1
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Devitt L, Westphal D, Pieger K, Schneider N, Bosserhoff AK, Kuphal S. NRN1 interacts with Notch to increase oncogenic STAT3 signaling in melanoma. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:256. [PMID: 38705997 PMCID: PMC11071257 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01632-8] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma is a highly heterogeneous cancer, in which frequent changes in activation of signaling pathways lead to a high adaptability to ever changing tumor microenvironments. The elucidation of cancer specific signaling pathways is of great importance, as demonstrated by the inhibitor of the common BrafV600E mutation PLX4032 in melanoma treatment. We therefore investigated signaling pathways that were influenced by neurotrophin NRN1, which has been shown to be upregulated in melanoma. METHODS Using a cell culture model system with an NRN1 overexpression, we investigated the influence of NRN1 on melanoma cells' functionality and signaling. We employed real time cell analysis and spheroid formation assays, while for investigation of molecular mechanisms we used a kinase phosphorylation kit as well as promotor activity analysis followed by mRNA and protein analysis. RESULTS We revealed that NRN1 interacts directly with the cleaved intracellular domain (NICD) of Notch1 and Notch3, causing a potential retention of NICD in the cytoplasm and thereby reducing the expression of its direct downstream target Hes1. This leads to decreased sequestration of JAK and STAT3 in a Hes1-driven phosphorylation complex. Consequently, our data shows less phosphorylation of STAT3 while presenting an accumulation of total protein levels of STAT3 in association with NRN1 overexpression. The potential of the STAT3 signaling pathway to act in both a tumor suppressive and oncogenic manner led us to investigate specific downstream targets - namely Vegf A, Mdr1, cMet - which were found to be upregulated under oncogenic levels of NRN1. CONCLUSIONS In summary, we were able to show that NRN1 links oncogenic signaling events between Notch and STAT3 in melanoma. We also suggest that in future research more attention should be payed to cellular regulation of signaling molecules outside of the classically known phosphorylation events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Devitt
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Fahrstrasse 17, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Dana Westphal
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Katharina Pieger
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Fahrstrasse 17, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Nadja Schneider
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Fahrstrasse 17, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Anja Katrin Bosserhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Fahrstrasse 17, Erlangen, 91054, Germany
| | - Silke Kuphal
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Fahrstrasse 17, Erlangen, 91054, Germany.
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2
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La Salvia A, Siciliani A, Rinzivillo M, Verrico M, Baldelli R, Puliani G, Modica R, Zanata I, Persano I, Fanciulli G, Bassi M, Mancini M, Bellino S, Giannetta E, Ibrahim M, Panzuto F, Brizzi MP, Faggiano A. Thyroid transcription factor-1 expression in lung neuroendocrine tumours: a gender-related biomarker? Endocrine 2024; 83:519-526. [PMID: 37775725 PMCID: PMC10850191 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03542-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a specific biomarker for lung adenocarcinoma, and is commonly used to confirm the pulmonary origin of neuroendocrine tumours (NET). The majority of the available data suggest that TTF-1 is favourable prognostic biomarker for lung adenocarcinomas, whereas its role is more conflicting for lung NET. The main aim of this multicenter retrospective study was to investigate the potentially relevant associations between TTF-1 biomarker and clinical and pathological features of the study population, as well as determine TTF-1 prognostic effect on the clinical outcome of the patients. METHODS A multicentre retrospective study was conducted on 155 surgically-removed lung NET, with available IHC TTF-1 assessment. RESULTS Median age was 59.5 years (range 13-86), 97 patients (62.6%) were females, 31 cases (20%) were atypical carcinoids, 4 (2.6%) had TNM stage IV. Mitotic count ≥2 per 10 high-power field was found in 35 (22.6%) subjects, whereas necrosis was detected in 20 patients (12.9%). TTF-1 was positive in 78 cases (50.3%). The median overall survival was 46.9 months (range 0.6-323) and the median progression-free survival was 39.1 months (range 0.6-323). Statistically significant associations were found between (1) TTF-1 positivity and female sex (p = 0.007); and among (2) TTF-1 positivity and the absence of necrosis (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS This study highlights that TTF-1 positivity differs according to sex in lung NET, with a more common TTF-1 positive staining in female. Moreover, TTF-1 positivity correlated with the absence of necrosis. These data suggest that TTF-1 could potentially represent a gender-related biomarker for lung NET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna La Salvia
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Rinzivillo
- Digestive Disease Unit, ENETS Center of Excellence, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Verrico
- Department of Radiological, Oncological, and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Baldelli
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Oncology and Medical Specialities, A.O. San Camillo-Forlanini, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Puliani
- Oncological Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Modica
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Isabella Zanata
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Irene Persano
- Department of Oncology, A.O.U. San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, TO, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fanciulli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Endocrine Oncology Program, Endocrine Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria (AOU) Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bassi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Mancini
- Division of Morphologic and Molecular Pathology Unit, S. Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Bellino
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, National Institute of Health (ISS), Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Giannetta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mohsen Ibrahim
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Panzuto
- Digestive Disease Unit, ENETS Center of Excellence, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Brizzi
- Department of Oncology, A.O.U. San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano, TO, Italy
| | - Antongiulio Faggiano
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, ENETS Center of Excellence, Rome, Italy.
