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Costa A, Gozzellino L, Nannini M, Astolfi A, Pantaleo MA, Pasquinelli G. Preclinical Models of Visceral Sarcomas. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1624. [PMID: 38002306 PMCID: PMC10669128 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111624] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Visceral sarcomas are a rare malignant subgroup of soft tissue sarcomas (STSs). STSs, accounting for 1% of all adult tumors, are derived from mesenchymal tissues and exhibit a wide heterogeneity. Their rarity and the high number of histotypes hinder the understanding of tumor development mechanisms and negatively influence clinical outcomes and treatment approaches. Although some STSs (~20%) have identifiable genetic markers, as specific mutations or translocations, most are characterized by complex genomic profiles. Thus, identification of new therapeutic targets and development of personalized therapies are urgent clinical needs. Although cell lines are useful for preclinical investigations, more reliable preclinical models are required to develop and test new potential therapies. Here, we provide an overview of the available in vitro and in vivo models of visceral sarcomas, whose gene signatures are still not well characterized, to highlight current challenges and provide insights for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Costa
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Livia Gozzellino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Margherita Nannini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Astolfi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Division of Pathology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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2
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Planas-Paz L, Pliego-Mendieta A, Hagedorn C, Aguilera-Garcia D, Haberecker M, Arnold F, Herzog M, Bankel L, Guggenberger R, Steiner S, Chen Y, Kahraman A, Zoche M, Rubin MA, Moch H, Britschgi C, Pauli C. Unravelling homologous recombination repair deficiency and therapeutic opportunities in soft tissue and bone sarcoma. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e16863. [PMID: 36779660 PMCID: PMC10086583 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202216863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Defects in homologous recombination repair (HRR) in tumors correlate with poor prognosis and metastases development. Determining HRR deficiency (HRD) is of major clinical relevance as it is associated with therapeutic vulnerabilities and remains poorly investigated in sarcoma. Here, we show that specific sarcoma entities exhibit high levels of genomic instability signatures and molecular alterations in HRR genes, while harboring a complex pattern of chromosomal instability. Furthermore, sarcomas carrying HRDness traits exhibit a distinct SARC-HRD transcriptional signature that predicts PARP inhibitor sensitivity in patient-derived sarcoma cells. Concomitantly, HRDhigh sarcoma cells lack RAD51 nuclear foci formation upon DNA damage, further evidencing defects in HRR. We further identify the WEE1 kinase as a therapeutic vulnerability for sarcomas with HRDness and demonstrate the clinical benefit of combining DNA damaging agents and inhibitors of DNA repair pathways ex vivo and in the clinic. In summary, we provide a personalized oncological approach to treat sarcoma patients successfully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Planas-Paz
- Laboratory for Systems Pathology and Functional Tumor Pathology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alicia Pliego-Mendieta
- Laboratory for Systems Pathology and Functional Tumor Pathology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Hagedorn
- Laboratory for Systems Pathology and Functional Tumor Pathology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Domingo Aguilera-Garcia
- Molecular Tumor Profiling Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martina Haberecker
- Laboratory for Systems Pathology and Functional Tumor Pathology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Arnold
- Molecular Tumor Profiling Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marius Herzog
- Laboratory for Systems Pathology and Functional Tumor Pathology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lorenz Bankel
- Department of Medical Oncology and Haematology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roman Guggenberger
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Steiner
- Laboratory for Systems Pathology and Functional Tumor Pathology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yanjiang Chen
- Laboratory for Systems Pathology and Functional Tumor Pathology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Abdullah Kahraman
- Molecular Tumor Profiling Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martin Zoche
- Molecular Tumor Profiling Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mark A Rubin
- Precision Oncology Laboratory, Department for Biomedical Research, Bern Center for Precision Medicine, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Holger Moch
- Laboratory for Systems Pathology and Functional Tumor Pathology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Britschgi
- Department of Medical Oncology and Haematology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chantal Pauli
