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Zelisko N, Lesyk R, Stoika R. Structure, unique biological properties, and mechanisms of action of transforming growth factor β. Bioorg Chem 2024; 150:107611. [PMID: 38964148 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107611] [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: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a ubiquitous molecule that is extremely conserved structurally and plays a systemic role in human organism. TGF-β is a homodimeric molecule consisting of two subunits joined through a disulphide bond. In mammals, three genes code for TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 isoforms of this cytokine with a dominating expression of TGF-β1. Virtually, all normal cells contain TGF-β and its specific receptors. Considering the exceptional role of fine balance played by the TGF-β in anumber of physiological and pathological processes in human body, this cytokine may be proposed for use in medicine as an immunosuppressant in transplantology, wound healing and bone repair. TGFb itself is an important target in oncology. Strategies for blocking members of TGF-β signaling pathway as therapeutic targets have been considered. In this review, signalling mechanisms of TGF-β1 action are addressed, and their role in physiology and pathology with main focus on carcinogenesis are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Zelisko
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Pekarska 69, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Roman Lesyk
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Pekarska 69, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine.
| | - Rostyslav Stoika
- Department of Regulation of Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis, Institute of Cell Biology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Drahomanov 14/16, 79005 Lviv, Ukraine
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2
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Miyazawa K, Itoh Y, Fu H, Miyazono K. Receptor-activated transcription factors and beyond: multiple modes of Smad2/3-dependent transmission of TGF-β signaling. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107256. [PMID: 38569937 PMCID: PMC11063908 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107256] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine that is widely distributed throughout the body. Its receptor proteins, TGF-β type I and type II receptors, are also ubiquitously expressed. Therefore, the regulation of various signaling outputs in a context-dependent manner is a critical issue in this field. Smad proteins were originally identified as signal-activated transcription factors similar to signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins. Smads are activated by serine phosphorylation mediated by intrinsic receptor dual specificity kinases of the TGF-β family, indicating that Smads are receptor-restricted effector molecules downstream of ligands of the TGF-β family. Smad proteins have other functions in addition to transcriptional regulation, including post-transcriptional regulation of micro-RNA processing, pre-mRNA splicing, and m6A methylation. Recent technical advances have identified a novel landscape of Smad-dependent signal transduction, including regulation of mitochondrial function without involving regulation of gene expression. Therefore, Smad proteins are receptor-activated transcription factors and also act as intracellular signaling modulators with multiple modes of function. In this review, we discuss the role of Smad proteins as receptor-activated transcription factors and beyond. We also describe the functional differences between Smad2 and Smad3, two receptor-activated Smad proteins downstream of TGF-β, activin, myostatin, growth and differentiation factor (GDF) 11, and Nodal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiji Miyazawa
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
| | - Yuka Itoh
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Hao Fu
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Applied Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Laboratory for Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
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3
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Kumar V, Sethi B, Staller DW, Xin X, Ma J, Dong Y, Talmon GA, Mahato RI. Anti-miR-96 and Hh pathway inhibitor MDB5 synergistically ameliorate alcohol-associated liver injury in mice. Biomaterials 2023; 295:122049. [PMID: 36827892 PMCID: PMC9998370 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and its complications are significant health problems worldwide. Several pathways in ALD are influenced by alcohol that drives inflammation, fatty acid metabolism, and fibrosis. Although miR-96 has become a key regulator in several liver diseases, its function in ALD remains unclear. In contrast, sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling has a well-defined role in liver disease through influencing the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the inducement of liver fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the expression patterns of miR-96 and Hh molecules in mouse and human liver samples. We showed that miR-96 and Shh were upregulated in ethanol-fed mice. Furthermore, alcoholic hepatitis (AH) patient specimens also showed upregulated FOXO3a, TGF-β1, SHH, and GLI2 proteins. We then examined the effects of Hh inhibitor MDB5 and anti-miR-96 on inflammatory and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes. We identified FOXO3 and SMAD7 as direct target genes of miR-96. Inhibition of miR-96 decreased the expression of these genes in vitro in AML12 cells, HSC-T6 cells, and in vivo in ALD mice. Furthermore, MDB5 decreased HSCs activation and the expression of ECM-related genes, such as Gli1, Tgf-β1, and collagen. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) loaded with the combination of MDB5, and anti-miR-96 ameliorated ALD in mice. Our study demonstrated that this combination therapy could serve as a new therapeutic target for ALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virender Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Bharti Sethi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Dalton W Staller
- Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Xiaofei Xin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jingyi Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Yuxiang Dong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Geoffrey A Talmon
- Department of Pathology & Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ram I Mahato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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Ong CH, Tham CL, Harith HH, Firdaus N, Israf DA. TGF-β-induced fibrosis: A review on the underlying mechanism and potential therapeutic strategies. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 911:174510. [PMID: 34560077 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) plays multiple homeostatic roles in the regulation of inflammation, proliferation, differentiation and would healing of various tissues. Many studies have demonstrated that TGF-β stimulates activation and proliferation of fibroblasts, which result in extracellular matrix deposition. Its increased expression can result in many fibrotic diseases, and the level of expression is often correlated with disease severity. On this basis, inhibition of TGF-β and its activity has great therapeutic potential for the treatment of various fibrotic diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, renal fibrosis, systemic sclerosis and etc. By understanding the molecular mechanism of TGF-β signaling and activity, researchers were able to develop different strategies in order to modulate the activity of TGF-β. Antisense oligonucleotide was developed to target the mRNA of TGF-β to inhibit its expression. There are also neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that can target the TGF-β ligands or αvβ6 integrin to prevent binding to receptor or activation of latent TGF-β respectively. Soluble TGF-β receptors act as ligand traps that competitively bind to the TGF-β ligands. Many small molecule inhibitors have been developed to inhibit the TGF-β receptor at its cytoplasmic domain and also intracellular signaling molecules. Peptide aptamer technology has been used to target downstream TGF-β signaling. Here, we summarize the underlying mechanism of TGF-β-induced fibrosis and also review various strategies of inhibiting TGF-β in both preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Hao Ong
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43300, Malaysia
| | - Chau Ling Tham
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43300, Malaysia
| | - Hanis Hazeera Harith
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43300, Malaysia
| | - Nazmi Firdaus
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43300, Malaysia
| | - Daud Ahmad Israf
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43300, Malaysia.
