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Venkatraman S, Balasubramanian B, Thuwajit C, Meller J, Tohtong R, Chutipongtanate S. Targeting MYC at the intersection between cancer metabolism and oncoimmunology. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1324045. [PMID: 38390324 PMCID: PMC10881682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1324045] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
MYC activation is a known hallmark of cancer as it governs the gene targets involved in various facets of cancer progression. Of interest, MYC governs oncometabolism through the interactions with its partners and cofactors, as well as cancer immunity via its gene targets. Recent investigations have taken interest in characterizing these interactions through multi-Omic approaches, to better understand the vastness of the MYC network. Of the several gene targets of MYC involved in either oncometabolism or oncoimmunology, few of them overlap in function. Prominent interactions have been observed with MYC and HIF-1α, in promoting glucose and glutamine metabolism and activation of antigen presentation on regulatory T cells, and its subsequent metabolic reprogramming. This review explores existing knowledge of the role of MYC in oncometabolism and oncoimmunology. It also unravels how MYC governs transcription and influences cellular metabolism to facilitate the induction of pro- or anti-tumoral immunity. Moreover, considering the significant roles MYC holds in cancer development, the present study discusses effective direct or indirect therapeutic strategies to combat MYC-driven cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Venkatraman
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Brinda Balasubramanian
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, Biodiscovery Institute, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Chanitra Thuwajit
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jaroslaw Meller
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Rutaiwan Tohtong
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somchai Chutipongtanate
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Milk, microbiome, Immunity and Lactation research for Child Health (MILCH) and Novel Therapeutics Lab, Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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Li H, Chen Y, Hu L, Yang W, Gao Z, Liu M, Tao H, Li J. Will metformin use lead to a decreased risk of thyroid cancer? A systematic review and meta-analyses. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:392. [PMID: 37773165 PMCID: PMC10542235 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01287-0] [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: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been reported that metformin use may reduce the risk of thyroid cancer, but existing studies have generated inconsistent results. The purpose of this study was to investigate such association between metformin use and the risk of thyroid cancer. METHODS Studies of metformin use for the risk of thyroid cancer were searched in Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biomedical Database, Wanfang Data, and Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP) from the establishment date to December 2022. Newcastle-Ottawa scale is adopted for assessing the methodological quality of included studies, and the inter-study heterogeneity was assessed by using the I-squared statistic. Combined odds ratios (ORs) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated through either fixed-effects or random-effects model according to the heterogeneity. Besides, subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses and test for publication bias were conducted. RESULTS Five studies involving 1,713,528 participants were enrolled in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. The result of the meta-analyses showed that metformin use was associated with a statistically significant lower risk of thyroid cancer (pooled OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.50-0.91, P = 0.011). Moreover, in the subgroup analysis, we found that the use of metformin may also aid in the prevention of thyroid cancer in Eastern population (pooled OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.35-0.88, P = 0.012) rather than Western population (pooled OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.52-1.54, P = 0.685). Sensitivity analysis suggested the results of this meta-analyses were relatively stable. No publication bias was detected. CONCLUSION Metformin use is beneficial for reducing the risk of thyroid cancer. For further investigation, more well-designed studies are still needed to elucidate the association between metformin use and the risk of thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, No.74 Nonglin Road, Guangzhou, 510030, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Hu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenzhi Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongshi Gao
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengqing Liu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Chaohu Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Tao
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
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Jackson JT, Nutt SL, McCormack MP. The Haematopoietically-expressed homeobox transcription factor: roles in development, physiology and disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1197490. [PMID: 37398663 PMCID: PMC10313424 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1197490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Haematopoietically expressed homeobox transcription factor (Hhex) is a transcriptional repressor that is of fundamental importance across species, as evident by its evolutionary conservation spanning fish, amphibians, birds, mice and humans. Indeed, Hhex maintains its vital functions throughout the lifespan of the organism, beginning in the oocyte, through fundamental stages of embryogenesis in the foregut endoderm. The endodermal development driven by Hhex gives rise to endocrine organs such as the pancreas in a process which is likely linked to its role as a risk factor in diabetes and pancreatic disorders. Hhex is also required for the normal development of the bile duct and liver, the latter also importantly being the initial site of haematopoiesis. These haematopoietic origins are governed by Hhex, leading to its crucial later roles in definitive haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal, lymphopoiesis and haematological malignancy. Hhex is also necessary for the developing forebrain and thyroid gland, with this reliance on Hhex evident in its role in endocrine disorders later in life including a potential role in Alzheimer's disease. Thus, the roles of Hhex in embryological development throughout evolution appear to be linked to its later roles in a variety of disease processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T. Jackson
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen L. Nutt
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew P. McCormack
