1
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Zheng Q, Ji W, Sun R, Dai K. Prognostic value of blood GRHL2 in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer after radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Biomark Med 2024:1-7. [PMID: 39073846 DOI: 10.1080/17520363.2024.2366161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: We aimed to investigate the predictive value of the Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2) expression from circulating blood for recurrence, metastasis and overall death on patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials & Methods: We collected blood samples from 122 patients who were admitted to our hospital for NSCLC. Results: Multivariable Cox proportional-hazards analysis in adjusted Model II showed that compared with GRHL2-negative expression, positive expression in patients with NSCLC was associated with increased death risk (HR = 7.0, 95% CI: 2.1-20.9, p = 0.03) and risk for composite end point (HR = 8.2, 95% CI: 4.0-27.1, p <0.01). Conclusion: This study supported that elevated circulating GRHL2 expression might be considered as a candidate prognostic biomarker for poor prognosis among these NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zheng
- Changzhou Cancer Hospital, Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, 213000, P.R. China
| | - Wenjing Ji
- Changzhou Cancer Hospital, Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, 213000, P.R. China
| | - Ruirui Sun
- Changzhou Cancer Hospital, Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, 213000, P.R. China
| | - Kejun Dai
- Changzhou Cancer Hospital, Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, 213000, P.R. China
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2
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MacFawn I, Farris J, Pifer P, Margaryan NV, Akhter H, Wang L, Dziadowicz S, Denvir J, Hu G, Frisch SM. Grainyhead-like-2, an epithelial master programmer, promotes interferon induction and suppresses breast cancer recurrence. Mol Immunol 2024; 170:156-169. [PMID: 38692097 PMCID: PMC11106721 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2024.04.012] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Type-I and -III interferons play a central role in immune rejection of pathogens and tumors, thus promoting immunogenicity and suppressing tumor recurrence. Double strand RNA is an important ligand that stimulates tumor immunity via interferon responses. Differentiation of embryonic stem cells to pluripotent epithelial cells activates the interferon response during development, raising the question of whether epithelial vs. mesenchymal gene signatures in cancer potentially regulate the interferon pathway as well. Here, using genomics and signaling approaches, we show that Grainyhead-like-2 (GRHL2), a master programmer of epithelial cell identity, promotes type-I and -III interferon responses to double-strand RNA. GRHL2 enhanced the activation of IRF3 and relA/NF-kB and the expression of IRF1; a functional GRHL2 binding site in the IFNL1 promoter was also identified. Moreover, time to recurrence in breast cancer correlated positively with GRHL2 protein expression, indicating that GRHL2 is a tumor recurrence suppressor, consistent with its enhancement of interferon responses. These observations demonstrate that epithelial cell identity supports interferon responses in the context of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian MacFawn
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, 5051 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5115 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Joshua Farris
- Wake Forest University, Department of Radiation Oncology, 1 Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Phillip Pifer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, WVU Cancer Institute, 1 Medical Drive, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Naira V Margaryan
- WVU Cancer Institute, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Halima Akhter
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, Box 9142, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, Box 9142, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Sebastian Dziadowicz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, Box 9142, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - James Denvir
- Byrd Biotechnology Center, Marshall University, One John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
| | - Gangqing Hu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, 64 Medical Center Drive, Box 9142, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
| | - Steven M Frisch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 64 Medical Center Drive, Box 9142, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506.
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3
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Coban B, Wang Z, Liao CY, Beslmüller K, Timmermans MA, Martens JW, Hundscheid JH, Slutter B, Zweemer AJ, Neubert E, Danen EH. GRHL2 suppression of NT5E/CD73 in breast cancer cells modulates CD73-mediated adenosine production and T cell recruitment. iScience 2024; 27:109738. [PMID: 38706844 PMCID: PMC11068632 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109738] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor tissues often contain high extracellular adenosine, promoting an immunosuppressed environment linked to mesenchymal transition and immune evasion. Here, we show that loss of the epithelial transcription factor, GRHL2, triggers NT5E/CD73 ecto-enzyme expression, augmenting the conversion of AMP to adenosine. GRHL2 binds an intronic NT5E sequence and is negatively correlated with NT5E/CD73 in breast cancer cell lines and patients. Remarkably, the increased adenosine levels triggered by GRHL2 depletion in MCF-7 breast cancer cells do not suppress but mildly increase CD8 T cell recruitment, a response mimicked by a stable adenosine analog but prevented by CD73 inhibition. Indeed, NT5E expression shows a positive rather than negative association with CD8 T cell infiltration in breast cancer patients. These findings reveal a GRHL2-regulated immune modulation mechanism in breast cancers and show that extracellular adenosine, besides its established role as a suppressor of T cell-mediated cytotoxicity, is associated with enhanced T cell recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bircan Coban
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Zi Wang
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of clinical laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Chen-yi Liao
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Klara Beslmüller
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mieke A.M. Timmermans
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - John W.M. Martens
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Bram Slutter
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Annelien J.M. Zweemer
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Elsa Neubert
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Erik H.J. Danen
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
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4
