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Yang Y, Li W, Yang H, Zhang Y, Zhang S, Xu F, Hao Y, Cao W, Du G, Wang J. Research progress on the regulatory mechanisms of FOXC1 expression in cancers and its role in drug resistance. Gene 2024; 897:148079. [PMID: 38101711 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.148079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The Forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) transcription factor is an important member of the FOX family. After initially being identified in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) with significant oncogenic function, FOXC1 was subsequently demonstrated to be involved in the development of more than 16 types of cancers. In recent years, increasing studies have focused on the deregulatory mechanisms of FOXC1 expression and revealed that FOXC1 expression was regulated at multiple levels including transcriptional regulation, post-transcription regulation and post-translational modification. Moreover, dysregulation of FOXC1 is also implicated in drug resistance in various types of cancer, especially in breast cancer, which further emphasizes the translational and clinical significance of FOXC1 as a therapeutic target in cancer treatment. This review summarizes recent findings on mechanisms of FOXC1 dysregulation in cancers and its role in chemoresistance, which will help to better understand the oncogenic role of FOXC1, overcome FOXC1-mediated drug resistance and develop targeted therapy for FOXC1 in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Yang
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing 100050, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Wan Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing 100050, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Hong Yang
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing 100050, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yizhi Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing 100050, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Sen Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing 100050, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Fang Xu
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing 100050, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yue Hao
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing 100050, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Wanxin Cao
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing 100050, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Guanhua Du
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing 100050, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jinhua Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Beijing 100050, China; Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Drug Screen, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
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2
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Patel SK, Zhdanovskaya N, Sergio I, Cardinale A, Rosichini M, Varricchio C, Pace E, Capalbo C, Locatelli F, Macone A, Velardi E, Palermo R, Felli MP. Thymic-Epithelial-Cell-Dependent Microenvironment Influences Proliferation and Apoptosis of Leukemic Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1412. [PMID: 38338689 PMCID: PMC10855934 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a hematological cancer characterized by the infiltration of immature T-cells in the bone marrow. Aberrant NOTCH signaling in T-ALL is mainly triggered by activating mutations of NOTCH1 and overexpression of NOTCH3, and rarely is it linked to NOTCH3-activating mutations. Besides the known critical role of NOTCH, the nature of intrathymic microenvironment-dependent mechanisms able to render immature thymocytes, presumably pre-leukemic cells, capable of escaping thymus retention and infiltrating the bone marrow is still unclear. An important challenge is understanding how leukemic cells shape their tumor microenvironment to increase their ability to infiltrate and survive within. Our previous data indicated that hyperactive NOTCH3 affects the CXCL12/CXCR4 system and may interfere with T-cell/stroma interactions within the thymus. This study aims to identify the biological effects of the reciprocal interactions between human leukemic cell lines and thymic epithelial cell (TEC)-derived soluble factors in modulating NOTCH signaling and survival programs of T-ALL cells and TECs. The overarching hypothesis is that this crosstalk can influence the progressive stages of T-cell development driving T-cell leukemia. Thus, we investigated the effect of extracellular space conditioned by T-ALL cell lines (Jurkat, TALL1, and Loucy) and TECs and studied their reciprocal regulation of cell cycle and survival. In support, we also detected metabolic changes as potential drivers of leukemic cell survival. Our studies could shed light on T-cell/stroma crosstalk to human leukemic cells and propose our culture system to test pharmacological treatment for T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandesh Kumar Patel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Roma, Italy; (S.K.P.); (N.Z.); (C.V.); (E.P.); (C.C.); (R.P.)
| | - Nadezda Zhdanovskaya
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Roma, Italy; (S.K.P.); (N.Z.); (C.V.); (E.P.); (C.C.); (R.P.)
| | - Ilaria Sergio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Roma, Italy;
| | - Antonella Cardinale
- Research Area of Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.R.); (F.L.); (E.V.)
| | - Marco Rosichini
- Research Area of Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.R.); (F.L.); (E.V.)
| | - Claudia Varricchio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Roma, Italy; (S.K.P.); (N.Z.); (C.V.); (E.P.); (C.C.); (R.P.)
| | - Eleonora Pace
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Roma, Italy; (S.K.P.); (N.Z.); (C.V.); (E.P.); (C.C.); (R.P.)
| | - Carlo Capalbo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Roma, Italy; (S.K.P.); (N.Z.); (C.V.); (E.P.); (C.C.); (R.P.)
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Research Area of Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.R.); (F.L.); (E.V.)
