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Wang R, Xue W, Kan F, Zhang H, Wang D, Wang L, Wang J. NSUN2 affects diabetic retinopathy progression by regulating MUC1 expression through RNA m 5C methylation. J Transl Med 2024; 22:476. [PMID: 38764010 PMCID: PMC11103891 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05287-4] [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: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blinding eye disease among working adults and is primarily attributed to the excessive proliferation of microvessels, which leads to vitreous hemorrhage and retinal traction, thereby significantly impairing patient vision. NSUN2-mediated RNA m5C methylation is implicated in various diseases, and in this investigation, we focused on elucidating the impact of NSUN2 on the regulation of the expression of the downstream gene MUC1, specifically through RNA m5C methylation, on the progression of DR. METHOD Utilizing Microarray analysis, we examined patient vitreous fluid to pinpoint potential therapeutic targets for DR. Differential expression of NSUN2 was validated through qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence in human tissue, animal tissue, and cell model of DR. The relationship between NSUN2 and DR was explored in vitro and in vivo through gene knockdown and overexpression. Various techniques, such as MeRIP-qPCR and dot blot, were applied to reveal the downstream targets and mechanism of action of NSUN2. RESULTS The levels of both NSUN2 and RNA m5C methylation were significantly elevated in the DR model. Knockdown of NSUN2 mitigated DR lesion formation both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, NSUN2 promoted MUC1 expression by binding to the RNA m5C reader ALYREF. Knockdown of ALYREF resulted in DR lesion alterations similar to those observed with NSUN2 knockdown. Moreover, MUC1 overexpression successfully reversed a series of DR alterations induced by NSUN2 silencing. CONCLUSIONS NSUN2 regulates the expression of MUC1 through ALYREF-mediated RNA m5C methylation, thereby regulating the progression of DR and providing a new option for the treatment of DR in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runze Wang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Wei Xue
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Feifei Kan
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Huiying Zhang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Di Wang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China.
| | - Jianwen Wang
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150000, China.
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2
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Zhou R, Wu ST, Yazdanifar M, Williams C, Sanders A, Brouwer C, Maher J, Mukherjee P. Mucin-1-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Are Effective and Safe in Controlling Solid Tumors in Immunocompetent Host. J Immunother 2024; 47:77-88. [PMID: 38270462 PMCID: PMC10913860 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000505] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in solid epithelial tumors has been explored, however, with limited success. As much of the preclinical work has relied on xenograft models in immunocompromised animals, the immune-related efficacies and toxicities may have been missed. In this study, we engineered syngeneic murine CAR T cells targeting the tumor form of human mucin-1 (tMUC1) and tested the MUC1 CAR T cells' efficacy and toxicity in the immunocompetent human MUC1-expressing mouse models. The MUC1 CAR T cells significantly eliminated murine pancreatic and breast cancer cell lines in vitro. In vivo, MUC1 CAR T cells significantly slowed the mammary gland tumor progression in the spontaneous PyVMT×MUC1.Tg (MMT) mice, prevented lung metastasis, and prolonged survival. Most importantly, there was minimal short or long-term toxicity with acceptable levels of transient liver toxicity but no kidney toxicity. In addition, the mice did not show any signs of weight loss or other behavioral changes with the treatment. We also report that a single dose of MUC1 CAR T-cell treatment modestly reduced the pancreatic tumor burden in a syngeneic orthotopic model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma given at late stage of an established tumor. Taken together, these findings suggested the further development of tMUC1-targeted CAR T cells as an effective and relatively safe treatment modality for various tMUC1-expressing solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
| | - Shu-ta Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
- Medpace, Irving, TX
| | - Mahboubeh Yazdanifar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
- Adaptive Biotechnologies, South San Francisco, CA
| | - Chandra Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
- Pfizer, Cambridge, MA
| | - Alexa Sanders
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
| | - Cory Brouwer
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
| | - John Maher
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guy’s Cancer Centre, London, UK
| | - Pinku Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
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3
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Tong X, Dong C, Liang S. Mucin1 as a potential molecule for cancer immunotherapy and targeted therapy. J Cancer 2024; 15:54-67. [PMID: 38164273 PMCID: PMC10751670 DOI: 10.7150/jca.88261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Mucin1 is a highly glycosylated type 1 transmembrane mucin that ranks second among 75 tumor-related antigens published by the National Cancer Institute, and has been identified as a possible therapeutic target over the past 30 years. MUC1 plays an important role in malignant transformation and disease evolution, including cell proliferation, survival, self-renewal, and metastatic invasion. MUC1 has been shown to interact with diverse effectors such as β-catenin, receptor tyrosine kinases, and cellular-abelsongene, which are of importance in the pathogenesis of various malignant tumors. Targeting MUC1 has been shown to be an effective way to induce tumor cell death in vivo and in vitro models. In recent years, a number of therapeutic strategies targeting MUC1 have been developed and their value for tumor therapy have been demonstrated experimentally. This review summarizes recent findings on the structure of MUC1, its expression in different tumors and its involved mechanism pathways, with emphasis on new progress in cancer therapy which related MUC1 in the past decade and evaluates their therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chunyan Dong
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shujing Liang
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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4
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Ibrahim MAA, Ali SSM, Abdeljawaad KAA, Abdelrahman AHM, Gabr GA, Shawky AM, Mekhemer GAH, Sidhom PA, Paré PW, Hegazy MEF. In-silico natural product database mining for novel neuropilin-1 inhibitors: molecular docking, molecular dynamics and binding energy computations. JOURNAL OF TAIBAH UNIVERSITY FOR SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/16583655.2023.2182623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud A. A. Ibrahim
- Computational Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
- School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sara S. M. Ali
- Computational Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Khlood A. A. Abdeljawaad
- Computational Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Alaa H. M. Abdelrahman
- Computational Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Gamal A. Gabr
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
- Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI), Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M. Shawky
- Science and Technology Unit (STU), Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gamal A. H. Mekhemer
- Computational Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Peter A. Sidhom
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Paul W. Paré
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
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5
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Jin W, Zhang M, Dong C, Huang L, Luo Q. The multifaceted role of MUC1 in tumor therapy resistance. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:1441-1474. [PMID: 36564679 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00978-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Tumor therapeutic resistances are frequently linked to the recurrence and poor prognosis of cancers and have been a key bottleneck in clinical tumor treatment. Mucin1 (MUC1), a heterodimeric transmembrane glycoprotein, exhibits abnormally overexpression in a variety of human tumors and has been confirmed to be related to the formation of therapeutic resistance. In this review, the multifaceted roles of MUC1 in tumor therapy resistance are summarized from aspects of pan-cancer principles shared among therapies and individual mechanisms dependent on different therapies. Concretely, the common mechanisms of therapy resistance across cancers include interfering with gene expression, promoting genome instability, modifying tumor microenvironment, enhancing cancer heterogeneity and stemness, and activating evasion and metastasis. Moreover, the individual mechanisms of therapy resistance in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and biotherapy are introduced. Last but not least, MUC1-involved therapy resistance in different types of cancers and MUC1-related clinical trials are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiu Jin
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Mengwei Zhang
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Changzi Dong
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Innovative Research Team of High-Level Local Universities in Shanghai, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qingquan Luo
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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Jin J, Cong J, Lei S, Zhang Q, Zhong X, Su Y, Lu M, Ma Y, Li Z, Wang L, Zhu N, Yang J. Cracking the code: Deciphering the role of the tumor microenvironment in osteosarcoma metastasis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 121:110422. [PMID: 37302370 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. It is characterized by a rapid progression, poor prognosis, and early pulmonary metastasis. Over the past 30 years, approximately 85% of patients with osteosarcoma have experienced metastasis. The five-year survival of patients with lung metastasis during the early stages of treatment is less than 20%. The tumor microenvironment (TME) not only provides conditions for tumor cell growth but also releases a variety of substances that can promote the metastasis of tumor cells to other tissues and organs. Currently, there is limited research on the role of the TME in osteosarcoma metastasis. Therefore, to explore methods for regulating osteosarcoma metastasis, further investigations must be conducted from the perspective of the TME. This will help to identify new potential biomarkers for predicting osteosarcoma metastasis and assist in the discovery of new drugs that target regulatory mechanisms for clinical diagnosis and treatment. This paper reviews the research progress on the mechanism of osteosarcoma metastasis based on TME theory, which will provide guidance for the clinical treatment of osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamin Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guangxi, Guilin 541001, China; Department of Immunology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Jiacheng Cong
- Department of Immunology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Shangbo Lei
- Department of Immunology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Qiujin Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Xinyi Zhong
- Department of Immunology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Yingying Su
- Department of Immunology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Mingchuan Lu
- Department of Immunology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Yifen Ma
- Department of Immunology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Zihe Li
- Department of Immunology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Liyan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guangxi, Guilin 541001, China
| | - Ningxia Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China.
| | - Jinfeng Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guangxi, Guilin 541001, China; Department of Immunology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541199, China.
