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Zheng Q, Tang J, Aicher A, Bou Kheir T, Sabanovic B, Ananthanarayanan P, Reina C, Chen M, Gu JM, He B, Alcala S, Behrens D, Lawlo RT, Scarpa A, Hidalgo M, Sainz B, Sancho P, Heeschen C. Inhibiting NR5A2 targets stemness in pancreatic cancer by disrupting SOX2/MYC signaling and restoring chemosensitivity. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:323. [PMID: 38012687 PMCID: PMC10683265 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02883-y] [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: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a profoundly aggressive and fatal cancer. One of the key factors defining its aggressiveness and resilience against chemotherapy is the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). The important task of discovering upstream regulators of stemness that are amenable for targeting in PDAC is essential for the advancement of more potent therapeutic approaches. In this study, we sought to elucidate the function of the nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 2 (NR5A2) in the context of pancreatic CSCs. METHODS We modeled human PDAC using primary PDAC cells and CSC-enriched sphere cultures. NR5A2 was genetically silenced or inhibited with Cpd3. Assays included RNA-seq, sphere/colony formation, cell viability/toxicity, real-time PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, ChIP, CUT&Tag, XF Analysis, lactate production, and in vivo tumorigenicity assays. PDAC models from 18 patients were treated with Cpd3-loaded nanocarriers. RESULTS Our findings demonstrate that NR5A2 plays a dual role in PDAC. In differentiated cancer cells, NR5A2 promotes cell proliferation by inhibiting CDKN1A. On the other hand, in the CSC population, NR5A2 enhances stemness by upregulating SOX2 through direct binding to its promotor/enhancer region. Additionally, NR5A2 suppresses MYC, leading to the activation of the mitochondrial biogenesis factor PPARGC1A and a shift in metabolism towards oxidative phosphorylation, which is a crucial feature of stemness in PDAC. Importantly, our study shows that the specific NR5A2 inhibitor, Cpd3, sensitizes a significant fraction of PDAC models derived from 18 patients to standard chemotherapy. This treatment approach results in durable remissions and long-term survival. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the expression levels of NR5A2/SOX2 can predict the response to treatment. CONCLUSIONS The findings of our study highlight the cell context-dependent effects of NR5A2 in PDAC. We have identified a novel pharmacological strategy to modulate SOX2 and MYC levels, which disrupts stemness and prevents relapse in this deadly disease. These insights provide valuable information for the development of targeted therapies for PDAC, offering new hope for improved patient outcomes. A Schematic illustration of the role of NR5A2 in cancer stem cells versus differentiated cancer cells, along with the action of the NR5A2 inhibitor Cpd3. B Overall survival of tumor-bearing mice following allocated treatment. A total of 18 PDX models were treated using a 2 x 1 x 1 approach (two animals per model per treatment); n=36 per group (illustration created with biorender.com ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zheng
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajia Tang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Alexandra Aicher
- Precision Immunotherapy, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Immunology Research and Development Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tony Bou Kheir
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Berina Sabanovic
- Pancreatic Cancer Heterogeneity Lab, Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Preeta Ananthanarayanan
- Pancreatic Cancer Heterogeneity Lab, Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Reina
- Pancreatic Cancer Heterogeneity Lab, Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Minchun Chen
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Min Gu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin He
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Sonia Alcala
- Molecular Pathology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" CSIC-UAM, Chronic Diseases and Cancer Area 3 Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Área Cáncer, CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diana Behrens
- Experimental Pharmacology and Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rita T Lawlo
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- ARC-Net, Applied Research On Cancer Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- ARC-Net, Applied Research On Cancer Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Manuel Hidalgo
- Clinical Research Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Bruno Sainz
- Molecular Pathology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" CSIC-UAM, Chronic Diseases and Cancer Area 3 Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Área Cáncer, CIBERONC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Sancho
- IIS Aragon, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, 50009, Saragossa, Spain.
| | - Christopher Heeschen
- Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Heterogeneity Lab, Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.
- Molecular Pathology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.