- The Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- iCamuno Biotherapeutics, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Garcia-Llorens G, Martínez-Sena T, Pareja E, Tolosa L, Castell JV, Bort R. A robust reprogramming strategy for generating hepatocyte-like cells usable in pharmaco-toxicological studies. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:94. [PMID: 37072803 PMCID: PMC10114490 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03311-w] [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: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-throughput pharmaco-toxicological testing frequently relies on the use of established liver-derived cell lines, such as HepG2 cells. However, these cells often display limited hepatic phenotype and features of neoplastic transformation that may bias the interpretation of the results. Alternate models based on primary cultures or differentiated pluripotent stem cells are costly to handle and difficult to implement in high-throughput screening platforms. Thus, cells without malignant traits, optimal differentiation pattern, producible in large and homogeneous amounts and with patient-specific phenotypes would be desirable. METHODS We have designed and implemented a novel and robust approach to obtain hepatocytes from individuals by direct reprogramming, which is based on a combination of a single doxycycline-inducible polycistronic vector system expressing HNF4A, HNF1A and FOXA3, introduced in human fibroblasts previously transduced with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). These cells can be maintained in fibroblast culture media, under standard cell culture conditions. RESULTS Clonal hTERT-transduced human fibroblast cell lines can be expanded at least to 110 population doublings without signs of transformation or senescence. They can be easily differentiated at any cell passage number to hepatocyte-like cells with the simple addition of doxycycline to culture media. Acquisition of a hepatocyte phenotype is achieved in just 10 days and requires a simple and non-expensive cell culture media and standard 2D culture conditions. Hepatocytes reprogrammed from low and high passage hTERT-transduced fibroblasts display very similar transcriptomic profiles, biotransformation activities and show analogous pattern behavior in toxicometabolomic studies. Results indicate that this cell model outperforms HepG2 in toxicological screening. The procedure also allows generation of hepatocyte-like cells from patients with given pathological phenotypes. In fact, we succeeded in generating hepatocyte-like cells from a patient with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which recapitulated accumulation of intracellular alpha-1 antitrypsin polymers and deregulation of unfolded protein response and inflammatory networks. CONCLUSION Our strategy allows the generation of an unlimited source of clonal, homogeneous, non-transformed induced hepatocyte-like cells, capable of performing typical hepatic functions and suitable for pharmaco-toxicological high-throughput testing. Moreover, as far as hepatocyte-like cells derived from fibroblasts isolated from patients suffering hepatic dysfunctions, retain the disease traits, as demonstrated for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, this strategy can be applied to the study of other cases of anomalous hepatocyte functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillem Garcia-Llorens
- Unidad de Hepatología Experimental y Trasplante Hepático, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitario y Politecnico La Fe, Torre A. Lab 6.08, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Teresa Martínez-Sena
- Unidad de Hepatología Experimental y Trasplante Hepático, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitario y Politecnico La Fe, Torre A. Lab 6.08, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eugenia Pareja
- Unidad de Hepatología Experimental y Trasplante Hepático, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitario y Politecnico La Fe, Torre A. Lab 6.08, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Cirugía General y Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset, Valencia, Spain
| | - Laia Tolosa
- Unidad de Hepatología Experimental y Trasplante Hepático, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitario y Politecnico La Fe, Torre A. Lab 6.08, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingenieria, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-Bbn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - José V Castell
- Unidad de Hepatología Experimental y Trasplante Hepático, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitario y Politecnico La Fe, Torre A. Lab 6.08, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Roque Bort
- Unidad de Hepatología Experimental y Trasplante Hepático, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitario y Politecnico La Fe, Torre A. Lab 6.08, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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Özden-Yılmaz G, Savas B, Bursalı A, Eray A, Arıbaş A, Senturk S, Karaca E, Karakülah G, Erkek-Ozhan S. Differential Occupancy and Regulatory Interactions of KDM6A in Bladder Cell Lines. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060836. [PMID: 36980177 PMCID: PMC10047809 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060836] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic deregulation is a critical theme which needs further investigation in bladder cancer research. One of the most highly mutated genes in bladder cancer is KDM6A, which functions as an H3K27 demethylase and is one of the MLL3/4 complexes. To decipher the role of KDM6A in normal versus tumor settings, we identified the genomic landscape of KDM6A in normal, immortalized, and cancerous bladder cells. Our results showed differential KDM6A occupancy in the genes involved in cell differentiation, chromatin organization, and Notch signaling depending on the cell type and the mutation status of KDM6A. Transcription factor motif analysis revealed HES1 to be enriched at KDM6A peaks identified in the T24 bladder cancer cell line; moreover, it has a truncating mutation in KDM6A and lacks a demethylase domain. Our co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed TLE co-repressors and HES1 as potential truncated and wild-type KDM6A interactors. With the aid of structural modeling, we explored how truncated KDM6A could interact with TLE and HES1, as well as RUNX and HHEX transcription factors. These structures provide a solid means of studying the functions of KDM6A independently of its demethylase activity. Collectively, our work provides important contributions to the understanding of KDM6A malfunction in bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Busra Savas
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Bursalı
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aleyna Eray
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Alirıza Arıbaş
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Serif Senturk
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Karaca
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gökhan Karakülah
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
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Zhang MZ, Dong XH, Zhang WC, Li M, Si LB, Liu YF, Li HR, Zhao PX, Liu MY, Adzavon YM, Wang XJ, Long X, Ding Y. A comparison of proliferation levels in normal skin, physiological scar and keloid tissue. J Plast Surg Hand Surg 2023; 57:122-128. [PMID: 34964674 DOI: 10.1080/2000656x.2021.2017294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Proliferation is an important characteristic of life, and many signaling pathways participate in this complicated process. The MAPK/Erk pathway is a classic pathway in cell proliferation. In this study, expression levels of key factors in the MAPK/Erk pathway were measured to assess the proliferation level among normal skin, physiological scar, and keloid tissue. Thirty patients were selected randomly from the Department of Plastic Surgery at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020. Histological appearance and fiber tissue content were observed by Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson staining. Expression levels of key factors in the MAPK/Erk pathway (ATF2, c-Jun, c-Myc, p38 and STAT1) and relative proteins (HIF-1α and PCNA) in tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and analyzed as the percentage of positively stained cells in both the tissue epidermis and dermis. Western blot was used for quantitative analysis of the above factors. In results, keloid tissue showed a significantly higher fiber and less cell content. In the immunohistochemical result, higher expression of key factors was observed in the epidermis than in the dermal layer, and the expression of all factors was increased remarkably in keloid tissue. In western blot analysis, all factors (except STAT1) showed higher expression in keloid tissue. In our former research, keloid showed similar apoptosis level as physiological scar and normal skin. On combining our former conclusion and results in this study, an imbalance condition between the high proliferation level and normal apoptosis level may lead to the growth characteristics of keloid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Zi Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Hang Dong
- Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Chao Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Qingdao Huangdao District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao, China
| | - Lou-Bin Si
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Fang Liu
- International Education College, Beijing Vocational College of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Hao-Ran Li
- Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Peng-Xiang Zhao
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Yu Liu
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | | | - Xiao-Jun Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Long
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Ding
- Department of Information Engineering, Chaoshan Polytechnic College, Puning, China
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7
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Zhou Y, Gao X, Yuan M, Yang B, He Q, Cao J. Targeting Myc Interacting Proteins as a Winding Path in Cancer Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:748852. [PMID: 34658888 PMCID: PMC8511624 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.748852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC, as a well-known oncogene, plays essential roles in promoting tumor occurrence, development, invasion and metastasis in many kinds of solid tumors and hematologic neoplasms. In tumors, the low expression and the short half-life of Myc are reversed, cause tumorigenesis. And proteins that directly interact with different Myc domains have exerted a significant impact in the process of Myc-driven carcinogenesis. Apart from affecting the transcription of Myc target genes, Myc interaction proteins also regulate the stability of Myc through acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation and other post-translational modifications, as well as competitive combination with Myc. In this review, we summarize a series of Myc interacting proteins and recent advances in the related inhibitors, hoping that can provide new opportunities for Myc-driven cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Zhou
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomeng Gao
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meng Yuan
- Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,The Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiaojun He
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,The Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ji Cao
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,The Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Permissive selection followed by affinity-based proliferation of GC light zone B cells dictates cell fate and ensures clonal breadth. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2016425118. [PMID: 33419925 PMCID: PMC7812803 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2016425118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Affinity maturation depends on how efficiently germinal centers (GCs) positively select B cells in the light zone (LZ). Positively selected GC B cells recirculate between LZs and dark zones (DZs) and ultimately differentiate into plasmablasts (PBs) and memory B cells (MBCs). Current understanding of the GC reaction presumes that cMyc-dependent positive selection of LZ B cells is a competitive affinity-dependent process; however, this cannot explain the production of GC-derived lower-affinity MBCs or retention of GC B cells with varied affinities. Here, by combining single-cell/bulk RNA sequencing and flow cytometry, we identified and characterized temporally and functionally distinct positively selected cMyc+ GC B cell subpopulations. cMyc+ LZ B cell subpopulations enriched with either higher- or lower-affinity cells diverged soon after permissive positive selection. The former subpopulation contained PB precursors, whereas the latter comprised less proliferative MBC precursors and future DZ entrants. The overall affinity of future DZ entrants was enhanced in the LZ through preferential proliferation of higher-affinity cells. Concurrently, lower-affinity cells were retained in GCs and protected from apoptosis. These findings redefine positive selection as a dynamic process generating three distinct B cell fates and elucidate how positive selection ensures clonal diversity for broad protection.
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9
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Nakagawa R, Calado DP. Positive Selection in the Light Zone of Germinal Centers. Front Immunol 2021; 12:661678. [PMID: 33868314 PMCID: PMC8044421 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.661678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Germinal centers (GCs) are essential sites for the production of high-affinity antibody secreting plasma cells (PCs) and memory-B cells (MBCs), which form the framework of vaccination. Affinity maturation and permissive selection in GCs are key for the production of PCs and MBCs, respectively. For these purposes, GCs positively select “fit” cells in the light zone of the GC and instructs them for one of three known B cell fates: PCs, MBCs and persistent GC-B cells as dark zone entrants. In this review, we provide an overview of the positive selection process and discuss its mechanisms and how B cell fates are instructed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinako Nakagawa
- Immunity and Cancer Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dinis Pedro Calado
- Immunity and Cancer Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Evseeva MN, Dyikanov DT, Karagyaur MN, Prikazchikova TA, Sheptulina AF, Balashova MS, Zatsepin TS, Rubtsov YP, Kulebyakin KY. Hematopoietically-expressed homeobox protein HHEX regulates adipogenesis in preadipocytes. Biochimie 2021; 185:68-77. [PMID: 33677034 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is a key health problem and is associated with a high risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Increased weight as well as dysregulation of adipocyte homeostasis are the main drivers of obesity. Pathological adipogenesis plays a central role in obesity-related complications such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and others. Thus, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in physiological and pathogenic adipogenesis can help to develop new strategies to prevent or cure obesity and related diseases. Previously, genetic polymorphisms in the HHEX gene that encodes the homeobox transcription factor HEX (PRH) were found to be associated with type 2 diabetes and high body mass index at birth by GWAS in distinct human populations. To understand whether HHEX has a regulatory function in adipogenesis, we performed RNAi-mediated knockdown of Hhex in preadipocyte cell line 3T3-L1 in vitro, and studied changes in the efficacy of adipogenesis. We found that Hhex knockdown blocks adipogenesis in preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner and leads to a significant decrease of PPAR-gamma protein - the main regulator of adipogenesis. We also propose that Hhex can play an important role in adipocyte differentiation by affecting the level of the PPAR-gamma protein. Our study supports the claim that Hhex plays an important role in adipocyte differentiation program and can contribute to fat tissue homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria N Evseeva
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia; Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia.
