1
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Ferreon JC, Ta HM, Yun H, Choi KJ, Quan MD, Tsoi PS, Kim C, Lee CW, Ferreon ACM. Stereospecific NANOG PEST Stabilization by Pin1. Biochemistry 2024; 63:1067-1074. [PMID: 38619104 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
NANOG protein levels correlate with stem cell pluripotency. NANOG concentrations fluctuate constantly with low NANOG levels leading to spontaneous cell differentiation. Previous literature implicated Pin1, a phosphorylation-dependent prolyl isomerase, as a key player in NANOG stabilization. Here, using NMR spectroscopy, we investigate the molecular interactions of Pin1 with the NANOG unstructured N-terminal domain that contains a PEST sequence with two phosphorylation sites. Phosphorylation of NANOG PEST peptides increases affinity to Pin1. By systematically increasing the amount of cis PEST conformers, we show that the peptides bind tighter to the prolyl isomerase domain (PPIase) of Pin1. Phosphorylation and cis Pro enhancement at both PEST sites lead to a 5-10-fold increase in NANOG binding to the Pin1 WW domain and PPIase domain, respectively. The cis-populated NANOG PEST peptides can be potential inhibitors for disrupting Pin1-dependent NANOG stabilization in cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine C Ferreon
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Hai Minh Ta
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Hyosuk Yun
- Department of Chemistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Jae Choi
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - My Diem Quan
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Phoebe S Tsoi
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Choel Kim
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Chul Won Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Allan Chris M Ferreon
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
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2
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Numakura S, Kato M, Uozaki H. Discovery of YS-1 as a cell line of gastric inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:542. [PMID: 38642200 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09442-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts (iCAFs) was first identified by co-culture of pancreatic stellate cells and tumor organoids. The key feature of iCAFs is IL-6high/αSMAlow. We examine this phenomenon in gastric cancer using two cell lines of gastric fibroblasts (HGF and YS-1). METHODS AND RESULTS HGF or YS-1 were co-cultured with MKN7 (a gastric adenocarcinoma cell line) in Matrigel. IL-6 protein levels in the culture supernatant were measured by ELISA. The increased production of IL-6 was not observed in any of the combinations. Instead, the supernatant of YS-1 exhibited the higher levels of IL-6. YS-1 showed IL-6high/αSMA (ACTA2)low in real-time PCR, mRNA-seq and immunohistochemistry. In mRNA-seq, iCAFs-associated genes and signaling pathways were up-regulated in YS-1. No transition to myofibroblastic phenotype was observed by monolayer culture, or the exposure to sonic hedgehog (SHH) or TGF-β. YS-1 conditioned medium induced changes of morphology and stem-ness/differentiation in NUGC-3 (a human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line) and UBE6T-15 (a human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell line). CONCLUSIONS YS-1 is a stable cell line of gastric iCAFs. This discovery will promote further research on iCAFs for many researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoe Numakura
- Department of Pathology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan.
| | - Masahiro Kato
- Department of Pathology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Uozaki
- Department of Pathology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan
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3
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MacLean MR, Walker OL, Arun RP, Fernando W, Marcato P. Informed by Cancer Stem Cells of Solid Tumors: Advances in Treatments Targeting Tumor-Promoting Factors and Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4102. [PMID: 38612911 PMCID: PMC11012648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation within tumors that promote cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence due to their self-renewal capacity and resistance to conventional therapies. CSC-specific markers and signaling pathways highly active in CSCs have emerged as a promising strategy for improving patient outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic targets associated with CSCs of solid tumors across various cancer types, including key molecular markers aldehyde dehydrogenases, CD44, epithelial cellular adhesion molecule, and CD133 and signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and Sonic Hedgehog. We discuss a wide array of therapeutic modalities ranging from targeted antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, and near-infrared photoimmunotherapy to advanced genetic approaches like RNA interference, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, aptamers, antisense oligonucleotides, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, CAR natural killer cells, bispecific T cell engagers, immunotoxins, drug-antibody conjugates, therapeutic peptides, and dendritic cell vaccines. This review spans developments from preclinical investigations to ongoing clinical trials, highlighting the innovative targeting strategies that have been informed by CSC-associated pathways and molecules to overcome therapeutic resistance. We aim to provide insights into the potential of these therapies to revolutionize cancer treatment, underscoring the critical need for a multi-faceted approach in the battle against cancer. This comprehensive analysis demonstrates how advances made in the CSC field have informed significant developments in novel targeted therapeutic approaches, with the ultimate goal of achieving more effective and durable responses in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya R. MacLean
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
| | - Olivia L. Walker
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
| | - Raj Pranap Arun
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
| | - Wasundara Fernando
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Paola Marcato
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.R.M.); (O.L.W.); (R.P.A.); (W.F.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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4
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Sarker DB, Xue Y, Mahmud F, Jocelyn JA, Sang QXA. Interconversion of Cancer Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Cells 2024; 13:125. [PMID: 38247819 PMCID: PMC10814385 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells, especially cancer stem cells (CSCs), share many molecular features with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that enable the derivation of induced pluripotent cancer cells by reprogramming malignant cells. Conversely, normal iPSCs can be converted into cancer stem-like cells with the help of tumor microenvironment components and genetic manipulation. These CSC models can be utilized in oncogenic initiation and progression studies, understanding drug resistance, and developing novel therapeutic strategies. This review summarizes the role of pluripotency factors in the stemness, tumorigenicity, and therapeutic resistance of cancer cells. Different methods to obtain iPSC-derived CSC models are described with an emphasis on exposure-based approaches. Culture in cancer cell-conditioned media or cocultures with cancer cells can convert normal iPSCs into cancer stem-like cells, aiding the examination of processes of oncogenesis. We further explored the potential of reprogramming cancer cells into cancer-iPSCs for mechanistic studies and cancer dependencies. The contributions of genetic, epigenetic, and tumor microenvironment factors can be evaluated using these models. Overall, integrating iPSC technology into cancer stem cell research holds significant promise for advancing our knowledge of cancer biology and accelerating the development of innovative and tailored therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drishty B. Sarker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA; (D.B.S.); (Y.X.); (F.M.); (J.A.J.)
| | - Yu Xue
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA; (D.B.S.); (Y.X.); (F.M.); (J.A.J.)
| | - Faiza Mahmud
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA; (D.B.S.); (Y.X.); (F.M.); (J.A.J.)
| | - Jonathan A. Jocelyn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA; (D.B.S.); (Y.X.); (F.M.); (J.A.J.)
| | - Qing-Xiang Amy Sang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, USA; (D.B.S.); (Y.X.); (F.M.); (J.A.J.)
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4380, USA
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5
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Diaba-Nuhoho P. Plant homeodomain-finger protein 5A: A key player in cancer progression. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115857. [PMID: 37951028 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023] Open
Abstract
PHF5A is a member of the zinc-finger proteins. To advance knowledge on their role in carcinogenesis, data from experimental studies, animal models and clinical studies in different tumorigenesis have been reviewed. Furthermore, PHF5A as an oncogenic function, is frequently high expressed in tumor cells and a potential prognostic marker for different cancers. PHF5A is implicated in the regulation of cancer cell proliferation, invasion, migration and metastasis. Knockdown of PHF5A prevented the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. Here, the role of PHF5A in different cancers and their possible mechanism in relation to recent literature is reviewed and discussed. There is an open promising perspective to their therapeutic management for different cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Diaba-Nuhoho
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital Münster, Germany.
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6
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Zhang S, Yang R, Ouyang Y, Shen Y, Hu L, Xu C. Cancer stem cells: a target for overcoming therapeutic resistance and relapse. Cancer Biol Med 2023; 20:j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0333. [PMID: 38164743 PMCID: PMC10845928 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cells in cancers that are thought to initiate tumorous transformation and promote metastasis, recurrence, and resistance to treatment. Growing evidence has revealed the existence of CSCs in various types of cancers and suggested that CSCs differentiate into diverse lineage cells that contribute to tumor progression. We may be able to overcome the limitations of cancer treatment with a comprehensive understanding of the biological features and mechanisms underlying therapeutic resistance in CSCs. This review provides an overview of the properties, biomarkers, and mechanisms of resistance shown by CSCs. Recent findings on metabolic features, especially fatty acid metabolism and ferroptosis in CSCs, are highlighted, along with promising targeting strategies. Targeting CSCs is a potential treatment plan to conquer cancer and prevent resistance and relapse in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610042, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Chengdu Wenjiang District People’s Hospital, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yujie Ouyang
- Acupuncture and Massage College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Oncology & Cancer Institute, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR 999078, China
| | - Lanlin Hu
- Department of Oncology & Cancer Institute, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Yu-Yue Pathology Scientific Research Center, Chongqing 400039, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
| | - Chuan Xu
- Department of Oncology & Cancer Institute, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
- Yu-Yue Pathology Scientific Research Center, Chongqing 400039, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
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7
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Guha A, Goswami KK, Sultana J, Ganguly N, Choudhury PR, Chakravarti M, Bhuniya A, Sarkar A, Bera S, Dhar S, Das J, Das T, Baral R, Bose A, Banerjee S. Cancer stem cell-immune cell crosstalk in breast tumor microenvironment: a determinant of therapeutic facet. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1245421. [PMID: 38090567 PMCID: PMC10711058 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1245421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is globally one of the leading killers among women. Within a breast tumor, a minor population of transformed cells accountable for drug resistance, survival, and metastasis is known as breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Several experimental lines of evidence have indicated that BCSCs influence the functionality of immune cells. They evade immune surveillance by altering the characteristics of immune cells and modulate the tumor landscape to an immune-suppressive type. They are proficient in switching from a quiescent phase (slowly cycling) to an actively proliferating phenotype with a high degree of plasticity. This review confers the relevance and impact of crosstalk between immune cells and BCSCs as a fate determinant for BC prognosis. It also focuses on current strategies for targeting these aberrant BCSCs that could open avenues for the treatment of breast carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Guha
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | | | - Jasmine Sultana
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Nilanjan Ganguly
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Pritha Roy Choudhury
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Mohona Chakravarti
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Avishek Bhuniya
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Anirban Sarkar
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Saurav Bera
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Sukanya Dhar
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Juhina Das
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Tapasi Das
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Rathindranath Baral
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Anamika Bose
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Biotechnology National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Sahibzada Ajit Singh (S.A.S.) Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Saptak Banerjee
- Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
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8
