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Bailey C, Wei Y, Yan J, Huang D, Zhang P, Qi C, Lazarski C, Su J, Tang F, Wong CS, Zheng P, Liu Y, Liu Y, Wang Y. Genetic and pharmaceutical targeting of HIF1α allows combo-immunotherapy to boost graft vs. leukemia without exacerbation graft vs. host disease. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101236. [PMID: 37827154 PMCID: PMC10694596 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101236] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite potential impact on the graft vs. leukemia (GVL) effect, immunotherapy targeting CTLA-4 and/or PD-1 has not been successfully combined with bone marrow transplant (BMT) because it exacerbates graft vs. host disease (GVHD). Here, using models of GVHD and leukemia, we demonstrate that targeting hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) via pharmacological or genetic approaches reduces GVHD by inducing PDL1 expression on host tissue while selectively inhibiting PDL1 in leukemia cells to enhance the GVL effect. More importantly, combination of HIF1α inhibition with anti-CTLA-4 antibodies allows simultaneous inhibition of both PDL1 and CTLA-4 checkpoints to achieve better outcomes in models of mouse and human BMT-leukemia settings. These findings provide an approach to enhance the curative effect of BMT for leukemia and broaden the impact of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Bailey
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yuanyi Wei
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jinsong Yan
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Dan Huang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Cancer for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Chong Qi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130061, China
| | - Christopher Lazarski
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's Research Institute, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - JuanJuan Su
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Fei Tang
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Chun-Shu Wong
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's Research Institute, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Pan Zheng
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; OncoC4, Inc., Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Yan Liu
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Yang Liu
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; OncoC4, Inc., Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
| | - Yin Wang
- Division of Immunotherapy, Institute of Human Virology, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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Zhou X, Wang S, Li Y, Zhao H, Han X, Yu Y, Chen Y, Yang Y, Ma X, Huo H, Zhang M, Zhao Y, Ma N. Monocarboxylate transporter 4 promotes the migration of non‑cancerous L929 fibroblast cells by activating the IGF1/IGF1R/PIK3R3/SGK1 axis. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:460. [PMID: 37745980 PMCID: PMC10512108 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.14047] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) and Warburg effect are critical for the regulation of tumor metastasis. The monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) family members, particularly MCT4, which is encoded by the solute carrier family 16 member 3 gene, play an important role in the regulation of the TME and mediation of the Warburg effect by transporting lactate out of cancer cells. Migration and invasion are two key features of metastasis. Few studies have investigated the mechanism by which MCT4 promotes cell migration, and the suggested mechanisms by which MCT4 promotes migration vary in different tumor cell models. The purpose of the present study was to use non-cancerous cells as a research model to investigate the specific mechanism underlying the promotion of migration by MCT4. In a previous study, murine L929 cells overexpressing human MCT4 (MCT4-L929 cells) were generated and MCT4 was demonstrated to promote the migration and invasion of these non-cancerous cells. In the present study, MCT4-L929 cells and control-L929 cells were used to investigate the potential pathways and mechanisms through which MCT4 promotes cell migration. RNA sequencing analysis revealed 872 differentially expressed genes, comprising 337 and 535 upregulated and downregulated genes, respectively, in the MCT4-L929 cells. Reverse transcription-quantitative analysis and western blotting revealed that MCT4 overexpression increased the transcription and protein levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). In a wound healing assay, the migration of exogenous mouse IGF1-treated control-L929 cells was similar to that of MCT4-L929 cells. Additionally, the inhibition of IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) or serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 (SGK1), a downstream protein in the IGF1 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase PI3K regulatory subunit 3 (PIK3R3) pathways, in MCT4-L929 cells mitigated the cell migration-promoting effect of MCT4. These novel findings suggest that MCT4 may promote the migration of L929 fibroblast cells via activation of the IGF1/IGF1R/PIK3R3/SGK1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoju Zhou
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Yanyan Li
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - He Zhao
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Xue Han
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Yue Yu
