Igf2 ligand dependency of Pten(+/-) developmental and tumour phenotypes in the mouse

Hydrogen sulfide and its donors: Novel antitumor and antimetastatic agents for liver cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most frequent human cancer and the world's third most significant cause of cancer mortality. HCC treatment has recently improved, but its mortality continues to increase worldwide due to its extremely complicated and heterogeneous genetic abnormalities. After nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), the third gas signaling molecule discovered is hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), which has long been thought to be a toxic gas. However, numerous studies have proven that H₂S plays many pathophysiological roles in mammals. Endogenous or exogenous H₂S can decrease cell proliferation, promote apoptosis, block cell cycle, invasion and migration through various cellular signaling pathways. This review analyzes and discusses the recent literature on the function and molecular mechanism of H₂S and H₂S donors in HCC, so as to provide convenience for the scientific research and clinical application of H₂S in the treatment of liver cancer.

Placental mammals acquired functional sequences in NRK for regulating the CK2-PTEN-AKT pathway and placental cell proliferation

The molecular evolution processes underlying the acquisition of the placenta in eutherian ancestors are not fully understood. Mouse NCK-interacting kinase (NIK)-related kinase (NRK) is expressed highly in the placenta and plays a role in preventing placental hyperplasia. Here, we show the molecular evolution of NRK, which confers its function for inhibiting placental cell proliferation. Comparative genome analysis identified NRK orthologs across vertebrates, which share the kinase and citron homology (CNH) domains. Evolutionary analysis revealed that NRK underwent extensive amino acid substitutions in the ancestor of placental mammals and has been since conserved. Biochemical analysis of mouse NRK revealed that the CNH domain binds to phospholipids, and a region in NRK binds to and inhibits casein kinase-2 (CK2), which we named the CK2-inhibitory region (CIR). Cell culture experiments suggest the following: 1) Mouse NRK is localized at the plasma membrane via the CNH domain, where the CIR inhibits CK2. 2) This mitigates CK2-dependent phosphorylation and inhibition of PTEN and 3) leads to the inhibition of AKT signaling and cell proliferation. Nrk deficiency increased phosphorylation levels of PTEN and AKT in mouse placenta, supporting our hypothesis. Unlike mouse NRK, chicken NRK did not bind to phospholipids and CK2, decrease phosphorylation of AKT, or inhibit cell proliferation. Both the CNH domain and CIR have evolved under purifying selection in placental mammals. Taken together, our study suggests that placental mammals acquired the phospholipid-binding CNH domain and CIR in NRK for regulating the CK2–PTEN–AKT pathway and placental cell proliferation.

Loss of imprinting of the Igf2-H19 ICR1 enhances placental endocrine capacity via sex-specific alterations in signalling pathways in the mouse

Imprinting control region (ICR1) controls the expression of the Igf2 and H19 genes in a parent-of-origin specific manner. Appropriate expression of the Igf2-H19 locus is fundamental for normal fetal development, yet the importance of ICR1 in the placental production of hormones that promote maternal nutrient allocation to the fetus is unknown. To address this, we used a novel mouse model to selectively delete ICR1 in the endocrine junctional zone (Jz) of the mouse placenta (Jz-ΔICR1). The Jz-ΔICR1 mice exhibit increased Igf2 and decreased H19 expression specifically in the Jz. This was accompanied by an expansion of Jz endocrine cell types due to enhanced rates of proliferation and increased expression of pregnancy-specific glycoprotein 23 in the placenta of both fetal sexes. However, changes in the endocrine phenotype of the placenta were related to sexually-dimorphic alterations to the abundance of Igf2 receptors and downstream signalling pathways (Pi3k-Akt and Mapk). There was no effect of Jz-ΔICR1 on the expression of targets of the H19-embedded miR-675 or on fetal weight. Our results demonstrate that ICR1 controls placental endocrine capacity via sex-dependent changes in signalling.

The Evolution of Imprinted microRNAs and Their RNA Targets

Mammalian genomes contain many imprinted microRNAs. When an imprinted miRNA targets an unimprinted mRNA their interaction may have different fitness consequences for the loci encoding the miRNA and mRNA. In one possible outcome, the mRNA sequence evolves to evade regulation by the miRNA by a simple change of target sequence. Such a response is unavailable if the targeted sequence is strongly constrained by other functions. In these cases, the mRNA evolves to accommodate regulation by the imprinted miRNA. These evolutionary dynamics are illustrated using the examples of the imprinted C19MC cluster of miRNAs in primates and C2MC cluster in mice that are paternally expressed in placentas. The 3′ UTR of PTEN, a gene with growth-related and metabolic functions, appears to be an important target of miRNAs from both clusters.