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Abd GM, Laird MC, Ku JC, Li Y. Hypoxia-induced cancer cell reprogramming: a review on how cancer stem cells arise. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1227884. [PMID: 37614497 PMCID: PMC10442830 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1227884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are a subset of cells within the tumor that possess the ability to self-renew as well as differentiate into different cancer cell lineages. The exact mechanisms by which cancer stem cells arise is still not completely understood. However, current research suggests that cancer stem cells may originate from normal stem cells that have undergone genetic mutations or epigenetic changes. A more recent discovery is the dedifferentiation of cancer cells to stem-like cells. These stem-like cells have been found to express and even upregulate induced pluripotent stem cell markers known as Yamanaka factors. Here we discuss developments in how cancer stem cells arise and consider how environmental factors, such as hypoxia, plays a key role in promoting the progression of cancer stem cells and metastasis. Understanding the mechanisms that give rise to these cells could have important implications for the development of new strategies in cancer treatments and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve M. Abd
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Biomedical. Engineering, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Madison C. Laird
- Medical Students, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Jennifer C. Ku
- Medical Students, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Biomedical. Engineering, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
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9
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Bobbitt JR, Seachrist DD, Keri RA. Chromatin Organization and Transcriptional Programming of Breast Cancer Cell Identity. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad100. [PMID: 37394919 PMCID: PMC10370366 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
The advent of sequencing technologies for assessing chromosome conformations has provided a wealth of information on the organization of the 3-dimensional genome and its role in cancer progression. It is now known that changes in chromatin folding and accessibility can promote aberrant activation or repression of transcriptional programs that can drive tumorigenesis and progression in diverse cancers. This includes breast cancer, which comprises several distinct subtypes defined by their unique transcriptomes that dictate treatment response and patient outcomes. Of these, basal-like breast cancer is an aggressive subtype controlled by a pluripotency-enforcing transcriptome. Meanwhile, the more differentiated luminal subtype of breast cancer is driven by an estrogen receptor-dominated transcriptome that underlies its responsiveness to antihormone therapies and conveys improved patient outcomes. Despite the clear differences in molecular signatures, the genesis of each subtype from normal mammary epithelial cells remains unclear. Recent technical advances have revealed key distinctions in chromatin folding and organization between subtypes that could underlie their transcriptomic and, hence, phenotypic differences. These studies also suggest that proteins controlling particular chromatin states may be useful targets for treating aggressive disease. In this review, we explore the current state of understanding of chromatin architecture in breast cancer subtypes and its potential role in defining their phenotypic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Bobbitt
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Darcie D Seachrist
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Ruth A Keri
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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10
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Vasefifar P, Najafi S, Motafakkerazad R, Amini M, Safaei S, Najafzadeh B, Alemohammad H, Jafarlou M, Baradaran B. Targeting Nanog expression increased Cisplatin chemosensitivity and inhibited cell migration in Gastric cancer cells. Exp Cell Res 2023:113681. [PMID: 37315760 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Regardless of significant advances in cancer treatment, gastric cancer (GC) incidence rate is increasing worldwide. As one of the main transcription factors participating in stemness, Nanog plays a pivotal role in various aspects of tumorigenesis, metastasis, and chemosensitivity. Given that, the current research intended to evaluate the potential effects of Nanog suppression on the GC cell cisplatin chemosensitivity and in vitro tumorigenesis. First, bioinformatics analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of Nanog expression on GC patients' survival. The MKN-45 human GC cells were transfected with specific siRNA targeting Nanog and/or treated with Cisplatin. Then, to study cellular viability and apoptosis, MTT assay and Annexin V/PI staining were done, respectively. Also, the scratch assay was performed to investigate cell migration, and MKN-45 cell stemness was followed using colony formation assay. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used for gene expression analysis. The findings demonstrated that siRNA-mediated Nanog silencing strongly increased MKN-45 cell sensitivity to Cisplatin through apoptosis induction. Also, Nanog suppression combined with Cisplatin resulted in the upregulation of the Caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio at mRNA levels and increased Caspase-3 activation. Moreover, reduced expression of Nanog, separately or combined with Cisplatin, inhibited MKN-45 cell migration by downregulating MMP2 mRNA and protein expression levels. The results also evidenced CD44 and SOX-2 downregulation aligned with a decreased rate of MKN-45 cell colony formation ability through treatments. Besides, Nanog downregulation significantly decreased MDR-1 mRNA expression. Taken together, the results of this study indicated that Nanog could be suggested as a promising target combined with Cisplatin-based GC therapies for reducing drug side effects and improving patients' outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Vasefifar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Souzan Najafi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Amini
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sahar Safaei
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Basira Najafzadeh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hajar Alemohammad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahdi Jafarlou
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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11
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Das U, Kundu J, Shaw P, Bose C, Ghosh A, Gupta S, Sarkar S, Bhadra J, Sinha S. Self-transfecting GMO-PMO chimera targeting Nanog enable gene silencing in vitro and suppresses tumor growth in 4T1 allografts in mouse. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:203-228. [PMID: 37078062 PMCID: PMC10106836 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotide (PMO)-based antisense reagents cannot enter cells without the help of a delivery technique, which limits their clinical applications. To overcome this problem, self-transfecting guanidinium-linked morpholino (GMO)-PMO or PMO-GMO chimeras have been explored as antisense agents. GMO facilitates cellular internalization and participates in Watson-Crick base pairing. Targeting NANOG in MCF7 cells resulted in decline of the whole epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness pathway, evident through its phenotypic manifestations, all of which were promulgated in combination with Taxol due to downregulation of MDR1 and ABCG2. GMO-PMO-mediated knockdown of no tail gene resulted in desired phenotypes in zebrafish even upon delivery after 16-cell stages. In BALB/c mice, 4T1 allografts were found to regress via intra-tumoral administration of NANOG GMO-PMO antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), which was associated with occurrence of necrotic regions. GMO-PMO-mediated tumor regression restored histopathological damage in liver, kidney, and spleen caused by 4T1 mammary carcinoma. Serum parameters of systemic toxicity indicated that GMO-PMO chimeras are safe. To the best of our knowledge, self-transfecting antisense reagent is the first report since the discovery of guanidinium-linked DNA (DNG), which could be useful as a combination cancer therapy and, in principle, can render inhibition of any target gene without using any delivery vehicle.
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12
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Chang G, Yuan X, Guo Q, Bai H, Cao X, Liu M, Wang Z, Li B, Wang S, Jiang Y, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Xu Q, Song Q, Pan R, Qiu L, Gu T, Wu X, Bi Y, Cao Z, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Li H, Liu J, Dai W, Chen G. The First Crested Duck Genome Reveals Clues to Genetic Compensation and Crest Cushion Formation. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:483-500. [PMID: 37652165 PMCID: PMC10787023 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The Chinese crested (CC) duck is a unique indigenous waterfowl breed, which has a crest cushion that affects its survival rate. Therefore, the CC duck is an ideal model to investigate the genetic compensation response to maintain genetic stability. In the present study, we first generated a chromosome-level genome of CC ducks. Comparative genomics revealed that genes related to tissue repair, immune function, and tumors were under strong positive selection, indicating that these adaptive changes might enhance cancer resistance and immune response to maintain the genetic stability of CC ducks. We also assembled a Chinese spot-billed (Csp-b) duck genome, and detected the structural variations (SVs) in the genome assemblies of three ducks (i.e., CC duck, Csp-b duck, and Peking duck). Functional analysis revealed that several SVs were related to the immune system of CC ducks, further strongly suggesting that genetic compensation in the anti-tumor and immune systems supports the survival of CC ducks. Moreover, we confirmed that the CC duck originated from the mallard ducks. Finally, we revealed the physiological and genetic basis of crest traits and identified a causative mutation in TAS2R40 that leads to crest formation. Overall, the findings of this study provide new insights into the role of genetic compensation in adaptive evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guobin Chang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Institutes of Agricultural Science and Technology Development, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Xiaoya Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Qixin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Hao Bai
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Institutes of Agricultural Science and Technology Development, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Xiaofang Cao
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Zhixiu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Bichun Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Shasha Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhiquan Wang
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Yang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Qi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Qianqian Song
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Rui Pan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Lingling Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Tiantian Gu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Xinsheng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yulin Bi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhengfeng Cao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Hong Li
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Wangcheng Dai
- Zhenjiang Tiancheng Agricultural Science and Technology Co., Ltd, Zhenjiang 210034, China
| | - Guohong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Institutes of Agricultural Science and Technology Development, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
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13
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Tian Y, Zhang P, Mou Y, Yang W, Zhang J, Li Q, Dou X. Silencing Notch4 promotes tumorigenesis and inhibits metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer via Nanog and Cdc42. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:148. [PMID: 37149651 PMCID: PMC10164131 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01450-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Elucidation of individual Notch protein biology in specific cancer is crucial to develop safe, effective, and tumor-selective Notch-targeting therapeutic reagents for clinical use [1]. Here, we explored the Notch4 function in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We found that silencing Notch4 enhanced tumorigenic ability in TNBC cells via upregulating Nanog expression, a pluripotency factor of embryonic stem cells. Intriguingly, silencing Notch4 in TNBC cells suppressed metastasis via downregulating Cdc42 expression, a key molecular for cell polarity formation. Notably, downregulation of Cdc42 expression affected Vimentin distribution, but not Vimentin expression to inhibit EMT shift. Collectively, our results show that silencing Notch4 enhances tumorigenesis and inhibits metastasis in TNBC, indicating that targeting Notch4 may not be a potential strategy for drug discovery in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tian
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 550004, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Clinical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 550004, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Peipei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 550004, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Clinical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 550004, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Yajun Mou
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 550004, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Clinical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 550004, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Wenxiu Yang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 550004, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Junhong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 550004, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 550004, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiaowei Dou
- Clinical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 550004, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