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7
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Jiang T, Wei F, Xie K. Clinical significance of pancreatic ductal metaplasia. J Pathol 2022; 257:125-139. [PMID: 35170758 DOI: 10.1002/path.5883] [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: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal metaplasia (PDM) is the stepwise replacement of differentiated somatic cells with ductal or ductal-like cells in the pancreas. PDM is usually triggered by cellular and environmental insults. PDM development may involve all cell lineages of the pancreas, and acinar cells with the highest plasticity are the major source of PDM. Pancreatic progenitor cells are also involved as cells of origin or transitional intermediates. PDM is heterogeneous at the histological, cellular, and molecular levels and only certain subsets of PDM develop further into pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and then pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The formation and evolution of PDM is regulated at the cellular and molecular levels through a complex network of signaling pathways. The key molecular mechanisms that drive PDM formation and its progression into PanIN/PDAC remain unclear, but represent key targets for reversing or inhibiting PDM. Alternatively, PDM could be a source of pancreas regeneration, including both exocrine and endocrine components. Cellular aging and apoptosis are obstacles to PDM-to-PanIN progression or pancreas regeneration. Functional identification of the cellular and molecular events driving senescence and apoptosis in PDM and its progression would help not only to restrict the development of PDM into PanIN/PDAC, but may also facilitate pancreatic regeneration. This review systematically assesses recent advances in the understanding of PDM physiology and pathology, with a focus on its implications for enhancing regeneration and prevention of cancer. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Jiang
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
- Department of Pathology, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Fang Wei
- Institute of Digestive Diseases Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Keping Xie
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
- Department of Pathology, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
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8
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Overexpression of microRNA-345 Affects the Invasive Capacity of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines by Suppressing MUC1 and TJP2 Expression. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12115351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The majority of pancreatic carcinomas are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC), and the presence of non-invasive pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia or intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, as an associated lesion, is considered important. These microscopic hyperplastic or grossly papillomatous lesions exhibit varying degrees of morphological atypia and may develop into invasive carcinomas. In this study, we investigated whether mucin-1 (MUC1) is involved in the progression of pancreatic carcinoma and examined the mechanisms by which microRNAs regulate MUC1 expression in vitro. In PDAC cell lines, suppression of MUC1 expression reduced cell proliferation and invasion; PDAC cell lines transfected with an miR-345 precursor suppressed the expression of MUC1, and reduced cell proliferation and invasion. Tight junction protein 2 (TJP2), a putative target of miR-345, is regulated by MUC1. The suppression of TJP2 expression reduced cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. These results suggest that MUC1 and TJP2, the putative target molecules of miR-345, are critical in maintaining the invasive potential of pancreatic carcinoma cells, and regulating their expression may prevent the progression of non-invasive pancreatic intraductal lesions to invasive carcinomas. This study provides new insights for the development of novel molecular targeted therapies for pancreatic carcinomas.
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9
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Liu W, Yin B, Liang ZH, Yu Y, Lu N. Computed tomography perfusion imaging evaluation of angiogenesis in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:2393-2403. [PMID: 35434057 PMCID: PMC8968604 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i8.2393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive system. More than 80% of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma are not diagnosed until late stage and have distant or local metastases.
AIM To investigate the value of computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging in the evaluation of angiogenesis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients.
METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study. Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and volunteers without pancreatic diseases underwent CT perfusion imaging from December 2014 to August 2017 in Huashan Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai, China.
RESULTS A total number of 35 pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients and 33 volunteers were enrolled. The relative blood flow (rBF), and relative blood volume (rBV) were significantly lower in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma than in the control group (P < 0.05). Conversely, the relative permeability in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that in controls (P < 0.05). In addition, rBF, rBV, and the vascular maturity index (VMI) were significantly lower in grade III-IV pancreatic adenocarcinoma than in grade I-II pancreatic adenocarcinoma (P < 0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD105-MVD, CD34-MVD, and angiogenesis rate (AR) were significantly higher in grade III-IV pancreatic adenocarcinoma than in grade I-II pancreatic adenocarcinoma (P < 0.05). Significant correlations between rBF and VEGF, CD105-MVD, AR, and VMI (P < 0.01) were observed. Moreover, the levels of rBV were statistically significantly correlated with those of VEGF, CD105-MVD, CD34-MVD, and VMI (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION Perfusion CT imaging may be an appropriate approach for quantitative assessment of tumor angiogenesis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Liu
- Department of Radiology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Bo Yin
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital North, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Zong-Hui Liang
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Jing’an District Central Hospital, Huashan Hospital Jing’an Branch, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
| | - Na Lu
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital North, Fudan University, Shanghai 200000, China
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10
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Bose M, Grover P, Sanders AJ, Zhou R, Ahmad M, Shwartz S, Lala P, Nath S, Yazdanifar M, Brouwer C, Mukherjee P. Overexpression of MUC1 Induces Non-Canonical TGF-β Signaling in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:821875. [PMID: 35237602 PMCID: PMC8883581 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.821875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is one of the most lethal human cancers. Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β) is a cytokine that switches from a tumor-suppressor at early stages to a tumor promoter in the late stages of tumor development, by yet unknown mechanisms. Tumor associated MUC1 is aberrantly glycosylated and overexpressed in >80% of PDAs and is associated with poor prognosis. MUC1 expression is found in the early stages of PDA development with subsequent increase in later stages. Analysis of human PDA samples from TCGA database showed significant differences in gene expression and survival profiles between low and high MUC1 samples. Further, high MUC1 expression was found to positively correlate to TGF-βRII expression and negatively correlate to TGF-βRI expression in PDA cell lines. We hypothesized that MUC1 overexpression induces TGF-β mediated non-canonical signaling pathways which is known to be associated with poor prognosis. In this study, we report that MUC1 overexpression in PDA cells directly activates the JNK pathway in response to TGF-β, and leads to increased cell viability via up-regulation and stabilization of c-Myc. Conversely, in low MUC1 expressing PDA cells, TGF-β preserves its tumor-suppressive function and inhibits phosphorylation of JNK and stabilization of c-Myc. Knockdown of MUC1 in PDA cells also results in decreased phosphorylation of JNK and c-Myc in response to TGF-β treatment. Taken together, the results indicate that overexpression of MUC1 plays a significant role in switching the TGF-β function from a tumor-suppressor to a tumor promoter by directly activating JNK. Lastly, we report that high-MUC1 PDA tumors respond to TGF-β neutralizing antibody in vivo showing significantly reduced tumor growth while low-MUC1 tumors do not respond to TGF-β neutralizing antibody further confirming our hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukulika Bose
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Priyanka Grover
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Alexa J. Sanders
- Department of Bioinformatics, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Ru Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Mohammad Ahmad
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Sophia Shwartz
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Priyanka Lala
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Sritama Nath
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | | | - Cory Brouwer
- Department of Bioinformatics, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Pinku Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
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11
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Somasagara RR, Leung T. Zebrafish Xenograft Model to Study Human Cancer. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2022; 2413:45-53. [PMID: 35044653 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1896-7_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish, Danio rerio, has been an important animal model for cancer research over the last decade. The capability of a high-throughput screen in zebrafish and a wide range of pharmacologically active compounds elicit physiological responses in zebrafish embryos comparable to those in mammalian systems, making zebrafish ideal for identifying clinically relevant drug targets and compounds that regulate tumor progression. The zebrafish model is suitable for patient-derived xenograft (pdx) and large-scale screening of lead compounds against specific malignancies. This established vertebrate model has many advantages, including fast response time, cost efficiency for drug testing, efficient manipulation of the host microenvironment by genetic tools, suitable for small molecule drug screening in high-throughput setting, easy maintenance, transparency for easy observation, high fecundity, and rapid generation time. The zebrafish model is a good alternative in vivo model to mammals for robust testing of drug candidates for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranganatha R Somasagara
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, USA
| | - TinChung Leung
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, USA. .,Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA.
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12
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Kumar SS, Binu A, Devan AR, Nath LR. Mucus targeting as a plausible approach to improve lung function in COVID-19 patients. Med Hypotheses 2021; 156:110680. [PMID: 34592563 PMCID: PMC8440041 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as one of the worst pandemics that have tormented the globe due to its highly contagious nature. Even if the disease manifests fever-like symptoms mostly, the disease may progress to the pulmonary-hyper inflammatory phase, with severe pneumonia, hypoxia and subsequent multiple organ infection. This subsequently creates a huge burden to the health care systems across the globe for an immediate arrangement of ventilator facilities, oxygen supply and advanced health care. We evaluated the pathological similarity of COVID-19 with other airway obstructive disorders such as COPD and asthma and found typical mucus hypersecretion and mucus plugging in COVID-19 subjects. From several bronchoscopy and clinical autopsy carried out in COVID-19 patients, the overexpression of mucin gene was evident which play a significant role in mucus hypersecretion and accumulation, leading to airway obstruction and further to respiratory distress. In the present work, we highlight the need for intense research inputs to elucidate the exact role the mucus plays in worsening COVID-19 symptoms. This will further help to find a proper approach to quantify the airway mucus plugging in each patient and to develop an appropriate therapy either to inhibit mucus secretion or to improve mucus clearance through well-designed clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarath S Kumar
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara P.O., Kochi, Kerala 682041, India
| | - Aiswarya Binu
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara P.O., Kochi, Kerala 682041, India
| | - Aswathy R Devan
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara P.O., Kochi, Kerala 682041, India
| | - Lekshmi R Nath
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Ponekkara P.O., Kochi, Kerala 682041, India.
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13
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Chen W, Zhang Z, Zhang S, Zhu P, Ko JKS, Yung KKL. MUC1: Structure, Function, and Clinic Application in Epithelial Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126567. [PMID: 34207342 PMCID: PMC8234110 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The transmembrane glycoprotein mucin 1 (MUC1) is a mucin family member that has different functions in normal and cancer cells. Owing to its structural and biochemical properties, MUC1 can act as a lubricant, moisturizer, and physical barrier in normal cells. However, in cancer cells, MUC1 often undergoes aberrant glycosylation and overexpression. It is involved in cancer invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and apoptosis by virtue of its participation in intracellular signaling processes and the regulation of related biomolecules. This review introduces the biological structure and different roles of MUC1 in normal and cancer cells and the regulatory mechanisms governing these roles. It also evaluates current research progress and the clinical applications of MUC1 in cancer therapy based on its characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqing Chen
- Division of Teaching and Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Zhu Zhang
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (S.Z.); (P.Z.)
| | - Shiqing Zhang
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (S.Z.); (P.Z.)
| | - Peili Zhu
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (S.Z.); (P.Z.)
| | - Joshua Ka-Shun Ko
- Division of Teaching and Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China;
- Correspondence: (J.K.-S.K.); (K.K.-L.Y.); Tel.: +852-3411-2907 (J.K.-S.K.); +852-3411-7060 (K.K.-L.Y.); Fax: +852-3411-2461 (J.K.-S.K.); +852-3411-5995 (K.K.-L.Y.)
| | - Ken Kin-Lam Yung
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; (Z.Z.); (S.Z.); (P.Z.)
- Correspondence: (J.K.-S.K.); (K.K.-L.Y.); Tel.: +852-3411-2907 (J.K.-S.K.); +852-3411-7060 (K.K.-L.Y.); Fax: +852-3411-2461 (J.K.-S.K.); +852-3411-5995 (K.K.-L.Y.)