Krüppel-like factor 8 regulates VEGFA expression and angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Tumor angiogenesis plays a critical role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and progression, but its mechanism is unclear. Krüppel-like factor 8 (KLF8) is a transcription factor that plays an important role in HCC progression. Here, we investigated the role of KLF8 in angiogenesis in HCC and its possible mechanism. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative RT-PCR, western blotting, promoter reporter assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and nude mouse tumor models were used to show that the mRNA and protein expression levels of KLF8 and VEGFA are highly correlated in HCC tissue samples. The up-regulation of KLF8 increased VEGFA protein levels and induced VEGFA promoter activity by binding to the CACCC region of the VEGFA promoter. In addition, KLF8 regulated HIF-1α and Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) expression. The PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 inhibited KLF8-induced VEGFA expression, whereas PI3K/AKT signaling pathway proteins, such as P-PDK1(Ser241) and P-AKT(Thr308), were decreased significantly. KLF8-overexpressing HCC cells had a higher potential for inducing angiogenesis. Thus, our results indicate that KLF8 may induce angiogenesis in HCC by binding to the CACCC region of the VEGFA promoter to induce VEGFA promoter activity and through FAK to activate PI3K/AKT signaling to regulate HIF-1α expression levels.

Loss of insulin-like growth factor II imprinting is a hallmark associated with enhanced chemo/radiotherapy resistance in cancer stem cells

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF2) is maternally imprinted in most tissues, but the epigenetic regulation of the gene in cancer stem cells (CSCs) has not been defined. To study the epigenetic mechanisms underlying self-renewal, we isolated CSCs and non-CSCs from colon cancer (HT29, HRT18, HCT116), hepatoma (Hep3B), breast cancer (MCF7) and prostate cancer (ASPC) cell lines. In HT29 and HRT18 cells that show loss of IGF2 imprinting (LOI), IGF2 was biallelically expressed in the isolated CSCs. Surprisingly, we also found loss of IGF2 imprinting in CSCs derived from cell lines HCT116 and ASPC that overall demonstrate maintenance of IGF2 imprinting. Using chromatin conformation capture (3C), we found that intrachromosomal looping between the IGF2 promoters and the imprinting control region (ICR) was abrogated in CSCs, in parallel with loss of IGF2 imprinting in these CSCs. Loss of imprinting led to increased IGF2 expression in CSCs, which have a higher rate of colony formation and greater resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in vitro. These studies demonstrate that IGF2 LOI is a common feature in CSCs, even when the stem cells are derived from a cell line in which the general population of cells maintain IGF2 imprinting. This finding suggests that aberrant IGF2 imprinting may be an intrinsic epigenetic control mechanism that enhances stemness, self-renewal and chemo/radiotherapy resistance in cancer stem cells.

Hydrogen sulfide acts as a double-edged sword in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells through EGFR/ERK/MMP-2 and PTEN/AKT signaling pathways

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is involved in cancer biological processes. However, there are several controversies concerning the role of H₂S in cancer development and progression. In this study, we found that the growth and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells were enhanced by 10–100 μM NaHS and dose-dependently inhibited by 600–1000 μM NaHS. The apoptotic levels were reduced by 25–100 μM NaHS but increased by 400–1000 μM NaHS in HCC cells. After treatment with 25–50 μM NaHS, the protein levels of p-EGFR, p-ERK, MMP-2, and p-AKT were increased, whereas the levels of PTEN and the ratio of BAX/BCL-2 were down-regulated. Administration of 800–1000 μM NaHS showed opposite effects on these protein levels in HCC cells. However, H₂S showed no effects on the growth, migration, apoptosis, and the protein levels of the EGFR/ERK/MMP-2 and PTEN/AKT signaling pathways in L02 cells. Furthermore, 25–100 μM NaHS promoted HCC tumor growth and blood vessel formation, while 800–1000 μM NaHS inhibited angiogenesis and tumor growth with no obvious systemic toxicity. These results indicate that H₂S acts as a double-edged sword in HCC cells through EGFR/ERK/MMP-2 and PTEN/AKT signaling pathways. Novel H₂S donors could be designed and applied for further antitumor research.

