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Li H, Liu J, Lai J, Su X, Wang X, Cao J, Mao S, Zhang T, Gu Q. The HHEX-ABI2/SLC17A9 axis induces cancer stem cell-like properties and tumorigenesis in HCC. J Transl Med 2024; 22:537. [PMID: 38844969 PMCID: PMC11155165 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05324-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicated that HHEX participated in the initiation and development of several cancers, but the potential roles and mechanisms of HHEX in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were largely unclear. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for cancer progression owing to their stemness characteristics. We reported that HHEX was a novel CSCs target for HCC. We found that HHEX was overexpressed in HCC tissues and high expression of HHEX was associated with poor survival. Subsequently, we found that HHEX promoted HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis and experiments verified that HHEX promoted stem cell-like properties in HCC. Mechanistically, ABI2 serving as a co-activator of transcriptional factor HHEX upregulated SLC17A9 to promote HCC cancer stem cell-like properties and tumorigenesis. Collectively, the HHEX-mediated ABI2/SLC17A9 axis contributes to HCC growth and metastasis by maintaining the CSC population, suggesting that HHEX serves as a promising therapeutic target for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizi Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, The, USA
| | - Jie Lai
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xinyao Su
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiaqing Cao
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shengxun Mao
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center, The Third Actuated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, Guangdong, China.
- Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361000, China.
- Department of Organ Transplantation, School of Medicine, Organ Transplantation Clinical Medical Center of Xiamen University, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, Fujian, China.
| | - Qiuping Gu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ganzhou People's Hospital, No. 16, Meiguan Avenue, Zhanggong District, Ganzhou City, 341000, Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Wu G, Fan Z, Li X. CENPA knockdown restrains cell progression and tumor growth in breast cancer by reducing PLA2R1 promoter methylation and modulating PLA2R1/HHEX axis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:27. [PMID: 38212546 PMCID: PMC11072086 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05063-5] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is a lethal malignancy affecting females worldwide. It has been reported that upregulated centromere protein A (CENPA) expression might indicate unfortunate prognosis and can function as a prognostic biomarker in breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the accurate roles and downstream mechanisms of CENPA in breast cancer progression. METHODS CENPA protein levels in breast cancer tissues and cell lines were analyzed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry assays. We used gain/loss-of-function experiments to determine the potential effects of CENPA and phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R1) on breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Co-IP assay was employed to validate the possible interaction between CENPA and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), as well as PLA2R1 and hematopoietically expressed homeobox (HHEX). PLA2R1 promoter methylation was determined using methylation-specific PCR assay. The biological capabilities of CENPA/PLA2R1/HHEX axis in breast cancer cells was determined by rescue experiments. In addition, CENPA-silenced MCF-7 cells were injected into mice, followed by measurement of tumor growth. RESULTS CENPA level was prominently elevated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Interestingly, CENPA knockdown and PLA2R1 overexpression both restrained breast cancer cell proliferation and migration, and enhanced apoptosis. On the contrary, CENPA overexpression displayed the opposite results. Moreover, CENPA reduced PLA2R1 expression through promoting DNMT1-mediated PLA2R1 promoter methylation. PLA2R1 overexpression could effectively abrogate CENPA overexpression-mediated augment of breast cancer cell progression. Furthermore, PLA2R1 interacted with HHEX and promoted HHEX expression. PLA2R1 knockdown increased the rate of breast cancer cell proliferation and migration but restrained apoptosis, which was abrogated by HHEX overexpression. In addition, CENPA silencing suppressed tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSION CENPA knockdown restrained breast cancer cell proliferation and migration and attenuated tumor growth in vivo through reducing PLA2R1 promoter methylation and increasing PLA2R1 and HHEX expression. We may provide a promising prognostic biomarker and novel therapeutic target for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wu
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhongkai Fan
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning, China.
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, Liaoning, China.
