1
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Shan M, Cheng Q, Parris AB, Kong L, Yang X, Shi Y. Metformin reduces basal subpopulation and attenuates mammary epithelial cell stemness in FVB/N mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1427395. [PMID: 39055652 PMCID: PMC11269140 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1427395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Metformin shows promise in breast cancer prevention, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the impact of metformin on the repopulation dynamics of mammary epithelial cells (MECs) and the signaling pathways in non-tumorigenic FVB/N mice. This study aimed to enhance our understanding of the role of metformin in reducing the susceptibility of MECs in premalignant tissues to oncogenic factors. In this study, female mice were administered 200 mg/kg/day of metformin via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection from 8 to 18 weeks of age. After this treatment period, morphogenesis, flow cytometry, analyses of MEC stemness, and RNA sequencing were performed. The study findings indicated that metformin treatment in adult mice reduced mammary gland proliferation, as demonstrated by decreased Ki67+ cells and lateral bud formation. Additionally, metformin significantly reduced both basal and mammary repopulating unit subpopulations, indicating an impact on mammary epithelial cell repopulation. Mammosphere, colony-forming cell, and 3D culture assays revealed that metformin adversely affected mammary epithelial cell stemness. Furthermore, metformin downregulated signaling in key pathways including AMPK/mTOR, MAPK/Erk, PI3K/Akt, and ER, which contribute to its inhibitory effects on mammary proliferation and stemness. Transcriptome analysis with RNA sequencing indicated that metformin induced significant downregulation of genes involved in multiple critical pathways. KEGG-based pathway analysis indicated that genes in PI3K/Akt, focal adhesion, ECM-receptor, small cell lung cancer and immune-modulation pathways were among the top groups of differentially regulated genes. In summary, our research demonstrates that metformin inhibits MEC proliferation and stemness, accompanied by the downregulation of intrinsic signaling. These insights suggest that the regulatory effects of metformin on premalignant mammary tissues could potentially delay or prevent the onset of breast cancer, offering a promising avenue for developing new preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Shan
- Department of Pathology, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Hena, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qiong Cheng
- Department of Pathology, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Hena, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Amanda B. Parris
- Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Research Campus, North Carolina Central University, Kannapolis, NC, United States
| | - Lingfei Kong
- Department of Pathology, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Hena, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiaohe Yang
- Department of Pathology, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Hena, China
- Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Research Campus, North Carolina Central University, Kannapolis, NC, United States
| | - Yujie Shi
- Department of Pathology, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Hena, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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2
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Jokela TA, Dane MA, Smith RL, Devlin KL, Shalabi S, Lopez JC, Miyano M, Stampfer MR, Korkola JE, Gray JW, Heiser LM, LaBarge MA. Functional delineation of the luminal epithelial microenvironment in breast using cell-based screening in combinatorial microenvironments. Cell Signal 2024; 113:110958. [PMID: 37935340 PMCID: PMC10696611 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110958] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Microenvironment signals are potent determinants of cell fate and arbiters of tissue homeostasis, however understanding how different microenvironment factors coordinately regulate cellular phenotype has been experimentally challenging. Here we used a high-throughput microenvironment microarray comprised of 2640 unique pairwise signals to identify factors that support proliferation and maintenance of primary human mammary luminal epithelial cells. Multiple microenvironment factors that modulated luminal cell number were identified, including: HGF, NRG1, BMP2, CXCL1, TGFB1, FGF2, PDGFB, RANKL, WNT3A, SPP1, HA, VTN, and OMD. All of these factors were previously shown to modulate luminal cell numbers in painstaking mouse genetics experiments, or were shown to have a role in breast cancer, demonstrating the relevance and power of our high-dimensional approach to dissect key microenvironmental signals. RNA-sequencing of primary epithelial and stromal cell lineages identified the cell types that express these signals and the cognate receptors in vivo. Cell-based functional studies confirmed which effects from microenvironment factors were reproducible and robust to individual variation. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was the factor most robust to individual variation and drove expansion of luminal cells via cKit+ progenitor cells, which expressed abundant MET receptor. Luminal cells from women who are genetically high risk for breast cancer had significantly more MET receptor and may explain the characteristic expansion of the luminal lineage in those women. In ensemble, our approach provides proof of principle that microenvironment signals that control specific cellular states can be dissected with high-dimensional cell-based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiina A Jokela
- Department of Population Sciences, Center for Cancer and Aging, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Mark A Dane
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Rebecca L Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kaylyn L Devlin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sundus Shalabi
- Department of Population Sciences, Center for Cancer and Aging, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; Faculty of Medicine, Arab American University of Palestine, Jenin, Palestine
| | - Jennifer C Lopez
- Department of Population Sciences, Center for Cancer and Aging, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Masaru Miyano
- Department of Population Sciences, Center for Cancer and Aging, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Martha R Stampfer
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - James E Korkola
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Joe W Gray
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Laura M Heiser
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Mark A LaBarge
- Department of Population Sciences, Center for Cancer and Aging, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA; Center for Cancer Biomarkers Research (CCBIO), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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3
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Tacchini M, Sacchetti G, Guerrini A, Paganetto G. Mycochemicals against Cancer Stem Cells. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:360. [PMID: 37368660 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15060360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Since ancient times, mushrooms have been considered valuable allies of human well-being both from a dietary and medicinal point of view. Their essential role in several traditional medicines is explained today by the discovery of the plethora of biomolecules that have shown proven efficacy for treating various diseases, including cancer. Numerous studies have already been conducted to explore the antitumoural properties of mushroom extracts against cancer. Still, very few have reported the anticancer properties of mushroom polysaccharides and mycochemicals against the specific population of cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this context, β-glucans are relevant in modulating immunological surveillance against this subpopulation of cancer cells within tumours. Small molecules, less studied despite their spread and assortment, could exhibit the same importance. In this review, we discuss several pieces of evidence of the association between β-glucans and small mycochemicals in modulating biological mechanisms which are proven to be involved with CSCs development. Experimental evidence and an in silico approach are evaluated with the hope of contributing to future strategies aimed at the direct study of the action of these mycochemicals on this subpopulation of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Tacchini
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gianni Sacchetti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandra Guerrini
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Paganetto
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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4
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Gao F, Zhang G, Liu Y, He Y, Sheng Y, Sun X, Du Y, Yang C. Activation of CD44 signaling in leader cells induced by tumor-associated macrophages drives collective detachment in luminal breast carcinomas. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:540. [PMID: 35680853 PMCID: PMC9184589 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04986-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Collective detachment of cancer cells at the invading front could generate efficient metastatic spread. However, how cancer cell clusters shed from the leading front remains unknown. We previously reported that the dynamic expression of CD44 in breast cancers (BrCas) at collectively invading edges was associated with tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). In this study, we first observed that the highly expressed CD44 (CD44high) cancer cell clusters were located in the BrCa circulating vessels, accompanied by CD206+ TAMs. Next, we identified that the cancer cell clusters can be converted to an invasive CD44high state which was induced by TAMs, thus giving rise to CD44-associated signaling mediated cohesive detachment. Then, we showed that disrupting CD44-signaling inhibited the TAMs triggered cohesive detaching using 3D organotypic culture and mouse models. Furthermore, our mechanistic study showed that the acquisition of CD44high state was mediated by the MDM2/p53 pathway activation which was induced by CCL8 released from TAMs. Blocking of CCL8 could inhibit the signaling cascade which decreased the CD44-mediated cohesive detachment and spread. Our findings uncover a novel mechanism underlying collective metastasis in BrCas that may be helpful to seek for potential targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Gao
- grid.412528.80000 0004 1798 5117Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200233 China ,grid.412528.80000 0004 1798 5117Department of Molecular Biology Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200233 China
| | - Guoliang Zhang
- grid.412528.80000 0004 1798 5117Department of Molecular Biology Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200233 China
| | - Yiwen Liu
- grid.412528.80000 0004 1798 5117Department of Molecular Biology Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200233 China
| | - Yiqing He
- grid.412528.80000 0004 1798 5117Department of Molecular Biology Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200233 China
| | - Yumeng Sheng
- grid.412528.80000 0004 1798 5117Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200233 China
| | - Xiaodan Sun
- grid.412528.80000 0004 1798 5117Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200233 China
| | - Yan Du
- grid.412528.80000 0004 1798 5117Department of Molecular Biology Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200233 China
| | - Cuixia Yang
- grid.412528.80000 0004 1798 5117Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200233 China ,grid.412528.80000 0004 1798 5117Department of Molecular Biology Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200233 China
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5
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Yoshitake R, Chang G, Saeki K, Ha D, Wu X, Wang J, Chen S. Single-Cell Transcriptomics Identifies Heterogeneity of Mouse Mammary Gland Fibroblasts With Distinct Functions, Estrogen Responses, Differentiation Processes, and Crosstalks With Epithelium. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:850568. [PMID: 35300413 PMCID: PMC8923650 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.850568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts have been shown to be one of the essential players for mammary gland organization. Here, we identify two major types of mouse mammary gland fibroblasts through single-cell RNA sequencing analysis: Dpp4 + fibroblasts and Dpp4 - fibroblasts. Each population exhibits unique functional characteristics as well as discrete localization in normal mouse mammary glands. Remarkably, estrogen, a crucial mediator of mammary gland organization, alters the gene expression profiles of fibroblasts in a population-specific manner, without distinct activation of estrogen receptor signaling. Further integrative analysis with the inclusion of five other publicly available datasets reveals a directional differentiation among the mammary gland fibroblast populations. Moreover, the combination with the mouse mammary epithelium atlas allows us to infer multiple potential interactions between epithelial cells and fibroblasts in mammary glands. This study provides a comprehensive view of mouse mammary gland fibroblasts at the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Yoshitake
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Gregory Chang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Kohei Saeki
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Imabari, Japan
| | - Desiree Ha
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Xiwei Wu
- Integrative Genomics Core, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, United States
| | - Jinhui Wang
- Integrative Genomics Core, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, United States
| | - Shiuan Chen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
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6
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The Emerging Role of c-Met in Carcinogenesis and Clinical Implications as a Possible Therapeutic Target. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:5179182. [PMID: 35069735 PMCID: PMC8776431 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5179182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background c-MET is a receptor tyrosine kinase receptor (RTK) for the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). The binding of HGF to c-MET regulates several cellular functions: differentiation, proliferation, epithelial cell motility, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, it is known to be involved in carcinogenesis. Comprehension of HGF-c-MET signaling pathway might have important clinical consequences allowing to predict prognosis, response to treatment, and survival rates based on its expression and dysregulation. Discussion. c-MET represents a useful molecular target for novel engineered drugs. Several clinical trials are underway for various solid tumors and the development of new specific monoclonal antibodies depends on the recent knowledge about the definite c-MET role in each different malignance. Recent clinical trials based on c-MET molecular targets result in good safety profile and represent a promising therapeutic strategy for solid cancers, in monotherapy or in combination with other target drugs. Conclusion The list of cell surface receptors crosslinking with the c-MET signaling is constantly growing, highlighting the importance of this pathway for personalized target therapy. Research on the combination of c-MET inhibitors with other drugs will hopefully lead to discovery of new effective treatment options.