Placental phenotype and the insulin-like growth factors: resource allocation to fetal growth

The placenta is the main determinant of fetal growth and development in utero. It supplies all the nutrients and oxygen required for fetal growth and secretes hormones that facilitate maternal allocation of nutrients to the fetus. Furthermore, the placenta responds to nutritional and metabolic signals in the mother by altering its structural and functional phenotype, which can lead to changes in maternal resource allocation to the fetus. The molecular mechanisms by which the placenta senses and responds to environmental cues are poorly understood. This review discusses the role of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in controlling placental resource allocation to fetal growth, particularly in response to adverse gestational environments. In particular, it assesses the impact of the IGFs and their signalling machinery on placental morphogenesis, substrate transport and hormone secretion, primarily in the laboratory species, although it draws on data from human and other species where relevant. It also considers the role of the IGFs as environmental signals in linking resource availability to fetal growth through changes in the morphological and functional phenotype of the placenta. As altered fetal growth is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality and a greater risk of developing adult-onset diseases in later life, understanding the role of IGFs during pregnancy in regulating placental resource allocation to fetal growth is important for identifying the mechanisms underlying the developmental programming of offspring phenotype by suboptimal intrauterine growth.

Stromal-derived IGF2 promotes colon cancer progression via paracrine and autocrine mechanisms

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF)2/IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) signaling axis has an important role in intestinal carcinogenesis and overexpression of IGF2 is an accepted risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Genetic amplifications and loss of imprinting contribute to the upregulation of IGF2, but insufficiently explain the extent of IGF2 expression in a subset of patients. Here, we show that IGF2 was specifically induced in the tumor stroma of CRC and identified cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as the major source. Further, we provide functional evidence that stromal IGF2, via the paracrine IGF1R/insulin receptor axis, activated pro-survival AKT signaling in CRC cell lines. In addition to its effects on malignant cells, autocrine IGF2/IGF1R signaling in CAFs induced myofibroblast differentiation in terms of alpha-smooth muscle actin expression and contractility in floating collagen gels. This was further augmented in concert with transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling suggesting a cooperative mechanism. However, we demonstrated that IGF2 neither induced TGFβ/smooth muscle actin/mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) signaling nor synergized with TGFβ to hyperactivate this pathway in two dimensional and three dimensional cultures. IGF2-mediated physical matrix remodeling by CAFs, but not changes in extracellular matrix-modifying proteases or other secreted factors acting in a paracrine manner on/in cancer cells, facilitated subsequent tumor cell invasion in organotypic co-cultures. Consistently, colon cancer cells co-inoculated with CAFs expressing endogenous IGF2 in mouse xenograft models exhibited elevated invasiveness and dissemination capacity, as well as increased local tumor regrowth after primary tumor resection compared with conditions with IGF2-deficient CAFs. In line, expression of IGF2 correlated with elevated relapse rates and poor survival in CRC patients. In agreement with our results, high-level coexpression of IGF2 and TGFβ was predicting adverse outcome with higher accuracy than increased expression of the individual genes alone. Taken together, we demonstrate that stroma-induced IGF2 promotes colon cancer progression in a paracrine and autocrine manner and propose IGF2 as potential target for tumor stroma cotargeting strategies.

Inhibitors of STAT3, β-catenin, and IGF-1R sensitize mouse PIK3CA-mutant breast cancer to PI3K inhibitors