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3
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Jackson JT, Nutt SL, McCormack MP. The Haematopoietically-expressed homeobox transcription factor: roles in development, physiology and disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1197490. [PMID: 37398663 PMCID: PMC10313424 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1197490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Haematopoietically expressed homeobox transcription factor (Hhex) is a transcriptional repressor that is of fundamental importance across species, as evident by its evolutionary conservation spanning fish, amphibians, birds, mice and humans. Indeed, Hhex maintains its vital functions throughout the lifespan of the organism, beginning in the oocyte, through fundamental stages of embryogenesis in the foregut endoderm. The endodermal development driven by Hhex gives rise to endocrine organs such as the pancreas in a process which is likely linked to its role as a risk factor in diabetes and pancreatic disorders. Hhex is also required for the normal development of the bile duct and liver, the latter also importantly being the initial site of haematopoiesis. These haematopoietic origins are governed by Hhex, leading to its crucial later roles in definitive haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal, lymphopoiesis and haematological malignancy. Hhex is also necessary for the developing forebrain and thyroid gland, with this reliance on Hhex evident in its role in endocrine disorders later in life including a potential role in Alzheimer's disease. Thus, the roles of Hhex in embryological development throughout evolution appear to be linked to its later roles in a variety of disease processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T. Jackson
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen L. Nutt
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew P. McCormack
- The Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- iCamuno Biotherapeutics, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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4
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Guo Y, Zhu Z, Huang Z, Cui L, Yu W, Hong W, Zhou Z, Du P, Liu CY. CK2-induced cooperation of HHEX with the YAP-TEAD4 complex promotes colorectal tumorigenesis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4995. [PMID: 36008411 PMCID: PMC9411202 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32674-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of Hippo pathway leads to hyperactivation of YAP-TEAD transcriptional complex in various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we observed that HHEX (Hematopoietically expressed homeobox) may enhance transcription activity of the YAP-TEAD complex. HHEX associates with and stabilizes the YAP-TEAD complex on the regulatory genomic loci to coregulate the expression of a group of YAP/TEAD target genes. Also, HHEX may indirectly regulate these target genes by controlling YAP/TAZ expression. Importantly, HHEX is required for the pro-tumorigenic effects of YAP during CRC progression. In response to serum stimulation, CK2 (Casein Kinase 2) phosphorylates HHEX and enhances its interaction with TEAD4. A CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 diminishes the interaction between HHEX and TEAD4, leading to decreased expression of YAP/TEAD target genes. CX-4945 synergizes the antitumor activity of YAP-TEAD inhibitors verteporfin and Super-TDU. Elevated expression of HHEX is correlated with hyperactivation of YAP/TEAD and associated with poor prognosis of CRC patients. Overall, our study identifies HHEX as a positive modulator of YAP/TEAD to promote colorectal tumorigenesis, providing a new therapeutic strategy for targeting YAP/TEAD in CRC. Hippo signalling is often deregulated in cancers. Here the authors show that CK2 enhances the cooperation of HHEX with YAP-TEAD complex to promote colorectal tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuegui Guo
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.,Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Zhehui Zhu
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.,Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Shanghai, 200092, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Zhenyu Huang
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.,Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Long Cui
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.,Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Wei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Wanjin Hong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61, Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Zhaocai Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Peng Du
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China. .,Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Chen-Ying Liu
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China. .,Shanghai Colorectal Cancer Research Center, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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5
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The effects of bismuth oxide nanoparticles and cisplatin on MCF-7 breast cancer cells irradiated with Ir-192 High Dose Rate brachytherapy. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrras.2022.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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6
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Jayaraman PS, Gaston K. Targeting protein kinase CK2 in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2021; 2:434-447. [PMID: 36045705 PMCID: PMC9400764 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2021.00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a disease with a very poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Although targeted therapies directed towards specific mutations found in CCA are becoming available and are showing great potential, many tumors do not carry actionable mutations and, in those that do, the emergence of drug resistance is a likely consequence of treatment. Therapeutic targeting of enzymes and other proteins that show elevated activity in CCA cells but which are not altered by mutation is a potential strategy for the treatment of target negative and drug-resistant disease. Protein kinase CK2 (CK2) is a ubiquitously expressed kinase that has increased expression and increased activity in a variety of cancer types including CCA. Several potent CK2 inhibitors are in pre-clinical development or under assessment in a variety of clinical trials often in combination with drugs that induce DNA damage. This review outlines the importance of CK2 in CCA and assesses the progress that has been made in the evaluation of CK2 inhibition as a treatment strategy in this disease. Targeting CK2 based on the expression levels or activity of this protein and/or in combination with drugs that induce DNA damage or inhibit cell cycle progression, could be a viable option for tumors that lack actionable mutations, or for tumors that develop resistance to targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padma-Sheela Jayaraman