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3
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Gloriane C Luna H, Severino Imasa M, Juat N, Hernandez KV, May Sayo T, Cristal-Luna G, Marie Asur-Galang S, Bellengan M, John Duga K, Brian Buenaobra B, De Los Santos MI, Medina D, Samo J, Minerva Literal V, Andrew Bascos N, Sy-Naval S. Expression landscapes in non-small cell lung cancer shaped by the thyroid transcription factor 1. Lung Cancer 2023; 176:121-131. [PMID: 36634573 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2022.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
TTF-1-expressing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most prevalent lung cancer types worldwide. However, theparadoxical activity of TTF-1 in both lung carcinogenesis and tumor suppression is believed to be context-dependentwhich calls for a deeper understanding about the pathological expression of TTF-1. In addition, the expression circuitry of TTF-1-target genes in NSCLC has not been well examined which necessitates to revisit the involvement of TTF-1- in a multitude of oncologic pathways. We used RNA-seq and clinical data of patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), including ChIP-seq data from different NSCLC cell lines, and mapped the proteome of NSCLC tumor. Our analysis showed significant variability in TTF-1 expression among NSCLC,and further clarified that this variability is orchestrated at the transcriptional level. We also found that high TTF-1 expression could negatively influence the survival outcomes of stage 1 LUAD which may be attributed to growth factor receptor-driven activation of mitogenic and angiogenic pathways. Mechanistically, TTF-1 may also control the genes associated with pathways involved in acquired TKI drug resistance or response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Lastly, proteome-based biomarker discovery in stage 1 LUAD showed that TTF-1 positivity is potentially associated with the upregulation of several oncogenes which includes interferon proteins, MUC1, STAT3, and EIF2AK2. Collectively, this study highlights the potential involvement of TTF-1 in cell proliferation, immune evasion, and angiogenesis in early-stage NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herdee Gloriane C Luna
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila 1100, Philippines; Department of Internal Medicine, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines.
