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Kulkarni A, Mohan V, Tang TT, Post L, Chan YC, Manning M, Thio N, Parker BL, Dawson MA, Rosenbluh J, Vissers JH, Harvey KF. Identification of resistance mechanisms to small-molecule inhibition of TEAD-regulated transcription. EMBO Rep 2024:10.1038/s44319-024-00217-3. [PMID: 39103676 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00217-3] [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: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The Hippo tumor suppressor pathway controls transcription by regulating nuclear abundance of YAP and TAZ, which activate transcription with the TEAD1-TEAD4 DNA-binding proteins. Recently, several small-molecule inhibitors of YAP and TEADs have been reported, with some entering clinical trials for different cancers with Hippo pathway deregulation, most notably, mesothelioma. Using genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screens we reveal that mutations in genes from the Hippo, MAPK, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways all modulate the response of mesothelioma cell lines to TEAD palmitoylation inhibitors. By exploring gene expression programs of mutant cells, we find that MAPK pathway hyperactivation confers resistance to TEAD inhibition by reinstating expression of a subset of YAP/TAZ target genes. Consistent with this, combined inhibition of TEAD and the MAPK kinase MEK, synergistically blocks proliferation of multiple mesothelioma and lung cancer cell lines and more potently reduces the growth of patient-derived lung cancer xenografts in vivo. Collectively, we reveal mechanisms by which cells can overcome small-molecule inhibition of TEAD palmitoylation and potential strategies to enhance the anti-tumor activity of emerging Hippo pathway targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Kulkarni
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Varshini Mohan
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Tracy T Tang
- Vivace Therapeutics Inc., San Mateo, CA, 94404, USA
| | - Leonard Post
- Vivace Therapeutics Inc., San Mateo, CA, 94404, USA
| | - Yih-Chih Chan
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Murray Manning
- Department of Biochemistry, and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia
- Functional Genomics Platform, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Niko Thio
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
| | - Benjamin L Parker
- Department of Anatomy & Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark A Dawson
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Research and Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Joseph Rosenbluh
- Department of Biochemistry, and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia
- Functional Genomics Platform, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Joseph Ha Vissers
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Research and Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Kieran F Harvey
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Australia.
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Han J, Kim S, Hwang YH, Kim SA, Lee Y, Kim J, Cho S, Woo J, Jeong C, Kwon M, Nam G, Kim I. Novel Personalized Cancer Vaccine Using Tumor Extracellular Vesicles with Attenuated Tumorigenicity and Enhanced Immunogenicity. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2308662. [PMID: 38666427 PMCID: PMC11220679 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Cancer vaccines offer a promising avenue in cancer immunotherapy by inducing systemic, tumor-specific immune responses. Tumor extracellular vesicles (TEVs) are nanoparticles naturally laden with tumor antigens, making them appealing for vaccine development. However, their inherent malignant properties from the original tumor cells limit their direct therapeutic use. This study introduces a novel approach to repurpose TEVs as potent personalized cancer vaccines. The study shows that inhibition of both YAP and autophagy not only diminishes the malignancy-associated traits of TEVs but also enhances their immunogenic attributes by enriching their load of tumor antigens and adjuvants. These revamped TEVs, termed attenuated yet immunogenically potentiated TEVs (AI-TEVs), showcase potential in inhibiting tumor growth, both as a preventive measure and a possible treatment for recurrent cancers. They prompt a tumor-specific and enduring immune memory. In addition, by showing that AI-TEVs can counteract cancer growth in a personalized vaccine approach, a potential strategy is presented for developing postoperative cancer immunotherapy that's enduring and tailored to individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihoon Han
- KU‐KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and TechnologyKorea UniversitySeoul02841Republic of Korea
- Chemical and Biomedical Integrative Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
| | - Seohyun Kim
- KU‐KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and TechnologyKorea UniversitySeoul02841Republic of Korea
- Chemical and Biomedical Integrative Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
- Department of Research and DevelopmentShiftBioSeoul02751Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong Ha Hwang
- KU‐KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and TechnologyKorea UniversitySeoul02841Republic of Korea
- Chemical and Biomedical Integrative Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
| | - Seong A Kim
- KU‐KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and TechnologyKorea UniversitySeoul02841Republic of Korea
- Chemical and Biomedical Integrative Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
| | - Yeji Lee
- KU‐KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and TechnologyKorea UniversitySeoul02841Republic of Korea
- Chemical and Biomedical Integrative Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
| | - Jihong Kim
- KU‐KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and TechnologyKorea UniversitySeoul02841Republic of Korea
- Chemical and Biomedical Integrative Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
| | - Seongeon Cho
- KU‐KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and TechnologyKorea UniversitySeoul02841Republic of Korea
- Chemical and Biomedical Integrative Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwan Woo
- Research Animal Resource CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
| | - Cherlhyun Jeong
- Chemical and Biomedical Integrative Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
- KHU‐KIST Department of Converging Science and TechnologyKyung Hee UniversitySeoul02447Republic of Korea
| | - Minsu Kwon
- Department of OtolaryngologyAsan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoul05505Republic of Korea
| | - Gi‐Hoon Nam
- Department of Research and DevelopmentShiftBioSeoul02751Republic of Korea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyKorea University College of MedicineSeoul02841Republic of Korea
| | - In‐San Kim
- KU‐KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and TechnologyKorea UniversitySeoul02841Republic of Korea
- Chemical and Biomedical Integrative Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)Seoul02792Republic of Korea
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Naimy S, Sølberg JBK, Kuczek DE, Løvendorf MB, Bzorek M, Litman T, Mund A, Rahbek Gjerdrum LM, Clark RA, Mann M, Dyring-Andersen B. Comparative Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Melanoma Subtypes, Nevus-Associated Melanoma, and Corresponding Nevi. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:1608-1621.e4. [PMID: 38185415 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
A substantial part of cutaneous malignant melanomas develops from benign nevi. However, the precise molecular events driving the transformation from benign to malignant melanoma are not well-understood. We used laser microdissection and mass spectrometry to analyze the proteomes of melanoma subtypes, including superficial spreading melanomas (n = 17), nodular melanomas (n = 17), and acral melanomas (n = 15). Furthermore, we compared the proteomes of nevi cells with those of melanoma cells within the same specimens (nevus-associated melanoma (n = 14)). In total, we quantified 7935 proteins. Despite the genomic and clinical differences of the melanoma subtypes, our analysis revealed relatively similar proteomes, except for the upregulation of proteins involved in immune activation in nodular melanomas versus acral melanomas. Examining nevus-associated melanoma versus nevi, we found 1725 differentially expressed proteins (false discovery rate < 0.05). Among these proteins were 140 that overlapped with cancer hallmarks, tumor suppressors, and regulators of metabolism and cell cycle. Pathway analysis indicated aberrant activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B-mTOR pathways and the Hippo-YAP pathway. Using a classifier, we identified six proteins capable of distinguishing melanoma from nevi samples. Our study represents a comprehensive comparative analysis of the proteome in melanoma subtypes and associated nevi, offering insights into the biological behavior of these distinct entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Naimy
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Julie B K Sølberg
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dorota E Kuczek
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marianne Bengtson Løvendorf
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Copenhagen, Denmark; Leo Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Bzorek
- Department of Pathology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Thomas Litman
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Mund
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Rachael A Clark
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthias Mann
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Beatrice Dyring-Andersen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Copenhagen, Denmark; Leo Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Kazimierczak U, Przybyla A, Smielowska M, Kolenda T, Mackiewicz A. Targeting the Hippo Pathway in Cutaneous Melanoma. Cells 2024; 13:1062. [PMID: 38920690 PMCID: PMC11201827 DOI: 10.3390/cells13121062] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. In the advanced stage of development, it is resistant to currently available therapeutic modalities. Increased invasiveness and metastatic potential depend on several proteins involved in various signal transduction pathways. Hippo signaling plays a vital role in malignant transformation. Dysfunctions of the Hippo pathway initiate the expression of tumor growth factors and are associated with tumor growth and metastasis formation. This review summarizes the recent achievements in studying the role of the Hippo pathway in melanoma pathogenesis and points to the potential specific targets for anti-melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Kazimierczak
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka Street 8, 61-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Przybyla
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka Street 8, 61-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Marianna Smielowska
- Department of Genome Engineering, The Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kolenda
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Research and Implementation Unit, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Andrzej Mackiewicz
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka Street 8, 61-806 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary Street 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
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Zhang B, Zhu Q, Qu D, Zhao M, Du J, Zhang H, Wang H, Jiang L, Yi X, Guo S, Wang H, Yang Y, Guo W. ACSS2 enables melanoma cell survival and tumor metastasis by negatively regulating the Hippo pathway. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1423795. [PMID: 38887280 PMCID: PMC11180738 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1423795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2), one of the enzymes that catalyze the conversion of acetate to acetyl-CoA, has been proved to be an oncogene in various cancers. However, the function of ACSS2 is still largely a black box in melanoma. Methods The ACSS2 expression was detected in melanoma cells and melanocytes at both protein and mRNA levels. Cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion were investigated after ACSS2 knockdown. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology was employed to identify differentially expressed genes caused by ACSS2 knockdown, which were then verified by immunoblotting analysis. Animal experiments were further performed to investigate the influence of ACSS2 on tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Results Firstly, we found that ACSS2 was upregulated in most melanoma cell lines compared with melanocytes. In addition, ACSS2 knockdown dramatically suppressed melanoma cell migration and invasion, whereas promoted cell apoptosis in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Furthermore, tumor growth and metastasis were dramatically suppressed by ACSS2 knockdown in vivo. RNA-Seq suggested that the Hippo pathway was activated by ACSS2 knockdown, which was forwardly confirmed by Western blotting and rescue experiments. Taken together, we demonstrated that ACSS2 enables melanoma cell survival and tumor metastasis via the regulation of the Hippo pathway. Discussion In summary, this study demonstrated that ACSS2 may promote the growth and metastasis of melanoma by negatively regulating the Hippo pathway. Targeting ACSS2 may be a promising target for melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Weinan Guo
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
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Kim G, Bhattarai PY, Lim SC, Lee KY, Choi HS. Sirtuin 5-mediated deacetylation of TAZ at K54 promotes melanoma development. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:967-985. [PMID: 38112979 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00910-w] [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] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Nuclear accumulation of YAP/TAZ promotes tumorigenesis in several cancers, including melanoma. Although the mechanisms underlying the nuclear retention of YAP are known, those underlying the retention of TAZ remain unclear. Our study investigates a novel acetylation/deacetylation switch in TAZ, governing its subcellular localization in melanoma tumorigenesis. METHODS Immunoprecipitation/Western blot assessed TAZ protein interactions and acetylation. SIRT5 activity was quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunofluorescence indicated TAZ nuclear localization. TEAD transcriptional activity was measured through luciferase reporter assays. ChIP detected TAZ binding to the CTGF promoter. Transwell and wound healing assays quantified melanoma cell invasiveness and migration. Metastasis was evaluated using a mouse model via tail vein injections. Clinical relevance was explored via immunohistochemical staining of patient tumors. RESULTS CBP facilitated TAZ acetylation at K54 in response to epidermal growth factor stimulation, while SIRT5 mediated deacetylation. Acetylation correlated with phosphorylation, regulating TAZ's binding with LATS2 or TEAD. TAZ K54 acetylation enhanced its S89 phosphorylation, promoting cytosolic retention via LATS2 interaction. SIRT5-mediated deacetylation enhanced TAZ-TEAD interaction and nuclear retention. Chromatin IP showed SIRT5-deacetylated TAZ recruited to CTGF promoter, boosting transcriptional activity. In a mouse model, SIRT5 overexpression induced melanoma metastasis to lung tissue following the injection of B16F10 melanocytes via the tail vein, and this effect was prevented by verteporfin treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed a novel mechanism of TAZ nuclear retention regulated by SIRT5-mediated K54 deacetylation and demonstrated the significance of TAZ deacetylation in CTGF expression. This study highlights the potential implications of the SIRT5/TAZ axis for treating metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garam Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, 309 Pilmun-daero, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-759, Republic of Korea
| | - Poshan Yugal Bhattarai
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, 309 Pilmun-daero, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-759, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Chul Lim
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Youl Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Seok Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, 309 Pilmun-daero, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 501-759, Republic of Korea.