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Guo S, Bai W, Cui F, Chen X, Fang X, Shen H, Gu X. Exploration of the Correlation Between GRHL1 Expression and Tumor Microenvironment in Endometrial Cancer and Immunotherapy. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2024; 17:91-103. [PMID: 38586176 PMCID: PMC10999208 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s453061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction GRHL1 belongs to the family of Grainyhead-like (GRHL). Previous studies have shown that dysregulation of growth and survival pathways is associated with the GRHL family of gene cancers. Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has changed the treatment paradigm for many tumors, including endometrial cancer (EC). However, the effect of GRHL1 on immunotherapy in EC and its relationship with immune cell infiltration are poorly understood. Methods Differential expression of GRHL1 between EC and normal EC tissues was analyzed by searching the TCGA database, and the results were verified utilizing immunohistochemistry analyses. Next, the relationship between GRHL1, CD8+ T cells and tumor microenvironment (TME) was also investigated, and the effect of GRHL1 expression on immunotherapy in EC was evaluated. Results According to the findings, EC tissues had elevated expression levels of GRHL1 relative to normal tissues. Patients with EC who expressed GRHL1 at high levels experienced worse overall survival (OS) and Progression-free survival (PFS) than those whose expression was lower. In addition, GRHL1 expression was negatively correlated with CD8+ T cells, and patients with high GRHL1 expression were less effective in receiving immunotherapy. Conclusion The expression of GRHL1 was high in EC patients, and high expression of GRHL1 inhibits the proliferation of CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment of EC and affect the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suyang Guo
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenqi Bai
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fengjie Cui
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaojing Fang
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Honghong Shen
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xianhua Gu
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, People’s Republic of China
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5
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Sunny SS, Lachova J, Kasparek P, Palkova M, Spoutil F, Prochazka J, Sedlacek R, Liskova P, Kozmik Z. Ovol2 promoter mutations in mice and human illuminate species-specific phenotypic divergence. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:491-500. [PMID: 37971355 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad195] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in the highly conserved OVOL2 promoter region cause posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD) 1 by inducing an ectopic expression of the endothelial OVOL2 mRNA. Here we produced an allelic series of Ovol2 promoter mutations in the mouse model including the heterozygous c.-307T>C variant (RefSeq NM_021220.4) causing PPCD1 in humans. Despite the high evolutionary conservation of the Ovol2 promoter, only some alterations of its sequence had phenotypic consequences in mice. Four independent sequence variants in the distal part of the Ovol2 promoter had no significant effect on endothelial Ovol2 mRNA level or caused any ocular phenotype. In contrast, the mutation c.-307T>C resulted in increased Ovol2 expression in the corneal endothelium. However, only a small fraction of adult mice c.-307T>C heterozygotes developed ocular phenotypes such as irido-corneal adhesions, and corneal opacity. Interestingly, phenotypic penetrance was increased at embryonic stages. Notably, c.-307T>C mutation is located next to the Ovol1/Ovol2 transcription factor binding site. Mice carrying an allele with a deletion encompassing the Ovol2 binding site c.-307_-320del showed significant Ovol2 gene upregulation in the cornea endothelium and exhibited phenotypes similar to the c.-307T>C mutation. In conclusion, although the mutations c.-307T>C and -307_-320del lead to a comparably strong increase in endothelial Ovol2 expression as seen in PPCD1 patients, endothelial dystrophy was not observed in the mouse model, implicating species-specific differences in endothelial cell biology. Nonetheless, the emergence of dominant ocular phenotypes associated with Ovol2 promoter variants in mice implies a potential role of this gene in eye development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweetu Susan Sunny
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Lachova
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kasparek
- Program in Craniofacial Biology and Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, CA 94158, San Francisco, United States
| | - Marcela Palkova
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, Prumyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Spoutil
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, Prumyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Prochazka
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, Prumyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Radislav Sedlacek
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, Prumyslová 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Liskova
- Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Ke Karlovu 2, 121 08, Prague 2, Prague Czech Republic
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, U Nemocnice 2, 128 08, Prague 2, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Prague, Czech Republic
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6
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Hua J, Chu M, Wang C, Zhang H, Luan J, Zhang Y, Li Q, Xiao T, Zhu C, Li X, Fu B. Digital PCR-based GRHL2 methylation testing in acute myeloid leukemia: diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring. Epigenomics 2024; 16:233-247. [PMID: 38343387 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0406] [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] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a challenging disease with high rates of recurrence. The role of the cancer-related gene GRHL2 in AML has not been widely studied. Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 73 AML patients and 68 healthy controls. Droplet digital PCR was used to detect GRHL2 methylation levels to explore the value of GRHL2 methylation in the diagnosis, treatment response and prognosis of AML. Result: GRHL2 methylation was significantly increased in AML patients (p < 0.01), with high diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve: 0.848; p < 0.001). GRHL2 methylation was correlated with chemotherapy response (p < 0.05) and is an independent prognostic factor for AML (p < 0.05). Conclusion: GRHL2 methylation is expected to serve as a biomarker for diagnosing AML patients and predicting prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hua
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University
- Department of Hematology, Liaocheng People's Hospital
| | - Miaomiao Chu
- Department of Precision Biomedical Laboratory, Liaocheng People's Hospital
