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Malla R, Jyosthsna K, Rani G, Purnachandra Nagaraju G. CD44/PD-L1-mediated networks in drug resistance and immune evasion of breast cancer stem cells: Promising targets of natural compounds. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 138:112613. [PMID: 38959542 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112613] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) significantly interfere with immunotherapy, leading to challenges such as low response rates and acquired resistance. PD-L1 expression is associated with the CSC population's overexpression of CD44. Mounting evidence suggests that the breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) marker CD44 and the immune checkpoint PD-L1 contribute to treatment failure through their networks. Natural compounds can overcome therapy resistance in breast cancer by targeting mechanisms underlying resistance in BCSCs. This review provides an updated insight into the CD44 and PD-L1 networks of BCSCs in mediating metastasis and immune evasion. The review critically examines existing literature, providing a comprehensive understanding of the topic and emphasizing the impact of natural flavones on the signaling pathways of BCSCs. Additionally, the review discusses the potential of natural compounds in targeting CD44 and PD-L1 in breast cancer (BC). Natural compounds consistently show potential in targeting regulatory mechanisms of BCSCs, inducing loss of stemness, and promoting differentiation. They offer a promising approach for developing alternative therapeutic strategies to manage breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- RamaRao Malla
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India; Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India.
| | - Kattula Jyosthsna
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - G Rani
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Ganji Purnachandra Nagaraju
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
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2
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Zhou W, Yan K, Xi Q. BMP signaling in cancer stemness and differentiation. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 12:37. [PMID: 38049682 PMCID: PMC10695912 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-023-00181-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
The BMP (Bone morphogenetic protein) signaling pathway plays a central role in metazoan biology, intricately shaping embryonic development, maintaining tissue homeostasis, and influencing disease progression. In the context of cancer, BMP signaling exhibits context-dependent dynamics, spanning from tumor suppression to promotion. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a modest subset of neoplastic cells with stem-like attributes, exert substantial influence by steering tumor growth, orchestrating therapy resistance, and contributing to relapse. A comprehensive grasp of the intricate interplay between CSCs and their microenvironment is pivotal for effective therapeutic strategies. Among the web of signaling pathways orchestrating cellular dynamics within CSCs, BMP signaling emerges as a vital conductor, overseeing CSC self-renewal, differentiation dynamics, and the intricate symphony within the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, BMP signaling's influence in cancer extends beyond CSCs, intricately regulating cellular migration, invasion, and metastasis. This multifaceted role underscores the imperative of comprehending BMP signaling's contributions to cancer, serving as the foundation for crafting precise therapies to navigate multifaceted challenges posed not only by CSCs but also by various dimensions of cancer progression. This article succinctly encapsulates the diverse roles of the BMP signaling pathway across different cancers, spanning glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), colorectal cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), lung cancer, prostate cancer, and osteosarcoma. It underscores the necessity of unraveling underlying mechanisms and molecular interactions. By delving into the intricate tapestry of BMP signaling's engagement in cancers, researchers pave the way for meticulously tailored therapies, adroitly leveraging its dualistic aspects-whether as a suppressor or promoter-to effectively counter the relentless march of tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Kun Yan
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qiaoran Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- Joint Graduate Program of Peking-Tsinghua-NIBS, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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3