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Dong W, Han X, Bao C, Tai S, Bai Y, Xu L, Yang J, Leung T, Ao W, Dong W. Inhibitory Effects of Euphorbia ebracteolata Hayata Extract ECB on Melanoma-Induced Hyperplasia of Blood Vessels in Zebrafish Embryos. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2021; 2021:5543259. [PMID: 33995546 PMCID: PMC8096565 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5543259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is a serious malignant form of skin cancer. Euphorbiaceae compound B (ECB, 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methylacetophenone) is an acetophenone compound that is isolated from Euphorbia ebracteolata Hayata (EEH), an herbaceous perennial, and has antitumor activity. Here, we transplanted human melanoma cells into zebrafish embryos to establish a zebrafish/melanoma model. We showed that this model can be used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of EEH and ECB and discussed its potential mechanism of action. The results showed that ECB was an active ingredient of EEH in inhibiting melanoma-induced hyperplasia of blood vessels in zebrafish embryos, similar to the angiogenic inhibitor vatalanib. ECB inhibited the number and length of subintestinal veins (p < 0.05), as well as the distribution of melanoma in zebrafish embryos (p < 0.05). More importantly, unlike vatalanib, ECB only inhibited melanoma-induced abnormal and excessive growth of blood vessels in xenografts. In addition, ECB inhibited the mRNA expression of vegfr2 and vegfr3 in zebrafish. Both vegfr2 and vegfr3 are essential genes that regulate blood vessel formation and upregulate the expression of p53 and casp3a genes in zebrafish. Together, the above-mentioned results indicate that ECB has a potential antimelanoma effect in vivo, which may be mediated by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Dong
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Toxicant Monitoring and Toxicant and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia 028000, China
| | - Xinyue Han
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Toxicant Monitoring and Toxicant and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia 028000, China
| | - Chao Bao
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Toxicant Monitoring and Toxicant and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia 028000, China
| | - Saijilahu Tai
- Mongolian State University of Education, Ulaanbaatar 210648, Mongolia
| | - Yuxia Bai
- Inner Mongolia Research Institute of Traditional Mongolian Medicine Engineering Technology/College of Mongolian Medicine and Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao 028000, China
| | - Liang Xu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for the Natural Products Chemistry and Functional Molecular Synthesis, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia 028000, China
| | - Jingfeng Yang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Toxicant Monitoring and Toxicant and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia 028000, China
| | - TinChung Leung
- Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, Dept of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA
| | - Wuliji Ao
- Inner Mongolia Research Institute of Traditional Mongolian Medicine Engineering Technology/College of Mongolian Medicine and Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao 028000, China
| | - Wu Dong
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Toxicant Monitoring and Toxicant and Toxicology, College of Animal Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia 028000, China
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15
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Khodabakhsh F, Merikhian P, Eisavand MR, Farahmand L. Crosstalk between MUC1 and VEGF in angiogenesis and metastasis: a review highlighting roles of the MUC1 with an emphasis on metastatic and angiogenic signaling. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:200. [PMID: 33836774 PMCID: PMC8033681 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01899-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
VEGF and its receptor family (VEGFR) members have unique signaling transduction system that play significant roles in most pathological processes, such as angiogenesis in tumor growth and metastasis. VEGF-VEGFR complex is a highly specific mitogen for endothelial cells and any de-regulation of the angiogenic balance implicates directly in endothelial cell proliferation and migration. Moreover, it has been shown that overexpressing Mucin 1 (MUC1) on the surface of many tumor cells resulting in upregulation of numerous signaling transduction cascades, such as growth and survival signaling pathways related to RTKs, loss of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion, and EMT. It promotes gene transcription of pro-angiogenic proteins such as HIF-1α during periods of oxygen scarcity (hypoxia) to enhance tumor growth and angiogenesis stimulation. In contrast, the cytoplasmic domain of MUC1 (MUC1-C) inhibits apoptosis, which in turn, impresses upon cell fate. Besides, it has been established that reduction in VEGF expression level correlated with silencing MUC1-C level indicating the anti-angiogenic effect of MUC1 downregulation. This review enumerates the role of MUC1-C oncoprotein and VEGF in angiogenesis and metastasis and describes several signaling pathways by which MUC1-C would mediate the pro-angiogenic activities of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Khodabakhsh
- Department of Genetics and Advanced Medical Technology, Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parnaz Merikhian
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, No. 146, South Gandhi Ave., Vanak Sq., Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Eisavand
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, No. 146, South Gandhi Ave., Vanak Sq., Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Farahmand
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, No. 146, South Gandhi Ave., Vanak Sq., Tehran, Iran.
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16
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Somasagara RR, Huang X, Xu C, Haider J, Serody JS, Armistead PM, Leung T. Targeted therapy of human leukemia xenografts in immunodeficient zebrafish. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5715. [PMID: 33707624 PMCID: PMC7952715 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85141-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Personalized medicine holds tremendous promise for improving safety and efficacy of drug therapies by optimizing treatment regimens. Rapidly developed patient-derived xenografts (pdx) could be a helpful tool for analyzing the effect of drugs against an individual's tumor by growing the tumor in an immunodeficient animal. Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice enable efficient in vivo expansion of vital tumor cells and generation of personalized xenografts. However, they are not amenable to large-scale rapid screening, which is critical in identifying new compounds from large compound libraries. The development of a zebrafish model suitable for pdx could facilitate large-scale screening of drugs targeted against specific malignancies. Here, we describe a novel strategy for establishing a zebrafish model for drug testing in leukemia xenografts. We used chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia for xenotransplantation into SCID zebrafish to evaluate drug screening protocols. We showed the in vivo efficacy of the ABL inhibitor imatinib, MEK inhibitor U0126, cytarabine, azacitidine and arsenic trioxide. We performed corresponding in vitro studies, demonstrating that combination of MEK- and FLT3-inhibitors exhibit an enhanced effect in vitro. We further evaluated the feasibility of zebrafish for transplantation of primary human hematopoietic cells that can survive at 15 day-post-fertilization. Our results provide critical insights to guide development of high-throughput platforms for evaluating leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranganatha R Somasagara
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, USA
| | - Chunyu Xu
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, USA
| | - Jamil Haider
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, USA
| | - Jonathan S Serody
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Paul M Armistead
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - TinChung Leung
- The Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, USA. .,Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, 27707, USA.
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17
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Bose M, Mitra B, Mukherjee P. Mucin signature as a potential tool to predict susceptibility to COVID-19. Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e14701. [PMID: 33373502 PMCID: PMC7771898 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Corona Virus Infectious Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has played havoc on both the global health and economy. It is necessary to find a molecular signature that differentiates between low-risk and high-risk individuals. Pathogens, including viruses of the upper respiratory tract, utilize mucin proteins to enter into host cells. Mucins are critical components of innate immunity and also play important roles in infectious disease progression. Their expression is regulated by different cytokines during infection and inflammation. A comparison of mucin signatures between an asymptomatic versus symptomatic and between patients with mild versus severe symptoms could help identify other important proteins involved in the pathology of this new virus. Recent studies on the pathogenicity of the SARS-CoV-2 have found receptors that help its entry into the cells. In this review, we present an overview of how mucins are connected to the pathogenicity of the virus and propose that studying the glycome and mucin signature may lead to the development of a biomarker in predicting the susceptibility, progression, and response to therapy in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukulika Bose
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | | | - Pinku Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
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18
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Rong Z, Xu J, Shi S, Tan Z, Meng Q, Hua J, Liu J, Zhang B, Wang W, Yu X, Liang C. Circular RNA in pancreatic cancer: a novel avenue for the roles of diagnosis and treatment. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:2755-2769. [PMID: 33456571 PMCID: PMC7806488 DOI: 10.7150/thno.56174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC), an important cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, is one of the most malignant cancers characterized by a dismal prognosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of endogenous ncRNAs with unique covalently closed loops, have attracted great attention in regard to various diseases, especially cancers. Compelling studies have suggested that circRNAs are aberrantly expressed in different cancer tissues and cell types, including PC. More specifically, circRNAs can modify the proliferation, progression, tumorigenesis and chemosensitivity of PC, and some circRNAs could serve as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. Herein, we summarize what is currently known to be related to the biogenesis, functions and potential roles of human circRNAs in PC and their application prospects for PC clinical treatments.
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19
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Houvast RD, Vankemmelbeke M, Durrant LG, Wuhrer M, Baart VM, Kuppen PJK, de Geus-Oei LF, Vahrmeijer AL, Sier CFM. Targeting Glycans and Heavily Glycosylated Proteins for Tumor Imaging. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123870. [PMID: 33371487 PMCID: PMC7767531 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Distinguishing malignancy from healthy tissue is essential for oncologic surgery. Targeted imaging during an operation aids the surgeon to operate better. The present tracers for detecting cancer are directed against proteins that are overexpressed on the membrane of tumor cells. This review evaluates the use of tumor-associated sugar molecules as an alternative for proteins to image cancer tissue. These sugar molecules are present as glycans on glycosylated membrane proteins and glycolipids. Due to their location and large numbers per cell, these sugar molecules might be better targets for tumor imaging than proteins. Abstract Real-time tumor imaging techniques are increasingly used in oncological surgery, but still need to be supplemented with novel targeted tracers, providing specific tumor tissue detection based on intra-tumoral processes or protein expression. To maximize tumor/non-tumor contrast, targets should be highly and homogenously expressed on tumor tissue only, preferably from the earliest developmental stage onward. Unfortunately, most evaluated tumor-associated proteins appear not to meet all of these criteria. Thus, the quest for ideal targets continues. Aberrant glycosylation of proteins and lipids is a fundamental hallmark of almost all cancer types and contributes to tumor progression. Additionally, overexpression of glycoproteins that carry aberrant glycans, such as mucins and proteoglycans, is observed. Selected tumor-associated glyco-antigens are abundantly expressed and could, thus, be ideal candidates for targeted tumor imaging. Nevertheless, glycan-based tumor imaging is still in its infancy. In this review, we highlight the potential of glycans, and heavily glycosylated proteoglycans and mucins as targets for multimodal tumor imaging by discussing the preclinical and clinical accomplishments within this field. Additionally, we describe the major advantages and limitations of targeting glycans compared to cancer-associated proteins. Lastly, by providing a brief overview of the most attractive tumor-associated glycans and glycosylated proteins in association with their respective tumor types, we set out the way for implementing glycan-based imaging in a clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben D. Houvast
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (R.D.H.); (V.M.B.); (P.J.K.K.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Mireille Vankemmelbeke
- Scancell Limited, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (M.V.); (L.G.D.)
| | - Lindy G. Durrant
- Scancell Limited, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (M.V.); (L.G.D.)