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
- Division of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Kevin Gaston
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
- Division of Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
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7
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Yang X, Cao N, Chen L, Liu L, Zhang M, Cao Y. Suppression of Cell Tumorigenicity by Non-neural Pro-differentiation Factors via Inhibition of Neural Property in Tumorigenic Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:714383. [PMID: 34595169 PMCID: PMC8476888 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.714383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Our studies have demonstrated that cell tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential stem from neural stemness or a neural ground state, which is defined by a regulatory network of higher levels of machineries for basic cell physiological functions, including cell cycle, ribosome biogenesis, protein translation, spliceosome, epigenetic modification factors, reprogramming factors, etc., in addition to the neural stemness specific factors. These machineries and neural stemness factors mostly play cancer-promoting roles. It can be deduced that differentiation requires the repression of neural ground state and causes the reduction or loss of neural ground state and thus tumorigenicity in tumorigenic cells. Formerly, we showed that neuronal differentiation led to reduced tumorigenicity in tumorigenic cells. In the present study, we show that non-neural pro-differentiation factors, such as GATA3, HNF4A, HHEX, and FOXA3 that specify mesodermal or/and endodermal tissues during vertebrate embryogenesis, suppress tumorigenicity via repression of neural stemness and promotion of non-neural property in tumorigenic cells. Mechanistically, these transcription factors repress the transcription of neural enriched genes and meanwhile activate genes that specify non-neural properties via direct binding to the promoters of these genes. We also show that combined expression of HHEX and FOXA3 suppresses tumorigenesis effectively in the AOM/DSS model of colitis-associated cancer. We suggest that targeting the property of neural stemness could be an effective strategy for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Yang
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Cao
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Cao
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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8
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Li X, Ma G, Guo W, Mu N, Wang Y, Liu X, Su L. Hhex inhibits cell migration via regulating RHOA/CDC42-CFL1 axis in human lung cancer cells. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:80. [PMID: 34321041 PMCID: PMC8320060 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00763-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hhex(human hematopoietically expressed homeobox), also known as PRH, is originally considered as a transcription factor to regulate gene expression due to its homebox domain. Increasing studies show that Hhex plays a significant role in development, including anterior–posterior axis formation, vascular development and HSCs self-renewal etc. Hhex is linked to many diseases such as cancers, leukemia, and type-2 diabetes. Although Hhex is reported to inhibit cell migration and invasion of breast and prostate epithelial cells by upregulating Endoglin expression, the effect and molecular mechanism for lung cancer cell motility regulation remains elusive. Methods Human non-small cell lung cancer cells and HEK293FT cells were used to investigate the molecular mechanism of Hhex regulating lung cancer cell migration by using Western blot, immunoprecipitation, wound-healing scratch assay, laser confocal. Results Our data indicated that Hhex could inhibit cell migration and cell protrusion formation in lung cancer cells. In addition, Hhex inhibited CFL1 phosphorylation to keep its F-actin-severing activity. RHOGDIA was involved in Hhex-induced CFL1 phosphorylation regulation. Hhex enhanced RHOGDIA interaction with RHOA/CDC42, thus maintaining RHOA/CDC42 at an inactive form. Conclusion Collectively, these data indicate that Hhex inhibited the activation of RHOA/CDC42 by enhancing interaction of RHOGDIA with RHOA/CDC42, and then RHOA/ CDC42-p-CFL1 signaling pathway was blocked. Consequently, the formation of Filopodium and Lamellipodium on the cell surface was suppressed, and thus the ability of lung cancer cells to migrate was decreased accordingly. Our findings show Hhex plays an important role in regulating migration of lung cancer cells and may provide a potential target for lung cancer therapy. Video abstract
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-021-00763-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Li
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Room N8-110, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Guilin Ma
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Room N8-110, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Wenjie Guo
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Room N8-110, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Ning Mu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Room N8-110, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Yingying Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Room N8-110, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xiangguo Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Room N8-110, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China.,Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Ling Su
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Room N8-110, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao, 266237, China. .,Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China.