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Ali A, Shafarin J, Muhammad JS, Farhat NM, Hamad M, Soofi A, Hamad M. SCAMP3 promotes breast cancer progression through the c-MYC-β-Catenin-SQSTM1 growth and stemness axis. Cell Signal 2023; 104:110591. [PMID: 36627007 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The cellular trafficking protein secretory-carrier-membrane-protein 3 (SCAMP3) has been previously shown to promote hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, glioma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Moreover, previous work has shown that SCAMP3 regulates the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the oncogenic role of SCAMP3 in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer (BRCA) remains largely unknown. In this study, the role of SCAMP3 in different molecular subtypes of BRCA was investigated using in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches. In silico analysis of BRCA patient samples showed that SCAMP3 is highly overexpressed in different BRCA molecular subtypes, advanced disease grades and lymph node metastatic stages. Depletion of SCAMP3 inhibited BRCA cell growth, stemness, clonogenic potential and migration and promoted autophagy and cellular senescence. The expression of stemness markers CD44 and OCT4A was reduced in SCAMP3-silenced MDA-MB-231 cells. SCAMP3 overexpression promoted cell proliferation, clonogenicity, tumor spheroid formation and migration in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. SCAMP3 promoted epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) by regulating E-cadherin expression. SCAMP3 enhanced in vivo tumor growth in MDA-MB-231 tumor xenograft mouse model. Mechanistically, SCAMP3 depletion inhibited β-Catenin, c-MYC and SQSTM1 expression, while its overexpression increased the expression of the same oncogenic proteins. Increased SCAMP3 expression associated with increased chemoresistance in BRCA cells while its depletion associated with increased sensitivity to chemotherapy. BRCA patients with high SCAMP3 expression showed poor prognosis, decreased overall survival and relapse free survival relative to counterparts with reduced SCAMP3 expression. These findings suggest that SCAMP3 exerts a wide range of oncogenic effects in different molecular subtypes of BRCA by modulating the c-MYC-β-Catenin-SQSTM1 axis that targets tumor growth, metastasis, stemness and chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Ali
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jasmin Shafarin
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jibran Sualeh Muhammad
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nada Mazen Farhat
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammad Hamad
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdul Soofi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mawieh Hamad
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
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15
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Xu Y, Xu M, Li X, Weng X, Su Z, Zhang M, Tan J, Zeng H, Li X, Nie L, Gong J, Chen N, Chen X, Zhou Q. SOX9 and HMGB3 co-operatively transactivate NANOG and promote prostate cancer progression. Prostate 2023; 83:440-453. [PMID: 36541373 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The homeodomain-containing transcription factor NANOG is overexpressed in prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa) and predicts poor prognosis. The SOX family transcription factor SOX9, as well as the transcription co-activator HMGB3 of the HMGB family, are also overexpressed and may play pivotal roles in PCa. However, it is unknown whether SOX9 and HMGB3 interact with each other, or if they regulate NANOG gene transcription. METHODS We identified potential SOX9 responsive elements in NANOG promoter, and investigated if SOX9 regulated NANOG transcription in co-operation with HMGB3 by experimental analysis of potential SOX9 binding sites in NANOG promoter, reporter gene transcription assays with or without interference or artificial overexpression of SOX9 and/or HMGB3, and protein-binding assays of SOX9-HMGB3 interaction. Clinicopathologic and prognostic significance of SOX9-HMGB3 overexpression in PCa was analyzed. RESULTS SOX9 activated NANOG gene transcription by preferentially binding to a highly conserved consensus cis-regulatory element (-573 to -568) in NANOG promoter, and promoted the expression of NANOG downstream oncogenic genes. Importantly, HMGB3 functioned as a partner of SOX9 to co-operatively enhance transactivation of NANOG by interacting with SOX9, predominantly via the HMG Box A domain of HMGB3. Overexpression of SOX9 and/or HMGB3 enhanced PCa cell survival and cell migration and were significantly associated with PCa progression. Notably, Cox proportional regression analysis showed that co-overexpression of both SOX9 and HMGB3 was an independent unfavorable prognosticator for both CRPC-free survival (relative risk [RR] = 3.779,95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.159-12.322, p = 0.028) and overall survival (RR = 3.615,95% CI: 1.101-11.876, p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS These findings showed a novel SOX9/HMGB3/NANOG regulatory mechanism, deregulation of which played important roles in PCa progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyi Xu
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Miao Xu
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinglan Li
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Weng
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhengzheng Su
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mengni Zhang
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junya Tan
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hao Zeng
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Research Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Nie
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Gong
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ni Chen
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xueqin Chen
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiao Zhou
- Department of Pathology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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16
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Petri BJ, Klinge CM. m6A readers, writers, erasers, and the m6A epitranscriptome in breast cancer. J Mol Endocrinol 2023; 70:JME-22-0110. [PMID: 36367225 PMCID: PMC9790079 DOI: 10.1530/jme-22-0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Epitranscriptomic modification of RNA regulates human development, health, and disease. The true diversity of the transcriptome in breast cancer including chemical modification of transcribed RNA (epitranscriptomics) is not well understood due to limitations of technology and bioinformatic analysis. N-6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant epitranscriptomic modification of mRNA and regulates splicing, stability, translation, and intracellular localization of transcripts depending on m6A association with reader RNA-binding proteins. m6A methylation is catalyzed by the METTL3 complex and removed by specific m6A demethylase ALKBH5, with the role of FTO as an 'eraser' uncertain. In this review, we provide an overview of epitranscriptomics related to mRNA and focus on m6A in mRNA and its detection. We summarize current knowledge on altered levels of writers, readers, and erasers of m6A and their roles in breast cancer and their association with prognosis. We summarize studies identifying m6A peaks and sites in genes in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda J. Petri
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine; Louisville, KY 40292 USA
| | - Carolyn M. Klinge
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville School of Medicine; Louisville, KY 40292 USA
- University of Louisville Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences (CIEHS)
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17
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Pershina AG, Nevskaya KV, Morozov KR, Litviakov NV. Methods for assessing the effect of microRNA on stemness genes. BULLETIN OF SIBERIAN MEDICINE 2023. [DOI: 10.20538/1682-0363-2022-4-170-182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
According to the latest concepts, for micrometastasis to develop into macrometastasis, differentiated cancer cells must revert to a dedifferentiated state. Activation of stemness genes plays a key role in this transition. Suppression of stemness gene expression using microRNAs can become the basis for the development of effective anti-metastatic drugs. This article provides an overview of the existing methods for assessing the effect of microRNAs on stemness genes and cancer cell dedifferentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - N. V. Litviakov
- Siberian State Medical University;
Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center (NRMC), Russian Academy of Sciences
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18
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Saito M. Novel Roles of Nanog in Cancer Cells and Their Extracellular Vesicles. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233881. [PMID: 36497144 PMCID: PMC9736053 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of extracellular vesicle (EV)-based vaccines is a strategically promising way to prevent cancer metastasis. The effective roles of immune cell-derived EVs have been well understood in the literature. In the present paper, we focus on cancer cell-derived EVs to enforce, more thoroughly, the use of EV-based vaccines against unexpected malignant cells that might appear in poor prognostic patients. As a model of such a cancer cell with high malignancy, Nanog-overexpressing melanoma cell lines were developed. As expected, Nanog overexpression enhanced the metastatic potential of melanomas. Against our expectations, a fantastic finding was obtained that determined that EVs derived from Nanog-overexpressing melanomas exhibited a metastasis-suppressive effect. This is considered to be a novel role for Nanog in regulating the property of cancer cell-derived EVs. Stimulated by this result, the review of Nanog's roles in various cancer cells and their EVs has been updated once again. Although there was no other case presenting a similar contribution by Nanog, only one case suggested that NANOG and SOX might be better prognosis markers in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. This review clarifies the varieties of Nanog-dependent phenomena and the relevant signaling factors. The information summarized in this study is, thus, suggestive enough to generate novel ideas for the construction of an EV-based versatile vaccine platform against cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikako Saito
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
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19
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Wong GL, Manore SG, Doheny DL, Lo HW. STAT family of transcription factors in breast cancer: Pathogenesis and therapeutic opportunities and challenges. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:84-106. [PMID: 35995341 PMCID: PMC9714692 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) promote metastasis and therapeutic resistance contributing to tumor relapse. Through activating genes important for BCSCs, transcription factors contribute to breast cancer metastasis and therapeutic resistance, including the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family of transcription factors. The STAT family consists of six major isoforms, STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5, and STAT6. Canonical STAT signaling is activated by the binding of an extracellular ligand to a cell-surface receptor followed by STAT phosphorylation, leading to STAT nuclear translocation and transactivation of target genes. It is important to note that STAT transcription factors exhibit diverse effects in breast cancer; some are either pro- or anti-tumorigenic while others maintain dual, context-dependent roles. Among the STAT transcription factors, STAT3 is the most widely studied STAT protein in breast cancer for its critical roles in promoting BCSCs, breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune evasion. Consequently, there have been substantial efforts in developing cancer therapeutics to target breast cancer with dysregulated STAT3 signaling. In this comprehensive review, we will summarize the diverse roles that each STAT family member plays in breast cancer pathobiology, as well as, the opportunities and challenges in pharmacologically targeting STAT proteins and their upstream activators in the context of breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace L Wong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Sara G Manore
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Daniel L Doheny
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Hui-Wen Lo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Breast Cancer Center of Excellence, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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20
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Wang L, Jin Z, Master RP, Maharjan CK, Carelock ME, Reccoppa TBA, Kim MC, Kolb R, Zhang W. Breast Cancer Stem Cells: Signaling Pathways, Cellular Interactions, and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3287. [PMID: 35805056 PMCID: PMC9265870 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) constitute a small population of cells within breast cancer and are characterized by their ability to self-renew, differentiate, and recapitulate the heterogeneity of the tumor. Clinically, BCSCs have been correlated with cancer progression, metastasis, relapse, and drug resistance. The tumorigenic roles of BCSCs have been extensively reviewed and will not be the major focus of the current review. Here, we aim to highlight how the crucial intrinsic signaling pathways regulate the fate of BCSCs, including the Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, and NF-κB signaling pathways, as well as how different cell populations crosstalk with BCSCs within the TME, including adipocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells. Based on the molecular and cellular activities of BCSCs, we will also summarize the targeting strategies for BCSCs and related clinical trials. This review will highlight that BCSC development in breast cancer is impacted by both BCSC endogenous signaling and external factors in the TME, which provides an insight into how to establish a comprehensively therapeutic strategy to target BCSCs for breast cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (L.W.); (Z.J.); (R.P.M.); (C.K.M.); (M.E.C.); (T.B.A.R.); (M.-C.K.); (R.K.)
- Immunology Concentration, Biomedical Graduate Program, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Zeng Jin
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (L.W.); (Z.J.); (R.P.M.); (C.K.M.); (M.E.C.); (T.B.A.R.); (M.-C.K.); (R.K.)
- Cancer Biology Concentration, Biomedical Graduate Program, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Rohan P. Master
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (L.W.); (Z.J.); (R.P.M.); (C.K.M.); (M.E.C.); (T.B.A.R.); (M.-C.K.); (R.K.)
| | - Chandra K. Maharjan
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (L.W.); (Z.J.); (R.P.M.); (C.K.M.); (M.E.C.); (T.B.A.R.); (M.-C.K.); (R.K.)
| | - Madison E. Carelock
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (L.W.); (Z.J.); (R.P.M.); (C.K.M.); (M.E.C.); (T.B.A.R.); (M.-C.K.); (R.K.)