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D'Aguanno S, Brignone M, Scalera S, Chiacchiarini M, Di Martile M, Valentini E, De Nicola F, Ricci A, Pelle F, Botti C, Maugeri-Saccà M, Del Bufalo D. Bcl-2 dependent modulation of Hippo pathway in cancer cells. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:277. [PMID: 38755629 PMCID: PMC11097437 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01647-1] [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: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL are the most studied anti-apoptotic members of Bcl-2 family proteins. We previously characterized both of them, not only for their role in regulating apoptosis and resistance to therapy in cancer cells, but also for their non-canonical functions, mainly including promotion of cancer progression, metastatization, angiogenesis, and involvement in the crosstalk among cancer cells and components of the tumor microenvironment. Our goal was to identify transcriptional signature and novel cellular pathways specifically modulated by Bcl-2. METHODS We performed RNAseq analysis of siRNA-mediated transient knockdown of Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL in human melanoma cells and gene ontology analysis to identify a specific Bcl-2 transcriptional signature. Expression of genes modulated by Bcl-2 and associated to Hippo pathway were validated in human melanoma, breast adenocarcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer cell lines by qRT-PCR. Western blotting analysis were performed to analyse protein expression of upstream regulators of YAP and in relation to different level of Bcl-2 protein. The effects of YAP silencing in Bcl-2 overexpressing cancer cells were evaluated in migration and cell viability assays in relation to different stiffness conditions. In vitro wound healing assays and co-cultures were used to evaluate cancer-specific Bcl-2 ability to activate fibroblasts. RESULTS We demonstrated the Bcl-2-dependent modulation of Hippo Pathway in cancer cell lines from different tumor types by acting on upstream YAP regulators. YAP inhibition abolished the ability of Bcl-2 to increase tumor cell migration and proliferation on high stiffness condition of culture, to stimulate in vitro fibroblasts migration and to induce fibroblasts activation. CONCLUSIONS We discovered that Bcl-2 regulates the Hippo pathway in different tumor types, promoting cell migration, adaptation to higher stiffness culture condition and fibroblast activation. Our data indicate that Bcl-2 inhibitors should be further investigated to counteract cancer-promoting mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona D'Aguanno
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy.
| | - Matteo Brignone
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Stefano Scalera
- Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Martina Chiacchiarini
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Marta Di Martile
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Valentini
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | | | - Alessia Ricci
- Department of Pharmacy, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Fabio Pelle
- Department of Surgery, Division of Breast Surgery, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Claudio Botti
- Department of Surgery, Division of Breast Surgery, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Marcello Maugeri-Saccà
- Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Donatella Del Bufalo
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy
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Ryu HJ, Kim C, Jang H, Kim SI, Shin SJ, Chung KY, Torres-Cabala C, Kim SK. Nuclear Localization of Yes-Associated Protein Is Associated With Tumor Progression in Cutaneous Melanoma. J Transl Med 2024; 104:102048. [PMID: 38490470 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2024.102048] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Yes-associated protein (YAP), an effector molecule of the Hippo signaling pathway, is expressed at high levels in cutaneous melanoma. However, the role of YAP in melanoma progression according to cellular localization is poorly understood. Tissues from 140 patients with invasive melanoma were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Flow cytometry, western blotting, viability assays, wound healing assays, verteporfin treatment, and xenograft assays were conducted using melanoma cell lines B16F1 and B16F10 subjected to YapS127A transfection and siYap knockdown. Nuclear YAP localization was identified in 63 tumors (45.0%) and was more frequent than cytoplasmic YAP in acral lentiginous and nodular subtypes (P = .007). Compared with cytoplasmic YAP melanomas, melanomas with nuclear YAP had higher mitotic activity (P = .016), deeper invasion (P < .001), and more frequently metastasized to lymph nodes (P < .001) and distant organs (P < .001). Patients with nuclear YAP melanomas had poorer disease-free survival (P < .001) and overall survival (P < .001). Nuclear YAP was an independent risk factor for distant metastasis (hazard ratio: 3.206; 95% CI, 1.032-9.961; P = .044). Proliferative ability was decreased in siYapB16F1 (P < .001) and siYapB16F10 (P = .001) cells and increased in YapS127AB16F1 (P = .003) and YapS127AB16F10 (P = .002) cells. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated relative G1 retention in siYapB16F1 (P < .001) and siYapB16F10 (P < .001) cells and S retention in YapS127AB16F1 cells (P = .008). Wound healing assays showed that Yap knockdown inhibited cell invasion (siYapB16F1, P = .001; siYapB16F10, P < .001), whereas nuclear YAP promoted it (YapS127AB16F, P < .001; YapS127AB16F1, P = .017). Verteporfin, a direct YAP inhibitor, reduced cellular proliferation in B16F1 (P = .003) and B16F10 (P < .001) cells. Proliferative effects of nuclear YAP were confirmed in xenograft mice (P < .001). In conclusion, nuclear YAP in human melanomas showed subtype specificity and correlated with proliferative activity and proinvasiveness. It is expected that YAP becomes a useful prognostic marker, and its inhibition may be a potential therapy for melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyang Joo Ryu
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chayeon Kim
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyenguk Jang
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sun Il Kim
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Joon Shin
- Department of Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kee Yang Chung
- Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Carlos Torres-Cabala
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| | - Sang Kyum Kim
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
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Diazzi S, Ablain J. Nonepithelial cancer dissemination: specificities and challenges. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:356-368. [PMID: 38135572 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.11.006] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial cancers have served as a paradigm to study tumor dissemination but recent data have highlighted significant differences with nonepithelial cancers. Here, we review the current knowledge on nonepithelial tumor dissemination, drawing examples from the latest developments in melanoma, glioma, and sarcoma research. We underscore the importance of the reactivation of developmental processes during cancer progression and describe the nongenetic mechanisms driving nonepithelial tumor spread. We also outline therapeutic opportunities and ongoing clinical approaches to fight disseminating cancers. Finally, we discuss remaining challenges and emerging questions in the field. Defining the core principles underlying nonepithelial cancer dissemination may uncover actionable vulnerabilities of metastatic tumors and help improve the prognosis of patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Diazzi
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Julien Ablain
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
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Lv H, Liu L, He Y, Yang K, Fu Y, Bao Y. Role of hippo pathway and cuproptosis-related genes in immune infiltration and prognosis of skin cutaneous melanoma. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1344755. [PMID: 38515849 PMCID: PMC10955143 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1344755] [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: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most lethal type of skin cancer with an increasing incidence. Cuproptosis is the most recently identified copper-dependent form of cell death that relies on mitochondrial respiration. The hippocampal (Hippo) pathway functions as a tumor suppressor by regulating Yes-associated protein/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (YAP/TAZ) activity. However, its role in cuproptosis remains unknown. In addition, the correlation of cuproptosis-related genes and Hippo pathway-related genes with tumor prognosis warrants further investigation. In the present study, we explored the correlation of cuproptosis-related genes and Hippo pathway-related genes with the prognosis of melanoma through analysis of data from a public database and experimental verification. We found eight Hippo pathway-related genes that were downregulated in melanoma and exhibited predictive value for prognosis. There was a significant positive correlation between cuproptosis-related genes and Hippo pathway-related genes in skin cutaneous melanoma. YAP1 expression was positively correlated with ferredoxin 1 (FDX1) expression in the GSE68599 dataset and A2058 cells. Moreover, YAP1 was positively and negatively correlated with M2 macrophages and regulatory T cell infiltration, respectively. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the prognostic value of Hippo pathway-related genes (particularly YAP1) in melanoma, revealing the correlation between the expression of Hippo pathway-related genes and immune infiltration. Thus, the present findings may provide new clues on the prognostic assessment of patients with melanoma and a new target for the immunotherapy of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haozhen Lv
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuexi He
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Yang
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Fu
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yingqiu Bao
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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11