| | | | | | - Tatyana A Prikazchikova
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo, Moscow, Russia; Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna F Sheptulina
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sechenov 1st State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria S Balashova
- Department of Medical Genetics, Sechenov 1st State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Timofei S Zatsepin
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo, Moscow, Russia; Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yury P Rubtsov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
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11
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Zhang K, Zhao Q, Li Z, Fu F, Zhang H, Fu J, Zheng M, Zhang S. Clinicopathological Significances of Cancer Stem Cell-Associated HHEX Expression in Breast Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:605744. [PMID: 33425911 PMCID: PMC7785851 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.605744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of the transcription factor hematopoietic ally expressed homeobox/proline-rich homeodomain (HHEX/PRH) is implicated in numerous cancers. However, the association of HHEX with breast cancer (BC) remains unclear. In this study, HHEX mRNA and protein expression were analyzed using the Oncomine, UALCAN, GEPIA, TCGAportal, and HPA databases. We evaluated the effect of HHEX on clinicopathological parameters using Kaplan–Meier plotter, OncoLnc, TCGAportal, PROGgeneV2, and BC-GenExMiner. Western blotting was performed to compare the level of HHEX in breast samples of Tientsin Albino 2 mice, human breast precancerous lesions, benign breast tumors, and BC. The correlation between HHEX and cancer stem cells was investigated using the GEO (GSE52327 and GSE94865) and GEPIA datasets. Networks between HHEX and survival-related gene marker sets and microRNAs were analyzed using GEPIA, StarBase, and Cytoscape. Results of this study showed that HHEX expression in BC was significantly lower than those in breast precancerous lesions and benign breast tumors at both mRNA and protein levels. BC patients with lower HHEX expression had significantly worse overall survival and disease-free survival. Moreover, HHEX significantly affected the clinicopathology of BC. Specifically, low HHEX expression was correlated with the following groups of patients: age ≤51 years, ER-negative or PR-negative patients, HER-2 positive, triple-negative breast cancer, and basal-like BC. Immunohistochemical analysis of the breast samples showed significant differences of HHEX staining index (P < 0.001) among the three groups. To further investigate the mechanism, we determined the intersection of differentially expressed genes related to BC stem cells and those genes after HHEX expression was altered. This led to the identification of four potentially regulated genes-CXL12, BLNK, PAG1, and LPXN. Using StarBase and km-plotter, the negative regulation of HHEX expression and survival trends, including miR-130b, miR-30e, and miR-301b were joined into miRNA-HHEX-mRNA potential regulatory network. The abilities of proliferation, migration and invasion increased in MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 breast cancer cell lines after HHEX down expression and decreased after HHEX overexpression compared them in the control cells. In conclusion, these data suggest that HHEX expression is downregulated in BC and HHEX may regulate the development of BC through the stem cell-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Zhang
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zugui Li
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China.,Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Fangmei Fu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China.,Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China.,Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Junjie Fu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Minying Zheng
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Shiwu Zhang
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
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12
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Kitchen P, Lee KY, Clark D, Lau N, Lertsuwan J, Sawasdichai A, Satayavivad J, Oltean S, Afford S, Gaston K, Jayaraman PS. A Runaway PRH/HHEX-Notch3-Positive Feedback Loop Drives Cholangiocarcinoma and Determines Response to CDK4/6 Inhibition. Cancer Res 2019; 80:757-770. [PMID: 31843982 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-0942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant Notch and Wnt signaling are known drivers of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), but the underlying factors that initiate and maintain these pathways are not known. Here, we show that the proline-rich homeodomain protein/hematopoietically expressed homeobox (PRH/HHEX) transcription factor forms a positive transcriptional feedback loop with Notch3 that is critical in CCA. PRH/HHEX expression is elevated in CCA, and depletion of PRH reduces CCA tumor growth in a xenograft model. Overexpression of PRH in primary human biliary epithelial cells is sufficient to increase cell proliferation and produce an invasive phenotype. Interrogation of the gene networks regulated by PRH and Notch3 reveals that unlike Notch3, PRH directly activates canonical Wnt signaling. These data indicate that hyperactivation of Notch and Wnt signaling is independent of the underlying mutational landscape and has a common origin in dysregulation of PRH. Moreover, they suggest new therapeutic options based on the dependence of specific Wnt, Notch, and CDK4/6 inhibitors on PRH activity. SIGNIFICANCE: The PRH/HHEX transcription factor is an oncogenic driver in cholangiocarcinoma that confers sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Kitchen
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ka Ying Lee
