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Yuan Y, Zhang XF, Li YC, Chen HQ, Wen T, Zheng JL, Zhao ZY, Hu QY. VX-509 attenuates the stemness characteristics of colorectal cancer stem-like cells by regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition through Nodal/Smad2/3 signaling. World J Stem Cells 2024; 16:207-227. [PMID: 38455101 PMCID: PMC10915959 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v16.i2.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs) are heterogeneous cells that can self-renew and undergo multidirectional differentiation in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. CCSCs are generally accepted to be important sources of CRC and are responsible for the progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance of CRC. Therefore, targeting this specific subpopulation has been recognized as a promising strategy for overcoming CRC. AIM To investigate the effect of VX-509 on CCSCs and elucidate the underlying mechanism. METHODS CCSCs were enriched from CRC cell lines by in conditioned serum-free medium. Western blot, Aldefluor, transwell and tumorigenesis assays were performed to verify the phenotypic characteristics of the CCSCs. The anticancer efficacy of VX-509 was assessed in HCT116 CCSCs and HT29 CCSCs by performing cell viability analysis, colony formation, sphere formation, flow cytometry, and western blotting assessments in vitro and tumor growth, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assessments in vivo. RESULTS Compared with parental cells, sphere cells derived from HCT116 and HT29 cells presented increased expression of stem cell transcription factors and stem cell markers and were more potent at promoting migration and tumorigenesis, demonstrating that the CRC sphere cells displayed CSC features. VX-509 inhibited the tumor malignant biological behavior of CRC-stem-like cells, as indicated by their proliferation, migration and clonality in vitro, and suppressed the tumor of CCSC-derived xenograft tumors in vivo. Besides, VX-509 suppressed the CSC characteristics of CRC-stem-like cells and inhibited the progression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling in vitro. Nodal was identified as the regulatory factor of VX-509 on CRC stem-like cells through analyses of differentially expressed genes and CSC-related database information. VX-509 markedly downregulated the expression of Nodal and its downstream phosphorylated Smad2/3 to inhibit EMT progression. Moreover, VX-509 reversed the dedifferentiation of CCSCs and inhibited the progression of EMT induced by Nodal overexpression. CONCLUSION VX-509 prevents the EMT process in CCSCs by inhibiting the transcription and protein expression of Nodal, and inhibits the dedifferentiated self-renewal of CCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xu-Fan Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yu-Chen Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Hong-Qing Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Tian Wen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jia-Lian Zheng
- Department of Hepatology, Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110032, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Zi-Yi Zhao
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Qiong-Ying Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China.
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2
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Untiveros G, Dezi L, Gillette M, Sidor J, Strizzi L. Normal Skin Cells Increase Aggressiveness of Cutaneous Melanoma by Promoting Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition via Nodal and Wnt Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11719. [PMID: 34769150 PMCID: PMC8583838 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a lethal form of skin cancer triggered by genetic and environmental factors. Excision of early-stage, poorly aggressive melanoma often leads to a successful outcome; however, left undiagnosed these lesions can progress to metastatic disease. This research investigates whether the exposure of poorly aggressive melanoma to certain normal skin cells can explain how non-metastatic melanoma becomes more aggressive while still confined to the skin. To this end, we used a serial co-culture approach to sequentially expose cells from two different, poorly aggressive human melanoma cell lines against normal cells of the skin beginning with normal melanocytes, then epidermal keratinocytes, and finally dermal fibroblasts. Protein extraction of melanoma cells occurred at each step of the co-culture sequence for western blot (WB) analysis. In addition, morphological and functional changes were assessed to detect differences between the serially co-cultured melanoma cells and non-co-cultured cells. Results show that the co-cultured melanoma cells assumed a more mesenchymal morphology and displayed a significant increase in proliferation and invasiveness compared to control or reference cells. WB analysis of protein from the co-cultured melanoma cells showed increased expression of Snail and decreased levels of E-cadherin suggesting that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is occurring in these co-cultured cells. Additional WB analysis showed increased levels of Nodal protein and signaling and signs of increased Wnt activity in the co-cultured melanoma cells compared to reference cells. These data suggest that interaction between poorly aggressive melanoma cells with normal cells of the skin may regulate the transition from localized, poorly aggressive melanoma to invasive, metastatic disease via Nodal and/or Wnt induced EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Untiveros
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
| | - Lindsay Dezi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
| | - Megan Gillette
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA; (M.G.); (J.S.)
| | - Julia Sidor
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA; (M.G.); (J.S.)
| | - Luigi Strizzi
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
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3
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Arnouk H, Yum G, Shah D. Cripto-1 as a Key Factor in Tumor Progression, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179280. [PMID: 34502188 PMCID: PMC8430685 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cripto-1 is an essential protein for human development that plays a key role in the early phase of gastrulation in the differentiation of an embryo as well as assists with wound healing processes. Importantly, Cripto-1 induces epithelial to mesenchymal transition to turn fixed epithelial cells into a more mobile mesenchymal phenotype through the downregulation of epithelial adhesion molecules such as E-cadherin, occludins, and claudins, and the upregulation of mesenchymal, mobile proteins, such as N-cadherin, Snail, and Slug. Consequently, Cripto-1’s role in inducing EMT to promote cell motility is beneficial in embryogenesis, but detrimental in the formation, progression and metastasis of malignant tumors. Indeed, Cripto-1 is found to be upregulated in most cancers, such as breast, lung, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, cervical, ovarian, prostate, and skin cancers. Through its role in EMT, Cripto-1 can remodel cancer cells to enable them to travel through the extracellular matrix as well as blood and lymphatic vessels to metastasize to different organs. Additionally, Cripto-1 promotes the survival of cancer stem cells, which can lead to relapse in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilal Arnouk
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
- Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
- College of Dental Medicine-Illinois, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Gloria Yum
- Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
| | - Dean Shah
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
- Master of Public Health Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
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4
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Wong JYK, Mukherjee R, Miao J, Bilyk O, Triana V, Miskolzie M, Henninot A, Dwyer JJ, Kharchenko S, Iampolska A, Volochnyuk DM, Lin YS, Postovit LM, Derda R. Genetically-encoded discovery of proteolytically stable bicyclic inhibitors for morphogen NODAL. Chem Sci 2021; 12:9694-9703. [PMID: 34349940 PMCID: PMC8294009 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc01916c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this manuscript, we developed a two-fold symmetric linchpin (TSL) that converts readily available phage-displayed peptides libraries made of 20 common amino acids to genetically-encoded libraries of bicyclic peptides displayed on phage. TSL combines an aldehyde-reactive group and two thiol-reactive groups; it bridges two side chains of cysteine [C] with an N-terminal aldehyde group derived from the N-terminal serine [S], yielding a novel bicyclic topology that lacks a free N-terminus. Phage display libraries of SX1CX2X3X4X5X6X7C sequences, where X is any amino acid but Cys, were converted to a library of bicyclic TSL-[S]X1[C]X2X3X4X5X6X7[C] peptides in 45 ± 15% yield. Using this library and protein morphogen NODAL as a target, we discovered bicyclic macrocycles that specifically antagonize NODAL-induced signaling in cancer cells. At a 10 μM concentration, two discovered bicyclic peptides completely suppressed NODAL-induced phosphorylation of SMAD2 in P19 embryonic carcinoma cells. The TSL-[S]Y[C]KRAHKN[C] bicycle inhibited NODAL-induced proliferation of NODAL-TYK-nu ovarian carcinoma cells with apparent IC50 of 1 μM. The same bicycle at 10 μM concentration did not affect the growth of the control TYK-nu cells. TSL-bicycles remained stable over the course of the 72 hour-long assays in a serum-rich cell-culture medium. We further observed general stability in mouse serum and in a mixture of proteases (Pronase™) for 21 diverse bicyclic macrocycles of different ring sizes, amino acid sequences, and cross-linker geometries. TSL-constrained peptides to expand the previously reported repertoire of phage-displayed bicyclic architectures formed by cross-linking Cys side chains. We anticipate that it will aid the discovery of proteolytically stable bicyclic inhibitors for a variety of protein targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Y-K Wong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - Raja Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - Jiayuan Miao