| | - Chaohui Wang
- Department of Hematology, Hematology, Qingdao Haici Medical Group
| | - Hangfan Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Liaocheng People's Hospital
| | - Jing Luan
- Department of Hematology, Liaocheng People's Hospital
| | - Yifei Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Liaocheng People's Hospital
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Hematology, Liaocheng People's Hospital
| | - Taiwu Xiao
- Department of Hematology, Liaocheng People's Hospital
| | - Chuansheng Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University
| | - Xuan Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng
| | - Bo Fu
- Department of Precision Biomedical Laboratory, Liaocheng People's Hospital
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7
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Kawabe N, Matsuoka K, Komeda K, Muraki N, Takaba M, Togami Y, Ito Y, Yamada M, Sunaga N, Girard L, Minna JD, Cai L, Xie Y, Tanaka I, Morise M, Sato M. Silencing of GRHL2 induces epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition in lung cancer cell lines with different effects on proliferation and clonogenic growth. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:391. [PMID: 37600329 PMCID: PMC10433723 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2) is a transcription factor that suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It has been previously shown that GRHL2 can confer both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles in human cancers, including breast, pancreatic and colorectal cancers. However, its role in lung cancer remains elusive. In the present study, a meta-analysis of multiple gene expression datasets with clinical data revealed that GRHL2 expression was increased in lung cancer compared with that in the normal tissues. Copy number analysis of GRHL2, performed using datasets of whole exome sequencing involving 151 lung cancer cell lines, revealed frequent amplifications, suggesting that the increased GRHL2 expression may have resulted from gene amplification. A survival meta-analysis of GRHL2 using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset showed no association of GRHL2 expression with overall survival. GRHL2 expression was found to be associated with EMT status in lung cancer in TCGA dataset and lung cancer cell lines. GRHL2 knockdown induced partial EMT in the hTERT/Cdk4-immortalized normal lung epithelial cell line HBEC4KT without affecting proliferation measured by CCK-8 assays. In addition, GRHL2 silencing caused three lung cancer cell lines, H1975, H2009 and H441, to undergo partial EMT. However, the proliferative effects differed significantly. GRHL2 silencing promoted proliferation but not colony formation in H1975 cells whilst suppressing colony formation without affecting proliferation in H2009 cells, but it did not affect proliferation in H441 cells. These results suggest cell type-dependent effects of GRHL2 knockdown. Downstream, GRHL2 silencing enhanced the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK, assessed by western blotting with phospho-specific antibodies, in HBEC4KT, H1975 and H2009 cell lines but not in the H441 cell line. By contrast, transient GRHL2 overexpression did not affect A549 cell proliferation, which lack detectable endogenous expression of the GRHL2 protein. However, GRHL2 overexpression did suppress E-cadherin expression in A549 cells. These results suggested that GRHL2 does not only function as a tumor suppressor of EMT but can also behave as an oncogene depending on the lung cancer cell-type context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomi Kawabe
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Kohei Matsuoka
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Kazuki Komeda
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Nao Muraki
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Miho Takaba
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Yasuha Togami
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Yumeno Ito
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Mizuki Yamada
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
| | - Noriaki Sunaga
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Luc Girard
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75230-8593, USA
| | - John D. Minna
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75230-8593, USA
| | - Ling Cai
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75230-8593, USA
| | - Yang Xie
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75230-8593, USA
| | - Ichidai Tanaka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Masahiro Morise
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Sato
- Division of Host Defense Sciences, Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan
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8
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Wen J, Qin G, Jiang Z, Lin Z, Zhou R, Dai H, Xu Z, Chen W, Song Q. E74‑like ETS transcription factor 5 facilitates cell proliferation through regulating the expression of adenomatous polyposis coli 2 in non‑small cell lung cancer. Int J Mol Med 2023; 52:75. [PMID: 37449511 PMCID: PMC10555483 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2023.5278] [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: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
E74‑like ETS transcription factor 5 (ELF5) is known to regulate the specification and differentiation of epithelial cells in the embryonic lung. However, the pathological function of ELF5 in lung cancer has yet to be fully elucidated. In the present study, the expression of ELF5 was found to be significantly higher in lung adenocarcinoma compared with that in corresponding adjacent normal tissues. Subsequently, cell and animal experiments were performed to investigate the role of ELF5 in lung adenocarcinoma cells. The results indicated that the overexpression of ELF5 increased the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells, whereas, by contrast, a reduction in the expression of ELF5 led to a decrease in their proliferation. Mechanistically, the hypothesis is advanced that ELF5 can promote lung cancer cell proliferation through inhibiting adenomatous polyposis coli 2 and increasing the expression of cyclin D1, which is a critical downstream target of the Wnt pathway. Taken together, these findings support the notion that ELF5 exerts an essential role in the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells and may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wen
- Department of Radiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515
| | - Genggeng Qin
- Department of Radiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Zhaojing Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510280
| | - Zixun Lin
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515
| | - Ruixin Zhou
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515
| | - Hui Dai
- Hospital Office, Ganzhou Hospital-Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000
| | - Zhanfa Xu
- Department of Radiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Weiguo Chen
- Department of Radiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
| | - Qiancheng Song