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Hutchenreuther J, Nguyen J, Quesnel K, Vincent KM, Petitjean L, Bourgeois S, Boyd M, Bou-Gharios G, Postovit LM, Leask A. Cancer-associated Fibroblast-specific Expression of the Matricellular Protein CCN1 Coordinates Neovascularization and Stroma Deposition in Melanoma Metastasis. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:556-570. [PMID: 38363129 PMCID: PMC10898341 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is the leading cause of skin cancer-related death. As prognosis of patients with melanoma remains problematic, identification of new therapeutic targets remains essential. Matricellular proteins are nonstructural extracellular matrix proteins. They are secreted into the tumor microenvironment to coordinate behavior among different cell types, yet their contribution to melanoma is underinvestigated. Examples of matricellular proteins include those comprising the CCN family. The CCN family member, CCN1, is highly proangiogenic. Herein, we show that, in human patients with melanoma, although found in several tumor cell types, CCN1 is highly expressed by a subset of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) in patients with melanoma and this expression correlates positively with expression of proangiogenic genes and progressive disease/resistance to anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitors. Consistent with these observations, in a syngeneic C57BL6 mouse model of melanoma, loss of CCN1 expression from Col1A2-Cre-, herein identified as "universal," fibroblasts, impaired metastasis of subcutaneously injected B16F10 tumor cells to lung, concomitant with disrupted neovascularization and collagen organization. Disruption of the extracellular matrix in the loss of CCN1 was validated using a novel artificial intelligence-based image analysis platform that revealed significantly decreased phenotypic fibrosis and composite morphometric collagen scores. As drug resistance is linked to matrix deposition and neoangiogenesis, these data suggest that CCN1, due to its multifaceted role, may represent a novel therapeutic target for drug-resistant melanoma. Our data further emphasize the essential role that cancer-associated, (universal) Col1A2-Cre-fibroblasts and extracellular matrix remodeling play in coordinating behavior among different cell types within the tumor microenvironment. SIGNIFICANCE In human patients, the expression of proangiogenic matricellular protein CCN1 in CAFs correlates positively with expression of stroma and angiogenic markers and progressive disease/resistance to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. In an animal model, loss of CCN1 from CAFs impaired metastasis of melanoma cells, neovascularization, and collagen deposition, emphasizing that CAFs coordinate cellular behavior in a tumor microenvironment and that CCN1 may be a novel target.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Hutchenreuther
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - John Nguyen
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Katherine Quesnel
- Department of Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Krista M. Vincent
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Sophia Bourgeois
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark Boyd
- Office of the Vice President of Research, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - George Bou-Gharios
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lynne-Marie Postovit
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Leask
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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12
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Kluge V, Kappelmann-Fenzl M, Fischer S, Zimmermann T, Pommer M, Kuphal S, Bosserhoff AK. Alternative Wnt-signaling axis leads to a break of oncogene-induced senescence. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:166. [PMID: 38388496 PMCID: PMC10883971 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06550-8] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) is an important process that suppresses tumor development, but the molecular mechanisms of OIS are still under investigation. It is known that BRAFV600E-mutated melanocytes can overcome OIS and develop melanoma, but the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. Using an established OIS model of primary melanocytes transduced with BRAFV600E, YAP activity was shown to be induced in OIS as well as in melanoma cells compared to that in normal epidermal melanocytes. This led to the assumption that YAP activation itself is not a factor involved in the disruption of OIS. However, its role and interaction partners potentially change. As Wnt molecules are known to be important in melanoma progression, these molecules were the focus of subsequent studies. Interestingly, activation of Wnt signaling using AMBMP resulted in a disruption of OIS in BRAFV600E-transduced melanocytes. Furthermore, depletion of Wnt6, Wnt10b or β-catenin expression in melanoma cells resulted in the induction of senescence. Given that melanoma cells do not exhibit canonical Wnt/β-catenin activity, alternative β-catenin signaling pathways may disrupt OIS. Here, we discovered that β-catenin is an interaction partner of YAP on DNA in melanoma cells. Furthermore, the β-catenin-YAP interaction changed the gene expression pattern from senescence-stabilizing genes to tumor-supportive genes. This switch is caused by transcriptional coactivation via the LEF1/TEAD interaction. The target genes with binding sites for LEF1 and TEAD are involved in rRNA processing and are associated with poor prognosis in melanoma patients. This study revealed that an alternative YAP-Wnt signaling axis is an essential molecular mechanism leading to OIS disruption in melanocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Kluge
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Melanie Kappelmann-Fenzl
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Faculty of Computer Science, Deggendorf Institute of Technology, Dieter-Görlitz-Platz 1, 94469, Deggendorf, Germany
| | - Stefan Fischer
- Faculty of Computer Science, Deggendorf Institute of Technology, Dieter-Görlitz-Platz 1, 94469, Deggendorf, Germany
| | - Tom Zimmermann
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michaela Pommer
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Silke Kuphal
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja-Katrin Bosserhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
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13
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Kanai R, Norton E, Stern P, Hynes RO, Lamar JM. Identification of a Gene Signature That Predicts Dependence upon YAP/TAZ-TEAD. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:852. [PMID: 38473214 PMCID: PMC10930532 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeted therapies are effective cancer treatments when accompanied by accurate diagnostic tests that can help identify patients that will respond to those therapies. The YAP/TAZ-TEAD axis is activated and plays a causal role in several cancer types, and TEAD inhibitors are currently in early-phase clinical trials in cancer patients. However, a lack of a reliable way to identify tumors with YAP/TAZ-TEAD activation for most cancer types makes it difficult to determine which tumors will be susceptible to TEAD inhibitors. Here, we used a combination of RNA-seq and bioinformatic analysis of metastatic melanoma cells to develop a YAP/TAZ gene signature. We found that the genes in this signature are TEAD-dependent in several melanoma cell lines, and that their expression strongly correlates with YAP/TAZ activation in human melanomas. Using DepMap dependency data, we found that this YAP/TAZ signature was predictive of melanoma cell dependence upon YAP/TAZ or TEADs. Importantly, this was not limited to melanoma because this signature was also predictive when tested on a panel of over 1000 cancer cell lines representing numerous distinct cancer types. Our results suggest that YAP/TAZ gene signatures like ours may be effective tools to predict tumor cell dependence upon YAP/TAZ-TEAD, and thus potentially provide a means to identify patients likely to benefit from TEAD inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Kanai
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA; (R.K.); (E.N.)
| | - Emily Norton
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA; (R.K.); (E.N.)
| | - Patrick Stern
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA;
| | - Richard O. Hynes
- Department of Biology, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA;
| | - John M. Lamar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA; (R.K.); (E.N.)
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14
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Farris F, Elhagh A, Vigorito I, Alongi N, Pisati F, Giannattasio M, Casagrande F, Veghini L, Corbo V, Tripodo C, Di Napoli A, Matafora V, Bachi A. Unveiling the mechanistic link between extracellular amyloid fibrils, mechano-signaling and YAP activation in cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:28. [PMID: 38199984 PMCID: PMC10781709 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06424-z] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is a complex ecosystem that plays a critical role in cancer progression and treatment response. Recently, extracellular amyloid fibrils have emerged as novel components of the tumor microenvironment; however, their function remains elusive. In this study, we establish a direct connection between the presence of amyloid fibrils in the secretome and the activation of YAP, a transcriptional co-activator involved in cancer proliferation and drug resistance. Furthermore, we uncover a shared mechano-signaling mechanism triggered by amyloid fibrils in both melanoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. Our findings highlight the crucial role of the glycocalyx protein Agrin which binds to extracellular amyloid fibrils and acts as a necessary factor in driving amyloid-dependent YAP activation. Additionally, we reveal the involvement of the HIPPO pathway core kinase LATS1 in this signaling cascade. Finally, we demonstrate that extracellular amyloid fibrils enhance cancer cell migration and invasion. In conclusion, our research expands our knowledge of the tumor microenvironment by uncovering the role of extracellular amyloid fibrils in driving mechano-signaling and YAP activation. This knowledge opens up new avenues for developing innovative strategies to modulate YAP activation and mitigate its detrimental effects during cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Farris
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Elhagh
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Vigorito
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Alongi
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Pisati
- Histopathology Unit, Cogentech S.C.a.R.L, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Giannattasio
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Casagrande
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139, Milan, Italy
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
| | - Lisa Veghini
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
- ARC-Net Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139, Milan, Italy
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Arianna Di Napoli
- Pathology Unit, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittoria Matafora
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139, Milan, Italy.
| | - Angela Bachi
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139, Milan, Italy.