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Manfred Wuhrer
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Victor M. Baart
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (R.D.H.); (V.M.B.); (P.J.K.K.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Peter J. K. Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (R.D.H.); (V.M.B.); (P.J.K.K.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Lioe-Fee de Geus-Oei
- Department of Radiology, Section of Nuclear Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Biomedical Photonic Imaging Group, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander L. Vahrmeijer
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (R.D.H.); (V.M.B.); (P.J.K.K.); (A.L.V.)
| | - Cornelis F. M. Sier
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (R.D.H.); (V.M.B.); (P.J.K.K.); (A.L.V.)
- Percuros BV, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-752662610
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20
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Naderi S, Roshan R, Ghaderi H, Behdani M, Mahmoudi S, Habibi-Anbouhi M, Shokrgozar MA, Kazemi-Lomedasht F. Selection and characterization of specific nanobody against neuropilin-1 for inhibition of angiogenesis. Mol Immunol 2020; 128:56-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Neuropilins (NRP1 and NRP2) are multifunctional receptor proteins that are involved in nerve, blood vessel, and tumor development. NRP1 was first found to be expressed in neurons, but subsequent studies have demonstrated its surface expression in cells from the endothelium and lymph nodes. NRP1 has been demonstrated to be involved in the occurrence and development of a variety of cancers. NRP1 interacts with various cytokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor family and its receptor and transforming growth factor β1 and its receptor, to affect tumor angiogenesis, tumor proliferation, and migration. In addition, NRP1+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an inhibitory role in tumor immunity. High numbers of NRP1+ Tregs were associated with cancer prognosis. Targeting NRP1 has shown promise, and antagonists against NRP1 have had therapeutic efficacy in preliminary clinical studies. NRP1 treatment modalities using nanomaterials, targeted drugs, oncolytic viruses, and radio-chemotherapy have gradually been developed. Hence, we reviewed the use of NRP1 in the context of tumorigenesis, progression, and treatment.
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22
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Wang S, You L, Dai M, Zhao Y. Mucins in pancreatic cancer: A well-established but promising family for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:10279-10289. [PMID: 32745356 PMCID: PMC7521221 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucins are a family of multifunctional glycoproteins that mostly line the surface of epithelial cells in the gastrointestinal tract and exert pivotal roles in gut lubrication and protection. Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with poor early diagnosis, limited therapeutic effects, and high numbers of cancer‐related deaths. In this review, we introduce the expression profiles of mucins in the normal pancreas, pancreatic precursor neoplasia and pancreatic cancer. Mucins in the pancreas contribute to biological processes such as the protection, lubrication and moisturization of epithelial tissues. They also participate in the carcinogenesis of pancreatic cancer and are used as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Herein, we discuss the important roles of mucins that lead to the lethality of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, particularly MUC1, MUC4, MUC5AC and MUC16 in disease progression, and present a comprehensive analysis of the clinical application of mucins and their promising roles in cancer treatment to gain a better understanding of the role of mucins in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunda Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lei You
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Menghua Dai
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yupei Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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23
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Confeld MI, Mamnoon B, Feng L, Jensen-Smith H, Ray P, Froberg J, Kim J, Hollingsworth MA, Quadir M, Choi Y, Mallik S. Targeting the Tumor Core: Hypoxia-Responsive Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Chemotherapy to Pancreatic Tumors. Mol Pharm 2020; 17:2849-2863. [PMID: 32521162 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), early onset of hypoxia triggers remodeling of the extracellular matrix, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, increased cell survival, the formation of cancer stem cells, and drug resistance. Hypoxia in PDAC is also associated with the development of collagen-rich, fibrous extracellular stroma (desmoplasia), resulting in severely impaired drug penetration. To overcome these daunting challenges, we created polymer nanoparticles (polymersomes) that target and penetrate pancreatic tumors, reach the hypoxic niches, undergo rapid structural destabilization, and release the encapsulated drugs. In vitro studies indicated a high cellular uptake of the polymersomes and increased cytotoxicity of the drugs under hypoxia compared to unencapsulated drugs. The polymersomes decreased tumor growth by nearly 250% and significantly increased necrosis within the tumors by 60% in mice compared to untreated controls. We anticipate that these polymer nanoparticles possess a considerable translational potential for delivering drugs to solid hypoxic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew I Confeld
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105, United States
| | - Babak Mamnoon
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105, United States
| | - Li Feng
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105, United States
| | - Heather Jensen-Smith
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Priyanka Ray
- Coatings and Polymeric Materials Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
| | - James Froberg
- Physics Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105, United States
| | - Jiha Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58102, United States
| | - Michael A Hollingsworth
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Mohiuddin Quadir
- Coatings and Polymeric Materials Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
| | - Yongki Choi
- Physics Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105, United States
| | - Sanku Mallik
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105, United States
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24
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Denneny E, Sahota J, Beatson R, Thornton D, Burchell J, Porter J. Mucins and their receptors in chronic lung disease. Clin Transl Immunology 2020; 9:e01120. [PMID: 32194962 PMCID: PMC7077995 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing recognition that mucus and mucin biology have a considerable impact on respiratory health, and subsequent global morbidity and mortality. Mucins play a critical role in chronic lung disease, not only by providing a physical barrier and clearing pathogens, but also in immune homeostasis. The aim of this review is to familiarise the reader with the role of mucins in both lung health and disease, with particular focus on function in immunity, infection and inflammation. We will also discuss their receptors, termed glycan-binding proteins, and how they provide an attractive prospect for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Denneny
- Leukocyte Trafficking Laboratory Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair UCL Respiratory Rayne Institute University College London London UK
| | - Jagdeep Sahota
- Leukocyte Trafficking Laboratory Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair UCL Respiratory Rayne Institute University College London London UK
| | - Richard Beatson
- Breast Cancer Biology Group Division of Cancer Studies King's College London Guy's Hospital London UK
| | - David Thornton
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research School of Biological Sciences Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre University of Manchester Manchester UK
| | - Joy Burchell
- Breast Cancer Biology Group Division of Cancer Studies King's College London Guy's Hospital London UK
| | - Joanna Porter
- Leukocyte Trafficking Laboratory Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair UCL Respiratory Rayne Institute University College London London UK
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25
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Jeyaraman S, Hanif EAM, Ab Mutalib NS, Jamal R, Abu N. Circular RNAs: Potential Regulators of Treatment Resistance in Human Cancers. Front Genet 2020; 10:1369. [PMID: 32047511 PMCID: PMC6997550 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01369] [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: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) which were once considered as "junk" are now in the spotlight as a potential player in regulating human diseases, especially cancer. With the development of high throughput technologies in recent years, the full potential of circRNAs is being uncovered. CircRNAs possess some unique characteristics and advantageous properties that could benefit medical research and clinical applications. CircRNAs are stable with covalently closed loops that are resistant to ribonucleases, have disease stage-specific expressions and are selectively abundant in different types of tissues. Interestingly, the presence of circRNAs in different types of treatment resistance in human cancers was recently observed with the involvement of a few key pathways. The activation of certain pathways by circRNAs may give new insights to treatment resistance management. The potential usage of circRNAs from this aspect is very much in its infancy stage and has not been fully validated. This mini-review attempts to highlight the possible role of circRNAs as regulators of treatment resistance in human cancers based on its intersection molecules and cancer-related regulatory networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivapriya Jeyaraman
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), UKM Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Rahman Jamal
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), UKM Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nadiah Abu
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), UKM Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Gu YY, Luo B, Li CY, Huang LS, Chen G, Feng ZB, Peng ZG. Expression and clinical significance of neuropilin-1 in Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphomas. Cancer Biomark 2020; 25:259-273. [PMID: 31282408 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-192437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression of neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphomas and its relationships with clinicopathological parameters was investigated. METHODS The researchers compared 111 cases of patients with lymphoma to 20 cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. In situ hybridization was applied to observe the expression of EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) in lymphomas, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the NRP-1 expression in lymphoma tissues and lymph node tissues with reactive hyperplasia. RESULTS In these 111 cases, the EBER of 62 cases (55.9%) appeared positive. NRP-1 was relatively highly expressed in lymphomas (P= 0.019). Further, NRP-1 showed higher expression in lymphomas with positive EBER than in negative ones. A comprehensive analysis revealed that NRP-1 was differently expressed in NK/T-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (P= 0.027). Moreover, highly expressed NRP-1 was found to be a useful independent prognostic factor in assessing overall survival and progression-free survival rates in cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). CONCLUSIONS NRP-1 exhibited higher expression in lymphomas, and it was positively expressed in EBV-positive lymphomas. Moreover, highly expressed NRP-1 can be used as an undesirable independent prognostic factor in NHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Yao Gu
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China.,Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Bin Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China.,Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Chun-Yao Li
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Lan-Shan Huang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Zhen-Bo Feng
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Peng
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
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Loh CY, Chai JY, Tang TF, Wong WF, Sethi G, Shanmugam MK, Chong PP, Looi CY. The E-Cadherin and N-Cadherin Switch in Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition: Signaling, Therapeutic Implications, and Challenges. Cells 2019; 8:E1118. [PMID: 31547193 PMCID: PMC6830116 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 703] [Impact Index Per Article: 140.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) has been shown to be crucial in tumorigenesis where the EMT program enhances metastasis, chemoresistance and tumor stemness. Due to its emerging role as a pivotal driver of tumorigenesis, targeting EMT is of great therapeutic interest in counteracting metastasis and chemoresistance in cancer patients. The hallmark of EMT is the upregulation of N-cadherin followed by the downregulation of E-cadherin, and this process is regulated by a complex network of signaling pathways and transcription factors. In this review, we summarized the recent understanding of the roles of E- and N-cadherins in cancer invasion and metastasis as well as the crosstalk with other signaling pathways involved in EMT. We also highlighted a few natural compounds with potential anti-EMT property and outlined the future directions in the development of novel intervention in human cancer treatments. We have reviewed 287 published papers related to this topic and identified some of the challenges faced in translating the discovery work from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Yap Loh
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia.
| | - Jian Yi Chai
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia.
| | - Ting Fang Tang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
| | - Won Fen Wong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
| | - Muthu Kumaraswamy Shanmugam
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
| | - Pei Pei Chong
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia.
| | - Chung Yeng Looi
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia.
