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Anwar S, Zafar M, Hussain MA, Iqbal N, Ali A, Sadaf, Kaur S, Najm MZ, Kausar MA. Unravelling the therapeutic potential of forkhead box proteins in breast cancer: An update (Review). Oncol Rep 2024; 52:92. [PMID: 38847267 PMCID: PMC11177173 DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer, a prominent cause of mortality among women, develops from abnormal growth of breast tissue, thereby rendering it one of the most commonly detected cancers in the female population. Although numerous treatment strategies are available for breast cancer, discordance in terms of effective treatment and response still exists. Recently, the potential of signaling pathways and transcription factors has gained substantial attention in the cancer community; therefore, understanding their role will assist researchers in comprehending the onset and advancement of breast cancer. Forkhead box (FOX) proteins, which are important transcription factors, are considered crucial regulators of various cellular activities, including cell division and proliferation. The present study explored several subclasses of FOX proteins and their possible role in breast carcinogenesis, followed by the interaction between microRNA (miRNA) and FOX proteins. This interaction is implicated in promoting cell infiltration into surrounding tissues, ultimately leading to metastasis. The various roles that FOX proteins play in breast cancer development, their intricate relationships with miRNA, and their involvement in therapeutic resistance highlight the complexity of breast cancer dynamics. Therefore, recognizing the progress and challenges in current treatments is crucial because, despite advancements, persistent disparities in treatment effectiveness underscore the need for ongoing research, with future studies emphasizing the necessity for targeted strategies that account for the multifaceted aspects of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadaf Anwar
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ha'il, Ha'il 2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mubashir Zafar
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ha'il, Ha'il 2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Malik Asif Hussain
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ha'il, Ha'il 2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naveed Iqbal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Ha'il 2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abrar Ali
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Ha'il 2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sadaf
- Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Simran Kaur
- School of Biosciences, Apeejay Stya University, Sohna, Gurugram, Haryana 122103, India
| | - Mohammad Zeeshan Najm
- School of Biosciences, Apeejay Stya University, Sohna, Gurugram, Haryana 122103, India
| | - Mohd Adnan Kausar
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ha'il, Ha'il 2440, Saudi Arabia
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2
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Zhang F, Xu Y, Lin J, Pan H, Giuliano AE, Cui X, Cui Y. Reciprocal regulation of forkhead box C1 and L1 cell adhesion molecule contributes to triple-negative breast cancer progression. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2024; 204:465-474. [PMID: 38183514 PMCID: PMC10959774 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-07177-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The potential of targeting forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) as a therapeutic approach for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is promising. However, a comprehensive understanding of FOXC1 regulation, particularly upstream factors, remains elusive. Expression of the L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), a transmembrane glycoprotein associated with brain metastasis, was observed to be positively associated with FOXC1 transcripts. Thus, this study aims to investigate their relationship in TNBC progression. METHODS Publicly available FOXC1 and L1CAM transcriptomic data were obtained, and their corresponding proteins were analyzed in four TNBC cell lines. In BT549 cells, FOXC1 and L1CAM were individually silenced, while L1CAM was overexpressed in BT549-shFOXC1, MDA-MB-231, and HCC1937 cells. CCK-8, transwell, and wound healing assays were performed in these cell lines, and immunohistochemical staining was conducted in tumor samples. RESULTS A positive correlation between L1CAM and FOXC1 transcripts was observed in publicly available datasets. In BT549 cells, knockdown of FOXC1 led to reduced L1CAM expression at both the transcriptional and protein levels, and conversely, silencing of L1CAM decreased FOXC1 protein levels, but interestingly, FOXC1 transcripts remained largely unaffected. Overexpressing L1CAM resulted in increased FOXC1 protein expression without significant changes in FOXC1 mRNA levels. This trend was also observed in BT549-shFOXC1, MDA-MB-231-L1CAM, and HCC1937-L1CAM cells. Notably, alterations in FOXC1 or L1CAM levels corresponded to changes in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion capacities. Furthermore, a positive correlation between L1CAM and FOXC1 protein expression was detected in human TNBC tumors. CONCLUSION FOXC1 and L1CAM exhibit co-regulation at the protein level, with FOXC1 regulating at the transcriptional level and L1CAM regulating at the post-transcriptional level, and together they positively influence cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- Oncology Research Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yue Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiediao Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongchao Pan
- Oncology Research Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Armando E Giuliano
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiaojiang Cui
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yukun Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China.
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Bhowmick C, Rahaman M, Bhattacharya S, Mukherjee M, Chakravorty N, Dutta PK, Mahadevappa M. Identification of hub genes to determine drug-disease correlation in breast carcinomas. Med Oncol 2023; 41:36. [PMID: 38153604 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02246-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The exact molecular mechanism underlying the heterogeneous drug response against breast carcinoma remains to be fully understood. It is urgently required to identify key genes that are intricately associated with varied clinical response of standard anti-cancer drugs, clinically used to treat breast cancer patients. In the present study, the utility of transcriptomic data of breast cancer patients in discerning the clinical drug response using machine learning-based approaches were evaluated. Here, a computational framework has been developed which can be used to identify key genes that can be linked with clinical drug response and progression of cancer, offering an immense opportunity to predict potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The framework concerned utilizes DeSeq2, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Cytoscape, and machine learning techniques to find these crucial genes. Total RNA extraction and qRT-PCR were performed to quantify relative expression of few hub genes selected from the networks. In our study, we have experimentally checked the expression of few key hub genes like APOA2, DLX5, APOC3, CAMK2B, and PAK6 that were predicted to play an immense role in breast cancer tumorigenesis and progression in response to anti-cancer drug Paclitaxel. However, further experimental validations will be required to get mechanistic insights of these genes in regulating the drug response and cancer progression which will likely to play pivotal role in cancer treatment and precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiranjib Bhowmick
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Medinipur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Motiur Rahaman
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Medinipur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Shatarupa Bhattacharya
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Medinipur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Mandrita Mukherjee
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Medinipur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Nishant Chakravorty
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Medinipur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Pranab Kumar Dutta
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Medinipur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Manjunatha Mahadevappa
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Medinipur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India.
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4
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Liu Y, Chen S, Tian M, Giuliano A, Cui X. FOXC1 restrains NF-κB-mediated interleukin-1β transcription in breast cancer. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e440. [PMID: 38107056 PMCID: PMC10725083 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- Department of SurgeryCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Shuang Chen
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Mao Tian
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Armando Giuliano
- Department of SurgeryCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Xiaojiang Cui
- Department of SurgeryCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
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5
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Wang F, Liao R, Wang X, Xiong G, Zhang B, Li J, Wu D, Chen Y, Zhou X, Gu X, Qi Q, Li C. N-3, a novel synthetic derivative of bifendate, inhibits metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer via decreasing p38-regulated FOXC1 protein stability. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 215:115729. [PMID: 37558004 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype with high invasiveness, metastatic potential, and poor prognosis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is pivotal in TNBC progression, becoming a promising target for TNBC treatment. Our study evaluated N-3, a novel synthetic bifendate derivative, which inhibited the EMT-associated migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 TNBC cells. The results were consistent with the suppression of FOXC1 expression and transcriptional activity. Additional studies indicated that N-3 reduced the protein stability of FOXC1 by enhancing ubiquitination and degradation. Moreover, N-3 downregulated p-p38 expression and FOXC1 interaction, decreasing the stability of p38-regulated FOXC1. Further, N-3 blocked TNBC metastasis with an artificial lung metastasis model in vivo, related to FOXC1 suppression and EMT. These results highlight the potential of N-3 as a TNBC metastasis treatment. Therefore, FOXC1 regulation could be a novel targeted therapeutic strategy for TNBC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rong Liao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China; Department of Pharmacy, Xuzhou City Hospital of TCM, Xuzhou 221010, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guixiang Xiong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Beibei Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Juan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dengpan Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Pharmacology of Materia Medica, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou 550025, China
| | - Xueyan Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoke Gu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qi Qi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Clinical Translational Center for Targeted Drug, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chenglin Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Drug Research and Clinical Pharmacy, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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6
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Molecular characterization of Richter syndrome identifies de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphomas with poor prognosis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:309. [PMID: 36658118 PMCID: PMC9852595 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34642-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Richter syndrome (RS) is the transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) into aggressive lymphoma, most commonly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We characterize 58 primary human RS samples by genome-wide DNA methylation and whole-transcriptome profiling. Our comprehensive approach determines RS DNA methylation profile and unravels a CLL epigenetic imprint, allowing CLL-RS clonal relationship assessment without the need of the initial CLL tumor DNA. DNA methylation- and transcriptomic-based classifiers were developed, and testing on landmark DLBCL datasets identifies a poor-prognosis, activated B-cell-like DLBCL subset in 111/1772 samples. The classification robustly identifies phenotypes very similar to RS with a specific genomic profile, accounting for 4.3-8.3% of de novo DLBCLs. In this work, RS multi-omics characterization determines oncogenic mechanisms, establishes a surrogate marker for CLL-RS clonal relationship, and provides a clinically relevant classifier for a subset of primary "RS-type DLBCL" with unfavorable prognosis.
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7
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Sun Y, Lin C, Ding Q, Dai Y. Overexpression of FOXC1 Promotes Tumor Metastasis by Activating the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Gastric Cancer. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:3742-3752. [PMID: 34427817 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-021-07226-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Forkhead box protein C1 (FOXC1) is a transcription factor overexpressed in multiple cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. However, the function of FOXC1 in gastric cancer remains largely unknown. AIM This study aims to explore the role of FOXC1 in promoting gastric cancer metastasis. METHODS FOXC1 expression in gastric cancer patients was measured using real-time PCR and western blot. The association of FOXC1 with patient survival was assessed using public dataset. Gastric cancer cells with FOXC1 overexpression or knockdown were established. Cell metastatic ability was assessed by the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as well as by migration and invasion assays. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to evaluate the interaction between FOXC1 and β-catenin. The in vivo effect of FOXC1 and β-catenin was assessed in metastatic animal models. RESULTS FOXC1 is overexpressed in gastric cancer and is associated with disease progression and poor patient survival. FOXC1 overexpression leads to the down-regulation of epithelial marker (E-cadherin) and the up-regulation of mesenchymal makers (N-cadherin, vimentin) and MMP-9, consistent with enhanced EMT. Moreover, cell migration and invasion are also activated, indicating increased metastatic ability. Notably, FOXC1 binds to the promoter region of β-catenin and transactivates β-catenin expression, which is responsible for the activation of EMT and metastasis in cells overexpressing FOXC1, while β-catenin knockdown can suppress the metastasis-induced by FOXC1. CONCLUSIONS FOXC1 promotes gastric cancer metastasis by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which may serve as a promising therapeutic target for gastric cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang'an Sun
- Abdominal Surgery Department, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Tumor Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Chao Lin
- Abdominal Surgery Department, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Tumor Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qunhua Ding
- Abdominal Surgery Department, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Tumor Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ying Dai
- The Third Hepatology Department, Nanchang No. 9 Hospital, Nanchang Liverish Hospital, 167 Hongdu Middle Ave, Qingshanhu District, Nanchang, 330002, Jiangxi, China.
