1
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Orman MV, Sreekanth V, Laajala TD, Cramer SD, Costello JC. ProstaMine: a bioinformatics tool for identifying subtype-specific co-alterations associated with aggressiveness in prostate cancer. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1360352. [PMID: 38751776 PMCID: PMC11094266 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1360352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men, marked by heterogeneous clinical and molecular characteristics. The complexity of the molecular landscape necessitates tools for identifying multi-gene co-alteration patterns that are associated with aggressive disease. The identification of such gene sets will allow for deeper characterization of the processes underlying prostate cancer progression and potentially lead to novel strategies for treatment. Methods We developed ProstaMine to systematically identify co-alterations associated with aggressiveness in prostate cancer molecular subtypes defined by high-fidelity alterations in primary prostate cancer. ProstaMine integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and clinical data from five primary and one metastatic prostate cancer cohorts to prioritize co-alterations enriched in metastatic disease and associated with disease progression. Results Integrated analysis of primary tumors defined a set of 17 prostate cancer alterations associated with aggressive characteristics. We applied ProstaMine to NKX3-1-loss and RB1-loss tumors and identified subtype-specific co-alterations associated with metastasis and biochemical relapse in these molecular subtypes. In NKX3-1-loss prostate cancer, ProstaMine identified novel subtype-specific co-alterations known to regulate prostate cancer signaling pathways including MAPK, NF-kB, p53, PI3K, and Sonic hedgehog. In RB1-loss prostate cancer, ProstaMine identified novel subtype-specific co-alterations involved in p53, STAT6, and MHC class I antigen presentation. Co-alterations impacting autophagy were noted in both molecular subtypes. Conclusion ProstaMine is a method to systematically identify novel subtype-specific co-alterations associated with aggressive characteristics in prostate cancer. The results from ProstaMine provide insights into potential subtype-specific mechanisms of prostate cancer progression which can be formed into testable experimental hypotheses. ProstaMine is publicly available at: https://bioinformatics.cuanschutz.edu/prostamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael V. Orman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Varsha Sreekanth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Teemu D. Laajala
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Scott D. Cramer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - James C. Costello
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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2
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Mendivelso González DF, Sánchez Villalobos SA, Ramos AE, Montero Ovalle WJ, Serrano López ML. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated with Prostate Cancer Progression: A Systematic Review. Cancer Invest 2024; 42:75-96. [PMID: 38055319 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2023.2291776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND New biomarkers of progression in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) are needed to improve their classification and clinical management. This systematic review investigated the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and PCa progression. METHODS A keyword search was performed in Pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane for publications between 2007 and 2022. We included articles with adjusted and significant associations, a median follow-up greater than or equal to 24 months, patients taken to radical prostatectomy (RP) as a first therapeutic option, and results presented based on biochemical recurrence (BCR). RESULTS In the 27 articles selected, 73 SNPs were identified in 39 genes, organized in seven functional groups. Of these, 50 and 23 SNPs were significantly associated with a higher and lower risk of PCa progression, respectively. Likewise, four haplotypes were found to have a significant association with PCa progression. CONCLUSION This article highlights the importance of SNPs as potential markers of PCa progression and their possible functional relationship with some genes relevant to its development and progression. However, most variants were identified only in cohorts from two countries; no additional studies reproduce these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Martha Lucía Serrano López
- Cancer Biology Research Group, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá, Colombia
- Department of Chemistry, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
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3
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Stangis MM, Colah AN, McLean DT, Halberg RB, Collier LS, Ricke WA. Potential roles of FGF5 as a candidate therapeutic target in prostate cancer. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL UROLOGY 2023; 11:452-466. [PMID: 38148937 PMCID: PMC10749387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is a secreted ligand that is widely expressed in embryonic tissues but its expression decreases with age. In the developing prostate, FGF5 has been proposed to interact with the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway to guide mitogenic processes. In the adult prostate, the FGF/FGFR signaling axis has been implicated in prostate carcinogenesis, but focused studies on FGF5 functions in the prostate are limited. Functional studies completed in other cancer models point towards FGF5 overexpression as an oncogenic driver associated with stemness, metastatic potential, proliferative capacity, and increased tumor grade. In this review, we explore the significance of FGF5 as a therapeutic target in prostate cancer (PCa) and other malignancies; and we introduce a potential route of investigation to link FGF5 to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PCa and BPH are two primary contributors to the disease burden of the aging male population and have severe implications on quality of life, psychological wellbeing, and survival. The development of new FGF5 inhibitors could potentially alleviate the health burden of PCa and BPH in the aging male population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary M Stangis
- Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI, USA
- Department of Oncology, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthMadison, WI, USA
| | - Avan N Colah
- Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI, USA
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI, USA
| | - Dalton T McLean
- Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI, USA
| | - Richard B Halberg
- Department of Oncology, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthMadison, WI, USA
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI, USA
| | - Lara S Collier
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI, USA
| | - William A Ricke
- Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI, USA
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI, USA
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4
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Jing J, Wu Z, Wang J, Luo G, Lin H, Fan Y, Zhou C. Hedgehog signaling in tissue homeostasis, cancers, and targeted therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:315. [PMID: 37596267 PMCID: PMC10439210 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01559-5] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The past decade has seen significant advances in our understanding of Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway in various biological events. HH signaling pathway exerts its biological effects through a complex signaling cascade involved with primary cilium. HH signaling pathway has important functions in embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. It plays a central role in the regulation of the proliferation and differentiation of adult stem cells. Importantly, it has become increasingly clear that HH signaling pathway is associated with increased cancer prevalence, malignant progression, poor prognosis and even increased mortality. Understanding the integrative nature of HH signaling pathway has opened up the potential for new therapeutic targets for cancer. A variety of drugs have been developed, including small molecule inhibitors, natural compounds, and long non-coding RNA (LncRNA), some of which are approved for clinical use. This review outlines recent discoveries of HH signaling in tissue homeostasis and cancer and discusses how these advances are paving the way for the development of new biologically based therapies for cancer. Furthermore, we address status quo and limitations of targeted therapies of HH signaling pathway. Insights from this review will help readers understand the function of HH signaling in homeostasis and cancer, as well as opportunities and challenges of therapeutic targets for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjun Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Zhuoxuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiahe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Guowen Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hengyi Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yi Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Chenchen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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5
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Hong SP, Kim KW, Ahn SK. Inhibition of GLI Transcriptional Activity and Prostate Cancer Cell Growth and Proliferation by DAX1. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:5347-5361. [PMID: 37504255 PMCID: PMC10378570 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45070339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays an essential role in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer. This is mediated by transcriptional factors belonging to the GLI (glioma-associated oncogene) family, which regulate downstream targets to drive prostate cancer progression. The activity of GLI proteins is tightly controlled by a range of mechanisms, including molecular interactions and post-translational modifications. In particular, mitogenic and oncogenic signaling pathways have been shown to regulate GLI protein activity independently of upstream Hh pathway signaling. Identifying GLI protein regulators is critical for the development of targeted therapies that can improve patient outcomes. This study aimed to identify a novel protein that directly regulates the activity of GLI transcription factors in prostate cancer. We performed gene expression, cellular analyses, and reporter assays to demonstrate that DAX1 (dosage-sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia congenital critical region on X chromosome, gene 1) interacts with GLI1 and GLI2, the master regulators of Hh signaling. Interestingly, DAX1 overexpression significantly inhibited Hh signaling by reducing GLI1 and GLI2 activity, prostate cancer cell proliferation, and viability. Our results shed light on a novel regulatory mechanism of Hh signaling in prostate cancer cells. The interaction between DAX1 and GLI transcription factors provides insight into the complex regulation of Hh signaling in prostate cancer. Given the importance of Hh signaling in prostate cancer progression, targeting DAX1-GLI interactions may represent a promising therapeutic approach against prostate cancer. Overall, this study provides new insights into the regulation of the Hh pathway and its role in prostate cancer progression. The findings suggest that DAX1 could serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Pyo Hong
- Institute for New Drug Development, Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Kil Won Kim
- Institute for New Drug Development, Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon Kil Ahn
- Institute for New Drug Development, Division of Life Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
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6
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Ramesh S, Selvakumar P, Ameer MY, Lian S, Abdullah Alzarooni AIM, Ojha S, Mishra A, Tiwari A, Kaushik A, Jung YD, Chouaib S, Lakshmanan VK. State-of-the-art therapeutic strategies for targeting cancer stem cells in prostate cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1059441. [PMID: 36969009 PMCID: PMC10035756 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1059441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of new therapeutic strategies is on the increase for prostate cancer stem cells, owing to current standardized therapies for prostate cancer, including chemotherapy, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), radiotherapy, and surgery, often failing because of tumor relapse ability. Ultimately, tumor relapse develops into advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), which becomes an irreversible and systemic disease. Hence, early identification of the intracellular components and molecular networks that promote prostate cancer is crucial for disease management and therapeutic intervention. One of the potential therapeutic methods for aggressive prostate cancer is to target prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs), which appear to be a primary focal point of cancer metastasis and recurrence and are resistant to standardized therapies. PCSCs have also been documented to play a major role in regulating tumorigenesis, sphere formation, and the metastasis ability of prostate cancer with their stemness features. Therefore, the current review highlights the origin and identification of PCSCs and their role in anti-androgen resistance, as well as stemness-related signaling pathways. In addition, the review focuses on the current advanced therapeutic strategies for targeting PCSCs that are helping to prevent prostate cancer initiation and progression, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), nanotechnology, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) gene-editing system, and photothermal ablation (PTA) therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saravanan Ramesh
