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Shen SH, Chen SF, Guo JF, Wang ZX. The GGCT and REST positive feedback loop promotes tumor growth in Glioma. Transl Oncol 2024; 49:102083. [PMID: 39128259 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND γ-Glutamylcyclotransferase (GGCT), an enzyme crucial in glutathione metabolism, has emerged as a participant in tumorigenesis. The present study is designed to elucidate the biological role and molecular mechanisms underlying GGCT in glioma. METHODS Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA), and PrognoScan online databases were utilized to examine the expressions and clinical prognosis of GGCT and REST in glioma. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell, Wound healing, and Flow cytometric assays, and RNA-sequencing analysis were employed to uncover the molecular role of GGCT and REST. Prediction of Differentially expressed microRNA (DE-miRNAs) and miRNAs targeting GGCT 3' Untranslated Region (UTR) was performed using miRanda online datasets. Finally, Real time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR), western blot and dual luciferase reporter gene activity analysis were employed to confirm a positive feedback loop involving GGCT/REST/miR-34a-5p in glioma cells. RESULTS High expression of GGCT was correlated with poor prognosis in glioma. GGCT silencing demonstrated inhibitory effects on the proliferation, migration, and induction of apoptosis in T98G and U251 cells. Mechanistically, GGCT downregulated REST expression and modulated cancer-associated pathways in glioma cells. High expression of REST was associated with poor prognosis in glioma. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that REST overexpression restored the repression of proliferation, invasion, migration, and xenograft tumor formation induced by GGCT knockdown. Furthermore, the study uncovered that REST inhibited miR-34a-5p mRNA expression, and miR-34a-5p suppressed GGCT expression by targeting its 3'UTR, forming a positive regulatory loop in glioma. Notably, the inhibitor of miR-34a-5p restored the role of REST silencing in decreasing GGCT expression in glioma cells. CONCLUSIONS GGCT/REST/miR-34a-5p axis holds promising potential as a therapeutic target, offering a potential breakthrough in the treatment of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang-Hang Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China; School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Si-Fang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China
| | - Jian-Feng Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China
| | - Zhan-Xiang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China.
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2
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Perycz M, Dabrowski MJ, Jardanowska-Kotuniak M, Roura AJ, Gielniewski B, Stepniak K, Dramiński M, Ciechomska IA, Kaminska B, Wojtas B. Comprehensive analysis of the REST transcription factor regulatory networks in IDH mutant and IDH wild-type glioma cell lines and tumors. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2024; 12:72. [PMID: 38711090 PMCID: PMC11071216 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01779-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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) acts either as a repressor or activator of transcription depending on the genomic and cellular context. REST is a key player in brain cell differentiation by inducing chromatin modifications, including DNA methylation, in a proximity of its binding sites. Its dysfunction may contribute to oncogenesis. Mutations in IDH1/2 significantly change the epigenome contributing to blockade of cell differentiation and glioma development. We aimed at defining how REST modulates gene activation and repression in the context of the IDH mutation-related phenotype in gliomas. We studied the effects of REST knockdown, genome wide occurrence of REST binding sites, and DNA methylation of REST motifs in IDH wild type and IDH mutant gliomas. We found that REST target genes, REST binding patterns, and TF motif occurrence proximal to REST binding sites differed in IDH wild-type and mutant gliomas. Among differentially expressed REST targets were genes involved in glial cell differentiation and extracellular matrix organization, some of which were differentially methylated at promoters or gene bodies. REST knockdown differently impacted invasion of the parental or IDH1 mutant glioma cells. The canonical REST-repressed gene targets showed significant correlation with the GBM NPC-like cellular state. Interestingly, results of REST or KAISO silencing suggested the interplay between these TFs in regulation of REST-activated and repressed targets. The identified gene regulatory networks and putative REST cooperativity with other TFs, such as KAISO, show distinct REST target regulatory networks in IDH-WT and IDH-MUT gliomas, without concomitant DNA methylation changes. We conclude that REST could be an important therapeutic target in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Perycz
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Computational Biology Group, Institute of Computer Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michal J Dabrowski
- Computational Biology Group, Institute of Computer Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Jardanowska-Kotuniak
- Computational Biology Group, Institute of Computer Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Doctoral School of Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adria-Jaume Roura
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartlomiej Gielniewski
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Stepniak
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Dramiński