- Cancer Biology Concentration, Biomedical Graduate Program, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Tiffany B. A. Reccoppa
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (L.W.); (Z.J.); (R.P.M.); (C.K.M.); (M.E.C.); (T.B.A.R.); (M.-C.K.); (R.K.)
- Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Myung-Chul Kim
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (L.W.); (Z.J.); (R.P.M.); (C.K.M.); (M.E.C.); (T.B.A.R.); (M.-C.K.); (R.K.)
| | - Ryan Kolb
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (L.W.); (Z.J.); (R.P.M.); (C.K.M.); (M.E.C.); (T.B.A.R.); (M.-C.K.); (R.K.)
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Weizhou Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (L.W.); (Z.J.); (R.P.M.); (C.K.M.); (M.E.C.); (T.B.A.R.); (M.-C.K.); (R.K.)
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Vasefifar P, Motafakkerazad R, Maleki LA, Najafi S, Ghrobaninezhad F, Najafzadeh B, Alemohammad H, Amini M, Baghbanzadeh A, Baradaran B. Nanog, as a key cancer stem cell marker in tumor progression. Gene X 2022; 827:146448. [PMID: 35337852 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small population of malignant cells that induce tumor onset and development. CSCs share similar features with normal stem cells in the case of self-renewal and differentiation. They also contribute to chemoresistance and metastasis of cancer cells, leading to therapeutic failure. To identify CSCs, multiple cell surface markers have been characterized, including Nanog, which is found at high levels in different cancers. Recent studies have revealed that Nanog upregulation has a substantial association with the advanced stages and poor prognosis of malignancies, playing a pivotal role through tumorigenesis of multiple human cancers, including leukemia, liver, colorectal, prostate, ovarian, lung, head and neck, brain, pancreatic, gastric and breast cancers. Nanog through different signaling pathways, like JAK/STAT and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, induces stemness, self-renewal, metastasis, invasiveness, and chemoresistance of cancer cells. Some of these signaling pathways are common in various types of cancers, but some have been found in one or two cancers. Therefore, this review aimed to focus on the function of Nanog in multiple cancers based on recent studies surveying the suitable approaches to target Nanog and inhibit CSCs residing in tumors to gain favorable results from cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Vasefifar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | | | - Souzan Najafi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Basira Najafzadeh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hajar Alemohammad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amini
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Baghbanzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Pharmaceutical Analysis Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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22
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Jayathirtha M, Neagu AN, Whitham D, Alwine S, Darie CC. Investigation of the effects of overexpression of jumping translocation breakpoint (JTB) protein in MCF7 cells for potential use as a biomarker in breast cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:1784-1823. [PMID: 35530281 PMCID: PMC9077082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Jumping translocation breakpoint (JTB) gene acts as a tumor suppressor or an oncogene in different malignancies, including breast cancer (BC), where it was reported as overexpressed. However, the molecular functions, biological processes and underlying mechanisms through which JTB protein causes increased cell growth, proliferation and invasion is still not fully deciphered. Our goal is to identify the functions of JTB protein by cellular proteomics approaches. MCF7 breast cancer cells were transfected with sense orientation of hJTB cDNA in HA, His and FLAG tagged CMV expression vector to overexpress hJTB and the expression levels were confirmed by Western blotting (WB). Proteins extracted from transfected cells were separated by SDS-PAGE and the in-gel digested peptides were analyzed by nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS/MS). By comparing the proteome of cells with upregulated conditions of JTB vs control and identifying the protein dysregulation patterns, we aim to understand the function of this protein and its contribution to tumorigenesis. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) algorithm was performed to investigate the biological processes and pathways that are associated with the JTB protein upregulation. The results demonstrated four significantly enriched gene sets from the following significantly upregulated pathways: mitotic spindle assembly, estrogen response late, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and estrogen response early. JTB protein itself is involved in mitotic spindle pathway by its role in cell division/cytokinesis, and within estrogen response early and late pathways, contributing to discrimination between luminal and mesenchymal breast cancer. Thus, the overexpressed JTB condition was significantly associated with an increased expression of ACTNs, FLNA, FLNB, EZR, MYOF, COL3A1, COL11A1, HSPA1A, HSP90A, WDR, EPPK1, FASN and FOXA1 proteins related to deregulation of cytoskeletal organization and biogenesis, mitotic spindle organization, ECM remodeling, cellular response to estrogen, proliferation, migration, metastasis, increased lipid biogenesis, endocrine therapy resistance, antiapoptosis and discrimination between different breast cancer subtypes. Other upregulated proteins for overexpressed JTB condition are involved in multiple cellular functions and pathways that become dysregulated, such as tumor microenvironment (TME) acidification, the transmembrane transport pathways, glycolytic flux, iron metabolism and oxidative stress, metabolic reprogramming, nucleocytosolic mRNA transport, transcriptional activation, chromatin remodeling, modulation of cell death pathways, stress responsive pathways, and cancer drug resistance. The downregulated proteins for overexpressed JTB condition are involved in adaptive communication between external and internal environment of cells and maintenance between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic signaling pathways, vesicle trafficking and secretion, DNA lesions repair and suppression of genes involved in tumor progression, proteostasis, redox state regulation, biosynthesis of macromolecules, lipolytic pathway, carbohydrate metabolism, dysregulation of ubiquitin-mediated degradation system, cancer cell immune escape, cell-to-cell and cell-to-ECM interactions, and cytoskeletal behaviour. There were no significantly enriched downregulated pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuri Jayathirtha
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Anca-Narcisa Neagu
- Laboratory of Animal Histology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of IasiCarol I Bvd. No. 22, Iasi 700505, Romania
| | - Danielle Whitham
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Shelby Alwine
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Costel C Darie
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
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23
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Olechnowicz A, Oleksiewicz U, Machnik M. KRAB-ZFPs and cancer stem cells identity. Genes Dis 2022. [PMID: 37492743 PMCID: PMC10363567 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on carcinogenesis continue to provide new information about different disease-related processes. Among others, much research has focused on the involvement of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor initiation and progression. Studying the similarities and differences between CSCs and physiological stem cells (SCs) allows for a better understanding of cancer biology. Recently, it was shown that stem cell identity is partially governed by the Krϋppel-associated box domain zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs), the biggest family of transcription regulators. Several KRAB-ZFP factors exert a known effect in tumor cells, acting as tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) or oncogenes, yet their role in CSCs is still poorly characterized. Here, we review recent studies regarding the influence of KRAB-ZFPs and their cofactor protein TRIM28 on CSCs phenotype, stemness features, migration and invasion potential, metastasis, and expression of parental markers.
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24
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Critical Considerations in Bioluminescence Imaging of Transplanted Islets: Dynamic Signal Change in Early Posttransplant Phase and Signal Absorption by Tissues. Pancreas 2022; 51:234-242. [PMID: 35584380 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000002004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In pancreatic islet transplantation studies, bioluminescence imaging enables quantitative and noninvasive tracking of graft survival. Amid the recent heightened interest in extrahepatic sites for islet and stem cell-derived beta-like cell transplantations, proper understanding the nature of bioluminescence imaging in these sites is important. METHODS Islets isolated from Firefly rats ubiquitously expressing luciferase reporter gene in Lewis rats were transplanted into subcutaneous or kidney capsule sites of wild-type Lewis rats or immunodeficient mice. Posttransplant changes of bioluminescence signal curves and absorption of bioluminescence signal in transplantation sites were examined. RESULTS The bioluminescence signal curve dynamically changed in the early posttransplantation phase; the signal was low within the first 5 days after transplantation. A substantial amount of bioluminescence signal was absorbed by tissues surrounding islet grafts, correlating to the depth of the transplanted site from the skin surface. Grafts in kidney capsules were harder to image than those in the subcutaneous site. Within the kidney capsule, locations that minimized depth from the skin surface improved the graft detectability. CONCLUSIONS Posttransplant phase and graft location/depth critically impact the bioluminescence images captured in islet transplantation studies. Understanding these parameters is critical for reducing experimental biases and proper interpretation of data.
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Xin Y, Wang J, Wu Y, Li Q, Dong M, Liu C, He Q, Wang R, Wang D, Jiang S, Xiao W, Tian Y, Zhang W. Identification of Nanog as a novel inhibitor of Rad51. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:193. [PMID: 35220392 PMCID: PMC8882189 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04644-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
AbstractTo develop inhibitors targeting DNA damage repair pathways is important to improve the effectiveness of chemo- and radiotherapy for cancer patients. Rad51 mediates homologous recombination (HR) repair of DNA damages. It is widely overexpressed in human cancers and overwhelms chemo- and radiotherapy-generated DNA damages through enhancing HR repair signaling, preventing damage-caused cancer cell death. Therefore, to identify inhibitors of Rad51 is important to achieve effective treatment of cancers. Transcription factor Nanog is a core regulator of embryonic stem (ES) cells for its indispensable role in stemness maintenance. In this study, we identified Nanog as a novel inhibitor of Rad51. It interacts with Rad51 and inhibits Rad51-mediated HR repair of DNA damage through its C/CD2 domain. Moreover, Rad51 inhibition can be achieved by nanoscale material- or cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-mediated direct delivery of Nanog-C/CD2 peptides into somatic cancer cells. Furthermore, we revealed that Nanog suppresses the binding of Rad51 to single-stranded DNAs to stall the HR repair signaling. This study provides explanation for the high γH2AX level in unperturbed ES cells and early embryos, and suggests Nanog-C/CD2 as a promising drug candidate applied to Rad51-related basic research and therapeutic application studies.