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University Medford MA 02155 USA
| | - Olena Bilyk
- Department of Experimental Oncology, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - Vivian Triana
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - Mark Miskolzie
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
| | | | - John J Dwyer
- Ferring Research Institute San Diego California 92121 USA
| | | | - Anna Iampolska
- Enamine Ltd. Chervonotkatska Street 78 Kyiv 02094 Ukraine
| | | | - Yu-Shan Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University Medford MA 02155 USA
| | - Lynne-Marie Postovit
- Department of Experimental Oncology, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
| | - Ratmir Derda
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta Edmonton AB T6G 2G2 Canada
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5
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Dieters-Castator D, Dantonio PM, Piaseczny M, Zhang G, Liu J, Kuljanin M, Sherman S, Jewer M, Quesnel K, Kang EY, Köbel M, Siegers GM, Leask A, Hess D, Lajoie G, Postovit LM. Embryonic protein NODAL regulates the breast tumor microenvironment by reprogramming cancer-derived secretomes. Neoplasia 2021; 23:375-390. [PMID: 33784590 PMCID: PMC8041663 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is an important mediator of breast cancer progression. Cancer-associated fibroblasts constitute a major component of the TME and may originate from tissue-associated fibroblasts or infiltrating mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). The mechanisms by which cancer cells activate fibroblasts and recruit MSCs to the TME are largely unknown, but likely include deposition of a pro-tumorigenic secretome. The secreted embryonic protein NODAL is clinically associated with breast cancer stage and promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and vascularization. Herein, we show that NODAL expression correlates with the presence of activated fibroblasts in human triple-negative breast cancers and that it directly induces Cancer-associated fibroblasts phenotypes. We further show that NODAL reprograms cancer cell secretomes by simultaneously altering levels of chemokines (e.g., CXCL1), cytokines (e.g., IL-6) and growth factors (e.g., PDGFRA), leading to alterations in MSC chemotaxis. We therefore demonstrate a hitherto unappreciated mechanism underlying the dynamic regulation of the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paola M Dantonio
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Matt Piaseczny
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Guihua Zhang
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jiahui Liu
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Miljan Kuljanin
- Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen Sherman
- Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Jewer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Katherine Quesnel
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Eun Young Kang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Martin Köbel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Andrew Leask
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - David Hess
- Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Gilles Lajoie
- Department of Biochemistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Lynne-Marie Postovit
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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6
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Cave DD, Hernando-Momblona X, Sevillano M, Minchiotti G, Lonardo E. Nodal-induced L1CAM/CXCR4 subpopulation sustains tumor growth and metastasis in colorectal cancer derived organoids. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:5686-5699. [PMID: 33897875 PMCID: PMC8058729 DOI: 10.7150/thno.54027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently the third leading cause for cancer-related mortality. Cancer stem cells have been implicated in colorectal tumor growth, but their specific role in tumor biology, including metastasis, is still uncertain. Methods: Increased expression of L1CAM, CXCR4 and NODAL was identified in tumor section of patients with CRC and in patients-derived-organoids (PDOs). The expression of L1CAM, CXCR4 and NODAL was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The effects of the L1CAM, CXCR4 and NODAL on tumor growth, proliferation, migration, invasion, colony-formation ability, metastasis and chemoresistance were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Results: We found that human colorectal cancer tissue contains cancer stem cells defined by L1CAMhigh/CXCR4high expression that is activated by Nodal in hypoxic microenvironment. This L1CAMhigh/CXCR4high population is tumorigenic, highly resistant to standard chemotherapy, and determines the metastatic phenotype of the individual tumor. Depletion of the L1CAMhigh/CXCR4high population drastically reduces the tumorigenic potential and the metastatic phenotype of colorectal tumors. Conclusion: In conclusion, we demonstrated that a subpopulation of migrating L1CAMhigh/CXCR4high is essential for tumor progression. Together, these findings suggest that strategies aimed at modulating the Nodal signaling could have important clinical applications to inhibit colorectal cancer-derived metastasis.
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7
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Wang X, Liu S, Cao H, Li X, Rong Y, Liu G, Du H, Shen H. Increasing Embryonic Morphogen Nodal Expression Suggests Malignant Transformation in Colorectal Lesions and as a Potential Marker for CMS4 Subtype of Colorectal Cancer. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:587029. [PMID: 34257534 PMCID: PMC8262187 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.587029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Nodal, an embryonic morphogen in TGF-β family, is related with tumorigenicity and progression in various tumors including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the difference of Nodal expression between CRC and colorectal polyps has not yet been investigated. Besides, whether Nodal can be used as a marker for consensus molecular subtype classification-4 (CMS4) of CRC is also worth studying. We analyzed Nodal expression in patients of CRC (161), high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN, 28) and five types of colorectal polyps (116). The Nodal expression difference among groups and the association between Nodal expression and clinicopathological features were analyzed. Two categories logistic regression model was used to predict the odds ratio (OR) of risk factors for high tumor-stroma percentage (TSP), and ROC curve was used to assess the diagnostic value of Nodal in predicting high TSP in CRC. We found that Nodal expression was significantly elevated in CRC and HGIN (p < 0.0001). The increased expression of Nodal was related with high TSP, mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) status, lymph node metastasis and advanced AJCC stage (p < 0.05). Besides, Nodal expression was the only risk factor for high TSP (OR = 6.94; p < 0.001), and ROC curve demonstrated that Nodal expression was able to efficiently distinguish high and low TSP. In conclusion, different expression of Nodal between CRC/HGIN and benign lesions is suggestive of a promoting role for Nodal in colorectal tumor progression. Besides, Nodal might also be used as a potential marker for CMS4 subtype of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopai Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shousheng Liu
- Department of General Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huijiao Cao
- Department of General Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiubo Li
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuming Rong
- Department of General Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guorong Liu
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Du
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Shen
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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8
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Daraghma H, Untiveros G, Raskind A, Iaccarino E, Sandomenico A, Ruvo M, Arnouk H, Ciancio MJ, Cuevas-Nunez M, Strizzi L. The role of Nodal and Cripto-1 in human oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Dis 2020; 27:1137-1147. [PMID: 32916013 DOI: 10.1111/odi.13640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common epithelial malignancy of the oral cavity. Nodal and Cripto-1 (CR-1) are important developmental morphogens expressed in several adult cancers and are associated with disease progression. Whether Nodal and CR-1 are simultaneously expressed in the same tumor and how this affects cancer biology are unclear. We investigate the expression and potential role of both Nodal and CR-1 in human OSCC. Immunohistochemistry results show that Nodal and CR-1 are both expressed in the same human OSCC sample and that intensity of Nodal staining is correlated with advanced-stage disease. However, this was not observed with CR-1 staining. Western blot analysis of lysates from two human OSCC line experiments shows expression of CR-1 and Nodal, and their respective signaling molecules, Src and ERK1/2. Treatment of SCC25 and SCC15 cells with both Nodal and CR-1 inhibitors simultaneously resulted in reduced cell viability and reduced levels of P-Src and P-ERK1/2. Further investigation showed that the combination treatment with both Nodal and CR-1 inhibitors was capable of reducing invasiveness of SCC25 cells. Our results show a possible role for Nodal/CR-1 function during progression of human OSCC and that targeting both proteins simultaneously may have therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Daraghma
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA.,Biomedical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Gustavo Untiveros
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Aleksandr Raskind
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Emanuela Iaccarino
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council (IBB-CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Sandomenico
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council (IBB-CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council (IBB-CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Hilal Arnouk