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8
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Wang H, Wang H, Song Y, Liu C, Qian X, Zhang D, Jiang X, Zhang S. Overexpression of Foxc1 ameliorates sepsis‑associated encephalopathy by inhibiting microglial migration and neuroinflammation through the IκBα/NF‑κB pathway. Mol Med Rep 2022; 25:107. [PMID: 35103290 PMCID: PMC8822881 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a common and severe complication of sepsis. The cognitive dysfunction that ensues during SAE has been reported to be caused by impairments of the hippocampus. Microglia serves a key role in neuroinflammation during SAE through migration. Forkhead box C1 (Foxc1) is a member of the forkhead transcription factor family that has been found to regulate in cell migration. However, the role of Foxc1 in neuroinflammation during SAE remains unknown. In the present study, the mechanistic role of Foxc1 on microglial migration, neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis during the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction in SAE was investigated. A microglia-mediated inflammation model was induced by LPS in BV-2 microglial cells in vitro, whilst a SAE-related cognitive impairment model was established in mice using cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) surgery. Cognitive function in mice was evaluated using the Morris Water Maze (MWM) trial. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment was found to trigger BV-2 cell migration, inflammation and neuronal apoptosis. In addition, CLP surgery induced cognitive injury, which was indicated by longer latencies and shorter dwell times in the goal quadrant compared with those in the Sham group in the MWM trial. LPS treatment or CLP induction decreased the expression of Foxc1 and inhibitor of NF-κB (IκΒα) whilst increasing that of p65, IL-1β and TNF-α. After Foxc1 was overexpressed, the cognitive dysfunction of mice that underwent CLP surgery was improved, with the expression of IκBα also increased, microglial cell migration, the expression of p65, IL-1β and TNF-α and neuronal apoptosis were all decreased in vivo and in vitro, which were in turn reversed by the inhibition of IκBα in vitro. Overall, these results suggest that the overexpression of Foxc1 inhibited microglial migration whilst suppressing the inflammatory response and neuronal apoptosis by regulating the IκBα/NF-κB pathway, thereby improving cognitive dysfunction during SAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510280, P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, P.R. China
| | - Yinsen Song
- Department of Emergency Medicine, People's Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine/Zhengzhou People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Congyan Liu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Fifth Clinical Medical College of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Xinling Qian
- Department of Emergency Medicine, People's Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine/Zhengzhou People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Dalong Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, People's Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine/Zhengzhou People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Xin Jiang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, People's Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine/Zhengzhou People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Sisen Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510280, P.R. China
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9
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A chemokine regulatory loop induces cholesterol synthesis in lung-colonizing triple-negative breast cancer cells to fuel metastatic growth. Mol Ther 2022; 30:672-687. [PMID: 34274535 PMCID: PMC8821896 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a high propensity for organ-specific metastasis. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here we show that the primary TNBC tumor-derived C-X-C motif chemokines 1/2/8 (CXCL1/2/8) stimulate lung-resident fibroblasts to produce the C-C motif chemokines 2/7 (CCL2/7), which, in turn, activate cholesterol synthesis in lung-colonizing TNBC cells and induce angiogenesis at lung metastatic sites. Inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in lung-colonizing breast tumor cells by pulmonary administration of simvastatin-carrying HER3-targeting nanoparticles reduces angiogenesis and growth of lung metastases in a syngeneic TNBC mouse model. Our findings reveal a novel, chemokine-regulated mechanism for the cholesterol synthesis pathway and a critical role of metastatic site-specific cholesterol synthesis in the pulmonary tropism of TNBC metastasis. The study has implications for the unresolved epidemiological observation that use of cholesterol-lowering drugs has no effect on breast cancer incidence but can unexpectedly reduce breast cancer mortality, suggesting interventions of cholesterol synthesis in lung metastases as an effective treatment to improve survival in individuals with TNBC.
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Liu L, Zhu R, Li J, Pei Y, Wang S, Xu P, Wang M, Wen Y, Zhang H, Du D, Ding H, Jiang H, Chen K, Zhou B, Yu L, Luo C. Computational and Structure-Based Development of High Potent Cell-Active Covalent Inhibitor Targeting the Peptidyl-Prolyl Isomerase NIMA-Interacting-1 (Pin1). J Med Chem 2022; 65:2174-2190. [PMID: 35089030 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The unique proline isomerase peptidyl-prolyl isomerase NIMA-interacting-1 (Pin1) is reported to activate numerous cancer-driving pathways simultaneously, and aberrant Pin1 activation is present in many human cancers. Here, we identified a novel hit compound, ZL-Pin01, that covalently modified Pin1 at Cys113 with an half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.33 ± 0.07 μM through screening an in-house library. Crystallographic study drove the process of structure-guided optimization and led to the potent inhibitor ZL-Pin13 with an IC50 of 0.067 ± 0.03 μM. We obtained four co-crystal structures of Pin1 complexed with inhibitors that elucidated the detailed binding mode of the derivatives with Pin1. Interestingly, the co-crystal of Pin1 with ZL-Pin13 obtained by co-crystallization revealed the conformational change of Gln129 induced by the inhibitor. Furthermore, ZL-Pin13 effectively inhibited the proliferation and downregulated the Pin1 substrates in MDA-MB-231 cells. Collectively, we developed a potent covalent inhibitor of Pin1, ZL-Pin13, which could be an effective probe for studying the functional roles of Pin1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Liu
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rui Zhu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Jiacheng Li
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuan Pei
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shuangshuang Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Pan Xu
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mingyu Wang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Wen
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Daohai Du
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hong Ding
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hualiang Jiang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Kaixian Chen
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.,Open Studio for Druggability Research of Marine Natural Products, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), 1 Wenhai Road, Aoshanwei, Jimo, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Bing Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lifang Yu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Cheng Luo
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, The Center for Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
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Cao X, He W, Rong K, Xu S, Chen Z, Liang Y, Han S, Zhou Y, Yang X, Ma H, Qin A, Zhao J. DZNep promotes mouse bone defect healing via enhancing both osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:605. [PMID: 34930462 PMCID: PMC8686256 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02670-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a novel oncogene that can specifically trimethylate the histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) to transcriptionally inhibit the expression of downstream tumor-suppressing genes. As a small molecular inhibitor of EZH2, 3-Deazaneplanocin (DZNep) has been widely studied due to the role of tumor suppression. With the roles of epigenetic regulation of bone cells emerged in past decades, the property and molecular mechanism of DZNep on enhancing osteogenesis had been reported and attracted a great deal of attention recently. This study aims to elucidate the role of DZNep on EZH2-H3K27me3 axis and downstream factors during both osteoclasts and osteoblasts formation and the therapeutic possibility of DZNep on bone defect healing. Methods Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) cells were cultured, and their responsiveness to DZNep was evaluated by cell counting kit-8, TRAP staining assay, bone resorption assay, podosome actin belt. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) were cultured and their responsiveness to DZNep was evaluated by cell counting kit-8, ALP and AR staining assay. The expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wnt signaling pathway was determined by qPCR and western blotting. Mouse bone defect models were created, rescued by DZNep injection, and the effectiveness was evaluated by X-ray and micro-CT and histological staining. Results Consistent with the previous study that DZNep enhances osteogenesis via Wnt family member 1(Wnt1), Wnt6, and Wnt10a, our results showed that DZNep also promotes osteoblasts differentiation and mineralization through the EZH2-H3K27me3-Wnt4 axis. Furthermore, we identified that DZNep promoted the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation via facilitating the phosphorylation of IKKα/β, IκB, and subsequently NF-κB nuclear translocation, which credit to the EZH2-H3K27me3-Foxc1 axis. More importantly, the enhanced osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis result in accelerated mice bone defect healing in vivo. Conclusion DZNep targeting EZH2-H3K27me3 axis facilitated the healing of mice bone defect via simultaneously enhancing osteoclastic bone resorption and promoting osteoblastic bone formation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02670-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiankun Cao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 639, Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenxin He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 639, Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Kewei Rong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 639, Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenggui Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Mindong Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Fuan, 355000, Fujian Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiqian Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 639, Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuwei Liang
- Department of Orthopedics, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai Han
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedicine, GuangxiASEAN Collaborative Innovation Center for Major Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifan Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 639, Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 639, Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Ma
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 639, Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
| | - An Qin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 639, Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jie Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 639, Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
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Porras L, Ismail H, Mader S. Positive Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Breast Tumorigenesis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112966. [PMID: 34831189 PMCID: PMC8616513 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα, NR3A1) contributes through its expression in different tissues to a spectrum of physiological processes, including reproductive system development and physiology, bone mass maintenance, as well as cardiovascular and central nervous system functions. It is also one of the main drivers of tumorigenesis in breast and uterine cancer and can be targeted by several types of hormonal therapies. ERα is expressed in a subset of luminal cells corresponding to less than 10% of normal mammary epithelial cells and in over 70% of breast tumors (ER+ tumors), but the basis for its selective expression in normal or cancer tissues remains incompletely understood. The mapping of alternative promoters and regulatory elements has delineated the complex genomic structure of the ESR1 gene and shed light on the mechanistic basis for the tissue-specific regulation of ESR1 expression. However, much remains to be uncovered to better understand how ESR1 expression is regulated in breast cancer. This review recapitulates the current body of knowledge on the structure of the ESR1 gene and the complex mechanisms controlling its expression in breast tumors. In particular, we discuss the impact of genetic alterations, chromatin modifications, and enhanced expression of other luminal transcription regulators on ESR1 expression in tumor cells.