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26
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Szymonik J, Wala K, Górnicki T, Saczko J, Pencakowski B, Kulbacka J. The Impact of Iron Chelators on the Biology of Cancer Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010089. [PMID: 35008527 PMCID: PMC8745085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neoplastic diseases are still a major medical challenge, requiring a constant search for new therapeutic options. A serious problem of many cancers is resistance to anticancer drugs and disease progression in metastases or local recurrence. These characteristics of cancer cells may be related to the specific properties of cancer stem cells (CSC). CSCs are involved in inhibiting cells’ maturation, which is essential for maintaining their self-renewal capacity and pluripotency. They show increased expression of transcription factor proteins, which were defined as stemness-related markers. This group of proteins includes OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, Nanog, and SALL4. It has been noticed that the metabolism of cancer cells is changed, and the demand for iron is significantly increased. Iron chelators have been proven to have antitumor activity and influence the expression of stemness-related markers, thus reducing chemoresistance and the risk of tumor cell progression. This prompts further investigation of these agents as promising anticancer novel drugs. The article presents the characteristics of stemness markers and their influence on the development and course of neoplastic disease. Available iron chelators were also described, and their effects on cancer cells and expression of stemness-related markers were analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Szymonik
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.S.); (K.W.); (T.G.)
| | - Kamila Wala
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.S.); (K.W.); (T.G.)
| | - Tomasz Górnicki
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (J.S.); (K.W.); (T.G.)
| | - Jolanta Saczko
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Bartosz Pencakowski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-71-784-06-88
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Pluripotency Stemness and Cancer: More Questions than Answers. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1376:77-100. [PMID: 34725790 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2021_663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells provided us with fascinating new knowledge in recent years. Mechanistic insight into intricate regulatory circuitry governing pluripotency stemness and disclosing parallels between pluripotency stemness and cancer instigated numerous studies focusing on roles of pluripotency transcription factors, including Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, Nanog, Sall4 and Tfcp2L1, in cancer. Although generally well substantiated as tumour-promoting factors, oncogenic roles of pluripotency transcription factors and their clinical impacts are revealing themselves as increasingly complex. In certain tumours, both Oct4 and Sox2 behave as genuine oncogenes, and reporter genes driven by composite regulatory elements jointly recognized by both the factors can identify stem-like cells in a proportion of tumours. On the other hand, cancer stem cells seem to be biologically very heterogeneous both among different tumour types and among and even within individual tumours. Pluripotency transcription factors are certainly implicated in cancer stemness, but do not seem to encompass its entire spectrum. Certain cancer stem cells maintain their stemness by biological mechanisms completely different from pluripotency stemness, sometimes even by engaging signalling pathways that promote differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. Moreover, while these signalling pathways may well be antithetical to stemness in pluripotent stem cells, they may cooperate with pluripotency factors in cancer stem cells - a paradigmatic example is provided by the MAPK-AP-1 pathway. Unexpectedly, forced expression of pluripotency transcription factors in cancer cells frequently results in loss of their tumour-initiating ability, their phenotypic reversion and partial epigenetic normalization. Besides the very different signalling contexts operating in pluripotent and cancer stem cells, respectively, the pronounced dose dependency of reprogramming pluripotency factors may also contribute to the frequent loss of tumorigenicity observed in induced pluripotent cancer cells. Finally, contradictory cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous effects of various signalling molecules operate during pluripotency (cancer) reprogramming. The effects of pluripotency transcription factors in cancer are thus best explained within the concept of cancer stem cell heterogeneity.
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28
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Gadd45g initiates embryonic stem cell differentiation and inhibits breast cell carcinogenesis. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:271. [PMID: 34601500 PMCID: PMC8487429 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00667-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Many self-renewal-promoting factors of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have been implicated in carcinogenesis, while little known about the genes that direct ESCs exit from pluripotency and regulate tumor development. Here, we show that the transcripts of Gadd45 family genes, including Gadd45a, Gadd45b, and Gadd45g, are gradually increased upon mouse ESC differentiation. Upregulation of Gadd45 members decreases cell proliferation and induces endodermal and trophectodermal lineages. In contrast, knockdown of Gadd45 genes can delay mouse ESC differentiation. Mechanistic studies reveal that Gadd45g activates MAPK signaling by increasing expression levels of the positive modulators of this pathway, such as Csf1r, Igf2, and Fgfr3. Therefore, inhibition of MAPK signaling with a MEK specific inhibitor is capable of eliminating the differentiation phenotype caused by Gadd45g upregulation. Meanwhile, GADD45G functions as a suppressor in human breast cancers. Enforced expression of GADD45G significantly inhibits tumor formation and breast cancer metastasis in mice through limitation of the propagation and invasion of breast cancer cells. These results not only expand our understanding of the regulatory network of ESCs, but also help people better treatment of cancers by manipulating the prodifferentiation candidates.
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29
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Sánchez-Sánchez AV, García-España A, Sánchez-Gómez P, Font-de-Mora J, Merino M, Mullor JL. The Embryonic Key Pluripotent Factor NANOG Mediates Glioblastoma Cell Migration via the SDF1/CXCR4 Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910620. [PMID: 34638956 PMCID: PMC8508935 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
NANOG is a key transcription factor required for maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. Elevated NANOG expression levels have been reported in many types of human cancers, including lung, oral, prostate, stomach, breast, and brain. Several studies reported the correlation between NANOG expression and tumor metastasis, revealing itself as a powerful biomarker of poor prognosis. However, how NANOG regulates tumor progression is still not known. We previously showed in medaka fish that Nanog regulates primordial germ cell migration through Cxcr4b, a chemokine receptor known for its ability to promote migration and metastasis in human cancers. Therefore, we investigated the role of human NANOG in CXCR4-mediated cancer cell migration. Of note, we found that NANOG regulatory elements in the CXCR4 promoter are functionally conserved in medaka fish and humans, suggesting an evolutionary conserved regulatory axis. Moreover, CXCR4 expression requires NANOG in human glioblastoma cells. In addition, transwell assays demonstrated that NANOG regulates cancer cell migration through the SDF1/CXCR4 pathway. Altogether, our results uncover NANOG-CXCR4 as a novel pathway controlling cellular migration and support Nanog as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of Nanog-dependent tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Virginia Sánchez-Sánchez
- Bionos Biotech, SL, Biopolo Hospital La Fe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (A.V.S.-S.); (M.M.)
| | - Antonio García-España
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43005 Tarragona, Spain;
| | - Pilar Sánchez-Gómez
- Neurooncology Unit, Instituto de Salud Carlos III-UFIEC, Crtra/Majadahonda-Pozuelo, Km 2, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Jaime Font-de-Mora
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Marián Merino
- Bionos Biotech, SL, Biopolo Hospital La Fe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (A.V.S.-S.); (M.M.)
| | - José Luis Mullor
- Bionos Biotech, SL, Biopolo Hospital La Fe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (A.V.S.-S.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-961243219
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30
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Serej ZA, Ebrahimi A, Kazemi T, Najafi S, Amini M, Nastarin P, Baghbani E, Baradaran B. NANOG gene suppression and replacement of let-7 modulate the stemness, invasion, and apoptosis in breast cancer. Gene 2021; 801:145844. [PMID: 34274471 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the treatment of breast cancer (BC), as an important type of cancer in women, the specific cells, called cancer stem cells (CSCs), are the reason of failure and metastasis. So, targeting CSCs can be used as a novel strategy in cancer therapy in addition to common therapeutic strategies. According to the importance of CSCs, we tried to find a correlation between stemness and metastatic characteristics of BC cells, to address whether CSCs are a potential target for cancer therapy. Here, we evaluated the NANOG inhibition by siRNA and the increase of Let-7a levels by miRNA mimic in breast cancer cells and the effects of these changes on biologic aspects like cell apoptosis, stemness and invasion. Our results showed that the inhibition of NANOG combined with Let-7a restoration contributed to significant decrease in malignant phenotypes and stemness feature of BC cells. In conclusion, these findings showed that the combination of Let-7a miRNA mimic and Nanog siRNA could be exploited as a new treatment strategy to improve the cancer therapy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynab Aliyari Serej
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ayyub Ebrahimi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Halic University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tohid Kazemi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Souzan Najafi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amini
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Parastou Nastarin
- Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elham Baghbani
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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31
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Hagiwara M, Fushimi A, Yamashita N, Bhattacharya A, Rajabi H, Long MD, Yasumizu Y, Oya M, Liu S, Kufe D. MUC1-C activates the PBAF chromatin remodeling complex in integrating redox balance with progression of human prostate cancer stem cells. Oncogene 2021; 40:4930-4940. [PMID: 34163028 PMCID: PMC8321896 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01899-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The polybromo-associated PBAF (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex, which includes PBRM1, ARID2, and BRD7, regulates cell differentiation and genomic integrity. MUC1-C is an oncogenic protein that drives lineage plasticity in prostate cancer (PC) progression. The present work demonstrates that MUC1-C induces PBRM1, ARID2, and BRD7 expression by the previously unrecognized E2F1-mediated activation of their respective promoters. The functional significance of the MUC1-C→PBAF pathway is supported by demonstrating involvement of MUC1-C in associating with nuclear PBAF and driving the NRF2 antioxidant gene transcriptome in PC cells. Mechanistically, MUC1-C forms a complex with NRF2 and PBRM1 on the NRF2 target SLC7A11 gene that encodes the xCT cystine-glutamate antiporter, increases chromatin accessibility and induces SLC7A11/xCT expression. We also show that MUC1-C and PBRM1 are necessary for induction of other NRF2 target genes, including G6PD and PGD that regulate the pentose phosphate pathway. Our results further demonstrate that MUC1-C integrates activation of PBRM1 with the regulation of antioxidant genes, ROS levels, pluripotency factor expression and the cancer stem cell (CSC) state. These findings reveal a role for MUC1-C in regulating PBAF, redox balance and lineage plasticity of PC CSC progression. Our findings also uncover involvement of MUC1-C in integrating the PBAF and BAF pathways in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Hagiwara
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Atsushi Fushimi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nami Yamashita
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Hasan Rajabi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark D Long
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Yota Yasumizu
- Department of Urology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mototsugu Oya
- Department of Urology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Donald Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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32
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Vimentin Promotes the Aggressiveness of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells Surviving Chemotherapeutic Treatment. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061504. [PMID: 34203746 PMCID: PMC8232646 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tremendous data have been accumulated in the effort to understand chemoresistance of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, modifications in cancer cells surviving combined and sequential treatment still remain poorly described. In order to mimic clinical neoadjuvant treatment, we first treated MDA-MB-231 and SUM159-PT TNBC cell lines with epirubicin and cyclophosphamide for 2 days, and then with paclitaxel for another 2 days. After 4 days of recovery, persistent cells surviving the treatment were characterized at both cellular and molecular level. Persistent cells exhibited increased growth and were more invasive in vitro and in zebrafish model. Persistent cells were enriched for vimentinhigh sub-population, vimentin knockdown using siRNA approach decreased the invasive and sphere forming capacities as well as Akt phosphorylation in persistent cells, indicating that vimentin is involved in chemotherapeutic treatment-induced enhancement of TNBC aggressiveness. Interestingly, ectopic vimentin overexpression in native cells increased cell invasion and sphere formation as well as Akt phosphorylation. Furthermore, vimentin overexpression alone rendered the native cells resistant to the drugs, while vimentin knockdown rendered them more sensitive to the drugs. Together, our data suggest that vimentin could be considered as a new targetable player in the ever-elusive status of drug resistance and recurrence of TNBC.