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Mae J Ciancio
- Biomedical Sciences Program, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Maria Cuevas-Nunez
- College of Dental Medicine Illinois, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Luigi Strizzi
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
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9
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Siegers GM, Dutta I, Kang EY, Huang J, Köbel M, Postovit LM. Aberrantly Expressed Embryonic Protein NODAL Alters Breast Cancer Cell Susceptibility to γδ T Cell Cytotoxicity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1287. [PMID: 32636849 PMCID: PMC7319087 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Gamma delta (γδ) T cells kill transformed cells, and increased circulating γδ T cells levels correlate with improved outcome in cancer patients; however, their function within the breast tumor microenvironment (TME) remains controversial. As tumors progress, they begin to express stem-cell associated proteins, concomitant with the emergence of therapy resistant metastatic disease. For example, invasive breast cancers often secrete the embryonic morphogen, NODAL. NODAL has been shown to promote angiogenesis, therapy resistance and metastasis in breast cancers. However, to date, little is known about how this secreted protein may interact with cells in the TME. Herein we explore how NODAL in the TME may influence γδ T cell function. We have assessed the proximity of γδ T cells to NODAL in a cohort of triple negative breast tumors. In all cases in which γδ T cells could be identified in these tumors, γδ T cells were found in close proximity to NODAL-expressing tumor cells. Migration of γδ and αβ T cells was similar toward MDA-MB-231 cells in which NODAL had been knocked down (shN) and MDA-MB-231 scrambled control cells (shC). Furthermore, Vδ1 γδ T cells did not migrate preferentially toward conditioned medium from these cell lines. While 24-h exposure to NODAL did not impact CD69, PD-1, or T cell antigen receptor (TCR) expression on γδ T cells, long term exposure resulted in decreased Vδ2 TCR expression. Maturation of γδ T cells was not significantly influenced by NODAL stimulation. While neither short- nor long-term NODAL stimulation impacted the ability of γδ T cells to kill MCF-7 breast cancer cells, the absence of NODAL resulted in greater sensitivity of targets to γδ T cell cytotoxicity, while overexpression of NODAL conferred resistance. This appeared to be at least in part due to an inverse correlation between NODAL and surface MICA/B expression on breast cancer target lines. As such, it appears that NODAL may play a role in strategies employed by breast cancer cells to evade γδ T cell targeting, and this should be considered in the development of safe and effective γδ T cell immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Indrani Dutta
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Eun Young Kang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Foothills Medical Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Martin Köbel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Foothills Medical Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Lynne-Marie Postovit
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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10
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Jewer M, Lee L, Leibovitch M, Zhang G, Liu J, Findlay SD, Vincent KM, Tandoc K, Dieters-Castator D, Quail DF, Dutta I, Coatham M, Xu Z, Puri A, Guan BJ, Hatzoglou M, Brumwell A, Uniacke J, Patsis C, Koromilas A, Schueler J, Siegers GM, Topisirovic I, Postovit LM. Translational control of breast cancer plasticity. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2498. [PMID: 32427827 PMCID: PMC7237473 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16352-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasticity of neoplasia, whereby cancer cells attain stem-cell-like properties, is required for disease progression and represents a major therapeutic challenge. We report that in breast cancer cells NANOG, SNAIL and NODAL transcripts manifest multiple isoforms characterized by different 5' Untranslated Regions (5'UTRs), whereby translation of a subset of these isoforms is stimulated under hypoxia. The accumulation of the corresponding proteins induces plasticity and "fate-switching" toward stem cell-like phenotypes. Mechanistically, we observe that mTOR inhibitors and chemotherapeutics induce translational activation of a subset of NANOG, SNAIL and NODAL mRNA isoforms akin to hypoxia, engendering stem-cell-like phenotypes. These effects are overcome with drugs that antagonize translational reprogramming caused by eIF2α phosphorylation (e.g. ISRIB), suggesting that the Integrated Stress Response drives breast cancer plasticity. Collectively, our findings reveal a mechanism of induction of plasticity of breast cancer cells and provide a molecular basis for therapeutic strategies aimed at overcoming drug resistance and abrogating metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Jewer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Laura Lee
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Matthew Leibovitch
- Lady Davis Institute, Departments of Oncology and Biochemistry, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Guihua Zhang
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jiahui Liu
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Scott D Findlay
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Krista M Vincent
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Kristofferson Tandoc
- Lady Davis Institute, Departments of Oncology and Biochemistry, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Dylan Dieters-Castator
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Daniela F Quail
- Goodman Cancer Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Indrani Dutta
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Zhihua Xu
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Aakshi Puri
- Lady Davis Institute, Departments of Oncology and Biochemistry, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Bo-Jhih Guan
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Maria Hatzoglou
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Andrea Brumwell
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - James Uniacke
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Christos Patsis
- Lady Davis Institute, Departments of Oncology and Biochemistry, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Antonis Koromilas
- Lady Davis Institute, Departments of Oncology and Biochemistry, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Julia Schueler
- Charles River Discovery Research Services Germany, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Ivan Topisirovic
- Lady Davis Institute, Departments of Oncology and Biochemistry, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lynne-Marie Postovit
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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11
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Abstract
AbstractImmunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors, is becoming a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the response rate remains limited due to the heterogeneity of HCC samples. Molecular subtypes of HCC vary in genomic background, clinical features, and prognosis. This study aims to compare the immune profiles between HCC subtypes and find subtype-specific immune characteristics that might contribute to the prognosis and potential of immunotherapy. The immune profiles consist of immune-related genes, cytolytic
activity, immune pathways, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. HCC-c1 samples showed an overall higher activation level of immune genes and pathways, and this pattern was consistent in validation sets. We associated the difference in immune profiles with the activation level of cancer hallmarks and genomic mutations. There was a negative correlation between most of the metabolism pathway
and immune-related pathways in HCC samples. CTNNB1/WNT signaling pathway mutation, one of the common mutations in HCC, appears to be associated with the expression of immune genes as well. These results reveal the difference of immune profiles between HCC subtypes and possible reasons and influence, which may also deepen our understanding of the carcinogenesis process.
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12
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Michael IP, Saghafinia S, Tichet M, Zangger N, Marinoni I, Perren A, Hanahan D. ALK7 Signaling Manifests a Homeostatic Tissue Barrier That Is Abrogated during Tumorigenesis and Metastasis. Dev Cell 2020; 49:409-424.e6. [PMID: 31063757 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we report that the TGFß superfamily receptor ALK7 is a suppressor of tumorigenesis and metastasis, as revealed by functional studies in mouse models of pancreatic neuroendocrine and luminal breast cancer, complemented by experimental metastasis assays. Activation in neoplastic cells of the ALK7 signaling pathway by its principal ligand activin B induces apoptosis. During tumorigenesis, cancer cells use two different approaches to evade this barrier, either downregulating activin B and/or downregulating ALK7. Suppressing ALK7 expression additionally contributes to the capability for metastatic seeding. ALK7 is associated with shorter relapse-free survival of various human cancers and distant-metastasis-free survival of breast cancer patients. This study introduces mechanistic insights into primary and metastatic tumor development, in the form of a protective barrier that triggers apoptosis in cells that are not "authorized" to proliferate within a particular tissue, by virtue of those cells expressing ALK7 in a tissue microenvironment bathed in its ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iacovos P Michael
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Sadegh Saghafinia
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Mélanie Tichet
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Zangger
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Ilaria Marinoni
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern 3010, Switzerland
| | - Aurel Perren
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern 3010, Switzerland
| | - Douglas Hanahan
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland.