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Li J, Gu J, Wang J, You A, Zhang Y, Rao G, Li S, Ge X, Zhang K, Wang D. MicroRNA-433-3p enhances chemosensitivity of glioma to cisplatin by downregulating NR5A2. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2632. [PMID: 36303447 PMCID: PMC9759127 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We attempted to investigate influence of microRNA-433-3p on malignant progression of glioma and identify its molecular mechanism, thus laying groundwork for glioma management. METHODS Expression data along with clinical data of glioma were accessed from the TCGA database for differential and survival analyses to look for the target differentially expressed genes. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were utilized to assess NR5A2 mRNA and protein expression in different glioma cell lines, respectively. MTT, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry were carried out to assay the impact of NR5A2 on behaviors of glioma cells in vitro. Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify the upstream microRNA of NR5A2 in glioma, while dual-luciferase and western blot assays were used to detect binding of microRNA and NR5A2. Chemosensitivity of glioma cells was evaluated by cisplatin cytotoxicity test. RESULTS NR5A2 was upregulated in both glioma tissues and cell lines. Dual-luciferase assay result showed binding site of microRNA-433-3p on NR5A2 mRNA 3'UTR, and microRNA-433-3p reduced NR5A2 expression. Cell assays revealed that silencing NR5A2 could hamper proliferation, invasion, and migration and enhance chemosensitivity to cisplatin while promoting glioma cell apoptosis and blocking glioma cells in G0/G1 phase. Rescue experiments also indicated that microRNA-433-3p suppressed glioma malignant progression via inhibiting NR5A2. CONCLUSION MicroRNA-433-3p which is significantly poorly expressed in glioma targets NR5A2 to suppress glioma malignant progression and enhance chemosensitivity to cisplatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- The Fourth Department of Neurosurgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Jingshun Gu
- The Fourth Department of Neurosurgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Juntong Wang
- The Fourth Department of Neurosurgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Aiwu You
- The Fourth Department of Neurosurgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Yuyan Zhang
- The Fourth Department of Neurosurgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Guomin Rao
- The Fourth Department of Neurology, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Xuehua Ge
- The Fourth Department of Neurosurgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- The Fourth Department of Neurosurgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Dongchun Wang
- The Fourth Department of Neurosurgery, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, China
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The Immune Underpinnings of Barrett's-Associated Adenocarcinogenesis: a Retrial of Nefarious Immunologic Co-Conspirators. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 13:1297-1315. [PMID: 35123116 PMCID: PMC8933845 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
There is no doubt that chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease increases the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) by several fold (odds ratio, 6.4; 95% CI, 4.6-9.1), and some relationships between reflux disease-mediated inflammation and oncogenic processes have been explored; however, the precise interconnections between the immune response and genomic instabilities underlying these pathologic processes only now are emerging. Furthermore, the precise cell of origin of the precancerous stages associated with EAC development, Barrett's esophagus, be it cardia resident or embryonic remnant, may shape our interpretation of the likely immune drivers. This review integrates the current collective knowledge of the immunology underlying EAC development and outlines a framework connecting proinflammatory pathways, such as those mediated by interleukin 1β, tumor necrosis factor α, leukemia inhibitory factor, interleukin 6, signal transduction and activator of transcription 3, nuclear factor-κB, cyclooxygenase-2, and transforming growth factor β, with oncogenic pathways in the gastroesophageal reflux disease-Barrett's esophagus-EAC cancer sequence. Further defining these immune and molecular railroads may show a map of the routes taken by gastroesophageal cells on their journey toward EAC tumor phylogeny. The selective pressures applied by this immune-induced journey likely impact the phenotype and genotype of the resulting oncogenic destination and further exploration of lesser-defined immune drivers may be useful in future individualized therapies or enhanced selective application of recent immune-driven therapeutics.
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Stavniichuk R, DeLaForest A, Thompson CA, Miller J, Souza RF, Battle MA. GATA4 blocks squamous epithelial cell gene expression in human esophageal squamous cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3206. [PMID: 33547361 PMCID: PMC7864948 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82557-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