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Ray T, Ryusaki T, Ray PS. Therapeutically Targeting Cancers That Overexpress FOXC1: A Transcriptional Driver of Cell Plasticity, Partial EMT, and Cancer Metastasis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:721959. [PMID: 34540690 PMCID: PMC8446626 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.721959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis accounts for more than 90% of cancer related mortality, thus the most pressing need in the field of oncology today is the ability to accurately predict future onset of metastatic disease, ideally at the time of initial diagnosis. As opposed to current practice, what would be desirable is that prognostic, biomarker-based detection of metastatic propensity and heightened risk of cancer recurrence be performed long before overt metastasis has set in. Without such timely information it will be impossible to formulate a rational therapeutic treatment plan to favorably alter the trajectory of disease progression. In order to help inform rational selection of targeted therapeutics, any recurrence/metastasis risk prediction strategy must occur with the paired identification of novel prognostic biomarkers and their underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms that help drive cancer recurrence/metastasis (i.e. recurrence biomarkers). Traditional clinical factors alone (such as TNM staging criteria) are no longer adequately prognostic for this purpose in the current molecular era. FOXC1 is a pivotal transcription factor that has been functionally implicated to drive cancer metastasis and has been demonstrated to be an independent predictor of heightened metastatic risk, at the time of initial diagnosis. In this review, we present our viewpoints on the master regulatory role that FOXC1 plays in mediating cancer stem cell traits that include cellular plasticity, partial EMT, treatment resistance, cancer invasion and cancer migration during cancer progression and metastasis. We also highlight potential therapeutic strategies to target cancers that are, or have evolved to become, “transcriptionally addicted” to FOXC1. The potential role of FOXC1 expression status in predicting the efficacy of these identified therapeutic approaches merits evaluation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Ray
- R&D Division, Onconostic Technologies (OT), Inc., Champaign, IL, United States
| | | | - Partha S Ray
- R&D Division, Onconostic Technologies (OT), Inc., Champaign, IL, United States
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Kumar U, Hu Y, Masrour N, Castellanos-Uribe M, Harrod A, May ST, Ali S, Speirs V, Coombes RC, Yagüe E. MicroRNA-495/TGF-β/FOXC1 axis regulates multidrug resistance in metaplastic breast cancer cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 192:114692. [PMID: 34298004 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) poses a significant treatment challenge due to lack of targeted therapies and chemotherapy resistance. We isolated a novel MBC cell line, BAS, which showed a molecular and phenotypic profile different from the only other metaplastic cell model, HS578T cells. To gain insight behind chemotherapeutic resistance, we generated doxorubicin (HS-DOX, BAS-DOX) and paclitaxel (HS-TX, BAS-TX) resistant derivatives of both cell lines. Drug sensitivity assays indicated a truly multidrug resistant (MDR) phenotype. Both BAS-DOX and BAS-TX showed up-regulation of FOXC1 and its experimental down-regulation re-sensitized cells to doxorubicin and paclitaxel. Experimental modulation of FOXC1 expression in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells corroborated its role in MDR. Genome-wide expression analyses identified gene expression signatures characterized by up-regulation of TGFB2, which encodes cytokine TGF-β2, in both BAS-DOX and BAS-TX cells. Pharmacological inhibition of the TGF-β pathway with galunisertib led to down-regulation of FOXC1 and increase in drug sensitivity in both BAS-DOX and BAS-TX cells. MicroRNA (miR) expression analyses identified high endogenous miR-495-3p levels in BAS cells that were downregulated in both BAS MDR cells. Transient expression of miR-495-3p mimic in BAS-DOX and BAS-TX cells caused downregulation of TGFB2 and FOXC1 and re-sensitized cells to doxorubicin and paclitaxel, whereas miR-495-3p inhibition in BAS cells led to increase in resistance to both drugs and up-regulation of TGFB2 and FOXC1. Together, these data suggest interplay between miR-495-3p, TGF-β2 and FOXC1 regulating MDR in MBC and open the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uttom Kumar
- Division of Cancer, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Yunhui Hu
- The 3(rd) Department of Breast Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Huan Hu Xi Road, Ti Yuan Bei, He Xi District, Tianjin 300060, PR China; GeneNet Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Ting Jiang Road, Bei Chen District, Tianjin, 300410, PR China
| | - Nahal Masrour
- Division of Cancer, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Marcos Castellanos-Uribe
- Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Centre, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Alison Harrod
- Epigenetics and Genome Stability Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Sean T May
- Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Centre, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Simak Ali
- Division of Cancer, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Valerie Speirs
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2XD, UK
| | - R Charles Coombes
- Division of Cancer, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ernesto Yagüe
- Division of Cancer, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
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15
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Zheng XJ, Li W, Yi J, Liu JY, Ren LW, Zhu XM, Liu SW, Wang JH, Du GH. EZH2 regulates expression of FOXC1 by mediating H3K27me3 in breast cancers. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:1171-1179. [PMID: 33057161 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00543-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by low expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR), which is the most aggressive subtype with poor outcome among breast cancers. The underlying mechanisms of TNBC remain unclear and there is a lack of biomarkers. In this study we conducted an in silico assay and found that FOXC1 was highly expressed in ER-/PR-/HER2- breast cancers, which was confirmed by qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis. FOXC1 was more highly expressed in TNBCs than the other breast cancers. Kaplan-Meier plotter revealed that expression of FOXC1 was associated with overall survival (OS) of patients with breast cancers. Expression of FOXC1 was reversely associated with level of H3K27me3, which was methylated by EZH2. In MCF-7 and T47D cells, inhibition of EZH2 by DZNeP or GSK343 concentration- and time-dependently increased expression of FOXC1. Finally, we demonstrated that the expression of FOXC1 was associated with resistance of doxorubicin treatment of breast cancer cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that FOXC1 may be a potential biomarker or drug target for TNBCs, and that downregulation of FOXC1 could have therapeutic value in treatment of TNBCs.
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16
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Huang H, Hu J, Maryam A, Huang Q, Zhang Y, Ramakrishnan S, Li J, Ma H, Ma VWS, Cheuk W, So GYK, Wang W, Cho WCS, Zhang L, Chan KM, Wang X, Chin YR. Defining super-enhancer landscape in triple-negative breast cancer by multiomic profiling. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2242. [PMID: 33854062 PMCID: PMC8046763 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22445-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, affecting over 3.5 million women worldwide, yet the functional role of cis-regulatory elements including super-enhancers in different breast cancer subtypes remains poorly characterized. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with a poor prognosis. Here we apply integrated epigenomic and transcriptomic profiling to uncover super-enhancer heterogeneity between breast cancer subtypes, and provide clinically relevant biological insights towards TNBC. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, we identify genes that are specifically regulated by TNBC-specific super-enhancers, including FOXC1 and MET, thereby unveiling a mechanism for specific overexpression of the key oncogenes in TNBC. We also identify ANLN as a TNBC-specific gene regulated by super-enhancer. Our studies reveal a TNBC-specific epigenomic landscape, contributing to the dysregulated oncogene expression in breast tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Jianyang Hu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Alishba Maryam
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Qinghua Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliate Tumor Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yuchen Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | | | - Jingyu Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haiying Ma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Victor W S Ma
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Wah Cheuk
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Grace Y K So
- Department of Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - William C S Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kui Ming Chan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Y Rebecca Chin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.
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Faria SS, Costantini S, de Lima VCC, de Andrade VP, Rialland M, Cedric R, Budillon A, Magalhães KG. NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cytokine production and pyroptosis cell death in breast cancer. J Biomed Sci 2021; 28:26. [PMID: 33840390 PMCID: PMC8040227 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-021-00724-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed malignancy in women. Increasing evidence has highlighted the importance of chronic inflammation at the local and/or systemic level in breast cancer pathobiology, influencing its progression, metastatic potential and therapeutic outcome by altering the tumor immune microenvironment. These processes are mediated by a variety of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors that exert their biological functions either locally or distantly. Inflammasomes are protein signaling complexes that form in response to damage- and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (DAMPS and PAMPS), triggering the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The dysregulation of inflammasome activation can lead to the development of inflammatory diseases, neurodegeneration, and cancer. A crucial signaling pathway leading to acute and chronic inflammation occurs through the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome followed by caspase 1-dependent release of IL-1β and IL-18 pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as, by gasdermin D-mediated pyroptotic cell death. In this review we focus on the role of NLRP3 inflammasome and its components in breast cancer signaling, highlighting that a more detailed understanding of the clinical relevance of these pathways could significantly contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Socorro Faria
- Laboratory of Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Susan Costantini
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit - Laboratory of Mercogliano (AV), Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Mickaël Rialland
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR 1231, 21000, Dijon, France
- UFR Sciences de la Vie, Terre et Environnement, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Rebe Cedric
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Centre Georges François Leclerc, 21000, Dijon, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR 1231, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Alfredo Budillon
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit - Laboratory of Mercogliano (AV), Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Kelly Grace Magalhães
- Laboratory of Immunology and Inflammation, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
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18
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Xia W, Zhu J, Wang X, Tang Y, Zhou P, Wei X, Chang B, Zheng X, Zhu W, Hou M, Li S. Overexpression of Foxc1 regenerates crushed rat facial nerves by promoting Schwann cells migration via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:9609-9622. [PMID: 32391604 PMCID: PMC7586989 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Facial paralysis can result in severe implications for patients. A good prognosis depends on the degree of nerve regeneration. Schwann cells (SCs) play an important role in facial nerve development and regeneration through migration. Forkhead box C1 (Foxc1), a member of the forkhead transcription factor family, is implicated in cell migration. However, the role of Foxc1 in the progression after facial nerve crush remains unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of Foxc1 overexpression on SC migration and recovery of facial nerves after crush injury. The rat facial nerve crush injury model was established through the use of unilateral surgery. The results showed that the expression of Foxc1 was increased in the surgery group compared to that of the control group. SCs were isolated from the sciatic nerves and cultured. Foxc1, delivered by an adeno‐associated virus in vivo, or adenovirus in vitro, both induced overexpression of Foxc1, and increased the expression of CXCL12 and β‐catenin. After the transfection of Foxc1, the migration of SC was increased both in vitro and in vivo, was reduced by the inhibition of CXCL12 or β‐catenin. The facial nerve function and the nerve axon remyelination of the rats transfected with Foxc1 were significantly improved after nerve crush injury. Overall, the results demonstrated that overexpression of Foxc1 promoted SC migration by regulating CXCL12 via the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, thus contributing to improved facial nerve function after crush injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzheng Xia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cranial Nerve Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cranial Nerve Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueyi Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cranial Nerve Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinda Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cranial Nerve Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cranial Nerve Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyu Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cranial Nerve Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bowen Chang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cranial Nerve Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuan Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cranial Nerve Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanchun Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cranial Nerve Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Hou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shiting Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cranial Nerve Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Wang J, Wang Y, Zhang H, Chang J, Lu M, Gao W, Liu W, Li Y, Yin L, Wang X, Wang Y, Gao M, Yin Z. Identification of a novel microRNA-141-3p/Forkhead box C1/β-catenin axis associated with rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblast function in vivo and in vitro. Theranostics 2020; 10:5412-5434. [PMID: 32373221 PMCID: PMC7196314 DOI: 10.7150/thno.45214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prototype of inflammatory arthritis in which synovial fibroblasts (SFs) play key roles in cartilage and bone destruction through tumor-like proliferation, migration, invasion and inflammation. This study aimed to research forkhead box protein C1 (FoxC1) and microRNA (miR)-141-3p, which modulate pathological changes in the synovial membrane, to find possible strategies for treating RA. Methods: FoxC1, β-catenin and miR-141-3p gene expression in synovial tissues and SFs was quantified by real-time PCR; FoxC1 and β-catenin protein levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. We transiently transfected human SFs with FoxC1 and β-catenin overexpression and silencing vectors and assessed proliferation, migration, invasion and inflammation by cell function and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. We also assessed downstream signaling activation using immunofluorescence, real-time PCR and Western blotting. Double luciferase, coimmunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to verify miR-141-3p, FoxC1 and β-catenin gene and protein combinations. Finally, the therapeutic effects of FoxC1 silencing and miR-141-3p overexpression were evaluated in type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. Results: We found that FoxC1 expression was significantly upregulated in synovium and SFs in both RA patients and rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). FoxC1 overexpression increased β-catenin messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels and upregulated cyclin D1, c-Myc, fibronectin and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) mRNA and protein expression in RA SFs (RASFs). In contrast, FoxC1 knockdown reduced β-catenin mRNA and protein levels as well as cyclin D1, c-Myc, and fibronectin mRNA and protein levels in RASFs. Furthermore, altering FoxC1 expression did not significantly change GSK3β and pGSK3β levels. FoxC1 overexpression promoted proliferation, migration, invasion and proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) production and reduced anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) levels in RASFs. FoxC1 bound to the β-catenin promoter, and β-catenin mediated the FoxC1-induced pathological changes. We also observed downregulated microRNA (miR)-141-3p expression in SFs from both RA patients and CIA rats and further found that miR-141-3p bound to the FoxC1 3′UTR and suppressed FoxC1 expression. Intra-ankle miR-141-3p agomir or FoxC1-specific siRNA injection hindered CIA development in rats. Conclusions: FoxC1 and miR-141-3p participate in RA pathogenesis by mediating inflammation and SF proliferation, migration, and invasion and thus could be novel targets for RA therapy as a nonimmunosuppressive approach.