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Yazdanifar M, Zhou R, Grover P, Williams C, Bose M, Moore LJ, Wu ST, Maher J, Dreau D, Mukherjee P. Overcoming Immunological Resistance Enhances the Efficacy of A Novel Anti-tMUC1-CAR T Cell Treatment against Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cells 2019; 8:cells8091070. [PMID: 31514488 PMCID: PMC6770201 DOI: 10.3390/cells8091070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown remarkable success in treating hematologic cancers. However, this efficacy has yet to translate to treatment in solid tumors. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a fatal malignancy with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. We have developed a second generation CAR T cell using the variable fragments of a novel monoclonal antibody, TAB004, which specifically binds the tumor-associated-MUC1 (tMUC1). tMUC1 is overexpressed on ~85% of all human PDA. We present data showing that TAB004-derived CAR T cells specifically bind to tMUC1 on PDA cells and show robust killing activity; however, they do not bind or kill normal epithelial cells. We further demonstrated that the tMUC1-CAR T cells control the growth of orthotopic pancreatic tumors in vivo. We witnessed that some PDA cells (HPAFII and CFPAC) were refractory to CAR T cell treatment. qPCR analysis of several genes revealed overexpression of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenases-1 (IDO1), cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (COX1/2), and galectin-9 (Gal-9) in resistant PDA cells. We showed that combination of CAR T cells and biological inhibitors of IDO1, COX1/2, and Gal-9 resulted in significant enhancement of CAR T cell cytotoxicity against PDA cells. Overcoming PDA resistance is a significant advancement in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh Yazdanifar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (M.Y.); (R.Z.); (P.G.); (C.W.); (M.B.); (L.J.M.); (S.-t.W.); (D.D.)
| | - Ru Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (M.Y.); (R.Z.); (P.G.); (C.W.); (M.B.); (L.J.M.); (S.-t.W.); (D.D.)
| | - Priyanka Grover
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (M.Y.); (R.Z.); (P.G.); (C.W.); (M.B.); (L.J.M.); (S.-t.W.); (D.D.)
| | - Chandra Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (M.Y.); (R.Z.); (P.G.); (C.W.); (M.B.); (L.J.M.); (S.-t.W.); (D.D.)
| | - Mukulika Bose
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (M.Y.); (R.Z.); (P.G.); (C.W.); (M.B.); (L.J.M.); (S.-t.W.); (D.D.)
| | - Laura J. Moore
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (M.Y.); (R.Z.); (P.G.); (C.W.); (M.B.); (L.J.M.); (S.-t.W.); (D.D.)
| | - Shu-ta Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (M.Y.); (R.Z.); (P.G.); (C.W.); (M.B.); (L.J.M.); (S.-t.W.); (D.D.)
| | - John Maher
- King’s College London, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guy’s Hospital Campus, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK;
| | - Didier Dreau
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (M.Y.); (R.Z.); (P.G.); (C.W.); (M.B.); (L.J.M.); (S.-t.W.); (D.D.)
| | - Pinku Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; (M.Y.); (R.Z.); (P.G.); (C.W.); (M.B.); (L.J.M.); (S.-t.W.); (D.D.)
- Correspondence:
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29
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Zhou R, Yazdanifar M, Roy LD, Whilding LM, Gavrill A, Maher J, Mukherjee P. CAR T Cells Targeting the Tumor MUC1 Glycoprotein Reduce Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Growth. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1149. [PMID: 31178870 PMCID: PMC6543840 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody-derived chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has achieved gratifying breakthrough in hematologic malignancies but has shown limited success in solid tumor immunotherapy. Monoclonal antibody, TAB004, specifically recognizes the aberrantly glycosylated tumor form of MUC1 (tMUC1) in all subtypes of breast cancer including 95% of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) while sparing recognition of normal tissue MUC1. We transduced human T cells with MUC28z, a chimeric antigen receptor comprising of the scFv of TAB004 coupled to CD28 and CD3ζ. MUC28z was well-expressed on the surface of engineered activated human T cells. MUC28z CAR T cells demonstrated significant target-specific cytotoxicity against a panel of human TNBC cells. Upon recognition of tMUC1 on TNBC cells, MUC28z CAR T cells increased production of Granzyme B, IFN-γ and other Th1 type cytokines and chemokines. A single dose of MUC28z CAR T cells significantly reduced TNBC tumor growth in a xenograft model. Thus, MUC28z CAR T cells have high therapeutic potential against tMUC1-positive TNBC tumors with minimal damage to normal breast epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Mahboubeh Yazdanifar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Lopamudra Das Roy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Lynsey M Whilding
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Artemis Gavrill
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - John Maher
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pinku Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
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30
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Dréau D, Moore LJ, Wu M, Roy LD, Dillion L, Porter T, Puri R, Momin N, Wittrup KD, Mukherjee P. Combining the Specific Anti-MUC1 Antibody TAB004 and Lip-MSA-IL-2 Limits Pancreatic Cancer Progression in Immune Competent Murine Models of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2019; 9:330. [PMID: 31114758 PMCID: PMC6503151 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy regimens have shown success in subsets of cancer patients; however, their efficacy against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remain unclear. Previously, we demonstrated the potential of TAB004, a monoclonal antibody targeting the unique tumor-associated form of MUC1 (tMUC1) in the early detection of PDA. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic benefit of combining the TAB004 antibody with Liposomal-MSA-IL-2 in immune competent and human MUC1 transgenic (MUC1.Tg) mouse models of PDA and investigated the associated immune responses. Treatment with TAB004 + Lip-MSA-IL-2 resulted in significantly improved survival and slower tumor growth compared to controls in MUC1.Tg mice bearing an orthotopic PDA.MUC1 tumor. Similarly, in the spontaneous model of PDA that expresses human MUC1, the combination treatment stalled the progression of pancreatic intraepithelial pre-neoplastic (PanIN) lesion to adenocarcinoma. Treatment with the combination elicited a robust systemic and tumor-specific immune response with (a) increased percentages of systemic and tumor infiltrated CD45+CD11b+ cells, (b) increased levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), (c) increased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity/phagocytosis (ADCC/ADCP), (d) decreased percentage of immune regulatory cells (CD8+CD69+ cells), and (e) reduced circulating levels of immunosuppressive tMUC1. We report that treatment with a novel antibody against tMUC1 in combination with a unique formulation of IL-2 can improve survival and lead to stable disease in appropriate models of PDA by reducing tumor-induced immune regulation and promoting recruitment of CD45+CD11b+ cells, thereby enhancing ADCC/ADCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didier Dréau
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | | | - Mike Wu
- OncoTab Inc., Charlotte, NC, United States
| | | | | | - Travis Porter
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Rahul Puri
- OncoTab Inc., Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Noor Momin
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - K Dane Wittrup
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Pinku Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States.,OncoTab Inc., Charlotte, NC, United States
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31
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Mu W, Wang Z, Zöller M. Ping-Pong-Tumor and Host in Pancreatic Cancer Progression. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1359. [PMID: 31921628 PMCID: PMC6927459 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the main cause of high pancreatic cancer (PaCa) mortality and trials dampening PaCa mortality rates are not satisfying. Tumor progression is driven by the crosstalk between tumor cells, predominantly cancer-initiating cells (CIC), and surrounding cells and tissues as well as distant organs, where tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TEX) are of major importance. A strong stroma reaction, recruitment of immunosuppressive leukocytes, perineural invasion, and early spread toward the peritoneal cavity, liver, and lung are shared with several epithelial cell-derived cancer, but are most prominent in PaCa. Here, we report on the state of knowledge on the PaCIC markers Tspan8, alpha6beta4, CD44v6, CXCR4, LRP5/6, LRG5, claudin7, EpCAM, and CD133, which all, but at different steps, are engaged in the metastatic cascade, frequently via PaCIC-TEX. This includes the contribution of PaCIC markers to TEX biogenesis, targeting, and uptake. We then discuss PaCa-selective features, where feedback loops between stromal elements and tumor cells, including distorted transcription, signal transduction, and metabolic shifts, establish vicious circles. For the latter particularly pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) are responsible, furnishing PaCa to cope with poor angiogenesis-promoted hypoxia by metabolic shifts and direct nutrient transfer via vesicles. Furthermore, nerves including Schwann cells deliver a large range of tumor cell attracting factors and Schwann cells additionally support PaCa cell survival by signaling receptor binding. PSC, tumor-associated macrophages, and components of the dysplastic stroma contribute to perineural invasion with signaling pathway activation including the cholinergic system. Last, PaCa aggressiveness is strongly assisted by the immune system. Although rich in immune cells, only immunosuppressive cells and factors are recovered in proximity to tumor cells and hamper effector immune cells entering the tumor stroma. Besides a paucity of immunostimulatory factors and receptors, immunosuppressive cytokines, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, regulatory T-cells, and M2 macrophages as well as PSC actively inhibit effector cell activation. This accounts for NK cells of the non-adaptive and cytotoxic T-cells of the adaptive immune system. We anticipate further deciphering the molecular background of these recently unraveled intermingled phenomena may turn most lethal PaCa into a curatively treatable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Mu
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Mu
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong, Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Margot Zöller
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong, Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
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32
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Du M, Chen Z, Chen Y, Li Y. Ultrasound-Targeted Delivery Technology: A Novel Strategy for Tumor- Targeted Therapy. Curr Drug Targets 2018; 20:220-231. [PMID: 30062966 DOI: 10.2174/1389450119666180731095441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Ultrasound has been widely used in clinical diagnosis because it is noninvasive,
inexpensive, simple, and reproducible. With the development of molecular imaging, material
science, and ultrasound contrast agents, ultrasound-targeted delivery technology has emerged. The interaction
of ultrasound and molecular probes can be exploited to change the structures of cells and tissues
in order to promote the targeted release of therapeutic substances to local tumors. The targeted
delivery of drugs, genes, and gases would not only improve the efficacy of tumor treatment but also
avoid the systemic toxicity and side effects caused by antitumor treatments. This technology was recently
applied in clinical trials and showed enormous potential for clinical application.