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7
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Lüttich L, Besso MJ, Heiden S, Koi L, Baumann M, Krause M, Dubrovska A, Linge A, Kurth I, Peitzsch C. Tyrosine Kinase c-MET as Therapeutic Target for Radiosensitization of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1865. [PMID: 33919702 PMCID: PMC8070694 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase c-MET activates intracellular signaling and induces cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition and migration. Within the present study, we validated the prognostic value of c-MET in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with radio(chemo)therapy using the Cancer Genome Atlas database and found an association of increased MET gene expression and protein phosphorylation with reduced disease-specific and progression-free survival. To investigate the role of c-MET-dependent radioresistance, c-MET-positive cells were purified from established HNSCC cell lines and a reduced radiosensitivity and enhanced sphere-forming potential, compared to the c-MET-depleted cell population, was found in two out of four analyzed cell lines pointing to regulatory heterogeneity. We showed that c-MET is dynamically regulated after irradiation in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, no direct impact of c-MET on DNA damage repair was found. The therapeutic potential of eight c-MET targeting agents in combination with irradiation demonstrated variable response rates in six HNSCC cell lines. Amongst them, crizotinib, foretinib, and Pha665752 exhibited the strongest radiosensitizing effect. Kinase activity profiling showed an association of crizotinib resistance with compensatory PI3K/AKT and MAP kinase signaling. Overall, our results indicate that c-MET is conferring radioresistance in HNSCC through modulation of intracellular kinase signaling and stem-like features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Lüttich
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (L.L.); (S.H.); (L.K.); (M.B.); (M.K.); (A.D.); (A.L.)
| | - María José Besso
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (M.J.B.); (I.K.)
| | - Stephan Heiden
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (L.L.); (S.H.); (L.K.); (M.B.); (M.K.); (A.D.); (A.L.)
| | - Lydia Koi
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (L.L.); (S.H.); (L.K.); (M.B.); (M.K.); (A.D.); (A.L.)
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiooncology–OncoRay, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Baumann
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (L.L.); (S.H.); (L.K.); (M.B.); (M.K.); (A.D.); (A.L.)
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (M.J.B.); (I.K.)
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core Center Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mechthild Krause
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (L.L.); (S.H.); (L.K.); (M.B.); (M.K.); (A.D.); (A.L.)
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (M.J.B.); (I.K.)
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiooncology–OncoRay, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 01307 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (L.L.); (S.H.); (L.K.); (M.B.); (M.K.); (A.D.); (A.L.)
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (M.J.B.); (I.K.)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiooncology–OncoRay, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 01307 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Annett Linge
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (L.L.); (S.H.); (L.K.); (M.B.); (M.K.); (A.D.); (A.L.)
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (M.J.B.); (I.K.)
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 01307 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ina Kurth
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (M.J.B.); (I.K.)
| | - Claudia Peitzsch
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (L.L.); (S.H.); (L.K.); (M.B.); (M.K.); (A.D.); (A.L.)
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 01307 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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8
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Sung VYC, Knight JF, Johnson RM, Stern YE, Saleh SM, Savage P, Monast A, Zuo D, Duhamel S, Park M. Co-dependency for MET and FGFR1 in basal triple-negative breast cancers. NPJ Breast Cancer 2021; 7:36. [PMID: 33772015 PMCID: PMC7997957 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-021-00238-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease that lacks both effective patient stratification strategies and therapeutic targets. Whilst elevated levels of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase are associated with TNBCs and predict poor clinical outcome, the functional role of MET in TNBC is still poorly understood. In this study, we utilise an established Met-dependent transgenic mouse model of TNBC, human cell lines and patient-derived xenografts to investigate the role of MET in TNBC tumorigenesis. We find that in TNBCs with mesenchymal signatures, MET participates in a compensatory interplay with FGFR1 to regulate tumour-initiating cells (TICs). We demonstrate a requirement for the scaffold protein FRS2 downstream from both Met and FGFR1 and find that dual inhibition of MET and FGFR1 signalling results in TIC depletion, hindering tumour progression. Importantly, basal breast cancers that display elevated MET and FGFR1 signatures are associated with poor relapse-free survival. Our results support a role for MET and FGFR1 as potential co-targets for anti-TIC therapies in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Y C Sung
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jennifer F Knight
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Radia M Johnson
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yaakov E Stern
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sadiq M Saleh
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Paul Savage
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anie Monast
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Dongmei Zuo
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Duhamel
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Morag Park
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA, USA. .,Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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9
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Majorini MT, Cancila V, Rigoni A, Botti L, Dugo M, Triulzi T, De Cecco L, Fontanella E, Jachetti E, Tagliabue E, Chiodoni C, Tripodo C, Colombo MP, Lecis D. Infiltrating Mast Cell-Mediated Stimulation of Estrogen Receptor Activity in Breast Cancer Cells Promotes the Luminal Phenotype. Cancer Res 2020; 80:2311-2324. [PMID: 32179512 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-3596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tumor growth and development is determined by both cancer cell-autonomous and microenvironmental mechanisms, including the contribution of infiltrating immune cells. Because the role of mast cells (MC) in this process is poorly characterized and even controversial, we investigated their part in breast cancer. Crossing C57BL/6 MMTV-PyMT mice, which spontaneously develop mammary carcinomas, with MC-deficient C57BL/6-KitW-sh/W-sh (Wsh) mice, showed that MCs promote tumor growth and prevent the development of basal CK5-positive areas in favor of a luminal gene program. When cocultured with breast cancer cells in vitro, MCs hindered activation of cMET, a master regulator of the basal program, and simultaneously promoted expression and activation of estrogen receptor (ESR1/ER) and its target genes (PGR, KRT8/CK8, BCL2), which are all luminal markers. Moreover, MCs reduced ERBB2/HER2 levels, whose inhibition further increased ESR1 expression. In vivo and in silico analysis of patients with breast cancer revealed a direct correlation between MC density and ESR1 expression. In mice engrafted with HER2-positive breast cancer tumors, coinjection of MCs increased tumor engraftment and outgrowth, supporting the link between MCs and increased risk of relapse in patients with breast cancer. Together, our findings support the notion that MCs influence the phenotype of breast cancer cells by stimulating a luminal phenotype and ultimately modifying the outcome of the disease. SIGNIFICANCE: Mast cells impact breast cancer outcome by directly affecting the phenotype of tumor cells through stimulation of the estrogen receptor pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Majorini
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Cancila
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Human Pathology Section, University of Palermo School of Medicine, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alice Rigoni
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Botti
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Dugo
- Platform of Integrated Biology, Department of Applied Research and Technology Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Triulzi
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Loris De Cecco
- Platform of Integrated Biology, Department of Applied Research and Technology Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Fontanella
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Jachetti
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Elda Tagliabue
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Chiodoni
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Human Pathology Section, University of Palermo School of Medicine, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario P Colombo
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
| | - Daniele Lecis
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
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10
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Lineage plasticity in cancer: a shared pathway of therapeutic resistance. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2020; 17:360-371. [PMID: 32152485 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-020-0340-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 274] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Lineage plasticity, the ability of cells to transition from one committed developmental pathway to another, has been proposed as a source of intratumoural heterogeneity and of tumour adaptation to an adverse tumour microenvironment including exposure to targeted anticancer treatments. Tumour cell conversion into a different histological subtype has been associated with a loss of dependency on the original oncogenic driver, leading to therapeutic resistance. A well-known pathway of lineage plasticity in cancer - the histological transformation of adenocarcinomas to aggressive neuroendocrine derivatives - was initially described in lung cancers harbouring an EGFR mutation, and was subsequently reported in multiple other adenocarcinomas, including prostate cancer in the presence of antiandrogens. Squamous transformation is a subsequently identified and less well-characterized pathway of adenocarcinoma escape from suppressive anticancer therapy. The increased practice of tumour re-biopsy upon disease progression has increased the recognition of these mechanisms of resistance and has improved our understanding of the underlying biology. In this Review, we provide an overview of the impact of lineage plasticity on cancer progression and therapy resistance, with a focus on neuroendocrine transformation in lung and prostate tumours. We discuss the current understanding of the molecular drivers of this phenomenon, emerging management strategies and open questions in the field.