- Computational Biology Group, Institute of Computer Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona A Ciechomska
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bozena Kaminska
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz Wojtas
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
- Laboratory of Sequencing, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
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3
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Nassani R, Bokhari Y, Alrfaei BM. Molecular signature to predict quality of life and survival with glioblastoma using Multiview omics model. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287448. [PMID: 37972206 PMCID: PMC10653472 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients show a variety of signs and symptoms that affect their quality of life (QOL) and self-dependence. Since most existing studies have examined prognostic factors based only on clinical factors, there is a need to consider the value of integrating multi-omics data including gene expression and proteomics with clinical data in identifying significant biomarkers for GBM prognosis. Our research aimed to isolate significant features that differentiate between short-term (≤ 6 months) and long-term (≥ 2 years) GBM survival, and between high Karnofsky performance scores (KPS ≥ 80) and low (KPS ≤ 60), using the iterative random forest (iRF) algorithm. Using the Cancer Genomic Atlas (TCGA) database, we identified 35 molecular features composed of 19 genes and 16 proteins. Our findings propose molecular signatures for predicting GBM prognosis and will improve clinical decisions, GBM management, and drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayan Nassani
- Center for Computational Biology, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yahya Bokhari
- Department of AI and Bioinformatics, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Health Informatics, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bahauddeen M. Alrfaei
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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4
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Wang G, Yang X, Qi M, Li M, Dong M, Xu R, Zhang C. Systematic analysis identifies REST as an oncogenic and immunological biomarker in glioma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3023. [PMID: 36810892 PMCID: PMC9944962 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30248-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The repressor element 1 silencing transcription factor (REST) has been proposed to function as a transcription factor to silence gene transcription by binding to repressor element 1 (RE1), a highly conserved DNA motif. The functions of REST in various tumors have been studied, but its role and correlation with immune cell infiltration remains uncertain in gliomas. REST expression was analyzed in datasets of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) and validated by the Gene Expression Omnibus and Human Protein Atlas databases. The clinical prognosis of REST was evaluated by clinical survival data of TCGA cohort and validated by Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas cohort. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) contributing to REST overexpression in glioma were identified by a combination of a series of in silico analyses, including expression analysis, correlation analysis, and survival analysis. The correlations between immune cell infiltration level and REST expression were analyzed by TIMER2 and GEPIA2 tools. Enrichment analysis of REST was performed using STRING and Metascape tools. The expression and function of predicted upstream miRNAs at REST and their association with glioma malignancy and migration were also confirmed in glioma cell lines. REST was highly expressed and associated with poorer overall survival and disease-specific survival in glioma and some other tumors. MiR-105-5p and miR-9-5p were identified as the most potential upstream miRNAs of REST in glioma patient cohort and experiments in vitro. REST expression was positively correlated with infiltration of immune cells and the expression of immune checkpoints such as PD1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 in glioma. Furthermore, histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) was a potential REST-related gene in glioma. Enrichment analysis of REST found chromatin organization and histone modification were the most significant enriched terms, and Hedgehog-Gli pathway might be involved in the effect of REST on the pathogenesis of glioma. Our study suggests REST to be an oncogenic gene and the biomarker of poor prognosis in glioma. High REST expression might affect the tumor microenvironment of glioma. More basic experiments and large clinical trials aimed at the carcinogenetic study of REST in glioma will be needed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan Wang
- grid.452402.50000 0004 1808 3430Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250012 Shandong Province China
| | - Xiaxin Yang
- grid.452402.50000 0004 1808 3430Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250012 Shandong Province China
| | - Mei Qi
- grid.452402.50000 0004 1808 3430Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250012 Shandong Province China
| | - Meng Li
- grid.452402.50000 0004 1808 3430Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250012 Shandong Province China
| | - Meng Dong
- grid.452402.50000 0004 1808 3430Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250012 Shandong Province China
| | - Rui Xu
- grid.452402.50000 0004 1808 3430Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250012 Shandong Province China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong Province, China.