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515
- Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
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9
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Davies A, Zoubeidi A, Beltran H, Selth LA. The Transcriptional and Epigenetic Landscape of Cancer Cell Lineage Plasticity. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1771-1788. [PMID: 37470668 PMCID: PMC10527883 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Lineage plasticity, a process whereby cells change their phenotype to take on a different molecular and/or histologic identity, is a key driver of cancer progression and therapy resistance. Although underlying genetic changes within the tumor can enhance lineage plasticity, it is predominantly a dynamic process controlled by transcriptional and epigenetic dysregulation. This review explores the transcriptional and epigenetic regulators of lineage plasticity and their interplay with other features of malignancy, such as dysregulated metabolism, the tumor microenvironment, and immune evasion. We also discuss strategies for the detection and treatment of highly plastic tumors. SIGNIFICANCE Lineage plasticity is a hallmark of cancer and a critical facilitator of other oncogenic features such as metastasis, therapy resistance, dysregulated metabolism, and immune evasion. It is essential that the molecular mechanisms of lineage plasticity are elucidated to enable the development of strategies to effectively target this phenomenon. In this review, we describe key transcriptional and epigenetic regulators of cancer cell plasticity, in the process highlighting therapeutic approaches that may be harnessed for patient benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair Davies
- Oncology Research Discovery, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Amina Zoubeidi
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Himisha Beltran
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Luke A. Selth
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute and Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042 Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005 Australia
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10
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Saini M, Schmidleitner L, Moreno HD, Donato E, Falcone M, Bartsch JM, Klein C, Vogel V, Würth R, Pfarr N, Espinet E, Lehmann M, Königshoff M, Reitberger M, Haas S, Graf E, Schwarzmayr T, Strom TM, Spaich S, Sütterlin M, Schneeweiss A, Weichert W, Schotta G, Reichert M, Aceto N, Sprick MR, Trumpp A, Scheel CH. Resistance to mesenchymal reprogramming sustains clonal propagation in metastatic breast cancer. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112533. [PMID: 37257449 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of mesenchymal traits is considered a hallmark of breast cancer progression. However, the functional relevance of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) remains controversial and context dependent. Here, we isolate epithelial and mesenchymal populations from human breast cancer metastatic biopsies and assess their functional potential in vivo. Strikingly, progressively decreasing epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EPCAM) levels correlate with declining disease propagation. Mechanistically, we find that persistent EPCAM expression marks epithelial clones that resist EMT induction and propagate competitively. In contrast, loss of EPCAM defines clones arrested in a mesenchymal state, with concomitant suppression of tumorigenicity and metastatic potential. This dichotomy results from distinct clonal trajectories impacting global epigenetic programs that are determined by the interplay between human ZEB1 and its target GRHL2. Collectively, our results indicate that susceptibility to irreversible EMT restrains clonal propagation, whereas resistance to mesenchymal reprogramming sustains disease spread in multiple models of human metastatic breast cancer, including patient-derived cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Saini
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Laura Schmidleitner
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany; Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Center for Functional Protein Assemblies (CPA), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany; Center for Organoid Systems (COS), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany; Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany
| | - Helena Domínguez Moreno
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Elisa Donato
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mattia Falcone
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johanna M Bartsch
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Corinna Klein
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vanessa Vogel
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roberto Würth
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nicole Pfarr
- Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Elisa Espinet
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mareike Lehmann
- Institute for Lung Health and Immunity (LHI) and Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC), Helmholtz Center Munich, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany; Institute for Lung Research, Philipps-University Marburg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Königshoff
- Research Unit Lung Repair and Regeneration, Helmholtz Center Munich, Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Manuel Reitberger
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon Haas
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany; Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Graf
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schwarzmayr
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Tim-Matthias Strom
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Saskia Spaich
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Women's Clinic, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marc Sütterlin
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Women's Clinic, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Schneeweiss
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wilko Weichert
- Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany
| | - Gunnar Schotta
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Reichert
- Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research Center, Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Center for Functional Protein Assemblies (CPA), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany; Center for Organoid Systems (COS), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany; Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering (MIBE), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Garching, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany
| | - Nicola Aceto
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin R Sprick
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany.
| | - Andreas Trumpp
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany.
| | - Christina H Scheel
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.