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Trivedi T, Pagnotti GM, Guise TA, Mohammad KS. The Role of TGF-β in Bone Metastases. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1643. [PMID: 34827641 PMCID: PMC8615596 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Complications associated with advanced cancer are a major clinical challenge and, if associated with bone metastases, worsen the prognosis and compromise the survival of the patients. Breast and prostate cancer cells exhibit a high propensity to metastasize to bone. The bone microenvironment is unique, providing fertile soil for cancer cell propagation, while mineralized bone matrices store potent growth factors and cytokines. Biologically active transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), one of the most abundant growth factors, is released following tumor-induced osteoclastic bone resorption. TGF-β promotes tumor cell secretion of factors that accelerate bone loss and fuel tumor cells to colonize. Thus, TGF-β is critical for driving the feed-forward vicious cycle of tumor growth in bone. Further, TGF-β promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), increasing cell invasiveness, angiogenesis, and metastatic progression. Emerging evidence shows TGF-β suppresses immune responses, enabling opportunistic cancer cells to escape immune checkpoints and promote bone metastases. Blocking TGF-β signaling pathways could disrupt the vicious cycle, revert EMT, and enhance immune response. However, TGF-β's dual role as both tumor suppressor and enhancer presents a significant challenge in developing therapeutics that target TGF-β signaling. This review presents TGF-β's role in cancer progression and bone metastases, while highlighting current perspectives on the therapeutic potential of targeting TGF-β pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trupti Trivedi
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (T.T.); (G.M.P.); (T.A.G.)
| | - Gabriel M. Pagnotti
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (T.T.); (G.M.P.); (T.A.G.)
| | - Theresa A. Guise
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (T.T.); (G.M.P.); (T.A.G.)
| | - Khalid S. Mohammad
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (T.T.); (G.M.P.); (T.A.G.)
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
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6
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Sulfatase-2 Regulates Liver Fibrosis through the TGF-β Signaling Pathway. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215279. [PMID: 34771445 PMCID: PMC8582359 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which drive liver fibrosis via the production and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). We aimed to elucidate the mechanistic role of sulfatase-2 (SULF2) in liver fibrosis. To this end, we induced liver fibrosis in wild-type (WT) and SULF2 knockout (Sulf2-KO) mice (6-8 weeks-old) via bile duct ligation (BDL), intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or thioacetamide (TAA). The levels of fibrosis in the liver sections were assessed via Sirius red and Masson's trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and hydroxyproline. To evaluate the interaction between TGF-β and SULF2, we transfected human HSCs with scrambled control shRNA and shRNA constructs targeting SULF2 and measured α-SMA expression following treatment with TGF-β1 ligand. We show here that knockout of SULF2 significantly decreases collagen content, as well as bands of bridging fibrosis, as demonstrated by Sirius red, Masson's trichrome and α-SMA staining after BDL, CCl4 and TAA injection in Sulf2-KO versus WT mice. In all three models of liver fibrosis, we observed significantly lower levels of hydroxyproline in the Sulf2-KO mice compared to the WT mice. HSCs with reduced levels of SULF2 failed to significantly express α-SMA and collagen type I following treatment with TGF-β1. Furthermore, SULF2 co-localizes with TGFBR3 and the in vitro knockdown of SULF2 in HSCs decreases the release of TGF-β1 from TGFBR3. Together, these data suggest that SULF2 regulates liver fibrosis via the TGF-β signaling pathway. Pharmacologic inhibition of SULF2 may represent a novel therapeutic approach to improve liver fibrosis.
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Huang CY, Chung CL, Hu TH, Chen JJ, Liu PF, Chen CL. Recent progress in TGF-β inhibitors for cancer therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 134:111046. [PMID: 33341049 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that is involved in proliferation, metastasis, and many other important processes in malignancy. Inhibitors targeting TGF-β have been considered by pharmaceutical companies for cancer therapy, and some of them are in clinical trial now. Unfortunately, several of these programs have recently been relinquished, and most companies that remain in the contest are progressing slowly and cautiously. This review summarizes the TGF-β signal transduction pathway, its roles in oncogenesis and fibrotic diseases, and advancements in antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors of TGF-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yi Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung 80284, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chih-Ling Chung
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jih-Jung Chen
- Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Feng Liu
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan ROC
| | - Chun-Lin Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan ROC; Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan ROC.
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Gene expression profiling identifies the role of Zac1 in cervical cancer metastasis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11837. [PMID: 32678267 PMCID: PMC7367306 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68835-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The zinc-finger protein which regulates apoptosis and cell cycle arrest 1 (Zac1), encoded by Plagl1 gene, is a seven-zinc-finger containing transcription factor belonging to the imprinted genome and is expressed in diverse types of embryonic and adult human tissues. Zac1 is postulated to be a tumor suppressor by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through interacting and modulating transcriptional activity of p53 as it was named. Correspondingly, the reduction or loss of Zac1 expression is associated with the incidence and progression of several human tumors, including cervical cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pituitary tumors, and basal cell carcinoma, implying the rationality of utilizing Zac1 expression as novel a biomarker for the evaluation of cervical cancer prognosis. However, to date, it has not been elucidated whether Zac1 expression is related to the prognosis of patients in clinical cervical cancer tumor samples. To address the questions outlined above, we report here a comprehensive investigation of Zac1 expression in biopsies of clinical cervical carcinoma. By analyzing Zac1 expression in various gene expression profiling of cervical cancer databases, we show the association between high Zac1 expression and poor prognosis of cervical cancer. Functional enrichment analysis showed that high Zac1 expression was associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which was further observed in clinical characteristics and metastatic carcinoma samples using immunohistochemical staining. Correspondingly, hypomethylation of CpG island on Zac1 promoter was observed in samples with high Zac1 expression in cervical carcinoma. Finally, overexpression of Zac1 in a variety of cervical cancer cell lines increase their mesenchymal biomarker expression and migration, strengthening the correlation between cervical cancers with high Zac1 expression and metastasis in clinical. In summary, this research firstly revealed that identifying Zac1 expression or the methylation status of CpG site on Zac1 promoter may provide us with novel indicators for the evaluation of cervical cancer metastasis.