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Lei J, Song S, Chen Z, Shu S, Liu Q, Hu W. The protective mechanism of protein kinase R to inhibit neuronal ferroptosis in cerebral injury from subarachnoid hemorrhage. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2722. [PMID: 35894766 PMCID: PMC9392539 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2722] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the role and mechanism of protein kinase R (PKR) in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-mediated ferroptosis. METHODS A rat SAH model was constructed and treated with PKR inhibitor C16 to observe SAH and neurological impairment in rats and to detect malonaldehyde (MDA), iron ions content, ferritin heavy polypeptide 1 (FTH1) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and other related ferroptosis indicators in brain tissue. RNA sequencing analysis was used to investigate the mechanism of PKR, affecting the ferroptosis network of SAH. RESULTS SAH caused severe fundic hemorrhage, neurological impairment, MDA and iron ion accumulation, and significant decrease in GPX4 and FTH1 levels in rats. C16 treatment significantly improved the above signs caused by SAH. By RNA-seq analysis, brain tissue of SAH-treated rats with SAH and C16 differentially expressed mRNA target genes enriched in stress response and organic developmental signaling pathways. CONCLUSION Inhibition of PKR may improve cerebral injury after SAH by inhibiting ferroptosis, and RNA sequencing staged its mechanism of action may be related to the stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Lei
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shuxin Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zhihua Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Sihong Shu
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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Splicing is an alternate oncogenic pathway activation mechanism in glioma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:588. [PMID: 35102191 PMCID: PMC8803922 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28253-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade diffuse glioma (HGG) is the leading cause of brain tumour death. While the genetic drivers of HGG have been well described, targeting these has thus far had little impact on survival suggesting other mechanisms are at play. Here we interrogate the alternative splicing landscape of pediatric and adult HGG through multi-omic analyses, uncovering an increased splicing burden compared with normal brain. The rate of recurrent alternative splicing in cancer drivers exceeds their mutation rate, a pattern that is recapitulated in pan-cancer analyses, and is associated with worse prognosis in HGG. We investigate potential oncogenicity by interrogating cancer pathways affected by alternative splicing in HGG; spliced cancer drivers include members of the RAS/MAPK pathway. RAS suppressor neurofibromin 1 is differentially spliced to a less active isoform in >80% of HGG downstream from REST upregulation, activating the RAS/MAPK pathway and reducing glioblastoma patient survival. Overall, our results identify non-mutagenic mechanisms by which cancers activate oncogenic pathways which need to accounted for in personalized medicine approaches. Targeting genetic drivers of high grade diffuse glioma (HGG) has not improved patient survival, suggesting the involvement of other mechanisms. Here, across cancer types, the authors identify increased alternative splicing burden in cancer drivers compared to mutation rate as an alternative mechanism for activation of oncogenic pathways such as RAS/MAPK.
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7
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Multiregional Sequencing of IDH-WT Glioblastoma Reveals High Genetic Heterogeneity and a Dynamic Evolutionary History. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092044. [PMID: 33922652 PMCID: PMC8122908 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary brain malignancy in adults. In addition to extensive inter-patient heterogeneity, glioblastoma shows intra-tumor extensive cellular and molecular heterogeneity, both spatially and temporally. This heterogeneity is one of the main reasons for the poor prognosis and overall survival. Moreover, it raises the important question of whether the molecular characterization of a single biopsy sample, as performed in standard diagnostics, actually represents the entire lesion. In this study, we sequenced the whole exome of nine spatially different cancer regions of three primary glioblastomas. We characterized their mutational profiles and copy number alterations, with implications for our understanding of tumor biology in relation to clonal architecture and evolutionary dynamics, as well as therapeutically relevant alterations. Abstract Glioblastoma is one of the most common and lethal primary neoplasms of the brain. Patient survival has not improved significantly over the past three decades and the patient median survival is just over one year. Tumor heterogeneity is thought to be a major determinant of therapeutic failure and a major reason for poor overall survival. This work aims to comprehensively define intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity by mapping the genomic and mutational landscape of multiple areas of three primary IDH wild-type (IDH-WT) glioblastomas. Using whole exome sequencing, we explored how copy number variation, chromosomal and single loci amplifications/deletions, and mutational burden are spatially distributed across nine different tumor regions. The results show that all tumors exhibit a different signature despite the same diagnosis. Above all, a high inter-tumor heterogeneity emerges. The evolutionary dynamics of all identified mutations within each region underline the questionable value of a single biopsy and thus the therapeutic approach for the patient. Multiregional collection and subsequent sequencing are essential to try to address the clinical challenge of precision medicine. Especially in glioblastoma, this approach could provide powerful support to pathologists and oncologists in evaluating the diagnosis and defining the best treatment option.