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11
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Verstappe J, Berx G. A role for partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in enabling stemness in homeostasis and cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 90:15-28. [PMID: 36773819 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Stem cells have self-renewal capacities and the ability to give rise to differentiated cells thereby sustaining tissues during homeostasis and injury. This structural hierarchy extends to tumours which harbor stem-like cells deemed cancer stem cells that propagate the tumour and drive metastasis and relapse. The process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which plays an important role in development and cancer cell migration, was shown to be correlated with stemness in both homeostasis and cancer indicating that stemness can be acquired and is not necessarily an intrinsic trait. Nowadays it is experimentally proven that the activation of an EMT program does not necessarily drive cells towards a fully mesenchymal phenotype but rather to hybrid E/M states. This review offers the latest advances in connecting the EMT status and stem-cell state of both non-transformed and cancer cells. Recent literature clearly shows that hybrid EMT states have a higher probability of acquiring stem cell traits. The position of a cell along the EMT-axis which coincides with a stem cell-like state is known as the stemness window. We show how the original EMT-state of a cell dictates the EMT/MET inducing programmes required to reach stemness. Lastly we present the mechanism of stemness regulation and the regulatory feedback loops which position cells at a certain EMT state along the EMT axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Verstappe
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Berx
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
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12
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GRHL2 Regulation of Growth/Motility Balance in Luminal versus Basal Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032512. [PMID: 36768838 PMCID: PMC9916895 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032512] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2) is a critical transcription factor for epithelial tissues that has been reported to promote cancer growth in some and suppress aspects of cancer progression in other studies. We investigated its role in different breast cancer subtypes. In breast cancer patients, GRHL2 expression was increased in all subtypes and inversely correlated with overall survival in basal-like breast cancer patients. In a large cell line panel, GRHL2 was expressed in luminal and basal A cells, but low or absent in basal B cells. The intersection of ChIP-Seq analysis in 3 luminal and 3 basal A cell lines identified conserved GRHL2 binding sites for both subtypes. A pathway analysis of ChIP-seq data revealed cell-cell junction regulation and epithelial migration as well as epithelial proliferation, as candidate GRHL2-regulated processes and further analysis of hub genes in these pathways showed similar regulatory networks in both subtypes. However, GRHL2 deletion in a luminal cell line caused cell cycle arrest while this was less prominent in a basal A cell line. Conversely, GRHL2 loss triggered enhanced migration in the basal A cells but failed to do so in the luminal cell line. ChIP-Seq and ChIP-qPCR demonstrated GRHL2 binding to CLDN4 and OVOL2 in both subtypes but not to other GRHL2 targets controlling cell-cell adhesion that were previously identified in other cell types, including CDH1 and ZEB1. Nevertheless, E-cadherin protein expression was decreased upon GRHL2 deletion especially in the luminal line and, in agreement with its selectively enhanced migration, only the basal A cell line showed concomitant induction of vimentin and N-cadherin. To address how the balance between growth reduction and aspects of EMT upon loss of GRHL2 affected in vivo behavior, we used a mouse basal A orthotopic transplantation model in which the GRHL2 gene was silenced. This resulted in reduced primary tumor growth and a reduction in number and size of lung colonies, indicating that growth suppression was the predominant consequence of GRHL2 loss. Altogether, these findings point to largely common but also distinct roles for GRHL2 in luminal and basal breast cancers with respect to growth and motility and indicate that, in agreement with its negative association with patient survival, growth suppression is the dominant response to GRHL2 loss.
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13
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Wang Z, Coban B, Wu H, Chouaref J, Daxinger L, Paulsen MT, Ljungman M, Smid M, Martens JWM, Danen EHJ. GRHL2-controlled gene expression networks in luminal breast cancer. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:15. [PMID: 36691073 PMCID: PMC9869538 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-01029-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Grainyhead like 2 (GRHL2) is an essential transcription factor for development and function of epithelial tissues. It has dual roles in cancer by supporting tumor growth while suppressing epithelial to mesenchymal transitions (EMT). GRHL2 cooperates with androgen and estrogen receptors (ER) to regulate gene expression. We explore genome wide GRHL2 binding sites conserved in three ER⍺/GRHL2 positive luminal breast cancer cell lines by ChIP-Seq. Interaction with the ER⍺/FOXA1/GATA3 complex is observed, however, only for a minor fraction of conserved GRHL2 peaks. We determine genome wide transcriptional dynamics in response to loss of GRHL2 by nascent RNA Bru-seq using an MCF7 conditional knockout model. Integration of ChIP- and Bru-seq pinpoints candidate direct GRHL2 target genes in luminal breast cancer. Multiple connections between GRHL2 and proliferation are uncovered, including transcriptional activation of ETS and E2F transcription factors. Among EMT-related genes, direct regulation of CLDN4 is corroborated but several targets identified in other cells (including CDH1 and ZEB1) are ruled out by both ChIP- and Bru-seq as being directly controlled by GRHL2 in luminal breast cancer cells. Gene clusters correlating positively (including known GRHL2 targets such as ErbB3, CLDN4/7) or negatively (including TGFB1 and TGFBR2) with GRHL2 in the MCF7 knockout model, display similar correlation with GRHL2 in ER positive as well as ER negative breast cancer patients. Altogether, this study uncovers gene sets regulated directly or indirectly by GRHL2 in luminal breast cancer, identifies novel GRHL2-regulated genes, and points to distinct GRHL2 regulation of EMT in luminal breast cancer cells. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Wang
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bircan Coban
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Haoyu Wu
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jihed Chouaref
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lucia Daxinger
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Michelle T Paulsen
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mats Ljungman
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Marcel Smid
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John W M Martens
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erik H J Danen
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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14
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GRHL2 Enhances Phosphorylated Estrogen Receptor (ER) Chromatin Binding and Regulates ER-Mediated Transcriptional Activation and Repression. Mol Cell Biol 2022; 42:e0019122. [PMID: 36036613 PMCID: PMC9584124 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00191-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation of estrogen receptor α (ER) at serine 118 (pS118-ER) is induced by estrogen and is the most abundant posttranslational mark associated with a transcriptionally active receptor. Cistromic analysis of pS118-ER from our group revealed enrichment of the GRHL2 motif near pS118-ER binding sites. In this study, we used cistromic and transcriptomic analyses to interrogate the relationship between GRHL2 and pS118-ER. We found that GRHL2 is bound to chromatin at pS118-ER/GRHL2 co-occupancy sites prior to ligand treatment, and GRHL2 binding is required for maximal pS118-ER recruitment. pS118-ER/GRHL2 co-occupancy sites were enriched at active enhancers marked by H3K27ac and H3K4me1, along with FOXA1 and p300, compared to sites where each factor binds independently. Transcriptomic analysis yielded four subsets of ER/GRHL2-coregulated genes revealing that GRHL2 can both enhance and antagonize E2-mediated ER transcriptional activity. Gene ontology analysis indicated that coregulated genes are involved in cell migration. Accordingly, knockdown of GRHL2, combined with estrogen treatment, resulted in increased cell migration but no change in proliferation. These results support a model in which GRHL2 binds to selected enhancers and facilitates pS118-ER recruitment to chromatin, which then results in differential activation and repression of genes that control estrogen-regulated ER-positive breast cancer cell migration.
