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Basar E, Mead H, Shum B, Rauter I, Ay C, Skaletz-Rorowski A, Brockmeyer NH. Biological Barriers for Drug Delivery and Development of Innovative Therapeutic Approaches in HIV, Pancreatic Cancer, and Hemophilia A/B. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:1207. [PMID: 39339243 PMCID: PMC11435036 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16091207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Biological barriers remain a major obstacle for the development of innovative therapeutics. Depending on a disease's pathophysiology, the involved tissues, cell populations, and cellular components, drugs often have to overcome several biological barriers to reach their target cells and become effective in a specific cellular compartment. Human biological barriers are incredibly diverse and include multiple layers of protection and obstruction. Importantly, biological barriers are not only found at the organ/tissue level, but also include cellular structures such as the outer plasma membrane, the endolysosomal machinery, and the nuclear envelope. Nowadays, clinicians have access to a broad arsenal of therapeutics ranging from chemically synthesized small molecules, biologicals including recombinant proteins (such as monoclonal antibodies and hormones), nucleic-acid-based therapeutics, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), to modern viral-vector-mediated gene therapy. In the past decade, the therapeutic landscape has been changing rapidly, giving rise to a multitude of innovative therapy approaches. In 2018, the FDA approval of patisiran paved the way for small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to become a novel class of nucleic-acid-based therapeutics, which-upon effective drug delivery to their target cells-allow to elegantly regulate the post-transcriptional gene expression. The recent approvals of valoctocogene roxaparvovec and etranacogene dezaparvovec for the treatment of hemophilia A and B, respectively, mark the breakthrough of viral-vector-based gene therapy as a new tool to cure disease. A multitude of highly innovative medicines and drug delivery methods including mRNA-based cancer vaccines and exosome-targeted therapy is on the verge of entering the market and changing the treatment landscape for a broad range of conditions. In this review, we provide insights into three different disease entities, which are clinically, scientifically, and socioeconomically impactful and have given rise to many technological advancements: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) as a predominant infectious disease, pancreatic carcinoma as one of the most lethal solid cancers, and hemophilia A/B as a hereditary genetic disorder. Our primary objective is to highlight the overarching principles of biological barriers that can be identified across different disease areas. Our second goal is to showcase which therapeutic approaches designed to cross disease-specific biological barriers have been promising in effectively treating disease. In this context, we will exemplify how the right selection of the drug category and delivery vehicle, mode of administration, and therapeutic target(s) can help overcome various biological barriers to prevent, treat, and cure disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Basar
- WIR—Walk In Ruhr, Center for Sexual Health & Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44787 Bochum, Germany;
| | | | - Bennett Shum
- GenePath LLC, Sydney, NSW 2067, Australia
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, School of Medical Sciences, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | | | - Cihan Ay
- Division of Haematology and Haemostaseology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Adriane Skaletz-Rorowski
- WIR—Walk In Ruhr, Center for Sexual Health & Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44787 Bochum, Germany;
| | - Norbert H. Brockmeyer
- WIR—Walk In Ruhr, Center for Sexual Health & Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44787 Bochum, Germany;
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Wei X, Xiong H, Zhou Y, Chen X, Yang W. Tracking epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells based on a multiplex electrochemical immunosensor. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 258:116372. [PMID: 38735081 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116372] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promotes tumor cell infiltration and metastasis. Tracking the progression of EMT could potentially indicate early cancer metastasis. A key characteristic of EMT is the dynamic alteration in the molecular levels of E-cadherin and N-cadherin. Traditional assays have limited sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities, relying heavily on cell lysis. Here, we developed a multiplex electrochemical biosensor to concurrently track the upregulation of N-cadherin expression and reduction of E-cadherin in breast cancer cells undergoing EMT. Small-sized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) tagged with redox probes (thionin or amino ferrocene) and bound to two types of antibodies were used as distinguishable signal tags. These tags specifically recognized E-cadherin and N-cadherin proteins on the tumor cell surface without cross-reactivity. The diphenylalanine dipeptide (FF)/chitosan (CS)/Au NPs (FF-CS@Au) composites with high surface area and good biocompatibility were used as the sensing platforms for efficiently fixing cells and recording the dynamic changes in electrochemical signals of surface proteins. The electrochemical immunosensor allowed for simultaneous monitoring of E- and N-cadherins on breast cancer cell surfaces in a single run, enabling tracking of the EMT dynamic process for up to 60 h. Furthermore, the electrochemical detection results are consistent with Western blot analysis, confirming the reliability of the methodology. This present work provides an effective, rapid, and low-cost approach for tracking the EMT process, as well as valuable insights into early tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, PR China
| | - Hanzhi Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, PR China
| | - Yunfan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, PR China
| | - Xu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, PR China.
| | - Wensheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, PR China
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Cabezuelo MT, Torres L, Ortiz-Zapater E, López-Rodas G, Marín MP, Timoneda J, Viña JR, Zaragozá R, Barber T. Vitamin A Status Modulates Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in the Lung: The Role of Furin. Nutrients 2024; 16:1177. [PMID: 38674868 PMCID: PMC11053499 DOI: 10.3390/nu16081177] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) induced TGF-β hyperactivation and reduced expression of cell adhesion proteins in the lung, suggesting that the disruption of retinoic acid (RA) signaling leads to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). To elucidate the role of lung vitamin A status in EMT, several EMT markers and the expression of the proprotein convertase furin, which activates TGF-β, were analyzed in two experimental models. Our in vivo model included control rats, VAD rats, and both control rats and VAD rats, treated with RA. For the in vitro studies, human bronchoalveolar epithelial cells treated with RA were used. Our data show that EMT and furin are induced in VAD rats. Furthermore, furin expression continues to increase much more markedly after treatment of VAD rats with RA. In control rats and cell lines, an acute RA treatment induced a significant increase in furin expression, concomitant with changes in EMT markers. A ChIP assay demonstrated that RA directly regulates furin transcription. These results emphasize the importance of maintaining vitamin A levels within the physiological range since both levels below and above this range can cause adverse effects that, paradoxically, could be similar. The role of furin in EMT is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Teresa Cabezuelo
- Department of Physiology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain;
- Centro Salud Safranar, Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, 46017 Valencia, Spain
| | - Luis Torres
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.T.); (E.O.-Z.); (G.L.-R.); (J.T.); (J.R.V.); (T.B.)
| | - Elena Ortiz-Zapater
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.T.); (E.O.-Z.); (G.L.-R.); (J.T.); (J.R.V.); (T.B.)
| | - Gerardo López-Rodas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.T.); (E.O.-Z.); (G.L.-R.); (J.T.); (J.R.V.); (T.B.)
| | - M. Pilar Marín
- Microscopy Unit IIS La Fe Valencia, 46009 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Joaquín Timoneda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.T.); (E.O.-Z.); (G.L.-R.); (J.T.); (J.R.V.); (T.B.)
| | - Juan R. Viña
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.T.); (E.O.-Z.); (G.L.-R.); (J.T.); (J.R.V.); (T.B.)
| | - Rosa Zaragozá
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Teresa Barber
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-IIS INCLIVA, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (L.T.); (E.O.-Z.); (G.L.-R.); (J.T.); (J.R.V.); (T.B.)
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4
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Zhao X, Zhang Y, Wu F, Li X, Guo S, Li X. MeCP2-Induced Alternations of Transcript Levels and m6A Methylation in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:47964-47973. [PMID: 38144074 PMCID: PMC10734004 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
MeCP2 is a transcriptional regulator that is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and is highly expressed in proliferative vitreoretinopathy. m6A methylation is a critical post-transcriptional regulation in eukaryotic cells. However, the connection between MeCP2 and m6A methylation has not been revealed in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and the regulatory role of MeCP2 at the post-transcriptional level in an m6A-dependent manner is rarely investigated. In this study, we used sequencing to reveal differences in transcript levels and m6A abundance of individual genes in RPE cells after treatment with human recombinant protein MeCP2. The biological functions and processes of differential genes were further analyzed by bioinformatics. The results exhibited that after MeCP2 treatment, 65 genes were up-regulated and 43 genes were down-regulated at the transcription level, and 4 peaks were hypermethylated and 9,041 peaks were hypomethylated at the m6A modification level. Enrichment analysis found that differentially expressed genes were associated with organic acid metabolism, melanogenesis, and vascular smooth muscle contraction. In addition, differentially methylated genes were related to cell junction, RNA processing and metabolism, cell activity, actin cytoskeleton, and several signaling pathways associated with EMT. Further conjoint analysis indicated that the transcription and m6A levels of the EGR1, ELOVL2, and SFR1 genes were altered, and EGR1 is an essential transcription factor in the EMT process. The RNA levels and m6A levels of the three genes were verified by qPCR and m6A-IP-qPCR, respectively. Overall, this study preliminarily revealed the differential mapping of MeCP2-induced m6A modifications, which contributes to the study of the epigenetic and EMT mechanism in RPE cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueru Zhao
- Henan
Eye Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
- Zhengzhou
University People’s Hospital, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
- People’s
Hospital of Henan University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
- Eye
Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations
in Medical Science, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongya Zhang
- Henan
Eye Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
- Zhengzhou
University People’s Hospital, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fei Wu
- Henan
Eye Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
- Zhengzhou
University People’s Hospital, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xue Li
- Henan
Eye Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
- Zhengzhou
University People’s Hospital, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
- People’s
Hospital of Henan University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
- Eye
Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations
in Medical Science, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sibei Guo
- Henan
Eye Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