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13
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Chen L, De Menna M, Groenewoud A, Thalmann GN, Kruithof-de Julio M, Snaar-Jagalska BE. A NF-ĸB-Activin A signaling axis enhances prostate cancer metastasis. Oncogene 2019; 39:1634-1651. [PMID: 31740783 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-1103-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is a main cause of death in prostate cancer (PCa). To dissect the molecular cues from cancer cell-microenvironment interaction that drive metastatic cascade, bone metastatic PCa cells were intravenously implanted into zebrafish embryos and mice tibia forming metastatic lesions. Transcriptomic analysis showed an elevated expression of stemness genes, pro-inflammatory cytokines and TGF-β family member Activin A in the cancer cells at metastatic onset in both animal models. Consistently, analysis of clinical datasets revealed that the expression of Activin A is specifically elevated in metastases and correlates with poor prognosis in stratified high-risk PCa patients. It is further unveiled that the microenvironment induced Activin A expression by NF-κB activation. The elevated level of Activin A enhanced the invasive ALDHhi CSC-like phenotypes and PCa proliferation by activation of Smad and ERK1/2 signaling driving metastasis. Suppression of Activin A or Activin receptor significantly reduced the CSC-like subpopulation, invasion, metastatic growth, and bone lesion formation in zebrafish and mice xenografts, suggesting a functional role of NF-κB-dependent Activin A in PCa metastasis. Overall, our study demonstrates that human PCa cells can display a comparable response with the microenvironment in zebrafish and mice xenografts. Combining both animal models, we uncovered the microenvironment-dependent activin signaling as an essential driver in PCa metastasis with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanpeng Chen
- Institute of Biology, University of Leiden, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marta De Menna
- Department of BioMedical Research, Urology Research Laboratory, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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14
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Sandomenico A, Ruvo M. Targeting Nodal and Cripto-1: Perspectives Inside Dual Potential Theranostic Cancer Biomarkers. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:1994-2050. [PMID: 30207211 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180912104707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elucidating the mechanisms of recurrence of embryonic signaling pathways in tumorigenesis has led to the discovery of onco-fetal players which have physiological roles during normal development but result aberrantly re-activated in tumors. In this context, Nodal and Cripto-1 are recognized as onco-developmental factors, which are absent in normal tissues but are overexpressed in several solid tumors where they can serve as theranostic agents. OBJECTIVE To collect, review and discuss the most relevant papers related to the involvement of Nodal and Cripto-1 in the development, progression, recurrence and metastasis of several tumors where they are over-expressed, with a particular attention to their occurrence on the surface of the corresponding sub-populations of cancer stem cells (CSC). RESULTS We have gathered, rationalized and discussed the most interesting findings extracted from some 370 papers related to the involvement of Cripto-1 and Nodal in all tumor types where they have been detected. Data demonstrate the clear connection between Nodal and Cripto-1 presence and their multiple oncogenic activities across different tumors. We have also reviewed and highlighted the potential of targeting Nodal, Cripto-1 and the complexes that they form on the surface of tumor cells, especially of CSC, as an innovative approach to detect and suppress tumors with molecules that block one or more mechanisms that they regulate. CONCLUSION Overall, Nodal and Cripto-1 represent two innovative and effective biomarkers for developing potential theranostic anti-tumor agents that target normal as well as CSC subpopulations and overcome both pharmacological resistance and tumor relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Sandomenico
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
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15
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Alwhaibi A, Verma A, Artham S, Adil MS, Somanath PR. Nodal pathway activation due to Akt1 suppression is a molecular switch for prostate cancer cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metastasis. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 168:1-13. [PMID: 31202735 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have unraveled the negative role of Akt1 in advanced cancers, including metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa). Hence, understanding the consequences of targeting Akt1 in the mPCa and identifying its downstream novel targets is essential. We studied how Akt1 deletion in PC3 and DU145 cells activates the Nodal pathway and promotes PCa epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. Here we show that Akt1 loss increases Nodal expression in PCa cells accompanied by activation of FoxO1/3a, and EMT markers Snail and N-cadherin as well as loss of epithelial marker E-cadherin. Treatment with FoxO inhibitor AS1842856 abrogated the Nodal expression in Akt1 deleted PCa cells. Akt1 deficient PCa cells exhibited enhanced cell migration and invasion in vitro and lung metastasis in vivo, which were attenuated by treatment with Nodal pathway inhibitor SB505124. Interestingly, Nodal mRNA analysis from two genomic studies in cBioportal showed a positive correlation between Nodal expression and Gleason score indicating the positive role of Nodal in human mPCa. Collectively, our data demonstrate Akt1-FoxO3a-Nodal pathway as an important mediator of PCa metastasis and present Nodal as a potential target to treat mPCa patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahman Alwhaibi
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Arti Verma
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Sandeep Artham
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Mir S Adil
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
| | - Payaningal R Somanath
- Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912, United States; Department of Medicine, Vascular Biology Center and Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, United States.
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16
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Guo Q, Li VZ, Nichol JN, Huang F, Yang W, Preston SEJ, Talat Z, Lefrère H, Yu H, Zhang G, Basik M, Gonçalves C, Zhan Y, Plourde D, Su J, Torres J, Marques M, Habyan SA, Bijian K, Amant F, Witcher M, Behbod F, McCaffrey L, Alaoui-Jamali M, Giannakopoulos NV, Brackstone M, Postovit LM, Del Rincón SV, Miller WH. MNK1/NODAL Signaling Promotes Invasive Progression of Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. Cancer Res 2019; 79:1646-1657. [PMID: 30659022 PMCID: PMC6513674 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-1602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms by which breast cancers progress from relatively indolent ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) are not well understood. However, this process is critical to the acquisition of metastatic potential. MAPK-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (MNK1) signaling can promote cell invasion. NODAL, a morphogen essential for embryogenic patterning, is often reexpressed in breast cancer. Here we describe a MNK1/NODAL signaling axis that promotes DCIS progression to IDC. We generated MNK1 knockout (KO) or constitutively active MNK1 (caMNK1)-expressing human MCF-10A-derived DCIS cell lines, which were orthotopically injected into the mammary glands of mice. Loss of MNK1 repressed NODAL expression, inhibited DCIS to IDC conversion, and decreased tumor relapse and metastasis. Conversely, caMNK1 induced NODAL expression and promoted IDC. The MNK1/NODAL axis promoted cancer stem cell properties and invasion in vitro. The MNK1/2 inhibitor SEL201 blocked DCIS progression to invasive disease in vivo. In clinical samples, IDC and DCIS with microinvasion expressed higher levels of phospho-MNK1 and NODAL versus low-grade (invasion-free) DCIS. Cumulatively, our data support further development of MNK1 inhibitors as therapeutics for preventing invasive disease. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings provide new mechanistic insight into progression of ductal carcinoma and support clinical application of MNK1 inhibitors to delay progression of indolent ductal carcinoma in situ to invasive ductal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyu Guo
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Vivian Z Li
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jessica N Nichol
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Fan Huang
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - William Yang
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Samuel E J Preston
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Zahra Talat
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Hanne Lefrère
- Department of Oncology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Henry Yu
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Guihua Zhang
- Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mark Basik
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Christophe Gonçalves
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Yao Zhan
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Dany Plourde
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jie Su
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jose Torres
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Maud Marques
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sara Al Habyan
- Goodman Cancer Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Krikor Bijian
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Frédéric Amant
- Department of Oncology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michael Witcher
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Fariba Behbod
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Centre, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Luke McCaffrey
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Goodman Cancer Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Moulay Alaoui-Jamali
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Nadia V Giannakopoulos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Muriel Brackstone
- Departments of Surgery and Oncology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lynne-Marie Postovit
- Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sonia V Del Rincón
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Wilson H Miller
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Department of Oncology, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Rossy Cancer Network, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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17
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Gong W, Sun B, Zhao X, Zhang D, Sun J, Liu T, Gu Q, Dong X, Liu F, Wang Y, Lin X, Li Y. Nodal signaling promotes vasculogenic mimicry formation in breast cancer via the Smad2/3 pathway. Oncotarget 2018; 7:70152-70167. [PMID: 27659524 PMCID: PMC5342542 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a nonangiogenesis-dependent pathway that promotes tumor growth and disease progression. Nodal signaling has several vital roles in both embryo development and cancer progression. However, the effects of Nodal signaling on VM formation in breast cancer and its underlying mechanisms are ill-defined. We analyzed the relationship between Nodal signaling and VM formation in one hundred human breast cancer cases and the results showed that the expression of Nodal was significantly correlated with VM formation, tumor metastasis, differentiation grade, TNM stage and poor prognosis. Furthermore, up-regulation of Nodal expression promoted VM formation of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of Nodal expression restrained VM formation. In addition, Nodal induced EMT and up-regulated the expression of Slug, Snail and c-Myc. We found that blocking the Smad2/3 pathway by administering SB431542 inhibited VM formation in breast cancer cell lines and xenografts. Taken together, Nodal signaling through the Smad2/3 pathway up-regulated Slug, Snail and c-Myc to induce EMT, thereby promoting VM formation. Our study suggests that the Nodal signaling pathway may serve as a therapeutic target to inhibit VM formation and improve prognosis in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchen Gong
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Baocun Sun
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Cancer Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xiulan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Danfang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Junying Sun
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Tieju Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Qiang Gu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xueyi Dong
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xian Lin
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Yanlei Li
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
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18
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Calvanese L, Focà A, Sandomenico A, Focà G, Caporale A, Doti N, Iaccarino E, Leonardi A, D'Auria G, Ruvo M, Falcigno L. Structural insights into the interaction of a monoclonal antibody and Nodal peptides by STD-NMR spectroscopy. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 25:6589-6596. [PMID: 29113739 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Nodal is a growth factor expressed during early embryonic development, but reactivated in several advanced-stage cancers. Targeting of Nodal signaling, which occurs via the binding to Cripto-1 co-receptor, results in inhibition of cell aggressiveness and reduced tumor growth. The Nodal binding region to Cripto-1 was identified and targeted with a high affinity monoclonal antibody (3D1). By STD-NMR technique, we investigated the interaction of Nodal fragments with 3D1 with the aim to elucidate at atomic level the interaction surface. Data indicate with high accuracy the antibody-antigen contact atoms and confirm the information previously obtained by immune-enzymatic methods. Main residues contacted by 3D1 are P46, V47, E49 and E50, which belong to the Nodal loop involved in the interaction with the co-receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Calvanese
- CIRPeB, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Annalia Focà
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Annamaria Sandomenico
- CIRPeB, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Focà
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Caporale
- CIRPeB, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Nunzianna Doti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Emanuela Iaccarino
- DISTABIF, Università degli Studi della Campania "Lugi Vanvitelli", via Vivaldi, 43, 80100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Antonio Leonardi
- Dept. Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella D'Auria
- CIRPeB, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy; Dept. of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- CIRPeB, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Lucia Falcigno
- CIRPeB, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, IBB-CNR, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy; Dept. of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy.