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Yu Chen
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Xiaonan Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Hongjing Huo
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Manting Zhang
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Yongshan Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
| | - Ningning Ma
- Wuya College of Innovation, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, P.R. China
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Wen Z, Sun H, Zhang Z, Zheng Y, Zheng S, Bin J, Liao Y, Shi M, Zhou R, Liao W. High baseline tumor burden-associated macrophages promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment and reduce the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors through the IGFBP2-STAT3-PD-L1 pathway. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2023; 43:562-581. [PMID: 37031362 PMCID: PMC10174084 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12420] [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: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several clinical studies have uncovered a negative correlation between baseline tumor burden and the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. This study aimed to uncover the specific mechanisms underlying the difference in sensitivity to ICI treatment between tumors with high (HTB) and low (LTB) tumor burden. METHODS For in vivo studies, several mouse models of subcutaneous tumors were established, and transcriptome sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry assays were used to detect the immune status in these subcutaneous tumors. For in vitro experiments, co-culture models, cytokine antibody arrays, western blotting, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms RESULTS: We found that MC38 or B16 subcutaneous tumors from the HTB group did not show any response to anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) therapy. Through flow cytometry assays, we found that the infiltration with CD8+ T cells was significantly decreased whereas M2-like macrophages were enriched in subcutaneous tumors of HTB groups compared with those of LTB group. These changes were not affected by the initial number of injected tumor cells or tumor age, nor could they be reversed by surgical tumor reduction. Intraperitoneal colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R) inhibitor PLX3397 injection at different time points of tumor growth only had an effect when administered in the early tumor stage to maintain the "heat" of the tumor microenvironment during the process of tumor growth, thereby achieving a response to ICI treatment when the tumor grew to a large size. Mechanistically, we found that insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) expression levels were significantly elevated in HTB tumor tissues. IGFBP2 promoted the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in M2-like macrophages by activating signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and PD-L1+ M2-like macrophages exerted an immunosuppressive effect by inhibiting the proliferation and activation of CD8+ T cells in a PD-L1-dependent fashion. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that the low efficacy of ICI treatment in HTB tumors is mainly attributed to the intratumoral accumulation of PD-L1+ M2-like macrophages via the IGFBP2-STAT3-PD-L1 signaling pathway and their substantial inhibitory effects on T cell proliferation and activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaowei Wen
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Huiying Sun
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Zhihua Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Yannan Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Siting Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Jianping Bin
- Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Yulin Liao
- Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Min Shi
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Rui Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Wangjun Liao
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, P. R. China
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Wang Y, Huang P, Wang BG, Murdock T, Cope L, Hsu FC, Wang TL, Shih IM. Spatial Transcriptomic Analysis of Ovarian Cancer Precursors Reveals Reactivation of IGFBP2 during Pathogenesis. Cancer Res 2022; 82:4528-4541. [PMID: 36206311 PMCID: PMC9808976 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-1620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Elucidating the earliest pathogenic steps in cancer development is fundamental to improving its early detection and prevention. Ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), a highly aggressive cancer, mostly originates from the fallopian tube epithelium through a precursor stage, serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC). In this study, we performed spatial transcriptomic analysis to compare STICs, carcinoma, and their matched normal fallopian tube epithelium. Several differentially expressed genes in STICs and carcinomas were involved in cancer metabolism and detected in a larger independent transcriptomic dataset of ovarian HGSCs. Among these, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP2) was found to undergo DNA hypomethylation and to be increased at the protein level in STICs. Pyrosequencing revealed an association of IGFBP2 expression with the methylation state of its proximal enhancer, and 5-azacytidine treatment increased IGFBP2 expression. In postmenopausal fallopian tubes, where most