GATA4 promotes columnar epithelial cell fate during gastric development. When ectopically expressed in the developing mouse forestomach, the tissue emerges as columnar-like rather than stratified squamous with gene expression changes that parallel those observed in the pre-malignant squamous to columnar metaplasia known as Barrett's esophagus (BE). GATA4 mRNA up-regulation and gene amplification occur in BE and its associated cancer, esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), and GATA4 gene amplification correlates with poor patient outcomes. Here, we explored the effect of ectopic expression of GATA4 in mature human esophageal squamous epithelial cells. We found that GATA4 expression in esophageal squamous epithelial cells compromised squamous cell marker gene expression and up-regulated expression of the canonical columnar cell cytokeratin KRT8. We observed GATA4 occupancy in the p63, KRT5, and KRT15 promoters, suggesting that GATA4 directly represses expression of squamous epithelial cell marker genes. Finally, we verified GATA4 protein expression in BE and EAC and found that exposure of esophageal squamous epithelial cells to acid and bile, known BE risk factors, induced GATA4 mRNA expression. We conclude that GATA4 suppresses expression of genes marking the stratified squamous epithelial cell lineage and that this repressive action by GATA4 may have implications in BE and EAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Stavniichuk
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Ann DeLaForest
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Cayla A Thompson
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - James Miller
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Rhonda F Souza
- Department of Medicine, Center for Esophageal Diseases, Baylor University Medical Center and Center for Esophageal Research, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Michele A Battle
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
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5
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Mortezaei Z, Khosravi A. New potential anticancer drug-like compounds for squamous cell lung cancer using transcriptome network analysis. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Michalek S, Brunner T. Nuclear-mitochondrial crosstalk: On the role of the nuclear receptor liver receptor homolog-1 (NR5A2) in the regulation of mitochondrial metabolism, cell survival, and cancer. IUBMB Life 2020; 73:592-610. [PMID: 32931651 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1, NR5A2) is an orphan nuclear receptor with widespread activities in the regulation of development, stemness, metabolism, steroidogenesis, and proliferation. Many of the LRH-1-regulated processes target the mitochondria and associated activities. While under physiological conditions, a balanced LRH-1 expression and regulation contribute to the maintenance of a physiological equilibrium, deregulation of LRH-1 has been associated with inflammation and cancer. In this review, we discuss the role and mechanism(s) of how LRH-1 regulates metabolic processes, cell survival, and cancer in a nuclear-mitochondrial crosstalk, and evaluate its potential as a pharmacological target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Michalek
- Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Thomas Brunner
- Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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7
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High Content Imaging of Barrett's-Associated High-Grade Dysplasia Cells After siRNA Library Screening Reveals Acid-Responsive Regulators of Cellular Transitions. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 10:601-622. [PMID: 32416156 PMCID: PMC7408447 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) develops from within Barrett's esophagus (BE) concomitant with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Wound healing processes and cellular transitions, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, may contribute to the development of BE and the eventual migratory escape of metastatic cancer cells. Herein, we attempt to identify the genes underlying esophageal cellular transitions and their potential regulation by the low pH environments observed in GERD and commonly encountered by escaping cancer cells. METHODS Small interfering RNA library screening and high-content imaging analysis outlined changes in BE high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and EAC cell morphologies after gene silencing. Gene expression microarray data and low pH exposures studies modeling GERD-associated pulses (pH 4.0, 10 min) and tumor microenvironments (pH 6.0, constant) were used. RESULTS Statistical analysis of small interfering RNA screening data defined 207 genes (Z-score >2.0), in 12 distinct morphologic clusters, whose suppression significantly altered BE-HGD cell morphology. The most significant genes in this list included KIF11, RRM2, NUBP2, P66BETA, DUX1, UBE3A, ITGB8, GAS1, GPS1, and PRC1. Guided by gene expression microarray study data, both pulsatile and constant low pH exposures were observed to suppress the expression of GPS1 and RRM2 in a nonoverlapping temporal manner in both BE-HGD and EAC cells, with no changes observed in squamous esophageal cells. Functional studies uncovered that GPS1 and RRM2 contributed to amoeboid and mesenchymal cellular transitions, respectively, as characterized by differential rates of cell motility, pseudopodia formation, and altered expression of the mesenchymal markers vimentin and E-cadherin. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, we have shown that low pH microenvironments associated with GERD, and tumor invasive edges, can modulate the expression of genes that triggered esophageal cellular transitions potentially critical to colonization and invasion.