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 12631 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Macone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Roma, Italy;
| | - Enrico Velardi
- Research Area of Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (M.R.); (F.L.); (E.V.)
| | - Rocco Palermo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Roma, Italy; (S.K.P.); (N.Z.); (C.V.); (E.P.); (C.C.); (R.P.)
| | - Maria Pia Felli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Roma, Italy;
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3
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Melnick AF, Mullin C, Lin K, McCarter AC, Liang S, Liu YE, Wang Q, Jerome NA, Choe E, Kunnath N, Bodanapu G, Akter F, Magnuson B, Kumar S, Lombard DB, Muntean AG, Ljungman M, Sekiguchi J, Ryan RJH, Chiang MY. Cdc73 protects Notch-induced T-cell leukemia cells from DNA damage and mitochondrial stress. Blood 2023; 142:2159-2174. [PMID: 37616559 PMCID: PMC10733839 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023020144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Activated Notch signaling is highly prevalent in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), but pan-Notch inhibitors showed excessive toxicity in clinical trials. To find alternative ways to target Notch signals, we investigated cell division cycle 73 (Cdc73), which is a Notch cofactor and key component of the RNA polymerase-associated transcriptional machinery, an emerging target in T-ALL. Although we confirmed previous work that CDC73 interacts with NOTCH1, we also found that the interaction in T-ALL was context-dependent and facilitated by the transcription factor ETS1. Using mouse models, we showed that Cdc73 is important for Notch-induced T-cell development and T-ALL maintenance. Mechanistically, chromatin and nascent gene expression profiling showed that Cdc73 intersects with Ets1 and Notch at chromatin within enhancers to activate expression of known T-ALL oncogenes through its enhancer functions. Cdc73 also intersects with these factors within promoters to activate transcription of genes that are important for DNA repair and oxidative phosphorylation through its gene body functions. Consistently, Cdc73 deletion induced DNA damage and apoptosis and impaired mitochondrial function. The CDC73-induced DNA repair expression program co-opted by NOTCH1 is more highly expressed in T-ALL than in any other cancer. These data suggest that Cdc73 might induce a gene expression program that was eventually intersected and hijacked by oncogenic Notch to augment proliferation and mitigate the genotoxic and metabolic stresses of elevated Notch signaling. Our report supports studying factors such as CDC73 that intersect with Notch to derive a basic scientific understanding on how to combat Notch-dependent cancers without directly targeting the Notch complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley F. Melnick
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Carea Mullin
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Karena Lin
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Anna C. McCarter
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Shannon Liang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Yiran E. Liu
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Qing Wang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Nicole A. Jerome
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Elizabeth Choe
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Nicholas Kunnath
- Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Geethika Bodanapu
- School of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Fatema Akter
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Brian Magnuson
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Surinder Kumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - David B. Lombard
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Andrew G. Muntean
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Mats Ljungman
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Radiology Oncology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - JoAnn Sekiguchi
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Russell J. H. Ryan
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Mark Y. Chiang
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
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4
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Krenn PW, Aberger F. Targeting cancer hallmark vulnerabilities in hematologic malignancies by interfering with Hedgehog/GLI signaling. Blood 2023; 142:1945-1959. [PMID: 37595276 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021014761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the genetic alterations, disrupted signaling pathways, and hijacked mechanisms in oncogene-transformed hematologic cells is critical for the development of effective and durable treatment strategies against liquid tumors. In this review, we focus on the specific involvement of the Hedgehog (HH)/GLI pathway in the manifestation and initiation of various cancer features in hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma, T- and B-cell lymphomas, and lymphoid and myeloid leukemias. By reviewing canonical and noncanonical, Smoothened-independent HH/GLI signaling and summarizing preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies in hematologic malignancies, we elucidate common molecular mechanisms by which HH/GLI signaling controls key oncogenic processes and cancer hallmarks such as cell proliferation, cancer stem cell fate, genomic instability, microenvironment remodeling, and cell survival. We also summarize current clinical trials with HH inhibitors and discuss successes and challenges, as well as opportunities for future combined therapeutic approaches. By providing a bird's eye view of the role of HH/GLI signaling in liquid tumors, we suggest that a comprehensive understanding of the general oncogenic effects of HH/GLI signaling on the formation of cancer hallmarks is essential to identify critical vulnerabilities within tumor cells and their supporting remodeled microenvironment, paving the way for the development of novel and efficient personalized combination therapies for hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter W Krenn
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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5