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11
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Inanc M, Sirakaya HA, Karaman H, Bozkurt O. The prognostic importance of VEGF-A, PDGF-BB and c-MET in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2020; 26:1878-1885. [PMID: 32063107 DOI: 10.1177/1078155220904151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We aimed to assess the effect of VEGF-A, PDGF-BB, and c-Met expression levels on survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving bevacizumab therapies. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 105 patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer between the years 2006 and 2016 were included in the research retrospectively. RESULTS The progression-free survival (PFS) durations of patients with high expression levels of VEGF-A and with low expression levels of VEGF-A were 11 months and 10 months (p = 0.44), respectively. The PFS durations of patients with high PDGF-BB expression and low PDGF-BB expression were 12 months and 10 months (p = 0.16), respectively, while the PFS durations of patients with high and low c-Met expression were 8 months and 13 months (p = 0.005), respectively. Metastatic overall survival was 27 months and 18 months (p = 0.05) in patients with high and low VEGF-A expression levels, respectively, 31 months and 21 months (p = 0.16) in patients with high and low PDGF-BB expression levels, respectively, and 21 months and 26 months (p = 0.11) in patients with high and low c-Met expression levels, respectively. CONCLUSION The results of this research revealed a high c-Met expression relationship with worse PFS and low VEGF-A expression associated with poor metastatic overall survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving bevacizumab therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mevlude Inanc
- Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Hatice Aslan Sirakaya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kayseri Education Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Hatice Karaman
- Department of Pathology, Kayseri Education Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Oktay Bozkurt
- Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
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12
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Chiche A, Di-Cicco A, Sesma-Sanz L, Bresson L, de la Grange P, Glukhova MA, Faraldo MM, Deugnier MA. p53 controls the plasticity of mammary luminal progenitor cells downstream of Met signaling. Breast Cancer Res 2019; 21:13. [PMID: 30683141 PMCID: PMC6346556 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-019-1101-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The adult mammary epithelium is composed of basal and luminal cells. The luminal lineage comprises two major cell populations, positive and negative for estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR, respectively), both containing clonogenic progenitor cells. Deregulated ER/PR− luminal progenitor cells are suspected to be at the origin of basal-type triple-negative (TNBC) breast cancers, a subtype frequently associated with loss of P53 function and MET signaling hyperactivation. Using mouse models, we recently reported that p53 restricts luminal progenitor cell amplification whereas paracrine Met activation stimulates their growth and favors a luminal-to-basal switch. Here, we analyzed how these two critical pathways interact to control luminal progenitor function. Methods We have (i) established and analyzed the gene expression profile of luminal progenitors isolated by ICAM-1, a robust surface marker we previously identified; (ii) purified luminal progenitors from p53-deficient and p53-proficient mouse mammary epithelium to compare their functional and molecular characteristics; and (iii) analyzed their response to HGF, the major Met ligand, in three-dimensional cultures. Results We found that luminal progenitors, compared to non-clonogenic luminal cells, overexpress Trp53 and numerous p53 target genes. In vivo, loss of Trp53 induced the expansion of luminal progenitors, affecting expression of several important p53 target genes including those encoding negative regulators of cell cycle progression. Consistently, p53-deficient luminal progenitors displayed increased proliferative and self-renewal activities in culture. However, they did not exhibit perturbed expression of luminal-specific markers and major regulators, such as Hey1, Elf5, and Gata3. Moreover, although expressing Met at higher level than p53-proficient luminal progenitors, p53-deficient luminal progenitors failed to acquire basal-specific features when stimulated by HGF, showing that p53 promotes the plastic behavior of luminal progenitors downstream of Met activation. Conclusions Our study reveals a crosstalk between Met- and p53-mediated signaling pathways in the regulation of luminal progenitor function. In particular, it shows that neither p53 loss alone nor p53 loss combined with Met signaling activation caused an early detectable cell fate alteration in luminal progenitors. Conceivably, additional events are required to confer basal-specific characteristics to luminal-derived TNBCs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13058-019-1101-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Chiche
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, 26 rue d'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Paris 06, F-75005, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur, CNRS, UMR3738, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Amandine Di-Cicco
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, 26 rue d'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Paris 06, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Laura Sesma-Sanz
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, 26 rue d'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Paris 06, F-75005, Paris, France.,Université Paris VII Denis Diderot, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Laura Bresson
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, 26 rue d'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Paris 06, F-75005, Paris, France
| | | | - Marina A Glukhova
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, 26 rue d'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Paris 06, F-75005, Paris, France.,INSERM, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Marisa M Faraldo
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, 26 rue d'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Paris 06, F-75005, Paris, France.,INSERM, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Ange Deugnier
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, 26 rue d'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France. .,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Paris 06, F-75005, Paris, France. .,INSERM, F-75013, Paris, France.
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13
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Hormones induce the formation of luminal-derived basal cells in the mammary gland. Cell Res 2019; 29:206-220. [PMID: 30631153 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-018-0137-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mammary gland, it is widely believed that the luminal cells are unipotent after birth, contributing only to the luminal compartment in normal development. Here, by lineage tracing, we uncovered an unexpected potential of luminal cells that can give rise to basal cells during pregnancy. These luminal-derived basal cells (LdBCs) persisted through mammary regression and generated more progeny in successive rounds of pregnancies. LdBCs express basal markers as well as estrogen receptor α (ERα). In ovariectomized (OVX) mice, stimulation with estrogen and progesterone promoted the formation of LdBCs. In serial transplantation assays, LdBCs were able to reconstitute new mammary glands in a hormone-dependent manner. Transcriptome analysis and genetic experiments suggest that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for the formation and maintenance of LdBCs. Our data uncover an unexpected bi-potency of luminal cells in a physiological context. The discovery of ERα+ basal cells, which can respond to hormones and are endowed with stem cell-like regenerative capacity in parous mammary gland, provides new insights into the association of hormones and breast cancer.
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14
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Koledova Z, Sumbal J. FGF signaling in mammary gland fibroblasts regulates multiple fibroblast functions and mammary epithelial morphogenesis. Development 2019; 146:dev.185306. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.185306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is crucial for mammary gland development. While multiple roles for FGF signaling in the epithelium were described, the function of FGF signaling in mammary stroma has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated FGF signaling in mammary fibroblasts. We found that mammary fibroblasts express FGF receptors FGFR1 and FGFR2 and respond to FGF ligands. In particular, FGF2 and FGF9 induce sustained ERK1/2 signaling and promote fibroblast proliferation and migration in 2D. Intriguingly, only FGF2 induces fibroblast migration in 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) through regulation of actomyosin cytoskeleton and promotes force-mediated collagen remodeling by mammary fibroblasts. Moreover, FGF2 regulates production of ECM proteins by mammary fibroblasts, including collagens, fibronectin, osteopontin, and matrix metalloproteinases. Finally, using organotypic 3D co-cultures we show that FGF2 and FGF9 signaling in mammary fibroblasts enhances fibroblast-induced branching of mammary epithelium by modulating paracrine signaling and that knockdown of Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 in mammary fibroblasts reduces branching of mammary epithelium. Our results demonstrate a pleiotropic role for FGF signaling in mammary fibroblasts with implications for regulation of mammary stromal functions and epithelial branching morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Koledova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 3, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Sumbal
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 3, Brno, 625 00, Czech Republic
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15
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Xu Y, Dong X, Qi P, Ye Y, Shen W, Leng L, Wang L, Li X, Luo X, Chen Y, Sun P, Xiang R, Li N. Sox2 Communicates with Tregs Through CCL1 to Promote the Stemness Property of Breast Cancer Cells. Stem Cells 2018; 35:2351-2365. [PMID: 29044882 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
As an important component of the tumor microenvironment, CD4+ CD25+ Tregs reduce antitumor immunity, promote angiogenesis and metastasis in breast cancer. However, their function in regulating the "stemness" of tumor cells and the communication between Tregs and cancer stem cells (CSCs) remain elusive. Here, we disclose that the primarily cultured Tregs isolated from breast-tumor-bearing Foxp3-EGFP mouse upregulate the stemness property of breast cancer cells. Tregs increased the side-population and the Aldehyde dehydrogenase-bright population of mouse breast cancer cells, promoted their sphere formation in a paracrine manner, and enhanced the expression of stemness genes, such as Sox2 and so forth. In addition, Tregs increased tumorigenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, Sox2-overexpression tumor cells activated NF-κB-CCL1 signaling to recruit Tregs through reducing the binding of H3K27Me3 on promoter regions of p65 and Ccl1. These findings reveal the functional interaction between Tregs and CSCs and indicate that targeting on the communication between them is a promising strategy in breast cancer therapy. Stem Cells 2017;35:2351-2365.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxi Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.,State Key Lab of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoli Dong
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Pingping Qi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujie Ye
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenzhi Shen
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Leng
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.,State Key Lab of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefei Li
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.,Department of Medical Technology, Beijing Health Vocational College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohe Luo
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanan Chen
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Peiqing Sun
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rong Xiang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
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16
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Comoglio PM, Trusolino L, Boccaccio C. Known and novel roles of the MET oncogene in cancer: a coherent approach to targeted therapy. Nat Rev Cancer 2018; 18:341-358. [PMID: 29674709 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-018-0002-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The MET oncogene encodes an unconventional receptor tyrosine kinase with pleiotropic functions: it initiates and sustains neoplastic transformation when genetically altered ('oncogene addiction') and fosters cancer cell survival and tumour dissemination when transcriptionally activated in the context of an adaptive response to adverse microenvironmental conditions ('oncogene expedience'). Moreover, MET is an intrinsic modulator of the self-renewal and clonogenic ability of cancer stem cells ('oncogene inherence'). Here, we provide the latest findings on MET function in cancer by focusing on newly identified genetic abnormalities in tumour cells and recently described non-mutational MET activities in stromal cells and cancer stem cells. We discuss how MET drives cancer clonal evolution and progression towards metastasis, both ab initio and under therapeutic pressure. We then elaborate on the use of MET inhibitors in the clinic with a critical appraisal of failures and successes. Ultimately, we advocate a rationale to improve the outcome of anti-MET therapies on the basis of thorough consideration of the entire spectrum of MET-mediated biological responses, which implicates adequate patient stratification, meaningful biomarkers and appropriate clinical end points.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo M Comoglio
- Exploratory Research and Molecular Cancer Therapy, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy.
| | - Livio Trusolino
- Translational Cancer Medicine, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino Medical School, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Carla Boccaccio
- Cancer Stem Cell Research, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino Medical School, Candiolo, Italy
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17
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Basilico C, Modica C, Maione F, Vigna E, Comoglio PM. Targeting the MET oncogene by concomitant inhibition of receptor and ligand via an antibody-"decoy" strategy. Int J Cancer 2018; 143:1774-1785. [PMID: 29693242 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
MET, a master gene sustaining "invasive growth," is a relevant target for cancer precision therapy. In the vast majority of tumors, wild-type MET behaves as a "stress-response" gene and relies on the ligand (HGF) to sustain cell "scattering," invasive growth and apoptosis protection (oncogene "expedience"). In this context, concomitant targeting of MET and HGF could be crucial to reach effective inhibition. To test this hypothesis, we combined an anti-MET antibody (MvDN30) inducing "shedding" (i.e., removal of MET from the cell surface), with a "decoy" (i.e., the soluble extracellular domain of the MET receptor) endowed with HGF-sequestering ability. To avoid antibody/decoy interaction-and subsequent neutralization-we identified a single aminoacid in the extracellular domain of MET-lysine 842-that is critical for MvDN30 binding and engineered the corresponding recombinant decoyMET (K842E). DecoyMETK842E retains the ability to bind HGF with high affinity and inhibits HGF-induced MET phosphorylation. In HGF-dependent cellular models, MvDN30 antibody and decoyMETK842E used in combination cooperate in restraining invasive growth, and synergize in blocking cancer cell "scattering." The antibody and the decoy unbridle apoptosis of colon cancer stem cells grown in vitro as spheroids. In a preclinical model, built by orthotopic transplantation of a human pancreatic carcinoma in SCID mice engineered to express human HGF, concomitant treatment with antibody and decoy significantly reduces metastatic spread. The data reported indicate that vertical targeting of the MET/HGF axis results in powerful inhibition of ligand-dependent MET activation, providing proof of concept in favor of combined target therapy of MET "expedience."