- Xinxiang
Medical University Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, 453003 Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiaohua Li
- Henan
Eye Hospital, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China
- Zhengzhou
University People’s Hospital, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
- People’s
Hospital of Henan University, 450003 Zhengzhou, China
- Eye
Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations
in Medical Science, 450000 Zhengzhou, China
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5
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Picard FSR, Lutz V, Brichkina A, Neuhaus F, Ruckenbrod T, Hupfer A, Raifer H, Klein M, Bopp T, Pfefferle PI, Savai R, Prinz I, Waisman A, Moos S, Chang HD, Heinrich S, Bartsch DK, Buchholz M, Singh S, Tu M, Klein L, Bauer C, Liefke R, Burchert A, Chung HR, Mayer P, Gress TM, Lauth M, Gaida M, Huber M. IL-17A-producing CD8 + T cells promote PDAC via induction of inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts. Gut 2023; 72:1510-1522. [PMID: 36759154 PMCID: PMC10359545 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterised by an abundant desmoplastic stroma composed of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) and interspersed immune cells. A non-canonical CD8+ T-cell subpopulation producing IL-17A (Tc17) promotes autoimmunity and has been identified in tumours. Here, we evaluated the Tc17 role in PDAC. DESIGN Infiltration of Tc17 cells in PDAC tissue was correlated with patient overall survival and tumour stage. Wild-type (WT) or Il17ra-/- quiescent pancreatic stellate cells (qPSC) were exposed to conditional media obtained from Tc17 cells (Tc17-CM); moreover, co-culture of Tc17-CM-induced inflammatory (i)CAF (Tc17-iCAF) with tumour cells was performed. IL-17A/F-, IL-17RA-, RAG1-deficient and Foxn1nu/nu mice were used to study the Tc17 role in subcutaneous and orthotopic PDAC mouse models. RESULTS Increased abundance of Tc17 cells highly correlated with reduced survival and advanced tumour stage in PDAC. Tc17-CM induced iCAF differentiation as assessed by the expression of iCAF-associated genes via synergism of IL-17A and TNF. Accordingly, IL-17RA controlled the responsiveness of qPSC to Tc17-CM. Pancreatic tumour cells co-cultured with Tc17-iCAF displayed enhanced proliferation and increased expression of genes implicated in proliferation, metabolism and protection from apoptosis. Tc17-iCAF accelerated growth of mouse and human tumours in Rag1-/- and Foxn1nu/nu mice, respectively. Finally, Il17ra-expressed by fibroblasts was required for Tc17-driven tumour growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS We identified Tc17 as a novel protumourigenic CD8+ T-cell subtype in PDAC, which accelerated tumour growth via IL-17RA-dependent stroma modification. We described a crosstalk between three cell types, Tc17, fibroblasts and tumour cells, promoting PDAC progression, which resulted in poor prognosis for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Veronika Lutz
- Institute of Systems Immunology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Anna Brichkina
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infection, Center for Tumor and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Felix Neuhaus
- Institute of Systems Immunology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Teresa Ruckenbrod
- Institute of Systems Immunology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Anna Hupfer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infection, Center for Tumor and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Hartmann Raifer
- Institute of Systems Immunology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- Core-Facility Flow Cytometry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Klein
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tobias Bopp
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Petra Ina Pfefferle
- Comprehensive Biomaterial Bank Marburg (CBBMR), Philipps-Universitat Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rajkumar Savai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Justus Liebig Universitat, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Lung Development and Remodeling, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Immo Prinz
- Institute of Systems Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ari Waisman
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sonja Moos
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Hyun-Dong Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität, Berlin, Germany
- German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), An Institute of the Leibniz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Heinrich
- Department of Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Detlef K Bartsch
- Division of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Malte Buchholz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infection, Center for Tumor and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Shiv Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Mengyu Tu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Lukas Klein
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Christian Bauer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infection, Center for Tumor and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Robert Liefke
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Burchert
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Philipps University Marburg Faculty of Medicine, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ho-Ryun Chung
- Institute for Medical Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Mayer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas M Gress
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infection, Center for Tumor and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Lauth
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infection, Center for Tumor and Immunology (ZTI), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Gaida
- Institute of Pathology, JGU Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Research Center for Immunotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, JGU-Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Joint Unit Immunopathology, Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, JGU-Mainz and TRON, Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center, JGU-Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Magdalena Huber