STICs are detected, IGFBP2 immunoreactivity was detected in all 38 proliferatively active STICs but was undetectable in morphologically normal tubal epithelia, including those with TP53 mutations. In premenopausal fallopian tubes, IGFBP2 expression was limited to the secretory epithelium at the proliferative phase, and estradiol treatment increased IGFBP2 expression levels. IGFBP2 knockdown suppressed the growth of IGFBP2-expressing tubal epithelial cells via inactivation of the AKT pathway. Taken together, demethylation of the proximal enhancer of IGFBP2 drives tumor development by maintaining the increased IGFBP2 required for proliferation in an otherwise estrogen-deprived, proliferation-quiescent, and postmenopausal tubal microenvironment. SIGNIFICANCE Molecular studies of the earliest precursor lesions of ovarian cancer reveal a role of IGFBP2 in propelling tumor initiation, providing new insights into ovarian cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeh Wang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Peng Huang
- Biostatistics Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Brant G. Wang
- Department of Pathology, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia
| | - Tricia Murdock
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Leslie Cope
- Biostatistics Division, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Fang-Chi Hsu
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Tian-Li Wang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ie-Ming Shih
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Diagnostic Value of IGFBP-2 in Predicting Preeclampsia before 20 Weeks of Pregnancy: A Prospective Nested Case-Control Study. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:5075569. [PMID: 36213583 PMCID: PMC9534648 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5075569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To identify novel biomarker insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) associated with preeclampsia (PE) before 20 weeks of gestation and to explore the predictive value of plasma IGFBP-2 in PE. Methods A prospective nested case-control investigation involving 122 PE patients and 122 normal controls (NC) that were matched 1 : 1 in terms of age and week of pregnancy was carried out in Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center (Guangzhou, China, 2018030306) from April 2016 to December 2019. At 8 to 20 weeks, blood samples from the mother were taken. To calculate the correlations, univariate conditional logistic regression was employed. Results Herein, 12 clinical indices were significantly different between the PE and NC groups (uric acid (UA), cystatin C (Cys C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), total bilirubin (TB), prothrombin time (PT), red blood cell (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), red cell distribution width (RDW), platelets (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), and thrombocytocrit (PCT)). Compared with the NC group (36.79 ± 19.91 pg/mL), the expression level of IGFBP2 in the PE group (19.76 ± 19.40 pg/mL) before 20 weeks of pregnancy was significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Two high-risk factors were found to be significantly associated with PE independently of confounders: anemia 4.35 (2.20-8.45) (P < 0.01) and cesarean section history 8.25 (2.67-26.67) (P < 0.01). As a result of the univariate logistic regression analysis, the following three variables were included in the final logistic regression model.: Y = −18.841 − 0.085 × (IGFBP‐2) + 0.630 × (RDW) + 0.165 × (AST) + 0.863 × (MPV). In comparison to IGFBP-2 alone as an independent predictor of PE (AUC = 0.897, 95% CI 0.830–0.964), the model's discriminatory power was considerably higher (AUC = 0.953, 95% CI 0.911–0.995). Conclusion Plasma IGFBP-2 before 20 weeks of pregnancy combined with high-risk factors and routine blood indexes has a high early predictive value for PE.
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Vena Cava Thrombus in Patients with Wilms Tumor. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163924. [PMID: 36010917 PMCID: PMC9405781 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Vena cava thrombus (VCT) is rare in Wilms tumor (WT) (4−10%). The aim of this study is to identify factors for an outcome to improve treatment for better survival. (2) Methods: 148/3015 patients with WT (aged < 18 years) and VCT, prospectively enrolled over a period of 32 years (1989−2020) by the German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (SIOP-9/GPOH, SIOP-93-01/GPOH and SIOP-2001/GPOH), are retrospectively analyzed to describe clinical features, response to preoperative chemotherapy (PC) (142 patients) and surgical interventions and to evaluate risk factors for overall survival (OS). (3) Results: 14 VCT regressed completely with PC and another 12 in parts. The thrombus was completely removed in 111 (85.4%), incompletely in 16 (12.3%), and not removed in 3 (2.3%). The type of removal is unknown in four patients. Patients without VCT have a significantly (p < 0.001) better OS (97.8%) than those with VCT (90.1%). OS after complete resection is (89.9%), after incomplete (93.8%) and with no resection (100%). Patients with anaplasia or stage IV without complete remission (CR) after PC had a significantly worse OS compared to the remaining patients with VCT (77.1% vs. 94.4%; p = 0.002). (4) Conclusions: As a result of our study, two risk factors for poor outcomes in WT patients with VCT emerge: diffuse anaplasia and metastatic disease, especially those with non-CR after PC.