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a secreted multifunctional cytokine that signals via plasma membrane TGF-β type I and type II receptors and intercellular SMAD transcriptional effectors. Aberrant inter- and intracellular TGF-β signaling can contribute to cancer progression. In normal cells and early stages of cancer, TGF-β can stimulate epithelial growth arrest and elicit a tumor suppressor function. However, in late stages of cancer, when the cytostatic effects of TGF-β in cancer cells are blocked, TGF-β signaling can act as tumor promoter by its ability to stimulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of cancer cells, by stimulating angiogenesis, and by promoting evasion of immune responses. In this review, we will discuss the rationale and challenges of targeting TGF-β signaling in cancer and summarize the clinical status of TGF-β signaling inhibitors that interfere with TGFβ bioavailability, TGF-βreceptor interaction, or TGF-β receptor kinase function. Moreover, we will discuss targeting of TGF-β signaling modulators and downstream effectors as well as alternative approaches by using promising technologies that may lead to entirely new classes of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh Khanh Huynh
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Christopher John Hipolito
- Cancer Signaling, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Peptide Core Facility, Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Cancer Signaling, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Oncode Institute and Cell Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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Huynh LK, Hipolito CJ, ten Dijke P. A Perspective on the Development of TGF-β Inhibitors for Cancer Treatment. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9110743. [PMID: 31744193 PMCID: PMC6921009 DOI: 10.3390/biom9110743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a secreted multifunctional cytokine that signals via plasma membrane TGF-β type I and type II receptors and intercellular SMAD transcriptional effectors. Aberrant inter- and intracellular TGF-β signaling can contribute to cancer progression. In normal cells and early stages of cancer, TGF-β can stimulate epithelial growth arrest and elicit a tumor suppressor function. However, in late stages of cancer, when the cytostatic effects of TGF-β in cancer cells are blocked, TGF-β signaling can act as tumor promoter by its ability to stimulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of cancer cells, by stimulating angiogenesis, and by promoting evasion of immune responses. In this review, we will discuss the rationale and challenges of targeting TGF-β signaling in cancer and summarize the clinical status of TGF-β signaling inhibitors that interfere with TGF−β bioavailability, TGF-β/receptor interaction, or TGF-β receptor kinase function. Moreover, we will discuss targeting of TGF-β signaling modulators and downstream effectors as well as alternative approaches by using promising technologies that may lead to entirely new classes of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linh Khanh Huynh
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan;
| | - Christopher John Hipolito
- Cancer Signaling, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan;
- Peptide Core Facility, Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Peter ten Dijke
- Cancer Signaling, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan;
- Oncode Institute and Cell Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-71-526-9271; Fax: +31-71-526-8270
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11
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) regulates cell growth and differentiation, apoptosis, cell motility, extracellular matrix production, angiogenesis, and cellular immunity. It has a paradoxical role in cancer. In the early stages it inhibits cellular transformation and prevents cancer progression. In later stages TGF-β plays a key role in promoting tumor progression through mainly 3 mechanisms: facilitating epithelial to mesenchymal transition, stimulating angiogenesis and inducing immunosuppression. As a result of its opposing tumor promoting and tumor suppressive abilities, TGF-β and its pathway has represented potential opportunities for drug development and several therapies targeting the TGF-β pathway have been identified. This review focuses on identifying the mechanisms through which TGF-β is involved in tumorigenesis and current therapeutics that are under development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulsal Haque
- a Department of Internal Medicine , University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , OH , USA
| | - John C Morris
- a Department of Internal Medicine , University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute , Cincinnati , OH , USA
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12
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Kadioglu O, Efferth T. Peptide aptamer identified by molecular docking targeting translationally controlled tumor protein in leukemia cells. Invest New Drugs 2016; 34:515-21. [DOI: 10.1007/s10637-016-0339-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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13
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Lee YH, Schiemann WP. Chemotherapeutic Targeting of the Transforming Growth Factor-β Pathway in Breast Cancers. BREAST CANCER MANAGEMENT 2014; 3:73-85. [PMID: 25904986 DOI: 10.2217/bmt.13.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays essential roles in regulating mammary gland development, morphogenesis, differentiation, and involution. TGF-β also regulates mammary gland homeostasis and prevents its transformation by prohibiting dysregulated cell cycle progression, and by inducing apoptosis; it also creates cell microenvironments that readily inhibit cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. Interestingly, while early-stage mammary tumors remain sensitive to the tumor suppressing activities of TGF-β, late-stage breast cancers become insensitive to the anticancer functions of this cytokine and instead rely upon TGF-β to drive disease and metastatic progression. This switch in TGF-β function is known as the "TGF-β Paradox" and represents the rationale for developing chemotherapies to inactivate the TGF-β pathway and its oncogenic functions in late-stage breast cancers. Here we outline the molecular mechanisms that manifest the "TGF-β Paradox" and discuss the challenges associated with the development and use of anti-TGF-β agents to treat breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Hun Lee
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Western Reserve University, Wolstein Research Building, 2103 Cornell Road Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - William P Schiemann
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Western Reserve University, Wolstein Research Building, 2103 Cornell Road Cleveland, OH 44106
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14
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Conidi A, van den Berghe V, Leslie K, Stryjewska A, Xue H, Chen YG, Seuntjens E, Huylebroeck D. Four amino acids within a tandem QxVx repeat in a predicted extended α-helix of the Smad-binding domain of Sip1 are necessary for binding to activated Smad proteins. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76733. [PMID: 24146916 PMCID: PMC3795639 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The zinc finger transcription factor Smad-interacting protein-1 (Sip1; Zeb2, Zfhx1b) plays an important role during vertebrate embryogenesis in various tissues and differentiating cell types, and during tumorigenesis. Previous biochemical analysis suggests that interactions with several partner proteins, including TGFβ family receptor-activated Smads, regulate the activities of Sip1 in the nucleus both as a DNA-binding transcriptional repressor and activator. Using a peptide aptamer approach we mapped in Sip1 its Smad-binding domain (SBD), initially defined as a segment of 51 amino acids, to a shorter stretch of 14 amino acids within this SBD. Modelling suggests that this short SBD stretch is part of an extended α-helix that may fit the binding to a hydrophobic corridor within the MH2 domain of activated Smads. Four amino acids (two polar Q residues and two non-polar V residues) that form the tandem repeat (QxVx)2 in this 14-residue stretch were found to be crucial for binding to both TGFβ/Nodal/Activin-Smads and BMP-Smads. A full-length Sip1 with collective mutation of these Q and V residues (to A) no longer binds to Smads, while it retains its binding activity to its cognate bipartite target DNA sequence. This missense mutant Sip1(AxAx)2 provides a new molecular tool to identify SBD (in)dependent target genes in Sip1-controlled TGFβ and/or BMP (de)regulated cellular, developmental and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Conidi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Celgen), Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Veronique van den Berghe
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Celgen), Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kris Leslie
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Agata Stryjewska
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Celgen), Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hua Xue
- The State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Tsinghua-Beijing Centre for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ye-Guang Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Tsinghua-Beijing Centre for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Eve Seuntjens
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Celgen), Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Danny Huylebroeck