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Modica
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Maione
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Elisa Vigna
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Torino, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
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18
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Roswall P, Bocci M, Bartoschek M, Li H, Kristiansen G, Jansson S, Lehn S, Sjölund J, Reid S, Larsson C, Eriksson P, Anderberg C, Cortez E, Saal LH, Orsmark-Pietras C, Cordero E, Haller BK, Häkkinen J, Burvenich IJG, Lim E, Orimo A, Höglund M, Rydén L, Moch H, Scott AM, Eriksson U, Pietras K. Microenvironmental control of breast cancer subtype elicited through paracrine platelet-derived growth factor-CC signaling. Nat Med 2018. [PMID: 29529015 PMCID: PMC5896729 DOI: 10.1038/nm.4494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Breast tumors of the basal-like, hormone receptor-negative, subtype remain an unmet clinical challenge, as patients exhibit a high rate of recurrence and poor survival. Co-evolution of the malignant mammary epithelium and its underlying stroma instigates cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to endorse most, if not all, hallmarks of cancer progression. Here, we delineate a previously unappreciated role for CAFs as determinants of the molecular subtype of breast cancer. We identified a paracrine cross-talk between cancer cells expressing platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-CC and CAFs expressing the cognate receptors in human basal-like mammary carcinomas. Genetic or pharmacological intervention with PDGF-CC activity in mouse models of cancer resulted in conversion of basal-like breast cancers into a hormone receptor-positive state that conferred sensitivity to endocrine therapy in previously impervious tumors. We conclude that specification of the basal-like subtype of breast cancer is under microenvironmental control and therapeutically actionable in order to achieve sensitivity to endocrine therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernilla Roswall
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matteo Bocci
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Michael Bartoschek
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hong Li
- Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Sara Jansson
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sophie Lehn
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jonas Sjölund
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Steven Reid
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christer Larsson
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Pontus Eriksson
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Anderberg
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Eliane Cortez
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lao H Saal
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Eugenia Cordero
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bengt Kristian Haller
- Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jari Häkkinen
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ingrid J G Burvenich
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elgene Lim
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Akira Orimo
- Department of Pathology and Oncology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mattias Höglund
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lisa Rydén
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Holger Moch
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew M Scott
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ulf Eriksson
- Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristian Pietras
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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19
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D'Amico L, Belisario D, Migliardi G, Grange C, Bussolati B, D'Amelio P, Perera T, Dalmasso E, Dalle Carbonare L, Godio L, Comoglio P, Trusolino L, Ferracini R, Roato I. C-met inhibition blocks bone metastasis development induced by renal cancer stem cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:45525-45537. [PMID: 27322553 PMCID: PMC5216739 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are key players in bone metastasis. In some renal tumors CSCs overexpress the HGF receptor c-MET, speculating that c-MET targeting could lead to bone metastasis inhibition. To address this hypothesis we isolated renal CD105+/CD24−CSCs, expressing c-MET receptor from a primary renal carcinoma. Then, to study their ability to metastasize to bone, we injected renal CSCs in NOD/SCID mice implanted with a human bone and we tested the effect of a c-MET inhibitor (JNJ-38877605) on bone metastasis development. JNJ-38877605 inhibited the formation of metastases at bone implant site. We showed that JNJ-38877605 inhibited the activation of osteoclasts induced by RCC stem cells and it stimulated osteoblast activity, finally resulting in a reduction of bone turnover consistent with the inhibition of bone metastases. We measured the circulating levels of osteotropic factors induced by RCC stem cells in the sera of mice treated with c-Met inhibitor, showing that IL-11 and CCL20 were reduced in mice treated with JNJ-38877605, strongly supporting the involvement of c-MET in the regulation of this process. To address the clinical relevance of c-MET upregulation during tumor progression, we analysed c-MET in renal cancer patients detecting an increased expression in the bone metastatic lesions by IHC. Then, we dosed CCL20 serum levels resulting significantly increased in patients with bone metastases compared to non-metastatic ones. Collectively, our data highlight the importance of the c-MET pathway in the pathogenesis of bone metastases induced by RCC stem cells in mice and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia D'Amico
- Cancer Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,CeRMS, A.O. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy
| | - Dimas Belisario
- Cancer Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Giorgia Migliardi
- IRCC, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Cristina Grange
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Benedetta Bussolati
- Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Patrizia D'Amelio
- Gerontology Section, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Ettore Dalmasso
- Urology Section, A.O. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Dalle Carbonare
- Clinic of Internal Medicine, Section D, Policlinico G.B. Rossi Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Laura Godio
- Department of Pathology, A.O. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy
| | - Paolo Comoglio
- IRCC, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Livio Trusolino
- IRCC, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Roato
- CeRMS, A.O. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy
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Del Barco Barrantes I, Stephan-Otto Attolini C, Slobodnyuk K, Igea A, Gregorio S, Gawrzak S, Gomis RR, Nebreda AR. Regulation of Mammary Luminal Cell Fate and Tumorigenesis by p38α. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 10:257-271. [PMID: 29290625 PMCID: PMC5768988 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammary stem and progenitor cells are essential for mammary gland homeostasis and are also candidates for cells of origin of mammary tumors. Here, we have investigated the function of the protein kinase p38α in the mammary gland using mice that delete this protein in the luminal epithelial cells. We show that p38α regulates the fate of luminal progenitor cells through modulation of the transcription factor RUNX1, an important controller of the estrogen receptor-positive cell lineage. We also provide evidence that the regulation of RUNX1 by p38α probably involves the kinase MSK1, which phosphorylates histone H3 at the RUNX1 promoter. Moreover, using a mouse model for breast cancer initiated by luminal cells, we show that p38α downregulation in mammary epithelial cells reduces tumor burden, which correlates with decreased numbers of tumor-initiating cells. Collectively, our results define a key role for p38α in luminal progenitor cell fate that affects mammary tumor formation. Luminal progenitor cell fate in the mammary gland is regulated by p38α p38α controls the ER transcriptional program by modulating RUNX1 p38α regulates H3 phosphorylation at the RUNX1 promoter through the kinase MSK1 p38α promotes mammary tumorigenesis by maintaining luminal tumor-initiating cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Del Barco Barrantes
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Camille Stephan-Otto Attolini
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Konstantin Slobodnyuk
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Igea
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Gregorio
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sylwia Gawrzak
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roger R Gomis
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; ICREA, Passeig de Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain; CIBERONC, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angel R Nebreda
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; ICREA, Passeig de Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
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Jeon HM, Lee J. MET: roles in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stemness. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2017; 5:5. [PMID: 28164090 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2016.12.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In a number of cancers, deregulated MET pathway leads to aberrantly activated proliferative and invasive signaling programs that promote malignant transformation, cell motility and migration, angiogenesis, survival in hypoxia, and invasion. A better understanding of oncogenic MET signaling will help us to discover effective therapeutic approaches and to identify which tumors are likely to respond to MET-targeted cancer therapy. In this review, we will summarize the roles of MET signaling in cancer, with particular focus on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stemness. Then, we will provide update on MET targeting agents and discuss the challenges that should be overcome for the development of an effective therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Min Jeon
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Jeongwu Lee
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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22
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Miekus K. The Met tyrosine kinase receptor as a therapeutic target and a potential cancer stem cell factor responsible for therapy resistance (Review). Oncol Rep 2016; 37:647-656. [PMID: 27959446 DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.5297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The MET tyrosine kinase receptor plays an important role during tumor development and progression being responsible for proliferation, morphogenetic transformation, cell motility and invasiveness. High expression of the MET receptor has been shown to correlate with increased tumor growth and metastasis, poor prognosis and resistance to radiotherapy. Moreover, MET expression and activation has been shown to be associated with therapy resistance. The occurrence of resistance to targeted therapy might be related to the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are a subpopulation of cells in the tumor that possess the ability of self-renewal, clonogenicity, radioresistance and self-sustained protection from apoptosis. Recently, MET has been postulated as an essential factor supporting the functional stem cell phenotype in some tumors and as a CSC factor is believed to be responsible for therapy resistance. This review presents the results from recent studies identifying MET as a potential marker of CSCs and tumor initiating cells, demonstrating pivotal role of MET in supporting stem cell phenotype and indicating the role of MET in acquiring resistance to antitumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Miekus
- Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Cracow, Poland
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23
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p53 deficiency induces cancer stem cell pool expansion in a mouse model of triple-negative breast tumors. Oncogene 2016; 36:2355-2365. [PMID: 27775073 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease characterized by the expression of basal cell markers, no estrogen or progesterone receptor expression and a lack of HER2 overexpression. Triple-negative tumors often display activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling and most have impaired p53 function. We studied the interplay between p53 loss and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in stem cell function and tumorigenesis, by deleting p53 from the mammary epithelium of K5ΔNβcat mice displaying a constitutive activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in basal cells. K5ΔNβcat transgenic mice present amplification of the basal stem cell pool and develop triple-negative mammary carcinomas. The loss of p53 in K5ΔNβcat mice led to an early expansion of mammary stem/progenitor cells and accelerated the formation of triple-negative tumors. In particular, p53-deficient tumors expressed high levels of integrins and extracellular matrix components and were enriched in cancer stem cells. They also overexpressed the tyrosine kinase receptor Met, a feature characteristic of human triple-negative breast tumors. The inhibition of Met kinase activity impaired tumorsphere formation, demonstrating the requirement of Met signaling for cancer stem cell growth in this model. Human basal-like breast cancers with predicted mutated p53 status had higher levels of MET expression than tumors with wild-type p53. These results connect p53 loss and β-catenin activation to stem cell regulation and tumorigenesis in triple-negative cancer and highlight the role of Met signaling in maintaining cancer stem cell properties, revealing new cues for targeted therapies.