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9
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Comparative Gene Signature of (-)-Oleocanthal Formulation Treatments in Heterogeneous Triple Negative Breast Tumor Models: Oncological Therapeutic Target Insights. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13051706. [PMID: 34069906 PMCID: PMC8157589 DOI: 10.3390/nu13051706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) heterogeneity and limited therapeutic options confer its phenotypic aggressiveness. The discovery of anti-TNBC natural products with valid molecular target(s) and defined pharmacodynamic profile would facilitate their therapeutic nutraceutical use by TNBC patients. The extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a key Mediterranean diet ingredient. S-(−)-Oleocanthal (OC) leads the bioactive anti-tumor EVOO phenolic ingredients. A previous study reported the solid dispersion formulated OC with (+)-xylitol (OC-X) suppressed the in vivo progression and recurrence of the TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells. This study investigates the ability of OC-X formulation to suppress the in vivo heterogeneous BC initiation and progression utilizing advanced preclinical transgenic MMTV-PyVT and TNBC PDX mouse models. Furthermore, the clustering of the gene expression profiles in MMTV-PyVT and PDX mouse tumors treated with OC-X acquired by a Clariom S microarray analysis identified the distinctly affected genes. Several affected novel signature genes identified in response to OC-X treatments and proved overlapped in both mouse and human tumor models, shedding some lights toward understanding the OC anticancer molecular mechanism and assisting in predicting prospective clinical outcomes. This study provides molecular and preclinical evidences of OC-X potential as a nutraceutical suppressing heterogeneous TNBC model and offers preliminary gene-level therapeutic mechanistic insights.
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Zhang K, Zhao Q, Li Z, Fu F, Zhang H, Fu J, Zheng M, Zhang S. Clinicopathological Significances of Cancer Stem Cell-Associated HHEX Expression in Breast Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:605744. [PMID: 33425911 PMCID: PMC7785851 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.605744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of the transcription factor hematopoietic ally expressed homeobox/proline-rich homeodomain (HHEX/PRH) is implicated in numerous cancers. However, the association of HHEX with breast cancer (BC) remains unclear. In this study, HHEX mRNA and protein expression were analyzed using the Oncomine, UALCAN, GEPIA, TCGAportal, and HPA databases. We evaluated the effect of HHEX on clinicopathological parameters using Kaplan–Meier plotter, OncoLnc, TCGAportal, PROGgeneV2, and BC-GenExMiner. Western blotting was performed to compare the level of HHEX in breast samples of Tientsin Albino 2 mice, human breast precancerous lesions, benign breast tumors, and BC. The correlation between HHEX and cancer stem cells was investigated using the GEO (GSE52327 and GSE94865) and GEPIA datasets. Networks between HHEX and survival-related gene marker sets and microRNAs were analyzed using GEPIA, StarBase, and Cytoscape. Results of this study showed that HHEX expression in BC was significantly lower than those in breast precancerous lesions and benign breast tumors at both mRNA and protein levels. BC patients with lower HHEX expression had significantly worse overall survival and disease-free survival. Moreover, HHEX significantly affected the clinicopathology of BC. Specifically, low HHEX expression was correlated with the following groups of patients: age ≤51 years, ER-negative or PR-negative patients, HER-2 positive, triple-negative breast cancer, and basal-like BC. Immunohistochemical analysis of the breast samples showed significant differences of HHEX staining index (P < 0.001) among the three groups. To further investigate the mechanism, we determined the intersection of differentially expressed genes related to BC stem cells and those genes after HHEX expression was altered. This led to the identification of four potentially regulated genes-CXL12, BLNK, PAG1, and LPXN. Using StarBase and km-plotter, the negative regulation of HHEX expression and survival trends, including miR-130b, miR-30e, and miR-301b were joined into miRNA-HHEX-mRNA potential regulatory network. The abilities of proliferation, migration and invasion increased in MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 breast cancer cell lines after HHEX down expression and decreased after HHEX overexpression compared them in the control cells. In conclusion, these data suggest that HHEX expression is downregulated in BC and HHEX may regulate the development of BC through the stem cell-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Zhang