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33
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Feng Y, Liu X, Pauklin S. 3D chromatin architecture and epigenetic regulation in cancer stem cells. Protein Cell 2021; 12:440-454. [PMID: 33453053 PMCID: PMC8160035 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-020-00819-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dedifferentiation of cell identity to a progenitor-like or stem cell-like state with increased cellular plasticity is frequently observed in cancer formation. During this process, a subpopulation of cells in tumours acquires a stem cell-like state partially resembling to naturally occurring pluripotent stem cells that are temporarily present during early embryogenesis. Such characteristics allow these cancer stem cells (CSCs) to give rise to the whole tumour with its entire cellular heterogeneity and thereby support metastases formation while being resistant to current cancer therapeutics. Cancer development and progression are demarcated by transcriptional dysregulation. In this article, we explore the epigenetic mechanisms shaping gene expression during tumorigenesis and cancer stem cell formation, with an emphasis on 3D chromatin architecture. Comparing the pluripotent stem cell state and epigenetic reprogramming to dedifferentiation in cellular transformation provides intriguing insight to chromatin dynamics. We suggest that the 3D chromatin architecture could be used as a target for re-sensitizing cancer stem cells to therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliang Feng
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences Old Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Xingguo Liu
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Hefei Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Siim Pauklin
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences Old Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.
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Polyploid giant cancer cells, stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity elicited by human cytomegalovirus. Oncogene 2021; 40:3030-3046. [PMID: 33767437 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01715-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence is recognizing human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as a potential oncogenic virus. We hereby provide the first experimental in vitro evidence for HCMV as a reprogramming vector, through the induction of dedifferentiation of mature human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs), generation of a polyploid giant cancer cell (PGCC) phenotype characterized by sustained growth of blastomere-like cells, in concordance with the acquisition of embryonic stem cells characteristics and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity. HCMV presence parallels the succession of the observed cellular and molecular events potentially ensuing the transformation process. Correlation between PGCCs detection and HCMV presence in breast cancer tissue further validates our hypothesis in vivo. Our study indicates that some clinical HCMV strains conserve the potential to transform HMECs and fit with a "blastomere-like" model of oncogenesis, which may be relevant in the pathophysiology of breast cancer and other adenocarcinoma, especially of poor prognosis.
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35
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Effect of Nanog overexpression on the metastatic potential of a mouse melanoma cell line B16-BL6. Mol Cell Biochem 2021; 476:2651-2661. [PMID: 33665763 PMCID: PMC8192392 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-021-04110-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Nanog, a marker and regulator of the undifferentiated state in embryonic stem cells were anticipated to be an effective enhancer of cancer metastasis. We have developed a Nanog overexpressing mouse melanoma cell line B16-BL6 (BL6). BL6 was well recognized as a cell line with a high metastatic potential. In vitro tests revealed the enhancement of cell proliferation, wound healing activity, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) activity. Nanog-induced up- or down-regulated genes were comprehensively analyzed by transcriptome sequencing using Nanog+BL6 and wild-type BL6. Principally, up-regulated genes were involved in vesicle-aided glucose transport and oxidative phosphorylation, while down-regulated genes were associated with immunosuppression and apoptosis. A marked finding was that TGF-β1 was down-regulated, because TGF-β1 has been well discussed about its suppressive/progressive dual role in cancer. In vivo test showed that the number and volume of metastatic colonies of BL6 to lung were as high as 115 colonies/lung and 5.6 mm3/lung. Under this condition, Nanog overexpression caused a progressive effect (150 colonies/lung, p = 0.25; 9.2 mm3/lung, p = 0.13) rather than a suppressive effect on the metastasis. In this study, the effectiveness of Nanog overexpression in enhancing the metastatic potential of melanoma cell lines has been demonstrated for the first time.
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36
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Skachkova OV, Gorbach OI, Inomistova MV, Garmanchuk LV, Khranovska NM. Comparative characteristic of lung cancer stem-like cells generated in vitro under different culture conditions. UKRAINIAN BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.15407/ubj93.01.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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37
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Lu H, Xie Y, Tran L, Lan J, Yang Y, Murugan NL, Wang R, Wang YJ, Semenza GL. Chemotherapy-induced S100A10 recruits KDM6A to facilitate OCT4-mediated breast cancer stemness. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:4607-4623. [PMID: 32427586 DOI: 10.1172/jci138577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) play a critical role in cancer recurrence and metastasis. Chemotherapy induces BCSC specification through increased expression of pluripotency factors, but how their expression is regulated is not fully understood. Here, we delineate a pathway controlled by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) that epigenetically activates pluripotency factor gene transcription in response to chemotherapy. Paclitaxel induces HIF-1-dependent expression of S100A10, which forms a complex with ANXA2 that interacts with histone chaperone SPT6 and histone demethylase KDM6A. S100A10, ANXA2, SPT6, and KDM6A are recruited to OCT4 binding sites and KDM6A erases H3K27me3 chromatin marks, facilitating transcription of genes encoding the pluripotency factors NANOG, SOX2, and KLF4, which along with OCT4 are responsible for BCSC specification. Silencing of S100A10, ANXA2, SPT6, or KDM6A expression blocks chemotherapy-induced enrichment of BCSCs, impairs tumor initiation, and increases time to tumor recurrence after chemotherapy is discontinued. Pharmacological inhibition of KDM6A also impairs chemotherapy-induced BCSC enrichment. These results suggest that targeting HIF-1/S100A10-dependent and KDM6A-mediated epigenetic activation of pluripotency factor gene expression in combination with chemotherapy may block BCSC enrichment and improve clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiquan Lu
- Vascular Program, Institute for Cell Engineering.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | | | - Linh Tran
- Vascular Program, Institute for Cell Engineering
| | - Jie Lan
- Vascular Program, Institute for Cell Engineering
| | - Yongkang Yang
- Vascular Program, Institute for Cell Engineering.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | | | - Ru Wang
- Vascular Program, Institute for Cell Engineering
| | | | - Gregg L Semenza
- Vascular Program, Institute for Cell Engineering.,Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Genetic Medicine.,Department of Pediatrics.,Department of Medicine.,Department of Oncology.,Department of Radiation Oncology, and.,Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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38
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Yoon C, Lu J, Yi BC, Chang KK, Simon MC, Ryeom S, Yoon SS. PI3K/Akt pathway and Nanog maintain cancer stem cells in sarcomas. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:12. [PMID: 33468992 PMCID: PMC7815726 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00300-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The self-renewal transcription factor Nanog and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway are known to be essential for maintenance of mesenchymal stem cells. We evaluated their contribution to the maintenance of CD133(+) cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) and spheroid-forming cells in patient-derived cell lines from three human sarcoma subtypes: HT1080 fibrosarcoma, SK-LMS-1 leiomyosarcoma, and DDLS8817 dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Levels of Nanog and activated Akt were significantly higher in sarcoma cells grown as spheroids or sorted for CD133 expression to enrich for CSCs. shRNA knockdown of Nanog decreased spheroid formation 10- to 14-fold, and reversed resistance to both doxorubicin and radiation in vitro and in H1080 flank xenografts. In the HT1080 xenograft model, doxorubicin and Nanog knockdown reduced tumor growth by 34% and 45%, respectively, and the combination reduced tumor growth by 74%. Using a human phospho-kinase antibody array, Akt1/2 signaling, known to regulate Nanog, was found to be highly activated in sarcoma spheroid cells compared with monolayer cells. Pharmacologic inhibition of Akt using LY294002 and Akt1/2 knockdown using shRNA in sarcoma CSCs decreased Nanog expression and spheroid formation and reversed chemotherapy resistance. Akt1/2 inhibition combined with doxorubicin treatment of HT1080 flank xenografts reduced tumor growth by 73%. Finally, in a human sarcoma tumor microarray, expression of CD133, Nanog, and phospho-Akt were 1.8- to 6.8-fold higher in tumor tissue compared with normal tissue. Together, these results indicate that the Akt1/2-Nanog pathway is critical for maintenance of sarcoma CSCs and spheroid-forming cells, supporting further exploration of this pathway as a therapeutic target in sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changhwan Yoon
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jun Lu
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian, China
| | - Brendan C Yi
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin K Chang
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - M Celeste Simon
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sandra Ryeom
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sam S Yoon
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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Shan NL, Shin Y, Yang G, Furmanski P, Suh N. Breast cancer stem cells: A review of their characteristics and the agents that affect them. Mol Carcinog 2021; 60:73-100. [PMID: 33428807 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The evolving concept that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the driving element in cancer development, evolution and heterogeneity, has overridden the previous model of a tumor consisting of cells all with similar sequentially acquired mutations and a similar potential for renewal, invasion and metastasis. This paradigm shift has focused attention on therapeutically targeting CSCs directly as a means of eradicating the disease. In breast cancers, CSCs can be identified by cell surface markers and are characterized by their ability to self-renew and differentiate, resist chemotherapy and radiation, and initiate new tumors upon serial transplantation in xenografted mice. These functional properties of CSCs are regulated by both intracellular and extracellular factors including pluripotency-related transcription factors, intracellular signaling pathways and external stimuli. Several classes of natural products and synthesized compounds have been studied to target these regulatory elements and force CSCs to lose stemness and/or terminally differentiate and thereby achieve a therapeutic effect. However, realization of an effective treatment for breast cancers, focused on the biological effects of these agents on breast CSCs, their functions and signaling, has not yet been achieved. In this review, we delineate the intrinsic and extrinsic factors identified to date that control or promote stemness in breast CSCs and provide a comprehensive compilation of potential agents that have been studied to target breast CSCs, transcription factors and stemness-related signaling. Our aim is to stimulate further study of these agents that could become the basis for their use as stand-alone treatments or components of combination therapies effective against breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naing L Shan
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Yoosub Shin
- Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ge Yang
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Philip Furmanski
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Nanjoo Suh
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.,Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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40