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Vallet S, Bashari MH, Fan FJ, Malvestiti S, Schneeweiss A, Wuchter P, Jäger D, Podar K. Pre-Osteoblasts Stimulate Migration of Breast Cancer Cells via the HGF/MET Pathway. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150507. [PMID: 26934743 PMCID: PMC4774929 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The occurrence of skeletal metastases in cancer, e.g. breast cancer (BC), deteriorates patient life expectancy and quality-of-life. Current treatment options against tumor-associated bone disease are limited to anti-resorptive therapies and aimed towards palliation. There remains a lack of therapeutic approaches, which reverse or even prevent the development of bone metastases. Recent studies demonstrate that not only osteoclasts (OCs), but also osteoblasts (OBs) play a central role in the pathogenesis of skeletal metastases, partly by producing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which promotes tumor cell migration and seeding into the bone. OBs consist of a heterogeneous cell pool with respect to their maturation stage and function. Recent studies highlight the critical role of pre-OBs in hematopoiesis. Whether the development of bone metastases can be attributed to a particular OB maturation stage is currently unknown. Methods and Results Pre-OBs were generated from healthy donor (HD)-derived bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) as well as the BMSC line KM105 and defined as ALPlow OPNlow RUNX2high OSX high CD166high. Conditioned media (CM) of pre-OBs, but not of undifferentiated cells or mature OBs, enhanced migration of metastatic BC cells. Importantly, HGF mRNA was significantly up-regulated in pre-OBs versus mature OBs, and CM of pre-OBs activated the MET signaling pathway. Highlighting a key role for HGF, CM from HGF-negative pre-OBs derived from the BMSC line HS27A did not support migration of BC cells. Genetically (siMET) or pharmacologically (INCB28060) targeting MET inhibited both HGF- and pre-OB CM- mediated BC cell migration. Conclusions Our data demonstrate for the first time a role for pre-OBs in mediating HGF/MET- dependent migration of BC cells and strongly support the clinical evaluation of INCB28060 and other MET inhibitors to limit and/or prevent BC-associated bone metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Vallet
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Muhammad Hasan Bashari
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Feng-Juan Fan
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefano Malvestiti
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Schneeweiss
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Wuchter
- Department of Medicine V, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Applied Tumor Immunity, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Podar
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Li S, Moore AK, Zhu J, Li X, Zhou H, Lin J, He Y, Xing F, Pan Y, Bohler HC, Ding J, Cooney AJ, Lan Z, Lei Z. Ggnbp2 Is Essential for Pregnancy Success via Regulation of Mouse Trophoblast Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation. Biol Reprod 2016; 94:41. [PMID: 26764350 PMCID: PMC4787627 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.136358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The Ggnbp2 null mutant embryos died in utero between Embryonic Days 13.5 to 15.5 with dysmorphic placentae, characterized by excessive nonvascular cell nests consisting of proliferative trophoblastic tissue and abundant trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) in the labyrinth. Lethality of Ggnbp2 null embryos was caused by insufficient placental perfusion as a result of remarkable decreases in both fetal and maternal blood vessels in the labyrinth. These defects were accompanied by a significant elevation of c-Met expression and phosphorylation and its downstream effector Stat3 activation. Knockdown of Ggnbp2 in wild-type TSCs in vitro provoked the proliferation but delayed the differentiation with an upregulation of c-Met expression and an enhanced phosphorylation of c-Met and Stat3. In contrast, overexpression of Ggnbp2 in wild-type TSCs exhibited completely opposite effects compared to knockdown TSCs. These results suggest that loss of GGNBP2 in the placenta aberrantly overactivates c-Met-Stat3 signaling, alters TSC proliferation and differentiation, and ultimately compromises the structure of placental vascular labyrinth. Our studies for the first time demonstrate that GGNBP2 is an essential factor for pregnancy success acting through the maintenance of a balance of TSC proliferation and differentiation during placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengqiang Li
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Andrew K Moore
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Jia Zhu
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Xian Li
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Huaxin Zhou
- Birth Defects Center, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Craniofacial Biology, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Jing Lin
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Yan He
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Fengying Xing
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Yangbin Pan
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Henry C Bohler
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Jixiang Ding
- Birth Defects Center, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Craniofacial Biology, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Austin J Cooney
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas
| | - Zijian Lan
- Division of Life Sciences and Center for Nutrigenomics & Applied Animal Nutrition, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, Kentucky
| | - Zhenmin Lei
- Department of OB/GYN & Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
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Abstract
Met tyrosine kinase receptor, also known as c-Met, is the HGF (hepatocyte growth factor) receptor. The HGF/Met pathway has a prominent role in cardiovascular remodelling after tissue injury. The present review provides a synopsis of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of HGF/Met in the heart and blood vessels. In vivo, HGF/Met function is particularly important for the protection of the heart in response to both acute and chronic insults, including ischaemic injury and doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Accordingly, conditional deletion of Met in cardiomyocytes results in impaired organ defence against oxidative stress. After ischaemic injury, activation of Met provides strong anti-apoptotic stimuli for cardiomyocytes through PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/Akt and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) cascades. Recently, we found that HGF/Met is also important for autophagy regulation in cardiomyocytes via the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway. HGF/Met induces proliferation and migration of endothelial cells through Rac1 (Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1) activation. In fibroblasts, HGF/Met antagonizes the actions of TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor β1) and AngII (angiotensin II), thus preventing fibrosis. Moreover, HGF/Met influences the inflammatory response of macrophages and the immune response of dendritic cells, indicating its protective function against atherosclerotic and autoimmune diseases. The HGF/Met axis also plays an important role in regulating self-renewal and myocardial regeneration through the enhancement of cardiac progenitor cells. HGF/Met has beneficial effects against myocardial infarction and endothelial dysfunction: the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying repair function in the heart and blood vessels are common and include pro-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic actions. Thus administration of HGF or HGF mimetics may represent a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of both coronary and peripheral artery disease.
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27
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Bai L, Wang F, Zhang DS, Li C, Jin Y, Wang DS, Chen DL, Qiu MZ, Luo HY, Wang ZQ, Li YH, Wang FH, Xu RH. A plasma cytokine and angiogenic factor (CAF) analysis for selection of bevacizumab therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17717. [PMID: 26620439 PMCID: PMC4664961 DOI: 10.1038/srep17717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This study intends to identify biomarkers that could refine the selection of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) for bevacizumab treatment. Pretreatment 36 plasma cytokines and angiogenic factors (CAFs) were first measured by protein microarray analysis in patients who received first-line bevacizumab-containing therapies (discovery cohort, n = 64), and further evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients treated on regimens with or without bevacizumab (validation cohort, n = 186). Factor levels were correlated with clinical outcomes, predictive values were assessed using a treatment by marker interaction term in the Cox model. Patients with lower pretreatment levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) or VEGF-A121 gain much more benefit from bevacizumab treatment as measured by progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), while angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) levels negatively correlated with PFS and response rate following bevacizumab (all adjusted interaction P < 0.05). A baseline CAF signature combining these three markers has greater predictive ability than individual markers. Signature-negative patients showed impaired survival following bevacizumab treatment (PFS, 7.3 vs 7.0 months; hazard ratio [HR] 1.03; OS, 29.9 vs 21.1 months, HR 1.33) compared with signature-positive patients (PFS, 6.5 vs 11.9 months, HR 0.52; OS, 28.0 vs 55.3 months, HR 0.67). These promising results warrant further prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Bai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - Dong-Sheng Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - Cong Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, P. R. China
| | - Ying Jin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - De-Shen Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - Dong-Liang Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - Miao-Zhen Qiu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - Hui-Yan Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Hong Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - Feng-Hua Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
| | - Rui-Hua Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P. R. China
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28
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Advances in small-molecule drug discovery for triple-negative breast cancer. Future Med Chem 2015; 7:2019-39. [PMID: 26495746 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.15.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of poor prognosis, highly invasive and difficult-to-treat breast cancers accounting for approximately 15% of clinical cases. Given the poor outlook and lack of sustained response to conventional therapies, TNBC has been the subject of intense studies on new therapeutic approaches in recent years. The development of targeted cancer therapies, often in combination with established chemotherapy, has been applied to a number of new clinical studies in this setting in recent years. This review will highlight recent therapeutic advances in TNBC, focusing on small-molecule drugs and their associated biological mechanisms of action, and offering the possibility of improved prospects for this patient group in the near future.
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29
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Di-Cicco A, Petit V, Chiche A, Bresson L, Romagnoli M, Orian-Rousseau V, Vivanco MDM, Medina D, Faraldo MM, Glukhova MA, Deugnier MA. Paracrine Met signaling triggers epithelial-mesenchymal transition in mammary luminal progenitors, affecting their fate. eLife 2015; 4. [PMID: 26165517 PMCID: PMC4498445 DOI: 10.7554/elife.06104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HGF/Met signaling has recently been associated with basal-type breast cancers, which are thought to originate from progenitor cells residing in the luminal compartment of the mammary epithelium. We found that ICAM-1 efficiently marks mammary luminal progenitors comprising hormone receptor-positive and receptor-negative cells, presumably ductal and alveolar progenitors. Both cell populations strongly express Met, while HGF is produced by stromal and basal myoepithelial cells. We show that persistent HGF treatment stimulates the clonogenic activity of ICAM1-positive luminal progenitors, controlling their survival and proliferation, and leads to the expression of basal cell characteristics, including stem cell potential. This is accompanied by the induction of Snai1 and Snai2, two major transcription factors triggering epithelial–mesenchymal transition, the repression of the luminal-regulatory genes Elf5 and Hey1, and claudin down-regulation. Our data strongly indicate that paracrine Met signaling can control the function of luminal progenitors and modulate their fate during mammary development and tumorigenesis. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.06104.001 Throughout the life of a female mammal, the mammary glands undergo different phases of development to prepare for, and adapt to, feeding offspring. Luminal cells line the inside of branch-like structures throughout the mammary gland and are responsible for producing milk. When the mammary gland grows, new luminal cells develop from a kind of cell called luminal progenitor cells. However, these progenitor cells are also thought to be the source of certain types of breast cancer. Recently, it has been suggested that luminal progenitor cells display a receptor protein called Met on their surface. When Met and ‘co-receptor’ proteins bind to a molecule called HGF, this triggers a cascade of signals that can cause certain cells to change their properties. This is known as the epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Although this transition is important for new tissues to develop, it can also result in cancerous tumors forming if it is not correctly controlled. Luminal cells do not produce HGF themselves, which suggests that Met signaling in these cells is triggered by the HGF released from neighboring cells. However, neither the mechanisms behind this signaling nor the effects of signaling on the luminal progenitor cells are well understood. Di-Cicco et al. set out to identify where Met, its co-receptors and HGF are located in the mouse mammary gland during different phases of development. This revealed that one of the co-receptors—called ICAM-1—can be used as a marker to identify certain types of luminal progenitor cell. Di-Cicco et al. found that these progenitor cells display Met on their surface, and other types of mammary cell—called stromal cells and myoepithelial cells—produce HGF. When exposed to HGF, luminal progenitor cells grown in culture in the laboratory proliferated and went through the epithelial–mesenchymal transition. These findings suggest that myoepithelial and stromal cells regulate luminal progenitor cells by producing HGF to activate Met signaling in these cells. Such interactions could be of great importance during mammary development and tumorigenesis. The next big challenge will be to determine the circumstances under which luminal progenitor cells stimulated by HGF can give rise to breast cancers. This work will allow us to better define the cell population that should be targeted by anti-cancer drugs. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.06104.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Di-Cicco
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Petit
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Chiche
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Paris, France
| | - Laura Bresson
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Romagnoli
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Marisa M Faraldo
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Paris, France
| | - Marina A Glukhova
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Ange Deugnier
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Paris, France
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30
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Hein SM, Haricharan S, Johnston AN, Toneff MJ, Reddy JP, Dong J, Bu W, Li Y. Luminal epithelial cells within the mammary gland can produce basal cells upon oncogenic stress. Oncogene 2015; 35:1461-7. [PMID: 26096929 PMCID: PMC4688047 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Revised: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In the normal mammary gland, the basal epithelium is known to be bipotent and can generate either basal or luminal cells, whereas the luminal epithelium has not been demonstrated to contribute to the basal compartment in an intact and normally developed mammary gland. It is not clear whether cellular heterogeneity within a breast tumor results from transformation of bipotent basal cells or from transformation and subsequent basal conversion of the more differentiated luminal cells. Here we used a retroviral vector to express an oncogene specifically in a small number of the mammary luminal epithelial cells and tested their potential to produce basal cells during tumorigenesis. This in-vivo lineage-tracing work demonstrates that luminal cells are capable of producing basal cells on activation of either polyoma middle T antigen or ErbB2 signaling. These findings reveal the plasticity of the luminal compartment during tumorigenesis and provide an explanation for cellular heterogeneity within a cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Hein
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - S Haricharan
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - A N Johnston
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - M J Toneff
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J P Reddy
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - J Dong
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - W Bu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Y Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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31
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Liu J, Xue H, Zhang J, Suo T, Xiang Y, Zhang W, Ma J, Cai D, Gu X. MicroRNA-144 inhibits the metastasis of gastric cancer by targeting MET expression. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2015; 34:35. [PMID: 25927670 PMCID: PMC4417226 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-015-0154-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the most common types of malignant cancer, and the molecular mechanism underlying its metastasis is still largely unclear. MicroRNAs have emerged as important regulators of metastasis because of their ability to act on multiple signaling pathways. In our study, we found that miR-144 is significantly downregulated in both highly metastatic GC cell lines and tissues. Results from both gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments demonstrate that increased miR-144 expression significantly reduced GC cell migration, whereas decreased miR-144 expression dramatically enhanced GC cell migration. The met proto-oncogene (MET), which is often amplified in human cancers and functions as an important regulator of cell growth and tumor invasion, was identified as a direct target of miR-144. Moreover, silencing of MET using small interfering RNA (siRNA) recapitulated the anti-metastatic function of miR-144, whereas restoring MET expression attenuated the function of miR-144 in GC cells. Furthermore, we found that miR-144, by targeting MET, suppresses phosphorylation of Akt. Finally, we observed an inverse correlation between the expression of miR-144 and MET mRNA in GC metastatic tissues. In summary, miR-144 suppresses GC progression by directly downregulating MET expression, which subsequently prevents activation of the pro-oncogenic Akt pathway. Reintroduction of miR-144 expression in GC cells presents an attractive therapeutic approach to block the metastasis of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Hui Xue
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, institution of Neijing, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head & Neck Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, PR China.