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Pein M, Insua-Rodríguez J, Hongu T, Riedel A, Meier J, Wiedmann L, Decker K, Essers MAG, Sinn HP, Spaich S, Sütterlin M, Schneeweiss A, Trumpp A, Oskarsson T. Metastasis-initiating cells induce and exploit a fibroblast niche to fuel malignant colonization of the lungs. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1494. [PMID: 32198421 PMCID: PMC7083860 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15188-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic colonization relies on interactions between disseminated cancer cells and the microenvironment in secondary organs. Here, we show that disseminated breast cancer cells evoke phenotypic changes in lung fibroblasts, forming a supportive metastatic niche. Colonization of the lungs confers an inflammatory phenotype in metastasis-associated fibroblasts. Specifically, IL-1α and IL-1β secreted by breast cancer cells induce CXCL9 and CXCL10 production in lung fibroblasts via NF-κB signaling, fueling the growth of lung metastases. Notably, we find that the chemokine receptor CXCR3, that binds CXCL9/10, is specifically expressed in a small subset of breast cancer cells, which exhibits tumor-initiating ability when co-transplanted with fibroblasts and has high JNK signaling that drives IL-1α/β expression. Importantly, disruption of the intercellular JNK-IL-1-CXCL9/10-CXCR3 axis reduces metastatic colonization in xenograft and syngeneic mouse models. These data mechanistically demonstrate an essential role for the molecular crosstalk between breast cancer cells and their fibroblast niche in the progression of metastasis. How cancer cells engage the microenvironment to establish metastasis is poorly understood. Here, the authors show that CXCR3-expressing breast cancer cells secrete IL-1 to induce a paracrine crosstalk with fibroblasts in the lung, which involves CXCL9/10 production and results in colonization of the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Pein
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jacob Insua-Rodríguez
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tsunaki Hongu
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angela Riedel
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jasmin Meier
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lena Wiedmann
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kristin Decker
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marieke A G Essers
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Inflammatory Stress in Stem Cells, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Sinn
- Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Saskia Spaich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marc Sütterlin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Schneeweiss
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, German Cancer Research Center, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Trumpp
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thordur Oskarsson
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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21
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Yu JH, Im CY, Min SH. Function of PIN1 in Cancer Development and Its Inhibitors as Cancer Therapeutics. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:120. [PMID: 32258027 PMCID: PMC7089927 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PIN1) specifically binds and isomerizes the phosphorylated serine/threonine-proline (pSer/Thr-Pro) motif, which results in the alteration of protein structure, function, and stability. The altered structure and function of these phosphorylated proteins regulated by PIN1 are closely related to cancer development. PIN1 is highly expressed in human cancers and promotes cancer as well as cancer stem cells by breaking the balance of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. In this review, we discuss the roles of PIN1 in cancer and PIN1-targeted small-molecule compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hoon Yu
- New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (DGMIF), Daegu, South Korea
| | - Chun Young Im
- New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (DGMIF), Daegu, South Korea
| | - Sang-Hyun Min
- New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (DGMIF), Daegu, South Korea
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22
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Zhang Y, Liao Y, Chen C, Sun W, Sun X, Liu Y, Xu E, Lai M, Zhang H. p38-regulated FOXC1 stability is required for colorectal cancer metastasis. J Pathol 2019; 250:217-230. [PMID: 31650548 DOI: 10.1002/path.5362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) promotes tumor metastasis in multiple human malignant tumors. However, the upstream modulating mode and downstream molecular mechanism of FOXC1 in metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. Herein we describe a systematic analysis of FOXC1 expression and prognosis in CRC performed on our clinical data and public databases, which indicated that FOXC1 upregulation in CRC samples was significantly associated with poor prognosis. FOXC1 knockdown inhibited migration and invasion, whereas FOXC1 overexpression caused the opposite phenotype in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, MMP10, SOX4 and SOX13 were verified as the target genes of FOXC1 for promoting CRC metastasis. MMP10 was demonstrated as the direct target and mediator of FOXC1. Interestingly, Ser241 and Ser272 of FOXC1 were identified as the key sites to interact with p38 and phosphorylation, which were critically required for maintaining the stability of FOXC1 protein. Moreover, FOXC1 was dephosphorylated by protein phosphatase 2A and phosphorylated by p38, which maintained FOXC1 protein stability through inhibiting ubiquitination. Expression of p38 was correlated with FOXC1 and MMP10 expression, indirectly indicating that FOXC1 was regulated by p38 MAPK. Therefore, FOXC1 is strongly suggested as a pro-metastatic gene in CRC by transcriptionally activating MMP10, SOX4 and SOX13; p38 interacts with and phosphorylates the Ser241 and ser272 sites of FOXC1 to maintain its stability by inhibiting ubiquitination and degradation. In conclusion, the protein stability of FOXC1 mediated by p38 contributes to the metastatic effect in CRC. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yan Liao
- Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Chaoyi Chen
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Wenjie Sun
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Xiaohui Sun
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Enping Xu
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Maode Lai
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, PR China.,Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Honghe Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy Research Unit of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, PR China
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23
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Zhu J, Wang W, Wu X. Isorhynchophylline exerts anti-asthma effects in mice by inhibiting the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells: The involvement of miR-200a-mediated FOXC1/NF-κB pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 521:1055-1060. [PMID: 31733831 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.10.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Hyperplasia of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) is key to the progression of asthma. Isorhynchophylline (IRN) derived from Uncaria rhynchophylla can inhibit the proliferation of AMSCs. The major purpose of the current study was to assess the effect of IRN on the asthma symptoms was assessed both in vitro and in vivo, and the associated mechanism of the effect was also explored by focusing on the function of miR-200a. Asthma model was induced using ovalbumin (OVA) method and AMSC hyperplasia model was induced using TGF-β1. The effect of IRN on allergic asthma mice and the effect of IRN on the proliferation of ASMCs were investigated as well, and the changes in miR-200a level and FOXC1/NF-κB pathway were detected. The administration of IRN attenuated the eosinophils recruitment in BALF, reduced collagen deposition in lung tissues, and suppressed production of IgE and pro-inflammation cytokines. IRN also inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of ASMCs. Moreover, the administration of IRN increased the level of miR-200a while inhibited the activation of FOXC1/NF-κB pathway. However, after the inhibition of miR-200a level, the function of IRN on ASMCs was impaired. Collectively, it was demonstrated that the effect of IRN on asthma relied on the up-regulation of miR-200a, which then deactivated FOXC1/NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyue Zhu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China; Hubei Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Weiqing Wang
- Hubei Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China; Department of Emergency Medicine, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Xia Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China; Hubei Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China.