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zugui Li
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China.,Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Fangmei Fu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China.,Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China.,Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Junjie Fu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Minying Zheng
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Shiwu Zhang
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China
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11
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Blood platelets stimulate cancer extravasation through TGFβ-mediated downregulation of PRH/HHEX. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:10. [PMID: 32019914 PMCID: PMC7000753 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-0189-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells go through a process known as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) during which they acquire the ability to migrate and invade extracellular matrix. Some cells also acquire the ability to move across a layer of endothelial cells to enter and exit the bloodstream; intra- and extravasation, respectively. The transcription factor PRH/HHEX (proline-rich homeodomain/haematopoietically expressed homeobox) controls cell proliferation and cell migration/invasion in a range of cell types. Our previous work showed that PRH activity is downregulated in prostate cancer cells owing to increased inhibitory PRH phosphorylation and that this increases cell proliferation and invasion. PRH inhibits migration and invasion by prostate and breast epithelial cells in part by activating the transcription of Endoglin, a transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) co-receptor. Here we show that depletion of PRH in immortalised prostate epithelial cells results in increased extravasation in vitro. We show that blood platelets stimulate extravasation of cells with depleted PRH and that inhibition of TGFβ signalling blocks the effects of platelets on these cells. Moreover, TGFβ induces changes characteristic of EMT including decreased E-Cadherin expression and increased Snail expression. We show that in prostate cells PRH regulates multiple genes involved in EMT and TGFβ signalling. However, both platelets and TGFβ increase PRH phosphorylation. In addition, TGFβ increases binding of its effector pSMAD3 to the PRH/HHEX promoter and downregulates PRH protein and mRNA levels. Thus, TGFβ signalling downregulates PRH activity by multiple mechanisms and induces an EMT that facilitates extravasation and sensitises cells to TGFβ.
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Kitchen P, Lee KY, Clark D, Lau N, Lertsuwan J, Sawasdichai A, Satayavivad J, Oltean S, Afford S, Gaston K, Jayaraman PS. A Runaway PRH/HHEX-Notch3-Positive Feedback Loop Drives Cholangiocarcinoma and Determines Response to CDK4/6 Inhibition. Cancer Res 2019; 80:757-770. [PMID: 31843982 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-0942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant Notch and Wnt signaling are known drivers of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), but the underlying factors that initiate and maintain these pathways are not known. Here, we show that the proline-rich homeodomain protein/hematopoietically expressed homeobox (PRH/HHEX) transcription factor forms a positive transcriptional feedback loop with Notch3 that is critical in CCA. PRH/HHEX expression is elevated in CCA, and depletion of PRH reduces CCA tumor growth in a xenograft model. Overexpression of PRH in primary human biliary epithelial cells is sufficient to increase cell proliferation and produce an invasive phenotype. Interrogation of the gene networks regulated by PRH and Notch3 reveals that unlike Notch3, PRH directly activates canonical Wnt signaling. These data indicate that hyperactivation of Notch and Wnt signaling is independent of the underlying mutational landscape and has a common origin in dysregulation of PRH. Moreover, they suggest new therapeutic options based on the dependence of specific Wnt, Notch, and CDK4/6 inhibitors on PRH activity. SIGNIFICANCE: The PRH/HHEX transcription factor is an oncogenic driver in cholangiocarcinoma that confers sensitivity to CDK4/6 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Kitchen
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ka Ying Lee