| | - Tao Suo
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Yijin Xiang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Jun Ma
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Dingfang Cai
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Xixi Gu
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
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32
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Ho-Yen CM, Jones JL, Kermorgant S. The clinical and functional significance of c-Met in breast cancer: a review. Breast Cancer Res 2015; 17:52. [PMID: 25887320 PMCID: PMC4389345 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-015-0547-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
c-Met is a receptor tyrosine kinase that upon binding of its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), activates downstream pathways with diverse cellular functions that are important in organ development and cancer progression. Anomalous c-Met signalling has been described in a variety of cancer types, and the receptor is regarded as a novel therapeutic target. In breast cancer there is a need to develop new treatments, particularly for the aggressive subtypes such as triple-negative and basal-like cancer, which currently lack targeted therapy. Over the last two decades, much has been learnt about the functional role of c-Met signalling in different models of breast development and cancer. This work has been complemented by clinical studies, establishing the prognostic significance of c-Met in tissue samples of breast cancer. While the clinical trials of anti-c-Met therapy in advanced breast cancer progress, there is a need to review the existing evidence so that the potential of these treatments can be better appreciated. The aim of this article is to examine the role of HGF/c-Met signalling in in vitro and in vivo models of breast cancer, to describe the mechanisms of aberrant c-Met signalling in human tissues, and to give a brief overview of the anti-c-Met therapies currently being evaluated in breast cancer patients. We will show that the HGF/c-Met pathway is associated with breast cancer progression and suggest that there is a firm basis for continued development of anti-c-Met treatment, particularly for patients with basal-like and triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colan M Ho-Yen
- Department of Cellular Pathology, St George's Healthcare NHS Trust, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, London, SW17 0QT, UK.
| | - J Louise Jones
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
| | - Stephanie Kermorgant
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
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33
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Li YQ, Ren XY, He QM, Xu YF, Tang XR, Sun Y, Zeng MS, Kang TB, Liu N, Ma J. MiR-34c suppresses tumor growth and metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by targeting MET. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e1618. [PMID: 25611392 PMCID: PMC4669777 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2014] [Revised: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Our previous microarray analysis indicated that miR-34c was downregulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, little is known about the function and molecular mechanism of miR-34c in NPC. In this study, miR-34c was found to be significantly downregulated in NPC cell lines and clinical tissues. Ectopic expression of miR-34c suppressed NPC cell viability, colony formation, anchorage-independent growth, cell migration and invasion in vitro, and inhibited xenograft tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo. MET proto-oncogene (MET) was identified as a direct target of miR-34c using luciferase reporter assays, quantitative RT-PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescent staining. Overexpression of miR-34c markedly reduced MET expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Knockdown of MET suppressed NPC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, whereas the restoration of MET rescued the suppressive effects of miR-34c. The demethylation agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC) restored the expression of miR-34c in NPC cell lines. The promoter region of miR-34c was hypermethylated in NPC cells. In conclusion, miR-34c suppresses tumor growth and metastasis in NPC by targeting MET. The newly identified miR-34c/MET pathway provides further insights into the development and progression of NPC, and may represent a novel therapeutic target for NPC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-Q Li
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - X-Y Ren
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Q-M He
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Y-F Xu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - X-R Tang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Y Sun
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - M-S Zeng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - T-B Kang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - N Liu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - J Ma
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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34
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Davies AH, Reipas KM, Pambid MR, Berns R, Stratford AL, Fotovati A, Firmino N, Astanehe A, Hu K, Maxwell C, Mills GB, Dunn SE. YB-1 transforms human mammary epithelial cells through chromatin remodeling leading to the development of basal-like breast cancer. Stem Cells 2015; 32:1437-50. [PMID: 24648416 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Revised: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 03/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that cancer-initiation could result from epigenetic changes. Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1) is a transcription/translation factor that promotes the formation of tumors in transgenic mice; however, the underlying molecular events are not understood. To explore this in a human model system, YB-1 was expressed in mammary epithelial cells under the control of a tetracycline-inducible promoter. The induction of YB-1 promoted phenotypes associated with malignancy in three-dimensional breast acini cultures. This was attributed to YB-1 enhancing the expression and activity of the histone acetyltransferase p300 leading to chromatin remodeling. Specifically, this relaxation of chromatin allowed YB-1 to bind to the BMI1 promoter. The induction of BMI1 engaged the Polycomb complex resulting in histone H2A ubiquitylation and repression of the CDKN2A locus. These events manifested functionally as enhanced self-renewal capacity that occurred in a BMI1-dependent manner. Conversely, p300 inhibition with anacardic acid prevented YB-1 from binding to the BMI1 promoter and thereby subverted self-renewal. Despite these early changes, full malignant transformation was not achieved until RSK2 became overexpressed concomitant with elevated human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) activity. The YB-1/RSK2/hTERT expressing cells formed tumors in mice that were molecularly subtyped as basal-like breast cancer. We conclude that YB-1 cooperates with p300 to allow BMI1 to over-ride p16(INK4a) -mediated cell cycle arrest enabling self-renewal and the development of aggressive breast tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair H Davies
- Department of Pediatrics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Experimental Medicine Program, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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35
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del Castillo G, Sánchez-Blanco E, Martín-Villar E, Valbuena-Diez AC, Langa C, Pérez-Gómez E, Renart J, Bernabéu C, Quintanilla M. Soluble endoglin antagonizes Met signaling in spindle carcinoma cells. Carcinogenesis 2014; 36:212-22. [PMID: 25503931 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgu240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased levels of soluble endoglin (Sol-Eng) correlate with poor outcome in human cancer. We have previously shown that shedding of membrane endoglin, and concomitant release of Sol-Eng is a late event in chemical mouse skin carcinogenesis associated with the development of undifferentiated spindle cell carcinomas (SpCCs). In this report, we show that mouse skin SpCCs exhibit a high expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and an elevated ratio of its active tyrosine kinase receptor Met versus total Met levels. We have evaluated the effect of Sol-Eng in spindle carcinoma cells by transfection of a cDNA encoding most of the endoglin ectodomain or by using purified recombinant Sol-Eng. We found that Sol-Eng inhibited both mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity and cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Sol-Eng also blocked MAPK activation by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and impaired both basal and HGF-induced activation of Met and downstream MAPK. Moreover, Sol-Eng strongly reduced basal and HGF-stimulated spindle cell migration and invasion. Both Sol-Eng and full-length endoglin were shown to interact with Met by coimmunoprecipitation experiments. However, full-length endoglin expressed at the plasma membrane of spindle carcinoma cells had no effect on Met signaling activity, and was unable to inhibit HGF-induced cell migration/invasion. These results point to a paradoxical suppressor role for Sol-Eng in carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaelle del Castillo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain and Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain Present address: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Sánchez-Blanco
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain and Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain Present address: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ester Martín-Villar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain and Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain Present address: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana C Valbuena-Diez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Langa
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Pérez-Gómez
- Present address: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Renart
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain and Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain Present address: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmelo Bernabéu
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Quintanilla
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain and Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 28040 Madrid, Spain Present address: Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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36
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Boccaccio C, Comoglio PM. MET, a driver of invasive growth and cancer clonal evolution under therapeutic pressure. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2014; 31:98-105. [PMID: 25305631 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2014.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The MET oncogene, encoding the hepatocyte growth factor receptor, drives invasive growth, a genetic program largely overlapping with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and governing physiological and pathological processes such as tissue development and regeneration, as well as cancer dissemination. Recent studies show that MET enables cells to overcome damages inflicted by cancer anti-proliferative targeted therapies, radiotherapy or anti-angiogenic agents. After exposure to such therapies, clones of MET-amplified cancer cells arise within the context of genetically heterogeneous tumors and-exploiting an ample platform of signaling pathways-drive recurrence. In cancer stem cells, not only amplification, but also MET physiological expression, inherited from the cell of origin (a stem/progenitor), can contribute to tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance, by sustaining the inherent self-renewing, self-preserving and invasive growth phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Boccaccio
- Candiolo Cancer Instiute-FPO (IRCCS), Center for Experimental Clinical Molecular Oncology, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy; Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
| | - Paolo M Comoglio
- Candiolo Cancer Instiute-FPO (IRCCS), Center for Experimental Clinical Molecular Oncology, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy; Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
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37
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Tornillo G, Elia AR, Castellano I, Spadaro M, Bernabei P, Bisaro B, Camacho-Leal MDP, Pincini A, Provero P, Sapino A, Turco E, Defilippi P, Cabodi S. p130Cas alters the differentiation potential of mammary luminal progenitors by deregulating c-Kit activity. Stem Cells 2014; 31:1422-33. [PMID: 23592522 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Revised: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
It has recently been proposed that defective differentiation of mammary luminal progenitors predisposes to basal-like breast cancer. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved are still unclear. Here, we describe that the adaptor protein p130Cas is a crucial regulator of mouse mammary epithelial cell (MMEC) differentiation. Using a transgenic mouse model, we show that forced p130Cas overexpression in the luminal progenitor cell compartment results in the expansion of luminal cells, which aberrantly display basal cell features and reduced differentiation in response to lactogenic stimuli. Interestingly, MMECs overexpressing p130Cas exhibit hyperactivation of the tyrosine kinase receptor c-Kit. In addition, we demonstrate that the constitutive c-Kit activation alone mimics p130Cas overexpression, whereas c-Kit downregulation is sufficient to re-establish proper differentiation of p130Cas overexpressing cells. Overall, our data indicate that high levels of p130Cas, via abnormal c-Kit activation, promote mammary luminal cell plasticity, thus providing the conditions for the development of basal-like breast cancer. Consistently, p130Cas is overexpressed in human triple-negative breast cancer, further suggesting that p130Cas upregulation may be a priming event for the onset of basal-like breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Tornillo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Italy