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Vinchure OS, Whittemore K, Kushwah D, Blasco MA, Kulshreshtha R. miR-490 suppresses telomere maintenance program and associated hallmarks in glioblastoma. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:2299-2314. [PMID: 32970185 PMCID: PMC11073096 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03644-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive cancer of central nervous system with worst patient outcome. Telomere maintenance is a crucial mechanism governing GBM initiation and progression making it an attractive target. microRNAs (miRNAs) have shown therapeutic potential in GBM. Earlier, we showed miR-490 is downregulated in GBM patients and plays a tumor suppressive role. Here, we show that miR-490 regulates telomere maintenance program in GBM by directly targeting Telomeric Repeat-binding Factor 2 (TERF2) of the shelterin complex, Tankyrase 2 (TNKS2) and Serine/Threonine-protein kinase, SMG1. Overexpression of miR-490 resulted in effects characteristic to hampered telomere maintenance via TERF2 inhibition. These include induction of telomere dysfunction-induced foci and global DNA damage (53BP1 foci), along with an increase in p-γH2AX levels. Further, it led to inhibition of telomere maintenance hallmarks via reduced stemness (SOX2 and SOX4 downregulation) and induction of senescence (H3K9me3 marks gain and SIRT1 downregulation). It also initiated downstream DNA damage response (DDR) leading to p53 pathway activation. Moreover, microarray data analysis highlighted an overlap between miR-490 expression and REST-inhibition responses in GBM. Thus, miR-490-mediated targeting of telomere maintenance could be therapeutically important in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omkar Suhas Vinchure
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Kurt Whittemore
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Deependra Kushwah
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Maria A Blasco
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ritu Kulshreshtha
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India.
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Sabelström H, Petri R, Shchors K, Jandial R, Schmidt C, Sacheva R, Masic S, Yuan E, Fenster T, Martinez M, Saxena S, Nicolaides TP, Ilkhanizadeh S, Berger MS, Snyder EY, Weiss WA, Jakobsson J, Persson AI. Driving Neuronal Differentiation through Reversal of an ERK1/2-miR-124-SOX9 Axis Abrogates Glioblastoma Aggressiveness. Cell Rep 2020; 28:2064-2079.e11. [PMID: 31433983 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying cellular programs that drive cancers to be stem-like and treatment resistant is critical to improving outcomes in patients. Here, we demonstrate that constitutive extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation sustains a stem-like state in glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary malignant brain tumor. Pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 activation restores neurogenesis during murine astrocytoma formation, inducing neuronal differentiation in tumorspheres. Constitutive ERK1/2 activation globally regulates miRNA expression in murine and human GBMs, while neuronal differentiation of GBM tumorspheres following the inhibition of ERK1/2 activation requires the functional expression of miR-124 and the depletion of its target gene SOX9. Overexpression of miR124 depletes SOX9 in vivo and promotes a stem-like-to-neuronal transition, with reduced tumorigenicity and increased radiation sensitivity. Providing a rationale for reports demonstrating miR-124-induced abrogation of GBM aggressiveness, we conclude that reversal of an ERK1/2-miR-124-SOX9 axis induces a neuronal phenotype and that enforcing neuronal differentiation represents a therapeutic strategy to improve outcomes in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Sabelström
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Rebecca Petri
- Lab of Molecular Neurogenetics, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund 221 84, Sweden
| | - Ksenya Shchors
- ORD-Rinat, Pfizer, Inc., 230 East Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Rahul Jandial
- Division of Neurosurgery, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Christin Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Rohit Sacheva
- Lab of Molecular Neurogenetics, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund 221 84, Sweden
| | - Selma Masic
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Edith Yuan
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Trenten Fenster
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Michael Martinez
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Supna Saxena
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Theodore P Nicolaides
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Shirin Ilkhanizadeh
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Mitchel S Berger