- Institute of Systems Immunology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Liu ZL, Chen HH, Zheng LL, Sun LP, Shi L. Angiogenic signaling pathways and anti-angiogenic therapy for cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:198. [PMID: 37169756 PMCID: PMC10175505 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01460-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 173.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is a complex and dynamic process regulated by various pro- and anti-angiogenic molecules, which plays a crucial role in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. With the advances in molecular and cellular biology, various biomolecules such as growth factors, chemokines, and adhesion factors involved in tumor angiogenesis has gradually been elucidated. Targeted therapeutic research based on these molecules has driven anti-angiogenic treatment to become a promising strategy in anti-tumor therapy. The most widely used anti-angiogenic agents include monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. However, the clinical benefit of this modality has still been limited due to several defects such as adverse events, acquired drug resistance, tumor recurrence, and lack of validated biomarkers, which impel further research on mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis, the development of multiple drugs and the combination therapy to figure out how to improve the therapeutic efficacy. Here, we broadly summarize various signaling pathways in tumor angiogenesis and discuss the development and current challenges of anti-angiogenic therapy. We also propose several new promising approaches to improve anti-angiogenic efficacy and provide a perspective for the development and research of anti-angiogenic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Ling Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, China
| | - Huan-Huan Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, China
| | - Li-Li Zheng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, China
| | - Li-Ping Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, China.
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, 210009, Nanjing, China.
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Nejati-Koshki K, Roberts CT, Babaei G, Rastegar M. The Epigenetic Reader Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2) Is an Emerging Oncogene in Cancer Biology. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2683. [PMID: 37345019 PMCID: PMC10216337 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are gene regulatory processes that control gene expression and cellular identity. Epigenetic factors include the "writers", "readers", and "erasers" of epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation. Accordingly, the nuclear protein Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2) is a reader of DNA methylation with key roles in cellular identity and function. Research studies have linked altered DNA methylation, deregulation of MeCP2 levels, or MECP2 gene mutations to different types of human disease. Due to the high expression level of MeCP2 in the brain, many studies have focused on its role in neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that MeCP2 also participates in the tumorigenesis of different types of human cancer, with potential oncogenic properties. It is well documented that aberrant epigenetic regulation such as altered DNA methylation may lead to cancer and the process of tumorigenesis. However, direct involvement of MeCP2 with that of human cancer was not fully investigated until lately. In recent years, a multitude of research studies from independent groups have explored the molecular mechanisms involving MeCP2 in a vast array of human cancers that focus on the oncogenic characteristics of MeCP2. Here, we provide an overview of the proposed role of MeCP2 as an emerging oncogene in different types of human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazem Nejati-Koshki
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil 85991-56189, Iran;
| | - Chris-Tiann Roberts
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada;
| | - Ghader Babaei
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 57157-89400, Iran;
| | - Mojgan Rastegar
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada;
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Pandey S, Gupta VK, Lavania SP. Role of epigenetics in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Epigenomics 2023; 15:89-110. [PMID: 36647796 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive cancers, associated with poor survival outcomes. Lack of early diagnosis, resistance to conventional therapeutic treatments (including immunotherapy) and recurrence are some of the major hurdles in PDAC and contribute to its poor survival rate. While the risk of genetic predisposition to cancers is widely acknowledged and understood, recent advances in whole-genome and next-generation sequencing techniques have led to the acknowledgment of the role played by epigenetics, especially in PDAC. Epigenetic changes are heritable genetic modifications that influence gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., DNA methylation, post-translational modification of histone complexes and ncRNA) that result in reversible changes in gene expression are increasingly understood to be responsible for tumor initiation, development and even escape from immune surveillance. Our review seeks to highlight the various components of the epigenetic machinery that are known to be implicated in PDAC initiation and development and the feasibility of targeting these components to identify novel pharmacological strategies that could potentially lead to breakthroughs in PDAC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somnath Pandey
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Vineet K Gupta
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Shweta P Lavania
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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9