- Prostate Cancer Biomarker Laboratory, Faculty of Clinical Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Preethi Selvakumar
- Prostate Cancer Biomarker Laboratory, Faculty of Clinical Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Mohamed Yazeer Ameer
- Prostate Cancer Biomarker Laboratory, Faculty of Clinical Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Sen Lian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | | | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anshuman Mishra
- Translational Research & Sustainable Healthcare Management, Institute of Advanced Materials, IAAM, Ulrika, Sweden
| | - Ashutosh Tiwari
- Translational Research & Sustainable Healthcare Management, Institute of Advanced Materials, IAAM, Ulrika, Sweden
| | - Ajeet Kaushik
- NanoBioTech Laboratory, Department of Environmental Engineering, Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, FL, United States
- School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun, India
| | - Young Do Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Salem Chouaib
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- INSERM UMR1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue Contre le Cancer, EPHE, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Vinoth-Kumar Lakshmanan
- Prostate Cancer Biomarker Laboratory, Faculty of Clinical Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
- Translational Research & Sustainable Healthcare Management, Institute of Advanced Materials, IAAM, Ulrika, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Vinoth-Kumar Lakshmanan,
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7
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Lotfi N, Yousefi Z, Golabi M, Khalilian P, Ghezelbash B, Montazeri M, Shams MH, Baghbadorani PZ, Eskandari N. The potential anti-cancer effects of quercetin on blood, prostate and lung cancers: An update. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1077531. [PMID: 36926328 PMCID: PMC10011078 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1077531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is caused by abnormal proliferation of cells and aberrant recognition of the immune system. According to recent studies, natural products are most likely to be effective at preventing cancer without causing any noticeable complications. Among the bioactive flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables, quercetin is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. This review aims to highlight the potential therapeutic effects of quercetin on some different types of cancers including blood, lung and prostate cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noushin Lotfi
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zahra Yousefi
- School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Marjan Golabi
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Parvin Khalilian
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Behrooz Ghezelbash
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mina Montazeri
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Shams
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | | | - Nahid Eskandari
- Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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8
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Feng Z, Zhu S, Li W, Yao M, Song H, Wang RB. Current approaches and strategies to identify Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors for cancer therapy. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114867. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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9
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Kilmister EJ, Koh SP, Weth FR, Gray C, Tan ST. Cancer Metastasis and Treatment Resistance: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer Stem Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112988. [PMID: 36428556 PMCID: PMC9687343 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112988] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer metastasis and treatment resistance are the main causes of treatment failure and cancer-related deaths. Their underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated and have been attributed to the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs)-a small population of highly tumorigenic cancer cells with pluripotency and self-renewal properties, at the apex of a cellular hierarchy. CSCs drive metastasis and treatment resistance and are sustained by a dynamic tumor microenvironment (TME). Numerous pathways mediate communication between CSCs and/or the surrounding TME. These include a paracrine renin-angiotensin system and its convergent signaling pathways, the immune system, and other signaling pathways including the Notch, Wnt/β-catenin, and Sonic Hedgehog pathways. Appreciation of the mechanisms underlying metastasis and treatment resistance, and the pathways that regulate CSCs and the TME, is essential for developing a durable treatment for cancer. Pre-clinical and clinical studies exploring single-point modulation of the pathways regulating CSCs and the surrounding TME, have yielded partial and sometimes negative results. This may be explained by the presence of uninhibited alternative signaling pathways. An effective treatment of cancer may require a multi-target strategy with multi-step inhibition of signaling pathways that regulate CSCs and the TME, in lieu of the long-standing pursuit of a 'silver-bullet' single-target approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabrina P. Koh
- Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
| | - Freya R. Weth
- Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
| | - Clint Gray
- Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
| | - Swee T. Tan
- Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
- Wellington Regional Plastic, Maxillofacial & Burns Unit, Hutt Hospital, Lower Hutt 5010, New Zealand
- Department of Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Correspondence:
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10
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Jiang J. Hedgehog signaling mechanism and role in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 85:107-122. [PMID: 33836254 PMCID: PMC8492792 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell communication through evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways governs embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. Deregulation of these signaling pathways has been implicated in a wide range of human diseases including cancer. One such pathway is the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, which was originally discovered in Drosophila and later found to play a fundamental role in human development and diseases. Abnormal Hh pathway activation is a major driver of basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and medulloblastoma. Hh exerts it biological influence through a largely conserved signal transduction pathway from the activation of the GPCR family transmembrane protein Smoothened (Smo) to the conversion of latent Zn-finger transcription factors Gli/Ci proteins from their repressor (GliR/CiR) to activator (GliA/CiA) forms. Studies from model organisms and human patients have provided deep insight into the Hh signal transduction mechanisms, revealed roles of Hh signaling in a wide range of human cancers, and suggested multiple strategies for targeting this pathway in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Jiang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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11
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Tesanovic S, Krenn PW, Aberger F. Hedgehog/GLI signaling in hematopoietic development and acute myeloid leukemia—From bench to bedside. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:944760. [PMID: 35990601 PMCID: PMC9388743 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.944760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
While the underlying genetic alterations and biology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive hematologic malignancy characterized by clonal expansion of undifferentiated myeloid cells, have been gradually unraveled in the last decades, translation into clinical treatment approaches has only just begun. High relapse rates remain a major challenge in AML therapy and are to a large extent attributed to the persistence of treatment-resistant leukemic stem cells (LSCs). The Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway is crucial for the development and progression of multiple cancer stem cell driven tumors, including AML, and has therefore gained interest as a therapeutic target. In this review, we give an overview of the major components of the HH signaling pathway, dissect HH functions in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, and specifically elaborate on the role of HH signaling in AML pathogenesis and resistance. Furthermore, we summarize preclinical and clinical HH inhibitor studies, leading to the approval of the HH pathway inhibitor glasdegib, in combination with low-dose cytarabine, for AML treatment.
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12
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Vecchiotti D, Verzella D, Di Vito Nolfi M, D’Andrea D, Flati I, Di Francesco B, Cornice J, Alesse E, Capece D, Zazzeroni F. Elevated NF-κB/SHh/GLI1 Signature Denotes a Worse Prognosis and Represent a Novel Potential Therapeutic Target in Advanced Prostate Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132118. [PMID: 35805202 PMCID: PMC9266159 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequent cancer in men worldwide. NF-κB seems to play a key role in cell survival, proliferation and invasion, sustaining the heterogeneous multifocal nature of PCa. In recent years, the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has attracted attention as a therapeutic target due to its implication in tumorigenesis and metastasis in several types of cancer, including PCa. Although it is well-known that Sonic Hedgehog (SHh) is a transcriptional target of NF-κB(p65), and that GLI1 is the effector of this crosstalk, the precise role played by this axis in PCa is still not completely clear. Here, we set out to explore the correlation between NF-κB activation and SHh pathways in PCa, investigating if the interplay between NF-κB(p65) and SHh-GLI1 in advanced PCa could be a prospective therapeutic target. Our findings demonstrate that a NF-κB-SHh-GLI1 gene signature is enriched in PCa patients featuring a higher Gleason score. Moreover, elevated levels of this signature are associated with worse prognosis, thus suggesting that this axis could provide a route to treat aggressive PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Vecchiotti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (D.V.); (D.V.); (M.D.V.N.); (I.F.); (B.D.F.); (J.C.); (E.A.); (F.Z.)
| | - Daniela Verzella
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (D.V.); (D.V.); (M.D.V.N.); (I.F.); (B.D.F.); (J.C.); (E.A.); (F.Z.)
| | - Mauro Di Vito Nolfi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (D.V.); (D.V.); (M.D.V.N.); (I.F.); (B.D.F.); (J.C.); (E.A.); (F.Z.)
| | - Daniel D’Andrea
- Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Centre, College of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton NG11 8NS, UK;
| | - Irene Flati
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (D.V.); (D.V.); (M.D.V.N.); (I.F.); (B.D.F.); (J.C.); (E.A.); (F.Z.)
| | - Barbara Di Francesco
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (D.V.); (D.V.); (M.D.V.N.); (I.F.); (B.D.F.); (J.C.); (E.A.); (F.Z.)
| | - Jessica Cornice
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (D.V.); (D.V.); (M.D.V.N.); (I.F.); (B.D.F.); (J.C.); (E.A.); (F.Z.)
| | - Edoardo Alesse
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (D.V.); (D.V.); (M.D.V.N.); (I.F.); (B.D.F.); (J.C.); (E.A.); (F.Z.)
| | - Daria Capece
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (D.V.); (D.V.); (M.D.V.N.); (I.F.); (B.D.F.); (J.C.); (E.A.); (F.Z.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Francesca Zazzeroni
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences (DISCAB), University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy; (D.V.); (D.V.); (M.D.V.N.); (I.F.); (B.D.F.); (J.C.); (E.A.); (F.Z.)