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Danielle Clark
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Nikki Lau
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jomnarong Lertsuwan
- Laboratory of Chemical Carcinogenesis, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anyaporn Sawasdichai
- Laboratory of Chemical Carcinogenesis, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Sebastian Oltean
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Afford
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Gaston
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
| | - Padma-Sheela Jayaraman
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
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13
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Ballester M, Bolonio M, Santamaria R, Castell JV, Ribes-Koninckx C, Bort R. Direct conversion of human fibroblast to hepatocytes using a single inducible polycistronic vector. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:317. [PMID: 31685034 PMCID: PMC6829923 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1416-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human fibroblasts can be reprogrammed into induced hepatocyte-like cells through the expression of a set of transcription factors. Although the generation of induced hepatocyte-like cells by HNF4A, HNF1A, and FOXA3 expression has proven to be a robust experimental strategy, using multiple lentivirus results in a highly variable heterogeneous population. METHODS We designed and implemented a novel approach based on the delivery of reprogramming factors and green fluorescent protein in a single doxycycline-inducible lentiviral vector using 2A self-cleaving peptides. RESULTS Fibroblasts infected with the lentiviral vector can be amplified in basic fibroblast culture media in the absence of doxycycline without induction of hepatic genes. Upon switching to hepatic maturation media containing doxycycline, cells stop proliferating, activate hepatic gene transcription, and perform metabolic functions characteristic of hepatocytes. CONCLUSION Our strategy can generate an unlimited source of homogeneously induced hepatocyte-like cells from different genetic background donors, capable of performing typical hepatic functions suitable for drug research and other in vitro applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ballester
- Experimental Hepatology Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe and CIBERehd, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - Miguel Bolonio
- Experimental Hepatology Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe and CIBERehd, 46026, Valencia, Spain.,Coeliac Disease and Inmunopathology Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe. Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ramon Santamaria
- Experimental Hepatology Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe and CIBERehd, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - José V Castell
- Experimental Hepatology Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe and CIBERehd, 46026, Valencia, Spain.,Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carmen Ribes-Koninckx
- Coeliac Disease and Inmunopathology Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe. Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - Roque Bort
- Experimental Hepatology Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe and CIBERehd, 46026, Valencia, Spain.
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14
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Shin PK, Zoh Y, Choi J, Kim MS, Kim Y, Choi SW. Walnut phenolic extracts reduce telomere length and telomerase activity in a colon cancer stem cell model. Nutr Res Pract 2019; 13:58-63. [PMID: 30788057 PMCID: PMC6369112 DOI: 10.4162/nrp.2019.13.1.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Telomeres are located at the chromosomal ends and progressively shortened during each cell cycle. Telomerase, which is regulated by hTERT and c-MYC, maintains telomeric DNA sequences. Especially, telomerase is active in cancer and stem cells to maintain telomere length for replicative immortality. Recently we reported that walnut phenolic extract (WPE) can reduce cell viability in a colon cancer stem cell (CSC) model. We, therefore, investigated the effect of WPE on telomere maintenance in the same model. MATERIALS/METHODS CD133+CD44+ cells from HCT116, a human colon cancer cell line, were sorted by Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and treated with WPE at the concentrations of 0, 10, 20, and 40 µg/mL for 6 days. Telomere lengths were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) using telomere specific primers and DNA extracted from the cells, which was further adjusted with single-copy gene and reference DNA (ddCt). Telomerase activity was also measured by qRT-PCR after incubating the PCR mixture with cell protein extracts, which was adjusted with reference DNA (dCt). Transcriptions of hTERT and c-MYC were determined using conventional RT-PCR. RESULTS Telomere length of WPE-treated cells was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner (5.16 ± 0.13 at 0 µg/mL, 4.79 ± 0.12 at 10 µg/mL, 3.24 ± 0.08 at 20 µg/mL and 3.99 ± 0.09 at 40 µg/mL; P = 0.0276). Telomerase activities concurrently decreased with telomere length (1.47 ± 0.04, 1.09 ± 0.01, 0.76 ± 0.08, and 0.88 ± 0.06; P = 0.0067). There was a positive correlation between telomere length and telomerase activity (r = 0.9090; P < 0.0001). Transcriptions of both hTERT and c-MYC were also significantly decreased in the same manner. CONCLUSION In the present cell culture model, WPE reduced telomere maintenance, which may provide a mechanistic link to the effect of walnuts on the viability of colon CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phil-Kyung Shin
- CHA University School of Medicine, 120, Haeryong-ro, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi 13488, Korea