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Celgen), Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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15
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Motizuki M, Isogaya K, Miyake K, Ikushima H, Kubota T, Miyazono K, Saitoh M, Miyazawa K. Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 1 (Olig1) is a Smad cofactor involved in cell motility induced by transforming growth factor-β. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:18911-22. [PMID: 23720758 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.480996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β plays crucial roles in embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis by eliciting various cellular responses in target cells. TGF-β signaling is principally mediated through receptor-activated Smad proteins, which regulate expression of target genes in cooperation with other DNA-binding transcription factors (Smad cofactors). In this study, we found that the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Olig1 is a Smad cofactor involved in TGF-β-induced cell motility. Knockdown of Olig1 attenuated TGF-β-induced cell motility in chamber migration and wound healing assays. In contrast, Olig1 knockdown had no effect on bone morphogenetic protein-induced cell motility, TGF-β-induced cytostasis, or epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, we observed that cooperation of Smad2/3 with Olig1 is regulated by a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans-isomerase, Pin1. TGF-β-induced cell motility, induction of Olig1-regulated genes, and physical interaction between Smad2/3 and Olig1 were all inhibited after knockdown of Pin1, indicating a novel mode of regulation of Smad signaling. We also found that Olig1 interacts with the L3 loop of Smad3. Using a synthetic peptide corresponding to the L3 loop of Smad3, we succeeded in selectively inhibiting TGF-β-induced cell motility. These findings may lead to a new strategy for selective regulation of TGF-β-induced cellular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuyoshi Motizuki
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
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16
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Conidi A, van den Berghe V, Huylebroeck D. Aptamers and their potential to selectively target aspects of EGF, Wnt/β-catenin and TGFβ-smad family signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:6690-719. [PMID: 23531534 PMCID: PMC3645661 DOI: 10.3390/ijms14046690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Revised: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The smooth identification and low-cost production of highly specific agents that interfere with signaling cascades by targeting an active domain in surface receptors, cytoplasmic and nuclear effector proteins, remain important challenges in biomedical research. We propose that peptide aptamers can provide a very useful and new alternative for interfering with protein–protein interactions in intracellular signal transduction cascades, including those emanating from activated receptors for growth factors. By their targeting of short, linear motif type of interactions, peptide aptamers have joined nucleic acid aptamers for use in signaling studies because of their ease of production, their stability, their high specificity and affinity for individual target proteins, and their use in high-throughput screening protocols. Furthermore, they are entering clinical trials for treatment of several complex, pathological conditions. Here, we present a brief survey of the use of aptamers in signaling pathways, in particular of polypeptide growth factors, starting with the published as well as potential applications of aptamers targeting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor signaling. We then discuss the opportunities for using aptamers in other complex pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, and focus on Transforming Growth Factor-β/Smad family signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Conidi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Celgen), Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Building Ond & Nav4 p.o.box 812, room 05.313, Stem Cell Institute, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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17
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Abstract
Members of the TGF-beta superfamily exhibit various biological activities, and perturbations of their signaling are linked to certain clinical disorders including cancer. The role of TGF-beta signaling as a tumor suppressor pathway is best illustrated by the presence of inactivating mutations in genes encoding TGF-beta receptors and Smads in human carcinomas. This perspective is further supported by studies of tumor development in mouse models after modulation of receptors and Smads. TGF-beta also controls processes such as cell invasion, immune regulation, and microenvironment alterations that cancer cells may exploit to their advantage for their progression. Consequently, the output of a TGF-beta response is highly situation dependent, across different tissues, and also in cancer in general. Understanding the mechanisms of TGF-beta superfamily signaling is thus important for the development of new ways to treat various types of cancer. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding the Smad dependent TGF-beta pathway as it relates to human carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debangshu Samanta
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Pran K. Datta
- Nashville Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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18
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Buijs JT, Stayrook KR, Guise TA. TGF-β in the Bone Microenvironment: Role in Breast Cancer Metastases. CANCER MICROENVIRONMENT : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL CANCER MICROENVIRONMENT SOCIETY 2011; 4:261-81. [PMID: 21748439 PMCID: PMC3234330 DOI: 10.1007/s12307-011-0075-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2011] [Accepted: 06/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among females worldwide. It has long been known that cancers preferentially metastasize to particular organs, and bone metastases occur in ∼70% of patients with advanced breast cancer. Breast cancer bone metastases are predominantly osteolytic and accompanied by bone destruction, bone fractures, pain, and hypercalcemia, causing severe morbidity and hospitalization. In the bone matrix, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is one of the most abundant growth factors, which is released in active form upon tumor-induced osteoclastic bone resorption. TGF-β, in turn, stimulates bone metastatic cells to secrete factors that further drive osteolytic destruction of the bone adjacent to the tumor, categorizing TGF-β as a crucial factor responsible for driving the feed-forward vicious cycle of cancer growth in bone. Moreover, TGF-β activates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, increases tumor cell invasiveness and angiogenesis and induces immunosuppression. Blocking the TGF-β signaling pathway to interrupt this vicious cycle between breast cancer and bone offers a promising target for therapeutic intervention to decrease skeletal metastasis. This review will describe the role of TGF-β in breast cancer and bone metastasis, and pre-clinical and clinical data will be evaluated for the potential use of TGF-β inhibitors in clinical practice to treat breast cancer bone metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen T. Buijs
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 980 West Walnut Street, Walther Hall R3, #C132, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - Keith R. Stayrook
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 980 West Walnut Street, Walther Hall R3, #C132, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - Theresa A. Guise
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 980 West Walnut Street, Walther Hall R3, #C132, Indianapolis, IN USA
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19
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Schiro MM, Stauber SE, Peterson TL, Krueger C, Darnell SJ, Satyshur KA, Drinkwater NR, Newton MA, Hoffmann FM. Mutations in protein-binding hot-spots on the hub protein Smad3 differentially affect its protein interactions and Smad3-regulated gene expression. PLoS One 2011; 6:e25021. [PMID: 21949838 PMCID: PMC3176292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2011] [Accepted: 08/22/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hub proteins are connected through binding interactions to many other proteins. Smad3, a mediator of signal transduction induced by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), serves as a hub protein for over 50 protein-protein interactions. Different cellular responses mediated by Smad3 are the product of cell-type and context dependent Smad3-nucleated protein complexes acting in concert. Our hypothesis is that perturbation of this spectrum of protein complexes by mutation of single protein-binding hot-spots on Smad3 will have distinct consequences on Smad3-mediated responses. Methodology/Principal Findings We mutated 28 amino acids on the surface of the Smad3 MH2 domain and identified 22 Smad3 variants with reduced binding to subsets of 17 Smad3-binding proteins including Smad4, SARA, Ski, Smurf2 and SIP1. Mutations defective in binding to Smad4, e.g., D408H, or defective in nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, e.g., W406A, were compromised in modulating the expression levels of a Smad3-dependent reporter gene or six endogenous Smad3-responsive genes: Mmp9, IL11, Tnfaip6, Fermt1, Olfm2 and Wnt11. However, the Smad3 mutants Y226A, Y297A, W326A, K341A, and E267A had distinct differences on TGF-β signaling. For example, K341A and Y226A both reduced the Smad3-mediated activation of the reporter gene by ∼50% but K341A only reduced the TGF-β inducibilty of Olfm2 in contrast to Y226A which reduced the TGF-β inducibility of all six endogenous genes as severely as the W406A mutation. E267A had increased protein binding but reduced TGF-β inducibility because it caused higher basal levels of expression. Y297A had increased TGF-β inducibility because it caused lower Smad3-induced basal levels of gene expression. Conclusions/Significance Mutations in protein binding hot-spots on Smad3 reduced the binding to different subsets of interacting proteins and caused a range of quantitative changes in the expression of genes induced by Smad3. This approach should be useful for unraveling which Smad3 protein complexes are critical for specific biological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M. Schiro