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Zhang X, Li Z, Liu Y, Gai Z. Great Expectations: Induced pluripotent stem cell technologies in neurodevelopmental impairments. Int J Med Sci 2021; 18:459-473. [PMID: 33390815 PMCID: PMC7757149 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.51842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic cells such as skin fibroblasts, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood, urinary epithelial cells, etc., are transformed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by reprogramming technology, a milestone in the stem-cell research field. IPSCs are similar to embryonic stem cells (ESCs), exhibiting the potential to differentiate into various somatic cells. Still, the former avoid problems of immune rejection and medical ethics in the study of ESCs and clinical trials. Neurodevelopmental disorders are chronic developmental brain dysfunctions that affect cognition, exercise, social adaptability, behavior, etc. Due to various inherited or acquired causes, they seriously affect the physical and psychological health of infants and children. These include generalized stunting / mental disability (GDD/ID), Epilepsy, autism spectrum disease (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Most neurodevelopmental disorders are challenging to cure. Establishing a neurodevelopmental disorder system model is essential for researching and treating neurodevelopmental disorders. At this stage, the scarcity of samples is a bigger problem for studying neurological diseases based on the donor, ethics, etc. Some iPSCs are reprogrammed from somatic cells that carry disease-causing mutations. They differentiate into nerve cells by induction, which has the original characteristics of diseases. Disease-specific iPSCs are used to study the mechanism and pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders. The process provided samples and the impetus for developing drugs and developing treatment plans for neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, this article mainly introduced the development of iPSCs, the currently established iPSCs disease models, and artificial organoids related to neurodevelopmental impairments. This technology will promote our understanding of neurodevelopmental impairments and bring great expectations to children with neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhang
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Jinan Pediatric Research Institute, Jinan Children's Hospital, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Medical Center, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan 250033, China
| | - Zilong Li
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Jinan Pediatric Research Institute, Jinan Children's Hospital, Ji'nan 250022, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Jinan Pediatric Research Institute, Jinan Children's Hospital, Ji'nan 250022, China
| | - Zhongtao Gai
- Pediatric Research Institute, Qilu Children's Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji'nan 250022, China.,Jinan Pediatric Research Institute, Jinan Children's Hospital, Ji'nan 250022, China
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41
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Sui Y, Zhang W, Zhu R, Gao L, Cao T, Chen C, Gong M, Zhu H, Tang T, Yu B, Yang T. Roles of NANOGP8 in cancer metastasis and cancer stem cell invasion during development of castration-resistant prostate cancer. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:45. [PMID: 33553338 PMCID: PMC7859782 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-1638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common types of cancer and the emerging resistance to androgen deprivation therapy in PCa aggravates disease progression. In this study, we examined the potential pro-tumorigenic functions of NANOGP8 in prostate cancer development. Methods Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed higher NANOGP8 expression in androgen independent tumors, as well as a recurrent prostate tumor in patient samples. We then established a novel two-way inducible NANOGP8-short hairpin RNA experimental system, in which the NANOGP8 expression was transiently induced by adding doxycycline in the diet of NOD/SCID mice. Results The knockdown of NANOGP8 inhibited implanted tumor growth and the progression of castration-resistant PCa. NANOGP8-deficient PCa cells lost their cancer stem cell and gene expression programs. To further investigate the functions of NANOGP8 in PCa stem cells, real-time cell tracking was used to monitor the cell division modes and differentiation patterns of NANOGP8+ cells. The expression level of NANOGP8 markedly influenced the cell division mode of NANOGP8+ PCa cells and was strongly correlated with their pluripotency, reflected by robust telomerase activity and longer telomere length. NANOGP8 expression was also associated with the metastatic capacity of PCa cells. Conclusions Based on these findings, we propose that NANOGP8 could serve as an effective therapeutic target for the treatment of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Sui
- Department of Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Rujian Zhu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Lili Gao
- Center for Medical Research and Innovation, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Cao
- Center for Medical Research and Innovation, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuhong Chen
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Gong
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongbo Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Yang
- Center for Medical Research and Innovation, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
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Hagiwara M, Yasumizu Y, Yamashita N, Rajabi H, Fushimi A, Long MD, Li W, Bhattacharya A, Ahmad R, Oya M, Liu S, Kufe D. MUC1-C Activates the BAF (mSWI/SNF) Complex in Prostate Cancer Stem Cells. Cancer Res 2020; 81:1111-1122. [PMID: 33323379 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The Brg/Brahma-associated factor (BAF, mSWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex is of importance in development and has been linked to prostate oncogenesis. The oncogenic MUC1-C protein promotes lineage plasticity in the progression of neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), however, there is no known association between MUC1-C and BAF. We report here that MUC1-C binds directly to the E2F1 transcription factor and that the MUC1-C→E2F1 pathway induces expression of embryonic stem cell-specific BAF (esBAF) components BRG1, ARID1A, BAF60a, BAF155, and BAF170 in castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and NEPC cells. In concert with this previously unrecognized pathway, MUC1 was associated with increased expression of E2F1 and esBAF components in NEPC tumors as compared with CRPC, supporting involvement of MUC1-C in activating the E2F1→esBAF pathway with progression to NEPC. MUC1-C formed a nuclear complex with BAF and activated cancer stem cell (CSC) gene signatures and the core pluripotency factor gene network. The MUC1-C→E2F1→BAF pathway was necessary for induction of both the NOTCH1 effector of CSC function and the NANOG pluripotency factor, and collectively, this network drove CSC self-renewal. These findings indicate that MUC1-C promotes NEPC progression by integrating activation of E2F1 and esBAF with induction of NOTCH1, NANOG, and stemness. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings show that MUC1-C, which promotes prostate cancer progression, activates a novel pathway that drives the BAF remodeling complex, induces NOTCH1 and NANOG, and promotes self-renewal of prostate cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Hagiwara
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yota Yasumizu
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nami Yamashita
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hasan Rajabi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Atsushi Fushimi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mark D Long
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Wei Li
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Rehan Ahmad
- King Khalid University Hospital College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mototsugu Oya
- Department of Urology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Donald Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Dong G, Ma G, Wu R, Liu J, Liu M, Gao A, Li X, A J, Liu X, Zhang Z, Zhang B, Fu L, Dong JT. ZFHX3 Promotes the Proliferation and Tumor Growth of ER-Positive Breast Cancer Cells Likely by Enhancing Stem-Like Features and MYC and TBX3 Transcription. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113415. [PMID: 33217982 PMCID: PMC7698617 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113415] [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: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer is a common malignancy, but the understanding of its cellular and molecular mechanisms is limited. The ZFHX3 transcription factor regulates mammary epithelial cells’ proliferation and differentiation by interacting with estrogen and progesterone receptors. Both these receptors play crucial roles in breast cancer development, but whether ZFHX3 also impacts breast cancer is unknown. In this study, the authors aim to determine if ZFHX3 promotes breast cancer cells’ proliferation and tumor growth and explore the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Higher ZFHX3 expression is associated with worse patient survival in breast cancer, ZFHX3 promotes the proliferation and tumor growth of breast cancer cells, and several breast cancer stem cell factors appear to be involved in the role of ZFHX3 in breast cancer growth. The findings suggest that ZFHX3 is a novel oncogenic molecule promoting breast cancer development. Such a molecule could provide novel opportunities for the treatment of breast cancer. Abstract Breast cancer is a common malignancy, but the understanding of its cellular and molecular mechanisms is limited. ZFHX3, a transcription factor with many homeodomains and zinc fingers, suppresses prostatic carcinogenesis but promotes tumor growth of liver cancer cells. ZFHX3 regulates mammary epithelial cells’ proliferation and differentiation by interacting with estrogen and progesterone receptors, potent breast cancer regulators. However, whether ZFHX3 plays a role in breast carcinogenesis is unknown. Here, we found that ZFHX3 promoted the proliferation and tumor growth of breast cancer cells in culture and nude mice; and higher expression of ZFHX3 in human breast cancer specimens was associated with poorer prognosis. The knockdown of ZFHX3 in ZFHX3-high MCF-7 cells decreased, and ZFHX3 overexpression in ZFHX3-low T-47D cells increased the proportion of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) defined by mammosphere formation and the expression of CD44, CD24, and/or aldehyde dehydrogenase 1. Among several transcription factors that have been implicated in BCSCs, MYC and TBX3 were transcriptionally activated by ZFHX3 via promoter binding, as demonstrated by luciferase-reporter and ChIP assays. These findings suggest that ZFHX3 promotes breast cancer cells’ proliferation and tumor growth likely by enhancing BCSC features and upregulating MYC, TBX3, and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Dong
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
| | - Gui Ma
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
| | - Rui Wu
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Jinming Liu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
| | - Mingcheng Liu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Ang Gao
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
| | - Xiawei Li
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Jun A
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zhiqian Zhang
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Baotong Zhang
- Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-C Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Liya Fu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
| | - Jin-Tang Dong
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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Karmakar S, Rauth S, Nallasamy P, Perumal N, Nimmakalaya RK, Leon F, Gupta R, Barkeer S, Venkata RC, Raman V, Rachagani S, Ponnusamy MP, Batra SK. RNA Polymerase II-Associated Factor 1 Regulates Stem Cell Features of Pancreatic Cancer Cells, Independently of the PAF1 Complex, via Interactions With PHF5A and DDX3. Gastroenterology 2020; 159:1898-1915.e6. [PMID: 32781084 PMCID: PMC7680365 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.07.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS It is not clear how pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs) are regulated, resulting in ineffective treatments for pancreatic cancer. PAF1, a RNA polymerase II-associated factor 1 complex (PAF1C) component, maintains pluripotency of stem cells, by unclear mechanisms, and is a marker of CSCs. We investigated mechanisms by which PAF1 maintains CSCs and contributes to development of pancreatic tumors. METHODS Pancreatic cancer cell lines were engineered to knockdown PAF1 using inducible small hairpin RNAs. These cells were grown as orthotopic tumors in athymic nude mice and PAF1 knockdown was induced by administration of doxycycline in drinking water. Tumor growth and metastasis were monitored via IVIS imaging. CSCs were isolated from pancreatic cancer cell populations using flow cytometry and characterized by tumor sphere formation, tumor formation in nude mice, and expression of CSC markers. Isolated CSCs were depleted of PAF1 using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. PAF1-regulated genes in CSCs were identified via RNA-seq and PCR array analyses of cells with PAF1 knockdown. Proteins that interact with PAF1 in CSCs were identified by immunoprecipitations and mass spectrometry. We performed chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing of CSCs to confirm the binding of the PAF1 sub-complex to target genes. RESULTS Pancreatic cancer cells depleted of PAF1 formed smaller and fewer tumor spheres in culture and orthotopic tumors and metastases in mice. Isolated CSCs depleted of PAF1 downregulated markers of self-renewal (NANOG, SOX9, and β-CATENIN), of CSCs (CD44v6, and ALDH1), and the metastasis-associated gene signature, compared to CSCs without knockdown of PAF1. The role of PAF1 in CSC maintenance was independent of its RNA polymerase II-associated factor 1 complex component identity. We identified DDX3 and PHF5A as proteins that interact with PAF1 in CSCs and demonstrated that the PAF1-PHF5A-DDX3 sub-complex bound to the promoter region of Nanog, whose product regulates genes that control stemness. Levels of the PAF1-DDX3 and PAF1-PHF5A were increased and co-localized in human pancreatic tumor specimens, human pancreatic tumor-derived organoids, and organoids derived from tumors of KPC mice, compared with controls. Binding of DDX3 and PAF1 to the Nanog promoter, and the self-renewal capacity of CSCs, were decreased in cells incubated with the DDX3 inhibitor RK-33. CSCs depleted of PAF1 downregulated genes that regulate stem cell features (Flot2, Taz, Epcam, Erbb2, Foxp1, Abcc5, Ddr1, Muc1, Pecam1, Notch3, Aldh1a3, Foxa2, Plat, and Lif). CONCLUSIONS In pancreatic CSCs, PAF1 interacts with DDX3 and PHF5A to regulate expression of NANOG and other genes that regulate stemness. Knockdown of PAF1 reduces the ability of orthotopic pancreatic tumors to develop and progress in mice and their numbers of CSCs. Strategies to target the PAF1-PHF5A-DDX3 complex might be developed to slow or inhibit progression of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saswati Karmakar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, U.S.A