Although mutations in the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase catalytic subunit (PIK3CA) are common in breast cancer, PI3K inhibitors alone have shown modest efficacy. We sought to identify additional pathways altered in PIK3CA‐mutant tumors that might be targeted in combination with PI3K inhibitors. We generated two transgenic mouse models expressing the human PIK3CA‐H1047R‐ and the ‐E545K hotspot‐mutant genes in the mammary gland and evaluated their effects on development and tumor formation. Molecular analysis identified pathways altered in these mutant tumors, which were also targeted in multiple cell lines derived from the PIK3CA tumors. Finally, public databases were analyzed to determine whether novel pathways identified in the mouse tumors were altered in human tumors harboring mutant PIK3CA. Mutant mice showed increased branching and delayed involution of the mammary gland compared to parental FVB/N mice. Mammary tumors arose in 30% of the MMTV‐PIK3CA‐H1047R and in 13% of ‐E545K mice. Compared to MMTV‐Her‐2 transgenic mouse mammary tumors, H1047R tumors showed increased upregulation of Wnt/β‐catenin/Axin2, hepatocyte growth factor (Hgf)/Stat3, insulin‐like growth factor 2 (Igf‐2), and Igf‐1R pathways. Inhibitors of STAT3, β‐catenin, and IGF‐1R sensitized H1047R‐derived mouse tumor cells and PIK3CA‐H1047R overexpressing human HS578T breast cancer cells to the cytotoxic effects of PI3K inhibitors. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database showed that, unlike primary PIK3CA‐wild‐type and HER‐2⁺ breast carcinomas, PIK3CA‐mutant tumors display increased expression of AXIN2, HGF, STAT3, IGF‐1, and IGF‐2 mRNA and activation of AKT, IGF1‐MTOR, and WNT canonical signaling pathways. Drugs targeting additional pathways that are altered in PIK3CA‐mutant tumors may improve treatment regimens using PI3K inhibitors alone.

Gene expression profiling of tumor-initiating stem cells from mouse Krebs-2 carcinoma using a novel marker of poorly differentiated cells

Using the ability of poorly differentiated cells to natively internalize fragments of extracellular double-stranded DNA as a marker, we isolated a tumorigenic subpopulation present in Krebs-2 ascites that demonstrated the features of tumor-inducing cancer stem cells. Having combined TAMRA-labeled DNA probe and the power of RNA-seq technology, we identified a set of 168 genes specifically expressed in TAMRA-positive cells (tumor-initiating stem cells), these genes remaining silent in TAMRA-negative cancer cells. TAMRA+ cells displayed gene expression signatures characteristic of both stem cells and cancer cells. The observed expression differences between TAMRA+ and TAMRA- cells were validated by Real Time PCR. The results obtained corroborated the biological data that TAMRA+ murine Krebs-2 tumor cells are tumor-initiating stem cells. The approach developed can be applied to profile any poorly differentiated cell types that are capable of immanent internalization of double-stranded DNA.

Involvement of IGF-2, IGF-1R, IGF-2R and PTEN in development of human tooth germ - an immunohistochemical study

Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 (IGF-2) is a peptide hormone essential for prenatal growth and development. IGF-2 exerts its mitogenic effects via Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF-1R), and is eliminated by binding to Insulin-Like Growth Receptor 2 (IGF-2R). IGF-2 is also negatively regulated by Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN), a phosphatase mutated in various tumors. Not much is known about the interplay between these factors during human odontogenesis. In this study, expression patterns of IGF-2, IGF-1R, IGF-2R and PTEN were analyzed by double immunofluorescence in incisor human tooth germs during the foetal period of development between the 7^th and 20^th gestational week. Throughout the investigated period, IGF-2 was mostly expressed in enamel organ, whereas mild to moderate expression of PTEN could be seen in dental papilla and parts of enamel organ. Expression of IGF-1R was ubiquitous and displayed strong intensity throughout the entire enamel organ. In contrast, expression of IGF-2R had rather erratic pattern in enamel organ and dental papilla alike. Expression patterns of IGF-2, IGF-1R, IGF-2R and PTEN in highly proliferative cervical loops, as well as in differentiating pre-ameloblasts and pre-odontoblasts of cusp tip region during the early and late bell stages when enamel organ acquires definitive shape, indicate importance of these factors in crown morphogenesis of human incisor. Taken together, our data suggest the involvement of IGF-2, IGF-1R, IGF-2R and PTEN in temporo-spatial patterning of basic cellular processes (proliferation, differentiation) during normal tooth development. They are also relevant for improving knowledge of molecular basis of human odontogenesis.

A targetable GATA2-IGF2 axis confers aggressiveness in lethal prostate cancer

Elucidating the determinants of aggressiveness in lethal prostate cancer may stimulate therapeutic strategies that improve clinical outcomes. We used experimental models and clinical databases to identify GATA2 as a regulator of chemotherapy resistance and tumorigenicity in this context. Mechanistically, direct upregulation of the growth hormone IGF2 emerged as a mediator of the aggressive properties regulated by GATA2. IGF2 in turn activated IGF1R and INSR as well as a downstream polykinase program. The characterization of this axis prompted a combination strategy whereby dual IGF1R/INSR inhibition restored the efficacy of chemotherapy and improved survival in preclinical models. These studies reveal a GATA2-IGF2 aggressiveness axis in lethal prostate cancer and identify a therapeutic opportunity in this challenging disease.