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Li Z, Xu W, Yang J, Wang J, Wang J, Zhu G, Li D, Ding J, Sun T. A Tumor Microenvironments-Adapted Polypeptide Hydrogel/Nanogel Composite Boosts Antitumor Molecularly Targeted Inhibition and Immunoactivation. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2200449. [PMID: 35291052 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202200449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Various macro/microscopic biomaterials have been developed for controlled drug delivery in the combination therapy of malignancies. However, uncertain loading ratio, release sequence, and spatiotemporal distribution of drugs hinder their synergistic therapeutic effects and clinical applications. In this work, a tumor microenvironments-adapted composite consisting of a thermosensitive hydrogel and a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanogel is developed for precisely sequential drug release to enhance molecularly targeted therapy and amplify immune activation. LY3200882 (LY), a selective transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) inhibitor, is encapsulated in the ROS-responsive nanogel and dispersed uniformly with regorafenib (REG) in a thermosensitive hydrogel (Gel/(REG+NG/LY)). After in situ administration, REG is preferentially released from the hydrogel to inhibit tumor growth and promote ROS generation, which triggers the subsequent on-demand release of LY from the nanogel. LY contributes to preventing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and immune escape of tumor cells induced by elevated TGF-β. In subcutaneous and orthotopic colorectal tumor bearing mouse models, Gel/(REG+NG/LY) effectively inhibits tumor growth and liver metastases by increasing the tumor infiltration of CD8+ T cells, reducing the recruitment of tumor-associated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and promoting the polarization of macrophages from M2 to M1 type, indicating the significant potential in improving the prognosis of advanced cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongmin Li
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130061, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun, 130033, P. R. China
| | - Weiguo Xu
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Jiazhen Yang
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Juan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130061, P. R. China
| | - Jialiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130061, P. R. China
| | - Ge Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130061, P. R. China
| | - Di Li
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130061, P. R. China
| | - Jianxun Ding
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5625 Renmin Street, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China
| | - Tianmeng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130061, P. R. China
- International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun, 130015, P. R. China
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10
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Zhao Y, Yang M, Wang S, Abbas SJ, Zhang J, Li Y, Shao R, Liu Y. An Overview of Epigenetic Methylation in Pancreatic Cancer Progression. Front Oncol 2022; 12:854773. [PMID: 35296007 PMCID: PMC8918690 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.854773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, the aberrant epigenetic modification, apart from genetic alteration, has emerged as dispensable events mediating the transformation of pancreatic cancer (PC). However, the understanding of molecular mechanisms of methylation modifications, the most abundant epigenetic modifications, remains superficial. In this review, we focused on the mechanistic insights of DNA, histone, and RNA methylation that regulate the progression of PC. The methylation regulators including writer, eraser and reader participate in the modification of gene expression associated with cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis. Some of recent clinical trials on methylation drug targeting were also discussed. Understanding the novel regulatory mechanisms in the methylation modification may offer alternative opportunities to improve therapeutic efficacy to fight against this dismal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhao Zhao
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Mao Yang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Shijia Wang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Sk Jahir Abbas
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
| | - Junzhe Zhang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongsheng Li
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Shao
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yingbin Liu, ; Rong Shao,
| | - Yingbin Liu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Biliary Tract Disease Research, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yingbin Liu, ; Rong Shao,
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11
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Targeting the ILK/YAP axis by LFG-500 blocks epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:1847-1859. [PMID: 33879841 PMCID: PMC8563739 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-021-00655-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the main cause of mortality in patients with cancer. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a crucial process in cancer metastasis, is an established target for antimetastatic drug development. LFG-500, a novel synthetic flavonoid, has been revealed as a potential antitumor agent owing to its various activities, including modulation of EMT in the inflammatory microenvironment. Here, using a transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)-induced EMT models, we found that LFG-500 inhibited EMT-associated migration and invasion in human breast cancer, MCF-7, and lung adenocarcinoma, A549, cell lines, consistent with the observed downregulation of YAP activity. Further studies demonstrated that LGF-500-induced suppression of YAP activation was mediated by integrin-linked kinase (ILK), suggesting that the ILK/YAP axis might be feasible target for anti-EMT and antimetastatic treatments, which was verified by a correlation analysis with clinical data and tumor specimens. Hence, our data support the use of LGF-500 as an antimetastatic drug in cancer therapy and provide evidence that the ILK/YAP axis is a feasible biomarker of cancer progression and a promising target for repression of EMT and metastasis in cancer therapy.