| | - Yoonchae Zoh
- CHA University School of Medicine, 120, Haeryong-ro, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi 13488, Korea
| | - Jina Choi
- CHA University School of Medicine, 120, Haeryong-ro, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi 13488, Korea
| | - Myung-Sunny Kim
- Division of Nutrition and Metabolism, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 55365, Korea
| | - Yuri Kim
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Korea
| | - Sang-Woon Choi
- CHA University School of Medicine, 120, Haeryong-ro, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi 13488, Korea
- Chaum Life Center CHA University, 442, Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06062, Korea
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15
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Sun R, Liu JP, Gao C, Xiong YY, Li M, Wang YP, Su YW, Lin M, Jiang AL, Xiong LF, Xie Y, Feng JP. Two variants on T2DM susceptible gene HHEX are associated with CRC risk in a Chinese population. Oncotarget 2018; 7:29770-9. [PMID: 27105501 PMCID: PMC5045432 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing amounts of evidence has demonstrated that T2DM (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) patients have increased susceptibility to CRC (colorectal cancer). As HHEX is a recognized susceptibility gene in T2DM, this work was focused on two SNPs in HHEX, rs1111875 and rs7923837, to study their association with CRC. T2DM patients without CRC (T2DM-only, n=300), T2DM with CRC (T2DM/CRC, n=135), cancer-free controls (Control, n=570), and CRC without T2DM (CRC-only, n=642) cases were enrolled. DNA samples were extracted from the peripheral blood leukocytes of the patients and sequenced by direct sequencing. The χ2 test was used to compare categorical data. We found that in T2DM patients, rs1111875 but not the rs7923837 in HHEX gene was associated with the occurrence of CRC (p= 0.006). for rs1111875, TC/CC patients had an increased risk of CRC (p=0.019, OR=1.592, 95%CI=1.046-2.423). Moreover, our results also indicated that the two variants of HEEX gene could be risk factors for CRC in general population, independent on T2DM (p< 0.001 for rs1111875, p=0.001 for rs7923837). For rs1111875, increased risk of CRC was observed in TC or TC/CC than CC individuals (p<0.001, OR= 1.780, 95%CI= 1.385-2.287; p<0.001, OR= 1.695, 95%CI= 1.335-2.152). For rs7923837, increased CRC risk was observed in AG, GG, and AG/GG than AA individuals (p< 0.001, OR= 1.520, 95%CI= 1.200-1.924; p=0.036, OR= 1.739, 95%CI= 0.989-3.058; p< 0.001, OR= 1.540, 95%CI= 1.225-1.936). This finding highlights the potentially functional alteration with HHEX rs1111875 and rs7923837 polymorphisms may increase CRC susceptibility. Risk effects and the functional impact of these polymorphisms need further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Sun
- Department of Oncology, PuAi Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jian-Ping Liu
- Department of Oncology, PuAi Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chang Gao
- Department of Oncology, PuAi Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying-Ying Xiong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, PuAi Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Oncology, PuAi Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ya-Ping Wang
- Department of Oncology, PuAi Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan-Wei Su
- Department of Oncology, PuAi Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mei Lin
- Department of Endocrinology, Wuhan PuAi Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - An-Li Jiang
- Department of Oncology, PuAi Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling-Fan Xiong
- Department of Oncology, PuAi Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Xie
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Jue-Ping Feng
- Department of Oncology, PuAi Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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16
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Proline-Rich Homeodomain protein (PRH/HHEX) is a suppressor of breast tumour growth. Oncogenesis 2017; 6:e346. [PMID: 28604763 PMCID: PMC5519192 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2017.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast tumours progress from hyperplasia to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive breast carcinoma (IBC). PRH/HHEX (proline-rich homeodomain/haematopoietically expressed homeobox) is a transcription factor that displays both tumour suppressor and oncogenic activity in different disease contexts; however, the role of PRH in breast cancer is poorly understood. Here we show that nuclear localization of the PRH protein is decreased in DCIS and IBC compared with normal breast. Our previous work has shown that PRH phosphorylation by protein kinase CK2 prevents PRH from binding to DNA and regulating the transcription of multiple genes encoding growth factors and growth factor receptors. Here we show that transcriptionally inactive phosphorylated PRH is elevated in DCIS and IBC compared with normal breast. To determine the consequences of PRH loss of function in breast cancer cells, we generated inducible PRH depletion in MCF-7 cells. We show that PRH depletion results in increased MCF-7 cell proliferation in part at least due to increased vascular endothelial growth factor signalling. Moreover, we demonstrate that PRH depletion increases the formation of breast cancer cells with cancer stem cell-like properties. Finally, and in keeping with these findings, we show that PRH overexpression inhibits the growth of mammary tumours in mice. Collectively, these data indicate that PRH plays a tumour suppressive role in the breast and they provide an explanation for the finding that low PRH mRNA levels are associated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer.