Objective:
This article briefly introduces the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment and the
principle of ultrasound-targeted delivery technology. To present recent progress in this field, this review
focuses on the application of ultrasound-targeted delivery technology in tumor-targeted therapy,
including drug delivery, gene transfection, and gas treatment.
Results:
The results of this study show that ultrasound-targeted delivery technology is a promising
therapeutic strategy for tumor treatment.
Conclusion:
Ultrasound-targeted delivery technology shows promise with regard to cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Du
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, The Liwan Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510150, China
| | - Zhiyi Chen
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, The Liwan Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510150, China
| | - Yuhao Chen
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, The Liwan Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510150, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, The Liwan Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510150, China
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Matkar PN, Jong ED, Ariyagunarajah R, Prud'homme GJ, Singh KK, Leong-Poi H. Jack of many trades: Multifaceted role of neuropilins in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Med 2018; 7:5036-5046. [PMID: 30216699 PMCID: PMC6198212 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropilins (NRPs) have been described as receptors for class 3 semaphorins and coreceptors for a plethora of ligands, such as members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of angiogenic cytokines and transforming growth factor (TGF). Initial studies using genetic models have indicated that neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is essential for axonal guidance during neuronal and cardiovascular development, regulated via semaphorins and VEGF, respectively, whereas the other homolog of neuropilin, NRP-2, has been shown to play a more specific role in neuronal patterning and lymphangiogenesis. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a significant cause of cancer mortality with the lowest five-year survival rate compared to other types of cancer. Recent findings have indicated that NRPs are abundantly expressed in pancreatic cancer cell lines and pancreatic tumor tissues, where they mediate several essential cancer-initiating and cancer-promoting functional responses through their unique ability to bind multiple ligands. Specifically, NRPs have been implicated in numerous biological processes such as cancer cell proliferation, survival, invasion, and tumor growth. More recently, several other protumorigenic roles mediated by NRPs have emerged, advocating NRPs as ideal therapeutic targets against PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratiek N Matkar
- Division of Cardiology, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric D Jong
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | | | - Gerald J Prud'homme
- Laboratory Medicine, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Krishna K Singh
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Vascular Surgery, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Howard Leong-Poi
- Division of Cardiology, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Hu C, Chen M, Jiang R, Guo Y, Wu M, Zhang X. Exosome-related tumor microenvironment. J Cancer 2018; 9:3084-3092. [PMID: 30210631 PMCID: PMC6134819 DOI: 10.7150/jca.26422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (tumor cells are located in the internal and external environment) is vital for the occurrence, growth and metastasis of tumors. An increasing number of studies have shown that exosomes are closely related to the tumor microenvironment. The mechanisms involved, however, are unclear. The focus of this review is on the exosome-related tumor microenvironment and other relevant factors, such as hypoxia, inflammation and angiogenesis. Many studies have suggested that exosomes are important mediators of metastasis, angiogenesis, and immune modulation in the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, exosomes can be isolated from bodily fluids of cancer patients, including urine, blood, saliva, milk, tumor effusion, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid and so on. Consequently, exosomes are potential biomarkers for clinical predictions and are also good drug carriers because they can cross the biofilm without triggering an immune response. Collectively, these findings illustrate that exosomes are crucial for developing potential targets for a new generation of pharmaceutical therapies that would improve the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Hu
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences , Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, P.R. China.,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Meijuan Chen
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences , Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, P.R. China.,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Rilei Jiang
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences , Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, P.R. China.,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Guo
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences , Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, P.R. China.,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Mianhua Wu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Xu Zhang
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences , Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, P.R. China.,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, P.R. China
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Lin J, Zhang Y, Wu J, Li L, Chen N, Ni P, Song L, Liu X. Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) is a novel tumor marker in hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Chim Acta 2018; 485:158-165. [PMID: 29966621 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.06.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND TEA domain transcription factor (TEAD) has an oncogenic role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, whether a membrane protein can serve not only as a tumor marker that reflects TEAD function but also as a therapeutic target that stimulates tumorigenesis in HCC remains unknown. METHODS Tissue NRP1 was measured using immunohistochemistry. Cell viability, colony formation and caspase3/7 activity were assessed using MTT, soft agar and caspase 3/7 Glo assays, respectively. Serum NRP1 was examined using ELISA and Western blotting. RESULTS NRP1 expression was up-regulated by TEAD. We also identified a conserved TEAD-binding motif in the NRP1 promoters, which was essential for the TEAD-NRP1 interaction. NRP1 was upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines, and knockdown of NRP1 inhibited the transformative phenotypes of HCC cells. Notably, the concentrations of serum NRP1 in the HCC patients were much higher than those of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, breast cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer and lung cancer patients. Moreover, serum NRP1 was significantly associated with AFP, γ-GT, Alb, bile acid, ALT, AST, ALP and pre-Alb. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) for serum NRP1 was 0.971, presenting better diagnostic performance compared to AFP. CONCLUSIONS NRP1 is a novel tumor marker in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafei Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, PR China
| | - Yingwei Zhang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, PR China
| | - Jiemin Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, PR China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, PR China
| | - Ning Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, PR China
| | - Peihua Ni
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, PR China
| | - Lihua Song
- School of Agriculture & Biology, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China.
| | - Xiangfan Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, PR China.
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Roshandel D, Eslani M, Baradaran-Rafii A, Cheung AY, Kurji K, Jabbehdari S, Maiz A, Jalali S, Djalilian AR, Holland EJ. Current and emerging therapies for corneal neovascularization. Ocul Surf 2018; 16:398-414. [PMID: 29908870 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The cornea is unique because of its complete avascularity. Corneal neovascularization (CNV) can result from a variety of etiologies including contact lens wear; corneal infections; and ocular surface diseases due to inflammation, chemical injury, and limbal stem cell deficiency. Management is focused primarily on the etiology and pathophysiology causing the CNV and involves medical and surgical options. Because inflammation is a key factor in the pathophysiology of CNV, corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory medications remain the mainstay of treatment. Anti-VEGF therapies are gaining popularity to prevent CNV in a number of etiologies. Surgical options including vessel occlusion and ocular surface reconstruction are other options depending on etiology and response to medical therapy. Future therapies should provide more effective treatment options for the management of CNV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danial Roshandel
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Medi Eslani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Cincinnati Eye Institute, Edgewood, KY/ University of Cincinnati, Department of Ophthalmology, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Alireza Baradaran-Rafii
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Albert Y Cheung
- Cincinnati Eye Institute, Edgewood, KY/ University of Cincinnati, Department of Ophthalmology, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Khaliq Kurji
- Cincinnati Eye Institute, Edgewood, KY/ University of Cincinnati, Department of Ophthalmology, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Sayena Jabbehdari
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alejandra Maiz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Setareh Jalali
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali R Djalilian
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Edward J Holland
- Cincinnati Eye Institute, Edgewood, KY/ University of Cincinnati, Department of Ophthalmology, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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Shao F, Huang M, Meng F, Huang Q. Circular RNA Signature Predicts Gemcitabine Resistance of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:584. [PMID: 29922161 PMCID: PMC5996282 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gemcitabine resistance is currently the main problem of chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer patients. The resistance is thought to be caused by altered drug metabolism or reduced apoptosis of cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanism of Gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. In this study, we established Gemcitabine resistant PANC-1 (PANC-1-GR) cell lines and compared the circular RNAs (circRNAs) profiles between PANC-1 cells and PANC-1-GR cells by RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed circRNAs were demonstrated using scatter plot and cluster heatmap analysis. Gene ontology and pathway analysis were performed to systemically map the genes which are functionally associated to those differentially expressed circRNAs identified from our data. The expression of the differentially expressed circRNAs picked up by RNAseq in PANC-1-GR cells was further validated by qRT-PCR and two circRNAs were eventually identified as the most distinct targets. Consistently, by analyzing plasma samples form pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients, the two circRNAs showed more significant expression in the Gemcitabine non-responsive patients than the responsive ones. In addition, we found that silencing of the two circRNAs could restore the sensitivity of PANC-1-GR cells to Gemcitabine treatment, while over-expression of them could increase the resistance of normal PANC-1 and MIA PACA-2 cells, suggesting that they might serve as drug targets for Gemcitabine resistance. Furthermore, the miRNA interaction networks were also explored based on the correlation analysis of the target microRNAs of these two circRNAs. In conclusion, we successfully established new PANC-1-GR cells, systemically characterized the circRNA and miRNA profiles, and identified two circRNAs as novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for Gemcitabine non-responsive PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Shao
- Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Mei Huang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Futao Meng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- Medical College, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, China