| | - Marcelo Severino Imasa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila 1100, Philippines
| | - Necy Juat
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
| | - Katherine V Hernandez
- Department of Internal Medicine, East Avenue Medical Center, East Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila 1100, Philippines
| | - Treah May Sayo
- Department of Internal Pathology, Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila 1100, Philippines
| | - Gloria Cristal-Luna
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
| | - Sheena Marie Asur-Galang
- Clinical Proteomics for Cancer Initiative, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Philippines
| | - Mirasol Bellengan
- Clinical Proteomics for Cancer Initiative, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Philippines
| | - Kent John Duga
- Clinical Proteomics for Cancer Initiative, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Philippines
| | - Bien Brian Buenaobra
- Clinical Proteomics for Cancer Initiative, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Philippines
| | - Marvin I De Los Santos
- Clinical Proteomics for Cancer Initiative, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Philippines
| | - Daniel Medina
- Clinical Proteomics for Cancer Initiative, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Philippines
| | - Jamirah Samo
- Clinical Proteomics for Cancer Initiative, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Philippines
| | - Venus Minerva Literal
- Clinical Proteomics for Cancer Initiative, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Philippines
| | - Neil Andrew Bascos
- National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines - Diliman, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines; Protein, Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Philippine Genome Center, University of the Philippines System, Philippines
| | - Sullian Sy-Naval
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila 1100, Philippines
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4
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Angioside: The role of Angiogenesis and Hypoxia in Lung Neuroendocrine Tumours According to Primary Tumour Location in Left or Right Parenchyma. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11195958. [PMID: 36233825 PMCID: PMC9570740 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Well-differentiated lung neuroendocrine tumours (Lu-NETs), classified as typical (TC) and atypical (AC) carcinoids, represent 30% of NETs. Angiogenesis plays an essential role in NET development and progression. A higher vascular network is a marker of differentiation, with positive prognostic implications. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated microvessel density (MVD) by CD34 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and hypoxia by IHC staining for Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), comparing right- and left-lung parenchyma in 53 lung NETs. Results: The median age was 66 years (39−81), 56.6% males, 24.5% AC, 40.5% left-sided tumours and 69.8% TNM stage I. The mitotic count was <2/10 per 10 HPF in 79.2%, and the absence of necrosis in 81.1%, 39.6% with Ki67, was ≤2%. The MVD, the number of vessels and the average vessel area median values were significantly higher in the right than the left parenchyma (p: 0.025, p: 0.019, p: 0.016, respectively). Hypoxia resulted present in 14/19 (73.6%) left tumours and in 10/20 (50%) right tumours in the parenchyma (p: 0.129). Conclusions: This study suggests a biological rationale for a different angiogenesis and hypoxia according to the Lu-NETs’ location. In our study, left primary tumours were less vascularized and most likely to present hypoxia than right primary tumours. This finding could have potentially useful prognostic and predictive implications for Lu-NETs.
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5
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Mohammadi Ghahhari N, Sznurkowska MK, Hulo N, Bernasconi L, Aceto N, Picard D. Cooperative interaction between ERα and the EMT-inducer ZEB1 reprograms breast cancer cells for bone metastasis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2104. [PMID: 35440541 PMCID: PMC9018728 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29723-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been proposed to contribute to the metastatic spread of breast cancer cells. EMT-promoting transcription factors determine a continuum of different EMT states. In contrast, estrogen receptor α (ERα) helps to maintain the epithelial phenotype of breast cancer cells and its expression is crucial for effective endocrine therapies. Determining whether and how EMT-associated transcription factors such as ZEB1 modulate ERα signaling during early stages of EMT could promote the discovery of therapeutic approaches to suppress metastasis. Here we show that, shortly after induction of EMT and while cells are still epithelial, ZEB1 modulates ERα-mediated transcription induced by estrogen or cAMP signaling in breast cancer cells. Based on these findings and our ex vivo and xenograft results, we suggest that the functional interaction between ZEB1 and ERα may alter the tissue tropism of metastatic breast cancer cells towards bone. The epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is important in the metastatic spread of cancer cells. Here, the authors show that the EMT transcription factor, ZEB1, can modify estrogen receptor α during EMT and facilitate the migration of breast cancer cells to the bone
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magdalena K Sznurkowska
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Hulo
- Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, Université de Genève, 1211, Genève 4, Switzerland
| | - Lilia Bernasconi
- Département de Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Genève, Sciences III, 1211, Genève 4, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Aceto
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Didier Picard
- Département de Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Genève, Sciences III, 1211, Genève 4, Switzerland.
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6
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Qi R, Zhao Y, Guo Q, Mi X, Cheng M, Hou W, Zheng H, Hua B. Exosomes in the lung cancer microenvironment: biological functions and potential use as clinical biomarkers. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:333. [PMID: 34193120 PMCID: PMC8247080 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01990-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours worldwide. however, emerging immunotherapy and targeted therapies continue to show limited efficacy. In the search for new targets for lung cancer treatment, exosomes have become a major focus of research. Exosomes play an important role in the tumour microenvironment (TME) of lung cancer and affect invasion, metastasis, and treatment responses. This review describes our current understanding of the release of exosomes derived from different cells in the TME, the effects of exosomes on T/Tregs, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumour-associated macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells, and the role of exosomes in the endothelial–mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and cancer-associated fibroblasts. In particular, this review focuses on the potential clinical applications of exosomes in the lung cancer microenvironment and their prognostic and diagnostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runzhi Qi
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Yuwei Zhao
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Qiujun Guo
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Mi
- Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Qindu District, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mengqi Cheng
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Hou
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Honggang Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Xicheng District, Beijing, China.
| | - Baojin Hua
- Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Xicheng District, Beijing, China.