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13
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Kandel N, Wang C. Hedgehog Autoprocessing: From Structural Mechanisms to Drug Discovery. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:900560. [PMID: 35669560 PMCID: PMC9163320 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.900560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays pivotal roles in embryonic development. In adults, Hh signaling is mostly turned off but its abnormal activation is involved in many types of cancer. Hh signaling is initiated by the Hh ligand, generated from the Hh precursor by a specialized autocatalytic process called Hh autoprocessing. The Hh precursor consists of an N-terminal signaling domain (HhN) and a C-terminal autoprocessing domain (HhC). During Hh autoprocessing, the precursor is cleaved between N- and C-terminal domain followed by the covalent ligation of cholesterol to the last residue of HhN, which subsequently leads to the generation of Hh ligand for Hh signaling. Hh autoprocessing is at the origin of canonical Hh signaling and precedes all downstream signaling events. Mutations in the catalytic residues in HhC can lead to congenital defects such as holoprosencephaly (HPE). The aim of this review is to provide an in-depth summary of the progresses and challenges towards an atomic level understanding of the structural mechanisms of Hh autoprocessing. We also discuss drug discovery efforts to inhibit Hh autoprocessing as a new direction in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabin Kandel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Chunyu Wang,
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14
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Song J, Ge Y, Sun X, Guan Q, Gong S, Wei M, Niu J, Zhao L. Noncoding RNAs related to the hedgehog pathway in cancer: clinical implications and future perspectives. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:115. [PMID: 35581586 PMCID: PMC9112456 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01591-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a type of malignant affliction threatening human health worldwide; however, the molecular mechanism of cancer pathogenesis remains to be elusive. The oncogenic hedgehog (Hh) pathway is a highly evolutionarily conserved signaling pathway in which the hedgehog-Patched complex is internalized to cellular lysosomes for degradation, resulting in the release of Smoothened inhibition and producing downstream intracellular signals. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) with diversified regulatory functions have the potency of controlling cellular processes. Compelling evidence reveals that Hh pathway, ncRNAs, or their crosstalk play complicated roles in the initiation, metastasis, apoptosis and drug resistance of cancer, allowing ncRNAs related to the Hh pathway to serve as clinical biomarkers for targeted cancer therapy. In this review, we attempt to depict the multiple patterns of ncRNAs in the progression of malignant tumors via interactions with the Hh crucial elements in order to better understand the complex regulatory mechanism, and focus on Hh associated ncRNA therapeutics aimed at boosting their application in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Song
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuexin Ge
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiutong Guan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiqiang Gong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China
| | - Minjie Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China.,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China.,Shenyang Kangwei Medical Laboratory Analysis Co. LTD, Shenyang, 110000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jumin Niu
- Department of Gynecology, Shenyang Women's and Children's Hospital, Shenyang, 110011, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lin Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China. .,Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-Tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Zhang HB, Ding XB, Jin J, Guo WP, Yang QL, Chen PC, Yao H, Ruan L, Tao YT, Chen X. Predicted mouse interactome and network-based interpretation of differentially expressed genes. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264174. [PMID: 35390003 PMCID: PMC8989236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The house mouse or Mus musculus has become a premier mammalian model for genetic research due to its genetic and physiological similarities to humans. It brought mechanistic insights into numerous human diseases and has been routinely used to assess drug efficiency and toxicity, as well as to predict patient responses. To facilitate molecular mechanism studies in mouse, we present the Mouse Interactome Database (MID, Version 1), which includes 155,887 putative functional associations between mouse protein-coding genes inferred from functional association evidence integrated from 9 public databases. These putative functional associations are expected to cover 19.32% of all mouse protein interactions, and 26.02% of these function associations may represent protein interactions. On top of MID, we developed a gene set linkage analysis (GSLA) web tool to annotate potential functional impacts from observed differentially expressed genes. Two case studies show that the MID/GSLA system provided precise and informative annotations that other widely used gene set annotation tools, such as PANTHER and DAVID, did not. Both MID and GSLA are accessible through the website http://mouse.biomedtzc.cn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Bo Zhang
- Institute of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, School of Electronics & Information Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Xiao-Bao Ding
- Institute of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, School of Electronics & Information Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Jie Jin
- Institute of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, School of Electronics & Information Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Wen-Ping Guo
- Institute of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, School of Electronics & Information Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Qiao-Lei Yang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng-Cheng Chen
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Heng Yao
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Ruan
- Institute of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, School of Electronics & Information Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Yu-Tian Tao
- Institute of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, School of Electronics & Information Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
- * E-mail: (YTT); (XC)
| | - Xin Chen
- Institute of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, School of Electronics & Information Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Joint Institute for Genetics and Genome Medicine between Zhejiang University and University of Toronto, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (YTT); (XC)
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16
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Oh JM, Rajendran RL, Gangadaran P, Hong CM, Jeong JH, Lee J, Ahn BC. Targeting GLI1 Transcription Factor for Restoring Iodine Avidity with Redifferentiation in Radioactive-Iodine Refractory Thyroid Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071782. [PMID: 35406554 PMCID: PMC8997411 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Thyroid cancers have an excellent prognosis by standard therapy of surgery followed by radioactive-iodine therapy. However, metastatic thyroid cancers do not response to radioactive-iodine therapy by losing iodine avidity. Therefore, reversing iodine avidity to metastatic thyroid cancers gives a new chance of applying radioactive-iodine therapy to the cancers. In the current study, we found that GLI1 knockdown can revert iodine non-avid thyroid cancers to iodine avid cancers by increasing expression of thyroid-specific proteins. Restoration of iodine avidity in thyroid cancers makes the cancers sensitive to radioactive-iodine therapy again. Therefore, the GLI1 can be a potential therapeutic target of radioactive-iodine resistant thyroid cancers. Abstract Radioactive-iodine (RAI) therapy is the mainstay for patients with recurrent and metastatic thyroid cancer. However, many patients exhibit dedifferentiation characteristics along with lack of sodium iodide symporter (NIS) functionality, low expression of thyroid-specific proteins, and poor RAI uptake, leading to poor prognosis. Previous studies have demonstrated the effect of GLI family zinc finger 1 (GLI1) inhibition on tumor growth and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the role of GLI1 in the context of redifferentiation and improvement in the efficacy of RAI therapy for thyroid cancer. We evaluated GLI1 expression in several thyroid cancer cell lines and selected TPC-1 and SW1736 cell lines showing the high expression of GLI. We performed GLI1 knockdown and evaluated the changes of thyroid-specific proteins expression, RAI uptake and I-131-mediated cytotoxicity. The effect of GANT61 (GLI1 inhibitor) on endogenous NIS expression was also assessed. Endogenous NIS expression upregulated by inhibiting GLI1, in addition, increased expression level in plasma membrane. Also, GLI1 knockdown increased expression of thyroid-specific proteins. Restoration of thyroid-specific proteins increased RAI uptake and I-131-mediated cytotoxic effect. Treatment with GANT61 also increased expression of endogenous NIS. Targeting GLI1 can be a potential strategy with redifferentiation for restoring RAI avidity in dedifferentiated thyroid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Min Oh
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea; (J.M.O.); (R.L.R.); (P.G.); (C.M.H.); (J.L.)
| | - Ramya Lakshmi Rajendran
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea; (J.M.O.); (R.L.R.); (P.G.); (C.M.H.); (J.L.)
| | - Prakash Gangadaran
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea; (J.M.O.); (R.L.R.); (P.G.); (C.M.H.); (J.L.)
- BK21 FOUR KNU Convergence Educational Program of Biomedical Sciences for Creative Future Talents, Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea
| | - Chae Moon Hong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea; (J.M.O.); (R.L.R.); (P.G.); (C.M.H.); (J.L.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Korea; zzu--@hanmail.net
| | - Ju Hye Jeong
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Korea; zzu--@hanmail.net
| | - Jaetae Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea; (J.M.O.); (R.L.R.); (P.G.); (C.M.H.); (J.L.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Korea; zzu--@hanmail.net
| | - Byeong-Cheol Ahn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea; (J.M.O.); (R.L.R.); (P.G.); (C.M.H.); (J.L.)
- BK21 FOUR KNU Convergence Educational Program of Biomedical Sciences for Creative Future Talents, Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Korea; zzu--@hanmail.net
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-53-420-5583
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17
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Zhang X, Liu Q, Zhang T, Gao P, Wang H, Yao L, Huang J, Jiang S. Bone-targeted nanoplatform enables efficient modulation of bone tumor microenvironment for prostate cancer bone metastasis treatment. Drug Deliv 2022; 29:889-905. [PMID: 35285760 PMCID: PMC8928789 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2050845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
As there is currently no effective therapy for patients with prostate cancer (PCa) bone metastasis, it was stringent to explore the relevant treatment strategies. Actually, the interaction between cancer cells and bone microenvironment plays important role in prostate cancer bone metastasis, especially the Sonic hedgehog protein (SHH) signaling in the bone microenvironment. The SHH promotes osteoblast maturation and osteoblast then secretes RANKL to induce osteoclastogenesis. Herein, this study develops bone-targeting calcium phosphate lipid hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with docetaxel (DTXL) and SHH siRNA for PCa bone metastasis treatment. For bone targeting purposes, the nanoplatform was modified with alendronate (ALN). (DTXL + siRNA)@NPs-ALN NPs effectively change the bone microenvironment by inhibiting the SHH paracrine and autocrine signaling, enhancing the anti-tumor effects of DTXL. Besides showing good in vitro cellular uptake, the NPs-ALN also inhibited tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and autophagy. This DDS comprised of (DTXL + siRNA)-loaded NPs provides an excellent strategy to treat PCa bone metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Zhang
- Postdoctoral of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Department of Pathology, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qingbin Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Pei Gao
- Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Lu Yao
- Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Jingwen Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Shulong Jiang
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining No. 1 People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
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18
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Rota Graziosi E, François S, Pateux J, Gauthier M, Butigieg X, Oger M, Drouet M, Riccobono D, Jullien N. Muscle regeneration after high-dose radiation exposure: therapeutic potential of Hedgehog pathway modulation? Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 98:968-979. [PMID: 34879217 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.2013574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Intentional or accidental exposure of relatively large as well as localized areas of the skin to ionizing radiation can lead to severe damage of many of its cellular components and cutaneous radiation syndrome. Patients can be treated with an invasive surgical procedure coupled with autologous cell therapy. However, this approach remains perfectible, especially for muscle repair. Indeed, a severe underlying muscle defect persists, in particular because of the damage to the satellite cells which ensure muscle regeneration. To overcome these shortcomings, a solution could be to develop new therapeutic strategies based on pharmacological treatments to improve post-irradiation muscle regeneration. In this study, we focus on the Hedgehog signaling pathway as a target, due to its involvement in myogenesis.Materials and methods: To evaluate the benefit of the pro-myogenic Hedgehog signaling pathway modulation, recombinant Sonic Hedgehog (rShh; agonist) or Cyclopamine (antagonist) were used in a stable cell line of mouse C2C12 myoblasts exposed to radiation (X-rays; 5 Gy). Our in vitro studies were carried out under either proliferation or differentiation conditions. Proliferation, migration, survival (apoptosis) and expression of myogenic genes/proteins were evaluated.Results: A high dose of radiation was shown to exert a serious negative impact in our in vitro model of mouse muscle progenitors after irradiation in proliferation or differentiation conditions. Interestingly, Hh pathway stimulation by rShh promotes the proliferation of myoblasts and their survival while its blockade by Cyclopamine significantly increases cell differentiation toward mature myotubes.Conclusion: These data suggest that, after irradiation, the sequence of activation and inhibition of the Hh pathway could allow rescue and proliferation of satellite cells, followed by their differentiation to regenerate new fibers. On the basis of these encouraging in vitro results, the second phase of our study will involve the in vivo validation of this treatment in a new murine model of ultra-localized muscle irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Rota Graziosi
- Département des Effets Biologiques des Rayonnements, Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armées (IRBA), Unité de Radiobiologie, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - S François
- Département des Effets Biologiques des Rayonnements, Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armées (IRBA), Unité de Radiobiologie, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France.,UMR 1296, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) and IRBA, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - J Pateux
- Département des Effets Biologiques des Rayonnements, Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armées (IRBA), Unité de Radiobiologie, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M Gauthier
- Département des Effets Biologiques des Rayonnements, Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armées (IRBA), Unité de Radiobiologie, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - X Butigieg
- Département des Plateformes et de la Recherche Technologique, Institut de Recherche Biomédical des Armées (IRBA), Unité Imagerie, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M Oger
- Département des Plateformes et de la Recherche Technologique, Institut de Recherche Biomédical des Armées (IRBA), Unité Imagerie, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - M Drouet
- Département des Effets Biologiques des Rayonnements, Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armées (IRBA), Unité de Radiobiologie, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France.,UMR 1296, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) and IRBA, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - D Riccobono