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Gupta V, Hammond CL, Roztocil E, Gonzalez MO, Feldon SE, Woeller CF. Thinking inside the box: Current insights into targeting orbital tissue remodeling and inflammation in thyroid eye disease. Surv Ophthalmol 2022; 67:858-874. [PMID: 34487739 PMCID: PMC8891393 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2021.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune disorder that manifests in the orbit. In TED, the connective tissue behind the eye becomes inflamed and remodels with increased fat accumulation and/or increased muscle and scar tissue. As orbital tissue expands, patients develop edema, exophthalmos, diplopia, and optic neuropathy. In severe cases vision loss may occur secondary to corneal scarring from exposure or optic nerve compression. Currently there is no cure for TED, and treatments are limited. A major breakthrough in TED therapy occurred with the FDA approval of teprotumumab, a monoclonal insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) blocking antibody. Yet, teprotumumab therapy has limitations, including cost, infusion method of drug delivery, variable response, and relapse. We describe approaches to target orbital fibroblasts and the complex pathophysiology that underlies tissue remodeling and inflammation driving TED. Further advances in the elucidation of the mechanisms of TED may lead to prophylaxis based upon early biomarkers as well as lead to more convenient, less expensive therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vardaan Gupta
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, 210 Crittenden Boulevard, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Christine L Hammond
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, 210 Crittenden Boulevard, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Elisa Roztocil
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, 210 Crittenden Boulevard, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Mithra O Gonzalez
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, 210 Crittenden Boulevard, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Steven E Feldon
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, 210 Crittenden Boulevard, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Collynn F Woeller
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, 210 Crittenden Boulevard, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
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8
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Peng G, Wang Y, Ge P, Bailey C, Zhang P, Zhang D, Meng Z, Qi C, Chen Q, Chen J, Niu J, Zheng P, Liu Y, Liu Y. The HIF1α-PDGFD-PDGFRα axis controls glioblastoma growth at normoxia/mild-hypoxia and confers sensitivity to targeted therapy by echinomycin. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:278. [PMID: 34470658 PMCID: PMC8411541 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02082-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a lethal brain tumor, remains the most daunting challenge in cancer therapy. Overexpression and constitutive activation of PDGFs and PDGFRα are observed in most GBM; however, available inhibitors targeting isolated signaling pathways are minimally effective. Therefore, better understanding of crucial mechanisms underlying GBM is needed for developing more effective targeted therapies. Methods Target genes controlled by HIF1α in GBM were identified by analysis of TCGA database and by RNA-sequencing of GBM cells with HIF1α knockout by sgRNA-Cas9 method. Functional roles of HIF1α, PDGFs and PDGFRs were elucidated by loss- or gain-of-function assays or chemical inhibitors, and compared in response to oxygen tension. Pharmacological efficacy and gene expression in mice with intracranial xenografts of primary GBM were analyzed by bioluminescence imaging and immunofluorescence. Results HIF1α binds the PDGFD proximal promoter and PDGFRA intron enhancers in GBM cells under normoxia or mild-hypoxia to induce their expression and maintain constitutive activation of AKT signaling, which in turn increases HIF1α protein level and activity. Paradoxically, severe hypoxia abrogates PDGFRα expression despite enhancing HIF1α accumulation and corresponding PDGF-D expression. Knockout of HIF1A, PDGFD or PDGFRA in U251 cells inhibits cell growth and invasion in vitro and eradicates tumor growth in vivo. HIF1A knockdown in primary GBM extends survival of xenograft mice, whereas PDGFD overexpression in GL261 shortens survival. HIF1α inhibitor Echinomycin induces GBM cell apoptosis and effectively inhibits growth of GBM in vivo by simultaneously targeting HIF1α-PDGFD/PDGFRα-AKT feedforward pathway. Conclusions HIF1α orchestrates expression of PDGF-D and PDGFRα for constitutive activation of AKT pathway and is crucial for GBM malignancy. Therefore, therapies targeting HIF1α should provide an effective treatment for GBM. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-02082-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gong Peng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yin Wang
- Division of Immunotherapy, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Pengfei Ge
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Research Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Christopher Bailey
- Division of Immunotherapy, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Peng Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetics of Birth Defects, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Cancer for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Cancer for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoli Meng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chong Qi
- Institute of Translational Medicine, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Institute of Translational Medicine, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jingtao Chen
- Institute of Translational Medicine, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Junqi Niu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Pan Zheng
- Division of Immunotherapy, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.,OncoC4, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Division of Immunotherapy, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA. .,OncoC4, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Yan Liu
- Division of Immunotherapy, Department of Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
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