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Sara E. Stauber
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Tami L. Peterson
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Chateen Krueger
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Steven J. Darnell
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Kenneth A. Satyshur
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Norman R. Drinkwater
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Michael A. Newton
- Departments of Statistics and of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - F. Michael Hoffmann
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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20
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Fakiola M, Miller EN, Fadl M, Mohamed HS, Jamieson SE, Francis RW, Cordell HJ, Peacock CS, Raju M, Khalil EA, Elhassan A, Musa AM, Silveira F, Shaw JJ, Sundar S, Jeronimo SMB, Ibrahim ME, Blackwell JM. Genetic and functional evidence implicating DLL1 as the gene that influences susceptibility to visceral leishmaniasis at chromosome 6q27. J Infect Dis 2011; 204:467-77. [PMID: 21742847 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jir284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum chagasi. Genome-wide linkage studies from Sudan and Brazil identified a putative susceptibility locus on chromosome 6q27. METHODS Twenty-two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at genes PHF10, C6orf70, DLL1, FAM120B, PSMB1, and TBP were genotyped in 193 VL cases from 85 Sudanese families, and 8 SNPs at genes PHF10, C6orf70, DLL1, PSMB1, and TBP were genotyped in 194 VL cases from 80 Brazilian families. Family-based association, haplotype, and linkage disequilibrium analyses were performed. Multispecies comparative sequence analysis was used to identify conserved noncoding sequences carrying putative regulatory elements. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction measured expression of candidate genes in splenic aspirates from Indian patients with VL compared with that in the control spleen sample. RESULTS Positive associations were observed at PHF10, C6orf70, DLL1, PSMB1, and TBP in Sudan, but only at DLL1 in Brazil (combined P = 3 × 10(-4) at DLL1 across Sudan and Brazil). No functional coding region variants were observed in resequencing of 22 Sudanese VL cases. DLL1 expression was significantly (P = 2 × 10(-7)) reduced (mean fold change, 3.5 [SEM, 0.7]) in splenic aspirates from patients with VL, whereas other 6q27 genes showed higher levels (1.27 × 10(-6) < P < .01) than did the control spleen sample. A cluster of conserved noncoding sequences with putative regulatory variants was identified in the distal promoter of DLL1. CONCLUSIONS DLL1, which encodes Delta-like 1, the ligand for Notch3, is strongly implicated as the chromosome 6q27 VL susceptibility gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Fakiola
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research and Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, UK
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21
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Benayoun BA, Caburet S, Veitia RA. Forkhead transcription factors: key players in health and disease. Trends Genet 2011; 27:224-32. [PMID: 21507500 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2011.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 238] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2011] [Revised: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 03/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Forkhead box (FOX) proteins constitute an evolutionarily conserved family of transcription factors with a central role not only during development, but also in the adult organism. Thus, the misregulation and/or mutation of FOX genes often induce human genetic diseases, promote cancer or deregulate ageing. Indeed, germinal FOX gene mutations cause diseases ranging from infertility to language and/or speech disorders and immunological defects. Moreover, because of their central role in signalling pathways and in the regulation of homeostasis, somatic misregulation and/or mutation of FOX genes are associated with cancer. FOX proteins have undergone diversification in terms of their sequence, regulation and function. In addition to dedicated roles, evidence suggests that Forkhead factors have retained some functional redundancy. Thus, combinations of slightly defective alleles might induce disease phenotypes in humans, acting as quantitative trait loci. Uncovering such variants would be a big step towards understanding the functional interdependencies of different FOX members and their implications in complex pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bérénice A Benayoun
- CNRS UMR 7592, Institut Jacques Monod, Equipe Génétique et Génomique du Développement Gonadique, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France
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22
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Maldonado E, Murillo J, Barrio C, del Río A, Pérez-Miguelsanz J, López-Gordillo Y, Partearroyo T, Paradas I, Maestro C, Martínez-Sanz E, Varela-Moreiras G, Martínez-Álvarez C. Occurrence of cleft-palate and alteration of Tgf-β(3) expression and the mechanisms leading to palatal fusion in mice following dietary folic-acid deficiency. Cells Tissues Organs 2011; 194:406-20. [PMID: 21293104 DOI: 10.1159/000323213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2010] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Folic acid (FA) is essential for numerous bodily functions. Its decrease during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations in the progeny. The relationship between FA deficiency and the appearance of cleft palate (CP) is controversial, and little information exists on a possible effect of FA on palate development. We investigated the effect of a 2-8 weeks' induced FA deficiency in female mice on the development of CP in their progeny as well as the mechanisms leading to palatal fusion, i.e. cell proliferation, cell death, and palatal-shelf adhesion and fusion. We showed that an 8 weeks' maternal FA deficiency caused complete CP in the fetuses although a 2 weeks' maternal FA deficiency was enough to alter all the mechanisms analyzed. Since transforming growth factor-β(3) (TGF-β(3)) is crucial for palatal fusion and since most of the mechanisms impaired by FA deficiency were also observed in the palates of Tgf-β(3)null mutant mice, we investigated the presence of TGF-β(3) mRNA, its protein and phospho-SMAD2 in FA-deficient (FAD) mouse palates. Our results evidenced a large reduction in Tgf-β(3) expression in palates of embryos of dams fed an FAD diet for 8 weeks; Tgf-β(3) expression was less reduced in palates of embryos of dams fed an FAD diet for 2 weeks. Addition of TGF-β(3) to palatal-shelf cultures of embryos of dams fed an FAD diet for 2 weeks normalized all the altered mechanisms. Thus, an insufficient folate status may be a risk factor for the development of CP in mice, and exogenous TGF-β(3) compensates this deficit in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estela Maldonado
- Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humana I, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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23
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Flavell RA, Sanjabi S, Wrzesinski SH, Licona-Limón P. The polarization of immune cells in the tumour environment by TGFbeta. Nat Rev Immunol 2010; 10:554-67. [PMID: 20616810 PMCID: PMC3885992 DOI: 10.1038/nri2808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 691] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) is an immunosuppressive cytokine produced by tumour cells and immune cells that can polarize many components of the immune system. This Review covers the effects of TGFbeta on natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, CD8(+) and CD4(+) effector and regulatory T cells, and NKT cells in animal tumour models and in patients with cancer. Collectively, many recent studies favour the hypothesis that blocking TGFbeta-induced signalling in the tumour microenvironment enhances antitumour immunity and may be beneficial for cancer therapy. An overview of the current drugs and reagents available for inhibiting TGFbeta-induced signalling and their phase in clinical development is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Flavell
- Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, TAC S-569, PO BOX 208011, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
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24