- Laboratory for Systems Pathology and Functional Tumor Pathology, Department of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Bao X, Liu Y, Huang J, Yin S, Sheng H, Han X, Chen Q, Wang T, Chen S, Qiu Y, Zhang C, Yu H. Stachydrine hydrochloride inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression via LIF/AMPK axis. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 100:154066. [PMID: 35366490 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not only one of the four highest malignancies, but also the principal reason of cancer-related death worldwide, yet no effective medication for anti-HCC is available. Stachydrine hydrochloride (SH), an alkaloid component in Panzeria alaschanica Kupr, exhibits potent antitumor activity in breast cancer. However, the anti-HCC effects of SH remain unknown. PURPOSE Our study assessed the therapeutic effect of SH on HCC and tried to clarify the mechanisms by which it ameliorates HCC. No studies involving using SH for anti-HCC activity and molecular mechanism have been reported yet. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS We examined the cell viability of SH on HCC cells by MTT assay. The effect of SH on cell autophagy in HCC cells was verified by Western blot and Immunofluorescence test. Flow cytometry was performed to assess cell-cycle arrest effects. Cell senescence was detected using β-Gal staining and Western blot, respectively. An inhibitor or siRNA of autophagy, i.e., CQ and si LC-3B, were applied to confirm the role of autophagy acted in the anti-cancer function of SH. Protein expression in signaling pathways was detected by Western blot. Besides, molecular docking combined with cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) was used for analysis. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model were built to explore the inhibitory effect of SH in HCC in vivo. RESULTS In vitro studies showed that SH possessed an anti-HCC effect by inducing autophagy, cell-cycle arrest and promoting cell senescence. Specifically, SH induced autophagy with p62 and LC-3B expression. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that SH caused an obvious cell-cycle arrest, accompanied by the decrease and increase in Cyclin D1 and p27 levels, respectively. Additionally, SH induced cell senescence with the induction of p21 in HCC cell lines. Mechanistically, SH treatment down-regulated the LIF and up-regulated p-AMPK. Moreover, PDX model in NSG mice was conducted to support the results in vitro. CONCLUSION This study is the first to report the inhibitory function of SH in HCC, which may be due to the induction of autophagy and senescence. This study provides novel insights into the anti-HCC efficacy of SH and it might be a potential lead compound for further development of drug candidates for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; School of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yiman Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiayan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuangshuang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Hua Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xiao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Qian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Sibao Chen
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuling Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Chunze Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, China.
| | - Haiyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
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Liu Y, Wang M, Liu W, Jing J, Ma H. Olaparib and Doxorubicin Co-Loaded Polypeptide Nanogel for Enhanced Breast Cancer Therapy. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:904344. [PMID: 35586554 PMCID: PMC9108339 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.904344] [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: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although great progress has been made in improving the efficacy of cancer treatment through combination treatment using drug agents, there are still challenges in improving the efficiency of drug delivery. In this study, olaparib and doxorubicin were co-loaded on disulfide bond cross-linked polypeptide nanogels for the treatment of breast cancer in mouse models. Under stimulation of a high glutathione environment in cancer cells, the drug is quickly released from the nanogel to target cancer cells. In addition, compared with free drugs and single-drug-loaded nanogels, dual-drug- co-loaded nanogels exhibit the best anti-cancer effect and demonstrated excellent biological safety. Therefore, the co-delivery of olaparib and doxorubicin through polypeptide nanogels presents good prospects for application as anti-cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Meiyan Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wanru Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jili Jing
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongshuang Ma
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Hongshuang Ma,
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5
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Escudero J, Heredia-Soto V, Wang Y, Ruiz P, Hu Y, Gallego A, Pozo-Kreilinger JJ, Martinez-Marin V, Berjon A, Ortiz-Cruz E, Bernabeu D, Feliu J, Tang J, Redondo A, Mendiola M. Eribulin activity in soft tissue sarcoma monolayer and three-dimensional cell line models: could the combination with other drugs improve its antitumoral effect? Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:646. [PMID: 34863177 PMCID: PMC8642967 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02337-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eribulin has shown antitumour activity in some soft tissue sarcomas (STSs), but it has only been approved for advanced liposarcoma (LPS). METHODS In this study, we evaluated the effect of eribulin on proliferation, migration and invasion capabilities in LPS, leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and fibrosarcoma (FS) models, using both monolayer (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) spheroid cell cultures. Additionally, we explored combinations of eribulin with other drugs commonly used in the treatment of STS with the aim of increasing its antitumour activity. RESULTS Eribulin showed activity inhibiting proliferation, 2D and 3D migration and invasion in most of the cell line models. Furthermore, we provide data that suggest, for the first time, a synergistic effect with ifosfamide in all models, and with pazopanib in LMS as well as in myxoid and pleomorphic LPS. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the effect of eribulin on LPS, LMS and FS cell line models. The combination of eribulin with ifosfamide or pazopanib has shown in vitro synergy, which warrants further clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Escudero