- Département des Effets Biologiques des Rayonnements, Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armées (IRBA), Unité de Radiobiologie, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France.,UMR 1296, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) and IRBA, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - N Jullien
- Département des Effets Biologiques des Rayonnements, Institut de Recherche Biomedicale des Armées (IRBA), Unité de Radiobiologie, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
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Pakvasa M, Tucker AB, Shen T, He TC, Reid RR. The Pleiotropic Intricacies of Hedgehog Signaling: From Craniofacial Patterning to Carcinogenesis. FACE (THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.) 2021; 2:260-274. [PMID: 35812774 PMCID: PMC9268505 DOI: 10.1177/27325016211024326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Hedgehog signaling was discovered more than 40 years ago in experiments demonstrating that it is a fundamental mediator of limb development. Since that time, it has been shown to be important in development, homeostasis, and disease. The hedgehog pathway proceeds through a pathway highly conserved throughout animals beginning with the extracellular diffusion of hedgehog ligands, proceeding through an intracellular signaling cascade, and ending with the activation of specific target genes. A vast amount of research has been done elucidating hedgehog signaling mechanisms and regulation. This research has found a complex system of genetics and signaling that helps determine how organisms develop and function. This review provides an overview of what is known about hedgehog genetics and signaling, followed by an in-depth discussion of the role of hedgehog signaling in craniofacial development and carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Pakvasa
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
- Molecular Oncology Lab, Department of Orthopedic Surgery & Rehabilitation Medicine,University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Andrew B. Tucker
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
- Molecular Oncology Lab, Department of Orthopedic Surgery & Rehabilitation Medicine,University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Timothy Shen
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Tong-Chuan He
- Molecular Oncology Lab, Department of Orthopedic Surgery & Rehabilitation Medicine,University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Russell R. Reid
- Molecular Oncology Lab, Department of Orthopedic Surgery & Rehabilitation Medicine,University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
- Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
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20
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Trnski D, Sabol M, Tomić S, Štefanac I, Mrčela M, Musani V, Rinčić N, Kurtović M, Petrić T, Levanat S, Ozretić P. SHH-N non-canonically sustains androgen receptor activity in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14880. [PMID: 34290270 PMCID: PMC8295376 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93971-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the second most frequent cancer diagnosed in men worldwide. Localized disease can be successfully treated, but advanced cases are more problematic. After initial effectiveness of androgen deprivation therapy, resistance quickly occurs. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of Hedgehog-GLI (HH-GLI) signaling in sustaining androgen-independent growth of prostate cancer cells. We found various modes of HH-GLI signaling activation in prostate cancer cells depending on androgen availability. When androgen was not deprived, we found evidence of non-canonical SMO signaling through the SRC kinase. After short-term androgen deprivation canonical HH-GLI signaling was activated, but we found little evidence of canonical HH-GLI signaling activity in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. We show that in androgen-independent cells the pathway ligand, SHH-N, non-canonically binds to the androgen receptor through its cholesterol modification. Inhibition of this interaction leads to androgen receptor signaling downregulation. This implies that SHH-N activates the androgen receptor and sustains androgen-independence. Targeting this interaction might prove to be a valuable strategy for advanced prostate cancer treatment. Also, other non-canonical aspects of this signaling pathway should be investigated in more detail and considered when developing potential therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Trnski
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Maja Sabol
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sanja Tomić
- Laboratory for Protein Biochemistry and Molecular Modelling, Division of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Ivan Štefanac
- Primary Health Care Center Osijek, Park kralja Petra Krešimira IV 6, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Milanka Mrčela
- Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Hospital Centre Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vesna Musani
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikolina Rinčić
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matea Kurtović
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tina Petrić
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sonja Levanat
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Petar Ozretić
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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21
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Cong Q, Liu Y, Zhou T, Zhou Y, Xu R, Cheng C, Chung HS, Yan M, Zhou H, Liao Z, Gao B, Bocobo GA, Covington TA, Song HJ, Su P, Yu PB, Yang Y. A self-amplifying loop of YAP and SHH drives formation and expansion of heterotopic ossification. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:13/599/eabb2233. [PMID: 34162750 PMCID: PMC8638088 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abb2233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Heterotopic ossification (HO) occurs as a common complication after injury or in genetic disorders. The mechanisms underlying HO remain incompletely understood, and there are no approved prophylactic or secondary treatments available. Here, we identify a self-amplifying, self-propagating loop of Yes-associated protein (YAP)-Sonic hedgehog (SHH) as a core molecular mechanism underlying diverse forms of HO. In mouse models of progressive osseous heteroplasia (POH), a disease caused by null mutations in GNAS, we found that Gnas-/- mesenchymal cells secreted SHH, which induced osteoblast differentiation of the surrounding wild-type cells. We further showed that loss of Gnas led to activation of YAP transcription activity, which directly drove Shh expression. Secreted SHH further induced YAP activation, Shh expression, and osteoblast differentiation in surrounding wild-type cells. This self-propagating positive feedback loop was both necessary and sufficient for HO expansion and could act independently of Gnas in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), another genetic HO, and nonhereditary HO mouse models. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of YAP or SHH abolished HO in POH and FOP and acquired HO mouse models without affecting normal bone homeostasis, providing a previously unrecognized therapeutic rationale to prevent, reduce, and shrink HO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Cong
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 188 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 188 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Taifeng Zhou
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 188 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yaxing Zhou
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 188 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ruoshi Xu
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 188 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Caiqi Cheng
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 188 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hye Soo Chung
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 188 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Meijun Yan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hang Zhou
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhiheng Liao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Bo Gao
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 188 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Geoffrey A Bocobo
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Taylor A Covington
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hyeon Ju Song
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peiqiang Su
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Paul B Yu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yingzi Yang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 188 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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22
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Papanikolaou S, Vourda A, Syggelos S, Gyftopoulos K. Cell Plasticity and Prostate Cancer: The Role of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Tumor Progression, Invasion, Metastasis and Cancer Therapy Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112795. [PMID: 34199763 PMCID: PMC8199975 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Although epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-known cellular process involved during normal embryogenesis and wound healing, it also has a dark side; it is a complex process that provides tumor cells with a more aggressive phenotype, facilitating tumor metastasis and even resistance to therapy. This review focuses on the key pathways of EMT in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer and the development of metastases and evasion of currently available treatments. Abstract Prostate cancer, the second most common malignancy in men, is characterized by high heterogeneity that poses several therapeutic challenges. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic, reversible cellular process which is essential in normal embryonic morphogenesis and wound healing. However, the cellular changes that are induced by EMT suggest that it may also play a central role in tumor progression, invasion, metastasis, and resistance to current therapeutic options. These changes include enhanced motility and loss of cell–cell adhesion that form a more aggressive cellular phenotype. Moreover, the reverse process (MET) is a necessary element of the metastatic tumor process. It is highly probable that this cell plasticity reflects a hybrid state between epithelial and mesenchymal status. In this review, we describe the underlying key mechanisms of the EMT-induced phenotype modulation that contribute to prostate tumor aggressiveness and cancer therapy resistance, in an effort to provide a framework of this complex cellular process.
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23
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Avery JT, Zhang R, Boohaker RJ. GLI1: A Therapeutic Target for Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:673154. [PMID: 34113570 PMCID: PMC8186314 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.673154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
GLI1 is a transcriptional effector at the terminal end of the Hedgehog signaling (Hh) pathway and is tightly regulated during embryonic development and tissue patterning/differentiation. GLI1 has low-level expression in differentiated tissues, however, in certain cancers, aberrant activation of GLI1 has been linked to the promotion of numerous hallmarks of cancer, such as proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, metastasis, metabolic rewiring, and chemotherapeutic resistance. All of these are driven, in part, by GLI1’s role in regulating cell cycle, DNA replication and DNA damage repair processes. The consequences of GLI1 oncogenic activity, specifically the activity surrounding DNA damage repair proteins, such as NBS1, and cell cycle proteins, such as CDK1, can be linked to tumorigenesis and chemoresistance. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms driving GLI1 dysregulation can provide prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers to identify a patient population that would derive therapeutic benefit from either direct inhibition of GLI1 or targeted therapy towards proteins downstream of GLI1 regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin T Avery
- Oncology Department, Drug Discovery Division, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Ruowen Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Rebecca J Boohaker
- Oncology Department, Drug Discovery Division, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, United States
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24
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Acikgoz E, Mukhtarova G, Alpay A, Avci CB, Bagca BG, Oktem G. Sonic hedgehog signaling is associated with resistance to zoledronic acid in CD133high/CD44high prostate cancer stem cells. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:3567-3578. [PMID: 33948856 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06387-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a unique population that has been linked to drug resistance and metastasis and recurrence of prostate cancer. The sonic hedgehog (SHH) signal regulates stem cells in normal prostate epithelium by affecting cell behavior, survival, proliferation, and maintenance. Aberrant SHH pathway activation leads to an unsuitable expansion of stem cell lineages in the prostate epithelium and the transformation of prostate CSCs (PCSCs). Zoledronic acid (ZOL), one of the third-generation bisphosphonates, effectively prevented bone metastasis and treated advanced prostate cancer despite androgen deprivation therapy. Despite strong evidence for the involvement of the SHH in human PCSCs survival and drug resistance, the roles of SHH in the PCSCs-related resistance to ZOL remain to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the role of the SHH pathway in ZOL resistance of PCSCs in 2D and three 3D cell culture conditions. For this purpose, we isolated CD133high/ CD44high PCSCs using a flow cytometer. Following ZOL treatment, mRNA and protein expressions of the components of the SHH signaling pathway in PCSCs and non-CSCs were analyzed using qRT-PCR and Immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Our finding suggested that SHH signaling may be activated by different mechanisms that lead to avoidance of the inhibition effect of ZOL. Thereby, SHH pathways may be associated with the resistance to ZOL developed by prostate CSCs. Inhibition of CSCs-related SHH signaling along with ZOL treatment should be considered to achieve improvement in survival or delayed treatment failure and prevention of the CSCs-related drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eda Acikgoz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, 65080, Turkey.
| | - Gunel Mukhtarova
- Department of Medical Genetics, Ege University Medical School, İzmir, 35080, Turkey.,Department of Basic Oncology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ege University, Izmir, 35080, Turkey
| | - Araz Alpay
- Department of Health Bioinformatics, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ege University, Izmir, 35080, Turkey
| | - Cigir Biray Avci
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, 35080, Turkey
| | - Bakiye Goker Bagca
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, 35080, Turkey
| | - Gulperi Oktem
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, 35080, Turkey.,Department of Stem Cell, Institute of Health Science, Ege University, Izmir, 35080, Turkey
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25
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The Effect of Quercetin Nanosuspension on Prostate Cancer Cell Line LNCaP via Hedgehog Signaling Pathway. Rep Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 10:69-75. [PMID: 34277870 DOI: 10.52547/rbmb.10.1.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer death in American population. In this manner, novel therapeutic approaches for identification of therapeutic targets for PCa has significant clinical implications. Quercetin is a potent cancer therapeutic agent and dietary antioxidant present in fruit and vegetables. Methods To investigate the underlying mechanism by which the PCa was regulated, nanoparticles of quercetin were administrated to cells. For in vitro experiments, human PCa cell line LNCaP were involved. Cell viability assay and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) for hedgehog signaling pathway genes were used to determine the key signaling pathway regulated for PCa progression. Results The cell viability gradually decreased with increased concentration of quercetin nanoparticles. At 48 h, 40 mM concentration of quercetin treatment showed near 50% of viable cells. Quercetin nanoparticles upregulates Su(Fu) mRNA expressions and downregulates gli mRNA expressions in the LNCaP cells. Conclusion The results showed that the hedgehog signaling targeted inhibition may have important implications of PCa therapeutics. Additionally, the outcomes provided new mechanistic basis for further examination of quercetin nanoparticles to discover potential treatment strategies and new targets for PCa inhibition.