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Paguirigan AL, Puccinelli JP, Su X, Beebe DJ. Expanding the available assays: adapting and validating In-Cell Westerns in microfluidic devices for cell-based assays. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2010; 8:591-601. [PMID: 20658945 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2010.0274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic methods for cellular studies can significantly reduce costs due to reduced reagent and biological specimen requirements compared with many traditional culture techniques. However, current types of readouts are limited and this lack of suitable readouts for microfluidic cultures has significantly hindered the application of microfluidics for cell-based assays. The In-Cell Western (ICW) technique uses quantitative immunocytochemistry and a laser scanner to provide an in situ measure of protein quantities in cells grown in microfluidic channels of arbitrary geometries. The use of ICWs in microfluidic channels was validated by a detailed comparison with current macroscale methods and shown to have excellent correlation. Transforming growth factor-β-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of an epithelial cell line was used as an example for further validation of the technique as a readout for soluble-factor-based assays performed in high-throughput microfluidic channels. The use of passive pumping for sample delivery and laser scanning for analysis opens the door to high-throughput quantitative microfluidic cell-based assays that integrate seamlessly with existing high-throughput infrastructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Paguirigan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, USA
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25
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Kelly RJ, Morris JC. Transforming growth factor-beta: a target for cancer therapy. J Immunotoxicol 2010; 7:15-26. [PMID: 19916703 DOI: 10.3109/15476910903389920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a pleiotropic growth factor that regulates cell growth and differentiation, apoptosis, cell motility, extracellular matrix production, angiogenesis, and cellular immune responses. TGF-beta demonstrates paradoxical action whereby it can function to suppress early tumorigenesis; however, it can also facilitate malignant transformation and stimulate tumor growth by manipulating a more hospitable environment for tumor invasion and the development of metastases. Given the integral role of TGF-beta in transformation and cancer progression, various components of the TGF-beta signaling pathway offer potentially attractive therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. This review focuses on the role of TGF-beta in cancer and discusses both small and large molecule drugs currently in development that target TGF-beta, its receptor and important down stream steps along its signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronan J Kelly
- Medical Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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26
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Nagaraj NS, Datta PK. Targeting the transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway in human cancer. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2010; 19:77-91. [PMID: 20001556 DOI: 10.1517/13543780903382609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The transforming growth factor-ss (TGF-beta) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in diverse cellular processes. TGF-beta switches its role from a tumor suppressor in normal or dysplastic cells to a tumor promoter in advanced cancers. It is widely believed that the Smad-dependent pathway is involved in TGF-beta tumor-suppressive functions, whereas activation of Smad-independent pathways, coupled with the loss of tumor-suppressor functions of TGF-beta, is important for its pro-oncogenic functions. TGF-beta signaling has been considered a useful therapeutic target. The discovery of oncogenic actions of TGF-beta has generated a great deal of enthusiasm for developing TGF-beta signaling inhibitors for the treatment of cancer. The challenge is to identify the group of patients where targeted tumors are not only refractory to TGF-beta-induced tumor suppressor functions but also responsive to the tumor-promoting effects of TGF-beta. TGF-beta pathway inhibitors, including small and large molecules, have now entered clinical trials. Preclinical studies with these inhibitors have shown promise in a variety of different tumor models. Here, we focus on the mechanisms of signaling and specific targets of the TGF-beta pathway that are critical effectors of tumor progression and invasion. This report also examines the therapeutic intervention of TGF-ss signaling in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagathihalli S Nagaraj
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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27
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Hedgehog pathway responsiveness correlates with the presence of primary cilia on prostate stromal cells. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2009; 9:50. [PMID: 19811645 PMCID: PMC2767347 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-9-50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2008] [Accepted: 10/07/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Hedgehog (Hh) signaling from the urogenital sinus (UGS) epithelium to the surrounding mesenchyme plays a critical role in regulating ductal formation and growth during prostate development. The primary cilium, a feature of most interphase vertebrate cell types, serves as a required localization domain for Hh signaling transducing proteins. Results Immunostaining revealed the presence of primary cilia in mesenchymal cells of the developing prostate. Cell-based assays of a urongenital sinus mesenchymal cell line (UGSM-2) revealed that proliferation-limiting (serum starvation and/or confluence) growth conditions promoted cilia formation and correlated with pathway activation associated with accumulation of Smoothened in primary cilia. The prostate cancer cell lines PC-3, LNCaP, and 22RV1, previously shown to lack demonstrable autocrine Hh signaling capacity, did not exhibit primary cilia even under proliferation-limiting growth conditions. Conclusion We conclude that paracrine Hedgehog signaling activity in the prostate is associated with the presence of primary cilia on stromal cells but that a role in autocrine Hh signaling remains speculative.
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28
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Antitransforming growth factor-beta therapy in fibrosis: recent progress and implications for systemic sclerosis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2009; 20:720-8. [PMID: 18946334 DOI: 10.1097/bor.0b013e32830e48e8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is required for tissue homeostasis but is also implicated in disease processes including fibrosis, and thus represents a molecular target for therapy. RECENT FINDINGS Multiple strategies for inhibiting excessive TGF-beta function exist. The three principal platforms are RNA-based technologies, monoclonal antibodies and small molecules. Monoclonal antibodies targeting TGF-beta have been used in a small clinical trial, with disappointing results to date. Antibodies to the alphavbeta6 integrin prevent local activation of latent TGF-beta and show promise in preclinical studies. Over a dozen small molecules inhibit the kinase activity of TGF-beta receptors. Several commonly used drugs appear to have unanticipated anti-TGF-beta activity and may therefore have a role in antifibrotic therapy. Because TGF-beta has important physiological functions, inhibiting its activity might potentially lead to aberrant immune activation, epithelial hyperplasia and impaired wound healing; spontaneous autoimmunity in particular is a concern in an autoimmune disease such as systemic sclerosis. Novel insights from DNA microarray analysis and genetic polymorphisms in TGF-beta signaling will aid in defining patient populations most likely to respond to anti-TGF-beta treatment. SUMMARY Anti-TGF-beta therapies promise to have a major impact in systemic sclerosis. Significant concerns regarding efficacy and safety need to be addresed. The identification of optimal candidates for therapy, and of biomarkers of safety and efficacy, are critical challenges ahead.
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29
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Schnaper HW, Jandeska S, Runyan CE, Hubchak SC, Basu RK, Curley JF, Smith RD, Hayashida T. TGF-beta signal transduction in chronic kidney disease. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 2009; 14:2448-65. [PMID: 19273211 DOI: 10.2741/3389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is a central stimulus of the events leading to chronic progressive kidney disease, having been implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation, hypertrophy, apoptosis and fibrogenesis. The fact that it mediates these varied events suggests that multiple mechanisms play a role in determining the outcome of TGF-beta signaling. Regulation begins with the availability and activation of TGF-beta and continues through receptor expression and localization, control of the TGF-beta family-specific Smad signaling proteins, and interaction of the Smads with multiple signaling pathways extending into the nucleus. Studies of these mechanisms in kidney cells and in whole-animal experimental models, reviewed here, are beginning to provide insight into the role of TGF-beta in the pathogenesis of renal dysfunction and its potential treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- H William Schnaper
- Division of Kidney Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 E Chicago Ave.; Chicago, IL 60611-3008, USA.