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7
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Zhang C, Wang N, Tan HY, Guo W, Chen F, Zhong Z, Man K, Tsao SW, Lao L, Feng Y. Direct inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88 pathway by geniposide suppresses HIF-1α-independent VEGF expression and angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:3240-3257. [PMID: 32144747 PMCID: PMC7312435 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE As a typical hypervascular tumour, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is predominantly grown through angiogenesis. Geniposide is a promising anti-inflammatory compound found in Gardenia jasminoides, but its effects on the progression of HCC remain untested. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The anti-HCC effects of geniposide was investigated in cellular models and orthotopic HCC mice. Transcriptional regulation of the VEGF promoter was measured by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The anti-angiogenic action of geniposide was measured by tube formation assay. Both surface plasmon resonance techniques and human phospho-kinase array analysis were utilized to validate the relationship between targets of geniposide and hepatocarcinogenesis. KEY RESULTS Geniposide exhibited significant disruption of HCC proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and lung metastasis in orthotopic HCC mice. Geniposide inhibited secretion of VEGF by HCC and suppressed the migration of endothelial cells and the formation of intra-tumour blood vessels, without cytotoxicity and independently of the transcription factor HIF-1α. Direct inhibition of TLR4 by geniposide led to the shutdown of the TLR4/MyD88 pathway and STAT3/Sp1-dependent VEGF production. However, LPS, an agonist of TLR4, restored STAT3/Sp1-related VEGF production in geniposide-inhibited HCC angiogenesis. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS The direct inhibitory effect of geniposide on TLR4/MyD88 activation contributes to the suppression of STAT3/Sp1-dependent VEGF overexpression in HCC angiogenesis and pulmonary metastasis. This action of geniposide was not affected by stabilization of HIF-1α. Our study offers a novel anti-VEGF mechanism for the inhibition of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Hor-Yue Tan
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Wei Guo
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Feiyu Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Kwan Man
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Sai Wah Tsao
- School of Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Lixing Lao
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
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8
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Zanin R, Pegoraro S, Ros G, Ciani Y, Piazza S, Bossi F, Bulla R, Zennaro C, Tonon F, Lazarevic D, Stupka E, Sgarra R, Manfioletti G. HMGA1 promotes breast cancer angiogenesis supporting the stability, nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of FOXM1. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:313. [PMID: 31311575 PMCID: PMC6636010 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1307-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. Among the breast cancer subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and the most difficult to treat. One of the master regulators in TNBC progression is the architectural transcription factor HMGA1. This study aimed to further explore the HMGA1 molecular network to identify molecular mechanisms involved in TNBC progression. Methods RNA from the MDA-MB-231 cell line, silenced for HMGA1 expression, was sequenced and, with a bioinformatic analysis, molecular partners HMGA1 could cooperate with in regulating common downstream gene networks were identified. Among the putative partners, the FOXM1 transcription factor was selected. The relationship occurring between HMGA1 and FOXM1 was explored by qRT-PCR, co-immunoprecipitation and protein stability assays. Subsequently, the transcriptional activity of HMGA1 and FOXM1 was analysed by luciferase assay on the VEGFA promoter. The impact on angiogenesis was assessed in vitro, evaluating the tube formation ability of endothelial cells exposed to the conditioned medium of MDA-MB-231 cells silenced for HMGA1 and FOXM1 and in vivo injecting MDA-MB-231 cells, silenced for the two factors, in zebrafish larvae. Results Here, we discover FOXM1 as a novel molecular partner of HMGA1 in regulating a gene network implicated in several breast cancer hallmarks. HMGA1 forms a complex with FOXM1 and stabilizes it in the nucleus, increasing its transcriptional activity on common target genes, among them, VEGFA, the main inducer of angiogenesis. Furthermore, we demonstrate that HMGA1 and FOXM1 synergistically drive breast cancer cells to promote tumor angiogenesis both in vitro in endothelial cells and in vivo in a zebrafish xenograft model. Moreover, using a dataset of breast cancer patients we show that the co-expression of HMGA1, FOXM1 and VEGFA is a negative prognostic factor of distant metastasis-free survival and relapse-free survival. Conclusions This study reveals FOXM1 as a crucial interactor of HMGA1 and proves that their cooperative action supports breast cancer aggressiveness, by promoting tumor angiogenesis. Therefore, the possibility to target HMGA1/FOXM1 in combination should represent an attractive therapeutic option to counteract breast cancer angiogenesis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1307-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Zanin
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Pegoraro
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Gloria Ros
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Yari Ciani
- Laboratorio Nazionale CIB, Area Science Park, Padriciano 99, Trieste, Italy.,Present address: Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Silvano Piazza