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26
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Moisejenko-Golubovica J, Volkov O, Ivanova A, Groma V. Analysis of the occurrence and distribution of primary and recurrent basal cell carcinoma of head and neck coupled to the assessment of tumor microenvironment and Sonic hedgehog signaling. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY 2021; 61:821-831. [PMID: 33817723 PMCID: PMC8112792 DOI: 10.47162/rjme.61.3.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Often, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) displays local aggressiveness, and when developed in the head and neck presents with deep tissue invasion and recurrence. Previous studies have pointed out the necessity of systematic assessment of primary and recurrent BCC based on a better understanding of the biology and function of its microenvironment. Although hedgehog-dependent tumor cells signaling to the underlying stroma, and vice versa, have been demonstrated to be implicated in the pathogenesis of BCC, little is known about peculiarities of the tumor microenvironment and the above-mentioned signaling in the head and neck. The occurrence and distribution of 79 primary and recurrent BCCs developed in the head and neck region were estimated. The data were coupled with the immunohistochemical assessment of type IV collagen, laminin, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Sonic hedgehog (Shh). The frequency of the mixed BCCs and the predominance of the nose and cheek region affection by primary and recurrent tumors were demonstrated. Furthermore, the increase of peritumoral and entire stromal α-SMA immunoreactivity in the mixed recurrent BCC was confirmed using statistics. We found the increase of strong levels of Shh immunoexpression in the aggressive variants of BCC - infiltrative, mixed, and micronodular. Surprisingly, we confirmed the upregulation of Shh paralleled by the downregulation of α-SMA immunoexpression in the superficial subtype of the tumor. Our results suggest the necessity of further studies assessing the nature of the tumor along with the peculiarities of signaling in BCCs of head and neck.
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27
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Lainez-González D, Serrano-López J, Alonso-Domínguez JM. Understanding the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells: A Necessary Step toward a Cure. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10040255. [PMID: 33804919 PMCID: PMC8063837 DOI: 10.3390/biology10040255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The Hedgehog signaling pathway is related to the cell cycle. In particular, it is considered to play a fundamental role in the quiescence of leukemic stem cell (i.e., a temporary resting state without cell replication). Leukemic stem cells are the cells supposed to give rise to the relapses of the leukemia. Therefore, the Hedgehog pathway must be understood to improve the current treatments against acute myeloid leukemia and avoid the relapse of the disease. In this review, we gather the present knowledge about the physiological Hedgehog pathway function, the aberrant activation of Hedgehog in leukemia, and highlight the lack of evidence regarding some aspects of this important pathway. Finally, we summarize the acute myeloid leukemia treatments targeting this signaling pathway. Abstract A better understanding of how signaling pathways govern cell fate is fundamental to advances in cancer development and treatment. The initialization of different tumors and their maintenance are caused by the deregulation of different signaling pathways and cancer stem cell maintenance. Quiescent stem cells are resistant to conventional chemotherapeutic treatments and, consequently, are responsible for disease relapse. In this review we focus on the conserved Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway which is involved in regulating the cell cycle of hematopoietic and leukemic stem cells. Thus, we examine the role of the Hh signaling pathway in normal and leukemic stem cells and dissect its role in acute myeloid leukemia. We explain not only the connection between illness and the signaling pathway but also evaluate innovative therapeutic approaches that could affect the outcome of patients with acute myeloid leukemia. We found that many aspects of the Hedgehog signaling pathway remain unknown. The role of Hh has only been proven in embryo and hematopoietic stem cell development. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of GLI transcription factors for therapeutic targeting. Glasdegib, an SMO inhibitor, has shown clinical activity in acute myeloid leukemia; however, its mechanism of action is not clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Lainez-González
- Experimental Hematology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Avenida Reyes Católicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.-G.); (J.S.-L.)
| | - Juana Serrano-López
- Experimental Hematology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Avenida Reyes Católicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.-G.); (J.S.-L.)
| | - Juan Manuel Alonso-Domínguez
- Experimental Hematology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Avenida Reyes Católicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.-G.); (J.S.-L.)
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Avenida Reyes Católicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-918488100-2673
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28
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Giuntini G, Monaci S, Cau Y, Mori M, Naldini A, Carraro F. Inhibition of Melanoma Cell Migration and Invasion Targeting the Hypoxic Tumor Associated CAXII. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3018. [PMID: 33080820 PMCID: PMC7602957 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12103018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intratumoral hypoxia contributes to cancer progression and poor prognosis. Carbonic anhydrases IX (CAIX) and XII (CAXII) play pivotal roles in tumor cell adaptation and survival, as aberrant Hedgehog (Hh) pathway does. In malignant melanoma both features have been investigated for years, but they have not been correlated before and/or identified as a potential pharmacological target. Here, for the first time, we demonstrated that malignant melanoma cell motility was impaired by targeting CAXII via either CAs inhibitors or through the inhibition of the Hh pathway. METHODS We tested cell motility in three melanoma cell lines (WM-35, SK-MEL28, and A375), with different invasiveness capabilities. To this end we performed a scratch assay in the presence of the smoothened (SMO) antagonist cyclopamine (cyclo) or CAs inhibitors under normoxia or hypoxia. Then, we analyzed the invasiveness potential in the cell lines which were more affected by cyclo and CAs inhibitors (SK-MEL28 and A375). Western blot was employed to assess the expression of the hypoxia inducible factor 1α, CAXII, and FAK phosphorylation. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to verify the blockade of CAXII expression. RESULTS Hh inhibition reduced melanoma cell migration and CAXII expression under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Interestingly, basal CAXII expression was higher in the two more aggressive melanoma cell lines. Finally, a direct CAXII blockade impaired melanoma cell migration and invasion under hypoxia. This was associated with a decrease of FAK phosphorylation and metalloprotease activities. CONCLUSIONS CAXII may be used as a target for melanoma treatment not only through its direct inhibition, but also through Hh blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Giuntini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Physiology Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.G.); (S.M.); (A.N.)
| | - Sara Monaci
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Physiology Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.G.); (S.M.); (A.N.)
| | - Ylenia Cau
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (Y.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (Y.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Antonella Naldini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Physiology Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.G.); (S.M.); (A.N.)
| | - Fabio Carraro
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Cellular and Molecular Physiology Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Fatehi-Agdam M, Vatankhah MA, Panahizadeh R, Jeddi F, Najafzadeh N. Efficacy of Metformin and Chemotherapeutic Agents on the Inhibition of Colony Formation and Shh/Gli1 Pathway: Metformin/Docetaxel Versus Metformin/5-Fluorouracil. Drug Res (Stuttg) 2020; 71:17-25. [PMID: 32987433 DOI: 10.1055/a-1248-9008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is a common gastrointestinal cancer characterized by poor prognosis and chemoresistance. Docetaxel and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are frequently used for the treatment of gastric cancer. Despite their potent anti-cancer effects, chemoresistance occurs in metastatic gastric cancer. Metformin, a popular anti-diabetic drug, has been proven to have potent anticancer effects on gastrointestinal cancers. Here, we aim to improve this chemotherapy agents' efficacy by pretreatment with metformin. METHODS The AGS gastric cancer cell line were pretreated with three different sub-toxic concentration of metformin and then treated with various concentrations of 5-FU and docetaxel.The anticancer effects of the combination of metformin with the chemotherapy agents were determined using clonogenic assay and DAPi staining. We used real-time PCR to evaluate Gli1, Gli2, and TWIST1 mRNA expression levels in the gastric cancer cells. Also, the expression of the Shh protein was assessed using immunocytochemistry. RESULTS Here, we found that metformin sensitized the gastric cancer cells to chemotherapy. The combination treatments were more effective in reducing the number of cancer colonies compared to 5-FU or docetaxel alone. The combination of metformin with 5-FU or docetaxel significantly reduced the number of cells expressing the Shh protein compared to the 5-FU alone or docetaxel alone. Interestingly, we found that the combination of metformin with docetaxel significantly down-regulated the mRNA levels of Gli1, Gli2, and TWIST1 in the AGS gastric cancer cell line compared to docetaxel alone. CONCLUSION Overall, our data strongly support an important role for metformin as an enhancer of the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents against gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Fatehi-Agdam
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil.,Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
| | - Mohammad Amin Vatankhah
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil.,Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
| | - Reza Panahizadeh
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil.,Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
| | - Farhad Jeddi
- Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
| | - Nowruz Najafzadeh
- Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
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30
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Hu Z, Xie F, Hu A, Xu M, Liu Y, Zhang J, Xiao J, Song Y, Zhong J, Chen B. Silencing glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 suppresses the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:228. [PMID: 32968450 PMCID: PMC7500057 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most common cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) is a key component and functions as a reliable marker of Hedgehog signaling pathway activation. Previous studies have demonstrated that Gli1 serves important roles in the progression of various types of cancer, including HCC. However, its effect on HCC invasion and metastasis and the underlying mechanism remain to be elucidated. Small interference RNA was employed to silence the Gli1 gene in liver cancer cells. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis were performed to evaluate the mRNA and protein expression of Gli1, respectively. A series of assays, including Cell Counting Kit-8, adhesion, wound healing and Matrigel invasion were performed to investigate cell viability, adhesive, migratory and invasive capabilities of liver cancer cells, respectively. In addition, immunofluorescence staining was performed to determine the cellular localization of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphorylated (p-)FAK and p-AKT. The mRNA and protein expression of Gli1 in liver cancer cells (HepG2 and SK-Hep1) were markedly decreased in a dose-dependent manner following Gli1-knockdown. Gli1 silencing significantly inhibited the adhesion, migration and invasion of SK-Hep1 cells. Additionally, knockdown of Gli1 markedly suppressed the expression of metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. Furthermore, downregulation of Gli1 blocked the FAK/AKT signaling pathway. Gli1 serves significant roles in the migration and invasion of HCC cells through activation of the FAK/AKT signaling pathway and subsequent upregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. Thus, Gli1 may be a potential protein target for the regulation of HCC migration and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeming Hu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China
| | - Fangfang Xie
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China
| | - Ang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China
| | - Mengjing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China
| | - Yuwen Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China
| | - Jiankang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China
| | - Jianbo Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China
| | - Yunlei Song
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China
| | - Jianing Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, P.R. China
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31
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Singh SK, Gordetsky JB, Bae S, Acosta EP, Lillard JW, Singh R. Selective Targeting of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway by PBM Nanoparticles in Docetaxel-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:E1976. [PMID: 32867229 PMCID: PMC7563377 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
An abnormality in hedgehog (Hh) signaling has been implicated in the progression of prostate cancer (PCa) to a more aggressive and therapy-resistant disease. Our assessments of human PCa tissues have shown an overexpression of the Hh pathway molecules, glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI-1), and sonic hedgehog (SHH). The effect of the natural compound thymoquinone (TQ) in controlling the expression of Hh signaling molecules in PCa was investigated in this study. We generated planetary ball-milled nanoparticles (PBM-NPs) made with a natural polysaccharide, containing TQ, and coated with an RNA aptamer, A10, which binds to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). We prepared docetaxel-resistant C4-2B-R and LNCaP-R cells with a high expression of Hh, showing the integration of drug resistance and Hh signaling. Compared to free TQ, A10-TQ-PBM-NPs were more effective in controlling the Hh pathway. Our findings reveal an effective treatment strategy to inhibit the Hh signaling pathway, thereby suppressing PCa progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Cancer Health Equity Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA; (S.K.S.); (J.W.L.J.)