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19
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Bilyk O, Coatham M, Jewer M, Postovit LM. Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in the Female Reproductive Tract: From Normal Functioning to Disease Pathology. Front Oncol 2017; 7:145. [PMID: 28725636 PMCID: PMC5497565 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological process that is vital throughout the human lifespan. In addition to contributing to the development of various tissues within the growing embryo, EMT is also responsible for wound healing and tissue regeneration later in adulthood. In this review, we highlight the importance of EMT in the development and normal functioning of the female reproductive organs (the ovaries and the uterus) and describe how dysregulation of EMT can lead to pathological conditions, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, and carcinogenesis. We also summarize the current literature relating to EMT in the context of ovarian and endometrial carcinomas, with a particular focus on how molecular mechanisms and the tumor microenvironment can govern cancer cell plasticity, therapy resistance, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena Bilyk
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Mackenzie Coatham
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Michael Jewer
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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20
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Wang X, Reyes ME, Zhang D, Funakoshi Y, Trape AP, Gong Y, Kogawa T, Eckhardt BL, Masuda H, Pirman DA, Yang P, Reuben JM, Woodward WA, Bartholomeusz C, Hortobagyi GN, Tripathy D, Ueno NT. EGFR signaling promotes inflammation and cancer stem-like activity in inflammatory breast cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:67904-67917. [PMID: 28978083 PMCID: PMC5620223 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most lethal and aggressive type of breast cancer, with a strong proclivity to metastasize, and IBC-specific targeted therapies have not yet been developed. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has emerged as an important therapeutic target in IBC. However, the mechanism behind the therapeutic effect of EGFR targeted therapy is not well defined. Here, we report that EGFR regulates the IBC cell population that expresses cancer stem-like cell (CSC) markers through COX-2, a key mediator of inflammation whose expression correlates with worse outcome in IBC. The COX-2 pathway promoted IBC cell migration and invasion and the CSC marker-bearing population in vitro, and the inhibition of this pathway reduced IBC tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, we identified Nodal, a member of the TGFβ superfamily, as a potential driver of COX-2-regulated invasive capacity and the CSC phenotype of IBC cells. Our data indicate that the EGFR pathway regulates the expression of COX-2, which in turn regulates the expression of Nodal and the activation of Nodal signaling. Together, our findings demonstrate a novel connection between the EGFR/COX-2/Nodal signaling axis and CSC regulation in IBC, which has potential implications for new combination approaches with EGFR targeted therapy for patients with IBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Wang
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Monica E Reyes
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Dongwei Zhang
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yohei Funakoshi
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Adriana P Trape
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yun Gong
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Takahiro Kogawa
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bedrich L Eckhardt
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hiroko Masuda
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - David A Pirman
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Peiying Yang
- Department of General Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - James M Reuben
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Wendy A Woodward
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Chandra Bartholomeusz
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gabriel N Hortobagyi
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Debu Tripathy
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Naoto T Ueno
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Section of Translational Breast Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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21
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Bodenstine TM, Chandler GS, Seftor REB, Seftor EA, Hendrix MJC. Plasticity underlies tumor progression: role of Nodal signaling. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2016; 35:21-39. [PMID: 26951550 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-016-9605-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily member Nodal is an established regulator of early embryonic development, with primary roles in endoderm induction, left-right asymmetry, and primitive streak formation. Nodal signals through TGFβ family receptors at the plasma membrane and induces signaling cascades leading to diverse transcriptional regulation. While conceptually simple, the regulation of Nodal and its molecular effects are profoundly complex and context dependent. Pioneering work by developmental biologists has characterized the signaling pathways, regulatory components, and provided detailed insight into the mechanisms by which Nodal mediates changes at the cellular and organismal levels. Nodal is also an important factor in maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells through regulation of core transcriptional programs. Collectively, this work has led to an appreciation for Nodal as a powerful morphogen capable of orchestrating multiple cellular phenotypes. Although Nodal is not active in most adult tissues, its reexpression and signaling have been linked to multiple types of human cancer, and Nodal has emerged as a driver of tumor growth and cellular plasticity. In vitro and in vivo experimental evidence has demonstrated that inhibition of Nodal signaling reduces cancer cell aggressive characteristics, while clinical data have established associations with Nodal expression and patient outcomes. As a result, there is great interest in the potential targeting of Nodal activity in a therapeutic setting for cancer patients that may provide new avenues for suppressing tumor growth and metastasis. In this review, we evaluate our current understanding of the complexities of Nodal function in cancer and highlight recent experimental evidence that sheds light on the therapeutic potential of its inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Bodenstine
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 225 E. Chicago Avenue, Box 222, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Grace S Chandler
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 225 E. Chicago Avenue, Box 222, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Richard E B Seftor
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 225 E. Chicago Avenue, Box 222, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Elisabeth A Seftor
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 225 E. Chicago Avenue, Box 222, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Mary J C Hendrix
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 225 E. Chicago Avenue, Box 222, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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22
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Quantitative Profiling of Single Formalin Fixed Tumour Sections: proteomics for translational research. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34949. [PMID: 27713570 PMCID: PMC5054533 DOI: 10.1038/srep34949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although re-sequencing of gene panels and mRNA expression profiling are now firmly established in clinical laboratories, in-depth proteome analysis has remained a niche technology, better suited for studying model systems rather than challenging materials such as clinical trial samples. To address this limitation, we have developed a novel and optimized platform called SP3-Clinical Tissue Proteomics (SP3-CTP) for in-depth proteome profiling of practical quantities of tumour tissues, including formalin fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE). Using single 10 μm scrolls of clinical tumour blocks, we performed in-depth quantitative analyses of individual sections from ovarian tumours covering the high-grade serous, clear cell, and endometrioid histotypes. This examination enabled the generation of a novel high-resolution proteome map of ovarian cancer histotypes from clinical tissues. Comparison of the obtained proteome data with large-scale genome and transcriptome analyses validated the observed proteome biology for previously validated hallmarks of this disease, and also identified novel protein features. A tissue microarray analysis validated cystathionine gamma-lyase (CTH) as a novel clear cell carcinoma feature with potential clinical relevance. In addition to providing a milestone in the understanding of ovarian cancer biology, these results show that in-depth proteomic analysis of clinically annotated FFPE materials can be effectively used as a biomarker discovery tool and perhaps ultimately as a diagnostic approach.