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8
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Lai HT, Tseng WK, Huang SW, Chao TC, Su Y. MicroRNA-203 diminishes the stemness of human colon cancer cells by suppressing GATA6 expression. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:2866-2880. [PMID: 31544978 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between hyaluronan and CD44, an important cancer stem-cell marker, stimulates various tumor cell-specific functions such as the stemness of tumor cells. microRNA-203 (miR-203) can be downregulated by this interaction in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, which increases their stemness; however, the underlying mechanism is not yet defined. Here, we show that overexpression and sequestration of miR-203 in HCT-116 and HT-29 human CRC cells reduces and enhances their stemness, respectively. We also show that GATA-binding factor 6 (GATA6) is a direct target of miR-203. Our results indicate that upregulated expression of this transcription factor not only restores the self-renewal abilities of miR-203-overexpressing HCT-116 and HT-29 cells but also promotes the stemness properties of their parental counterparts. More important, we show that silencing the expression of either LRH-1 or Hes-1 is sufficient to diminish the stemness-promoting effects of GATA6 in human CRC cells. Together, our findings delineate the stemness-inhibitory mechanism of miR-203 in human CRC cells and suggest that this miR is a potential therapeutic agent for colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Tzi Lai
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Shi-Pai, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wen-Ko Tseng
- Program in Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Shi-Pai, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Colorectal Surgery Department, Chung-Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung Branch, Keelung, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Shi-Wei Huang
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Shi-Pai, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ta-Chung Chao
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Shi-Pai, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yeu Su
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Shi-Pai, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Program in Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Shi-Pai, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Abstract
Chronic injury and inflammation in the esophagus can cause a change in cellular differentiation known as metaplasia. Most commonly, the differentiation changes manifest as Barrett's esophagus (BE), characterized by the normal stratified squamous epithelium converting into a cuboidal-columnar, glandular morphology. BE cells can phenotypically resemble specific normal cell types of the stomach or intestine, or they can have overlapping phenotypes in disorganized admixtures. The stomach can also undergo metaplasia characterized by aberrant gastric or intestinal differentiation patterns. In both organs, it has been argued that metaplasia may represent a recapitulation of the embryonic or juvenile gastrointestinal tract, as cells access a developmental progenitor genetic program that can help repair damaged tissue. Here, we review the normal development of esophagus and stomach, and describe how BE represents an intermixing of cells resembling gastric pseudopyloric (SPEM) and intestinal metaplasia. We discuss a cellular process recently termed "paligenosis" that governs how mature, differentiated cells can revert to a proliferating progenitor state in metaplasia. We discuss the "Cyclical Hit" theory in which paligenosis might be involved in the increased risk of metaplasia for progression to cancer. However, somatic mutations might occur in proliferative phases and then be warehoused upon redifferentiation. Through years of chronic injury and many rounds of paligenosis and dedifferentiation, eventually a cell with a mutation that prevents dedifferentiation may arise and clonally expand fueling stable metaplasia and potentially thereafter acquiring additional mutations and progressing to dysplasia and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon U Jin
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jason C Mills
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Thompson CA, DeLaForest A, Battle MA. Patterning the gastrointestinal epithelium to confer regional-specific functions. Dev Biol 2018; 435:97-108. [PMID: 29339095 PMCID: PMC6615902 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 01/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract, in simplest terms, can be described as an epithelial-lined muscular tube extending along the cephalocaudal axis from the oral cavity to the anus. Although the general architecture of the GI tract organs is conserved from end to end, the presence of different epithelial tissue structures and unique epithelial cell types within each organ enables each to perform the distinct digestive functions required for efficient nutrient assimilation. Spatiotemporal regulation of signaling pathways and downstream transcription factors controls GI epithelial morphogenesis during development to confer essential regional-specific epithelial structures and functions. Here, we discuss the fundamental functions of each GI tract organ and summarize the diversity of epithelial structures present along the cephalocaudal axis of the GI tract. Next, we discuss findings, primarily from genetic mouse models, that have defined the roles of key transcription factors during epithelial morphogenesis, including p63, SOX2, SOX15, GATA4, GATA6, HNF4A, and HNF4G. Additionally, we examine how the Hedgehog, WNT, and BMP signaling pathways contribute to defining unique epithelial features along the cephalocaudal axis of the GI tract. Lastly, we examine the molecular mechanisms controlling regionalized cytodifferentiation of organ-specific epithelial cell types within the GI tract, concentrating on the stomach and small intestine. The delineation of GI epithelial patterning mechanisms in mice has provided fundamental knowledge to guide the development and refinement of three-dimensional GI organotypic culture models such as those derived from directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells and those derived directly from human tissue samples. Continued examination of these pathways will undoubtedly provide vital insights into the mechanisms of GI development and disease and may afford new avenues for innovative tissue engineering and personalized medicine approaches to treating GI diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cayla A Thompson
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Ann DeLaForest
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Michele A Battle
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
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siRNA Library Screening Identifies a Druggable Immune-Signature Driving Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Cell Growth. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 5:569-590. [PMID: 29930979 PMCID: PMC6009761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Effective therapeutic approaches are urgently required to tackle the alarmingly poor survival outcomes in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) patients. EAC originates from within the intestinal-type metaplasia, Barrett's esophagus, a condition arising on a background of gastroesophageal reflux disease and associated inflammation. METHODS This study used a druggable genome small interfering RNA (siRNA) screening library of 6022 siRNAs in conjunction with bioinformatics platforms, genomic studies of EAC tissues, somatic variation data of EAC from The Cancer Genome Atlas data of EAC, and pathologic and functional studies to define novel EAC-associated, and targetable, immune factors. RESULTS By using a druggable genome library we defined genes that sustain EAC cell growth, which included an unexpected immunologic signature. Integrating Cancer Genome Atlas data with druggable siRNA targets showed a striking concordance and an EAC-specific gene amplification event associated with 7 druggable targets co-encoded at Chr6p21.1. Over-representation of immune pathway-associated genes supporting EAC cell growth included leukemia inhibitory factor, complement component 1, q subcomponent A chain (C1QA), and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), which were validated further as targets sharing downstream signaling pathways through genomic and pathologic studies. Finally, targeting the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2-, C1q-, and leukemia inhibitory factor-activated signaling pathways (TYROBP-spleen tyrosine kinase and JAK-STAT3) with spleen tyrosine kinase and Janus-activated kinase inhibitor fostamatinib R788 triggered EAC cell death, growth arrest, and reduced tumor burden in NOD scid gamma mice. CONCLUSIONS These data highlight a subset of genes co-identified through siRNA targeting and genomic studies of expression and somatic variation, specifically highlighting the contribution that immune-related factors play in support of EAC development and suggesting their suitability as targets in the treatment of EAC.