| | - Jennifer B. Gordetsky
- Departments of Pathology and Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
| | - Sejong Bae
- Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA;
| | - Edward P. Acosta
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - James W. Lillard
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Cancer Health Equity Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA; (S.K.S.); (J.W.L.J.)
| | - Rajesh Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Cancer Health Equity Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA; (S.K.S.); (J.W.L.J.)
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Xia L, Bouamar H, Gu X, Zeballos C, Qin T, Wang B, Zhou Y, Wang Y, Yang J, Zhu H, Zhang W, Houghton PJ, Sun LZ. Gli2 mediates the development of castration‑resistant prostate cancer. Int J Oncol 2020; 57:100-112. [PMID: 32319599 PMCID: PMC7252461 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2020.5044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioma‑associated oncogene family zinc finger 2 (Gli2), a key component of the hedgehog signaling pathway, has been previously demonstrated to promote the malignant properties of prostate cancer in vitro. However, the role of Gli2 in the development of castration‑resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) has yet to be fully elucidated. In the present study, Gli2 expression was knocked down in androgen‑responsive prostate cancer cells using an inducible Gli2 short hairpin RNA. Suppression of Gli2 expression resulted in significant reduction of cell viability, increased the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phases of the cell cycle and reduced the expression of genes associated with cell cycle progression. Gli2 knockdown sensitized both androgen‑dependent and ‑independent prostate cancer cells to the antiandrogen drug Casodex and prevented the outgrowth of LNCaP prostate cancer cells. In addition, Gli2 knockdown significantly suppressed the development of CRPC in a LNCaP xenograft mouse model, which was reversed by the re‑expression of Gli2. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first occasion in which the essential role of Gli2 in the development of CRPC was demonstrated, providing a potential therapeutic target for the intervention of CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Xia
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Hakim Bouamar
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Xiang Gu
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Carla Zeballos
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Tai Qin
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Bingzhi Wang
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - You Zhou
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Yuhui Wang
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Junhua Yang
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Haiyan Zhu
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Weishe Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital and Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Peter J Houghton
- Greehey Children Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Lu-Zhe Sun
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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Zhang X, Zhang Y, Lin F, Shi X, Xiang L, Li L. Shh Overexpression Is Correlated with GRP78 and AR Expression in Primary Prostate Cancer: Clinicopathological Features and Outcomes in a Chinese Cohort. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:1569-1578. [PMID: 32184660 PMCID: PMC7060775 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s231218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Shh plays an important role in prostate cancer progression, but its correlation with GRP78 and AR is elusive. Methods The study included 539 patients in total, of which 443 had primary prostate carcinoma and 96 patients had benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The clinicopathologic features, histologic scores of protein expression, and correlations between protein and disease state were studied in this cohort. Kaplan–Meier and Pearson correlation analyses were used to compare measures between groups. We performed immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression of the Shh protein in benign prostatic hyperplasia (n=96) and prostate cancer (Gleason scores ≤6 [n=399] or ≥7 [n=44]). We quantified the expression of Shh, AR, and GRP78 using the weighted histoscore method, studied the correlation between Shh expression and AR and GRP78, and evaluated the impact of Shh protein expression on patient survival. Results Shh expression was significantly higher in prostate cancer with Gleason scores ≥7 than in cancer with lower Gleason scores or benign hyperplasia and was much higher in AR-positive cancer than in AR-negative cancer. Shh is overexpressed in high-grade prostate cancer and is positively correlated with the expression of both GRP78 and AR. Conclusion Therefore, Shh may be a useful prognostic marker and therapeutic target for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining 272000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Gaomi People's Hospital, Gaomi 261500, People's Republic of China
| | - Fanzhong Lin
- Department of Pathology, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining 272000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Shi
- Department of Pathology, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining 272000, People's Republic of China
| | - Longquan Xiang
- Department of Pathology, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining 272000, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Li
- Department of Pathology, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining 272000, People's Republic of China
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Zhang R, Ma J, Avery JT, Sambandam V, Nguyen TH, Xu B, Suto MJ, Boohaker RJ. GLI1 Inhibitor SRI-38832 Attenuates Chemotherapeutic Resistance by Downregulating NBS1 Transcription in BRAF V600E Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:241. [PMID: 32185127 PMCID: PMC7058788 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to radiation and chemotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients contribute significantly to refractory disease and disease progression. Herein, we provide mechanistic rationale for acquired or inherent chemotherapeutic resistance to the anti-tumor effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) that is linked to oncogenic GLI1 transcription activity and NBS1 overexpression. Patients with high levels of GLI1 also expressed high levels of NBS1. Non-canonical activation of GLI1 is driven through oncogenic pathways in CRC, like the BRAFV600E mutation. GLI1 was identified as a novel regulator of NBS1 and discovered that by knocking down GLI1 levels in vitro, diminished NBS1 expression, increased DNA damage/apoptosis, and re-sensitization of 5-FU resistant cancer to treatment was observed. Furthermore, a novel GLI1 inhibitor, SRI-38832, which exhibited pharmacokinetic properties suitable for in vivo testing, was identified. GLI1 inhibition in a murine BRAFV600E variant xenograft model of CRC resulted in the same down-regulation of NBS1 observed in vitro as well as significant reduction of tumor growth/burden. GLI1 inhibition could therefore be a therapeutic option for 5-FU resistant and BRAFV600E variant CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruowen Zhang
- Southern Research, Division of Drug Discovery, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Jinlu Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Justin T. Avery
- Southern Research, Division of Drug Discovery, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Vijaya Sambandam
- Southern Research, Division of Drug Discovery, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Theresa H. Nguyen
- Southern Research, Division of Drug Discovery, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Bo Xu
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Mark J. Suto
- Southern Research, Division of Drug Discovery, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Rebecca J. Boohaker
- Southern Research, Division of Drug Discovery, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Hyuga T, Alcantara M, Kajioka D, Haraguchi R, Suzuki K, Miyagawa S, Kojima Y, Hayashi Y, Yamada G. Hedgehog Signaling for Urogenital Organogenesis and Prostate Cancer: An Implication for the Epithelial-Mesenchyme Interaction (EMI). Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010058. [PMID: 31861793 PMCID: PMC6982176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is an essential growth factor signaling pathway especially in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions (EMI) during the development of the urogenital organs such as the bladder and the external genitalia (EXG). The Hh ligands are often expressed in the epithelia, affecting the surrounding mesenchyme, and thus constituting a form of paracrine signaling. The development of the urogenital organ, therefore, provides an intriguing opportunity to study EMI and its relationship with other pathways, such as hormonal signaling. Cellular interactions of prostate cancer (PCa) with its neighboring tissue is also noteworthy. The local microenvironment, including the bone metastatic site, can release cellular signals which can affect the malignant tumors, and vice versa. Thus, it is necessary to compare possible similarities and divergences in Hh signaling functions and its interaction with other local growth factors, such as BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) between organogenesis and tumorigenesis. Additionally, this review will discuss two pertinent research aspects of Hh signaling: (1) the potential signaling crosstalk between Hh and androgen signaling; and (2) the effect of signaling between the epithelia and the mesenchyme on the status of the basement membrane with extracellular matrix structures located on the epithelial-mesenchymal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiju Hyuga
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan; (T.H.); (M.A.); (D.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Mellissa Alcantara
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan; (T.H.); (M.A.); (D.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Daiki Kajioka
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan; (T.H.); (M.A.); (D.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Ryuma Haraguchi
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon City, Ehime 791-0295, Japan;
| | - Kentaro Suzuki
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan; (T.H.); (M.A.); (D.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Shinichi Miyagawa
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo 125-8585, Japan;
| | - Yoshiyuki Kojima
- Department of Urology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan;
| | - Yutaro Hayashi
- Department of Pediatric Urology, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan;
| | - Gen Yamada
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan; (T.H.); (M.A.); (D.K.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-73-441-0849; Fax: +81-73-499-5026
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Cai J, Yang F, Zhan H, Situ J, Li W, Mao Y, Luo Y. RNA m 6A Methyltransferase METTL3 Promotes The Growth Of Prostate Cancer By Regulating Hedgehog Pathway. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:9143-9152. [PMID: 31806999 PMCID: PMC6842310 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s226796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant internal modification on eukaryotic mRNA and gained increasing attention recently. More and more evidence suggest that m6A methylation plays crucial role in tumor genesis and development. However, its role in prostate cancer remains largely unknown. Methods METTL3 expression status in prostate cancer was analyzed by using TCGA database and Western blotting. m6A content was analyzed by using RNA Methylation Quantification Kit. The role of METTL3 in prostate cancer cells was determined by proliferation, survival, colony formation, and invasion assays. The m6A level of GLI1 RNA was detected by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) assay. In vivo role of METTL3 was studied on xenograft models. Results We found that m6A methyltransferase METTL3 was overexpressed in prostate cancer cell lines, together with increased m6A content. Functionally, silencing of METTL3 by shRNA in prostate cancer cell lines resulted in decreased m6A content, cell proliferation, survival, colony formation, and invasion. Interestingly, overexpression of wild-type METTL3 abrogated the repression effect of METTL3 depletion on m6A content, cell proliferation, survival, colony formation, and invasion, while the overexpression of m6A catalytic site mutant METTL3 was unable to rescue the inhibitory effect caused by METTL3 depletion. Further mechanism analysis demonstrated that METTL3 silence decreased the m6A modification and expression of GLI1, an important component of hedgehog pathway, which led to cell apoptosis. Moreover, depletion of METTL3 inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion Our results suggested that the m6A methyltransferase METTL3 promotes the growth and motility of prostate cancer cells by regulating hedgehog pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarong Cai
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailun Zhan
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Situ
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenbiao Li
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunhua Mao
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Luo
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, People's Republic of China