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Evan Y Snyder
- Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, and Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - William A Weiss
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Johan Jakobsson
- Lab of Molecular Neurogenetics, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund 221 84, Sweden
| | - Anders I Persson
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery and Brain Tumor Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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Liang J, Zhao W, Lu C, Liu D, Li P, Ye X, Zhao Y, Zhang J, Yang D. Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis of ctDNA for the Detection of Glioma and Metastatic Brain Tumors in Adults. Front Neurol 2020; 11:544. [PMID: 32973641 PMCID: PMC7473301 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims: The next-generation sequencing technologies and their related assessments of circulating tumor DNA in both glioma and metastatic brain tumors remain largely limited. Methods: Based largely on a protocol approved by the institutional review board at Peking University International Hospital, the current retrospective, single-center study was conducted. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples or tumor tissues. With the application of NextSeq 500 instrument (Illumina), Sequencing was performed with an average coverage of 550-fold. Paired-end sequencing was employed utilized with an attempt to achieve improved sensitivity of duplicate detection and therefore to increase the detection reliability of possible fusions. Results: A total of 28 patients (21 men and 7 women) with brain tumors in the present study were involved in the study. The patients enrolled were assigned into two groups, including glioma group (n = 21) and metastatic brain tumor group (n = 7). The mean age of metastatic brain tumor group (59.86 ± 8.85 y), (43.65 ± 13.05 y) reported significantly higher results in comparison to that of glioma group (45.3 ± 12.3 years) (P < 0.05). The mutant genes in metastatic brain tumor group included ALK, MDM2, ATM, BRCA1, FGFR1, MDM4 and KRAS; however, there were no glioma-related mutant genes including MGMT, IDH1, IDH2, 1p/19q, and BRAF et al. Interesteringly, only two patient (28.3%) was detected blood ctDNA in metastatic brain tumor group; In contrast, blood ctDNA was found in ten glioma patients (47.6%) including 1p/19q, MDM2, ERBB2, IDH1, CDKN2A, CDK4, PDGFRA, CCNE1, MET. The characterizations of IDH mutations in the glioma included IDH1 mutation (p.R132H) and IDH2 mutation (p.R172K). The mutation rate of IDH in tumor tissues was 37.06 ± 8.32%, which was significantly higher than blood samples (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the mutant genes among glioma and metastatic brain tumors are shown to be different. Moreover, the ctDNAs in the metastatic brain tumors included ALK and MDM2, and glioma-related ctDNAs included 1p/19q and MDM2 followed by frequencies of ERBB2, IDH1, CDKN2A, CDK4, PDGFRA, CCNE1, MET. These ctDNAs might be biomarkers and therapeutic responders in brain tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wanni Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, China
| | - Changyu Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Danni Liu
- HaploX Biotechnology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xun Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanli Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Dong Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.,The 2nd People's Hospital of Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa, China
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11
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Marisetty AL, Lu L, Veo BL, Liu B, Coarfa C, Kamal MM, Kassem DH, Irshad K, Lu Y, Gumin J, Henry V, Paulucci-Holthauzen A, Rao G, Baladandayuthapani V, Lang FF, Fuller GN, Majumder S. REST-DRD2 mechanism impacts glioblastoma stem cell-mediated tumorigenesis. Neuro Oncol 2020; 21:775-785. [PMID: 30953587 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal, heterogeneous human brain tumor, with regulatory mechanisms that have yet to be fully characterized. Previous studies have indicated that the transcriptional repressor REST (repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor) regulates the oncogenic potential of GBM stem cells (GSCs) based on level of expression. However, how REST performs its regulatory role is not well understood. METHODS We examined 2 independent high REST (HR) GSC lines using genome-wide assays, biochemical validations, gene knockdown analysis, and mouse tumor models. We analyzed in-house patient tumors and patient data present in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). RESULTS Genome-wide transcriptome and DNA-binding analyses suggested the dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) gene, a dominant regulator of neurotransmitter signaling, as a direct target of REST. Biochemical analyses and mouse intracranial tumor models using knockdown of REST and double knockdown of REST and DRD2 validated this target and suggested that DRD2 is a downstream target of REST regulating tumorigenesis, at least in part, through controlling invasion and apoptosis. Further, TCGA GBM data support the presence of the REST-DRD2 axis and reveal that high REST/low DRD2 (HRLD) and low REST/high DRD2 (LRHD) tumors are specific subtypes, are molecularly different from the known GBM subtypes, and represent functional groups with distinctive patterns of enrichment of gene sets and biological pathways. The inverse HRLD/LRHD expression pattern is also seen in in-house GBM tumors. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that REST regulates neurotransmitter signaling pathways through DRD2 in HR-GSCs to impact tumorigenesis. They further suggest that the REST-DRD2 mechanism forms distinct subtypes of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anantha L Marisetty
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Li Lu
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Bethany L Veo
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Mohamed Mostafa Kamal
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Dina Hamada Kassem
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Khushboo Irshad
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Yungang Lu
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Joy Gumin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Verlene Henry
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Ganesh Rao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Frederick F Lang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gregory N Fuller
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sadhan Majumder
- Department of Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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12
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Liang J, Zhao W, Tong P, Li P, Zhao Y, Li H, Liang J. Comprehensive molecular characterization of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) for therapeutic targeting in cancer. BMC Med Genomics 2020; 13:7. [PMID: 31964418 PMCID: PMC6975060 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-020-0661-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are a family of antiapoptotic proteins modulating cell cycle, signal transduction and apoptosis. Dysregulated IAPs have been reported to contribute to tumor progression and chemoresistance in various cancers. However, existing studies were sporadic and only focus on one specific cancer with one particular gene in the IAPs family. A systematic investigation on the co-expression pattern, regulation frameworks on various pathways, prognostic utility on patient outcomes, and predictive value on drug sensitivity among all the IAPs across multiple tumor types was lacking. Methods Leveraging The Cancer Genome Atlas data with comprehensive genomic characterizations on 9714 patients across 32 tumor types and the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer data with both genomic characterizations and drug sensitivity data on > 1000 cell lines, we investigated the co-expression pattern of IAPs, their regulations of apoptosis as well as other pathways and clinical relevance of IAPs for therapeutics development. Results We discovered diverse expression pattern among IAPs, varied spectrum of apoptosis regulations through IAPs and extensive regulations beyond apoptosis involving immune response, cell cycle, gene expression and DNA damage repair. Importantly, IAPs were strong prognostic factors for patient survival and tumor stage in several tumor types including brain, liver, kidney, breast and lung cancer. Further, several IAPs were found to be predictive of sensitivity to BCL-2 inhibitors (BIRC3, BIRC5, BIRC6, and BIRC7) as well as RIPK1 inhibitors (BIRC3 and BIRC6). Conclusion Together, our work revealed the landscape of regulations, prognostic utilities and therapeutic relevance of IAPs across multiple tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University International Hospital, 1 Science Park Road, ZGC Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Wanni Zhao
- General Surgery Department, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.1 DaHua Road, Dong Dan, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Pan Tong
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, 389 Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065, China
| | - Yuanli Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University International Hospital, 1 Science Park Road, ZGC Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, 6 Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hua Li
- State Key laboratory for Oncogenes and Bio-ID Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Jun Liang
- Department of Oncology, Peking University International Hospital, 1 Science Park Road, ZGC Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China.