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Saydullaeva I, Butuner BD, Korkmaz KS. NKX3.1 Expression Contributes to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Prostate Cancer Cells. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:32580-32592. [PMID: 37720744 PMCID: PMC10500679 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c03127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Studies demonstrate that inflammation synergizes with high-grade aggressive prostate tumor development and ultimately metastatic spread, in which a lot of work has been done in recent years. However, the clear mechanism of inflammation inciting prostate cancer remains largely uncharacterized. Our previous study has shown that the conditioned media (CM)-mediated LNCaP cell migration is partially correlated with the loss of expression of the tumor suppressor NKX3.1. Here, we continue to investigate the inflammation-mediated migration of prostate cancer cells, and the role of NKX3.1 in this process to gain insights into cell migration-related changes comprehensively. Earlier, the model of inflammation in the tumor microenvironment have been optimized by our research group; here, we continue to investigate the time-dependent effect of CM exposure together with NKX3.1 changes, in which we observed that these changes play important roles in gaining heterogeneous epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype. Hence, this is an important parameter of tumor progression; we depleted NKX3.1 expression using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and examined the migrating cell clusters after exposure to inflammatory cytokines. We found that the migrated cells clearly demonstrate reversible loss of E-cadherin expression, which is consistent with subsequent vimentin expression alterations in comparison to control cells. Moreover, the data suggest that the AR-mediated transcriptional program also contributes to mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in prostate cancer progression. Furthermore, the quantitative proteomic analysis showed that migrated subpopulations from the same cell line presented different phenotypes in which the proteins overexpressed are involved in cell metabolism and RNA processing. According to KEGG pathway analysis, the ABC transporters were found to be the most significant. Thus, the dynamic process of cellular migration favors diverse genetic compositions under changing tumor microenvironments. The different levels of invasiveness are supported by shifting the cells in between these EMT and MET phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iroda Saydullaeva
- Faculty
of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Cancer Biology Laboratory, Ege University, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Bilge Debelec Butuner
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ege University, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Kemal Sami Korkmaz
- Faculty
of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Cancer Biology Laboratory, Ege University, Izmir 35040, Turkey
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Schneider P, Wander P, Arentsen-Peters STCJM, Vrenken KS, Rockx-Brouwer D, Adriaanse FRS, Hoeve V, Paassen I, Drost J, Pieters R, Stam RW. CRISPR-Cas9 Library Screening Identifies Novel Molecular Vulnerabilities in KMT2A-Rearranged Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13207. [PMID: 37686014 PMCID: PMC10487613 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chromosomal translocations involving the KMT2A gene represent highly unfavorable prognostic factors and most commonly occur in patients less than 1 year of age. Rearrangements of the KMT2A gene drive epigenetic changes that lead to aberrant gene expression profiles that strongly favor leukemia development. Apart from this genetic lesion, the mutational landscape of KMT2A-rearranged ALL is remarkably silent, providing limited insights for the development of targeted therapy. Consequently, identifying potential therapeutic targets often relies on differential gene expression, yet the inhibition of these genes has rarely translated into successful therapeutic strategies. Therefore, we performed CRISPR-Cas9 knock-out screens to search for genetic dependencies in KMT2A-rearranged ALL. We utilized small-guide RNA libraries directed against the entire human epigenome and kinome in various KMT2A-rearranged ALL, as well as wild-type KMT2A ALL cell line models. This screening approach led to the discovery of the epigenetic regulators ARID4B and MBD3, as well as the receptor kinase BMPR2 as novel molecular vulnerabilities and attractive therapeutic targets in KMT2A-rearranged ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Schneider
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Priscilla Wander
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Kirsten S. Vrenken
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Veerle Hoeve
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Irene Paassen
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, 3521 AL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jarno Drost
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, 3521 AL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Pieters
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald W. Stam
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
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5