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17
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CK2 abrogates the inhibitory effects of PRH/HHEX on prostate cancer cell migration and invasion and acts through PRH to control cell proliferation. Oncogenesis 2017; 6:e293. [PMID: 28134934 PMCID: PMC5294245 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2016.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
PRH/HHEX (proline-rich homeodomain protein/haematopoietically expressed homeobox protein) is a transcription factor that controls cell proliferation, cell differentiation and cell migration. Our previous work has shown that in haematopoietic cells, Protein Kinase CK2-dependent phosphorylation of PRH results in the inhibition of PRH DNA-binding activity, increased cleavage of PRH by the proteasome and the misregulation of PRH target genes. Here we show that PRH and hyper-phosphorylated PRH are present in normal prostate epithelial cells, and that hyper-phosphorylated PRH levels are elevated in benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic adenocarcinoma, and prostate cancer cell lines. A reduction in PRH protein levels increases the motility of normal prostate epithelial cells and conversely, PRH over-expression inhibits prostate cancer cell migration and blocks the ability of these cells to invade an extracellular matrix. We show that CK2 over-expression blocks the repression of prostate cancer cell migration and invasion by PRH. In addition, we show that PRH knockdown in normal immortalised prostate cells results in an increase in the population of cells capable of colony formation in Matrigel, as well as increased cell invasion and decreased E-cadherin expression. Inhibition of CK2 reduces PRH phosphorylation and reduces prostate cell proliferation but the effects of CK2 inhibition on cell proliferation are abrogated in PRH knockdown cells. These data suggest that the increased phosphorylation of PRH in prostate cancer cells increases both cell proliferation and tumour cell migration/invasion.
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18
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Silencing of hepatic fate-conversion factors induce tumorigenesis in reprogrammed hepatic progenitor-like cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2016; 7:96. [PMID: 27460218 PMCID: PMC4962402 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-016-0349-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several studies have reported the direct conversion of mouse fibroblasts to hepatocyte-like cells with different degrees of maturation by expression of hepatic fate-conversion factors. Methods We have used a combination of lentiviral vectors expressing hepatic fate-conversion factors with Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and Myc to convert mouse embryonic fibroblasts into hepatic cells. Results We have generated hepatic cells with progenitor-like features (iHepL cells). iHepL cells displayed basic hepatocyte functions but failed to perform functions characteristic of mature hepatocytes such as significant Cyp450 or urea cycle activities. iHepL cells expressed multiple hepatic-specific transcription factors and functional genes characteristic of immature hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, as well as high levels of Foxl1, Cd24a, and Lgr5, specific markers of hepatic progenitor cells. When transplanted into partial hepatectomized and hepatic irradiated mice, they differentiated into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. However, iHepL cells formed malignant non-teratoma cell aggregations in one out of five engrafted livers and five out of five xenografts assays. All the cells in these tumors had silenced key hepatic fate-conversion factors, and lost hepatic features. Conclusions This study highlights the dangers of using pluripotency factors in reprogramming strategies when fate-conversion factors are silenced in vivo, and urges us to perform extensive tumorigenic tests in reprogrammed cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13287-016-0349-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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19
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Hartl M. The Quest for Targets Executing MYC-Dependent Cell Transformation. Front Oncol 2016; 6:132. [PMID: 27313991 PMCID: PMC4889588 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2016.00132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC represents a transcription factor with oncogenic potential converting multiple cellular signals into a broad transcriptional response, thereby controlling the expression of numerous protein-coding and non-coding RNAs important for cell proliferation, metabolism, differentiation, and apoptosis. Constitutive activation of MYC leads to neoplastic cell transformation, and deregulated MYC alleles are frequently observed in many human cancer cell types. Multiple approaches have been performed to isolate genes differentially expressed in cells containing aberrantly activated MYC proteins leading to the identification of thousands of putative targets. Functional analyses of genes differentially expressed in MYC-transformed cells had revealed that so far more than 40 upregulated or downregulated MYC targets are actively involved in cell transformation or tumorigenesis. However, further systematic and selective approaches are required for determination of the known or yet unidentified targets responsible for processing the oncogenic MYC program. The search for critical targets in MYC-dependent tumor cells is exacerbated by the fact that during tumor development, cancer cells progressively evolve in a multistep process, thereby acquiring their characteristic features in an additive manner. Functional expression cloning, combinatorial gene expression, and appropriate in vivo tests could represent adequate tools for dissecting the complex scenario of MYC-specified cell transformation. In this context, the central goal is to identify a minimal set of targets that suffices to phenocopy oncogenic MYC. Recently developed genomic editing tools could be employed to confirm the requirement of crucial transformation-associated targets. Knowledge about essential MYC-regulated genes is beneficial to expedite the development of specific inhibitors to interfere with growth and viability of human tumor cells in which MYC is aberrantly activated. Approaches based on the principle of synthetic lethality using MYC-overexpressing cancer cells and chemical or RNAi libraries have been employed to search for novel anticancer drugs, also leading to the identification of several druggable targets. Targeting oncogenic MYC effector genes instead of MYC may lead to compounds with higher specificities and less side effects. This class of drugs could also display a wider pharmaceutical window because physiological functions of MYC, which are important for normal cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation would be less impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Hartl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Center of Molecular Biosciences (CMBI), University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck , Austria
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20