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38
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Kaenel P, Hahnewald S, Wotzkow C, Strange R, Andres AC. Overexpression of EphB4 in the mammary epithelium shifts the differentiation pathway of progenitor cells and promotes branching activity and vascularization. Dev Growth Differ 2014; 56:255-75. [PMID: 24635767 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Revised: 02/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Postnatally, the mammary gland undergoes continuous morphogenesis and thereby is especially prone to malignant transformation. Thus, the maintenance of the epithelium depends on a tight control of stem cell recruitment. We have previously shown that epithelial overexpression of the EphB4 receptor results in defective mammary epithelial development and conferred a metastasizing tumor phenotype on experimental mouse mammary tumors accompanied by a preponderance of progenitor cells. To analyze the effect of EphB4 overexpression on mammary epithelial cell fate, we have used Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) analyses to quantify epithelial sub-populations and repopulation assays of cleared fat pads to investigate their regenerative potential. These experiments revealed that deregulated EphB4 expression leads to an augmentation of bi-potent progenitor cells and to a shift of the differentiation pathway towards the luminal lineage. The analyses of the ductal outgrowths indicated that EphB4 overexpression leads to enforced branching activity, impedes ductal differentiation and stimulates angiogenesis. To elucidate the mechanisms forwarding EphB4 signals, we have compared the expression profile of defined cell populations between EphB4 transgene and wild type mammary glands concentrating on the wnt signaling pathway and on genes implicated in cell migration. With respect to wnt signaling, the progenitor cell population was the most affected, whereas the stem cell-enriched population showed the most pronounced deregulation of migration-associated genes. Thus, the luminal epithelial EphB4 signaling contributes, most likely via wnt signaling, to the regulation of migration and cell fate of early progenitors and is involved in the determination of branching points along the ductal tree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Kaenel
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Tiefenaustrasse 120c, CH-3004, Bern, Switzerland
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39
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Zhang S, Chung WC, Miele L, Xu K. Targeting Met and Notch in the Lfng-deficient, Met-amplified triple-negative breast cancer. Cancer Biol Ther 2014; 15:633-42. [PMID: 24556651 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.28180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 15-20% of breast carcinomas and represents one of the most aggressive forms of this disease. Basal and claudin-low are the two main molecular subtypes among TNBCs. We previously reported that deletion of Lfng in mouse mammary gland caused deregulated Notch activation and induced basal-like and claudin-low tumors with co-selection for Met amplification. In human breast cancers, the vast majority of basal tumors and a subset of claudin-low tumors show reduced Lfng expression. Elevated Met expression and activation is associated with basal as well as claudin-low subtypes. To examine roles of Met and Notch in TNBC cells, we established two cell lines that harbor Met amplification as well as Lfng deletion, and possess features of basal and claudin-low breast cancer subtypes. Pharmacological inhibition of Met not only suppressed cell growth, tumorsphere and colony formation, but also reversed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and inhibited cell migration in both cell lines. In contrast, inhibition of Notch signaling using a γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) only suppressed colony formation. Interestingly, GSI had no effect as single agent, but exerted a synergistic effect with Met inhibitor, on cell growth in 2D culture. We found that inhibition of Met resulted in downregulation of Dll ligands and upregulation of Jagged ligands, leading to differential modulation of Notch signaling. Our results suggest that combination targeting of Met and Notch may prove beneficial for TNBC patients with Met overexpression and Notch hyperactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubing Zhang
- Cancer Institute; University of Mississippi Medical Center; Jackson, MS USA
| | - Wen-cheng Chung
- Cancer Institute; University of Mississippi Medical Center; Jackson, MS USA
| | - Lucio Miele
- Cancer Institute; University of Mississippi Medical Center; Jackson, MS USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; University of Mississippi Medical Center; Jackson, MS USA
| | - Keli Xu
- Cancer Institute; University of Mississippi Medical Center; Jackson, MS USA; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences; University of Mississippi Medical Center; Jackson, MS USA
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40
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Maroun CR, Rowlands T. The Met receptor tyrosine kinase: a key player in oncogenesis and drug resistance. Pharmacol Ther 2013; 142:316-38. [PMID: 24384534 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Met receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) is an attractive oncology therapeutic target. Met and its ligand, HGF, play a central role in signaling pathways that are exploited during the oncogenic process, including regulation of cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and cancer stem cell regulation. Elevated Met and HGF as well as numerous Met genetic alterations have been reported in human cancers and correlate with poor outcome. Alterations of pathways that regulate Met, such as the ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl are also likely to activate Met in the oncogenic setting. Moreover, interactive crosstalk between Met and other receptors such as EGFR, HER2 and VEGFR, underlies a key role for Met in resistance to other RTK-targeted therapies. A large body of preclinical and clinical data exists that supports the use of either antibodies or small molecule inhibitors that target Met or HGF as oncology therapeutics. The prognostic potential of Met expression has been suggested from studies in numerous cancers including lung, renal, liver, head and neck, stomach, and breast. Clinical trials using Met inhibitors indicate that the level of Met expression is a determinant of trial outcome, a finding that is actively under investigation in multiple clinical scenarios. Research in Met prognostics and predictors of drug response is now shifting toward more sophisticated methodologies suitable for development as validated and effective biomarkers that can be partnered with therapeutics to improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane R Maroun
- Mirati Therapeutics, 7150 Frederick-Banting, Suite 200, Montreal, Quebec H4S 2A1, Canada.
| | - Tracey Rowlands
- Mirati Therapeutics, 7150 Frederick-Banting, Suite 200, Montreal, Quebec H4S 2A1, Canada
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41
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Kim YJ, Choi JS, Seo J, Song JY, Eun Lee S, Kwon MJ, Kwon MJ, Kundu J, Jung K, Oh E, Shin YK, Choi YL. MET is a potential target for use in combination therapy with EGFR inhibition in triple-negative/basal-like breast cancer. Int J Cancer 2013; 134:2424-36. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jin Kim
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology; Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center; Seoul Korea
| | - Jong-Sun Choi
- Department of Pathology; Ilsan Hospital, Dongguk University; Gyeonggi Korea
| | - Jinwon Seo
- Department of Pathology; Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital; Hallym University College of Medicine; Gyeonggi Korea
| | - Ji-Young Song
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology; Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center; Seoul Korea
- Institute for Refractory Cancer Research; Samsung Medical Center; Seoul Korea
| | - Seung Eun Lee
- Department of Pathology; Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine; Seoul Korea
| | - Mi Jung Kwon
- Department of Pathology; Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital; Hallym University College of Medicine; Gyeonggi Korea
| | - Mi Jeong Kwon
- College of Pharmacy; Kyungpook National University; Daegu Korea
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences; College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University; Daegu Korea
| | - Juthika Kundu
- College of Pharmacy; Keimyung University; Daegu Korea
| | - Kyungsoo Jung
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology; Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center; Seoul Korea
- Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology; Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine; Seoul Korea
| | - Ensel Oh
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology; Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center; Seoul Korea
- Institute for Refractory Cancer Research; Samsung Medical Center; Seoul Korea
- Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology; Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine; Seoul Korea
| | - Young Kee Shin
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Genomics, Department of Pharmacy; College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University; Seoul Korea
| | - Yoon-La Choi
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics and Molecular Pathology; Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center; Seoul Korea
- Institute for Refractory Cancer Research; Samsung Medical Center; Seoul Korea
- Department of Pathology; Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine; Seoul Korea
- Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology; Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine; Seoul Korea
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42
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Sundaram S, Freemerman AJ, Johnson AR, Milner JJ, McNaughton KK, Galanko JA, Bendt KM, Darr DB, Perou CM, Troester MA, Makowski L. Role of HGF in obesity-associated tumorigenesis: C3(1)-TAg mice as a model for human basal-like breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2013; 142:489-503. [PMID: 24218051 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-013-2741-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is associated with basal-like breast cancer (BBC), an aggressive breast cancer subtype. The objective of this study was to determine whether obesity promotes BBC onset in adulthood and to evaluate the role of stromal-epithelial interactions in obesity-associated tumorigenesis. We hypothesized that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays a promoting role in BBC, which express the HGF receptor, c-Met. In C3(1)-T(Ag) mice, a murine model of BBC, we demonstrated that obesity leads to a significant increase in HGF secretion and an associated decrease in tumor latency. By immunohistochemical analysis, normal mammary gland exhibited obesity-induced HGF, c-Met and phospho-c-Met, indicating that the activation of the cascade was obesity-driven. HGF secretion was also increased from primary mammary fibroblasts isolated from normal mammary glands and tumors of obese mice compared to lean. These results demonstrate that obesity-induced elevation of HGF expression is a stable phenotype, maintained after several passages, and after removal of dietary stimulation. Conditioned media from primary tumor fibroblasts from obese mice drove tumor cell proliferation. In co-culture, neutralization of secreted HGF blunted tumor cell migration, further linking obesity-mediated HGF-dependent effects to in vitro measures of tumor aggressiveness. In sum, these results demonstrate that HGF/c-Met plays an important role in obesity-associated carcinogenesis. Understanding the effects of obesity on risk and progression is important given that epidemiologic studies imply a portion of BBC could be eliminated by reducing obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Sundaram
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health and School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB 7461, 2203 McGavran Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7461, USA,
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43
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The targeting of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) has been a major area for breast cancer therapy, exemplified by the targeting of HER2-amplified breast cancer. RECENT FINDINGS We review the data on the activation of RTKs in HER2-negative breast cancer, and discuss the clinical translational challenge of identifying cancers that are reliant on a specific kinase for growth and survival. Substantial evidence suggests that subsets of breast cancer may be reliant on specific kinases, and that this could be exploited therapeutically. The heterogeneity of breast cancer, however, and the potential for adaptive switching between RTKs after inhibition of a single RTK, present challenges to targeting individual RTKs in the clinic SUMMARY Targeting of RTKs in HER2-negative breast cancer presents a major therapeutic opportunity in breast cancer, although robust selection strategies will be required to identify cancers with activation of specific RTKs if this potential is to be realized.