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Liu M, Sui L, Fang Z, Jiang WG, Ye L. Aberrant expression of bone morphogenetic proteins in the disease progression and metastasis of breast cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1166955. [PMID: 37333824 PMCID: PMC10272747 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1166955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play crucial roles in the tumorigenesis and metastasis of cancers. Controversy remains about the exact implications of BMPs and their antagonists in breast cancer (BC), due to their diverse and complex biological functions and signalling. A comprehensive study of the whole family and their signalling in breast cancer is provoked. Methods Aberrant expression of BMP, BMP receptors and antagonists in primary tumours in breast cancer were analysed by using TCGA-BRCA and E-MTAB-6703 cohorts. Related biomarkers including ER, HER, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and bone metastasis were involved to identify the relationship with BMPs in breast cancer. Results The present study showed BMP8B was significantly increased in breast tumours, while BMP6 and ACVRL1 were decreased in breast cancer tissues. The expressions of BMP2, BMP6, TGFBR1 and GREM1 were significantly correlated with BC patients' poor overall survival. Aberrant expression of BMPs, together with BMP receptors, were explored in different subtypes of breast cancer according to ER, PR and HER2 status. Furthermore, higher levels of BMP2, BMP6 and GDF5 were revealed in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) whilst BMP4, GDF15, ACVR1B, ACVR2B and BMPR1B were relatively higher in Luminal type BC. ACVR1B and BMPR1B were positively correlated with ERα but were inversely correlated with ERβ. High expression of GDF15, BMP4 and ACVR1B were associated with poorer overall survival in HER2 positive BC. BMPs also play dual roles in tumour growth and metastasis of BC. Conclusion A shift pattern of BMPs was showed in different subtypes of breast cancer suggesting a subtype specific involvement. It provokes more research to shed light on the exact role of these BMPs and receptors in the disease progression and distant metastasis through a regulation of proliferation, invasion and EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Liu
- Cardiff China Medical Research Collaborative, Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Laijian Sui
- Cardiff China Medical Research Collaborative, Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Ziqian Fang
- Cardiff China Medical Research Collaborative, Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Wen G. Jiang
- Cardiff China Medical Research Collaborative, Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Lin Ye
- Cardiff China Medical Research Collaborative, Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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6
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BMP2 as a promising anticancer approach: functions and molecular mechanisms. Invest New Drugs 2022; 40:1322-1332. [PMID: 36040572 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-022-01298-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), a pluripotent factor, is a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily and is implicated in embryonic development and postnatal homeostasis in tissues and organs. Experimental research in the contexts of physiology and pathology has indicated that BMP2 can induce macrophages to differentiate into osteoclasts and accelerate the osteolytic mechanism, aggravating cancer cell bone metastasis. Emerging studies have stressed the potent regulatory effect of BMP2 in cancer cell differentiation, proliferation, survival, and apoptosis. Complicated signaling networks involving multiple regulatory proteins imply the significant biological functions of BMP2 in cancer. In this review, we comprehensively summarized and discussed the current evidence related to the modulation of BMP2 in tumorigenesis and development, including evidence related to the roles and molecular mechanisms of BMP2 in regulating cancer stem cells (CSCs), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer angiogenesis and the tumor microenvironment (TME). All these findings suggest that BMP2 may be an effective therapeutic target for cancer and a new marker for assessing treatment efficacy.
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Xu C, Wang M, Zandieh-Doulabi B, Sun W, Wei L, Liu Y. To B (Bone Morphogenic Protein-2) or Not to B (Bone Morphogenic Protein-2): Mesenchymal Stem Cells May Explain the Protein's Role in Osteosarcomagenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:740783. [PMID: 34869325 PMCID: PMC8635864 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.740783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS), a primary malignant bone tumor, stems from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and/or committed osteoblast precursors. Distant metastases, in particular pulmonary and skeletal metastases, are common in patients with OS. Moreover, extensive resection of the primary tumor and bone metastases usually leads to bone defects in these patients. Bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) has been widely applied in bone regeneration with the rationale that BMP-2 promotes osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs. Thus, BMP-2 might be useful after OS resection to repair bone defects. However, the potential tumorigenicity of BMP-2 remains a concern that has impeded the administration of BMP-2 in patients with OS and in populations susceptible to OS with severe bone deficiency (e.g., in patients with genetic mutation diseases and aberrant activities of bone metabolism). In fact, some studies have drawn the opposite conclusion about the effect of BMP-2 on OS progression. Given the roles of BMSCs in the origination of OS and osteogenesis, we hypothesized that the responses of BMSCs to BMP-2 in the tumor milieu may be responsible for OS development. This review focuses on the relationship among BMSCs, BMP-2, and OS cells; a better understanding of this relationship may elucidate the accurate mechanisms of actions of BMP-2 in osteosarcomagenesis and thereby pave the way for clinically safer and broader administration of BMP-2 in the future. For example, a low dosage of and a slow-release delivery strategy for BMP-2 are potential topics for exploration to treat OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunfeng Xu
- Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mingjie Wang
- Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Behrouz Zandieh-Doulabi
- Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingfei Wei
- Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Oral Implantology, Yantai Stomatological Hospital, Yantai, China
| | - Yuelian Liu
- Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Sharma R, Gogoi G, Saikia S, Sharma A, Kalita DJ, Sarma A, Limaye AM, Gaur MK, Bhattacharyya J, Jaganathan BG. BMP4 enhances anoikis resistance and chemoresistance of breast cancer cells through canonical BMP signaling. J Cell Commun Signal 2021; 16:191-205. [PMID: 34608584 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-021-00649-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) regulate cell fate during development and mediate cancer progression. In this study, we investigated the role of BMP4 in proliferation, anoikis resistance, metastatic migration, and drug resistance of breast cancer cells. We utilized breast cancer cell lines and clinical samples representing different subtypes to understand the functional effect of BMP4 on breast cancer. The BMP pathway was inhibited with the small molecule inhibitor LDN193189 hydrochloride (LDN). BMP4 signaling enhanced the expression of stem cell genes CD44, ALDH1A3, anti-apoptotic gene BCL2 and promoted anoikis resistance in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. BMP4 enhanced self-renewal and chemoresistance in MDA-MB-231 by upregulating Notch signaling while LDN treatment abrogated anoikis resistance and proliferation of anoikis resistant breast cancer cells in the osteogenic microenvironment. Conversely, BMP4 downregulated proliferation, colony-forming ability, and suppressed anoikis resistance in MCF7 and SkBR3 cells, while LDN treatment promoted tumor spheroid formation and growth. These findings indicate that BMP4 has a context-dependent role in breast cancer. Further, our data with MDA-MB-231 cells representing triple-negative breast cancer suggest that BMP inhibition might impair its metastatic spread and colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renu Sharma
- Stem Cells and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Gayatri Gogoi
- Department of Pathology, Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Snigdha Saikia
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Amit Sharma
- Stem Cells and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Deep Jyoti Kalita
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Anupam Sarma
- Department of Oncopathology, Dr B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Anil Mukund Limaye
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Manish Kumar Gaur
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Jina Bhattacharyya
- Department of Hematology, Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Bithiah Grace Jaganathan
- Stem Cells and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India. .,Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India.
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Ranjan M, Lee O, Cottone G, Mirzaei Mehrabad E, Spike BT, Zeng Z, Yadav S, Chatterton R, Kim JJ, Clare SE, Khan SA. Progesterone receptor antagonists reverse stem cell expansion and the paracrine effectors of progesterone action in the mouse mammary gland. Breast Cancer Res 2021; 23:78. [PMID: 34344445 PMCID: PMC8330021 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-021-01455-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone (EP) are implicated in breast cancer causation. A specific consequence of progesterone exposure is the expansion of the mammary stem cell (MSC) and luminal progenitor (LP) compartments. We hypothesized that this effect, and its molecular facilitators, could be abrogated by progesterone receptor (PR) antagonists administered in a mouse model. Methods Ovariectomized FVB mice were randomized to 14 days of treatment: sham, EP, EP + telapristone (EP + TPA), EP + mifepristone (EP + MFP). Mice were then sacrificed, mammary glands harvested, and mammary epithelial cell lineages separated by flow cytometry using cell surface markers. RNA from each lineage was sequenced and differential gene expression was analyzed using DESeq. Quantitative PCR was performed to confirm the candidate genes discovered in RNA seq. ANOVA with Tukey post hoc analysis was performed to compare relative expression. Alternative splicing events were examined using the rMATs multivariate analysis tool. Results Significant increases in the MSC and luminal mature (LM) cell fractions were observed following EP treatment compared to control (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively), whereas