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23
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Cheng N, Cai W, Ren S, Li X, Wang Q, Pan H, Zhao M, Li J, Zhang Y, Zhao C, Chen X, Fei K, Zhou C, Hirsch FR. Long non-coding RNA UCA1 induces non-T790M acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs by activating the AKT/mTOR pathway in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. Oncotarget 2016; 6:23582-93. [PMID: 26160838 PMCID: PMC4695138 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the role of long non-coding RNA UCA1 (urothelial cancer-associated 1) in acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In our study, UCA1 expression was significantly increased in lung cancer cells and patients with acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Over-expression of UCA1 was significantly associated with a shorter progression-free survival (PFS) [13.0 vs. 8.5 months, P < 0.01] in tumors with respond to EGFR-TKIs. The significant relationship was not observed in patients with T790M mutation (10.5 vs. 12.0 months, P = 0.778), but in patients with non-T790M (19.0 vs. 9.0 months, P = 0.023). UCA1 knockdown restored gefitinib sensitivity in acquired resistant cells with non-T790M and inhibited the activation of the AKT/mTOR pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The mTOR inhibitor was effective in UCA1-expressing cell PC9/R. Inhibiting mTOR could change the expression of UCA1, although there was no significant difference. In conclusion, the influence of over-expression of UCA1 on PFS for patients with acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs was from the subgroup with non-T790M mutation. UCA1 may induce non-T790M acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs by activating the AKT/mTOR pathway and EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Cheng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Weijing Cai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Shengxiang Ren
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Xuefei Li
- Department of Lung Cancer and Immunology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Hui Pan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Mingchuan Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Jiayu Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Yishi Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Chao Zhao
- Department of Lung Cancer and Immunology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxia Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Ke Fei
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Caicun Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University, Tongji University Medical School Cancer Institute, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Fred R Hirsch
- Department of Medical and Pathology, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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24
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Overexpression of PRAS40(T246A) in the Proliferative Compartment Suppresses mTORC1 Signaling, Keratinocyte Migration, and Skin Tumor Development. J Invest Dermatol 2016; 136:2070-2079. [PMID: 27349859 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The proline-rich Akt (v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1) substrate of 40 kDa (PRAS40), an inhibitory component of the mTORC1 complex, was identified as an Akt substrate through phosphorylation at Thr246. Phosphorylation at this site releases PRAS40 from the mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) complex allowing increased activity. Targeted expression of a mutant form of PRAS40 (PRAS40(T246A)) in basal keratinocytes of mouse epidermis (BK5.PRAS40(T246A) mice) has allowed further examination of mTORC1-specific signaling in epithelial carcinogenesis. BK5.PRAS40(T246A) mice were resistant to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced epidermal hyperproliferation and skin tumor development. In transgenic mice, PRAS40(T246A) remained bound to raptor in keratinocytes even after treatment with TPA, consistent with reduced mTORC1 signaling and altered levels of cell cycle proteins. BK5.PRAS40(T246A) mice also displayed attenuated skin inflammation in response to TPA. Inhibition of mTORC1 in keratinocytes significantly inhibited their migration in vitro and, in addition, inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced proliferation and migration of bulge-region stem cells in vivo. Furthermore, targeted inhibition of mTORC1 in BK5.PRAS40(T246A) mice resulted in delayed wound healing. Decreased keratinocyte migration and impaired wound healing correlated with altered expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and reduced smad signaling. Collectively, the current data using this unique mouse model provide further evidence that mTORC1 signaling in keratinocytes regulates key events in keratinocyte function and epithelial cancer development.
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25
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The aberrantly expressed miR-193b-3p contributes to preeclampsia through regulating transforming growth factor-β signaling. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19910. [PMID: 26822621 PMCID: PMC4731805 DOI: 10.1038/srep19910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Several studies have detected some differentially expressed microRNAs in the preeclamptic placenta, but few of the identified microRNAs demonstrated consistent findings among different research studies. In this study, high-throughput microRNA sequencing (HTS) of 9 preeclamptic and 9 normal placentas was performed. Seventeen microRNAs were identified to be up-regulated, and 8 down-regulated in preeclamptic placentas. Eight differentially expressed microRNAs except one identified in our study were determined to be consistent with at least one previous study, while sixteen were newly found. We performed qRT-PCR with independent 22 preeclamptic placentas and 20 control placentas to verify the differentially expressed microRNAs, and ten microRNAs were validated. The predicted target genes of the aberrantly expressed miR-193b-3p were enriched in the following gene ontology categories: cell motility and migration, cell proliferation and angiogenesis. We also found that miR-193b-3p significantly decreased the migration and invasion of trophoblast (HTR-8/SVneo) cells and that miR-193b-3p could regulate trophoblasts migration and invasion through binding onto the 3′UTR target site of TGF-β2. In conclusion, we identified a list of differentially expressed microRNAs in PE placentas by HTS and provided preliminary evidence for the role of miR-193b-3p in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
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26
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Duan W, Li R, Ma J, Lei J, Xu Q, Jiang Z, Nan L, Li X, Wang Z, Huo X, Han L, Wu Z, Wu E, Ma Q. Overexpression of Nodal induces a metastatic phenotype in pancreatic cancer cells via the Smad2/3 pathway. Oncotarget 2015; 6:1490-506. [PMID: 25557170 PMCID: PMC4359309 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2686] [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: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the major cause for the high mortality rate of pancreatic cancer. Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) associated genes frequently correlate with malignant disease progression. Recent studies have demonstrated that the embryonic protein Nodal, which plays a critical role during embryonic development, is re-expressed in several types of tumors and promotes cancers progression. However, little is known about the role of Nodal in pancreatic cancer. Here, we show that Nodal expression is upregulated in human pancreatic cancer tissues. Moreover, Nodal expression levels correlate well with the grade of pancreatic cancer differentiation. In addition, we present clear evidence that Nodal induces signal transduction through the Smad2/3-dependent pathway in vitro. Furthermore, we show that Nodal promotes pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion, induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and enhances the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). Using an in vivo liver metastasis model of pancreatic cancer, we observed that blocking Nodal signaling activity with the small-molecule inhibitor SB431542 decreases the number and size of liver metastases. Taken together, our results suggest that Nodal overexpression induces a metastatic phenotype in pancreatic cancer cells, and that targeting Nodal signaling may be a promising therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanxing Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China.,Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jiguang Ma
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jianjun Lei
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Qinhong Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Zhengdong Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Ligang Nan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xuqi Li
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xiongwei Huo
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Liang Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Zheng Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Erxi Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105, USA
| | - Qingyong Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
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27
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Ning F, Wang HF, Guo Q, Liu ZC, Li ZQ, Du J. Expression and significance of Nodal in human cancers: a meta-analysis. Int J Clin Exp Med 2015; 8:20227-20235. [PMID: 26884935 PMCID: PMC4723780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a global and growing problem. Nodal, which has been showed to be involved in occurrence and development of cancers, is an important embryonic morphogen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of Nodal expression in human cancers based on the published related articles. Online databases were searched to retrieve relevant articles published between 2000 and 2015. The odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confident intervals (CI) were employed to calculate the strength of significance. Finally, a total of 11 articles were screened out, including 801 cancer patients and 372 healthy controls. Nine kinds of cancers were contained, and Nodal was detected in 56.7% of all participants (665/1173). Overall, our result found that Nodal was highly expressed in cancer patients than that in healthy controls, indicating that Nodal expression was significantly associated with cancers progression (OR=21.72, 95% CI=9.94-47.46, P<0.00001). Subgroup analysis showed that Nodal expression was significantly corrected with high WHO grade of human cancers (III+IV versus I+II: OR=2.46, 95% CI=1.63-3.71, P<0.00001). This significant relationship was also found in tumor size, differentiation degree, not observed in gender, age and lymphatic metastasis status of patients with all studied cancers in this meta-analysis. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that Nodal might be implicated in cancer progression, suggesting that it was a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Ning
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Department of Obstetrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Hai-Fang Wang
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiang Guo
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zong-Cai Liu
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
- Laboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510623, Guangdong, China
| | - Zi-Qian Li
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Jun Du
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
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28
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Strizzi L, Sandomenico A, Margaryan NV, Focà A, Sanguigno L, Bodenstine TM, Chandler GS, Reed DW, Gilgur A, Seftor EA, Seftor RE, Khalkhali-Ellis Z, Leonardi A, Ruvo M, Hendrix MJ. Effects of a novel Nodal-targeting monoclonal antibody in melanoma. Oncotarget 2015; 6:34071-86. [PMID: 26460952 PMCID: PMC4741437 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Nodal is highly expressed in various human malignancies, thus supporting the rationale for exploring Nodal as a therapeutic target. Here, we describe the effects of a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb), 3D1, raised against human Nodal. In vitro treatment of C8161 human melanoma cells with 3D1 mAb shows reductions in anchorage-independent growth and vasculogenic network formation. 3D1 treated cells also show decreases of Nodal and downstream signaling molecules, P-Smad2 and P-ERK and of P-H3 and CyclinB1, with an increase in p27. Similar effects were previously reported in human breast cancer cells where Nodal expression was generally down-regulated; following 3D1 mAb treatment, both Nodal and P-H3 levels are reduced. Noteworthy is the reduced growth of human melanoma xenografts in Nude mice treated with 3D1 mAb, where immunostaining of representative tumor sections show diminished P-Smad2 expression. Similar effects both in vitro and in vivo were observed in 3D1 treated A375SM melanoma cells harboring the active BRAF(V600E) mutation compared to treatments with IgG control or a BRAF inhibitor, dabrafenib. Finally, we describe a 3D1-based ELISA for the detection of Nodal in serum samples from cancer patients. These data suggest the potential of 3D1 mAb for selecting and targeting Nodal expressing cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Strizzi
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Annamaria Sandomenico
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini del CNR and CIRPeB, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Naira V. Margaryan
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Annalia Focà
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini del CNR and CIRPeB, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Sanguigno
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Thomas M. Bodenstine
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Grace S. Chandler
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David W. Reed
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alina Gilgur
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Elisabeth A. Seftor
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Richard E.B. Seftor
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zhila Khalkhali-Ellis
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Antonio Leonardi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini del CNR and CIRPeB, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Mary J.C. Hendrix
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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New Anti-Nodal Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting the Nodal Pre-Helix Loop Involved in Cripto-1 Binding. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:21342-62. [PMID: 26370966 PMCID: PMC4613256 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160921342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Nodal is a potent embryonic morphogen belonging to the TGF-β superfamily. Typically, it also binds to the ALK4/ActRIIB receptor complex in the presence of the co-receptor Cripto-1. Nodal expression is physiologically restricted to embryonic tissues and human embryonic stem cells, is absent in normal cells but re-emerges in several human cancers, including melanoma, breast, and colon cancer. Our aim was to obtain mAbs able to recognize Nodal on a major CBR (Cripto-Binding-Region) site and to block the Cripto-1-mediated signalling. To achieve this, antibodies were raised against hNodal(44-67) and mAbs generated by the hybridoma technology. We have selected one mAb, named 3D1, which strongly associates with full-length rhNodal (KD 1.4 nM) and recognizes the endogenous protein in a panel of human melanoma cell lines by western blot and FACS analyses. 3D1 inhibits the Nodal-Cripto-1 binding and blocks Smad2/3 phosphorylation. Data suggest that inhibition of the Nodal-Cripto-1 axis is a valid therapeutic approach against melanoma and 3D1 is a promising and interesting agent for blocking Nodal-Cripto mediated tumor development. These findings increase the interest for Nodal as both a diagnostic and prognostic marker and as a potential new target for therapeutic intervention.