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24
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Gong R, Lin W, Gao A, Liu Y, Li J, Sun M, Chen X, Han S, Men C, Sun Y, Liu J. Forkhead box C1 promotes metastasis and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer by binding directly to the lysyl oxidase promoter. Cancer Sci 2019; 110:3663-3676. [PMID: 31597217 PMCID: PMC6890438 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that human forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) plays important roles in tumor development and metastasis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of FOXC1 in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) metastasis remains unclear. Here, we identified FOXC1 as an independent prognostic factor in NSCLC and showed clear biological implications in invasion and metastasis. FOXC1 overexpression enhanced the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells, whereas FOXC1 silencing impaired the effects both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, we found a positive correlation between FOXC1 expression and lysyl oxidase (LOX) expression in NSCLC cells and patient samples. Downregulation of LOX or LOX activity inhibition in NSCLC cells inhibited the FOXC1‐driven effects on cellular migration and invasion. Xenograft models showed that inhibition of LOX activity by β‐aminopropionitrile monofumarate decreased the number of lung metastases. Mechanistically, we demonstrated a novel FOXC1‐LOX mechanism that was involved in the invasion and metastasis of NSCLC. Dual‐luciferase assay and ChIP identified that FOXC1 bound directly in the LOX promoter region and activated its transcription. Collectively, the present study offered new insight into FOXC1 in the mediation of NSCLC metastasis through interaction with the LOX promoter and further revealed that targeted inhibition of LOX protein activity could prevent lung metastasis in murine xenograft models. These data implicated FOXC1 as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of NSCLC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumei Gong
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenli Lin
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Aiqin Gao
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yanli Liu
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Radio-Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Jinan, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Meili Sun
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaozheng Chen
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shuyi Han
- Genetic and Molecular Diagnostic Center, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chengsong Men
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuping Sun
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Oncology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
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25
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RBBP6, a RING finger-domain E3 ubiquitin ligase, induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promotes metastasis of colorectal cancer. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:833. [PMID: 31685801 PMCID: PMC6828677 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-2070-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
RBBP6 has been implicated in tumorigenesis but its role in tumor metastasis and progression has not been evaluated. Interestingly, here we show that RBBP6 is upregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC) where its expression level is positively correlated with distant metastasis. In this study, we identified RBBP6, a RING Finger-domain E3 ubiquitin ligase, served as an independent prognostic factor and predicted poor outcome for CRC patients. RBBP6 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in CRC cells and promoted tumor growth, lung metastasis, and liver metastasis in mouse models. Mechanistically, we revealed that RBBP6 bound and ubiquitylated IκBα, an inhibitor of the NF-κB-signaling pathway. RBBP6-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of IκBα significantly enhanced p65 nuclear translocation, which triggered the activation of NF-κB pathway and then induced the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and cell metastasis. Furthermore, by DNA methylation results and ChIP analysis, we demonstrated that the promoter of RBBP6 was hypomethylated, and was activated by multi-oncogenic transcription factors. In conclusion, our findings suggest that RBBP6 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for CRC invasion and metastasis.
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26
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Hsu HH, Kuo WW, Shih HN, Cheng SF, Yang CK, Chen MC, Tu CC, Viswanadha VP, Liao PH, Huang CY. FOXC1 Regulation of miR-31-5p Confers Oxaliplatin Resistance by Targeting LATS2 in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101576. [PMID: 31623173 PMCID: PMC6827018 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related illness worldwide and one of the most common malignancies. Therefore, colorectal cancer research and cases have gained increasing attention. Oxaliplatin (OXA) is currently used in first-line chemotherapy to treat stage III and stage IV metastatic CRC. However, patients undergoing chemotherapy often develop resistance to chemo drugs being used. Evidence has confirmed that microRNAs regulate downstream genes in cancer biology and thereby have roles related to tumor growth, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and multi-drug resistance. The aim of our study is to establish whether miR-31-5p is an oncogene in human colorectal cancers that are resistant to OXA and further confirm its malignant phenotype-associated target molecule. From the results of miRNA microarray assay, we establish that miR-31-5p expression was upregulated in oxaliplatin-resistant (OR)-LoVo cells compared with parental LoVo cells. Moreover, through in vitro and in vivo experiments, we demonstrate that miR-31-5p and large tumor suppressor kinase 2 (LATS2) were inversely related and that miR-31-5p and Forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) were positively correlated in the same LoVo or OR-LoVo cells. Importantly, we reveal a novel drug-resistance mechanism in which the transcription factor FOXC1 binds to the miR-31 promoter to increase the expression of miR31-5p and regulate LATS2 expression, resulting in cancer cell resistance to OXA. These results suggest that miR-31-5p may be a novel biomarker involved in drug resistance progression in CRC patients. Moreover, the FOXC1/miR31-5p/LATS2 drug-resistance mechanism provides new treatment strategies for CRC in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsi-Hsien Hsu
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 251, Taiwan.
- MacKay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei 104, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Wen Kuo
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
| | - Hui-Nung Shih
- Medical Research Center for Exosome and Mitochondria Related Diseases, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
| | - Sue-Fei Cheng
- MacKay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei 104, Taiwan.
- Department of Pharmacy, Taiwan Adventist Hospital, Taipei 105, Taiwan.
| | - Ching-Kuo Yang
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 251, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Cheng Chen
- Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 407, Taiwan.
| | - Chuan-Chou Tu
- Division of Chest Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Armed Force Taichung General Hospital, Taichung 411, Taiwan.
| | | | - Po-Hsiang Liao
- Medical Research Center for Exosome and Mitochondria Related Diseases, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Biomedicine, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan.
| | - Chih-Yang Huang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedicine, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
- Cardiovascular and Mitochondrial Related Disease Research Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
- Center of General Education, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
- Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 413, Taiwan.
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27
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Xiao J, Cao P, Wang C, Huang D, Lian M, Song Y, Yin W, Zheng K, Gu Z, Gu Y, Feng G, Feng X. The Forkhead Box C1, a Novel Negative Regulator of Osteogenesis, Plays a Crucial Role in Odontogenic Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells. Cell Reprogram 2019; 20:312-319. [PMID: 30277823 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2018.0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The forkhead box C1 (Foxc1) protein, a member of the forkhead/winged helix transcription factor family, is required in stem cell developmental processes. Recently, multiple studies have indicated the crucial role of Foxc1 in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, but the precise effects and mechanisms on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) remain unclear. In this study, we evaluate the role of Foxc1 on the odontogenic differentiation and proliferation of DPSCs. Our results show that Foxc1 decreases time dependently in odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs. Meanwhile, overexpression of Foxc1 could significantly inhibit the mineralization of DPSCs and the expression of odontogenic-related genes, such as runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), dentin sialophosphoprote (DSPP), and dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1 (DMP-1). Foxc1 overexpression does not significantly alter the proliferation of DPSCs. In addition, Foxc1 reduces the expression of p-Smad1/5, an important modulator of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/Smad signaling pathway, inhibiting BMP/Smad signaling pathway. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that Foxc1 inhibits odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs and odontogenic-related gene expression through the BMP/Smad signaling pathway which may be useful for the dental regeneration and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Xiao
- 1 Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University , Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peipei Cao
- 1 Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University , Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chenfei Wang
- 1 Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University , Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dan Huang
- 1 Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University , Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Lian
- 1 Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University , Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yihua Song
- 1 Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University , Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weiwei Yin
- 2 Department of Stomatology, Stomatological Hospital of Nantong City , Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ke Zheng
- 1 Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University , Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhifeng Gu
- 3 Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University , Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongchun Gu
- 4 Department of Stomatology, First People's Hospital of Wujiang District, Nantong University , Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guijuan Feng
- 1 Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University , Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xingmei Feng
- 1 Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Inflammation and Molecular Drug Target, Nantong University , Nantong, Jiangsu, China
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28
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Insua-Rodríguez J, Pein M, Hongu T, Meier J, Descot A, Lowy CM, De Braekeleer E, Sinn HP, Spaich S, Sütterlin M, Schneeweiss A, Oskarsson T. Stress signaling in breast cancer cells induces matrix components that promote chemoresistant metastasis. EMBO Mol Med 2019; 10:emmm.201809003. [PMID: 30190333 PMCID: PMC6180299 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201809003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic progression remains a major burden for cancer patients and is associated with eventual resistance to prevailing therapies such as chemotherapy. Here, we reveal how chemotherapy induces an extracellular matrix (ECM), wound healing, and stem cell network in cancer cells via the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, leading to reduced therapeutic efficacy. We find that elevated JNK activity in cancer cells is linked to poor clinical outcome in breast cancer patients and is critical for tumor initiation and metastasis in xenograft mouse models of breast cancer. We show that JNK signaling enhances expression of the ECM and stem cell niche components osteopontin, also called secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), and tenascin C (TNC), that promote lung metastasis. We demonstrate that both SPP1 and TNC are direct targets of the c-Jun transcription factor. Exposure to multiple chemotherapies further exploits this JNK-mediated axis to confer treatment resistance. Importantly, JNK inhibition or disruption of SPP1 or TNC expression sensitizes experimental mammary tumors and metastases to chemotherapy, thus providing insights to consider for future treatment strategies against metastatic breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Insua-Rodríguez
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maren Pein
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tsunaki Hongu
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Physiological Chemistry and Department of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Jasmin Meier
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Arnaud Descot
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Camille M Lowy
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Etienne De Braekeleer
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Sinn
- Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Saskia Spaich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marc Sütterlin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Schneeweiss
- National Center for Tumor Diseases-NCT, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thordur Oskarsson
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany .,Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
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Wu Y, Wu P, Zhang Q, Chen W, Liu X, Zheng W. MFAP5 promotes basal-like breast cancer progression by activating the EMT program. Cell Biosci 2019; 9:24. [PMID: 30899449 PMCID: PMC6407223 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-019-0284-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Human basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. Since most current treatments are ineffective, there is an urgent need to identify therapeutic targets for BLBC. Microfibrillar-associated protein 5 (MFAP5) plays an important role in the integration of elastic microfibers and the regulation of endothelial cell behaviors. We previously demonstrated that MFAP5 was significantly overexpressed in BLBC tissues and associated with poor metastasis-free survival of patients with BLBC. However, the detailed role of MFAP5 in BLBC is unclear. Thereby, the current study aimed to investigate the underlying function of MFAP5 in BLBC. Method Functional analyses were conducted for the role of MFAP5 in BLBC in vitro and in vivo. Results Overexpression of MFAP5 resulted in a significant increase in the proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in BLBC in vitro and in vivo. In addition, other metastasis animal models by tail intravenous injection of BT20 cells further confirmed that MFAP5 overexpression promoted BLBC proliferation and BT20 cells metastasis. We found that the TGF-β or Notch inhibitor significantly reversed the tumorigenicity and metastasis of MFAP5-induced BLBC cells. Conclusion Our findings suggest that MFAP5 may promote EMT in BLBC metastasis via the TGF-β/Notch pathway. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13578-019-0284-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Wu
- 1Department of Breast Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Road, Shanghai, 200433 China
| | - Ping Wu
- Department of Pathology, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Huaian, 223002 Jiangsu China
| | - Quan Zhang
- 1Department of Breast Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Road, Shanghai, 200433 China
| | - Wenjin Chen
- Basic Medical College, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433 China
| | - Xishui Liu
- 1Department of Breast Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Road, Shanghai, 200433 China
| | - Weiqiang Zheng
- 4Department of Pathology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433 China
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30
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Gilding LN, Somervaille TCP. The Diverse Consequences of FOXC1 Deregulation in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E184. [PMID: 30764547 PMCID: PMC6406774 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) is a transcription factor with essential roles in mesenchymal lineage specification and organ development during normal embryogenesis. In keeping with these developmental properties, mutations that impair the activity of FOXC1 result in the heritable Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome and other congenital disorders. Crucially, gain of FOXC1 function is emerging as a recurrent feature of malignancy; FOXC1 overexpression is now documented in more than 16 cancer types, often in association with an unfavorable prognosis. This review explores current evidence for FOXC1 deregulation in cancer and the putative mechanisms by which FOXC1 confers its oncogenic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Niall Gilding
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4JG, UK.
| | - Tim C P Somervaille
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4JG, UK.