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Wu ST, Fowler AJ, Garmon CB, Fessler AB, Ogle JD, Grover KR, Allen BC, Williams CD, Zhou R, Yazdanifar M, Ogle CA, Mukherjee P. Treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with tumor antigen specific-targeted delivery of paclitaxel loaded PLGA nanoparticles. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:457. [PMID: 29685122 PMCID: PMC5914049 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4393-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remains the most aggressive cancers with a 5-year survival below 10%. Systemic delivery of chemotherapy drugs has severe side effects in patients with PDA and does not significantly improve overall survival rate. It is highly desirable to advance the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs by targeting their delivery and increasing accumulation at the tumor site. MUC1 is a membrane-tethered glycoprotein that is aberrantly overexpressed in > 80% of PDA thus making it an attractive antigenic target. METHODS Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) conjugated to a tumor specific MUC1 antibody, TAB004, was used as a nanocarrier for targeted delivery into human PDA cell lines in vitro and in PDA tumors in vivo. The PLGA NPs were loaded with fluorescent imaging agents, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and Nile Red (NR) or isocyanine green (ICG) for in vitro and in vivo imaging respectively or with a chemotherapeutic drug, paclitaxel (PTX) for in vitro cytotoxicity assays. Confocal microscopy was used to visualize internalization of the nanocarrier in vitro in PDA cells with high and low MUC1 expression. The in vivo imaging system (IVIS) was used to visualize in vivo tumor targeting of the nanocarrier. MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay was used to determine in vitro cell survival of cells treated with PTX-loaded nanocarrier. One-sided t-test comparing treatment groups at each concentration and two-way ANOVAs comparing internalization of antibody and PLGA nanoparticles. RESULTS In vitro, TAB004-conjugated ICG-nanocarriers were significantly better at internalizing in PDA cells than its non-conjugated counterpart. Similarly, TAB004-conjugated PTX-nanocarriers were significantly more cytotoxic in vitro against PDA cells than its non-conjugated counterpart. In vivo, TAB004-conjugated ICG-nanocarriers showed increased accumulation in the PDA tumor compared to the non-conjugated nanocarrier while sparing normal organs. CONCLUSIONS The study provides promising data for future development of a novel MUC1-targeted nanocarrier for direct delivery of imaging agents or drugs into the tumor microenvironment.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Antigens, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/administration & dosage
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/chemistry
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/pharmacokinetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/immunology
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/mortality
- Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Survival
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Liberation
- Endocytosis
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Humans
- Mice
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Mucin-1/immunology
- Nanoparticles/chemistry
- Nanoparticles/ultrastructure
- Paclitaxel/administration & dosage
- Paclitaxel/chemistry
- Paclitaxel/pharmacokinetics
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/immunology
- Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology
- Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry
- Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-ta Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223 USA
| | - Anthony J. Fowler
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223 USA
| | - Corey B. Garmon
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223 USA
| | - Adam B. Fessler
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223 USA
| | - Joshua D. Ogle
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223 USA
| | - Kajal R. Grover
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223 USA
| | - Bailey C. Allen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223 USA
| | - Chandra D. Williams
- Department of Animal Laboratory Resources, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223 USA
| | - Ru Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223 USA
| | - Mahboubeh Yazdanifar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223 USA
| | - Craig A. Ogle
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223 USA
| | - Pinku Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223 USA
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Wu ST, Williams CD, Grover PA, Moore LJ, Mukherjee P. Early detection of pancreatic cancer in mouse models using a novel antibody, TAB004. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193260. [PMID: 29462213 PMCID: PMC5819830 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the United States with a 5-year overall survival rate of 8% for all stages combined. But this decreases to 3% for the majority of patients that present with stage IV PDA at time of diagnosis. The lack of distinct early symptoms for PDA is one of the primary reasons for the late diagnosis. Common symptoms like weight loss, abdominal and back pains, and jaundice are often mistaken for symptoms of other issues and do not appear until the cancer has progressed to a late stage. Thus the development of novel imaging platforms for PDA is crucial for the early detection of the disease. MUC1 is a tumor-associated antigen (tMUC1) expressed on 80% of PDA. The goal of this study was to determine the targeting and detection capabilities of a tMUC1 specific antibody, TAB004. TAB004 antibody conjugated to a near infrared fluorescent probe was injected intraperitoneally into immune competent orthotopic and spontaneous models of PDA. Results show that fluorophore conjugated TAB004 specifically targets a) 1 week old small tumor in the pancreas in an orthotopic PDA model and b) very early pre-neoplastic lesions (PanIN lesions) that develop in the spontaneous PDA model before progression to adenocarcinoma. Thus, TAB004 is a promising antibody to deliver imaging agents directly to the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, significantly affecting early detection of PDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-ta Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Chandra D. Williams
- Department of Animal Laboratory Resources, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Priyanka A. Grover
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Laura J. Moore
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Pinku Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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40
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Significance of microcystic, elongated, and fragmented glandular-like features in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas. Hum Pathol 2018; 78:18-27. [PMID: 29410139 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2018.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Microcystic, elongated, and fragmented (MELF) glandular features are associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion, and progression in endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterus. Similar histological features are also observed at the periphery of pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). However, the clinicopathological significance of MELF-like features-particularly whether they represent regenerative or truly neoplastic conditions-in IPMNs remains unclear. We assessed a total of 152 surgically resected IPMNs. Fifty cases exhibited MELF-like features, including 26 cases of IPMNs with accompanying adenocarcinomas and 24 cases of IPMNs without accompanying adenocarcinomas. MELF-like features were more frequently observed in IPMN cases with accompanying adenocarcinomas, larger tumors, main-duct type, and non-gastric histologic subtype. A positive correlation between the presence of MELF-like features and high-grade dysplasia was observed in IPMNs without accompanying adenocarcinomas. Moreover, DPC4 loss and p53 overexpression in MELF-like glands were more commonly observed in IPMNs with high-grade dysplasia. IPMN patients with MELF-like features had worse overall and disease-specific survival by univariate analyses. Our observations suggest that MELF-like features in some IPMNs with high-grade dysplasia could be related to stromal invasion. Hence, when MELF-like features are observed in IPMNs, pathologists should carefully evaluate the results of microscopic examinations to identify the invasive components; and, immunohistochemical staining for DPC4 and p53 could help clarify its clinicopathological significance.
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41
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Grover P, Nath S, Nye MD, Zhou R, Ahmad M, Mukherjee P. SMAD4-independent activation of TGF-β signaling by MUC1 in a human pancreatic cancer cell line. Oncotarget 2018; 9:6897-6910. [PMID: 29467938 PMCID: PMC5805524 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDA) has a mortality rate that nearly matches its incidence rate. Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β) is a cytokine with a dual role in tumor development switching from a tumor suppressor to a tumor promoter. There is limited knowledge of how TGF-β function switches during tumorigenesis. Mucin 1 (MUC1) is an aberrantly glycosylated, membrane-bound, glycoprotein that is overexpressed in >80% of PDA cases and is associated with poor prognosis. In PDA, MUC1 promotes tumor progression and metastasis via signaling through its cytoplasmic tail (MUC1-CT) and interacting with other oncogenic signaling molecules. We hypothesize that high levels of MUC1 in PDA may be partly responsible for the TGF-β functional switch during oncogenesis. We report that overexpression of MUC1 in BxPC3 human PDA cells (BxPC3.MUC1) enhances the induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition leading to increased invasiveness in response to exogenous TGF-β1. Simultaneously, these cells resist TGF-β induced apoptosis by downregulating levels of cleaved caspases. We show that mutating the tyrosines in MUC1-CT to phenylalanine reverses the TGF-β induced invasiveness. This suggests that the tyrosine residues in MUC1-CT are required for TGF-β induced invasion. Some of these tyrosines are phosphorylated by the tyrosine kinase c-Src. Thus, treatment of BxPC3.MUC1 cells with a c-Src inhibitor (PP2) significantly reduces TGF-β induced invasiveness. Similar observations were confirmed in the Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cell line. Data strongly suggests that MUC1 may regulate TGF-β function in PDA cells and thus have potential clinical relevance in the use of TGF-β inhibitors in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Grover
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223-0001, USA
| | - Sritama Nath
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223-0001, USA
| | - Monica D. Nye
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223-0001, USA
| | - Ru Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223-0001, USA
| | - Mohammad Ahmad
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223-0001, USA
| | - Pinku Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223-0001, USA
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42
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Roy S, Bag AK, Singh RK, Talmadge JE, Batra SK, Datta K. Multifaceted Role of Neuropilins in the Immune System: Potential Targets for Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1228. [PMID: 29067024 PMCID: PMC5641316 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropilins (NRPs) are non-tyrosine kinase cell surface glycoproteins expressed in all vertebrates and widely conserved across species. The two isoforms, such as neuropilin-1 (NRP1) and neuropilin-2 (NRP2), mainly act as coreceptors for class III Semaphorins and for members of the vascular endothelial growth factor family of molecules and are widely known for their role in a wide array of physiological processes, such as cardiovascular, neuronal development and patterning, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, as well as various clinical disorders. Intriguingly, additional roles for NRPs occur with myeloid and lymphoid cells, in normal physiological as well as different pathological conditions, including cancer, immunological disorders, and bone diseases. However, little is known concerning the molecular pathways that govern these functions. In addition, NRP1 expression has been characterized in different immune cellular phenotypes including macrophages, dendritic cells, and T cell subsets, especially regulatory T cell populations. By contrast, the functions of NRP2 in immune cells are less well known. In this review, we briefly summarize the genomic organization, structure, and binding partners of the NRPs and extensively discuss the recent advances in their role and function in different immune cell subsets and their clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohini Roy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Arup K Bag
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Rakesh K Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Pathology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - James E Talmadge
- Department of Microbiology and Pathology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Kaustubh Datta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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43
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Wyatt RA, Trieu NPV, Crawford BD. Zebrafish Xenograft: An Evolutionary Experiment in Tumour Biology. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:E220. [PMID: 28872594 PMCID: PMC5615353 DOI: 10.3390/genes8090220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Though the cancer research community has used mouse xenografts for decades more than zebrafish xenografts, zebrafish have much to offer: they are cheap, easy to work with, and the embryonic model is relatively easy to use in high-throughput assays. Zebrafish can be imaged live, allowing us to observe cellular and molecular processes in vivo in real time. Opponents dismiss the zebrafish model due to the evolutionary distance between zebrafish and humans, as compared to mice, but proponents argue for the zebrafish xenograft's superiority to cell culture systems and its advantages in imaging. This review places the zebrafish xenograft in the context of current views on cancer and gives an overview of how several aspects of this evolutionary disease can be addressed in the zebrafish model. Zebrafish are missing homologs of some human proteins and (of particular interest) several members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of proteases, which are known for their importance in tumour biology. This review draws attention to the implicit evolutionary experiment taking place when the molecular ecology of the xenograft host is significantly different than that of the donor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael A Wyatt
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada.
| | - Nhu P V Trieu
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada.
| | - Bryan D Crawford
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada.