- Translational Oncology Research Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), 28046, Madrid, Spain
| | - Victoria Heredia-Soto
- Translational Oncology Research Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), 28046, Madrid, Spain.,Center for Biomedical Research in the Cancer Network (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28046, Madrid, Spain
| | - Yinyin Wang
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Patricia Ruiz
- Molecular Pathology and Therapeutic Targets Group, Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain
| | - Yingying Hu
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alejandro Gallego
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Juan Pozo-Kreilinger
- Molecular Pathology and Therapeutic Targets Group, Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, 28046, Madrid, Spain
| | - Virginia Martinez-Marin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Berjon
- Molecular Pathology and Therapeutic Targets Group, Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, 28046, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Ortiz-Cruz
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, 28046, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Bernabeu
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, 28046, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Feliu
- Translational Oncology Research Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), 28046, Madrid, Spain.,Center for Biomedical Research in the Cancer Network (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28046, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain.,Cátedra UAM-ANGEM, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Paseo de La Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jing Tang
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Andres Redondo
- Translational Oncology Research Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), 28046, Madrid, Spain. .,Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain. .,Cátedra UAM-ANGEM, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Paseo de La Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Marta Mendiola
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Cancer Network (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28046, Madrid, Spain. .,Molecular Pathology and Therapeutic Targets Group, Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain.
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6
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Mikulčić M, Tabrizi-Wizsy NG, Bernhart EM, Asslaber M, Trummer C, Windischhofer W, Sattler W, Malle E, Hrzenjak A. 15d-PGJ 2 Promotes ROS-Dependent Activation of MAPK-Induced Early Apoptosis in Osteosarcoma Cell In Vitro and in an Ex Ovo CAM Assay. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111760. [PMID: 34769194 PMCID: PMC8583949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common type of bone tumor, and has limited therapy options. 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) has striking anti-tumor effects in various tumors. Here, we investigated molecular mechanisms that mediate anti-tumor effects of 15d-PGJ2 in different OS cell lines. Human U2-OS and Saos-2 cells were treated with 15d-PGJ2 and cell survival was measured by MTT assay. Cell proliferation and motility were investigated by scratch assay, the tumorigenic capacity by colony forming assay. Intracellular ROS was estimated by H2DCFDA. Activation of MAPKs and cytoprotective proteins was detected by immunoblotting. Apoptosis was detected by immunoblotting and Annexin V/PI staining. The ex ovo CAM model was used to study growth capability of grafted 15d-PGJ2-treated OS cells, followed by immunohistochemistry with hematoxylin/eosin and Ki-67. 15d-PGJ2 substantially decreased cell viability, colony formation and wound closure capability of OS cells. Non-malignant human osteoblast was less affected by 15d-PGJ2. 15d-PGJ2 induced rapid intracellular ROS production and time-dependent activation of MAPKs (pERK1/2, pJNK and pp38). Tempol efficiently inhibited 15d-PGJ2-induced ERK1/2 activation, while N-acetylcystein and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate were less effective. Early but weak activation of cytoprotective proteins was overrun by induction of apoptosis. A structural analogue, 9,10-dihydro-15d-PGJ2, did not show toxic effects in OS cells. In the CAM model, we grafted OS tumors with U2-OS, Saos-2 and MG-63 cells. 15d-PGJ2 treatment resulted in significant growth inhibition, diminished tumor tissue density, and reduced tumor cell proliferation for all cell lines. Our in vitro and CAM data suggest 15d-PGJ2 as a promising natural compound to interfere with OS tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateja Mikulčić
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria;
| | - Nassim Ghaffari Tabrizi-Wizsy
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Immunology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Eva M. Bernhart
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (E.M.B.); (C.T.); (W.S.); (E.M.)
| | - Martin Asslaber
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Christopher Trummer
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (E.M.B.); (C.T.); (W.S.); (E.M.)