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Hardy KM, Strizzi L, Margaryan NV, Gupta K, Murphy GF, Scolyer RA, Hendrix MJC. Targeting nodal in conjunction with dacarbazine induces synergistic anticancer effects in metastatic melanoma. Mol Cancer Res 2015; 13:670-80. [PMID: 25767211 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Metastatic melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer with a poor prognosis. Despite a complete response in fewer than 5% of patients, the chemotherapeutic agent dacarbazine (DTIC) remains the reference drug after almost 40 years. More recently, FDA-approved drugs have shown promise but patient outcome remains modest, predominantly due to drug resistance. As such, combinatorial targeting has received increased attention, and will advance with the identification of new molecular targets. One attractive target for improving melanoma therapy is the growth factor Nodal, whose normal expression is largely restricted to embryonic development, but is reactivated in metastatic melanoma. In this study, we sought to determine how Nodal-positive human melanoma cells respond to DTIC treatment and to ascertain whether targeting Nodal in combination with DTIC would be more effective than monotherapy. A single treatment with DTIC inhibited cell growth but did not induce apoptosis. Rather than reducing Nodal expression, DTIC increased the size of the Nodal-positive subpopulation, an observation coincident with increased cellular invasion. Importantly, clinical tissue specimens from patients with melanomas refractory to DTIC therapy stained positive for Nodal expression, both in pre- and post-DTIC tumors, underscoring the value of targeting Nodal. In vitro, anti-Nodal antibodies alone had some adverse effects on proliferation and apoptosis, but combining DTIC treatment with anti-Nodal antibodies decreased cell growth and increased apoptosis synergistically, at concentrations incapable of producing meaningful effects as monotherapy. IMPLICATIONS Targeting Nodal in combination with DTIC therapy holds promise for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine M Hardy
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Luigi Strizzi
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Naira V Margaryan
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kanika Gupta
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois. Howard Hughes Medical Institute NU Bioscientist Program, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - George F Murphy
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia; Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney; and Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mary J C Hendrix
- Program in Cancer Biology and Epigenomics, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
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31
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Human Cerberus prevents nodal-receptor binding, inhibits nodal signaling, and suppresses nodal-mediated phenotypes. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0114954. [PMID: 25603319 PMCID: PMC4300205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Transforming Growth Factor-ß (TGFß) family ligand Nodal is an essential embryonic morphogen that is associated with progression of breast and other cancers. It has therefore been suggested that Nodal inhibitors could be used to treat breast cancers where Nodal plays a defined role. As secreted antagonists, such as Cerberus, tightly regulate Nodal signaling during embryonic development, we undertook to produce human Cerberus, characterize its biochemical activities, and determine its effect on human breast cancer cells. Using quantitative methods, we investigated the mechanism of Nodal signaling, we evaluated binding of human Cerberus to Nodal and other TGFß family ligands, and we characterized the mechanism of Nodal inhibition by Cerberus. Using cancer cell assays, we examined the ability of Cerberus to suppress aggressive breast cancer cell phenotypes. We found that human Cerberus binds Nodal with high affinity and specificity, blocks binding of Nodal to its signaling partners, and inhibits Nodal signaling. Moreover, we showed that Cerberus profoundly suppresses migration, invasion, and colony forming ability of Nodal expressing and Nodal supplemented breast cancer cells. Taken together, our studies provide mechanistic insights into Nodal signaling and Nodal inhibition with Cerberus and highlight the potential value of Cerberus as anti-Nodal therapeutic.
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Nadeem U, Ye G, Salem M, Peng C. MicroRNA-378a-5p targets cyclin G2 to inhibit fusion and differentiation in BeWo cells. Biol Reprod 2014; 91:76. [PMID: 25122062 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.119065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are expressed abundantly in the placenta throughout pregnancy. We have previously reported that microRNA (miR)-378a-5p promoted trophoblast migration and invasion. To further understand the role of miR-378a-5p during placental development, we investigated whether it may regulate the differentiation of syncytiotrophoblast (STB). Using a choriocarcinoma cell line, BeWo, we found that miR-378a-5p was down-regulated during forskolin-induced STB differentiation. Transfection of a miR-378a-5p mimic into BeWo cells decreased the formation of multinucleated STB, increased E-cadherin, and decreased the expression level of STB marker genes. On the other hand, transfection of anti-miR-378a-5p resulted in an increase in formation of multinucleated STB and expression of STB marker genes, as well as the loss of E-cadherin. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that miR-378a-5p has four potential binding sites at the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of cyclin G2 (CCNG2). Using luciferase reporter assays, we showed that miR-378a-5p decreased the luciferase activity of reporter constructs that contain CCNG2 3' UTR. In addition, miR-378a-5p decreased, whereas anti-miR-378a-5p increased, CCNG2 mRNA levels. Overexpression of CCNG2 increased the expression of syncytin-1 and fusion index and reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-378a-5p. In contrast, silencing of CCNG2 using siRNA increased E-cadherin and decreased syncytin-1 levels. These findings provide initial evidence that CCNG2 promotes STB differentiation and suggest that miR-378a-5p exerts an inhibitory role in STB differentiation, in part, by down-regulating CCNG2 expression, in the BeWo cell model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uzma Nadeem
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gang Ye
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mohamed Salem
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Chun Peng
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Canada
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Kirsammer G, Strizzi L, Margaryan NV, Gilgur A, Hyser M, Atkinson J, Kirschmann DA, Seftor EA, Hendrix MJC. Nodal signaling promotes a tumorigenic phenotype in human breast cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2014; 29:40-50. [PMID: 25073112 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2014.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The Ras-ERK pathway is deregulated in approximately a third of human cancers, particularly those of epithelial origin. In aggressive, triple-negative, basal-like breast cancers, most tumors display increased MEK and ERK phosphorylation and exhibit a gene expression profile characteristic of Kras or EGFR mutant tumors; however, Ras family genetic mutations are uncommon in triple-negative breast cancer and EGFR mutations account for only a subset of these tumors. Therefore, the upstream events that activate MAPK signaling and promote tumor aggression in triple-negative breast cancers remain poorly defined. We have previously shown that a secreted TGF-β family signaling ligand, Nodal, is expressed in breast cancer in correlation with disease progression. Here we highlight key findings demonstrating that Nodal is required in aggressive human breast cancer cells to activate ERK signaling and downstream tumorigenic phenotypes both in vitro and in vivo. Experimental knockdown of Nodal signaling downregulates ERK activity, resulting in loss of c-myc, upregulation of p27, G1 cell cycle arrest, increased apoptosis and decreased tumorigenicity. The data suggest that ERK activation by Nodal signaling regulates c-myc and p27 proteins post-translationally and that this cascade is essential for aggressive breast tumor behavior in vivo. As the MAPK pathway is an important target for treating triple-negative breast cancers, upstream Nodal signaling may represent a promising target for breast cancer diagnosis and combined therapies aimed at blocking ERK pathway activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Kirsammer
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, 2430 N Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614, United States
| | - Luigi Strizzi
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, 2430 N Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614, United States; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Naira V Margaryan
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, 2430 N Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614, United States
| | - Alina Gilgur
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, 2430 N Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614, United States
| | - Matthew Hyser
- Presence Saint Francis Hospital, 355 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL 60202, United States
| | - Janis Atkinson
- Presence Saint Francis Hospital, 355 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL 60202, United States
| | - Dawn A Kirschmann
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, 2430 N Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614, United States
| | - Elisabeth A Seftor
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, 2430 N Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614, United States
| | - Mary J C Hendrix
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, 2430 N Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614, United States; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, United States.
