to examine the regulatory role of STAT3 in brain metastasis initiating cells (BMICs). Annotation of our previously described BMIC regulatory genes with protein-protein interaction network mapping identified STAT3 as a novel protein interactor. STAT3 knockdown showed a reduction in BMIC self-renewal and migration, and decreased tumor size in vivo. Screening of BMIC lines with a library of STAT3 inhibitors identified one inhibitor to significantly reduce tumor formation. Meta-analysis identified the oncomir microRNA-21 (miR-21) as a target of STAT3 activity. Inhibition of miR-21 displayed similar reductions in BMIC self-renewal and migration as STAT3 knockdown. Knockdown of STAT3 also reduced expression of known downstream targets of miR-21. Our studies have thus identified STAT3 and miR-21 as cooperative regulators of stemness, migration and tumor initiation in lung-derived BM. Therefore, STAT3 represents a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of lung-to-brain metastases.
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49
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Bassani B, Bartolini D, Pagani A, Principi E, Zollo M, Noonan DM, Albini A, Bruno A. Fenretinide (4-HPR) Targets Caspase-9, ERK 1/2 and the Wnt3a/β-Catenin Pathway in Medulloblastoma Cells and Medulloblastoma Cell Spheroids. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154111. [PMID: 27367907 PMCID: PMC4930187 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB), a neuroectodermal tumor arising in the cerebellum, represents the most frequent childhood brain malignancy. Current treatments for MB combine radiation and chemotherapy and are often associated with relevant side effects; novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR, fenretinide), a synthetic analogue of all-trans retinoic acid, has emerged as a promising and well-tolerated cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent for various neoplasms, from breast cancer to neuroblastoma. Here we investigated the effects of 4-HPR on MB cell lines and identified the mechanism of action for a potential use in therapy of MB. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to evaluate 4-HPR induction of apoptosis and oxygen reactive species (ROS) production, as well as cell cycle effects. Functional analysis to determine 4-HPR ability to interfere with MB cell migration and invasion were performed. Western Blot analysis were used to investigate the crucial molecules involved in selected signaling pathways associated with apoptosis (caspase-9 and PARP-1), cell survival (ERK 1/2) and tumor progression (Wnt3a and β-catenin). We show that 4-HPR induces caspase 9-dependent cell death in DAOY and ONS-76 cells, associated with increased ROS generation, suggesting that free radical intermediates might be directly involved. We observed 4-HPR induction of cell cycle arrest in G1/S phase, inactivated β-catenin, and inhibition of MB cell migration and invasion. We also evaluated the ability of 4-HPR to target MB cancer-stem/cancer-initiating cells, using an MB spheroids model, followed by flow cytometry and quantitative real-time PCR. 4-HPR treatment reduced DAOY and ONS-76 spheroid formation, in term of number and size. Decreased expression of the surface markers CD133+ and ABCG2+ as well as Oct-4 and Sox-2 gene expression were observed on BTICs treated with 4-HPR further reducing BITIC invasive activities. Finally, we analyzed 4-HPR ability to inhibit MB tumor cell growth in vivo in nude mice. Taken together, our data suggest that 4-HPR targets both parental and MB tumor stem/initiating cell-like populations. Since 4-HPR exerts low toxicity, it could represent a valid compound in the treatment of human MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bassani
- Scientific and Technological Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Arianna Pagani
- Scientific and Technological Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Principi
- Scientific and Technological Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Zollo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Ceinge Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Douglas M. Noonan
- Scientific and Technological Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Adriana Albini
- Scientific and Technological Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Antonino Bruno
- Scientific and Technological Pole, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano, Italy
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50
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Klieser E, Swierczynski S, Mayr C, Jäger T, Schmidt J, Neureiter D, Kiesslich T, Illig R. Differential role of Hedgehog signaling in human pancreatic (patho-) physiology: An up to date review. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol 2016; 7:199-210. [PMID: 27190692 PMCID: PMC4867399 DOI: 10.4291/wjgp.v7.i2.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway in drosophila melanogaster, our knowledge of the role of Hh in embryonic development, inflammation, and cancerogenesis in humans has dramatically increased over the last decades. This is the case especially concerning the pancreas, however, real therapeutic breakthroughs are missing until now. In general, Hh signaling is essential for pancreatic organogenesis, development, and tissue maturation. In the case of acute pancreatitis, Hh has a protective role, whereas in chronic pancreatitis, Hh interacts with pancreatic stellate cells, leading to destructive parenchym fibrosis and atrophy, as well as to irregular tissue remodeling with potency of initiating cancerogenesis. In vitro and in situ analysis of Hh in pancreatic cancer revealed that the Hh pathway participates in the development of pancreatic precursor lesions and ductal adenocarcinoma including critical interactions with the tumor microenvironment. The application of specific inhibitors of components of the Hh pathway is currently subject of ongoing clinical trials (phases 1 and 2). Furthermore, a combination of Hh pathway inhibitors and established chemotherapeutic drugs could also represent a promising therapeutic approach. In this review, we give a structured survey of the role of the Hh pathway in pancreatic development, pancreatitis, pancreatic carcinogenesis and pancreatic cancer as well as an overview of current clinical trials concerning Hh pathway inhibitors and pancreas cancer.
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