Maternal transmission of a humanised Igf2r allele results in an Igf2 dependent hypomorphic and non-viable growth phenotype

The cation independent mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF2R) functions in the transportation and regulation of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and mannose 6-phosphate modified proteins. The relative and specific titration of IGF2 by high affinity binding of IGF2R represents a mechanism that supports the parental conflict theory of genomic imprinting. Imprinting of Igf2 (paternal allele expressed) and Igf2r (maternal allele expressed) arose to regulate the relative supply of both proteins. Experiments in the mouse have established that loss of the maternal allele of Igf2r results in disproportionate growth and peri-natal lethality. In order to systematically investigate the consequences of loss of function and of hypomorphic alleles of Igf2r on growth functions, we introduced a conditional human IGF2R exon 3–48 cDNA into the intron 2 region of murine Igf2r. Here we show that the knock-in construct resulted in over-growth when the humanised Igf2r allele was maternally transmitted, a phenotype that was rescued by either paternal transmission of the humanised allele, expression of a wild-type paternal allele or loss of function of Igf2. We also show that expression of IGF2R protein was reduced to less than 50% overall in tissues previously known to be Igf2 growth dependent. This occurred despite the detection of mouse derived peptides, suggesting that trans-splicing of the knock-in human cDNA with the endogenous maternal mouse Igf2r allele. The phenotype following maternal transmission of the humanised allele resulted in overgrowth of the embryo, heart and placenta with partial peri-natal lethality, suggesting that further generation of hypomorphic Igf2r alleles are likely to be at the borderline of maintaining Igf2 dependent viability.

Relaxed imprinting of IGF2 in peripheral blood cells of patients with a history of prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is the predominant IGF in adults and regulates cell growth. In contrast to normal tissues, where IGF2 is imprinted and only expressed from the paternal allele, loss of imprinting (LOI) and biallelic IGF2 expression are observed in many cancers including prostate cancer (PCa). We here studied whether LOI of IGF2 in normal circulating peripheral blood lymphocytes can predict increased PCa risk.

SAMPLES AND METHODS

We analyzed IGF2 protein levels, IGF2 820G/A genotype and imprinting status, as well as methylation status of the IGF2 imprinting control region (ICR) in 113 blood samples of patients with a history of radical prostatectomy (RPE) for PCa by ELISA, restriction-fragment length polymorphism, and bisulfite-DNA sequencing. Results were compared to 249 male blood donors with unknown prostate specific antigen (PSA) status.

RESULTS

The 820G/A genotype was enriched in the RPE group and was associated with younger age at cancer diagnosis. LOI in patients was only slightly more frequent than in controls, but IGF2 levels were significantly higher and uncoupled from the imprinting status. Analysis of the IGF2/H19 ICR revealed marked hypermethylation.

CONCLUSIONS

The IGF 820G/A genotype is associated with PCa diagnosis at younger age. Increased IGF2 in patients with PCa appears to be the result of impaired imprinting in non-neoplastic cells rather than a paracrine tumor product. Uncoupling of IGF2 protein levels from imprinting status (not LOI alone) and hypermethylation of the ICR characterized PCa patients and could have the potential to indicate persons at risk in screening programs.

Igf2 pathway dependency of the Trp53 developmental and tumour phenotypes

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and the transformation related protein 53 (Trp53) are potent regulators of cell growth and metabolism in development and cancer. In vitro evidence suggests several mechanistic pathway interactions. Here, we tested whether loss of function of p53 leads to IGF2 ligand pathway dependency in vivo. Developmental lethality occurred in p53 homozygote null mice that lacked the paternal expressed allele of imprinted Igf2. Further lethality due to post-natal lung haemorrhage occurred in female progeny with Igf2 paternal null allele only if derived from double heterozygote null fathers, and was associated with a specific gene expression signature. Conditional deletion of Igf2(fl/fl) attenuated the rapid tumour onset promoted by homozygous deletion of p53(fl/fl) . Accelerated carcinoma and sarcoma tumour formation in p53(+/-) females with bi-allelic Igf2 expression was associated with reductions in p53 loss of heterozygosity and apoptosis. Igf2 genetic dependency of the p53 null phenotype during development and tumour formation suggests that targeting the IGF2 pathway may be useful in the prevention and treatment of human tumours with a disrupted Trp53 pathway.