1
|
Fonseca P, Cui W, Struyf N, Tong L, Chaurasiya A, Casagrande F, Zhao H, Fernando D, Chen X, Tobin NP, Seashore-Ludlow B, Lundqvist A, Hartman J, Göndör A, Östling P, Holmgren L. A phenotypic screening approach to target p60AmotL2-expressing invasive cancer cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:107. [PMID: 38594748 PMCID: PMC11003180 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03031-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor cells have the ability to invade and form small clusters that protrude into adjacent tissues, a phenomenon that is frequently observed at the periphery of a tumor as it expands into healthy tissues. The presence of these clusters is linked to poor prognosis and has proven challenging to treat using conventional therapies. We previously reported that p60AmotL2 expression is localized to invasive colon and breast cancer cells. In vitro, p60AmotL2 promotes epithelial cell invasion by negatively impacting E-cadherin/AmotL2-related mechanotransduction. METHODS Using epithelial cells transfected with inducible p60AmotL2, we employed a phenotypic drug screening approach to find compounds that specifically target invasive cells. The phenotypic screen was performed by treating cells for 72 h with a library of compounds with known antitumor activities in a dose-dependent manner. After assessing cell viability using CellTiter-Glo, drug sensitivity scores for each compound were calculated. Candidate hit compounds with a higher drug sensitivity score for p60AmotL2-expressing cells were then validated on lung and colon cell models, both in 2D and in 3D, and on colon cancer patient-derived organoids. Nascent RNA sequencing was performed after BET inhibition to analyse BET-dependent pathways in p60AmotL2-expressing cells. RESULTS We identified 60 compounds that selectively targeted p60AmotL2-expressing cells. Intriguingly, these compounds were classified into two major categories: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) inhibitors and Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal motif (BET) inhibitors. The latter consistently demonstrated antitumor activity in human cancer cell models, as well as in organoids derived from colon cancer patients. BET inhibition led to a shift towards the upregulation of pro-apoptotic pathways specifically in p60AmotL2-expressing cells. CONCLUSIONS BET inhibitors specifically target p60AmotL2-expressing invasive cancer cells, likely by exploiting differences in chromatin accessibility, leading to cell death. Additionally, our findings support the use of this phenotypic strategy to discover novel compounds that can exploit vulnerabilities and specifically target invasive cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Fonseca
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Weiyingqi Cui
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nona Struyf
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23a, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Le Tong
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ayushi Chaurasiya
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Felipe Casagrande
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Honglei Zhao
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dinura Fernando
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xinsong Chen
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicholas P Tobin
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Breast Center, Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Brinton Seashore-Ludlow
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23a, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Hartman
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anita Göndör
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo, Akershus Universitetssykehus, 1478, Lørenskog, Oslo, Norway
| | - Päivi Östling
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23a, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Holmgren
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, U2, Bioclinicum J6:20, Solnavägen 30, 171 64, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mannion AJ, Zhao H, Zhang Y, von Wright Y, Bergman O, Roy J, Saharinen P, Holmgren L. Regulation of YAP Promotor Accessibility in Endothelial Mechanotransduction. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:666-689. [PMID: 38299356 PMCID: PMC10880945 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320300] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial cells are constantly exposed to mechanical forces in the form of fluid shear stress, extracellular stiffness, and cyclic strain. The mechanoresponsive activity of YAP (Yes-associated protein) and its role in vascular development are well described; however, whether changes to transcription or epigenetic regulation of YAP are involved in these processes remains unanswered. Furthermore, how mechanical forces are transduced to the nucleus to drive transcriptional reprogramming in endothelial cells is poorly understood. The YAP target gene, AmotL2 (angiomotin-like 2), is a junctional mechanotransducer that connects cell-cell junctions to the nuclear membrane via the actin cytoskeleton. METHODS We applied mechanical manipulations including shear flow, stretching, and substrate stiffness to endothelial cells to investigate the role of mechanical forces in modulating YAP transcription. Using in vitro and in vivo endothelial depletion of AmotL2, we assess nuclear morphology, chromatin organization (using transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing), and whole-mount immunofluorescent staining of the aorta to determine the regulation and functionality of YAP. Finally, we use genetic and chemical inhibition to uncouple the nuclear-cytoskeletal connection to investigate the role of this pathway on YAP transcription. RESULTS Our results reveal that mechanical forces sensed at cell-cell junctions by the YAP target gene AmotL2 are directly involved in changes in global chromatin accessibility and activity of the histone methyltransferase EZH2, leading to modulation of YAP promotor activity. Functionally, shear stress-induced proliferation of endothelial cells in vivo was reliant on AmotL2 and YAP/TAZ (transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif) expression. Mechanistically, uncoupling of the nuclear-cytoskeletal connection from junctions and focal adhesions led to altered nuclear morphology, chromatin accessibility, and YAP promotor activity. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal a role for AmotL2 and nuclear-cytoskeletal force transmission in modulating the epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of YAP to maintain a mechano-enforced positive feedback loop of vascular homeostasis. These findings may offer an explanation as to the proinflammatory phenotype that leads to aneurysm formation observed in AmotL2 endothelial deletion models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aarren J. Mannion
- Departments of Oncology-Pathology (A.J.M., H.Z., Y.Z., L.H.), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Cell and Tissue Dynamics, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany (A.J.M.)