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Povo, Trento, Italy
| | - Fleur Bossi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (I.R.C.C.S.) "Burlo Garofolo", via dell'Istria 65/1, 34134, Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristina Zennaro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Federica Tonon
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Dejan Lazarevic
- Center for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elia Stupka
- Center for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Present address: Life Sciences Business Health Catalyst, Cambridge, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, USA
| | - Riccardo Sgarra
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
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9
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Phelps CA, Lindsey-Boltz L, Sancar A, Mu D. Mechanistic Study of TTF-1 Modulation of Cellular Sensitivity to Cisplatin. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7990. [PMID: 31142791 PMCID: PMC6541604 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44549-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The lung lineage master regulator gene, Thyroid Transcription Factor-1 (TTF-1, also known as NKX2-1), is used as a marker by pathologists to identify lung adenocarcinomas since TTF-1 is expressed in 60 ~ 70% of lung ADs. Much research has been conducted to investigate roles of TTF-1 in lung cancer biology. But, how it modulates cellular chemosensitivity remains poorly characterized. Our study shows that TTF-1 sensitizes the KRAS-mutated A549 and NCI-H460 lung cancer cells to cisplatin, a common chemotherapy used to treat lung cancer. This chemosensitization activity does not appear to be mediated by a TTF-1-imposed alteration on nucleotide excision repair. Mechanistically, TTF-1 induced a reduction in p-AKT (S473), which in turn activated glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) and reduced β-catenin. Intriguingly, in the EGFR-mutated NCI-H1975 and HCC827 cells, TTF-1 desensitized these cells to cisplatin; concomitantly, TTF-1 conferred an increase in p-AKT. Finally, the conditioned media of TTF-1-transefected cells sensitized TTF-1- cells to cisplatin, implicating that the TTF-1-driven chemosensitization activity may be dually pronged in both intracellular and extracellular compartments. In short, this study highlights the enigmatic activities of TTF-1 in lung cancer, and calls for future research to optimally manage chemotherapy of patients with TTF-1+ lung ADs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody A Phelps
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA
- Carter Immunology Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Laura Lindsey-Boltz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Aziz Sancar
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - David Mu
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA.
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10
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Kim J, Piao HL, Kim BJ, Yao F, Han Z, Wang Y, Xiao Z, Siverly AN, Lawhon SE, Ton BN, Lee H, Zhou Z, Gan B, Nakagawa S, Ellis MJ, Liang H, Hung MC, You MJ, Sun Y, Ma L. Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 suppresses breast cancer metastasis. Nat Genet 2018; 50:1705-1715. [PMID: 30349115 PMCID: PMC6265076 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-018-0252-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 504] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
MALAT1 has previously been described as a metastasis-promoting long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). We show here, however, that targeted inactivation of the Malat1 gene in a transgenic mouse model of breast cancer, without altering the expression of its adjacent genes, promotes lung metastasis, and that this phenotype can be reversed by genetic add-back of Malat1. Similarly, knockout of MALAT1 in human breast cancer cells induces their metastatic ability, which is reversed by re-expression of Malat1. Conversely, overexpression of Malat1 suppresses breast cancer metastasis in transgenic, xenograft, and syngeneic models. Mechanistically, the MALAT1 lncRNA binds and inactivates the prometastatic transcription factor TEAD, preventing TEAD from associating with its co-activator YAP and target gene promoters. Moreover, MALAT1 levels inversely correlate with breast cancer progression and metastatic ability. These findings demonstrate that MALAT1 is a metastasis-suppressing lncRNA rather than a metastasis promoter in breast cancer, calling for rectification of the model for this highly abundant and conserved lncRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongchan Kim
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hai-Long Piao
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Scientific Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Beom-Jun Kim
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fan Yao
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhenbo Han
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yumeng Wang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhenna Xiao
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ashley N Siverly
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sarah E Lawhon
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Baochau N Ton
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hyemin Lee
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhicheng Zhou
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Boyi Gan
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Matthew J Ellis
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Han Liang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mien-Chie Hung
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - M James You
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yutong Sun
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA.