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Yin QQ, Xu LH, Zhang M, Xu C. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 mediates prostate cancer cell migration and invasion through hedgehog signaling. Asian J Androl 2019; 20:608-614. [PMID: 30027929 PMCID: PMC6219293 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_55_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The autonomic nervous system contributes to prostate cancer proliferation and metastasis. However, the exact molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 (CHRM1) expression was measured via immunohistochemical analysis in human prostate cancer tissue array slides. PC-3, LNCaP, and A549 cells were treated with pirenzepine or carbachol, and the cell migration and invasion abilities were evaluated. Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR were performed to measure GLI family zinc finger 1 (GLI1), patched 1 (PTCH1), and sonic hedgehog (SHH) expression levels. High expression of CHRM1 was found in early-stage human prostate cancer tissues. In addition, the selective CHRM1 antagonist pirenzepine inhibited PC-3, LNCaP, and A549 cell migration and invasion, but the agonist carbachol promoted the migration and invasion of these three cell lines. Muscarinic signaling can be relayed by hedgehog signaling. These data show that CHRM1 is involved in the regulation of prostate cancer migration and invasion through the hedgehog signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qing Yin
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Lin-Hui Xu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Mi Zhang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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Niyaz M, Khan MS, Mudassar S. Hedgehog Signaling: An Achilles' Heel in Cancer. Transl Oncol 2019; 12:1334-1344. [PMID: 31352196 PMCID: PMC6664200 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog signaling pathway originally identified in the fruit fly Drosophila is an evolutionarily conserved signaling mechanism with crucial roles in embryogenesis, growth and patterning. It exerts its biological effect through a signaling mechanism that terminates at glioma-associated oncogene (GLI) transcription factors which alternate between activator and repressor forms and mediate various responses. The important components of the pathway include the hedgehog ligands (SHH), the Patched (PTCH) receptor, Smoothened (SMO), Suppressor of Fused (SuFu) and GLI transcription factors. Activating or inactivating mutations in key genes cause uncontrolled activation of the pathway in a ligand independent manner. The ligand-dependent aberrant activation of the hedgehog pathway causing overexpression of hedgehog pathway components and its target genes occurs in autocrine as well as paracrine fashion. In adults, aberrant activation of hedgehog signaling has been linked to birth defects and multiple solid cancers. In this review, we assimilate data from recent studies to understand the mechanism of functioning of the hedgehog signaling pathway, role in cancer, its association in various solid malignancies and the current strategies being used to target this pathway for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madiha Niyaz
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, - 190011 Srinagar, Kashmir
| | - Mosin S Khan
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, - 190011 Srinagar, Kashmir
| | - Syed Mudassar
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, - 190011 Srinagar, Kashmir.
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Lim S, Lim SM, Kim MJ, Park SY, Kim JH. Sonic Hedgehog Pathway as the Prognostic Marker in Patients with Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer. Yonsei Med J 2019; 60:898-904. [PMID: 31538424 PMCID: PMC6753348 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2019.60.10.898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is known to play a crucial role in carcinogenesis in various malignancies, including lung cancer regarding tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and cellular differentiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of components of Shh pathway as a prognostic marker in extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data of 36 patients who were diagnosed with ES-SCLC between 2008 and 2012 at a single center. We performed immuo-histochemistry for glioma-associated oncogene homolog zinc finger protein 1 (Gli1), patched, Shh, and Ptch-mediated repression of smoothened (Smo) proteins using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue derived from primary tumors. We then conducted survival analysis to evaluate the prognostic impact of these markers. RESULTS All 36 patients received platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. The median progression free survival and median overall survival were 6.9 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 6.5-7.3] and 11.7 months (95% CI, 9.1-14.3), respectively. The overall response rate was 84%. Of the 36 tissue specimens examined, over-expression of Gli1, Patched, Shh, and Smo was found in 12 (33.3%), five (13.9%), five (13.9%), and six (16.7%) cases, respectively. We found that high expression of Shh was associated with worse progression free survival (6.3 vs. 7.6 months, p=0.005) and overall survival (9.2 vs. 12.0 months, p=0.039) by both univariate and multivariate analyses, whereas other markers were not related to patient prognosis. CONCLUSION A high proportion of small cell lung cancer tumors express proteins related to Shh pathway, and over-expression of Shh is correlated with poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungtaek Lim
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
- Konyang University Myunggok Medical Research Institute, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea
| | | | - Shin Young Park
- Department of Pathology, Daejeon Son Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Joo Hang Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea.
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Quach ND, Kaur SP, Eggert MW, Ingram L, Ghosh D, Sheth S, Nagy T, Dawson MR, Arnold RD, Cummings BS. Paradoxical Role of Glypican-1 in Prostate Cancer Cell and Tumor Growth. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11478. [PMID: 31391540 PMCID: PMC6685992 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47874-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that glypican-1 (GPC-1) is a biomarker for prostate cancer, but there are few studies elucidating the role of GPC-1 in prostate cancer progression. We observed high expression of GPC-1 in more aggressive prostate cancer cell lines such as PC-3 and DU-145. While inhibition of GPC-1 expression in PC-3 cells decreased cell growth and migration in vitro, it surprisingly increased cell proliferation and migration in DU-145 cells, suggesting that the role of GPC-1 is cell type-dependent. Further, GPC-1 inhibition increased PC-3 tumor size in NCr nude mice xenografts. We hypothesized that the discrepancy between the in vitro and in vivo data is mediated by stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, we tested the effect of tumor conditioned media (TCM) on gene expression in human mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblasts. Treatment of stromal cells with TCM from PC-3 cells transfected with GPC-1 shRNA increased the expression of migration markers, endocrine/paracrine biomolecules, and extracellular matrix components. Additionally, the decreased cell growth in GPC-1 knockdown PC-3 cells was rescued by coculturing with stromal cells. These data demonstrate the paradoxical role that GPC-1 plays in prostate cancer cell growth by interacting with stromal cells and through ECM remodeling and endocrine/paracrine signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nhat D Quach
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Sukhneeraj Pal Kaur
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Matthew W Eggert
- Department of Drug Discovery & Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Lishann Ingram
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Deepraj Ghosh
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Sheela Sheth
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Tamas Nagy
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Michelle R Dawson
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.,Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.,School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Robert D Arnold
- Department of Drug Discovery & Development, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.,Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Brian S Cummings
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. .,Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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41
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Cortes JE, Gutzmer R, Kieran MW, Solomon JA. Hedgehog signaling inhibitors in solid and hematological cancers. Cancer Treat Rev 2019; 76:41-50. [PMID: 31125907 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hedgehog signaling pathway is normally tightly regulated. Mutations in hedgehog pathway components may lead to abnormal activation. Aberrantly activated hedgehog signaling plays a major role in the development of solid and hematological cancer. In recent years, inhibitors have been developed that attenuate hedgehog signaling; 2 have been approved for use in basal cell carcinoma (BCC), while others are under development or in clinical trials. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of known hedgehog inhibitors (HHIs) and their potential for the treatment of hematological cancers and solid tumors beyond BCC. DESIGN Published literature was searched to identify articles relating to HHIs in noncutaneous cancer. Both preclinical and clinical research articles were included. In addition, relevant clinical trial results were identified from www.clinicaltrials.gov. Information on the pharmacology of HHIs is also included. RESULTS HHIs show activity in a variety of solid and hematological cancers. In preclinical studies, HHIs demonstrated efficacy in pancreatic cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, breast cancer, and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In clinical studies, HHIs showed activity in medulloblastoma, as well as prostate, pancreatic, and hematological cancers. Current clinical trials testing the efficacy of HHIs are underway for prostate, pancreatic, and breast cancers, as well as multiple myeloma and AML. CONCLUSIONS As clinical trial results become available, it will be possible to discern which additional tumor types are suited to HHI mono- or combination therapy with other anticancer agents. The latter strategy may be useful for delaying or overcoming drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge E Cortes
- Department of Leukemia, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd. #428, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Ralf Gutzmer
- Skin Cancer Center Hannover, Department of Dermatology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Str 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Mark W Kieran
- Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - James A Solomon
- Ameriderm Research, 725 W Granada Blvd Ste 44, Ormond Beach, FL 32174, USA; University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
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42
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Manikowski D, Jakobs P, Jboor H, Grobe K. Soluble Heparin and Heparan Sulfate Glycosaminoglycans Interfere with Sonic Hedgehog Solubilization and Receptor Binding. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24081607. [PMID: 31018591 PMCID: PMC6526471 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24081607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling plays a tumor-promoting role in many epithelial cancers. Cancer cells produce soluble a Shh that signals to distant stromal cells that express the receptor Patched (Ptc). These receiving cells respond by producing other soluble factors that promote cancer cell growth, generating a positive feedback loop. To interfere with reinforced Shh signaling, we examined the potential of defined heparin and heparan sulfate (HS) polysaccharides to block Shh solubilization and Ptc receptor binding. We confirm in vitro and in vivo that proteolytic cleavage of the N-terminal Cardin-Weintraub (CW) amino acid motif is a prerequisite for Shh solubilization and function. Consistent with the established binding of soluble heparin or HS to the Shh CW target motif, both polysaccharides impaired proteolytic Shh processing and release from source cells. We also show that HS and heparin bind to, and block, another set of basic amino acids required for unimpaired Shh binding to Ptc receptors on receiving cells. Both modes of Shh activity downregulation depend more on HS size and overall charge than on specific HS sulfation modifications. We conclude that heparin oligosaccharide interference in the physiological roles of HS in Shh release and reception may be used to expand the field of investigation to pharmaceutical intervention of tumor-promoting Shh functions.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Binding Sites
- Binding, Competitive
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Drosophila Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Drosophila Proteins/chemistry
- Drosophila Proteins/genetics
- Drosophila Proteins/metabolism
- Drosophila melanogaster/genetics
- Drosophila melanogaster/growth & development
- Drosophila melanogaster/metabolism
- Embryo, Nonmammalian
- Feedback, Physiological
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- HeLa Cells
- Hedgehog Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Hedgehog Proteins/chemistry
- Hedgehog Proteins/genetics
- Hedgehog Proteins/metabolism
- Heparin/chemistry
- Heparin/pharmacology
- Heparitin Sulfate/chemistry
- Heparitin Sulfate/pharmacology
- Humans
- Models, Molecular
- Patched-1 Receptor/genetics
- Patched-1 Receptor/metabolism
- Protein Binding
- Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
- Protein Structure, Secondary
- Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics
- Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Solubility
- Wings, Animal/growth & development
- Wings, Animal/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Manikowski
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry and Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC1003-CiM), University of Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Petra Jakobs
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry and Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC1003-CiM), University of Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Hamodah Jboor