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Angot L, Schneider P, Vannier JP, Abdoul-Azize S. Beyond Corticoresistance, A Paradoxical Corticosensitivity Induced by Corticosteroid Therapy in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemias. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2812. [PMID: 37345151 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Known as a key effector in relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), resistance to drug-induced apoptosis, is tightly considered one of the main prognostic factors for the disease. ALL cells are constantly developing cellular strategies to survive and resist therapeutic drugs. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are one of the most important agents used in the treatment of ALL due to their ability to induce cell death. The mechanisms of GC resistance of ALL cells are largely unknown and intense research is currently focused on this topic. Such resistance can involve different cellular and molecular mechanisms, including the modulation of signaling pathways involved in the regulation of proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, metabolism, epigenetic modifications and tumor suppressors. Recently, several studies point to the paradoxical role of GCs in many survival processes that may lead to therapy-induced resistance in ALL cells, which we called "paradoxical corticosensitivity". In this review, we aim to summarize all findings on cell survival pathways paradoxically activated by GCs with an emphasis on previous and current knowledge on gene expression and signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure Angot
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, IRIB, Inserm, U1234, 76183 Rouen, France
| | - Pascale Schneider
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, IRIB, Inserm, U1234, 76183 Rouen, France
- Department of Pediatric Immuno-Hemato-Oncology, Rouen University Hospital, 76038 Rouen, France
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6
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Castellanos-Martínez R, León-Vega II, Guerrero-Fonseca IM, Vargas-Robles H, Jiménez-Camacho KE, Hernández-Galicia G, Ortiz-Navarrete VF, Rottner K, Medina-Contreras O, Schnoor M. T cell functions and organ infiltration by leukemic T cells require cortactin. J Leukoc Biol 2023; 113:315-325. [PMID: 36808495 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad001] [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: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematological malignancy that is still fatal in many cases. T cell blasts are characterized by hyperactivation and strong proliferative and migratory capacities. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is involved in mediating malignant T cell properties, and cortactin has been shown to control CXCR4 surface localization in T-ALL cells. We have previously shown that cortactin overexpression is correlated with organ infiltration and relapse in B-ALL. However, the role of cortactin in T cell biology and T-ALL remains elusive. Here, we analyzed the functional relevance of cortactin for T cell activation and migration and the implications for T-ALL development. We found that cortactin is upregulated in response to T cell receptor engagement and recruited to the immune synapse in normal T cells. Loss of cortactin caused reduced IL-2 production and proliferation. Cortactin-depleted T cells showed defects in immune synapse formation and migrated less due to impaired actin polymerization in response to T cell receptor and CXCR4 stimulation. Leukemic T cells expressed much higher levels of cortactin compared to normal T cells that correlated with greater migratory capacity. Xenotransplantation assays in NSG mice revealed that cortactin-depleted human leukemic T cells colonized the bone marrow significantly less and failed to infiltrate the central nervous system, suggesting that cortactin overexpression drives organ infiltration, which is a major complication of T-ALL relapse. Thus, cortactin could serve as a potential therapeutic target for T-ALL and other pathologies involving aberrant T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramón Castellanos-Martínez
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Iliana I León-Vega
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Idaira M Guerrero-Fonseca
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Hilda Vargas-Robles
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Karina E Jiménez-Camacho
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gabriela Hernández-Galicia
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Vianney F Ortiz-Navarrete
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Klemens Rottner
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Zoological Institute, TU Braunschweig, Spielmannstr. 7, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
- Department of Cell Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Oscar Medina-Contreras
- Department of Hemato-oncology, Hospital Infantil "Federico Gómez,", Av. Dr. Márquez 162, 06720 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Michael Schnoor
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360 Mexico City, Mexico
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7
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Understanding the Roles of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway during T-Cell Lymphopoiesis and in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL). Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032962. [PMID: 36769284 PMCID: PMC9917970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032962] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (HH) signaling network is one of the main regulators of invertebrate and vertebrate embryonic development. Along with other networks, such as NOTCH and WNT, HH signaling specifies both the early patterning and the polarity events as well as the subsequent organ formation via the temporal and spatial regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. However, aberrant activation of HH signaling has been identified in a broad range of malignant disorders, where it positively influences proliferation, survival, and therapeutic resistance of neoplastic cells. Inhibitors targeting the HH pathway have been tested in preclinical cancer models. The HH pathway is also overactive in other blood malignancies, including T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). This review is intended to summarize our knowledge of the biological roles and pathophysiology of the HH pathway during normal T-cell lymphopoiesis and in T-ALL. In addition, we will discuss potential therapeutic strategies that might expand the clinical usefulness of drugs targeting the HH pathway in T-ALL.