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44
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Makarem M, Kannan N, Nguyen LV, Knapp DJHF, Balani S, Prater MD, Stingl J, Raouf A, Nemirovsky O, Eirew P, Eaves CJ. Developmental changes in the in vitro activated regenerative activity of primitive mammary epithelial cells. PLoS Biol 2013; 11:e1001630. [PMID: 23966837 PMCID: PMC3742452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2012] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mouse fetal mammary cells display greater regenerative activity than do adult mammary cells when stimulated to proliferate in a new system that supports the production of transplantable mammary stem cells ex vivo. Many normal adult tissues contain rare stem cells with extensive self-maintaining regenerative potential. During development, the stem cells of the hematopoietic and neural systems undergo intrinsically specified changes in their self-renewal potential. In the mouse, mammary stem cells with transplantable regenerative activity are first detectable a few days before birth. They share some phenotypic properties with their adult counterparts but are enriched in a subpopulation that displays a distinct gene expression profile. Here we show that fetal mammary epithelial cells have a greater direct and inducible growth potential than their adult counterparts. The latter feature is revealed in a novel culture system that enables large numbers of in vitro clonogenic progenitors as well as mammary stem cells with serially transplantable activity to be produced within 7 days from single fetal or adult input cells. We further show that these responses are highly dependent on novel factors produced by fibroblasts. These findings provide new avenues for elucidating mechanisms that regulate normal mammary epithelial stem cell properties at the single-cell level, how these change during development, and how their perturbation may contribute to transformation. Many adult tissues are maintained by a rare subset of undifferentiated stem cells that can self-renew and give rise to specialized daughter cells that have a more limited regenerative ability. The recent identification of cells in the fetal and adult mammary gland that display the properties of stem cells provides a foundation for investigating their self-renewal and differentiation control. We now show that these stem cell properties can be elicited from single mouse mammary cells placed in 3D cultures if novel factors produced by fibroblasts are present. Moreover, a comparison of the clonal outputs of fetal and adult mammary cells in this in vitro system shows that the fetal mammary cells have superior regenerative activity relative to their adult counterparts. The ability to activate and quantify the regenerative capacity of single mouse mammary epithelial cells in vitro sets the stage for further investigations of the timing and mechanisms that alter their stem cell properties during development, the potential relevance of these events to other normal epithelial tissues, and how these processes might be involved in the genesis of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maisam Makarem
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nagarajan Kannan
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Long V. Nguyen
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David J. H. F. Knapp
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sneha Balani
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael D. Prater
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - John Stingl
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Afshin Raouf
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Immunology and The Regenerative Medicine Program, Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Oksana Nemirovsky
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Peter Eirew
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Connie J. Eaves
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Departments of Medical Genetics, Medicine, and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
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45
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Makarem M, Spike BT, Dravis C, Kannan N, Wahl GM, Eaves CJ. Stem cells and the developing mammary gland. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2013; 18:209-19. [PMID: 23624881 PMCID: PMC4161372 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-013-9284-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammary gland undergoes dynamic changes throughout life. In the mouse, these begin with initial morphogenesis of the gland in the mid-gestation embryo followed by hormonally regulated changes during puberty and later in adulthood. The adult mammary gland contains a hierarchy of cell types with varying potentials for self-maintenance and differentiation. These include cells able to produce complete, functional mammary glands in vivo and that contain daughter cells with the same remarkable regenerative potential, as well as cells with more limited clonogenic activity in vitro. Here we review how applying in vitro and in vivo methods for quantifying these cells in adult mammary tissue to fetal mammary cells has enabled the first cells fulfilling the functional criteria of transplantable, isolated mammary stem cells to be identified a few days before birth. Thereafter, the number of these cells increases rapidly. Populations containing these fetal stem cells display growth and gene expression programs that differ from their adult counterparts but share signatures characteristic of certain types of breast cancer. Such observations reinforce growing evidence of important differences between tissue-specific fetal and adult cells with stem cell properties and emphasize the merits of investigating their molecular basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maisam Makarem
- Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
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46
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Boccaccio C, Comoglio PM. The MET oncogene in glioblastoma stem cells: implications as a diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target. Cancer Res 2013; 73:3193-9. [PMID: 23695554 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-4039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The MET oncogene, a crucial regulator of the genetic program known as "invasive growth" or "epithelial-mesenchymal transition," has recently emerged as a functional marker of glioblastoma stem cells. Here, we review findings that associate MET expression and activity with a specific, genetically defined glioblastoma stem cell subtype, and data showing how MET sustains the stem cell phenotype in glioblastoma and other tumors. Finally, we discuss issues related to identification of tumorigenic clones driven by MET in the context of genetically heterogeneous tumors and strategies aimed at eradicating cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Boccaccio
- Institute for Cancer Research at Candiolo, Center for Experimental Clinical Molecular Oncology, University of Turin Medical School, Candiolo, Italy.
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47
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Zardavas D, Baselga J, Piccart M. Emerging targeted agents in metastatic breast cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2013; 10:191-210. [PMID: 23459626 DOI: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2013.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Extensive preclinical experimentation has conceptually changed the way we perceive breast cancer, with the wide spectrum of genomic alterations governing its malignant progression now being recognized. Functional genomics has helped us identify important genetic defects that can be pharmaceutically targeted in the setting of metastatic disease. Rationally chosen combination regimens are now under clinical investigation. Recent data underline the functional importance of the tumour-associated stroma, with several candidate molecular targets now emerging. Data elucidating a cellular hierarchy within the breast cancer cellular compartment support the existence of a therapy-resistant subpopulation of breast cancer stem cells. Identification of the developmental pathways that dictate their malignant phenotype and use of high-throughput screening techniques are leading to new therapeutic avenues. In this Review, we present the biological rationale for the clinical development of more than 15 different classes of targeted agents in breast cancer, along with evidence supporting rational combinations. However, metastatic breast cancer resembles a Darwinian evolutionary system, with 'driver' mutations and epigenetic changes determining clonal selection according to branching trajectories. This evolution is reflected in the molecular heterogeneity of the disease and poses severe impediments to the successful clinical development of emerging targeted agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Zardavas
- Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Boulevard de Waterloo 121, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
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48
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Otto B, Gruner K, Heinlein C, Wegwitz F, Nollau P, Ylstra B, Pantel K, Schumacher U, Baumbusch LO, Martin-Subero JI, Siebert R, Wagener C, Streichert T, Deppert W, Tolstonog GV. Low-grade and high-grade mammary carcinomas in WAP-T transgenic mice are independent entities distinguished by Met expression. Int J Cancer 2012; 132:1300-10. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.27783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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49
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Accornero P, Miretti S, Bersani F, Quaglino E, Martignani E, Baratta M. Met receptor acts uniquely for survival and morphogenesis of EGFR-dependent normal mammary epithelial and cancer cells. PLoS One 2012; 7:e44982. [PMID: 23028720 PMCID: PMC3441651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 08/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammary gland development and breast cancer growth require multiple factors both of endocrine and paracrine origin. We analyzed the roles of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor (Met) in mammary epithelial cells and mammary tumor cells derived from a mutated-ErbB2 transgenic mice. By using highly specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors we found that MCF-10A and NMuMG mammary epithelial cell lines are totally dependent on EGFR activation for their growth and survival. Proliferation and 3D-morphogenesis assays showed that HGF had no role in maintaining mammary cell viability, but was the only cytokine able to rescue EGFR-inhibited mammary cells. Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I), basic-Fibroblast Growth Factor (b-FGF) and Neuregulin, which are well known mammary morphogenic factors, did not rescue proliferation or morphogenesis in these cell lines, following EGFR inhibition. Similarly, ErbB2-driven tumor cells are EGFR-dependent and also display HGF-mediated rescue. Western-blot analysis of the signaling pathways involved in rescue after EGFR inhibition indicated that concomitant ERK1/2 and AKT activation was exclusively driven by Met, but not by IGF-I or b-FGF. These results describe a unique role for EGFR and Met in mammary epithelial cells by showing that similar pathways can be used by tumorigenic cells to sustain growth and resist to EGFR-directed anti-tumorigenic drugs.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Breast Neoplasms/enzymology
- Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Enzyme Activation/drug effects
- Epidermal Growth Factor/pharmacology
- Epithelial Cells/drug effects
- Epithelial Cells/enzymology
- Epithelial Cells/pathology
- ErbB Receptors/metabolism
- Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism
- Female
- Hepatocyte Growth Factor/pharmacology
- Humans
- Mammary Glands, Animal/drug effects
- Mammary Glands, Animal/enzymology
- Mammary Glands, Animal/growth & development
- Mammary Glands, Animal/pathology
- Mammary Glands, Human/drug effects
- Mammary Glands, Human/enzymology
- Mammary Glands, Human/growth & development
- Mammary Glands, Human/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Morphogenesis/drug effects
- Phosphorylation/drug effects
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/metabolism
- Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Accornero
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Torino, Grugliasco (TO), Italy.
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