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Danielle Clark
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Nikki Lau
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jomnarong Lertsuwan
- Laboratory of Chemical Carcinogenesis, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anyaporn Sawasdichai
- Laboratory of Chemical Carcinogenesis, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Sebastian Oltean
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Afford
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Gaston
- Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
| | - Padma-Sheela Jayaraman
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
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Deregulated NKL Homeobox Genes in B-Cell Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121874. [PMID: 31779217 PMCID: PMC6966443 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we have described physiological expression patterns of NKL homeobox genes in early hematopoiesis and in subsequent lymphopoiesis. We identified nine genes which constitute the so-called NKL-code. Aberrant overexpression of code-members or ectopically activated non-code NKL homeobox genes are described in T-cell leukemia and in T- and B-cell lymphoma, highlighting their oncogenic role in lymphoid malignancies. Here, we introduce the NKL-code in normal hematopoiesis and focus on deregulated NKL homeobox genes in B-cell lymphoma, including HLX, MSX1 and NKX2-2 in Hodgkin lymphoma; HLX, NKX2-1 and NKX6-3 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; and NKX2-3 in splenic marginal zone lymphoma. Thus, the roles of various members of the NKL homeobox gene subclass are considered in normal and pathological hematopoiesis in detail.
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Regulation of Proliferative Processes in Rat Adrenal Cortex by Transcriptional Factor PRH under Conditions of Developmental Exposure to Endocrine Disruptor DDT. Bull Exp Biol Med 2019; 167:404-407. [DOI: 10.1007/s10517-019-04537-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Expression of Transcription Factor PRH/Hhex in Adrenal Chromaffin Cells in the Postnatal Development and Its Role in the Regulation of Proliferative Processes. Bull Exp Biol Med 2018; 165:508-511. [PMID: 30121926 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-018-4205-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factor PRH/Hhex suppresses cell proliferation and contributes to regulation of prenatal and postnatal ontogeny. Neurons of the peripheral nervous system and chromaffin cells were previously considered as non-expressing PRH/Hhex in postnatal development. In our study, the expression of PRH/Hhex in chromaffin cells of rat adrenal glands and association between the decrease of proliferation and activation of PRH/Hhex expression were demonstrated.
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HHEX is a transcriptional regulator of the VEGFC/FLT4/PROX1 signaling axis during vascular development. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2704. [PMID: 30006544 PMCID: PMC6045644 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05039-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Formation of the lymphatic system requires the coordinated expression of several key regulators: vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC), its receptor FLT4, and a key transcriptional effector, PROX1. Yet, how expression of these signaling components is regulated remains poorly understood. Here, using a combination of genetic and molecular approaches, we identify the transcription factor hematopoietically expressed homeobox (HHEX) as an upstream regulator of VEGFC, FLT4, and PROX1 during angiogenic sprouting and lymphatic formation in vertebrates. By analyzing zebrafish mutants, we found that hhex is necessary for sprouting angiogenesis from the posterior cardinal vein, a process required for lymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, studies of mammalian HHEX using tissue-specific genetic deletions in mouse and knockdowns in cultured human endothelial cells reveal its highly conserved function during vascular and lymphatic development. Our findings that HHEX is essential for the regulation of the VEGFC/FLT4/PROX1 axis provide insights into the molecular regulation of lymphangiogenesis. VEGFC, its receptor FLT4, and transcriptional effector PROX1 control formation of the lymphatic system but how is unclear. Here, the authors show that the transcription factor hematopoietically expressed homeobox (HHEX) regulates VEGFC, FLT4 and PROX1 in fish and mammals during angiogenic sprouting and lymphatic formation.
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