the LP fraction was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). These hormone-induced effects were reversed upon exposure to TPA and MFP (p < 0.01 for both). Gene Ontology analysis of RNA-sequencing data showed EP-induced enrichment of several pathways, with the largest effect on Wnt signaling in MSC, significantly repressed by PR inhibitors. In LP cells, significant induction of Wnt4 and Rankl, and Wnt pathway intermediates Lrp2 and Axin2 (confirmed by qRTPCR) were reversed by TPA and MFP (p < 0.0001). Downstream signaling intermediates of these pathways (Lrp5, Mmp7) showed similar effects. Expression of markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (Cdh1, Cdh3) and the induction of EMT regulators (Zeb1, Zeb2, Gli3, Snai1, and Ptch2) were significantly responsive to progesterone. EP treatment was associated with large-scale alternative splicing events, with an enrichment of motifs associated with Srsf, Esrp, and Rbfox families. Exon skipping was observed in Cdh1, Enah, and Brd4. Conclusions PR inhibition reverses known tumorigenic pathways in the mammary gland and suppresses a previously unknown effect of progesterone on RNA splicing events. In total, our results strengthen the case for reconsideration of PR inhibitors for breast cancer prevention. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13058-021-01455-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Ranjan
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Oukseub Lee
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Gannon Cottone
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | | | - Benjamin T Spike
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Zexian Zeng
- Division of Health and Biomedical Informatics, Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Shivangi Yadav
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Robert Chatterton
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - J Julie Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Susan E Clare
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Seema A Khan
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. .,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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10
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Analysis of genomics and immune infiltration patterns of epithelial-mesenchymal transition related to metastatic breast cancer to bone. Transl Oncol 2020; 14:100993. [PMID: 33333372 PMCID: PMC7736716 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to design a weighted co-expression network and a breast cancer (BC) prognosis evaluation system using a specific whole-genome expression profile combined with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes; thus, providing the basis and reference for assessing the prognosis risk of spreading of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) to the bone. METHODS Four gene expression datasets of a large number of samples from GEO were downloaded and combined with the dbEMT database to screen out EMT differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Using the GSE20685 dataset as a training set, we designed a weighted co-expression network for EMT DEGs, and the hub genes most relevant to metastasis were selected. We chose eight hub genes to build prognostic assessment models to estimate the 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates. We evaluated the models' independent predictive abilities using univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses. Two GEO datasets related to bone metastases from BC were downloaded and used to perform differential genetic analysis. We used CIBERSORT to distinguish 22 immune cell types based on tumor transcripts. RESULTS Differential expression analysis showed a total of 304 DEGs, which were mainly related to proteoglycans in cancer, and the PI3K/Akt and the TGF-β signaling pathways, as well as mesenchyme development, focal adhesion, and cytokine binding functionally. The 50 hub genes were selected, and a survival-related linear risk assessment model consisting of eight genes (FERMT2, ITGA5, ITGB1, MCAM, CEMIP, HGF, TGFBR1, F2RL2) was constructed. The survival rate of patients in the high-risk group (HRG) was substantially lower than that of the low-risk group (LRG), and the 3-, 5-, and 10-year AUCs were 0.68, 0.687, and 0.672, respectively. In addition, we explored the DEGs of BC bone metastasis, and BMP2, BMPR2, and GREM1 were differentially expressed in both data sets. In GSE20685, memory B cells, resting memory T cell CD4 cells, T regulatory cells (Tregs), γδ T cells, monocytes, M0 macrophages, M2 macrophages, resting dendritic cells (DCs), resting mast cells, and neutrophils exhibited substantially different distribution between HRG and LRG. In GSE45255, there was a considerable difference in abundance of activated NK cells, monocytes, M0 macrophages, M2 macrophages, resting DCs, and neutrophils in HRG and LRG. CONCLUSIONS Based on the weighted co-expression network for breast-cancer-metastasis-related DEGs, we screened hub genes to explore a prognostic model and the immune infiltration patterns of MBC. The results of this study provided a factual basis to bioinformatically explore the molecular mechanisms of the spread of MBC to the bone and the possibility of predicting the survival of patients.