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry and Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC1003-CiM), University of Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Kay Grobe
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry and Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC1003-CiM), University of Münster, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
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43
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Peer E, Tesanovic S, Aberger F. Next-Generation Hedgehog/GLI Pathway Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040538. [PMID: 30991683 PMCID: PMC6520835 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog/Glioma-associated oncogene homolog (HH/GLI) signaling pathway regulates self-renewal of rare and highly malignant cancer stem cells (CSC), which have been shown to account for the initiation and maintenance of tumor growth as well as for drug resistance, metastatic spread and relapse. Efficacious therapeutic approaches targeting CSC pathways, such as HH/GLI signaling in combination with chemo, radiation or immunotherapy are, therefore, of high medical need. Pharmacological inhibition of HH/GLI pathway activity represents a promising approach to eliminate malignant CSC. Clinically approved HH/GLI pathway inhibitors target the essential pathway effector Smoothened (SMO) with striking therapeutic efficacy in skin and brain cancer patients. However, multiple genetic and molecular mechanisms resulting in de novo and acquired resistance to SMO inhibitors pose major limitations to anti-HH/GLI therapies and, thus, the eradication of CSC. In this review, we summarize reasons for clinical failure of SMO inhibitors, including mechanisms caused by genetic alterations in HH pathway effectors or triggered by additional oncogenic signals activating GLI transcription factors in a noncanonical manner. We then discuss emerging novel and rationale-based approaches to overcome SMO-inhibitor resistance, focusing on pharmacological perturbations of enzymatic modifiers of GLI activity and on compounds either directly targeting oncogenic GLI factors or interfering with synergistic crosstalk signals known to boost the oncogenicity of HH/GLI signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Peer
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Suzana Tesanovic
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Biosciences, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, Hellbrunner Strasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
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44
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Montagnani V, Stecca B. Role of Protein Kinases in Hedgehog Pathway Control and Implications for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040449. [PMID: 30934935 PMCID: PMC6520855 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (HH) signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that is crucial for growth and tissue patterning during embryonic development. It is mostly quiescent in the adult, where it regulates tissue homeostasis and stem cell behavior. Aberrant reactivation of HH signaling has been associated to several types of cancer, including those in the skin, brain, prostate, breast and hematological malignancies. Activation of the canonical HH signaling is triggered by binding of HH ligand to the twelve-transmembrane protein PATCHED. The binding releases the inhibition of the seven-transmembrane protein SMOOTHENED (SMO), leading to its phosphorylation and activation. Hence, SMO activates the transcriptional effectors of the HH signaling, that belong to the GLI family of transcription factors, acting through a not completely elucidated intracellular signaling cascade. Work from the last few years has shown that protein kinases phosphorylate several core components of the HH signaling, including SMO and the three GLI proteins, acting as powerful regulatory mechanisms to fine tune HH signaling activities. In this review, we will focus on the mechanistic influence of protein kinases on HH signaling transduction. We will also discuss the functional consequences of this regulation and the possible implications for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Montagnani
- Core Research Laboratory⁻Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy.
| | - Barbara Stecca
- Core Research Laboratory⁻Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy.
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45
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Curran T. Reproducibility of academic preclinical translational research: lessons from the development of Hedgehog pathway inhibitors to treat cancer. Open Biol 2019; 8:rsob.180098. [PMID: 30068568 PMCID: PMC6119869 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.180098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Academic translational research is growing at a great pace at a time in which questions have been raised about the reproducibility of preclinical findings. The development of Hedgehog (HH) pathway inhibitors for the treatment of cancer over the past two decades offers a case study for understanding the root causes of failure to predict clinical outcomes arising from academic preclinical translational research. Although such inhibitors were once hoped to be efficacious in up to 25% of human cancer, clinical studies showed responses only in basal cell carcinoma and the HH subtype of medulloblastoma. Close examination of the published studies reveals limitations in the models used, lack of quantitative standards, utilization of high drug concentrations associated with non-specific toxicities and improper use of cell line and mouse models. In part, these issues arise from scientific complexity, for example, the failure of tumour cell lines to maintain HH pathway activity in vitro, but a greater contributing factor appears to be the influence of unconscious bias. There was a strong expectation that HH pathway inhibitors would make a profound impact on human cancer and experiments were designed with this assumption in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Curran
- Children's Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MI 64108, USA
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46
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Raleigh DR, Reiter JF. Misactivation of Hedgehog signaling causes inherited and sporadic cancers. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:465-475. [PMID: 30707108 DOI: 10.1172/jci120850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog pathway is critical for the development of diverse organs. Misactivation of the Hedgehog pathway can cause developmental abnormalities and cancers, including medulloblastoma, the most common pediatric brain tumor, and basal cell carcinoma, the most common cancer in the United States. Here, we review how basic, translational, and clinical studies of the Hedgehog pathway have helped reveal how cells communicate, how intercellular communication controls development, how signaling goes awry to cause cancer, and how to use targeted molecular agents to treat both inherited and sporadic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Raleigh
- Department of Radiation Oncology.,Department of Neurological Surgery, and
| | - Jeremy F Reiter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
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47
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Zhang H, Wang Y, Chen T, Zhang Y, Xu R, Wang W, Cheng M, Chen Q. Aberrant Activation Of Hedgehog Signalling Promotes Cell Migration And Invasion Via Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 In Ovarian Cancer Cells. J Cancer 2019; 10:990-1003. [PMID: 30854105 PMCID: PMC6400802 DOI: 10.7150/jca.26478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Accumulating evidence indicates that aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway by Glioma-associated oncogene (Gli) transcription factors is involved in the aggressive progression of cancers, including ovarian cancer. Whereas the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unelucidated. Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) facilitates degradation of the extracellular matrix, promoting the invasion of tumour cells, and is associated with cancer progression and metastasis. In previous reports, we identified a set of genes regulated by Hh signalling in ovarian tumour cells among which MMP-7 was identified as a potential Hh target gene candidate. However, establishing an association between Hh signalling activation and MMP-7 expression requires further validation, and the function of this regulation remains unknown. Methods: A cDNA microarray was utilized to identify potential downstream targets of Hh signalling. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate mRNA expression, and immunoblotting (IB) was conducted to evaluate protein expression. The invasive and migratory capabilities of tumour cells were tested with the transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. The mRNA levels of Gli2 and MMP-7 in normal ovarian tissues and cancerous tissues in various stages together with the corresponding clinical information were acquired from the indicated GEO datasets to elucidate associations between MMP-7 expression and cancer progression and prognosis. Additionally, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed in multiple ovarian cancers, benign tumours and normal tissues to evaluate Gli2 and MMP-7 protein expression. Results: MMP-7 expression was regulated by the Hh ligand, antagonist and downstream transcript factor Gli2, demonstrating this gene as an Hh target. MMP-7 facilitated the invasion and migration of ovarian tumour cells, indicating its key function in ovarian cancer progression. IHC analysis demonstrated abnormally increased Gli2 and MMP-7 expression levels in benign tumours and ovarian cancer tissues. Moreover, high MMP-7 levels were significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) and poor progression-free survival (PFS) in ovarian cancer patients. Conclusion: Aberrant activation of the Hh-Gli-MMP-7 signalling axis is essential for acceleration of the progression and metastasis of human ovarian cancer, implicating its use as a novel therapeutic target of ovarian cancer. In addition, MMP-7 can potentially serve as a prognostic marker of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Yiting Wang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Tingtao Chen
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Rong Xu
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Wanwan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Minzhang Cheng
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Qi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
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48
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Pietrobono S, Stecca B. Targeting the Oncoprotein Smoothened by Small Molecules: Focus on Novel Acylguanidine Derivatives as Potent Smoothened Inhibitors. Cells 2018; 7:cells7120272. [PMID: 30558232 PMCID: PMC6316656 DOI: 10.3390/cells7120272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog-GLI (HH) signaling was originally identified as a critical morphogenetic pathway in embryonic development. Since its discovery, a multitude of studies have reported that HH signaling also plays key roles in a variety of cancer types and in maintaining tumor-initiating cells. Smoothened (SMO) is the main transducer of HH signaling, and in the last few years, it has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for anticancer therapy. Although vismodegib and sonidegib have demonstrated effectiveness for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), their clinical use has been hampered by severe side effects, low selectivity against cancer stem cells, and the onset of mutation-driven drug resistance. Moreover, SMO antagonists are not effective in cancers where HH activation is due to mutations of pathway components downstream of SMO, or in the case of noncanonical, SMO-independent activation of the GLI transcription factors, the final mediators of HH signaling. Here, we review the current and rapidly expanding field of SMO small-molecule inhibitors in experimental and clinical settings, focusing on a class of acylguanidine derivatives. We also discuss various aspects of SMO, including mechanisms of resistance to SMO antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pietrobono
- Tumor Cell Biology Unit⁻Core Research Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy.
| | - Barbara Stecca
- Tumor Cell Biology Unit⁻Core Research Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy.
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Sabol M, Trnski D, Musani V, Ozretić P, Levanat S. Role of GLI Transcription Factors in Pathogenesis and Their Potential as New Therapeutic Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E2562. [PMID: 30158435 PMCID: PMC6163343 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
GLI transcription factors have important roles in intracellular signaling cascade, acting as the main mediators of the HH-GLI signaling pathway. This is one of the major developmental pathways, regulated both canonically and non-canonically. Deregulation of the pathway during development leads to a number of developmental malformations, depending on the deregulated pathway component. The HH-GLI pathway is mostly inactive in the adult organism but retains its function in stem cells. Aberrant activation in adult cells leads to carcinogenesis through overactivation of several tightly regulated cellular processes such as proliferation, angiogenesis, EMT. Targeting GLI transcription factors has recently become a major focus of potential therapeutic protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Sabol
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Diana Trnski
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Vesna Musani
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Petar Ozretić
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Sonja Levanat
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Synergistic inhibition of the Hedgehog pathway by newly designed Smo and Gli antagonists bearing the isoflavone scaffold. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 156:554-562. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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