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15
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Hua J, Ma C, Wang CH, Wang Y, Feng S, Xiao T, Zhu C. Abnormal GRHL2 Methylation Confers Malignant Progression to Acute Leukemia. Appl Bionics Biomech 2022; 2022:9708829. [PMID: 35855840 PMCID: PMC9288345 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9708829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Abnormal methylation of Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2) is associated with a substantial role in the malignant phenotype of tumor patients. Our present research is aimed at studying the abnormal expression of GRHL2 and the association of methylation in patients with acute leukemia and its relationship with prognosis. Materials and Methods We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for detecting the aberrant expression level of GRHL2 in 60 patients with acute leukemia and 60 normal controls. We analyzed the significant correlation between the expression level of GRHL2 with clinicopathological features and patients' prognosis in acute leukemia using the corresponding statistical methods. Secondly, we employed qRT-PCR and Western blotting to detect the mRNA and protein levels of GRHL2 in leukemia cell lines. Next, we used methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) technology for detecting the methylation of GRHL2 in clinical samples with acute leukemia and cell lines. Then we investigated the demethylating effect of arsenic trioxide and 5-azacitidine on the mRNA and protein expression levels of GRHL2 in cell lines of acute leukemia. Finally, we studied the effects of arsenide trioxide and 5-azacitidine on the proliferation of leukemia cells and the TGF-β signaling pathway. Results We found a lower level of GRHL2 expression not only in acute leukemia patients but also in cell lines when compared with normal controls. At the same time, the expression level of GRHL2 in patients with acute leukemia was significantly correlated with leukocyte count, platelet count, and cytogenetic risk grouping. In addition, the lower GRHL2 expression group showed a significantly lower overall survival rate in acute leukemia patients than that of patients with a higher GRHL2 expression group. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the expression of GRHL2 is an independent risk factor in acute leukemia patients. The methylation level of the GRHL2 promoter region in acute leukemia patients and cell lines was significantly higher than the normal control group, and we found the elevated mRNA and protein levels of GRHL2 in acute leukemia cell lines after the use of the demethylation drug arsenic trioxide and 5-azacitidine. At the same time, arsenide trioxide and 5-azacitidine are associated with the inhibition of cellular proliferation of acute leukemia cells and also promote the elevated expression of TGF-β signaling pathway-linked proteins, including TGF-β, Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4. Conclusion Increased expression and methylation level of GRHL2 are closely associated with the prognosis and malignant phenotype of acute leukemia patients and play an irreplaceable role in the occurrence and development of patients with acute leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hua
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, China
| | - Congcong Ma
- Department of Hematology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Shandong University, China
| | - Chao Hui Wang
- Department of Hematology, Qingdao Haici Medical Group, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, China
| | - Saran Feng
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, China
| | - Taiwu Xiao
- Department of Hematology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Shandong University, China
| | - ChuanSheng Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, China
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16
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FKBP52 and FKBP51 differentially regulate the stability of estrogen receptor in breast cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2110256119. [PMID: 35394865 PMCID: PMC9169630 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2110256119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
SignificanceEstrogen receptor α (ERα) is a transcription factor that induces cell proliferation and exhibits increased expression in a large subset of breast cancers. We comprehensively searched for indicators of poor prognosis in ERα-positive breast cancer through the multiple databases, including interactome, transcriptome, and survival analysis, and identified FKBP52. We found that two immunophilins, FKBP52 and FKBP51, have opposing effects on ERα stability and propose that therapeutic targeting of FKBP52 could be useful for the prevention and treatment of ERα-positive breast cancers, including endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancers.
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17
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Gasperoni JG, Fuller JN, Darido C, Wilanowski T, Dworkin S. Grainyhead-like (Grhl) Target Genes in Development and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052735. [PMID: 35269877 PMCID: PMC8911041 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Grainyhead-like (GRHL) factors are essential, highly conserved transcription factors (TFs) that regulate processes common to both natural cellular behaviours during embryogenesis, and de-regulation of growth and survival pathways in cancer. Serving to drive the transcription, and therefore activation of multiple co-ordinating pathways, the three GRHL family members (GRHL1-3) are a critical conduit for modulating the molecular landscape that guides cellular decision-making processes during proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration. Animal models and in vitro approaches harbouring GRHL loss or gain-of-function are key research tools to understanding gene function, which gives confidence that resultant phenotypes and cellular behaviours may be translatable to humans. Critically, identifying and characterising the target genes to which these factors bind is also essential, as they allow us to discover and understand novel genetic pathways that could ultimately be used as targets for disease diagnosis, drug discovery and therapeutic strategies. GRHL1-3 and their transcriptional targets have been shown to drive comparable cellular processes in Drosophila, C. elegans, zebrafish and mice, and have recently also been implicated in the aetiology and/or progression of a number of human congenital disorders and cancers of epithelial origin. In this review, we will summarise the state of knowledge pertaining to the role of the GRHL family target genes in both development and cancer, primarily through understanding the genetic pathways transcriptionally regulated by these factors across disparate disease contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemma G. Gasperoni
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (J.G.G.); (J.N.F.)
| | - Jarrad N. Fuller
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (J.G.G.); (J.N.F.)
| | - Charbel Darido
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Tomasz Wilanowski
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Sebastian Dworkin
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (J.G.G.); (J.N.F.)