| | - Sanchita Rauth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, U.S.A
| | - Palanisamy Nallasamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, U.S.A
| | - Naveenkumar Perumal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, U.S.A
| | - Rama Krishna Nimmakalaya
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, U.S.A
| | - Frank Leon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, U.S.A
| | - Rohitesh Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, U.S.A
| | - Srikanth Barkeer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, U.S.A
| | | | - Venu Raman
- Departments of Radiology and Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A
| | - Satyanarayana Rachagani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, U.S.A
| | - Moorthy P. Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, U.S.A.,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases and Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, U.S.A.,Correspondence: Surinder K. Batra, Ph.D., or Moorthy P. Ponnusamy, Ph.D. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198-5870, U.S.A. Phone: 402-559-5455, Fax: 402-559-6650, or
| | - Surinder K. Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, U.S.A.,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases and Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, U.S.A.,Correspondence: Surinder K. Batra, Ph.D., or Moorthy P. Ponnusamy, Ph.D. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, 68198-5870, U.S.A. Phone: 402-559-5455, Fax: 402-559-6650, or
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Zhang T, Sun H, Liu R, Cao W, Zhang T, Li E, Sun X, Wu W, Yu D, Zhong C. Nanog mediates tobacco smoke-induced enhancement of renal cancer stem cell properties. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2020; 35:1274-1283. [PMID: 32649042 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Nanog plays an important role in the regulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) which participate in tumorgenesis and progression. In renal cancer, tobacco smoke (TS) is considered a major risk factor. However, the molecular mechanism by which TS induces the development of renal CSC properties remains largely unknown. In this study, we showed that the level of Nanog was elevated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients with a smoking history, and that Nanog overexpression promoted the traits of CSCs in renal cancer. We further demonstrated that a 8-week exposure of TS enhanced the formation of renal tumorspheres, increased the population of CD133-positive cells, and stimulated the expression of Nanog and CSC markers. In addition, TS was found to play a role in accelerating the cell growth transition from G1 to S phase in renal CSCs. Finally, we demonstrated that the TS-induced effects in renal CSCs could be reversed through the downregulation of Nanog. Our results suggested that Nanog plays a role in mediating TS-induced renal CSC properties. This study may provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of TS-related renal tumorigenesis, which can contribute to the future development of therapeutics for renal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taotao Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hongliang Sun
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wanshuang Cao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Enlai Li
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xianchao Sun
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wangyu Wu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Dexin Yu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Caiyun Zhong
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Najafzadeh B, Asadzadeh Z, Motafakker Azad R, Mokhtarzadeh A, Baghbanzadeh A, Alemohammad H, Abdoli Shadbad M, Vasefifar P, Najafi S, Baradaran B. The oncogenic potential of NANOG: An important cancer induction mediator. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:2443-2458. [PMID: 32960465 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a unique population in the tumor, but they only comprise 2%-5% of the tumor bulk. Although CSCs share several features with embryonic stem cells, CSCs can give rise to the tumor cells. CSCs overexpress embryonic transcription factor NANOG, which is downregulated in differentiated tissues. This transcription factor confers CSC's stemness, unlimited self-renewal, metastasis, invasiveness, angiogenesis, and drug-resistance with the assistance of WNT, OCT4, SOX2, Hedgehog, BMI-1, and other complexes. NANOG facilitates CSCs development via multiple pathways, like angiogenesis and lessening E-cadherin expression levels, which paves the road for metastasis. Moreover, NANOG represses apoptosis and leads to drug-resistance. This review aims to highlight the pivotal role of NANOG and the pertained pathways in CSCs. Also, this current study intends to demonstrate that targeting NANOG can dimmish the CSCs, sensitize the tumor to chemotherapy, and eradicate the cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basira Najafzadeh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Asadzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Baghbanzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hajar Alemohammad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Parisa Vasefifar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Souzan Najafi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Alemohammad H, Asadzadeh Z, Motafakker Azad R, Hemmat N, Najafzadeh B, Vasefifar P, Najafi S, Baradaran B. Signaling pathways and microRNAs, the orchestrators of NANOG activity during cancer induction. Life Sci 2020; 260:118337. [PMID: 32841661 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small part of cancer cells inside the tumor that have similar characteristics to normal stem cells. CSCs stimulate tumor initiation and progression in a variety of cancers. Several transcription factors such as NANOG, SOX2, and OCT4 maintain the characteristics of CSCs and their upregulation is seen in many malignancies resulting in increased metastasis, invasion, and recurrence. Among these factors, NANOG plays an important role in regulating the self-renewal and pluripotency of CSCs and the clinical significance of NANOG has been suggested as a marker of CSCs in many cancers. The up and down-regulation of NANOG is associated with several important signaling pathways, including JAK/STAT, Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, TGF-β, Hedgehog, and several microRNAs (miRNAs). In this review, we will investigate the function of NANOG in CSCs and the molecular mechanism of its regulation by signaling pathways and miRNAs. We will also investigate targeting NANOG with different techniques, which is a promising treatment strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Alemohammad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Asadzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Nima Hemmat
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Basira Najafzadeh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Parisa Vasefifar
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Souzan Najafi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Wang J, Dang MN, Day ES. Inhibition of Wnt signaling by Frizzled7 antibody-coated nanoshells sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer cells to the autophagy regulator chloroquine. NANO RESEARCH 2020; 13:1693-1703. [PMID: 33304449 PMCID: PMC7723362 DOI: 10.1007/s12274-020-2795-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite improvements in our understanding of the biology behind triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), it remains a devastating disease due to lack of an effective targeted therapy. Inhibiting Wnt signaling is a promising strategy to combat TNBC because Wnt signaling drives TNBC progression, chemoresistance, and stemness. However, Wnt inhibition can lead to upregulation of autophagy, which confers therapeutic resistance. This provides an opportunity for combination therapy, as autophagy inhibitors applied concurrently with Wnt inhibitors could increase treatment efficacy. Here, we applied the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) to TNBC cells in combination with Frizzled7 antibody-coated nanoshells (FZD7-NS) that suppress Wnt signaling by blocking Wnt ligand/FZD7 receptor interactions, and evaluated this dual treatment in vitro. We found that FZD7-NS can inhibit Axin2 and CyclinD1, two targets of canonical Wnt signaling, and increase the expression of LC3, an autophagy marker. When FZD7-NS and CQ are applied together, they reduce the expression of several stemness genes in TNBC cells, leading to inhibition of TNBC cell migration and self-renewal. Notably, co-delivery of FZD7-NS and CQ is more effective than either therapy alone or the combination of CQ with free FZD7 antibodies. This demonstrates that the nanocarrier design is important to its therapeutic utility. Overall, these findings indicate that combined regulation of Wnt signaling and autophagy by FZD7-NS and CQ is a promising strategy to combat TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Megan N Dang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Emily S Day
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, Newark, DE 19713, USA
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Oliphant MUJ, Kong D, Zhou H, Lewis MT, Ford HL. Two Sides of the Same Coin: The Role of Developmental pathways and pluripotency factors in normal mammary stem cells and breast cancer metastasis. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2020; 25:85-102. [PMID: 32323111 PMCID: PMC7395869 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-020-09449-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer initiation and progression are often observed as the result of dysregulation of normal developmental processes and pathways. Studies focused on normal mammary stem/progenitor cell activity have led to an understanding of how breast cancer cells acquire stemness-associated properties including tumor initiation, survival and multi-lineage differentiation into heterogeneous tumors that become difficult to target therapeutically. Importantly, more recent investigations have provided valuable insight into how key developmental regulators can impact multiple phases of metastasis, where they are repurposed to not only promote metastatic phenotypes such as migration, invasion and EMT at the primary site, but also to regulate the survival, initiation and maintenance of metastatic lesions at secondary organs. Herein, we discuss findings that have led to a better understanding of how embryonic and pluripotency factors contribute not only to normal mammary development, but also to metastatic progression. We further examine the therapeutic potential of targeting these developmental pathways, and discuss how a better understanding of compensatory mechanisms, crosstalk between pathways, and novel experimental models could provide critical insight into how we might exploit embryonic and pluripotency regulators to inhibit tumor progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M U J Oliphant
- Integrated Physiology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Ludwig Center at Harvard, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Building C1, Room 513B, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Deguang Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Hengbo Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - M T Lewis
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Radiology. Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine. One Baylor Plaza BCM600, Room N1210, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - H L Ford
- Integrated Physiology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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Tumorigenic and Metastatic Role of CD44 -/low/CD24 -/low Cells in Luminal Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051239. [PMID: 32423137 PMCID: PMC7281029 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells with high CD44 but low CD24 expression (CD44high/CD24-/low) and high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity (ALDHbr) are widely considered to be drivers of metastasis, therapy resistance and tumor recurrence in breast cancer. However, the role of the CD44high/CD24-/low and ALDHbr phenotypes in identifying tumorigenic cells in breast cancer remains controversial due to the discrepancy in their distribution and tumorigenic potential in intrinsic breast cancer subtypes. In this study, we analyzed the cells expressing these markers in six different breast cancer cell lines representing major breast cancer subtypes (T47D, MCF-7, BT-474, AU-565, Hs578T and MDA-MB-231). CD44high/CD24-/low, ALDHbr and CD44-/low/CD24-/low cell populations were isolated by flow cytometry and analyzed for hallmark stem cell characteristics of differentiation, migration, invasiveness and metastasis using in vitro and in vivo techniques. Our results demonstrate that the CD44-/low/CD24-/low cell population, which is enriched in luminal cell lines (T47D, MCF-7 and BT-474), possesses metastatic and tumorigenic properties. We also show that, contrary to previous claims, the expression of the ALDH1 isoform ALDH1A1 does not affect the tumorigenic potential of cell lines with high ALDH activity (BT-474 and AU-565). Further transcriptomic and clinical studies are needed to determine the potential of these markers as early diagnostic tools and treatment targets.
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