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31
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Pan H, Peng Z, Lin J, Ren X, Zhang G, Cui Y. Forkhead box C1 boosts triple-negative breast cancer metastasis through activating the transcription of chemokine receptor-4. Cancer Sci 2018; 109:3794-3804. [PMID: 30290049 PMCID: PMC6272100 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) has recently been proposed as a crucial regulator of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and associated with TNBC metastasis. However, the mechanism of FOXC1 in TNBC development and metastasis is elusive. In this study, overexpression of FOXC1 in MDA-MB-231 cells significantly enhanced, whereas knockdown of FOXC1 in BT549 cells significantly reduced, the capabilities of TNBC cell invasion and motility in vitro and metastasis to the lung in vivo, when compared to their respective control cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that FOXC1 increased the expression of CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4), probably through transcriptional activation. AMD3100, an inhibitor of CXCR4, could block cell migration. In a zebrafish tumor model, AMD3100 could suppress cell invasion and metastasis. In addition, overexpressing CXCR4 in FOXC1-knockdown BT549 cells increased the capabilities of TNBC cell invasion and motility. In contrast, inhibition of CXCR4 with either AMD3100 or siRNA in MDA-MB-231 cells overexpressing FOXC1 reduced the capabilities of invasion and motility. Taken together, our results reveal a potential mechanism for FOXC1-induced TNBC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchao Pan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and TreatmentCancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantouChina
| | - Zhilan Peng
- College of Food Science and TechnologyGuangdong Ocean UniversityZhanjiangChina
| | - Jiediao Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and TreatmentCancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantouChina
| | - Xiaosha Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and TreatmentCancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantouChina
| | - Guojun Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and TreatmentCancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantouChina
| | - Yukun Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and TreatmentCancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantouChina
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32
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Kume T, Shackour T. Meta-analysis of the likelihood of FOXC1 expression in early- and late-stage tumors. Oncotarget 2018; 9:36625-36630. [PMID: 30564302 PMCID: PMC6290959 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aberrations in the expression of the transcription factor forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) have been linked to a number of malignancies. Here, we characterized the relationship between FOXC1 and cancer progression by conducting a meta-analysis of studies that reported the frequency of FOXC1 expression in tumors of different stages (T1, T2, T3, T4). Materials and Method Relevant articles were retrieved from the Medline database by searching for the terms “FOXC1” and “cancer”; then, the retrieved articles were reviewed individually, and studies that were of multivariate cohort design, evaluated FOXC1 expression via immunohistochemical staining, and assessed the relationship between FOXC1 expression and cancer T-stage were included in our meta-analysis. Results Our search terms identified 128 studies, 5 of which met all inclusion criteria. A total of 850 tumor samples were evaluated in the 5 studies; 452 samples were from early-stage (T1-T2) tumors, and 398 were from late-stage (T3-T4) tumors. FOXC1 was expressed in 60.7% (516/850) of all samples, in 54.6% (247/452) of early-stage tumor samples, and in 67.5% (269/398) of late-stage tumor samples. When calculated relative to early-stage samples, the pooled risk for FOXC1 expression in late-stage samples was 1.238 (95% CI = 1.061–1.444, p = 0.007). Conclusions The results from our meta-analysis of 5 studies indicate that FOXC1 is 23.8% more likely to be expressed in late-stage tumors than in early-stage tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsutomu Kume
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago 60611, IL, USA
| | - Tarek Shackour
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago 60611, IL, USA
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33
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Cao Q, Wang X, Shi Y, Zhang M, Yang J, Dong M, Mi Y, Zhang Z, Liu K, Jiang L, Wang N, Wang P. FOXC1 silencing inhibits the epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition of glioma cells: Involvement of β‑catenin signaling. Mol Med Rep 2018; 19:251-261. [PMID: 30431099 PMCID: PMC6297783 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioma is a type of malignant brain tumor. Forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) is a conserved transcription factor that is involved in tumorigenesis; however, the function of FOXC1 in glioma remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of FOXC1 silencing on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of glioma cells. FOXC1-specific small interfering RNAs were employed to downregulate the expression levels of FOXC1 in glioma cells. The proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells were assessed by MTT assay, wound healing assay and Transwell assay. Western blot analysis was performed to reveal the effects of FOXC1 on EMT-associated proteins and β-catenin signaling. The results revealed that, following FOXC1 silencing, the proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells were decreased. The expression levels of EMT-associated proteins were also affected. Further examination demonstrated that β-catenin signaling was involved in the effects of FOXC1 on glioma cells. Previous results suggested that overexpression of β-catenin reversed the effects of FOXC1 silencing on glioma cells. The present study demonstrated that FOXC1 may regulate the EMT of glioma cells, potentially via β-catenin signaling. Therefore, FOXC1 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinchen Cao
- Department of Radiation Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Xinxin Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Yonggang Shi
- Department of Radiation Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Mingzhi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Radiation Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Meilian Dong
- Department of Radiation Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Yin Mi
- Department of Radiation Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Zhigang Zhang
- Department of Radiation Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Ke Liu
- Department of Radiation Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Radiation Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Radiation Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Radiation Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin 300060, P.R. China
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Cao S, Wang Z, Gao X, He W, Cai Y, Chen H, Xu R. FOXC1 induces cancer stem cell-like properties through upregulation of beta-catenin in NSCLC. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:220. [PMID: 30189871 PMCID: PMC6127900 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0894-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Background Accumulating evidence suggests that cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a critical role in tumor initiation, progression and therapy, and recent studies have indicated that Forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) is strongly associated with CSCs. This study investigates the regulatory effects of FOXC1 on CSC-like properties in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods We analyzed FOXC1 expression in NSCLC using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database on UALCANC and performed survival analyses of NSCLC patients on Human Protein Atlas. CSC-like properties were analyzed based on CSC marker-positive cell population, self-renewal ability, stemness-related gene expression, tumorigenicity and drug resistance. The percentage of CD133+ cells was analyzed by flow cytometric analysis. Self-renewal ability was detected by sphere-formation analysis. Real-time PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemical staining were employed to detect mRNA and protein levels. Tumorigenicity was determined based on a xenograft formation assay, and effects of FOXC1 on drug resistance were assessed by cell viability and apoptosis assays. Luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were used to investigate the binding of FOXC1 to beta-catenin promoter. Results FOXC1 expression was found to be elevated in NSCLC tissues and negatively correlated with patient survival. FOXC1 knockdown reduced CD133+ cell percentage, suppressed self-renewal ability, decreased expression of stemness-related genes (Oct4, NANOG, SOX2 and ABCG2) and inhibited NSCLC cell tumorigenicity in vivo. Moreover, FOXC1 knockdown increased cisplatin and docetaxel sensitivity and reduced gefitinib resistance, whereas FOXC1 overexpression enhanced CSC-like properties. Luciferase reporter and ChIP assays showed beta-catenin to be a direct transcriptional target of FOXC1. Furthermore, overexpression of beta-catenin reversed the CSC-like property inhibition induced by FOXC1 knockdown, and knockdown of beta-catenin attenuated the CSC-like properties induced by FOXC1 overexpression. Conclusions This study demonstrates that FOXC1 induces CSC-like properties in NSCLC by promoting beta-catenin expression. The findings indicate that FOXC1 is a potential molecular target for anti-CSC-based therapies in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xiujuan Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Wenjuan He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yue Cai
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. .,The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Rong Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. .,The Key Laboratory for Drug Target Researches and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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35
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The FOXC1/FBP1 signaling axis promotes colorectal cancer proliferation by enhancing the Warburg effect. Oncogene 2018; 38:483-496. [PMID: 30171256 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0469-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of Forkhead box (FOX) transcription factors plays vital roles in carcinogenesis. However, the function of the FOX family member FOXC1 in maintenance of colorectal cancer (CRC) malignancy is unknown. Herein, FOXC1 expression in CRC specimens in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort was analyzed and validated using immunohistochemistry with a tissue microarray. The effect of FOXC1 expression on proliferation of and glycolysis in CRC cells was assessed by altering its expression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic investigation was carried out using cell and molecular biological approaches. Our results showed that FOXC1 expression was higher in CRC specimens than in adjacent benign tissue specimens. Univariate survival analyses of the patients from whom the study specimens were obtained, and validated cohorts indicated that ectopic FOXC1 expression was significantly correlated with shortened survival. Silencing FOXC1 expression in CRC cells inhibited their proliferation and colony formation and decreased their glucose consumption and lactate production. In contrast, FOXC1 overexpression had the opposite effect. Furthermore, increased expression of FOXC1 downregulated that of a key glycolytic enzyme, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1). Mechanistically, FOXC1 bound directly to the promoter regions of the FBP1 gene and negatively regulated its transcriptional activity. Collectively, aberrant FBP1 expression contributed to CRC tumorigenicity, and decreased FBP1 expression coupled with increased FOXC1 expression provided better prognostic information than did FOXC1 expression alone. Therefore, the FOXC1/FBP1 axis induces CRC cell proliferation, reprograms metabolism in CRCs, and constitutes potential prognostic predictors and therapeutic targets for CRC.