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Key Words
- ATCC, American Type Culture Collection
- BE, Barrett’s esophagus
- Barrett’s Esophagus
- EAC, esophageal adenocarcinoma
- ERBB2, erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2
- ESCC, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
- Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
- FCS, fetal calf serum
- GEM, gene expression microarray
- GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease
- GO, gene ontology
- HGD, high-grade dysplastic
- IL, interleukin
- Inflammation
- JAK-STAT, Janus kinase/signal transducer-and-activator of transcription
- LIF, leukemia inhibitory factor
- MTT, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide
- PBS, phosphate-buffered saline
- RA, rheumatoid arthritis
- SV, somatic variation
- SYK, spleen tyrosine kinase
- TCGA, The Cancer Genome Atlas
- TREM2, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2
- Therapeutic Targets
- VEGFA, vascular endothelial growth factor A
- mRNA, messenger RNA
- siRNA, small interfering RNA
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Yuan Q, Cao G, Li J, Zhang Y, Yang W. MicroRNA-136 inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation and invasion through targeting liver receptor homolog-1/Wnt signaling. Gene 2017; 628:48-55. [PMID: 28710032 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of studies have reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the malignant behavior of colon cancer cells through directly targeting multiple tumor suppressors or oncogenes. The expression and role of miR-136 has been reported in several types of human cancer. However, the role of miR-136 in colon cancer remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression and function of miR-136 in colon cancer and the potential underlying mechanism. Here, we found that miR-136 was decreased in colon cancer cell lines and tissues. Overexpression of miR-136 inhibited the proliferation and invasion in SW480 and HCT116 cell lines while suppression of miR-136 exhibited the opposite effect. Liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1) was identified as a direct target gene of miR-136. Notably, miR-136 overexpression suppressed LRH-1 expression as well as Wnt signaling in SW480 and HCT116 cell lines. The miR-136 expression level inversely correlated with LRH-1 mRNA expression in colon cancer specimens. Moreover, overexpression of LRH-1 partially reversed the miR-136-induced antitumor effect in SW480 and HCT116 cell lines. Taken together, these findings suggest that miR-136 functions as a negative regulator in colon cancer progression by targeting LRH-1 and that miR-136 downregulation contributes to high expression of LRH-1 and aberrant activation of Wnt signaling, leaving open the possibility that miR-136 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinggong Yuan
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China
| | - Gang Cao
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China
| | - Junhui Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China
| | - Wenbin Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China.
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Furchtgott LA, Melton S, Menon V, Ramanathan S. Discovering sparse transcription factor codes for cell states and state transitions during development. eLife 2017; 6:e20488. [PMID: 28296636 PMCID: PMC5352226 DOI: 10.7554/elife.20488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Computational analysis of gene expression to determine both the sequence of lineage choices made by multipotent cells and to identify the genes influencing these decisions is challenging. Here we discover a pattern in the expression levels of a sparse subset of genes among cell types in B- and T-cell developmental lineages that correlates with developmental topologies. We develop a statistical framework using this pattern to simultaneously infer lineage transitions and the genes that determine these relationships. We use this technique to reconstruct the early hematopoietic and intestinal developmental trees. We extend this framework to analyze single-cell RNA-seq data from early human cortical development, inferring a neocortical-hindbrain split in early progenitor cells and the key genes that could control this lineage decision. Our work allows us to simultaneously infer both the identity and lineage of cell types as well as a small set of key genes whose expression patterns reflect these relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon A Furchtgott
- FAS Center for Systems Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
- Biophysics Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - Samuel Melton
- FAS Center for Systems Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - Vilas Menon
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, United States
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, United States
| | - Sharad Ramanathan
- FAS Center for Systems Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
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