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12
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Wang L, Gao Y, Tong D, Wang X, Guo C, Guo B, Yang Y, Zhao L, Zhang J, Yang J, Qin Y, Liu L, Huang C. MeCP2 drives hepatocellular carcinoma progression via enforcing HOXD3 promoter methylation and expression through the HB-EGF/EGFR pathway. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:3147-3163. [PMID: 34028973 PMCID: PMC8564637 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeobox D3 (HOXD3), a member of the homeobox family, was described to regulate tumorigenesis, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis in various tumor types. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating HOXD3 during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) migration, invasion, and angiogenesis remain elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that HOXD3 expression is enhanced by the binding of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), a methyl-CpG binding protein, together with CREB1to the hypermethylated promoter of HOXD3. Inhibition of HOXD3 eliminated the tumorigenic effects of MeCP2 on HCC cells. Furthermore, HOXD3 directly targeted the promoter region of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) via the EGFR-ERK1/2 cell signaling pathway and promoted invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis of HCC in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, elevated expression of MeCP2, CREB1, and HB-EGF in HCC correlated with a poor survival rate. Our findings reveal the function of the MeCP2/HOXD3/HB-EGF regulatory axis in HCC, rendering it an attractive candidate for the development of targeted therapeutics and as a potential biomarker in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lumin Wang
- Department of Digestive Diseases in Precision Medicine Institutethe Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityChina
| | - Yi Gao
- Department of cell Biology and GeneticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Yan'an Key Laboratory of Chronic Disease Prevention and ResearchChina
| | - Dongdong Tong
- Department of cell Biology and GeneticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to DiseasesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyTranslational Medicine InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Department of cell Biology and GeneticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to DiseasesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyTranslational Medicine InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
| | - Chen Guo
- Department of cell Biology and GeneticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
| | - Bo Guo
- Department of cell Biology and GeneticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to DiseasesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyTranslational Medicine InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of cell Biology and GeneticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to DiseasesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyTranslational Medicine InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
| | - Lingyu Zhao
- Department of cell Biology and GeneticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to DiseasesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyTranslational Medicine InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
| | - Jing Zhang
- Yan'an Key Laboratory of Chronic Disease Prevention and ResearchChina
| | - Juan Yang
- Department of cell Biology and GeneticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to DiseasesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyTranslational Medicine InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
| | - Yannan Qin
- Department of cell Biology and GeneticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to DiseasesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyTranslational Medicine InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
| | - Liying Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to DiseasesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyTranslational Medicine InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
| | - Chen Huang
- Department of cell Biology and GeneticsSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to DiseasesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyTranslational Medicine InstituteSchool of Basic Medical SciencesXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
- Cardiovascular Research CenterXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science CenterChina
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13
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Sabbadini F, Bertolini M, De Matteis S, Mangiameli D, Contarelli S, Pietrobono S, Melisi D. The Multifaceted Role of TGF-β in Gastrointestinal Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13163960. [PMID: 34439114 PMCID: PMC8391793 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13163960] [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: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The transforming growth factor β signaling pathway elicits a broad range of physiological re-sponses, and its misregulation has been related to cancer. The secreted cytokine TGFβ exerts a tumor-suppressive effect that counteracts malignant transformation. However, once tumor has developed, TGFβ can support tumor progression regulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition, invasion and metastasis, stimulating fibrosis, angiogenesis and immune suppression. Here we review the dichotomous role of TGF-β in the progression of gastrointestinal tumors, as well as its intricate crosstalk with other signaling pathways. We also discuss about the therapeutic strate-gies that are currently explored in clinical trials to counteract TGF-β functions. Abstract Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a secreted cytokine that signals via serine/threonine kinase receptors and SMAD effectors. Although TGF-β acts as a tumor suppressor during the early stages of tumorigenesis, it supports tumor progression in advanced stages. Indeed, TGF-β can modulate the tumor microenvironment by modifying the extracellular matrix and by sustaining a paracrine interaction between neighboring cells. Due to its critical role in cancer development and progression, a wide range of molecules targeting the TGF-β signaling pathway are currently under active clinical development in different diseases. Here, we focused on the role of TGF-β in modulating different pathological processes with a particular emphasis on gastrointestinal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Sabbadini
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.S.); (M.B.); (S.D.M.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Monica Bertolini
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.S.); (M.B.); (S.D.M.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Serena De Matteis
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.S.); (M.B.); (S.D.M.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (S.P.)