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15
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Wang Z, Luo M, Liang Q, Zhao K, Hu Y, Wang W, Feng X, Hu B, Teng J, You T, Li R, Bao Z, Pan W, Yang T, Zhang C, Li T, Dong X, Yi X, Liu B, Zhao L, Li M, Chen K, Song W, Yang J, Li MJ. Landscape of enhancer disruption and functional screen in melanoma cells. Genome Biol 2023; 24:248. [PMID: 37904237 PMCID: PMC10614365 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03087-5] [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: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high mutation rate throughout the entire melanoma genome presents a major challenge in stratifying true driver events from the background mutations. Numerous recurrent non-coding alterations, such as those in enhancers, can shape tumor evolution, thereby emphasizing the importance in systematically deciphering enhancer disruptions in melanoma. RESULTS Here, we leveraged 297 melanoma whole-genome sequencing samples to prioritize highly recurrent regions. By performing a genome-scale CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) screen on highly recurrent region-associated enhancers in melanoma cells, we identified 66 significant hits which could have tumor-suppressive roles. These functional enhancers show unique mutational patterns independent of classical significantly mutated genes in melanoma. Target gene analysis for the essential enhancers reveal many known and hidden mechanisms underlying melanoma growth. Utilizing extensive functional validation experiments, we demonstrate that a super enhancer element could modulate melanoma cell proliferation by targeting MEF2A, and another distal enhancer is able to sustain PTEN tumor-suppressive potential via long-range interactions. CONCLUSIONS Our study establishes a catalogue of crucial enhancers and their target genes in melanoma growth and progression, and illuminates the identification of novel mechanisms of dysregulation for melanoma driver genes and new therapeutic targeting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Wang
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Menghan Luo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qian Liang
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Scientific Research Center, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ke Zhao
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuelin Hu
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiangling Feng
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Bolang Hu
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jianjin Teng
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tianyi You
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ran Li
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhengkai Bao
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wenhao Pan
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Tielong Yang
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaobao Dong
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xianfu Yi
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ben Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Miaoxin Li
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kexin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Weihong Song
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
| | - Jilong Yang
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Mulin Jun Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Cancer Epidemiology, The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
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16
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Thrash HL, Pendergast AM. Multi-Functional Regulation by YAP/TAZ Signaling Networks in Tumor Progression and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4701. [PMID: 37835395 PMCID: PMC10572014 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway transcriptional co-activators, YES-associated protein (YAP) and Transcriptional Co-Activator with PDZ Binding Motif (TAZ), have both been linked to tumor progression and metastasis. These two proteins possess overlapping and distinct functions, and their activities lead to the expression of genes involved in multiple cellular processes, including cell proliferation, survival, and migration. The dysregulation of YAP/TAZ-dependent cellular processes can result in altered tumor growth and metastasis. In addition to their well-documented roles in the regulation of cancer cell growth, survival, migration, and invasion, the YAP/TAZ-dependent signaling pathways have been more recently implicated in cellular processes that promote metastasis and therapy resistance in several solid tumor types. This review highlights the role of YAP/TAZ signaling networks in the regulation of tumor cell plasticity mediated by hybrid and reversible epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) states, and the promotion of cancer stem cell/progenitor phenotypes. Mechanistically, YAP and TAZ regulate these cellular processes by targeting transcriptional networks. In this review, we detail recently uncovered mechanisms whereby YAP and TAZ mediate tumor growth, metastasis, and therapy resistance, and discuss new therapeutic strategies to target YAP/TAZ function in various solid tumor types. Understanding the distinct and overlapping roles of YAP and TAZ in multiple cellular processes that promote tumor progression to metastasis is expected to enable the identification of effective therapies to treat solid tumors through the hyper-activation of YAP and TAZ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ann Marie Pendergast
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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17
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Suman S, Markovic SN. Melanoma-derived mediators can foster the premetastatic niche: crossroad to lymphatic metastasis. Trends Immunol 2023; 44:724-743. [PMID: 37573226 PMCID: PMC10528107 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.07.002] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
The natural history of advanced malignant melanoma demonstrates that, in most cases, widespread tumor dissemination is preceded by regional metastases involving tumor-draining lymph nodes [sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs)]. Under physiological conditions, LNs play a central role in immunosurveillance to non-self-antigens to which they are exposed via afferent lymph. The dysfunctional immunity in SLNs is mediated by tumor secretory factors that allow the survival of metastatic melanoma cells within the LN by creating a premetastatic niche (PMN). Recent studies outline the altered microenvironment of LNs shaped by melanoma mediators. Here, we discuss tumor secretory factors involved in subverting tumor immunity and remodeling LNs and highlight emerging therapeutic strategies to reinvigorate antitumoral immunity in SLNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shankar Suman
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Svetomir N Markovic
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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18
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Zhang H, Tu L, Ma Z, Lin Y, Tan Q. Inhibition of TAZ impairs the migration ability of melanoma cells. Open Life Sci 2023; 18:20220633. [PMID: 37360787 PMCID: PMC10290279 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0633] [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: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma (MM) is characterized by rapid growth, frequent metastasis, and high mortality. Targeted therapy for MM is still a research hotspot due to the increasing understanding of the hippo pathway. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) in MM tumorigenesis. Based on the database analysis, we found that the median mRNA expression of TAZ (5.4) was found to be similar to that of YAP (5.5) in 473 human melanoma specimens. However, in 63 MM cell lines, the median expression of TAZ (10.8) was expressed at a higher level than that of YAP (9.5), which was then validated in A375. TAZ down-regulation by siRNA decreased the migration (72%) and invasion (74%) abilities of A375. Furthermore, the down-regulation of TAZ inhibited the proliferation of A375 without affecting apoptosis. We subsequently blocked hippo signaling with verteporfin and found that verteporfin application decreased the number of migrating (63%) and invading (69%) cells, respectively. We further found that Cyr61 declined following TAZ down-regulation. Moreover, TAZ negatively correlates with melanoma patient's overall survival. Our data proved that TAZ contributed to MM metastasis, which might be a potential therapeutic target in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing210008, China
| | - Leijing Tu
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhouji Ma
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Lin
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing210008, China
| | - Qian Tan
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing210008, China
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19
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Messina B, Lo Sardo F, Scalera S, Memeo L, Colarossi C, Mare M, Blandino G, Ciliberto G, Maugeri-Saccà M, Bon G. Hippo pathway dysregulation in gastric cancer: from Helicobacter pylori infection to tumor promotion and progression. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:21. [PMID: 36635265 PMCID: PMC9837097 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05568-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The Hippo pathway plays a critical role for balancing proliferation and differentiation, thus regulating tissue homeostasis. The pathway acts through a kinase cascade whose final effectors are the Yes-associated protein (YAP) and its paralog transcriptional co‑activator with PDZ‑binding motif (TAZ). In response to a variety of upstream signals, YAP and TAZ activate a transcriptional program that modulates cellular proliferation, tissue repair after injury, stem cell fate decision, and cytoskeletal reorganization. Hippo pathway signaling is often dysregulated in gastric cancer and in Helicobacter pylori-induced infection, suggesting a putative role of its deregulation since the early stages of the disease. In this review, we summarize the architecture and regulation of the Hippo pathway and discuss how its dysregulation fuels the onset and progression of gastric cancer. In this setting, we also focus on the crosstalk between Hippo and other established oncogenic signaling pathways. Lastly, we provide insights into the therapeutic approaches targeting aberrant YAP/TAZ activation and discuss the related clinical perspectives and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Messina
- Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Lo Sardo
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Scalera
- SAFU Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Memeo
- Pathology Unit, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, Viagrande, Italy
| | | | - Marzia Mare
- Medical Oncology Unit, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, Viagrande, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Directorate, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Maugeri-Saccà
- Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology 2, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Bon
- Cellular Network and Molecular Therapeutic Target Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
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20
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Nyberg WA, Velasquez‐Pulgarin DA, He T, Sjöstrand M, Pellé L, Covacu R, Espinosa A. The bromodomain protein TRIM28 controls the balance between growth and invasiveness in melanoma. EMBO Rep 2022; 24:e54944. [PMID: 36341538 PMCID: PMC9827549 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202254944] [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: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma tumors are highly metastatic partly due to the ability of melanoma cells to transition between invasive and proliferative states. However, the mechanisms underlying this plasticity are still not fully understood. To identify new epigenetic regulators of melanoma plasticity, we combined data mining, tumor models, proximity proteomics, and CUT&RUN sequencing. We focus on the druggable family of bromodomain epigenetic readers and identify TRIM28 as a new regulator of melanoma plasticity. We find that TRIM28 promotes the expression of pro-invasive genes and that TRIM28 controls the balance between invasiveness and growth of melanoma cells. We demonstrate that TRIM28 acts via the transcription factor JUNB that directly regulates the expression of pro-invasive and pro-growth genes. Mechanistically, TRIM28 controls the expression of JUNB by negatively regulating its transcriptional elongation by RNA polymerase II. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that a TRIM28-JUNB axis controls the balance between invasiveness and growth in melanoma tumors and suggest that the bromodomain protein TRIM28 could be targeted to reduce tumor spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Nyberg
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska InstitutetKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden,Present address:
Department of MedicineUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Diego A Velasquez‐Pulgarin
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska InstitutetKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden,Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MemphisMemphisTNUSA
| | - Tianlin He
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska InstitutetKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Maria Sjöstrand
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska InstitutetKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden,Present address:
Department of Medicine, Center for Cell EngineeringMemorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Lucia Pellé
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska InstitutetKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Ruxandra Covacu
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska InstitutetKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
| | - Alexander Espinosa
- Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska InstitutetKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden
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21
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Paris A, Tardif N, Baietti FM, Berra C, Leclair HM, Leucci E, Galibert M, Corre S. The AhR-SRC axis as a therapeutic vulnerability in BRAFi-resistant melanoma. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e15677. [PMID: 36305167 PMCID: PMC9728058 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202215677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The nongenetic mechanisms required to control tumor phenotypic plasticity and shape drug-resistance remain unclear. We show here that the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) transcription factor directly regulates the gene expression program associated with the acquisition of resistance to BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) in melanoma. In addition, we show in melanoma cells that canonical activation of AhR mediates the activation of the SRC pathway and promotes the acquisition of an invasive and aggressive resistant phenotype to front-line BRAFi treatment in melanoma. This nongenetic reprogramming identifies a clinically compatible approach to reverse BRAFi resistance in melanoma. Using a preclinical BRAFi-resistant PDX melanoma model, we demonstrate that SRC inhibition with dasatinib significantly re-sensitizes melanoma cells to BRAFi. Together we identify the AhR/SRC axis as a new therapeutic vulnerability to trigger resistance and warrant the introduction of SRC inhibitors during the course of the treatment in combination with front-line therapeutics to delay BRAFi resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Paris
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, INSERM, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) – UMR6290, ERL U1305RennesFrance
| | - Nina Tardif
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, INSERM, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) – UMR6290, ERL U1305RennesFrance
| | - Francesca M Baietti
- Laboratory for RNA Cancer Biology, Department of OncologyLKI, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium,Trace PDX Platform, Department of OncologyLKI, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Cyrille Berra
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, INSERM, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) – UMR6290, ERL U1305RennesFrance,Department of Molecular Genetics and GenomicsHospital University of Rennes (CHU Rennes)RennesFrance
| | - Héloïse M Leclair
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, INSERM, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) – UMR6290, ERL U1305RennesFrance
| | - Eleonora Leucci
- Laboratory for RNA Cancer Biology, Department of OncologyLKI, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium,Trace PDX Platform, Department of OncologyLKI, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Marie‐Dominique Galibert
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, INSERM, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) – UMR6290, ERL U1305RennesFrance,Department of Molecular Genetics and GenomicsHospital University of Rennes (CHU Rennes)RennesFrance