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescence Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria;
| | - Werner Windischhofer
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescence Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria;
| | - Wolfgang Sattler
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (E.M.B.); (C.T.); (W.S.); (E.M.)
| | - Ernst Malle
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (E.M.B.); (C.T.); (W.S.); (E.M.)
| | - Andelko Hrzenjak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria;
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-316-385-73860
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7
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Damerell V, Pepper MS, Prince S. Molecular mechanisms underpinning sarcomas and implications for current and future therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:246. [PMID: 34188019 PMCID: PMC8241855 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00647-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are complex mesenchymal neoplasms with a poor prognosis. Their clinical management is highly challenging due to their heterogeneity and insensitivity to current treatments. Although there have been advances in understanding specific genomic alterations and genetic mutations driving sarcomagenesis, the underlying molecular mechanisms, which are likely to be unique for each sarcoma subtype, are not fully understood. This is in part due to a lack of consensus on the cells of origin, but there is now mounting evidence that they originate from mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs). To identify novel treatment strategies for sarcomas, research in recent years has adopted a mechanism-based search for molecular markers for targeted therapy which has included recapitulating sarcomagenesis using in vitro and in vivo MSC models. This review provides a comprehensive up to date overview of the molecular mechanisms that underpin sarcomagenesis, the contribution of MSCs to modelling sarcomagenesis in vivo, as well as novel topics such as the role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition (EMT)/mesenchymal-to-epithelial-transition (MET) plasticity, exosomes, and microRNAs in sarcomagenesis. It also reviews current therapeutic options including ongoing pre-clinical and clinical studies for targeted sarcoma therapy and discusses new therapeutic avenues such as targeting recently identified molecular pathways and key transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Damerell
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael S Pepper
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, SAMRC Extramural Unit for Stem Research and Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sharon Prince
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.
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8
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Dong F, Li R, Wang J, Zhang Y, Yao J, Jiang SH, Hu X, Feng M, Bao Z. Hypoxia-dependent expression of MAP17 coordinates the Warburg effect to tumor growth in hepatocellular carcinoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:121. [PMID: 33832535 PMCID: PMC8028089 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01927-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Reprogrammed glucose metabolism, also known as the Warburg effect, which is essential for tumor progression, is regarded as a hallmark of cancer. MAP17, a small 17-kDa non-glycosylated membrane protein, is frequently dysregulated in human cancers. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the expression pattern of MAP17 in HCC. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies were performed to investigate the oncogenic roles of MAP17 in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence and western blotting were used to study the molecular mechanism of MAP17 affecting the tumor growth and glycolytic phenotype of HCC. Results An integrative analysis showed that MAP17, a small 17-kDa non-glycosylated membrane protein, is significantly related to the glycolytic phenotype of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Firstly, we found that MAP17 expression is hypoxia-dependent and predicts a poor prognosis in HCC. Genetic silencing of MAP17 reduced the rate of glucose uptake, lactate release, extracellular acidification rate, and expression of glycolytic genes. Ectopic expression of wild type MAP17 but not its PDZ binding domain mutant MAP17-PDZm increased tumor glycolysis. Further research showed that MAP17 knockdown markedly retarded in vivo tumor growth in HCC. Importantly, attenuation of tumor glycolysis by galactose largely hijacked the growth-promoting role of MAP17 in HCC cells. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that MAP17 knockdown leads to transcriptional changes in the ROS metabolic process, cell surface receptor signaling, cell communication, mitotic cell cycle progression, and regulation of cell differentiation. Mechanistically, MAP17 exerted an increased tumoral phenotype associated with an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), which activates downstream effectors AKT and HIF1α to enhance the Warburg effect. In HCC clinical samples, there is a close correlation between MAP17 expression and HIF1α or phosphorated level of AKT. Conclusions Our results show that MAP17 is a novel glycolytic regulator, and targeting MAP17/ROS pathway may be an alternative approach for the prevention and treatment of HCC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-01927-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huadong Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No.221 Yan'an West Road, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China.,Research Center on Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China.,Department of Geriatrics, Huadong Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China
| | - Rongkun Li
- Institute of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Jiaofeng Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huadong Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No.221 Yan'an West Road, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China.,Research Center on Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China.,Department of Geriatrics, Huadong Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huadong Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No.221 Yan'an West Road, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China
| | - Jianfeng Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huadong Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No.221 Yan'an West Road, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China
| | - Shu-Heng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P.R. China
| | - Xiaona Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huadong Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No.221 Yan'an West Road, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China. .,Research Center on Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China. .,Department of Geriatrics, Huadong Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China.
| | - Mingxuan Feng
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1630 Dongfang Road, Shanghai, 200127, P.R. China.
| | - Zhijun Bao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Huadong Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, No.221 Yan'an West Road, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China. .,Research Center on Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China. .,Department of Geriatrics, Huadong Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, P.R. China.
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