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11
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Mejia J, Salisbury E, Sonnet C, Gugala Z, Olmsted-Davis EA, Davis AR. A replicating stem-like cell that contributes to bone morphogenetic protein 2-induced heterotopic bone formation. Stem Cells Transl Med 2020; 10:623-635. [PMID: 33245845 PMCID: PMC7980206 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)‐induced heterotopic bone formation (HBF) starts synchronously from zero upon BMP2 induction, which is advantageous for lineage tracking. The studies reported here in GLAST‐CreErt2:tdTomato red (TR)floxSTOPflox mice during BMP2‐induced HBF show 78.8 ± 11.6% of chondrocytes and 86.5 ± 1.9% of osteoblasts are TR+ after approximately 1 week. Clustering after single‐cell RNAseq resulted in nine cell types, and analysis revealed one as a highly replicating stem‐like cell (RSC). Pseudotiming suggested that the RSC transitions to a mesenchymal stem‐like cell that simultaneously expresses multiple osteoblast and chondrocyte transcripts (chondro‐osseous progenitor [COP]). RSCs and COPs were isolated using flow cytometry for unique surface markers. Isolated RSCs (GLAST‐TR+ Hmmr+ Cd200−) and COPs (GLAST‐TR+ Cd200+ Hmmr−) were injected into the muscle of mice undergoing HBF. Approximately 9% of the cells in heterotopic bone (HB) in mice receiving RSCs were GLAST‐TR+, compared with less than 0.5% of the cells in mice receiving COPs, suggesting that RSCs are many times more potent than COPs. Analysis of donor‐derived TR+ RSCs isolated from the engrafted HB showed approximately 50% were COPs and 45% were other cells, presumably mature bone cells, confirming the early nature of the RSCs. We next isolated RSCs from these mice (approximately 300) and injected them into a second animal, with similar findings upon analysis of HBF. Unlike other methodology, single cell RNAseq has the ability to detect rare cell populations such as RSCs. The fact that RSCs can be injected into mice and differentiate suggests their potential utility for tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Mejia
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Elizabeth Salisbury
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Corinne Sonnet
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zbigniew Gugala
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Olmsted-Davis
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pediatrics-Section Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alan R Davis
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pediatrics-Section Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Urbano N, Scimeca M, Bonfiglio R, Bonanno E, Schillaci O. New advance in breast cancer pathology and imaging. Future Oncol 2019; 15:2707-2722. [DOI: 10.2217/fon-2019-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The improvement of knowledge concerning the pathology of breast cancer could provide the rationale for the development of new imaging diagnostic protocols. Indeed, as for the microcalcifications, new histopathological markers can be used as target for in vivo early detection of breast cancer lesions by using molecular imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography. Specifically, the mutual contribution of these medical specialties can ‘nourish’ the dream of a personalized medicine that takes into account the intrinsic variability of breast cancer. In this review, we report the main discoveries concerning breast cancer pathology highlighting the possible cooperation between the departments of anatomic pathology and imaging diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Urbano
- Nuclear Medicine, Policlinico ‘Tor Vergata,’ viale Oxford, 81, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Manuel Scimeca
- Department of Biomedicine & Prevention, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Umberto Veronesi (FUV), Piazza Velasca 5, 20122 Milano (Mi), Italy
| | - Rita Bonfiglio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University ‘Tor Vergata’, Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Elena Bonanno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University ‘Tor Vergata’, Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy
- Neuromed Group, ‘Diagnostica Medica’ & ‘Villa dei Platani', Via Errico Carmelo, 2, 83100 Avellino AV, Italy
| | - Orazio Schillaci
- Department of Biomedicine & Prevention, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
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Scimeca M, Urbano N, Bonfiglio R, Duggento A, Toschi N, Schillaci O, Bonanno E. Novel insights into breast cancer progression and metastasis: A multidisciplinary opportunity to transition from biology to clinical oncology. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2019; 1872:138-148. [PMID: 31348975 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
According to the most recent epidemiological studies, breast cancer shows the highest incidence and the second leading cause of death in women. Cancer progression and metastasis are the main events related to poor survival of breast cancer patients. This can be explained by the presence of highly resistant to chemo- and radiotherapy stem cells in many breast tumor tissues. In this context, numerous studies highlighted the possible involvement of epithelial to mesenchymal transition phenomenon as biological program to generate cancer stem cells, and thus participate to both metastatic and drug resistance process. Therefore, the comprehension of mechanisms (both cellular and molecular) involved in breast cancer occurrence and progression can lay the foundation for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutical protocols. In this review, we reported the most important findings in the field of breast cancer highlighting the most recent data concerning breast tumor biology, diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Scimeca
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy; San Raffaele University, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy; Fondazione Umberto Veronesi (FUV), Piazza Velasca 5, 20122 Milano (Mi), Italy.
| | | | - Rita Bonfiglio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Andrea Duggento
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Nicola Toschi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy; Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Orazio Schillaci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Elena Bonanno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy; Neuromed Group, "Diagnostica Medica" and "Villa dei Platani", Avellino, Italy
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