| | - Sébastien Corre
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, INSERM, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) – UMR6290, ERL U1305RennesFrance
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22
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Howard A, Bojko J, Flynn B, Bowen S, Jungwirth U, Walko G. Targeting the Hippo/YAP/TAZ signalling pathway: Novel opportunities for therapeutic interventions into skin cancers. Exp Dermatol 2022; 31:1477-1499. [PMID: 35913427 PMCID: PMC9804452 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Skin cancers are by far the most frequently diagnosed human cancers. The closely related transcriptional co-regulator proteins YAP and TAZ (WWTR1) have emerged as important drivers of tumour initiation, progression and metastasis in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. YAP/TAZ serve as an essential signalling hub by integrating signals from multiple upstream pathways. In this review, we summarize the roles of YAP/TAZ in skin physiology and tumorigenesis and discuss recent efforts of therapeutic interventions that target YAP/TAZ in in both preclinical and clinical settings, as well as their prospects for use as skin cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jodie Bojko
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of BathBathUK
| | | | - Sophie Bowen
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of BathBathUK
| | - Ute Jungwirth
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of BathBathUK,Centre for Therapeutic InnovationUniversity of BathBathUK
| | - Gernot Walko
- Department of Life SciencesUniversity of BathBathUK,Centre for Therapeutic InnovationUniversity of BathBathUK
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23
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Drozdz MM, Doane AS, Alkallas R, Desman G, Bareja R, Reilly M, Bang J, Yusupova M, You J, Eraslan Z, Wang JZ, Verma A, Aguirre K, Kane E, Watson IR, Elemento O, Piskounova E, Merghoub T, Zippin JH. A nuclear cAMP microdomain suppresses tumor growth by Hippo pathway inactivation. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111412. [PMID: 36170819 PMCID: PMC9549417 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling is localized to multiple spatially distinct microdomains, but the role of cAMP microdomains in cancer cell biology is poorly understood. Here, we present a tunable genetic system that allows us to activate cAMP signaling in specific microdomains. We uncover a nuclear cAMP microdomain that activates a tumor-suppressive pathway in a broad range of cancers by inhibiting YAP, a key effector protein of the Hippo pathway, inside the nucleus. We show that nuclear cAMP induces a LATS-dependent pathway leading to phosphorylation of nuclear YAP solely at serine 397 and export of YAP from the nucleus with no change in YAP protein stability. Thus, nuclear cAMP inhibition of nuclear YAP is distinct from other known mechanisms of Hippo regulation. Pharmacologic targeting of specific cAMP microdomains remains an untapped therapeutic approach for cancer; thus, drugs directed at the nuclear cAMP microdomain may provide avenues for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek M. Drozdz
- Department of Dermatology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ashley S. Doane
- Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York NY 10065, USA
| | - Rached Alkallas
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada,McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Garrett Desman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Rohan Bareja
- Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York NY 10065, USA,Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michael Reilly
- Department of Dermatology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jakyung Bang
- Department of Dermatology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Maftuna Yusupova
- Department of Dermatology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jaewon You
- Department of Dermatology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Zuhal Eraslan
- Department of Dermatology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jenny Z. Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Akanksha Verma
- Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York NY 10065, USA
| | - Kelsey Aguirre
- Department of Dermatology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Elsbeth Kane
- Department of Dermatology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ian R. Watson
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Olivier Elemento
- Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York NY 10065, USA,Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Elena Piskounova
- Department of Dermatology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA,Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA,Senior author
| | - Taha Merghoub
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA,Swim Across America and Ludwig Collaborative Laboratory, Immunology Program, Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA,Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA,Department of Pharmacology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA,Senior author
| | - Jonathan H. Zippin
- Department of Dermatology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA,Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York NY 10065, USA,Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA,Department of Pharmacology, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA,Senior author,Lead contact,Correspondence:
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24
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Popovic A, Tartare-Deckert S. Role of extracellular matrix architecture and signaling in melanoma therapeutic resistance. Front Oncol 2022; 12:924553. [PMID: 36119516 PMCID: PMC9479148 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.924553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is critical for maintaining tissue homeostasis therefore its production, assembly and mechanical stiffness are highly regulated in normal tissues. However, in solid tumors, increased stiffness resulting from abnormal ECM structural changes is associated with disease progression, an increased risk of metastasis and poor survival. As a dynamic and key component of the tumor microenvironment, the ECM is becoming increasingly recognized as an important feature of tumors, as it has been shown to promote several hallmarks of cancer via biochemical and biomechanical signaling. In this regard, melanoma cells are highly sensitive to ECM composition, stiffness and fiber alignment because they interact directly with the ECM in the tumor microenvironment via cell surface receptors, secreted factors or enzymes. Importantly, seeing as the ECM is predominantly deposited and remodeled by myofibroblastic stromal fibroblasts, it is a key avenue facilitating their paracrine interactions with melanoma cells. This review gives an overview of melanoma and further describes the critical roles that ECM properties such as ECM remodeling, ECM-related proteins and stiffness play in cutaneous melanoma progression, tumor cell plasticity and therapeutic resistance. Finally, given the emerging importance of ECM dynamics in melanoma, future perspectives on therapeutic strategies to normalize the ECM in tumors are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Popovic
- Université Côte d’Azur, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), Nice, France
- Team Microenvironnement, Signaling and Cancer, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
| | - Sophie Tartare-Deckert
- Université Côte d’Azur, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), Nice, France
- Team Microenvironnement, Signaling and Cancer, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Nice, France
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25
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Tudor DV, Florea A, Cenariu M, Olteanu DE, Farcaș M, Hopârtean A, Clichici SV, Filip GA. Low Doses of Celecoxib Might Promote Phenotype Switching in Cutaneous Melanoma Treated with Dabrafenib-Preliminary Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154560. [PMID: 35956175 PMCID: PMC9369555 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cutaneous melanoma is a heterogeneous tumor with a rapidly switching molecular and cellular phenotype. The invasive phenotype switching characterized by MITFlow/AXLhigh predicts early resistance to multiple targeted drugs in melanoma. Celecoxib proved to be a valuable adjuvant in cutaneous melanoma in preclinical studies. Our in vitro study evaluated for the first time whether celecoxib could prevent phenotype switching in two human melanoma cell lines treated with dabrafenib. Methods: All in vitro experiments were carried out on BRAF-V600E-positive A375 and SK-MEL-28 human melanoma cell lines, and subjected to a celecoxib and dabrafenib drug combination for 72 h. Melanoma cells were already in the MITFlow/AXLhigh end of the spectrum. Of main interest was the evaluation of the key proteins expressed in phenotype switching (TGF-β, MITF, AXL, YAP, TAZ), as well as cell death mechanisms correlated with oxidative stress production. Results: Celecoxib significantly enhanced the apoptotic effect of dabrafenib in each melanoma cell line compared to the dabrafenib group (p < 0.0001). Even though celecoxib promoted low MITF expression, this was correlated with high receptor tyrosine kinase AXL levels in A375 and SK-MEL-28 cell lines (p < 0.0001), a positive marker for the phenotype switch to an invasive state. Conclusion: This preliminary study highlighted that celecoxib might promote MITFlow/AXLhigh expression in cutaneous melanoma treated with dabrafenib, facilitating phenotype switching in vitro. Our results need further confirmation, as this finding could represent an important limitation of celecoxib as an antineoplastic drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Valentina Tudor
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Adrian Florea
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihai Cenariu
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Reproductive Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Diana Elena Olteanu
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Marius Farcaș
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andreea Hopârtean
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Simona Valeria Clichici
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gabriela Adriana Filip
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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26
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Suppression of heparan sulfation re-sensitizes YAP1-driven melanoma to MAPK pathway inhibitors. Oncogene 2022; 41:3953-3968. [PMID: 35798875 PMCID: PMC9355870 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02400-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence identifies non-genetic mechanisms substantially contributing to drug resistance in cancer patients. Preclinical and clinical data implicate the transcriptional co-activators YAP1 and its paralog TAZ in resistance to multiple targeted therapies, highlighting the strong need for therapeutic strategies overcoming YAP1/TAZ-mediated resistance across tumor entities. Here, we show particularly high YAP1/TAZ activity in MITFlow/AXLhigh melanomas characterized by resistance to MAPK pathway inhibition and broad receptor tyrosine kinase activity. To uncover genetic dependencies of melanoma cells with high YAP1/TAZ activity, we used a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 functional screen and identified SLC35B2, the 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate transporter of the Golgi apparatus, as an essential gene for YAP1/TAZ-driven drug resistance. SLC35B2 expression correlates with tumor progression, and its loss decreases heparan sulfate expression, reduces receptor tyrosine kinase activity, and sensitizes resistant melanoma cells to BRAF inhibition in vitro and in vivo. Thus, targeting heparan sulfation via SLC35B2 represents a novel approach for breaking receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated resistance to MAPK pathway inhibitors.
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27
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Vittoria MA, Kingston N, Kotynkova K, Xia E, Hong R, Huang L, McDonald S, Tilston-Lunel A, Darp R, Campbell JD, Lang D, Xu X, Ceol CJ, Varelas X, Ganem NJ. Inactivation of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway promotes melanoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3732. [PMID: 35768444 PMCID: PMC9243107 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31399-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is commonly driven by activating mutations in the MAP kinase BRAF; however, oncogenic BRAF alone is insufficient to promote melanomagenesis. Instead, its expression induces a transient proliferative burst that ultimately ceases with the development of benign nevi comprised of growth-arrested melanocytes. The tumor suppressive mechanisms that restrain nevus melanocyte proliferation remain poorly understood. Here we utilize cell and murine models to demonstrate that oncogenic BRAF leads to activation of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, both in melanocytes in vitro and nevus melanocytes in vivo. Mechanistically, we show that oncogenic BRAF promotes both ERK-dependent alterations in the actin cytoskeleton and whole-genome doubling events, which independently reduce RhoA activity to promote Hippo activation. We also demonstrate that functional impairment of the Hippo pathway enables oncogenic BRAF-expressing melanocytes to bypass nevus formation and rapidly form melanomas. Our data reveal that the Hippo pathway enforces the stable arrest of nevus melanocytes and represents a critical barrier to melanoma development. Activating mutations of BRAF alone are inadequate to drive melanoma formation. Here the authors show that activation of Hippo signalling by oncogenic BRAF represents an additional safeguard to limit BRAF-dependent human melanocyte growth and melanoma formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc A Vittoria
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Nathan Kingston
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Kristyna Kotynkova
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Eric Xia
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Rui Hong
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Lee Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Shayna McDonald
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Andrew Tilston-Lunel
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Revati Darp
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Joshua D Campbell
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Deborah Lang
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Craig J Ceol
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Xaralabos Varelas
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Neil J Ganem
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
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28
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Seeneevassen L, Dubus P, Gronnier C, Varon C. Hippo in Gastric Cancer: From Signalling to Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092282. [PMID: 35565411 PMCID: PMC9105983 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is one of the most important ones in mammals. Its key functions in cell proliferation, tissue growth, repair, and homeostasis make it the most crucial one to be controlled. Many means have been deployed for its regulation, since this pathway is not only composed of core regulatory components, but it also communicates with and regulates various other pathways, making this signalisation even more complex. Its role in cancer has been studied more and more over the past few years, and it presents YAP/TAZ as the major oncogenic actors. In this review, we relate how vital this pathway is for different organs, and how regulatory mechanisms have been bypassed to lead to cancerous states. Most studies present an upregulation status of YAP/TAZ, and urge the need to target them. A focus is made here on gastric carcinogenesis, its main dysregulations, and the major strategies adopted and tested to counteract Hippo pathway disbalance in this disease. Hippo pathway targeting can be achieved by various means, which are described in this review. Many studies have tested different potential molecules, which are detailed hereby. Though not all tested in gastric cancer, they could represent a real interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lornella Seeneevassen
- BRIC (BoRdeaux Institute of onCology), UMR1312, INSERM, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (L.S.); (P.D.); (C.G.)
| | - Pierre Dubus
- BRIC (BoRdeaux Institute of onCology), UMR1312, INSERM, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (L.S.); (P.D.); (C.G.)
- Department of Histology and Pathology, CHU Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Caroline Gronnier
- BRIC (BoRdeaux Institute of onCology), UMR1312, INSERM, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (L.S.); (P.D.); (C.G.)
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Haut-Lévêque Hospital, CHU Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Christine Varon
- BRIC (BoRdeaux Institute of onCology), UMR1312, INSERM, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (L.S.); (P.D.); (C.G.)