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, AlmaMater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Domenico Mangiameli
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.S.); (M.B.); (S.D.M.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Serena Contarelli
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.S.); (M.B.); (S.D.M.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Silvia Pietrobono
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.S.); (M.B.); (S.D.M.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Davide Melisi
- Digestive Molecular Clinical Oncology Research Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.S.); (M.B.); (S.D.M.); (D.M.); (S.C.); (S.P.)
- Experimental Cancer Medicine Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
- Correspondence:
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14
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Wang S, Gan M, Chen C, Zhang Y, Kong J, Zhang H, Lai M. Methyl CpG binding protein 2 promotes colorectal cancer metastasis by regulating N 6 -methyladenosine methylation through methyltransferase-like 14. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:3243-3254. [PMID: 34097350 PMCID: PMC8353896 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is an emerging regulatory mechanism for tumor progression in several types of cancer. However, the underlying regulation mechanisms of m6A methylation in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unknown. Although the oncogenic function of methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) has been reported, it is still unclear whether MeCP2 could alter RNA m6A methylation state. Here, we systematically identified MeCP2 as a prometastasis gene to regulate m6A methylation in CRC. Interestingly, MeCP2 could bind to methyltransferase‐like 14 (METTL14) to coregulate tumor suppressor Kruppel‐like factor 4 (KLF4) expression through changing m6A methylation modification. Furthermore, insulin‐like growth factor 2 mRNA‐binding protein 2 recognized the unique modified m6A methylation sites to enhance KLF4 mRNA stability. Taken together, these findings highlight the novel function of MeCP2 for regulating m6A methylation and reveal the underlying molecular mechanism for the interaction between MeCP2 and METTL14, which offers a better understanding of CRC progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Wang
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Research Unit of Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meifu Gan
- Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Chaoyi Chen
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Research Unit of Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Research Unit of Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianlu Kong
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Research Unit of Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Honghe Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Research Unit of Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Maode Lai
- Department of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Research Unit of Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU042), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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15
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Li N, Zhang T, He M, Mu Y. MeCP2 attenuates cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reperfusion-induced injury via regulation of the SFRP4/Wnt/β-catenin axis. Biomarkers 2021; 26:363-370. [PMID: 33726573 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2021.1903999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Methylated CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is closely associated with heart failure, but its role in I/R injury remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the role and underling mechanism of MeCP2 in myocardial I/R injury.Methods: Hypoxia/reperfusion (H/R)-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes was used to establish an in vitro I/R injury model. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Cell viability and cell cycle arrest were evaluated by the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and cell cycle assay, respectively. Apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry analysis.Results: The expression of MeCP2 in H9c2 cells was decreased after H/R treatment. The overexpression of MeCP2 inhibited H/R-induced oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of H9c2 cells. Moreover, MeCP2 inhibited the activation of secreted frizzled related protein 4 (SFRP4)/Wnt/β-catenin axis, and SFRP4 relieved the effect of MeCP2 on oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in H/R-induced H9c2 cells.Conclusions: MeCP2 attenuated H/R-induced injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes by modulating the SFRP4/Wnt/β-catenin axis, which suggested that MeCP2 might serve as a therapeutic target of patients with AMI after reperfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Department of Cardiology, Xi'an Central Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Xi'an Central Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Mengying He
- Department of Center sterile supply, Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yudong Mu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shaanxi Provincial Tumor Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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