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8
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ABT-737 suppresses aberrant Hedgehog pathway and overcomes resistance to smoothened antagonists by blocking Gli. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:188. [PMID: 36071246 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01794-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Abnormally activated Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been linked to multiple types of cancers including medulloblastoma (MB). Current Hh-targeted drug development projects mainly focus on antagonizing the upstream oncoprotein Smoothened (Smo). However, the effectiveness of Smo inhibitors is compromised by primary and acquired resistance, which is caused by mutations of Smo or other downstream components. Here, we conducted a cellular screening of small-molecule compounds and identified ABT-737 as a selective Hh inhibitor resulting in active suppression of human Hh-dependent MB cells. Mechanistically, ABT-737 suppressed Hh signals far-downstream of Smo and Sufu at Gli transcriptional effector level. In line with this, ABT-737 potentially inhibited wild-type and drug-resistant mutant Smo. More importantly, ABT-737 also delayed the growth of drug-refractory Hh-dependent MB xenografts derived from genetically engineered mouse model in vivo. These findings identify ABT-737 as a therapeutical substance for cancers with excessive Hh signaling activity, especially for those with primary or acquired resistance to Smo inhibitors in clinic.
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9
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Inferring transcription factor regulatory networks from single-cell ATAC-seq data based on graph neural networks. NAT MACH INTELL 2022. [DOI: 10.1038/s42256-022-00469-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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10
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Ray T, Ryusaki T, Ray PS. Therapeutically Targeting Cancers That Overexpress FOXC1: A Transcriptional Driver of Cell Plasticity, Partial EMT, and Cancer Metastasis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:721959. [PMID: 34540690 PMCID: PMC8446626 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.721959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis accounts for more than 90% of cancer related mortality, thus the most pressing need in the field of oncology today is the ability to accurately predict future onset of metastatic disease, ideally at the time of initial diagnosis. As opposed to current practice, what would be desirable is that prognostic, biomarker-based detection of metastatic propensity and heightened risk of cancer recurrence be performed long before overt metastasis has set in. Without such timely information it will be impossible to formulate a rational therapeutic treatment plan to favorably alter the trajectory of disease progression. In order to help inform rational selection of targeted therapeutics, any recurrence/metastasis risk prediction strategy must occur with the paired identification of novel prognostic biomarkers and their underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms that help drive cancer recurrence/metastasis (i.e. recurrence biomarkers). Traditional clinical factors alone (such as TNM staging criteria) are no longer adequately prognostic for this purpose in the current molecular era. FOXC1 is a pivotal transcription factor that has been functionally implicated to drive cancer metastasis and has been demonstrated to be an independent predictor of heightened metastatic risk, at the time of initial diagnosis. In this review, we present our viewpoints on the master regulatory role that FOXC1 plays in mediating cancer stem cell traits that include cellular plasticity, partial EMT, treatment resistance, cancer invasion and cancer migration during cancer progression and metastasis. We also highlight potential therapeutic strategies to target cancers that are, or have evolved to become, “transcriptionally addicted” to FOXC1. The potential role of FOXC1 expression status in predicting the efficacy of these identified therapeutic approaches merits evaluation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Ray
- R&D Division, Onconostic Technologies (OT), Inc., Champaign, IL, United States
| | | | - Partha S Ray
- R&D Division, Onconostic Technologies (OT), Inc., Champaign, IL, United States
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11
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Responsiveness to Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells Is Highly Dependent on 5'AMP-Activated Kinase Inactivation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126384. [PMID: 34203724 PMCID: PMC8232330 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that hedgehog inhibitors (iHHs) only partially block the growth of tumor cells, especially in vivo. Leukemia often expands in a nutrient-depleted environment (bone marrow and thymus). In order to identify putative signaling pathways implicated in the adaptive response to metabolically adverse conditions, we executed quantitative phospho-proteomics in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells subjected to nutrient-depleted conditions (serum starvation). We found important modulations of peptides phosphorylated by critical signaling pathways including casein kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin, and 5′AMP-activated kinase (AMPK). Surprisingly, in T-ALL cells, AMPK signaling was the most consistently downregulated pathway under serum-depleted conditions, and this coincided with increased GLI1 expression and sensitivity to iHHs, especially the GLI1/2 inhibitor GANT-61. Increased sensitivity to GANT-61 was also found following genetic inactivation of the catalytic subunit of AMPK (AMPKα1) or pharmacological inhibition of AMPK by Compound C. Additionally, patient-derived xenografts showing high GLI1 expression lacked activated AMPK, suggesting an important role for this signaling pathway in regulating GLI1 protein levels. Further, joint targeting of HH and AMPK signaling pathways in T-ALL cells by GANT-61 and Compound C significantly increased the therapeutic response. Our results suggest that metabolic adaptation that occurs under nutrient starvation in T-ALL cells increases responsiveness to HH pathway inhibitors through an AMPK-dependent mechanism and that joint therapeutic targeting of AMPK signaling and HH signaling could represent a valid therapeutic strategy in rapidly expanding tumors where nutrient availability becomes limiting.
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