- Correspondence:
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Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a rapidly growing, highly metastatic, and relatively immune-cold lung cancer subtype. Historically viewed in the laboratory and clinic as a single disease, new discoveries suggest that SCLC comprises multiple molecular subsets. Expression of MYC family members and lineage-related transcription factors ASCL1, NEUROD1, and POU2F3 (and, in some studies, YAP1) define unique molecular states that have been associated with distinct responses to a variety of therapies. However, SCLC tumors exhibit a high degree of intratumoral heterogeneity, with recent studies suggesting the existence of tumor cell plasticity and phenotypic switching between subtype states. While SCLC plasticity is correlated with, and likely drives, therapeutic resistance, the mechanisms underlying this plasticity are still largely unknown. Subtype states are also associated with immune-related gene expression, which likely impacts response to immune checkpoint blockade and may reveal novel targets for alternative immunotherapeutic approaches. In this review, we synthesize recent discoveries on the mechanisms of SCLC plasticity and how these processes may impinge on antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate D Sutherland
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Abbie S Ireland
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Trudy G Oliver
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
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Wang L, Tang D, Wu T, Sun F. Disruption of LTBP4 Inhibition-Induced TGFβ1 Activation Promoted Cell Proliferation and Metastasis in Skin Melanoma by Inhibiting the Activation of the Hippo-YAP1 Signaling Pathway. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:673904. [PMID: 35252214 PMCID: PMC8893603 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.673904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a malignant tumor derived from melanocytes, which is the most fatal skin cancer. The present study aimed to explore and elucidate the candidate genes in melanoma and its underlying molecular mechanism. A total of 1,156 differentially expressed genes were obtained from the GSE46517 dataset of Gene Expression Omnibus database using the package “limma” in R. Based on two algorithms (LASSO and SVM-RFE), we obtained three candidate DEGs (LTBP4, CDHR1, and MARCKSL1). Among them, LTBP4 was identified as a diagnostic marker of melanoma (AUC = 0.985). Down-regulation of LTBP4 expression was identified in melanoma tissues and cells, which predicted poor prognosis of patients with melanoma. Cox analysis results discovered that LTBP4 with low expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with melanoma. LTBP4 inhibition reduced cell apoptosis and promoted cell proliferation and metastasis. These changes were correlated with the expression levels of caspase-3, Ki67 and E-cadherin. Further, as indicated by tumor formation study of nude mice, LTBP4 silencing improved the tumorigenic ability of melanoma cells. Knockdown of LTBP4 increased the percentage of active TGFβ1 secreted by melanoma cells. CTGF, Gyr61, and Birc5 expression levels were reduced, YAP1 phosphorylation was inhibited, and YAP1 was translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in melanoma cells treated with TGF-β1. These effects were reversed by LTBP4 overexpression. As evidenced by immunofluorescent staining, Western blotting and luciferase reporter assay, LTBP4 overexpression activated the Hippo signaling pathway, which was characterized by the increased nuclear-cytoplasmic translocation of YAP1 and the enhanced phosphorylation of YAP1, MST1, and MOB1. In addition, the effects of LTBP4 overexpression on inhibiting CTGF, Cyr61 and Birc5 expression, promoting the apoptosis, and inhibiting the metastasis and proliferation of melanoma cells were reversed by the overexpression of YAP1 or MST1. In conclusion, the LTBP4-TGFβ1-Hippo-YAP1 axis is a critical pathway for the progression of skin melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Wang
- Sichuan Eye Hospital, AIER Eye Hospital Group, Chengdu, China
| | - Dongrun Tang
- Tianjin International Joint Research and Development Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Tianjin International Joint Research and Development Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Fengyuan Sun
- Tianjin International Joint Research and Development Centre of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Fengyuan Sun,
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A Novel Small Molecular Prostaglandin Receptor EP4 Antagonist, L001, Suppresses Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27041209. [PMID: 35208999 PMCID: PMC8879074 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27041209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic pancreatic cancer remains a major clinical challenge, emphasizing the urgent need for the exploitation of novel therapeutic approaches with superior response. In this study, we demonstrate that the aberrant activation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor 4 (EP4) is a pro-metastatic signal in pancreatic cancer. To explore the therapeutic role of EP4 signaling, we developed a potent and selective EP4 antagonist L001 with single-nanomolar activity using a panel of cell functional assays. EP4 antagonism by L001 effectively repressed PGE2-elicited cell migration and the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, L001 alone or combined with the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine exhibited remarkably anti-metastasis activity in a pancreatic cancer hepatic metastasis model with excellent tolerability and safety. Mechanistically, EP4 blockade by L001 abrogated Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP)-driven pro-metastatic factor expression in pancreatic cancer cells. The suppression of YAP’s activity was also observed upon L001 treatment in vivo. Together, these findings support the notions that EP4–YAP signaling axis is a vital pro-metastatic pathway in pancreatic cancer and that EP4 inhibition with L001 may deliver a therapeutic benefit for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
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Targeting GPCRs and Their Signaling as a Therapeutic Option in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030706. [PMID: 35158973 PMCID: PMC8833576 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Sixteen G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been involved in melanogenesis or melanomagenesis. Here, we review these GPCRs, their associated signaling, and therapies. Abstract G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) serve prominent roles in melanocyte lineage physiology, with an impact at all stages of development, as well as on mature melanocyte functions. GPCR ligands are present in the skin and regulate melanocyte homeostasis, including pigmentation. The role of GPCRs in the regulation of pigmentation and, consequently, protection against external aggression, such as ultraviolet radiation, has long been established. However, evidence of new functions of GPCRs directly in melanomagenesis has been highlighted in recent years. GPCRs are coupled, through their intracellular domains, to heterotrimeric G-proteins, which induce cellular signaling through various pathways. Such signaling modulates numerous essential cellular processes that occur during melanomagenesis, including proliferation and migration. GPCR-associated signaling in melanoma can be activated by the binding of paracrine factors to their receptors or directly by activating mutations. In this review, we present melanoma-associated alterations of GPCRs and their downstream signaling and discuss the various preclinical models used to evaluate new therapeutic approaches against GPCR activity in melanoma. Recent striking advances in our understanding of the structure, function, and regulation of GPCRs will undoubtedly broaden melanoma treatment options in the future.
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Li H, Wang Y, Su R, Jia Y, Lai X, Su H, Fan Y, Wang Y, Xing W, Qin J. Dimethyl Fumarate Combined With Vemurafenib Enhances Anti-Melanoma Efficacy via Inhibiting the Hippo/YAP, NRF2-ARE, and AKT/mTOR/ERK Pathways in A375 Melanoma Cells. Front Oncol 2022; 12:794216. [PMID: 35141161 PMCID: PMC8820202 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.794216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer with high rates of resistance to traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) can achieve initial efficacy when used to treat melanoma patients, but drug resistance and relapse are common, emphasizing the need for new therapeutic strategies. Herein, we reported that combination of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and vemurafenib (Vem) inhibited melanoma cell proliferation more significantly and induced more cell death than single agent did both in vitro and in vivo. DMF/Vem treatment induced cell death through inhibiting the expression and transcriptional activity of NRF2 thereby resulting in more reactive oxygen species (ROS) and via inhibiting the expression of YAP, a key downstream effector of Hippo pathway. DMF/Vem treatment also reduced phosphorylation of AKT, 4EBP1, P70S6K and ERK in AKT/mTOR/ERK signaling pathways. RNA-seq analysis revealed that DMF/Vem treatment specifically suppressed 4561 genes which belong to dozens of cell signaling pathways. These results indicated that DMF/Vem treatment manifested an enhanced antitumor efficacy through inhibiting multiple cell signaling pathways, and thus would be a novel promising therapeutic approach targeted for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Li
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Molecular Regulation of the Cell, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yaping Wang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Molecular Regulation of the Cell, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Rina Su
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Molecular Regulation of the Cell, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yuchen Jia
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Molecular Regulation of the Cell, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xiong Lai
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Molecular Regulation of the Cell, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Huimin Su
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Molecular Regulation of the Cell, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yaochun Fan
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hohhot, China
| | - Yuewu Wang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Molecular Regulation of the Cell, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Wanjin Xing
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Molecular Regulation of the Cell, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
- *Correspondence: Wanjin Xing, ; Jianzhong Qin,
| | - Jianzhong Qin
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Dalian University, Dalian, China
- *Correspondence: Wanjin Xing, ; Jianzhong Qin,
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Lui JW, Moore SP, Huang L, Ogomori K, Li Y, Lang D. YAP facilitates melanoma migration through regulation of actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 5 (ARPC5). Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2022; 35:52-65. [PMID: 34468072 PMCID: PMC8958630 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are transcriptional coactivators that have been implicated in driving metastasis and progression in many cancers, mainly through their transcriptional regulation of downstream targets. Although YAP and TAZ have shown redundancy in many contexts, it is still unknown whether or not this is true in melanoma. Here, we show that while both YAP and TAZ are expressed in a panel of melanoma cell lines, depletion of YAP results in decreased cell numbers, focal adhesions, and the ability to invade matrigel. Using non-biased RNA-sequencing analysis, we find that melanoma cells depleted of YAP, TAZ, or YAP/TAZ exhibit drastically different transcriptomes. We further uncover the ARP2/3 subunit ARPC5 as a specific target of YAP but not TAZ and that ARPC5 is essential for YAP-dependent maintenance of melanoma cell focal adhesion numbers. Our findings suggest that in melanoma, YAP drives melanoma progression, survival, and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason W. Lui
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston MA, 02118,Committee on Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago Il, 60637,These authors contributed equally
| | - Stephen P.G. Moore
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston MA, 02118,These authors contributed equally
| | - Lee Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston MA, 02118
| | - Kelsey Ogomori
- Committee on Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago Il, 60637
| | - Yan Li
- Center for Research Informatics, University of Chicago, Chicago Il, 60637
| | - Deborah Lang
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University, Boston MA, 02118
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Bao CH, Guo L. Retracted: miR-27b-3p Inhibits Invasion, Migration and Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition in Gastric Cancer by Targeting RUNX1 and Activation of the Hippo Signaling Pathway. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2022; 22:864-873. [PMID: 34238170 DOI: 10.2174/1871520621666210707095833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The article entitled “miR-27b-3p Inhibits Invasion, Migration and Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition in Gastric Cancer by Targeting RUNX1 and Activation of the Hippo Signaling Pathway”, by Chen-Hui Bao and Lin Guo, has been retracted on the request of the Author in light of the changes to the University’s promotion policy, due to which the article needs further content. Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may have caused. Kindly see Bentham Science Policy on Article retraction at the link https://benthamscience.com/journals/anti-canceragents-in-medicinal-chemistry/editorial-policies/ Bentham Science Disclaimer: It is a condition of publication that manuscripts submitted to this journal have not been published and will not be simultaneously submitted or published elsewhere. Furthermore, any data, illustration, structure, or table that has been published elsewhere must be reported, and copyright permission for reproduction must be obtained. Plagiarism is strictly forbidden, and by submitting the article for publication the authors agree that the publishers have the legal right to take appropriate action against the authors if plagiarism or fabricated information is discovered. By submitting a manuscript, the authors agree that the copyright of their article is transferred to the publishers if and when the article is accepted for publication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Hui Bao