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Meyvantsson I, Warrick JW, Hayes S, Skoien A, Beebe DJ. Automated cell culture in high density tubeless microfluidic device arrays. LAB ON A CHIP 2008; 8:717-24. [PMID: 18432341 DOI: 10.1039/b715375a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidics is poised to have an impact on life sciences research. However, current microfluidic methods are not compatible with existing laboratory liquid dispensing and detection infrastructure. This incompatibility is a barrier to adoption of microfluidic systems and calls for improved approaches that will enhance performance and promote acceptance of microfluidic systems in the life sciences. Ease of use, standardized interfaces and automation remain critical challenges. We present a platform based on surface tension effects, where the difference in pressure inside drops of unequal volume drives flow in passive structures. We show integration with existing laboratory infrastructure, microfluidic operations such as pumping, routing and compartmentalization without discrete micro-components as well as cell patterning in both monolayer and three-dimensional cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivar Meyvantsson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1550 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Wrzesinski SH, Wan YY, Flavell RA. Transforming growth factor-beta and the immune response: implications for anticancer therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 13:5262-70. [PMID: 17875754 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-1157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 338] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Immune homeostasis is a delicate balance between the immune defense against foreign pathogens and suppression of the immune system to maintain self-tolerance and prevent autoimmune disease. Maintenance of this balance involves several crucial networks of cytokines and various cell types. Among these regulators, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent cytokine with diverse effects on hematopoietic cells. Its pivotal function within the immune system is to maintain tolerance via the regulation of lymphocyte proliferation, differentiation, and survival. In addition, TGF-beta controls the initiation and resolution of inflammatory responses through the regulation of chemotaxis and activation of leukocytes in the periphery, including lymphocytes, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, mast cells, and granulocytes. Through its pleiotropic effects on these immune cells, TGF-beta prevents the development of autoimmune diseases without compromising immune responses to pathogens. However, overactivation of this pathway can lead to several immunopathologies under physiologic conditions including cancer progression, making it an attractive target for antitumor therapies. This review discusses the biological functions of TGF-beta and its effects on the immune system and addresses how immunosuppression by this cytokine can promote tumorigenesis, providing the rationale for evaluating the immune-enhancing and antitumor effects of inhibiting TGF-beta in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen H Wrzesinski
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Most cancers are characterized by excessive transforming growth factor-beta production by tumors, which can promote tumor growth and mediate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Transforming growth factor-beta also has the ability to overproduce extracellular matrix components in response to injury and other stimuli. There are many strategies undergoing current evaluation for inhibiting the deleterious biological effects of transforming growth factor-beta by disrupting its signaling at various levels. The current review focuses on the recent advances made in this area, and the potential of these strategies in the clinical treatment of cancer and fibrosis. RECENT FINDINGS Four main strategies used most recently for disrupting transforming growth factor-beta signaling are brought into focus in this review: inhibition or sequestration of the transforming growth factor-beta protein ligands, inhibition of transforming growth factor-beta receptor kinase activity, inhibition of SMAD signaling downstream of transforming growth factor-beta kinase activity and restoration of antitumor immunity upon transforming growth factor-beta inhibition. Various techniques currently used to employ these four strategies are discussed. SUMMARY Several lines of evidence suggest that altered transforming growth factor-beta signaling contributes to tumor progression and metastasis as well as development of fibrosis. Accumulating data from preclinical and clinical studies indicate that antagonizing aberrant transforming growth factor-beta signaling is a promising novel therapeutic approach in cancer and fibrotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pennison
- Cancer Genetics Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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Brown KA, Pietenpol JA, Moses HL. A tale of two proteins: differential roles and regulation of Smad2 and Smad3 in TGF-beta signaling. J Cell Biochem 2007; 101:9-33. [PMID: 17340614 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.21255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 286] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is an important growth inhibitor of epithelial cells, and insensitivity to this cytokine results in uncontrolled cell proliferation and can contribute to tumorigenesis. Smad2 and Smad3 are direct mediators of TGF-beta signaling, however little is known about the selective activation of Smad2 versus Smad3. The Smad2 and Smad3 knockout mouse phenotypes and studies comparing Smad2 and Smad3 activation of TGF-beta target genes, suggest that Smad2 and Smad3 have distinct roles in TGF-beta signaling. The observation that TGF-beta inhibits proliferation of Smad3-null mammary gland epithelial cells, whereas Smad3 deficient fibroblasts are only partially growth inhibited, suggests that Smad3 has a different role in epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Herein, the current understanding of Smad2 and Smad3-mediated TGF-beta signaling and their relative roles are discussed, in addition to potential mechanisms for the selective activation of Smad2 versus Smad3. Since alterations in the TGF-beta signaling pathway play an important role in promoting tumorigenesis and cancer progression, methods for therapeutic targeting of the TGF-beta signaling pathway are being pursued. Determining how Smad2 or Smad3 differentially regulate the TGF-beta response may translate into developing more effective strategies for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Brown
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a multifunctional regulatory polypeptide that is the prototypical member of a large family of cytokines that controls many aspects of cellular function, including cellular proliferation, differentiation, migration, apoptosis, adhesion, angiogenesis, immune surveillance, and survival. The actions of TGF-beta are dependent on several factors including cell type, growth conditions, and the presence of other polypeptide growth factors. One of the biological effects of TGF-beta is the inhibition of proliferation of most normal epithelial cells using an autocrine mechanism of action, and this suggests a tumor suppressor role for TGF-beta. Loss of autocrine TGF-beta activity and/or responsiveness to exogenous TGF-beta appears to provide some epithelial cells with a growth advantage leading to malignant progression. This suggests a pro-oncogenic role for TGF-beta in addition to its tumor suppressor role. During the early phase of epithelial tumorigenesis, TGF-beta inhibits primary tumor development and growth by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In late stages of tumor progression when tumor cells become resistant to growth inhibition by TGF-beta due to inactivation of the TGF-beta signaling pathway or aberrant regulation of the cell cycle, the role of TGF-beta becomes one of tumor promotion. Resistance to TGF-beta-mediated inhibition of proliferation is frequently observed in multiple human cancers, as are various alterations in the complex TGF-beta signaling and cell cycle pathways. TGF-beta can exert effects on tumor and stromal cells as well as alter the responsiveness of tumor cells to TGF-beta to stimulate invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis, and to inhibit immune surveillance. Because of the dual role of TGF-beta as a tumor suppressor and pro-oncogenic factor, members of the TGF-beta signaling pathway are being considered as predictive biomarkers for progressive tumorigenesis, as well as molecular targets for prevention and treatment of cancer and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia B Jakowlew
- National Cancer Institute, Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, 9610 Medical Center Drive, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
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Abstract
The complexity of mechanisms leading to the appearance and progression of cancer is a challenge being addressed by large-scale studies, such as proteomics. Simultaneous monitoring of thousands of proteins uncovers novel signaling mechanisms, thus revising our knowledge of tumorigenesis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is a secreted polypeptide that is known to inhibit tumor growth at the early stages of cancer, but promote metastasis at the later stages. Proteomics-based studies have significantly widened our knowledge of TGF-beta-dependent regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, DNA damage repair and transcription. This leads to better understanding of the TGF-beta role in human breast tumorigenesis, and opens the way for the development of novel anticancer treatments and drugs, with some of the drugs already entering clinics. This review discusses recent advances in proteomics studies of TGF-beta signaling and its contribution to the understanding and treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serhiy Souchelnytskyi