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11
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A proposed mechanism for the Berecek phenomenon with implications for cardiovascular reprogramming. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 12:644-651. [PMID: 30220305 DOI: 10.1016/j.jash.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Berecek et al reported in the 1990s that when spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) mating pairs were treated with captopril and the resulting pups were continued on the drug for 2 months followed by drug discontinuation, the pups did not develop full blown hypertension, and the cardiovascular structural changes associated with hypertension in SHR were mitigated. The offspring of the pups also displayed diminished hypertension and structural changes, suggesting that the drug therapy produced a heritable amelioration of the SHR phenotype. This observation is reviewed. The link between cellular renin angiotensin systems and epigenetic histone modification is explored, and a mechanism responsible for the observation is proposed. In any case, the observations of Berecek are sufficiently intriguing and biologically important to merit re-exploration and definitive explanation. Equally important is determining the role of renin angiotensin systems in epigenetic modification.
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12
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Lai SC, Phelps CA, Short AM, Dutta SM, Mu D. Thyroid transcription factor 1 enhances cellular statin sensitivity via perturbing cholesterol metabolism. Oncogene 2018; 37:3290-3300. [PMID: 29551766 PMCID: PMC6003839 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0174-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
We have discovered an unexpected connection between a critical lung development and cancer gene termed thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1 also known as NKX2-1) and cholesterol metabolism. Our published work implicates that TTF-1 positively regulates miR-33a which is known to repress ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1) and thus its cholesterol efflux activity. We set out to demonstrate that a higher TTF-1 expression would presumably inhibit cholesterol efflux and consequently raise intracellular cholesterol level. Surprisingly, raising TTF-1 expression actually lowers intracellular cholesterol level, which, we believe, is attributed to a direct transactivation of ABCA1 by TTF-1. Subsequently, we show that lung cancer cells primed with a TTF-1-driven decrease of cholesterol were more vulnerable to simvastatin, a frequently prescribed cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor. In view of the fact that pathologists routinely interrogate human lung cancers for TTF-1 immunopositivity to guide diagnosis and the prevalent use of statins, TTF-1 should be further investigated as a putative biomarker of lung cancer vulnerability to statins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Chiang Lai
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA
- bioAffinity Technologies Inc., San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Cody A Phelps
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA
| | - Aleena M Short
- Biotechnology Master's Program, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA
| | - Sucharita M Dutta
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Mu
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA.
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13
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Phelps CA, Lai SC, Mu D. Roles of Thyroid Transcription Factor 1 in Lung Cancer Biology. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2017; 106:517-544. [PMID: 29407447 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1 or NKX2-1) is a transcription factor of fundamental importance in driving lung maturation and morphogenesis. In the last decade, scientists began to appreciate the functional roles of TTF-1 in lung tumorigenesis. This movement was triggered by the discoveries of genetic alterations of TTF-1 in the form of gene amplification in lung cancer. Many downstream target genes of TTF-1 relevant to the lung cancer biology of TTF-1 have been documented. One of the most surprising findings was that TTF-1 may exhibit either pro- or antitumorigenic activities, an outcome with the complexity exceeding the original anticipation purely based on the fact that TTF-1 undergoes gene amplification in lung cancer. In the coming decade, we believe, we will witness additional surprises as the research exploring the cancer roles of TTF-1 progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody A Phelps
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - Shao-Chiang Lai
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - David Mu
- Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States.
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