- Department of General surgery, ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang City 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Lin Guo
- Department of General surgery, ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang City 110004, Liaoning Province, China
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Cherepakhin OS, Argenyi ZB, Moshiri AS. Genomic and Transcriptomic Underpinnings of Melanoma Genesis, Progression, and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:123. [PMID: 35008286 PMCID: PMC8750021 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010123] [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: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a deadly skin cancer with rapidly increasing incidence worldwide. The discovery of the genetic drivers of melanomagenesis in the last decade has led the World Health Organization to reclassify melanoma subtypes by their molecular pathways rather than traditional clinical and histopathologic features. Despite this significant advance, the genomic and transcriptomic drivers of metastatic progression are less well characterized. This review describes the known molecular pathways of cutaneous and uveal melanoma progression, highlights recently identified pathways and mediators of metastasis, and touches on the influence of the tumor microenvironment on metastatic progression and treatment resistance. While targeted therapies and immune checkpoint blockade have significantly aided in the treatment of advanced disease, acquired drug resistance remains an unfortunately common problem, and there is still a great need to identify potential prognostic markers and novel therapeutic targets to aid in such cases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zsolt B. Argenyi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Ata S. Moshiri
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Symons RA, Colella F, Collins FL, Rafipay AJ, Kania K, McClure JJ, White N, Cunningham I, Ashraf S, Hay E, Mackenzie KS, Howard KA, Riemen AHK, Manzo A, Clark SM, Roelofs AJ, De Bari C. Targeting the IL-6-Yap-Snail signalling axis in synovial fibroblasts ameliorates inflammatory arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2021; 81:214-224. [PMID: 34844926 PMCID: PMC8762018 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220875] [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: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Objective We aimed to understand the role of the transcriptional co-factor Yes-associated protein (Yap) in the molecular pathway underpinning the pathogenic transformation of synovial fibroblasts (SF) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to become invasive and cause joint destruction. Methods Synovium from patients with RA and mice with antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) was analysed by immunostaining and qRT-PCR. SF were targeted using Pdgfrα-CreER and Gdf5-Cre mice, crossed with fluorescent reporters for cell tracing and Yap-flox mice for conditional Yap ablation. Fibroblast phenotypes were analysed by flow cytometry, and arthritis severity was assessed by histology. Yap activation was detected using Yap–Tead reporter cells and Yap–Snail interaction by proximity ligation assay. SF invasiveness was analysed using matrigel-coated transwells. Results Yap, its binding partner Snail and downstream target connective tissue growth factor were upregulated in hyperplastic human RA and in mouse AIA synovium, with Yap detected in SF but not macrophages. Lineage tracing showed polyclonal expansion of Pdgfrα-expressing SF during AIA, with predominant expansion of the Gdf5-lineage SF subpopulation descending from the embryonic joint interzone. Gdf5-lineage SF showed increased expression of Yap and adopted an erosive phenotype (podoplanin+Thy-1 cell surface antigen−), invading cartilage and bone. Conditional ablation of Yap in Gdf5-lineage cells or Pdgfrα-expressing fibroblasts ameliorated AIA. Interleukin (IL)-6, but not tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or IL-1β, Jak-dependently activated Yap and induced Yap–Snail interaction. SF invasiveness induced by IL-6 stimulation or Snail overexpression was prevented by Yap knockdown, showing a critical role for Yap in SF transformation in RA. Conclusions Our findings uncover the IL-6–Yap–Snail signalling axis in pathogenic SF in inflammatory arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Symons
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Fabio Colella
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Fraser L Collins
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Alexandra J Rafipay
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Karolina Kania
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Jessica J McClure
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Nathan White
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Iain Cunningham
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Sadaf Ashraf
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Elizabeth Hay
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Kevin S Mackenzie
- Microscopy and Histology Core Facility, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Kenneth A Howard
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anna H K Riemen
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Antonio Manzo
- Rheumatology and Translational Immunology Research Laboratories (LaRIT), Division of Rheumatology, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Susan M Clark
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Anke J Roelofs
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Cosimo De Bari
- Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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Matsuda T, Miyata Y, Nakamura Y, Otsubo A, Mukae Y, Harada J, Mitsunari K, Matsuo T, Ohba K, Furusato B, Sakai H. Pathological significance and prognostic role of LATS2 in prostate cancer. Prostate 2021; 81:1252-1260. [PMID: 34492128 PMCID: PMC9290072 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large tumor suppressor 2 (LATS2) is an important regulator of the Hippo pathway and it plays crucial roles in cell survival and behaviors. Herein, we evaluated the pathological roles of LATS2 in prostate cancer (PC), for which very little information is available. METHODS Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in response to the siRNA-mediated knockdown (KD) LATS2 expression were evaluated in two PC cell lines (LNCaP and PC3). The expression of LATS2 in specimens from 204 PC patients was investigated immunohistochemically, and the relationships between its expression and clinicopathological features, proliferation index (PI; measured using an anti-KI-67 antibody), and biochemical recurrence (BCR) were investigated. RESULTS KD of LATS2 increased the growth, migration, and invasion in LNCaP cells and only increased migration in PC3 cells. The expression of LATS2 was negatively associated with the grade group, T, N, M stage, and PI. In addition, the expression of LATS2 was a useful predictor of the histological effects of neoadjuvant hormonal therapy and BCR-free survival periods. A multivariate analysis model including clinicopathological features showed that negative expression of LATS2 had a significantly higher risk of BCR (odds ratio = 2.95, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS LATS2 acts as a tumor suppressor in PC. LATS2 expression is a useful predictor for BCR. LATS2-related activities are possibly dependent on the androgen-dependency of PC cells. Therefore, we suggest that LATS2 could be a potential therapeutic target and a useful predictor for outcome in patients with PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Matsuda
- Department of UrologyNagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesNagasakiJapan
| | - Yasuyoshi Miyata
- Department of UrologyNagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesNagasakiJapan
| | - Yuichiro Nakamura
- Department of UrologyNagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesNagasakiJapan
| | - Asato Otsubo
- Department of UrologyNagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesNagasakiJapan
| | - Yuta Mukae
- Department of UrologyNagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesNagasakiJapan
| | - Junki Harada
- Department of UrologyNagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesNagasakiJapan
| | - Kensuke Mitsunari
- Department of UrologyNagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesNagasakiJapan
| | - Tomohiro Matsuo
- Department of UrologyNagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesNagasakiJapan
| | - Kojiro Ohba
- Department of UrologyNagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesNagasakiJapan
| | - Bungo Furusato
- Department of pathologyNagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical ScienecesNagasakiJapan
| | - Hideki Sakai
- Department of UrologyNagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesNagasakiJapan
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Huang F, Santinon F, Flores González RE, del Rincón SV. Melanoma Plasticity: Promoter of Metastasis and Resistance to Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:756001. [PMID: 34604096 PMCID: PMC8481945 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.756001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Although targeted therapies and immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma, most patients are not cured. Therapy resistance remains a significant clinical challenge. Melanoma comprises phenotypically distinct subpopulations of cells, exhibiting distinct gene signatures leading to tumor heterogeneity and favoring therapeutic resistance. Cellular plasticity in melanoma is referred to as phenotype switching. Regardless of their genomic classification, melanomas switch from a proliferative and differentiated phenotype to an invasive, dedifferentiated and often therapy-resistant state. In this review we discuss potential mechanisms underpinning melanoma phenotype switching, how this cellular plasticity contributes to resistance to both targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Finally, we highlight novel strategies to target plasticity and their potential clinical impact in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Huang
- Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - François Santinon
- Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Raúl Ernesto Flores González
- Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sonia V. del Rincón
- Lady Davis Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
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Shim J, Goldsmith KC. A New Player in Neuroblastoma: YAP and Its Role in the Neuroblastoma Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184650. [PMID: 34572875 PMCID: PMC8472533 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184650] [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: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial pediatric solid tumor that accounts for more than 15% of childhood cancer-related deaths. High risk neuroblastomas that recur during or after intense multimodal therapy have a <5% chance at a second sustained remission or cure. The solid tumor microenvironment (TME) has been increasingly recognized to play a critical role in cancer progression and resistance to therapy, including in neuroblastoma. The Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) in the Hippo pathway can regulate cancer proliferation, tumor initiation, and therapy response in many cancer types and as such, its role in the TME has gained interest. In this review, we focus on YAP and its role in neuroblastoma and further describe its demonstrated and potential effects on the neuroblastoma TME. We also discuss the therapeutic strategies for inhibiting YAP in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Shim
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kelly C. Goldsmith
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-404-727-2655
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41
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Lopez-Hernandez A, Sberna S, Campaner S. Emerging Principles in the Transcriptional Control by YAP and TAZ. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164242. [PMID: 34439395 PMCID: PMC8391352 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary YAP and TAZ are transcriptional cofactors that integrate several upstream signals to generate context-dependent transcriptional responses. This requires extensive integration with epigenetic regulators and other transcription factors. The molecular and genomic characterization of YAP and TAZ nuclear function has broad implications both in physiological and pathological settings. Abstract Yes-associated protein (YAP) and TAZ are transcriptional cofactors that sit at the crossroad of several signaling pathways involved in cell growth and differentiation. As such, they play essential functions during embryonic development, regeneration, and, once deregulated, in cancer progression. In this review, we will revise the current literature and provide an overview of how YAP/TAZ control transcription. We will focus on data concerning the modulation of the basal transcriptional machinery, their ability to epigenetically remodel the enhancer–promoter landscape, and the mechanisms used to integrate transcriptional cues from multiple pathways. This reveals how YAP/TAZ activation in cancer cells leads to extensive transcriptional control that spans several hallmarks of cancer. The definition of the molecular mechanism of transcriptional control and the identification of the pathways regulated by YAP/TAZ may provide therapeutic opportunities for the effective treatment of YAP/TAZ-driven tumors.