- Uppsala University, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Box 595, SE-75124, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Lim SK, Hoffmann FM. Smad4 cooperates with lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1/T cell-specific factor to increase c-myc expression in the absence of TGF-beta signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:18580-5. [PMID: 17132729 PMCID: PMC1693705 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0604773103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The c-myc protooncogene is a key regulator of cell proliferation whose expression is reduced in normal epithelial cells in response to the growth inhibitory cytokine TGF-beta. Smad4 mediates this inhibitory effect of TGF-beta by forming a complex with Smad3, E2F4/5, and p107 at the TGF-beta inhibitory element (TIE) element on the c-myc promoter. In contrast, cell proliferation and c-myc expression are increased in response to Wnt ligands; this effect is mediated through the lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1/T cell-specific factor (LEF/TCF) family of transcription factors on the c-myc promoter LEF/TCF-binding elements (TBE1 and TBE2). We report that a peptide aptamer designed to inhibit the binding between Smad4 and LEF/TCF reduced c-myc expression and the growth rate of HepG2 cells. Further analysis demonstrated that, in the absence of TGF-beta, Smad4 was bound to the positive regulatory element TBE1 from the c-myc promoter and activated c-myc promoter activity. Smad4 binding to the positive TBE1 c-myc element was reduced by TGF-beta, consistent with Smad4's inhibitory role on c-myc expression in response to TGF-beta. Reduction of Smad4 levels by RNAi knockdown also reduced c-myc expression levels and sensitized hepatocytes to cell death by serum deprivation. Two tumor-derived mutant Smad4 proteins that fail to mediate TGF-beta responses were still competent to cooperate with LEF1 to activate the c-myc promoter. These results support a previously unreported TGF-beta-independent function for Smad4 in cooperating with LEF/TCF to activate c-myc expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - F. Michael Hoffmann
- *McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research and
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Nouvion AL, Thibaut J, Lohez OD, Venet S, Colas P, Gillet G, Lalle P. Modulation of Nr-13 antideath activity by peptide aptamers. Oncogene 2006; 26:701-10. [PMID: 16909120 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1209832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Tumor cells are characterized by deregulated proliferation and resistance to proapoptotic stimuli. The Bcl-2 family of antiapoptotic proteins is overexpressed in a large number of chemoresistant tumors. Downregulation or inhibition of antiapoptotic proteins might result in the sensitization of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. In the present study, we took advantage of the peptide aptamer strategy to target Nr-13, a Bcl-2 antiapoptotic protein involved in neoplastic transformation by the Rous sarcoma virus. We isolated peptide aptamers that behave as Nr-13 regulators, in vitro and in mammalian cells in culture. Some of these aptamers have potential proapoptotic activities. These data suggest that peptide aptamers targeting the Bcl-2 family of apoptosis inhibitors may be useful for the development of anticancer molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-L Nouvion
- Equipe Apoptose et Oncogenèse, Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines (IBCP UMR 5086 CNRS/Université claude Bernard Lyon 1), IFR128 BioSciences Lyon-Gerland, Lyon, France
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Pardali K, Moustakas A. Actions of TGF-beta as tumor suppressor and pro-metastatic factor in human cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2006; 1775:21-62. [PMID: 16904831 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2006.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 261] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2006] [Revised: 06/24/2006] [Accepted: 06/26/2006] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a secreted polypeptide that signals via receptor serine/threonine kinases and intracellular Smad effectors. TGF-beta inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in various cell types, and accumulation of loss-of-function mutations in the TGF-beta receptor or Smad genes classify the pathway as a tumor suppressor in humans. In addition, various oncogenic pathways directly inactivate the TGF-beta receptor-Smad pathway, thus favoring tumor growth. On the other hand, all human tumors overproduce TGF-beta whose autocrine and paracrine actions promote tumor cell invasiveness and metastasis. Accordingly, TGF-beta induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a differentiation switch that is required for transitory invasiveness of carcinoma cells. Tumor-derived TGF-beta acting on stromal fibroblasts remodels the tumor matrix and induces expression of mitogenic signals towards the carcinoma cells, and upon acting on endothelial cells and pericytes, TGF-beta regulates angiogenesis. Finally, TGF-beta suppresses proliferation and differentiation of lymphocytes including cytolytic T cells, natural killer cells and macrophages, thus preventing immune surveillance of the developing tumor. Current clinical approaches aim at establishing novel cancer drugs whose mechanisms target the TGF-beta pathway. In conclusion, TGF-beta signaling is intimately implicated in tumor development and contributes to all cardinal features of tumor cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Pardali
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Box 595 Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
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Tomai E, Butz K, Lohrey C, von Weizsäcker F, Zentgraf H, Hoppe-Seyler F. Peptide Aptamer-mediated Inhibition of Target Proteins by Sequestration into Aggresomes. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:21345-21352. [PMID: 16717089 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m604258200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide aptamers (PAs) can be employed to block the intracellular function of target proteins. Little is known about the mechanism of PA-mediated protein inhibition. Here, we generated PAs that specifically bound to the duck hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein. Among them, PA34 strongly blocked duck HBV replication by inhibiting viral capsid formation. We found that PA34 led to a dramatic intracellular redistribution of its target protein into perinuclear inclusion bodies, which exhibit the typical characteristics of aggresomes. As a result, the core protein is efficiently removed from the viral life cycle. Corresponding findings were obtained for bioactive PAs that bind to the HBV core protein or to the human papillomavirus-16 (HPV16) E6 protein, respectively. The observation that PAs induce the specific sequestration of bound proteins into aggresomes defines a novel mechanism as to how this new class of intracellular inhibitors blocks the function of their target proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Tomai
- Molecular Therapy of Virus-Associated Cancers Group (F065), German Cancer Research Center, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karin Butz
- Molecular Therapy of Virus-Associated Cancers Group (F065), German Cancer Research Center, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia Lohrey
- Molecular Therapy of Virus-Associated Cancers Group (F065), German Cancer Research Center, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Hanswalter Zentgraf
- Electron Microcopy Group (F090), German Cancer Research Center, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Hoppe-Seyler
- Molecular Therapy of Virus-Associated Cancers Group (F065), German Cancer Research Center, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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Zhao BM, Hoffmann FM. Inhibition of transforming growth factor-beta1-induced signaling and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by the Smad-binding peptide aptamer Trx-SARA. Mol Biol Cell 2006; 17:3819-31. [PMID: 16775010 PMCID: PMC1556379 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e05-10-0990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of the inhibitory Smad, Smad7, is used frequently to implicate the Smad pathway in cellular responses to transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling; however, Smad7 regulates several other proteins, including Cdc42, p38MAPK, and beta-catenin. We report an alternative approach for more specifically disrupting Smad-dependent signaling using a peptide aptamer, Trx-SARA, which comprises a rigid scaffold, the Escherichia coli thioredoxin A protein (Trx), displaying a constrained 56-amino acid Smad-binding motif from the Smad anchor for receptor activation (SARA) protein. Trx-SARA bound specifically to Smad2 and Smad3 and inhibited both TGF-beta-induced reporter gene expression and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in NMuMG murine mammary epithelial cells. In contrast to Smad7, Trx-SARA had no effect on the Smad2 or 3 phosphorylation levels induced by TGF-beta1. Trx-SARA was primarily localized to the nucleus and perturbed the normal cytoplasmic localization of Smad2 and 3 to a nuclear localization in the absence of TGF-beta1, consistent with reduced Smad nuclear export. The key mode of action of Trx-SARA was to reduce the level of Smad2 and Smad3 in complex with Smad4 after TGF-beta1 stimulation, a mechanism of action consistent with the preferential binding of SARA to monomeric Smad protein and Trx-SARA-mediated disruption of active Smad complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - F. Michael Hoffmann
- *McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research and
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
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Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is the common wound-healing response to chronic liver injury. In this process, activation of hepatic stellate cells is characteristic of cell proliferation and migration, production of collagen and other extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, and contraction after transforming into myofibroblasts. It has been shown that the fibrogenic process is prominently regulated by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and that the specific blockade of TGF-beta1/Smad3 signaling may therapeutically intervene the fibrosis of various tissues. In this review, we attempt to integrate recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms underlying TGF-beta1/Smad3 pathway modulation of ECM gene expression in the context of liver fibrosis, discuss intervention strategies targeting the blockade of related signal pathways, and look into novel ways to the safe and efficacious prevention and treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingjun Liu
- Protein & Peptide Pharmaceutical Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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