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13
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Liu Z, Che P, Mercado JJ, Hackney JR, Friedman GK, Zhang C, You Z, Zhao X, Ding Q, Kim K, Li H, Liu X, Markert JM, Nabors B, Gillespie GY, Zhao R, Han X. Characterization of iPSCs derived from low grade gliomas revealed early regional chromosomal amplifications during gliomagenesis. J Neurooncol 2019; 141:289-301. [PMID: 30460631 PMCID: PMC6344247 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-018-03047-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION IDH1 mutation has been identified as an early genetic event driving low grade gliomas (LGGs) and it has been proven to exerts a powerful epigenetic effect. Cells containing IDH1 mutation are refractory to epigenetical reprogramming to iPSC induced by expression of Yamanaka transcription factors, a feature that we employed to study early genetic amplifications or deletions in gliomagenesis. METHODS We made iPSC clones from freshly surgically resected IDH1 mutant LGGs by forced expression of Yamanaka transcription factors. We sequenced the IDH locus and analyzed the genetic composition of multiple iPSC clones by array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). RESULTS We hypothesize that the primary cell pool isolated from LGG tumor contains a heterogeneous population consisting tumor cells at various stages of tumor progression including cells with early genetic lesions if any prior to acquisition of IDH1 mutation. Because cells containing IDH1 mutation are refractory to reprogramming, we predict that iPSC clones should originate only from LGG cells without IDH1 mutation, i.e. cells prior to acquisition of IDH1 mutation. As expected, we found that none of the iPSC clones contains IDH1 mutation. Further analysis by aCGH of the iPSC clones reveals that they contain regional chromosomal amplifications which are also present in the primary LGG cells. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that there exists a subpopulation of cells harboring gene amplification but without IDH1 mutation in the LGG primary cell pool. Further analysis of TCGA LGG database demonstrates that these regional chromosomal amplifications are also present in some cases of low grade gliomas indicating they are reoccurring lesions in glioma albeit at a low frequency. Taken together, these data suggest that regional chromosomal alterations may exist prior to the acquisition of IDH mutations in at least some cases of LGGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Pulin Che
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Juan J Mercado
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - James R Hackney
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Gregory K Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, 55904, USA
| | - Zhiying You
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Xinyang Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Qiang Ding
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Kitai Kim
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, The Center for Cell Engineering, The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, 55904, USA
| | - Xiaoguang Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - James M Markert
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Burt Nabors
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - G Yancey Gillespie
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Rui Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Shelby 714, 1825 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
| | - Xiaosi Han
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1020 Faculty Office Tower, 510 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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14
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Shaik S, Kennis B, Maegawa S, Schadler K, Yanwen Y, Callegari K, Lulla RR, Goldman S, Nazarian J, Rajaram V, Fangusaro J, Gopalakrishnan V. REST upregulates gremlin to modulate diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma vasculature. Oncotarget 2018; 9:5233-5250. [PMID: 29435175 PMCID: PMC5797046 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a highly aggressive glial tumor that occurs in children. The extremely poor median and 5-year survival in children afflicted with DIPG highlights the need for novel biology-driven therapeutics. Here, we have implicated the chromatin remodeler and regulator of brain development called RE1 Silencing Transcription Factor (REST), in DIPG pathology. We show that REST protein is aberrantly elevated in at least 21% of DIPG tumors compared to normal controls. Its knockdown in DIPG cell lines diminished cell growth and decreased their tumorigenicity in mouse intracranial models. DIPGs are vascularized tumors and interestingly, REST loss in DIPG cells also caused a substantial decline in tumor vasculature as measured by a decrease in CD31 and VEGFR2 staining. These observations were validated in vitro, where a significant decline in tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was seen following REST-loss in DIPG cells. Mechanistically, REST controlled the secretion of a pro-angiogenic molecule and ligand for VEGFR2 called Gremlin-1 (GREM-1), and was associated with enhanced AKT activation. Importantly, the decline in tube formation caused by REST loss could be rescued by addition of recombinant GREM-1, which also caused AKT activation in HUVECs and human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs). In summary, our study is the first to demonstrate autocrine and paracrine functions for REST in DIPG development. It also provides the foundation for future investigations on anti-angiogenic therapies targeting GREM-1 in combination with drugs that target REST-associated chromatin remodeling activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shavali Shaik
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bridget Kennis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Shinji Maegawa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Keri Schadler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yang Yanwen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Keri Callegari
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rishi R. Lulla
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Stewart Goldman
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Javad Nazarian
- Department of Integrative Systems Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Veena Rajaram
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jason Fangusaro
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Vidya Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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