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Park KS, Raffeld M, Moon YW, Xi L, Bianco C, Pham T, Lee LC, Mitsudomi T, Yatabe Y, Okamoto I, Subramaniam D, Mok T, Rosell R, Luo J, Salomon DS, Wang Y, Giaccone G. CRIPTO1 expression in EGFR-mutant NSCLC elicits intrinsic EGFR-inhibitor resistance. J Clin Invest 2014; 124:3003-15. [PMID: 24911146 DOI: 10.1172/jci73048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harbor EGFR-activating mutations that can be therapeutically targeted by EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI), such as erlotinib and gefitinib. Unfortunately, a subset of patients with EGFR mutations are refractory to EGFR-TKIs. Resistance to EGFR inhibitors reportedly involves SRC activation and induction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we have demonstrated that overexpression of CRIPTO1, an EGF-CFC protein family member, renders EGFR-TKI-sensitive and EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells resistant to erlotinib in culture and in murine xenograft models. Furthermore, tumors from NSCLC patients with EGFR-activating mutations that were intrinsically resistant to EGFR-TKIs expressed higher levels of CRIPTO1 compared with tumors from patients that were sensitive to EGFR-TKIs. Primary NSCLC cells derived from a patient with EGFR-mutated NSCLC that was intrinsically erlotinib resistant were CRIPTO1 positive, but gained erlotinib sensitivity upon loss of CRIPTO1 expression during culture. CRIPTO1 activated SRC and ZEB1 to promote EMT via microRNA-205 (miR-205) downregulation. While miR-205 depletion induced erlotinib resistance, miR-205 overexpression inhibited CRIPTO1-dependent ZEB1 and SRC activation, restoring erlotinib sensitivity. CRIPTO1-induced erlotinib resistance was directly mediated through SRC but not ZEB1; therefore, cotargeting EGFR and SRC synergistically attenuated growth of erlotinib-resistant, CRIPTO1-positive, EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that this combination may overcome intrinsic EGFR-inhibitor resistance in patients with CRIPTO1-positive, EGFR-mutated NSCLC.
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Nodal signals via β-arrestins and RalGTPases to regulate trophoblast invasion. Cell Signal 2014; 26:1935-42. [PMID: 24863882 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2014.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Placentation is critical for establishing a healthy pregnancy. Trophoblasts mediate implantation and placentation and certain subtypes, most notably extravillous cytotrophoblast, are highly invasive. Trophoblast invasion is tightly regulated by microenvironmental cues that dictate placental morphology and depth. In choriocarcinomas, malignant trophoblast cells become hyperinvasive, breaching the myometrium and leading to major complications. Nodal, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, is expressed throughout the endometrium during the peri-implantation period and in invasive trophoblast cells. Nodal promotes the invasion of numerous types of cancer cells. However, Nodal's role in trophoblast and choriocarcinoma cell invasion is unclear. Here we show that Nodal stimulates the invasion of both the non-malignant HTR-8SV/neo trophoblast and JAR choriocarcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. We found that endogenous β-arrestins and Ral GTPases, key regulators of the cell cytoskeleton, are constitutively associated with Nodal receptors (ALK4 and ALK7) in trophoblast cells and that RalA is colocalized with ALK4 in endocytic vesicles. Nodal stimulates endogenous β-arrestin2 to associate with phospho-ERK1/2, and knockdown of β-arrestin or Ral proteins impairs Nodal-induced trophoblast and choriocarcinoma cell invasion. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that β-arrestins and RalGTPases are important regulators of Nodal-induced invasion.
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36
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Chen J, Liu WB, Jia WD, Xu GL, Ma JL, Ren Y, Chen H, Sun SN, Huang M, Li JS. Embryonic morphogen nodal is associated with progression and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. PLoS One 2014; 9:e85840. [PMID: 24465741 PMCID: PMC3897529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nodal, a TGF-β-related embryonic morphogen, is involved in multiple biologic processes. However, the expression of Nodal in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its correlation with tumor angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and prognosis is unclear. Methods We used real-time PCR and Western blotting to investigate Nodal expression in 6 HCC cell lines and 1 normal liver cell line, 16 pairs of tumor and corresponding paracarcinomatous tissues from HCC patients. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine Nodal expression in HCC and corresponding paracarcinomatous tissues from 96 patients. CD34 and Vimentin were only examined in HCC tissues of patients mentioned above. Nodal gene was silenced by shRNA in MHCC97H and HCCLM3 cell lines, and cell migration and invasion were detected. Statistical analyses were applied to evaluate the prognostic value and associations of Nodal expression with clinical parameters. Results Nodal expression was detected in HCC cell lines with high metastatic potential alone. Nodal expression is up-regulated in HCC tissues compared with paracarcinomatous and normal liver tissues. Nodal protein was expressed in 70 of the 96 (72.9%) HCC tumors, and was associated with vascular invasion (P = 0.000), status of metastasis (P = 0.004), AFP (P = 0.049), ICGR15 (indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min) (P = 0.010) and tumor size (P = 0.000). High Nodal expression was positively correlated with high MVD (microvessal density) (P = 0.006), but not with Vimentin expression (P = 0.053). Significantly fewer migrated and invaded cells were seen in shRNA group compared with blank group and negative control group (P<0.05). High Nodal expression was found to be an independent factor for predicting overall survival of HCC. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that Nodal expression is associated with aggressive characteristics of HCC. Its aberrant expression may be a predictive factor of unfavorable prognosis for HCC after surgery.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Antigens, CD34/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement
- Disease Progression
- Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism
- Female
- Frozen Sections
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Kaplan-Meier Estimate
- Liver/metabolism
- Liver/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Multivariate Analysis
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- Nodal Protein/genetics
- Nodal Protein/metabolism
- Prognosis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Vimentin/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wen-Bin Liu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wei-Dong Jia
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ge-Liang Xu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jin-Liang Ma
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yun Ren
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Si-Nan Sun
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Mei Huang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jian-Sheng Li
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- * E-mail:
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Quail DF, Siegers GM, Jewer M, Postovit LM. Nodal signalling in embryogenesis and tumourigenesis. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2013; 45:885-98. [PMID: 23291354 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Revised: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
With few exceptions, most cells in adult organisms have lost the expression of stem cell-associated proteins and are instead characterized by tissue-specific gene expression and function. This cell fate specification is dictated spatially and temporally during embryogenesis. It has become increasingly apparent that the elegant and complicated process of cell specification is "undone" in cancer. This may be because cancer cells respond to their microenvironment and mutations by acquiring a more permissive, plastic epigenome, or because cancer cells arise from mutated stem cells. Regardless, these advanced cancer cells must use stem cell-associated proteins to sustain their phenotype. One such protein is Nodal, an embryonic morphogen belonging to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. First described in early developmental models, Nodal orchestrates embryogenesis by regulating a myriad of processes, including mesendoderm induction, left-right asymmetry and embryo implantation. Nodal is relatively restricted to embryonic and reproductive cell types and is thus absent from most normal adult tissues. However, recent studies focusing on a variety of malignancies have demonstrated that Nodal expression re-emerges during cancer progression. Moreover, in almost every cancer studied thus far, the acquisition of Nodal expression is associated with increased tumourigenesis, invasion and metastasis. As the list of cancers that express Nodal grows, it is essential that the scientific and medical communities fully understand how this morphogen is regulated in both normal and neoplastic conditions. Herein, we review the literature relating to normal and pathological Nodal signalling. In particular, we emphasize the role that this secreted protein plays during morphogenic events and how it signals to support stem cell maintenance and tumour progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela F Quail
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario and Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
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