| | - Honglei Zhao
- Departments of Oncology-Pathology (A.J.M., H.Z., Y.Z., L.H.), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Departments of Oncology-Pathology (A.J.M., H.Z., Y.Z., L.H.), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ylva von Wright
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, Finland (Y.v.W., P.S.)
| | - Otto Bergman
- Medicine (O.B.), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joy Roy
- Molecular Medicine and Surgery (J.R.), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden (J.R.)
| | - Pipsa Saharinen
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, Finland (Y.v.W., P.S.)
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program and Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Finland (P.S.)
| | - Lars Holmgren
- Departments of Oncology-Pathology (A.J.M., H.Z., Y.Z., L.H.), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chalkias A. Shear Stress and Endothelial Mechanotransduction in Trauma Patients with Hemorrhagic Shock: Hidden Coagulopathy Pathways and Novel Therapeutic Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17522. [PMID: 38139351 PMCID: PMC10743945 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Massive trauma remains a leading cause of death and a global public health burden. Post-traumatic coagulopathy may be present even before the onset of resuscitation, and correlates with severity of trauma. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the development of abnormal coagulation processes, but the heterogeneity in injuries and patient profiles makes it difficult to define a dominant mechanism. Regardless of the pattern of death, a significant role in the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of coagulopathy may be attributed to the exposure of endothelial cells to abnormal physical forces and mechanical stimuli in their local environment. In these conditions, the cellular responses are translated into biochemical signals that induce/aggravate oxidative stress, inflammation, and coagulopathy. Microvascular shear stress-induced alterations could be treated or prevented by the development and use of innovative pharmacologic strategies that effectively target shear-mediated endothelial dysfunction, including shear-responsive drug delivery systems and novel antioxidants, and by targeting the venous side of the circulation to exploit the beneficial antithrombogenic profile of venous endothelial cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Chalkias
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-5158, USA;
- Outcomes Research Consortium, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mannion AJ, Holmgren L. Nuclear mechanosensing of the aortic endothelium in health and disease. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050361. [PMID: 37909406 PMCID: PMC10629673 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The endothelium, the monolayer of endothelial cells that line blood vessels, is exposed to a number of mechanical forces, including frictional shear flow, pulsatile stretching and changes in stiffness influenced by extracellular matrix composition. These forces are sensed by mechanosensors that facilitate their transduction to drive appropriate adaptation of the endothelium to maintain vascular homeostasis. In the aorta, the unique architecture of the vessel gives rise to changes in the fluid dynamics, which, in turn, shape cellular morphology, nuclear architecture, chromatin dynamics and gene regulation. In this Review, we discuss recent work focusing on how differential mechanical forces exerted on endothelial cells are sensed and transduced to influence their form and function in giving rise to spatial variation to the endothelium of the aorta. We will also discuss recent developments in understanding how nuclear mechanosensing is implicated in diseases of the aorta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aarren J. Mannion
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 171 64, Sweden
| | - Lars Holmgren
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 171 64, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|