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44
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Treps L, Perret R, Edmond S, Ricard D, Gavard J. Glioblastoma stem-like cells secrete the pro-angiogenic VEGF-A factor in extracellular vesicles. J Extracell Vesicles 2017; 6:1359479. [PMID: 28815003 PMCID: PMC5549846 DOI: 10.1080/20013078.2017.1359479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are mortifying brain tumours that contain a subpopulation of tumour cells with stem-like properties, termed glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs). GSCs largely contribute to tumour initiation, propagation and resistance to current anti-cancer therapies. GSCs are situated in perivascular niches, closely associated with brain microvascular endothelial cells, thereby involved in bidirectional molecular and cellular interactions. Moreover, extracellular vesicles are suspected to carry essential information that can adapt the microenvironment to the tumour’s needs, including tumour-induced angiogenesis. In GBM, extracellular vesicles produced by differentiated tumour cells and GSCs were demonstrated to disseminate locally and at distance. Here, we report that the pro-angiogenic pro-permeability factor VEGF-A is carried in extracellular vesicles secreted from ex vivo cultured patient-derived GSCs. Of note, extracellular vesicle-derived VEGF-A contributes to the in vitro elevation of permeability and angiogenic potential in human brain endothelial cells. Indeed, VEGF-A silencing in GSCs compromised in vitro extracellular vesicle-mediated increase in permeability and angiogenesis. From a clinical standpoint, extracellular vesicles isolated from circulating blood of GBM patients present higher levels of VEGF-A, as compared to healthy donors. Overall, our results suggest that extracellular vesicle-harboured VEGF-A targets brain endothelial cells and might impact their ability to form new vessels. Thus, tumour-released EV cargo might emerge as an instrumental part of the tumour-induced angiogenesis and vascular permeability modus operandi in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Treps
- CNRS, INSERM, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Raul Perret
- INSERM, CNRS, CRCINA, Team SOAP, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Sébastien Edmond
- Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Percy, Service de Santé des Armées, Clamart, France
| | - Damien Ricard
- Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Percy, Service de Santé des Armées, Clamart, France.,Ecole du Val-de-Grâce, Service de Santé des Armées, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR 8257, Paris, France
| | - Julie Gavard
- CNRS, INSERM, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,INSERM, CNRS, CRCINA, Team SOAP, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
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45
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Roy LD, Dillon LM, Zhou R, Moore LJ, Livasy C, El-Khoury JM, Puri R, Mukherjee P. A tumor specific antibody to aid breast cancer screening in women with dense breast tissue. Genes Cancer 2017; 8:536-549. [PMID: 28680538 PMCID: PMC5489651 DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Screening for breast cancer has predominantly been done using mammography. Unfortunately, mammograms miss 50% cancers in women with dense breast tissue. Multi-modal screenings offer the best chance of enhancing breast cancer screening effectiveness. We evaluated the use of TAB004, an antibody that recognizes the tumor form of the glycoprotein MUC1 (tMUC1), to aid early detection of breast cancer. Our experimental approach was to follow tMUC1 from the tissue into circulation. We found that 95% of human breast cancer tissues across all subtypes stained positive for TAB004. In breast cancer cell lines, we showed that the amount of tMUC1 released from tumor cells is proportional to the cell's tMUC1 expression level. Finally, we showed that TAB004 can be used to assess circulating tMUC1 levels, which when monitored in the context of cancer immunoediting, can aid earlier diagnosis of breast cancer regardless of breast tissue density. In a blinded pilot study with banked serial samples, tMUC1 levels increased significantly up to 2 years before diagnosis. Inclusion of tMUC1 monitoring as part of a multi-modal screening strategy may lead to earlier stage diagnosis of women whose cancers are missed by mammography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lopamudra Das Roy
- OncoTAb, Inc., Charlotte, NC, USA.,University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Lloye M Dillon
- OncoTAb, Inc., Charlotte, NC, USA.,University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Ru Zhou
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Laura J Moore
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Chad Livasy
- Carolinas Pathology Group, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA.,University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Pinku Mukherjee
- OncoTAb, Inc., Charlotte, NC, USA.,University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
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Zhu LP, Zhou JP, Zhang JX, Wang JY, Wang ZY, Pan M, Li LF, Li CC, Wang KK, Bai YP, Zhang GG. MiR-15b-5p Regulates Collateral Artery Formation by Targeting AKT3 (Protein Kinase B-3). Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2017; 37:957-968. [PMID: 28254819 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.116.308905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify circulating microRNAs that are differentially expressed in severe coronary heart disease with well or poorly developed collateral arteries and to investigate their mechanisms of action in vivo and in vitro. APPROACH AND RESULTS In our study, we identified a circulating microRNA, miR-15b-5p, with low expression that, nevertheless, characterized patients with sufficient coronary collateral artery function. Moreover, in murine hindlimb ischemia model, in situ hybridization identified that miR-15b-5p was specifically expressed in vascular endothelial cells of adductors in sham group and was remarkably downregulated after femoral artery ligation. Overexpressed miR-15b-5p significantly inhibited arteriogenesis and angiogenesis in mice. In vitro, both under basal and vascular endothelial growth factor stimulation, loss-of-function or gain-of-function studies suggested that miR-15b-5p significantly promoted or depressed the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells. We identified AKT3 (protein kinase B-3) as a direct target of miR-15b-5p. Interestingly, AKT3 deficiency by injection with Chol-AKT3-siRNA obviously suppressed arteriogenesis and the recovery of blood perfusion after femoral ligation in mice. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that circulating miR-15b-5p is a suitable biomarker for discriminating between patients with well-developed or poorly developed collaterals. Moreover, miR-15b-5p is a key regulator of arteriogenesis and angiogenesis, which may represent a potential therapeutic target for ischemic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Ping Zhu
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (L.-P.Z., J.-P.Z., J.-Y.W., Z.-Y.W., M.P., L.-F.L., L.C., G.-G.Z.); Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (J.-X.Z., C.-C.L., Y.-P.B.); and Department of Pathophysiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China (K.-K.W.)
| | - Ji-Peng Zhou
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (L.-P.Z., J.-P.Z., J.-Y.W., Z.-Y.W., M.P., L.-F.L., L.C., G.-G.Z.); Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (J.-X.Z., C.-C.L., Y.-P.B.); and Department of Pathophysiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China (K.-K.W.)
| | - Jia-Xiong Zhang
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (L.-P.Z., J.-P.Z., J.-Y.W., Z.-Y.W., M.P., L.-F.L., L.C., G.-G.Z.); Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (J.-X.Z., C.-C.L., Y.-P.B.); and Department of Pathophysiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China (K.-K.W.)
| | - Jun-Yao Wang
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (L.-P.Z., J.-P.Z., J.-Y.W., Z.-Y.W., M.P., L.-F.L., L.C., G.-G.Z.); Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (J.-X.Z., C.-C.L., Y.-P.B.); and Department of Pathophysiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China (K.-K.W.)
| | - Zhen-Yu Wang
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (L.-P.Z., J.-P.Z., J.-Y.W., Z.-Y.W., M.P., L.-F.L., L.C., G.-G.Z.); Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (J.-X.Z., C.-C.L., Y.-P.B.); and Department of Pathophysiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China (K.-K.W.)
| | - Miao Pan
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (L.-P.Z., J.-P.Z., J.-Y.W., Z.-Y.W., M.P., L.-F.L., L.C., G.-G.Z.); Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (J.-X.Z., C.-C.L., Y.-P.B.); and Department of Pathophysiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China (K.-K.W.)
| | - Ling-Fang Li
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (L.-P.Z., J.-P.Z., J.-Y.W., Z.-Y.W., M.P., L.-F.L., L.C., G.-G.Z.); Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (J.-X.Z., C.-C.L., Y.-P.B.); and Department of Pathophysiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China (K.-K.W.)
| | - Chuan-Chang Li
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (L.-P.Z., J.-P.Z., J.-Y.W., Z.-Y.W., M.P., L.-F.L., L.C., G.-G.Z.); Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (J.-X.Z., C.-C.L., Y.-P.B.); and Department of Pathophysiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China (K.-K.W.)
| | - Kang-Kai Wang
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (L.-P.Z., J.-P.Z., J.-Y.W., Z.-Y.W., M.P., L.-F.L., L.C., G.-G.Z.); Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (J.-X.Z., C.-C.L., Y.-P.B.); and Department of Pathophysiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China (K.-K.W.)
| | - Yong-Ping Bai
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (L.-P.Z., J.-P.Z., J.-Y.W., Z.-Y.W., M.P., L.-F.L., L.C., G.-G.Z.); Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (J.-X.Z., C.-C.L., Y.-P.B.); and Department of Pathophysiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China (K.-K.W.)
| | - Guo-Gang Zhang
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (L.-P.Z., J.-P.Z., J.-Y.W., Z.-Y.W., M.P., L.-F.L., L.C., G.-G.Z.); Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China (J.-X.Z., C.-C.L., Y.-P.B.); and Department of Pathophysiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China (K.-K.W.).
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Yazdanifar M, Zhou R, Mukherjee P. Emerging immunotherapeutics in adenocarcinomas: A focus on CAR-T cells. CURRENT TRENDS IN IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 17:95-115. [PMID: 28659689 PMCID: PMC5484157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
More than 80% of all cancers arise from epithelial cells referred to as carcinomas. Adenocarcinomas are the most common type of carcinomas arising from the specialized epithelial cells that line the ducts of our major organs. Despite many advances in cancer therapies, metastatic and treatment-refractory cancers remain the 2nd leading cause of death. Immunotherapy has offered potential opportunities with specific targeting of tumor cells and inducing remission in many cancer patients. Numerous therapies using antibodies as antagonists or checkpoint inhibitors/immune modulators, peptide or cell vaccines, cytokines, and adoptive T cell therapies have been developed. The most innovative immunotherapy approach so far has been the use of engineered T cell, also referred to as chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells). CAR-T cells are genetically modified naïve T cells that express a chimeric molecule which comprises of the antigen-recognition domains (scFv) of an anti-tumor antibody and one, two, or three intracellular signaling domains of the T cell receptor (TCR). When these engineered T cells recognize and bind to the tumor antigen target via the scFv fragment, a signal is sent to the intracellular TCR domains of the CAR, leading to activation of the T cells to become cytolytic against the tumor cells. CAR-T cell therapy has shown tremendous success for certain hematopoietic malignancies, but this success has not been extrapolated to adenocarcinomas. This is due to multiple factors associated with adenocarcinoma that are different from hematopoietic tumors. Although many advances have been made in targeting multiple cancers by CAR-T cells, clinical trials have shown adverse effects and toxicity related to this treatment. New strategies are yet to be devised to manage side effects associated with CAR-T cell therapies. In this review, we report some of the promising immunotherapeutic strategies being developed for treatment of most common adenocarcinomas with particular emphasis on the future generation of CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pinku Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
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