- Correspondence:
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18
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Kervarrec T, Pissaloux D, Poilane J, Tirode F, Tallet A, Collin C, Tallegas M, Berthon P, Gaboriaud P, Sohier P, Calonje E, Luzar B, Goto K, Cokelaere K, Lamant L, Balme B, Wild R, Neuville A, Deschamps L, Auberger E, Paumier V, Bonte H, Moulonguet I, Plantier F, Cales V, Pinsolle V, Roblet D, Dupuy F, Dallot A, Seris A, Jouary T, Houben R, Schrama D, Hesbacher S, Macagno N, Battistella M, Cribier B, Vergier B, Fouchardière A, Jullie M. Recurrent
FOXK1
::
GRHL
and
GPS2
::
GRHL
fusions in trichogerminoma. J Pathol 2022; 257:96-108. [DOI: 10.1002/path.5872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Kervarrec
- Department of Pathology Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours Tours France
- “Biologie des infections à polyomavirus” team, UMR INRA ISP 1282 Université de Tours Tours France
- CARADERM Network
| | - Daniel Pissaloux
- Department of Biopathology Center Léon Bérard Lyon France
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer Lyon France
| | - Jeremie Poilane
- Department of Pathology Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours Tours France
- Platform of Somatic Tumor Molecular Genetics Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours Tours France
- Department of Pathology Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Angers Angers France
| | - Franck Tirode
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer Lyon France
| | - Anne Tallet
- Platform of Somatic Tumor Molecular Genetics Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours Tours France
| | - Christine Collin
- Platform of Somatic Tumor Molecular Genetics Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours Tours France
| | - Matthias Tallegas
- Department of Pathology Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours Tours France
- Platform of Somatic Tumor Molecular Genetics Université de Tours, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours Tours France
| | - Patricia Berthon
- “Biologie des infections à polyomavirus” team, UMR INRA ISP 1282 Université de Tours Tours France
| | - Pauline Gaboriaud
- “Biologie des infections à polyomavirus” team, UMR INRA ISP 1282 Université de Tours Tours France
| | - Pierre Sohier
- CARADERM Network
- Faculté de Médecine Paris Centre Santé University of Paris Paris France
- Department of Pathology Hôpital Cochin, AP‐HP Centre‐Université de Paris Paris France
| | - Eduardo Calonje
- Department of Dermatopathology St John's Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas's Hospital London UK
| | - Boštjan Luzar
- Institute of Pathology Medical Faculty University of Ljubljana Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Keisuke Goto
- Department of Pathology Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Disease Center Komagome Hospital Tokyo Japan
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Sunto Japan
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology and Cytology Osaka International Cancer Institute Osaka Japan
- Department of Dermatology Hyogo Cancer Center Akashi Japan
| | | | - Laurence Lamant
- CARADERM Network
- Department of Pathology, CHU Toulouse, Institut Universitaire du Cancer Toulouse Oncopole Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier Toulouse France
| | - Brigitte Balme
- CARADERM Network
- Department of Pathology Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lyon Lyon France
| | | | - Agnes Neuville
- Contades Office of Pathological Anatomy and Cytology Strasbourg France
| | - Lydia Deschamps
- CARADERM Network
- Department of Pathology, APHP Bichat Hospital Paris France
| | - Elisabeth Auberger
- Service d'anatomie et cytologie pathologiques Hopital Simone Veil Eaubonne France
| | | | | | | | - Françoise Plantier
- Department of Pathology Hôpital Cochin, AP‐HP Centre‐Université de Paris Paris France
- Cabinet Mathurin Moreau Paris France
| | - Valérie Cales
- Department of Pathology Centre hospitalier de Pau Pau France
| | - Vincent Pinsolle
- Department of plastic and reconstructive surgery Hôpital Haut‐Lévêque, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Bordeaux Pessac France
| | - Denis Roblet
- Department of Pathology Centre hospitalier d'Angouleme Saint Michel France
| | - Frantz Dupuy
- Laboratoire de cytologie et d'anatomie pathologiques», le Bouscat France
| | - Alexiane Dallot
- Centre national de Dermatopathologie‐La Roquette Paris France
| | | | - Thomas Jouary
- CARADERM Network
- Department of Dermatology Centre Hospitalier de Pau Pau France
| | - Roland Houben
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology University Hospital Würzburg, Josef‐Schneider‐Straße 2 Würzburg Germany
| | - David Schrama
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology University Hospital Würzburg, Josef‐Schneider‐Straße 2 Würzburg Germany
| | - Sonja Hesbacher
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology University Hospital Würzburg, Josef‐Schneider‐Straße 2 Würzburg Germany
| | - Nicolas Macagno
- CARADERM Network
- Department of Biopathology Center Léon Bérard Lyon France
- Department of Pathology Timone University Hospital Marseille France
| | - Maxime Battistella
- CARADERM Network
- Department of Pathology, APHP Hôpital Saint Louis Université Paris 7 Paris France
| | - Bernard Cribier
- CARADERM Network
- Dermatology Clinic, Hôpitaux Universitaires & Université de Strasbourg, Hôpital Civil Strasbourg France
| | - Beatrice Vergier
- Department of Pathology, Hôpital Haut‐Lévêque, CHU de Bordeaux Pessac France
| | - Arnaud Fouchardière
- CARADERM Network
- Department of Biopathology Center Léon Bérard Lyon France
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer Lyon France
| | - Marie‐Laure Jullie
- CARADERM Network
- Department of Pathology, Hôpital Haut‐Lévêque, CHU de Bordeaux Pessac France