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36
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Prolyl isomerase Pin1: a promoter of cancer and a target for therapy. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:883. [PMID: 30158600 PMCID: PMC6115400 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0844-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pin1 is the only known peptidyl-prolyl cis–trans isomerase (PPIase) that specifically recognizes and isomerizes the phosphorylated Serine/Threonine-Proline (pSer/Thr-Pro) motif. The Pin1-mediated structural transformation posttranslationally regulates the biofunctions of multiple proteins. Pin1 is involved in many cellular processes, the aberrance of which lead to both degenerative and neoplastic diseases. Pin1 is highly expressed in the majority of cancers and its deficiency significantly suppresses cancer progression. According to the ground-breaking summaries by Hanahan D and Weinberg RA, the hallmarks of cancer comprise ten biological capabilities. Multiple researches illuminated that Pin1 contributes to these aberrant behaviors of cancer via promoting various cancer-driving pathways. This review summarized the detailed mechanisms of Pin1 in different cancer capabilities and certain Pin1-targeted small-molecule compounds that exhibit anticancer activities, expecting to facilitate anticancer therapies by targeting Pin1.
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37
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Dittmer J. Breast cancer stem cells: Features, key drivers and treatment options. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 53:59-74. [PMID: 30059727 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The current view is that breast cancer is a stem cell disease characterized by the existence of cancer cells with stem-like features and tumor-initiating potential. These cells are made responsible for tumor dissemination and metastasis. Common therapies by chemotherapeutic drugs fail to eradicate these cells and rather increase the pool of cancer stem cells in tumors, an effect that may increase the likelyhood of recurrence. Fifteen years after the first evidence for a small stem-like subpopulation playing a major role in breast cancer initiation has been published a large body of knowledge has been accumulated regarding the signaling cascades and proteins involved in maintaining stemness in breast cancer. Differences in the stem cell pool size and in mechanisms regulating stemness in the different breast cancer subtypes have emerged. Overall, this knowledge offers new approaches to intervene with breast cancer stem cell activity. New options are particularly needed for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer subtype, which is particularly rich in cancer stem cells and is also the subtype for which specific therapies are still not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Dittmer
- Clinic for Gynecology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
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38
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FOXC1 plays a crucial role in the growth of pancreatic cancer. Oncogenesis 2018; 7:52. [PMID: 29976975 PMCID: PMC6033944 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-018-0061-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
IGF-1R signaling controls various vital cellular functions and this signaling is deregulated in many cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Several efforts have mainly focused on inhibiting the IGF-1R signaling cascade. The outcomes of these focused preclinical studies have been positive, whereas clinical trials of IGF-1R inhibitors in pancreatic cancer have failed, raising the questions about this therapeutic approach. This necessitates a better understanding of the role of IGF-1R signaling in pancreatic cancer. We investigated the impact of IGF-1R signaling on crucial transcription factors and identified the FOXC1 as one of the crucial regulator of IGF-1R signaling. We employed genetic approaches to overexpress and silence FOXC1 in pancreatic cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that IGF-1R and FOXC1 seem to positively regulate each other. Further, FOXC1 increased the metastatic abilities of pancreatic cancer cells by enhancing cell proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and angiogenesis. The data from xenograft experiments further established the importance of FOXC1 in pancreatic tumorigenesis. In conclusion, FOXC1 is a potent oncogenic transcription factor, which promotes pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis. Thus, targeting FOXC1 could be a potential therapeutic strategy against pancreatic cancer.
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39
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Wang L, Ma L, Xu F, Zhai W, Dong S, Yin L, Liu J, Yu Z. Role of long non-coding RNA in drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer. Thorac Cancer 2018; 9:761-768. [PMID: 29726094 PMCID: PMC6026617 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.12652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated death, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of all lung cancer cases. Many drugs have been used to treat NSCLC in order to improve patient prognosis. Platinum-based chemotherapy is the first-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic patients. For patients with activating EGFR mutations, tyrosine kinase inhibitors are the best treatment choice. NSCLC initially exhibits an excellent response to treatment; however, acquired resistance has been observed in many patients, leading to ineffective treatment. Clinical resistance is an impediment in the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC. Many sequencing technologies have shown that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is expressed differently between drug-resistant and drug-sensitive lung cancer cells. We review the literature on lncRNA in drug resistance of NSCLC. The aim of this review is to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance, mainly focusing on the role of lncRNA in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leirong Wang
- Department of OncologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Leina Ma
- Department of OncologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Fei Xu
- Department of OncologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Wenxin Zhai
- Department of OncologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Shenghua Dong
- Department of OncologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Ling Yin
- Department of OncologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of PharmacyQingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Zhuang Yu
- Department of OncologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
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40
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Targeting EZH2 reactivates a breast cancer subtype-specific anti-metastatic transcriptional program. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2547. [PMID: 29959321 PMCID: PMC6026192 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04864-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence has illustrated the importance of epigenomic reprogramming in cancer, with altered post-translational modifications of histones contributing to pathogenesis. However, the contributions of histone modifiers to breast cancer progression are unclear, and how these processes vary between molecular subtypes has yet to be adequately addressed. Here we report that genetic or pharmacological targeting of the epigenetic modifier Ezh2 dramatically hinders metastatic behaviour in both a mouse model of breast cancer and patient-derived xenografts reflective of the Luminal B subtype. We further define a subtype-specific molecular mechanism whereby EZH2 maintains H3K27me3-mediated repression of the FOXC1 gene, thereby inactivating a FOXC1-driven, anti-invasive transcriptional program. We demonstrate that higher FOXC1 is predictive of favourable outcome specifically in Luminal B breast cancer patients and establish the use of EZH2 methyltransferase inhibitors as a viable strategy to block metastasis in Luminal B breast cancer, where options for targeted therapy are limited. Histone modifications in cancer can contribute to pathogenesis. Here, the authors demonstrate that targeting epigenetic modifier Ezh2 hinders metastatic behaviour in Luminal B breast cancer models, and highlight a mechanism where Ezh2 contributes to metastatic behaviour by repression of FOXC1.
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41
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Forma E, Jóźwiak P, Ciesielski P, Zaczek A, Starska K, Bryś M, Krześlak A. Impact of OGT deregulation on EZH2 target genes FOXA1 and FOXC1 expression in breast cancer cells. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198351. [PMID: 29864144 PMCID: PMC5986130 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zest homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyltransferase which plays a crucial role in cancer progression by regulation of genes involved in cellular processes such as proliferation, invasion and self-renewal. Activity and biological function of EZH2 are regulated by posttranslational modifications. It is suggested that EZH2 stability may be regulated by O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), which is an enzyme catalyzing the addition of GlcNAc moieties to target proteins. In this study, we determined the impact of OGT on expression of EZH2 target genes FOXA1 and FOXC1, that are involved in breast cancer progression. The results of chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments showed that both EZH2 and OGT are targeted to the promoter regions of FOXA1 and FOXC1 and knockdown of EZH2 or OGT affects expression of studied genes in breast non-malignant (MCF10A) and cancer cells (MCF7, T47D and MDA-MB-231). The results showed that OGT silencing affects EZH2 binding to FOXC1 promoter but the effect is cell-context dependent. Despite the slight decrease in EZH2 protein level in cells with OGT depletion, EZH2 binding to FOXC1 was increased. Moreover, OGT binding to promoter regions of FOXA1 and FOXC1 was increased in cells with knockdown of EZH2. Increased expression of FOXA1 and FOXC1 in cells with OGT deregulation was associated with increased acetylation level of histone H3. The results suggest that OGT is involved in regulation of FOXA1 and FOXC1 expression but its role is not associated with regulation of EZH2 protein stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Forma
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska, Łódź, Poland
| | - Paweł Jóźwiak
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska, Łódź, Poland
| | - Piotr Ciesielski
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska, Łódź, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Zaczek
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska, Łódź, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Starska
- Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcińskiego, Łódź, Poland
| | - Magdalena Bryś
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska, Łódź, Poland
| | - Anna Krześlak
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska, Łódź, Poland
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Wu J, Jiang Z, Chen C, Hu Q, Fu Z, Chen J, Wang Z, Wang Q, Li A, Marks JR, Guo C, Chen Y, Zhou J, Yang L, Lin C, Wang S. CircIRAK3 sponges miR-3607 to facilitate breast cancer metastasis. Cancer Lett 2018; 430:179-192. [PMID: 29803789 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
As a class of endogenous noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been recently identified to regulate tumourigenesis and progression in multiple malignancies. However, the expression profiles and function of circRNAs in breast cancer metastasis are largely unknown. Here, we determined that the expression of a novel circRNA, which we named circIRAK3, was increased in metastatic breast cancer (BC) cells and predictive of BC recurrence. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies in BC cells demonstrated that circIRAK3 promoted cell migration, invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo but did not affect cell proliferation, colony formation or cell cycle progression. Using circIRAK3 in vivo precipitation and luciferase reporter assays, we identified miR-3607 as a circIRAK3-associated miRNA. Furthermore, RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis showed that forkhead box C1 (FOXC1), the target of miR-3607, was downregulated in circIRAK3-silenced cells and mediated circIRAK3-induced BC cell migration. Intriguingly, FOXC1 could, in turn, bind to the IRAK3 promoter, triggering a positive-feedback loop that perpetuated the circIRAK3/miR-3607/FOXC1 signaling axis. Collectively, our findings indicated that circIRAK3 may exert regulatory roles in BC metastasis and may be a potential target for metastatic BC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wu
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Zerun Jiang
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingsong Hu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ziyi Fu
- Nanjing Maternity and Child Medical Institute, Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210004, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjie Chen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhangding Wang
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Aiping Li
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Jeffrey R Marks
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Changying Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianwei Zhou
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Liuqing Yang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chunru Lin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shouyu Wang
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Toxicology, Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China.
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MYC-driven epigenetic reprogramming favors the onset of tumorigenesis by inducing a stem cell-like state. Nat Commun 2018. [PMID: 29523784 PMCID: PMC5844884 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03264-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer consists of highly heterogeneous tumors, whose cell of origin and driver oncogenes are difficult to be uniquely defined. Here we report that MYC acts as tumor reprogramming factor in mammary epithelial cells by inducing an alternative epigenetic program, which triggers loss of cell identity and activation of oncogenic pathways. Overexpression of MYC induces transcriptional repression of lineage-specifying transcription factors, causing decommissioning of luminal-specific enhancers. MYC-driven dedifferentiation supports the onset of a stem cell-like state by inducing the activation of de novo enhancers, which drive the transcriptional activation of oncogenic pathways. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the MYC-driven epigenetic reprogramming favors the formation and maintenance of tumor-initiating cells endowed with metastatic capacity. This study supports the notion that MYC-driven tumor initiation relies on cell reprogramming, which is mediated by the activation of MYC-dependent oncogenic enhancers, thus establishing a therapeutic rational for treating basal-like breast cancers.