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42
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Yu CY, Mitrofanova A. Mechanism-Centric Approaches for Biomarker Detection and Precision Therapeutics in Cancer. Front Genet 2021; 12:687813. [PMID: 34408770 PMCID: PMC8365516 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.687813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarker discovery is at the heart of personalized treatment planning and cancer precision therapeutics, encompassing disease classification and prognosis, prediction of treatment response, and therapeutic targeting. However, many biomarkers represent passenger rather than driver alterations, limiting their utilization as functional units for therapeutic targeting. We suggest that identification of driver biomarkers through mechanism-centric approaches, which take into account upstream and downstream regulatory mechanisms, is fundamental to the discovery of functionally meaningful markers. Here, we examine computational approaches that identify mechanism-centric biomarkers elucidated from gene co-expression networks, regulatory networks (e.g., transcriptional regulation), protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and molecular pathways. We discuss their objectives, advantages over gene-centric approaches, and known limitations. Future directions highlight the importance of input and model interpretability, method and data integration, and the role of recently introduced technological advantages, such as single-cell sequencing, which are central for effective biomarker discovery and time-cautious precision therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Y. Yu
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, School of Health Professions, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Antonina Mitrofanova
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, School of Health Professions, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
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43
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Tan Y, Zhong X, Wen X, Yao L, Shao Z, Sun W, Wu J, Wen G, Tang D, Zhang X, Liao Y, Liu J. Bilirubin Restrains the Anticancer Effect of Vemurafenib on BRAF-Mutant Melanoma Cells Through ERK-MNK1 Signaling. Front Oncol 2021; 11:698888. [PMID: 34222023 PMCID: PMC8250144 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.698888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, the most threatening cancer in the skin, has been considered to be driven by the carcinogenic RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway. This signaling pathway is usually mainly dysregulated by mutations in BRAF or RAS in skin melanomas. Although inhibitors targeting mutant BRAF, such as vemurafenib, have improved the clinical outcome of melanoma patients with BRAF mutations, the efficiency of vemurafenib is limited in many patients. Here, we show that blood bilirubin in patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma treated with vemurafenib is negatively correlated with clinical outcomes. In vitro and animal experiments show that bilirubin can abrogate vemurafenib-induced growth suppression of BRAF-mutant melanoma cells. Moreover, bilirubin can remarkably rescue vemurafenib-induced apoptosis. Mechanically, the activation of ERK-MNK1 axis is required for bilirubin-induced reversal effects post vemurafenib treatment. Our findings not only demonstrate that bilirubin is an unfavorable for patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma who received vemurafenib treatment, but also uncover the underlying mechanism by which bilirubin restrains the anticancer effect of vemurafenib on BRAF-mutant melanoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufan Tan
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhong
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease of Guangzhou Medical University, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Xizhi Wen
- Biotherapy Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Leyi Yao
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenlong Shao
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenshuang Sun
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiawen Wu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guanmei Wen
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Daolin Tang
- Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Xiaoshi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuning Liao
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease of Guangzhou Medical University, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Jinbao Liu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease of Guangzhou Medical University, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
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44
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Wang J. Prognostic score model-based signature genes for predicting the prognosis of metastatic skin cutaneous melanoma. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2021; 18:5125-5145. [PMID: 34517481 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2021261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is the most invasive malignancy of skin cancer. Metastasis to distant lymph nodes or other system is an indicator of poor prognosis in melanoma patients. The aim of this study was to identify reliable prognostic biomarkers for SKCMs. METHODS Four RNA-sequencing datasets associated with SKCMs were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database as well as corresponding clinical information. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between primary and metastatic samples by using MetaDE tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to screen functional modules. A prognostic score (PS)-based predictive model and nomogram model were constructed to identify signature genes and independent clinicopathologic factors. RESULTS Based on MetaDE analysis and WGCNA, a total of 456 overlapped genes were identified as hub genes related to SKCMs progression. Functional enrichment analysis revealed these genes were mainly involved in the hippo signaling pathway, signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells, pathways in cancer. In addition, eight optimal DEGs (RFPL1S, CTSV, EGLN3, etc.) were identified as signature genes by using PS model. Cox regression analysis revealed that pathologic stage T, N and recurrence were independent prognostic factors. Three clinical factors and PS status were incorporated to construct a nomogram predictive model for estimating the three years and five-year survival probability of individuals. CONCLUSIONS The prognosis prediction model of this study may provide a promising method for decision making in clinic and prognosis predicting of SKCM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaping Wang
- Laboratory Medicine, Donghai County People's Hospital, Lianyungang City, Jiangsu 222300, China
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45
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Wium M, Ajayi-Smith AF, Paccez JD, Zerbini LF. The Role of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Axl in Carcinogenesis and Development of Therapeutic Resistance: An Overview of Molecular Mechanisms and Future Applications. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1521. [PMID: 33806258 PMCID: PMC8037968 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to chemotherapeutic agents by cancer cells has remained a major obstacle in the successful treatment of various cancers. Numerous factors such as DNA damage repair, cell death inhibition, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and evasion of apoptosis have all been implicated in the promotion of chemoresistance. The receptor tyrosine kinase Axl, a member of the TAM family (which includes TYRO3 and MER), plays an important role in the regulation of cellular processes such as proliferation, motility, survival, and immunologic response. The overexpression of Axl is reported in several solid and hematological malignancies, including non-small cell lung, prostate, breast, liver and gastric cancers, and acute myeloid leukaemia. The overexpression of Axl is associated with poor prognosis and the development of resistance to therapy. Reports show that Axl overexpression confers drug resistance in lung cancer and advances the emergence of tolerant cells. Axl is, therefore, an important candidate as a prognostic biomarker and target for anticancer therapies. In this review, we discuss the consequence of Axl upregulation in cancers, provide evidence for its role in cancer progression and the development of drug resistance. We will also discuss the therapeutic potential of Axl in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Wium
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
| | - Aderonke F. Ajayi-Smith
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
| | - Juliano D. Paccez
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz F. Zerbini
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
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46
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Meierjohann S. Effect of stress-induced polyploidy on melanoma reprogramming and therapy resistance. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 81:232-240. [PMID: 33610722 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Melanomas and their precursors, the melanocytes, are frequently exposed to UV due to their anatomic location, leading to DNA damage and reactive oxygen stress related harm. Such damage can result in multinucleation or polyploidy, in particularly in presence of mitotic or cell division failure. As a consequence, the cell encounters either of two fates: mitotic catastrophe, resulting in cell death, or survival and recovery, the latter occurring less frequently. However, when cells manage to recover in an polyploid state, they have often acquired new features, which allow them to tolerate and adapt to oncogene- or therapy induced stress. This review focuses on polyploidy inducers in melanoma and their effects on transcriptional reprogramming and phenotypic adaptation as well as the relevance of polyploid melanoma cells for therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Meierjohann
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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47
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Bellei B, Migliano E, Picardo M. A Framework of Major Tumor-Promoting Signal Transduction Pathways Implicated in Melanoma-Fibroblast Dialogue. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113400. [PMID: 33212834 PMCID: PMC7697272 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Melanoma cells reside in a complex stromal microenvironment, which is a critical component of disease onset and progression. Mesenchymal or fibroblastic cell type are the most abundant cellular element of tumor stroma. Factors secreted by melanoma cells can activate non-malignant associated fibroblasts to become melanoma associate fibroblasts (MAFs). MAFs promote tumorigenic features by remodeling the extracellular matrix, supporting tumor cells proliferation, neo-angiogenesis and drug resistance. Additionally, environmental factors may contribute to the acquisition of pro-tumorigenic phenotype of fibroblasts. Overall, in melanoma, perturbed tissue homeostasis contributes to modulation of major oncogenic intracellular signaling pathways not only in tumor cells but also in neighboring cells. Thus, targeted molecular therapies need to be considered from the reciprocal point of view of melanoma and stromal cells. Abstract The development of a modified stromal microenvironment in response to neoplastic onset is a common feature of many tumors including cutaneous melanoma. At all stages, melanoma cells are embedded in a complex tissue composed by extracellular matrix components and several different cell populations. Thus, melanomagenesis is not only driven by malignant melanocytes, but also by the altered communication between melanocytes and non-malignant cell populations, including fibroblasts, endothelial and immune cells. In particular, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), also referred as melanoma-associated fibroblasts (MAFs) in the case of melanoma, are the most abundant stromal cells and play a significant contextual role in melanoma initiation, progression and metastasis. As a result of dynamic intercellular molecular dialogue between tumor and the stroma, non-neoplastic cells gain specific phenotypes and functions that are pro-tumorigenic. Targeting MAFs is thus considered a promising avenue to improve melanoma therapy. Growing evidence demonstrates that aberrant regulation of oncogenic signaling is not restricted to transformed cells but also occurs in MAFs. However, in some cases, signaling pathways present opposite regulation in melanoma and surrounding area, suggesting that therapeutic strategies need to carefully consider the tumor–stroma equilibrium. In this novel review, we analyze four major signaling pathways implicated in melanomagenesis, TGF-β, MAPK, Wnt/β-catenin and Hyppo signaling, from the complementary point of view of tumor cells and the microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bellei
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0652666246
| | - Emilia Migliano
- Department of Plastic and Regenerative Surgery, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Mauro Picardo
- Laboratory of Cutaneous Physiopathology and Integrated Center of Metabolomics Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
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Intrinsic Balance between ZEB Family Members Is Important for Melanocyte Homeostasis and Melanoma Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082248. [PMID: 32796736 PMCID: PMC7465899 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It has become clear that cellular plasticity is a main driver of cancer therapy resistance. Consequently, there is a need to mechanistically identify the factors driving this process. The transcription factors of the zinc-finger E-box-binding homeobox family, consisting of ZEB1 and ZEB2, are notorious for their roles in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, in melanoma, an intrinsic balance between ZEB1 and ZEB2 seems to determine the cellular state by modulating the expression of the master regulator of melanocyte homeostasis, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). ZEB2 drives MITF expression and is associated with a differentiated/proliferative melanoma cell state. On the other hand, ZEB1 is correlated with low MITF expression and a more invasive, stem cell-like and therapy-resistant cell state. This intrinsic balance between ZEB1 and ZEB2 could prove to be a promising therapeutic target for melanoma patients. In this review, we will summarise what is known on the functional mechanisms of these transcription factors. Moreover, we will look specifically at their roles during melanocyte-lineage development and homeostasis. Finally, we will overview the current literature on ZEB1 and ZEB2 in the melanoma context and link this to the 'phenotype-switching' model of melanoma cellular plasticity.
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