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Gaston K, Tsitsilianos MA, Wadey K, Jayaraman PS. Misregulation of the proline rich homeodomain (PRH/HHEX) protein in cancer cells and its consequences for tumour growth and invasion. Cell Biosci 2016; 6:12. [PMID: 26877867 PMCID: PMC4752775 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-016-0077-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The proline rich homeodomain protein (PRH), also known as haematopoietically expressed homeobox (HHEX), is an essential transcription factor in embryonic development and in the adult. The PRH protein forms oligomeric complexes that bind to tandemly repeated PRH recognition sequences within or at a distance from PRH-target genes and recruit a variety of PRH-interacting proteins. PRH can also bind to other transcription factors and co-regulate specific target genes either directly through DNA binding, or indirectly through effects on the activity of its partner proteins. In addition, like some other homeodomain proteins, PRH can regulate the translation of specific mRNAs. Altered PRH expression and altered PRH intracellular localisation, are associated with breast cancer, liver cancer and thyroid cancer and some subtypes of leukaemia. This is consistent with the involvement of multiple PRH-interacting proteins, including the oncoprotein c-Myc, translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), and the promyelocytic leukaemia protein (PML), in the control of cell proliferation and cell survival. Similarly, multiple PRH target genes, including the genes encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptors, Endoglin, and Goosecoid, are known to be important in the control of cell proliferation and cell survival and/or the regulation of cell migration and invasion. In this review, we summarise the evidence that implicates PRH in tumourigenesis and we review the data that suggests PRH levels could be useful in cancer prognosis and in the choice of treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Gaston
- School of Biochemistry, University Walk, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD UK
| | | | - Kerry Wadey
- School of Biochemistry, University Walk, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD UK
| | - Padma-Sheela Jayaraman
- Division of Immunity and Infection, School of Medicine, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK
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21
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Simpson MT, Venkatesh I, Callif BL, Thiel LK, Coley DM, Winsor KN, Wang Z, Kramer AA, Lerch JK, Blackmore MG. The tumor suppressor HHEX inhibits axon growth when prematurely expressed in developing central nervous system neurons. Mol Cell Neurosci 2015; 68:272-83. [PMID: 26306672 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2015.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons in the embryonic and peripheral nervous system respond to injury by activating transcriptional programs supportive of axon growth, ultimately resulting in functional recovery. In contrast, neurons in the adult central nervous system (CNS) possess a limited capacity to regenerate axons after injury, fundamentally constraining repair. Activating pro-regenerative gene expression in CNS neurons is a promising therapeutic approach, but progress is hampered by incomplete knowledge of the relevant transcription factors. An emerging hypothesis is that factors implicated in cellular growth and motility outside the nervous system may also control axon growth in neurons. We therefore tested sixty-nine transcription factors, previously identified as possessing tumor suppressive or oncogenic properties in non-neuronal cells, in assays of neurite outgrowth. This screen identified YAP1 and E2F1 as enhancers of neurite outgrowth, and PITX1, RBM14, ZBTB16, and HHEX as inhibitors. Follow-up experiments are focused on the tumor suppressor HHEX, one of the strongest growth inhibitors. HHEX is widely expressed in adult CNS neurons, including corticospinal tract neurons after spinal injury, but is present only in trace amounts in immature cortical neurons and adult peripheral neurons. HHEX overexpression in early postnatal cortical neurons reduced both initial axonogenesis and the rate of axon elongation, and domain deletion analysis strongly implicated transcriptional repression as the underlying mechanism. These findings suggest a role for HHEX in restricting axon growth in the developing CNS, and substantiate the hypothesis that previously identified oncogenes and tumor suppressors can play conserved roles in axon extension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Simpson
- Marquette University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 53201, United States
| | - Ishwariya Venkatesh
- Marquette University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 53201, United States
| | - Ben L Callif
- Marquette University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 53201, United States
| | - Laura K Thiel
- Marquette University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 53201, United States
| | - Denise M Coley
- Marquette University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 53201, United States
| | - Kristen N Winsor
- Marquette University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 53201, United States
| | - Zimei Wang
- Marquette University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 53201, United States
| | - Audra A Kramer
- Marquette University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 53201, United States
| | - Jessica K Lerch
- The Ohio State University, The Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, The Department of Neuroscience, 43210, United States
| | - Murray G Blackmore
- Marquette University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 53201, United States.
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Han B, Cui H, Kang L, Zhang X, Jin Z, Lu L, Fan Z. Metformin inhibits thyroid cancer cell growth, migration, and EMT through the mTOR pathway. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:6295-304. [PMID: 25854169 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3315-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways have been shown to be activated in thyroid cancer. Recent evidences have demonstrated that the antidiabetic agent metformin, an activator of 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase, can impair the proliferation and migration of cancer cells via inhibition of mTOR. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we show that metformin can inhibit mTOR pathway to impair growth and migration of the thyroid cancer cell lines. Cyclin D1 and c-Myc are important regulators of cancer cell growth, and we observed that treatment of thyroid cancer cells with metformin reduced c-Myc and cyclin D1 expression through suppression of mTOR and subsequent inhibition of P70S6K1 and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation. Metformin reduced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in thyroid carcinoma cells. Moreover, metformin regulated expression of the EMT-related markers E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Snail. Additionally, knockdown of TSC2, the upstream regulatory molecule of mTOR pathway, or treatment of rapamycin, the mTOR inhibitor, could abolish the effects of metformin to regulate thyroid cancer cell proliferation, migration, EMT, and mTOR pathway molecules. These results indicate that metformin can suppress the proliferation, migration, and EMT of thyroid cancer cell lines by inhibiting mTOR signaling. These findings suggest that metformin and its molecular targets may be useful in thyroid carcinoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiyu Han
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The 264 Hospital of PLA, 30 Qiao-Dong Street, Taiyuan, 030000, Shanxi, China
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