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44
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Evaluation of FOXC1 as a therapeutic target for basal-like breast cancer. Cancer Gene Ther 2018; 25:84-91. [DOI: 10.1038/s41417-018-0010-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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45
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Wang J, Li L, Liu S, Zhao Y, Wang L, Du G. FOXC1 promotes melanoma by activating MST1R/PI3K/AKT. Oncotarget 2018; 7:84375-84387. [PMID: 27533251 PMCID: PMC5356666 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXC1 is a member of Forkhead box family transcription factors. We showed that FOXC1 level was increased in melanoma cells and tissues and correlated with hypomethylation of the FOXC1 gene. Overexpression of FOXC1 promoted proliferation, migration, invasion, colony formation and growth in 3D Matrigel of melanoma cells. FOXC1 increased MST1R and activated the PI3K/AKT pathway. Also, FOXC1 expression was associated with disease progression and poor prognosis of melanoma. We suggest that FOXC1 is a potential prognostic biomarker for treating melanoma and predicting outcome of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.,Department of Molecular Oncology, John Wayne Cancer Institute (JWCI) at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica 90404, CA, USA
| | - Li Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Shiwei Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanxi DAYI Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030002, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Lin Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Guanhua Du
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
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46
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Johnson J, Choi M, Dadmanesh F, Han B, Qu Y, Yu-Rice Y, Zhang X, Bagaria S, Taylor C, Giuliano AE, Amersi F, Cui X. FOXC1 identifies basal-like breast cancer in a hereditary breast cancer cohort. Oncotarget 2018; 7:75729-75738. [PMID: 27708239 PMCID: PMC5342773 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancers arising in the setting of the hereditary breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 are most commonly classified as basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) or luminal breast cancer, respectively. BLBC is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer associated with liver and lung metastases and poorer prognosis than other subtypes and for which chemotherapy is the only systemic therapy. Multiple immunohistochemical markers are used to identify the basal-like subtype, including the absence of estrogen receptor alpha, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) has been identified as a specific marker expressed in BLBC in general breast cancer cohorts. We examined an institutional cohort of breast cancer patients with germline BRCA1 (n=46) and BRCA2 (n=35) mutations and found that FOXC1 expression on immunohistochemical staining is associated with BRCA1 vs BRCA2 mutations [30/46 vs. 6/35]. In BRCA1 mutant tumors, FOXC1 was expressed in 28/31 BLBC tumors and 2/13 non-BLBC tumors, In BRCA2 mutant tumors, FOXC1 was expressed in 5/5 BLBC tumors and 1/30 non-BLBC tumors. In cell culture models of BRCA1-mutant breast cancer, FOXC1 is associated with increased proliferation and may serve as a marker for sensitivity to PARP-inhibitor therapy with olaparib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Johnson
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Michael Choi
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Farnaz Dadmanesh
- Department of Pathology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Bingchen Han
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ying Qu
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Yi Yu-Rice
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Research Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Sanjay Bagaria
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Clive Taylor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Armando E Giuliano
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.,Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Farin Amersi
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.,Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Xiaojiang Cui
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.,Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
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47
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Elian FA, Yan E, Walter MA. FOXC1, the new player in the cancer sandbox. Oncotarget 2018; 9:8165-8178. [PMID: 29487724 PMCID: PMC5814291 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, rapidly accumulating evidence implicates forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) in cancer, especially in studies of basal-like breast cancer (BLBC). Other studies have followed suit, demonstrating that FOXC1 is not only a major player in this breast cancer subtype, but also in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), endometrial cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The FOXC1 gene encodes a transcription factor that is crucial to mesodermal, neural crest, and ocular development, and mutations found in FOXC1 have been found to cause dominantly inherited Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome (ARS). Interestingly, while FOXC1 missense mutations that are associated with ARS usually reduce gene activity, increased FOXC1 function now appears to be often linked to more aggressive cancer phenotypes in BLBC, HCC, HL, and NHL. This review discusses not only the role of FOXC1 in cancer cell progression, proliferation, differentiation, and metastasis, but also the underlying mechanisms of how FOXC1 can contribute to aggressive cancer phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahed A. Elian
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Yan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael A. Walter
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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48
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Wang L, Chai L, Ji Q, Cheng R, Wang J, Han S. Forkhead box protein C1 promotes cell proliferation and invasion in human cervical cancer. Mol Med Rep 2018; 17:4392-4398. [PMID: 29328384 PMCID: PMC5802213 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has demonstrated that aberrant forkhead box protein C1 (FOXC1) expression contributes to tumorigenesis in multiple types of malignant tumor. However, the clinical significance and biological roles of FOXC1 in cervical cancer remain unknown. The expression levels of FOXC1 were examined in human cervical cancer tissues and cells using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Furthermore, high FOXC1 expression was significantly associated with advanced clinical stages, a high degree of malignancy and a poor outcome. FOXC1 silencing inhibited cell growth and enhanced cell apoptosis. Knockdown of FOXC1 markedly suppressed cell migration and invasion in vitro, and resulted in downregulation of phosphorylated-RAC-α serine/threonine-protein kinase, proto-oncogene c-Myc and B-cell lymphoma 2. In conclusion, these data indicated that upregulation of FOXC1 contributed to the development of cervical cancer by increasing the growth and motility of the cervical cancer cells, thereby worsening the disease progression in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150037, P.R. China
| | - Lulu Chai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150037, P.R. China
| | - Qingchun Ji
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150037, P.R. China
| | - Rongjie Cheng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150037, P.R. China
| | - Jiao Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150037, P.R. China
| | - Shiyu Han
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150037, P.R. China
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49
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Franco HL, Nagari A, Malladi VS, Li W, Xi Y, Richardson D, Allton KL, Tanaka K, Li J, Murakami S, Keyomarsi K, Bedford MT, Shi X, Li W, Barton MC, Dent SYR, Kraus WL. Enhancer transcription reveals subtype-specific gene expression programs controlling breast cancer pathogenesis. Genome Res 2017; 28:159-170. [PMID: 29273624 PMCID: PMC5793780 DOI: 10.1101/gr.226019.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Noncoding transcription is a defining feature of active enhancers, linking transcription factor (TF) binding to the molecular mechanisms controlling gene expression. To determine the relationship between enhancer activity and biological outcomes in breast cancers, we profiled the transcriptomes (using GRO-seq and RNA-seq) and epigenomes (using ChIP-seq) of 11 different human breast cancer cell lines representing five major molecular subtypes of breast cancer, as well as two immortalized (“normal”) human breast cell lines. In addition, we developed a robust and unbiased computational pipeline that simultaneously identifies putative subtype-specific enhancers and their cognate TFs by integrating the magnitude of enhancer transcription, TF mRNA expression levels, TF motif P-values, and enrichment of H3K4me1 and H3K27ac. When applied across the 13 different cell lines noted above, the Total Functional Score of Enhancer Elements (TFSEE) identified key breast cancer subtype-specific TFs that act at transcribed enhancers to dictate gene expression patterns determining growth outcomes, including Forkhead TFs, FOSL1, and PLAG1. FOSL1, a Fos family TF, (1) is highly enriched at the enhancers of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, (2) acts as a key regulator of the proliferation and viability of TNBC cells, but not Luminal A cells, and (3) is associated with a poor prognosis in TNBC breast cancer patients. Taken together, our results validate our enhancer identification pipeline and reveal that enhancers transcribed in breast cancer cells direct critical gene regulatory networks that promote pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector L Franco
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences and Division of Basic Reproductive Biology Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Anusha Nagari
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences and Division of Basic Reproductive Biology Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Venkat S Malladi
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences and Division of Basic Reproductive Biology Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Wenqian Li
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis and The Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas 78957, USA
| | - Yuanxin Xi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Division of Biostatistics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Dana Richardson
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Kendra L Allton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and The Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Kaori Tanaka
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and The Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and The Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Shino Murakami
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences and Division of Basic Reproductive Biology Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
| | - Khandan Keyomarsi
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Mark T Bedford
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis and The Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas 78957, USA
| | - Xiaobing Shi
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and The Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Division of Biostatistics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Michelle C Barton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and The Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Sharon Y R Dent
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis and The Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas 78957, USA
| | - W Lee Kraus
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences and Division of Basic Reproductive Biology Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
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50
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Han B, Zhou B, Qu Y, Gao B, Xu Y, Chung S, Tanaka H, Yang W, Giuliano AE, Cui X. FOXC1-induced non-canonical WNT5A-MMP7 signaling regulates invasiveness in triple-negative breast cancer. Oncogene 2017; 37:1399-1408. [PMID: 29249801 PMCID: PMC5844802 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-017-0021-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has high rates of local recurrence and distant metastasis, partially due to its high invasiveness. The Forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) transcription factor has been shown to be specifically overexpressed in TNBC and associated with poor clinical outcome. How TNBC’s high invasiveness is driven by FOXC1 and its downstream targets remains poorly understood. In the present study, pathway-specific PCR array assays revealed that WNT5A and matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP7) were upregulated by FOXC1 in TNBC cells. Interestingly, WNT5A mediates the upregulation of MMP7 by FOXC1 and the WNT5A-MMP7 axis is essential for FOXC1-induced invasiveness of TNBC cells in vitro. Xenograft models showed that the lung extravasation and metastasis of FOXC1-overexpressing TNBC cells were attenuated by knocking out WNT5A, but could be restored by MMP7 overexpression. Mechanistically, FOXC1 can bind directly to the WNT5A promoter region to activate its expression. Engineered DNA-binding molecule-mediated chromatin immunoprecipitation (enChIP), coupled with mass spectrometry, identified FOXC1-interacting proteins including a group of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins involved in WNT5A transcription induction. Finally, we found that WNT5A activates NF-κB signaling to induce MMP7 expression. Collectively, these data demonstrate a FOXC1-elicited non-canonical WNT5A signaling mechanism comprising NF-κB and MMP7 that is essential for TNBC cell invasiveness, thereby providing implications toward developing an effective therapy for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingchen Han
- Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bo Zhou
- Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ying Qu
- Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bowen Gao
- Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yali Xu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Stacey Chung
- Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hisashi Tanaka
- Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Armando E Giuliano
- Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiaojiang Cui
- Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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