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Imodoye SO, Adedokun KA, Muhammed AO, Bello IO, Muhibi MA, Oduola T, Oyenike MA. Understanding the Complex Milieu of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer Metastasis: New Insight Into the Roles of Transcription Factors. Front Oncol 2021; 11:762817. [PMID: 34868979 PMCID: PMC8636732 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.762817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological program during which polarised, immobile epithelial cells lose connection with their neighbours and are converted to migratory mesenchymal phenotype. Mechanistically, EMT occurs via a series of genetic and cellular events leading to the repression of epithelial-associated markers and upregulation of mesenchymal-associated markers. EMT is very crucial for many biological processes such as embryogenesis and ontogenesis during human development, and again it plays a significant role in wound healing during a programmed replacement of the damaged tissues. However, this process is often hijacked in pathological conditions such as tumour metastasis, which constitutes the most significant drawback in the fight against cancer, accounting for about 90% of cancer-associated mortality globally. Worse still, metastatic tumours are not only challenging to treat with the available conventional radiotherapy and surgical interventions but also resistant to several cytotoxic agents during treatment, owing to their anatomically diffuse localisation in the body system. As the quest to find an effective method of addressing metastasis in cancer intervention heightens, understanding the molecular interplay involving the signalling pathways, downstream effectors, and their interactions with the EMT would be an important requisite while the challenges of metastasis continue to punctuate. Unfortunately, the molecular underpinnings that govern this process remain to be completely illuminated. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that EMT, which initiates every episode of metastasis, significantly requires some master regulators called EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs). Thus, this review critically examines the roles of TFs as drivers of molecular rewiring that lead to tumour initiation, progression, EMT, metastasis, and colonisation. In addition, it discusses the interaction of various signalling molecules and effector proteins with these factors. It also provides insight into promising therapeutic targets that may inhibit the metastatic process to overcome the limitation of “undruggable” cancer targets in therapeutic design and upturn the current spate of drug resistance. More so, it extends the discussion from the basic understanding of the EMT binary switch model, and ultimately unveiling the E/M cellular plasticity along a phenotypic spectrum via multiple trans-differentiations. It wraps up on how this knowledge update shapes the diagnostic and clinical approaches that may demand a potential shift in investigative paradigm using novel technologies such as single-cell analyses to improve overall patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sikiru O Imodoye
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Kamoru A Adedokun
- Department of Oral Pathology, Dental University Hospital, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdurrasheed Ola Muhammed
- Department of Histopathology, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim O Bello
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL, United States
| | - Musa A Muhibi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Edo State University, Uzairue, Nigeria
| | - Taofeeq Oduola
- Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Musiliu A Oyenike
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Nigeria
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20
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Li CH, Hsu TI, Chang YC, Chan MH, Lu PJ, Hsiao M. Stationed or Relocating: The Seesawing EMT/MET Determinants from Embryonic Development to Cancer Metastasis. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091265. [PMID: 34572451 PMCID: PMC8472300 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial and mesenchymal transition mechanisms continue to occur during the cell cycle and throughout human development from the embryo stage to death. In embryo development, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) can be divided into three essential steps. First, endoderm, mesoderm, and neural crest cells form, then the cells are subdivided, and finally, cardiac valve formation occurs. After the embryonic period, the human body will be subjected to ongoing mechanical stress or injury. The formation of a wound requires EMT to recruit fibroblasts to generate granulation tissues, repair the wound and re-create an intact skin barrier. However, once cells transform into a malignant tumor, the tumor cells acquire the characteristic of immortality. Local cell growth with no growth inhibition creates a solid tumor. If the tumor cannot obtain enough nutrition in situ, the tumor cells will undergo EMT and invade the basal membrane of nearby blood vessels. The tumor cells are transported through the bloodstream to secondary sites and then begin to form colonies and undergo reverse EMT, the so-called "mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET)." This dynamic change involves cell morphology, environmental conditions, and external stimuli. Therefore, in this manuscript, the similarities and differences between EMT and MET will be dissected from embryonic development to the stage of cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hsiu Li
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (T.-I.H.); (M.-H.C.)
| | - Tai-I Hsu
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (T.-I.H.); (M.-H.C.)
| | - Yu-Chan Chang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
| | - Ming-Hsien Chan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (T.-I.H.); (M.-H.C.)
| | - Pei-Jung Lu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
- Clinical Medicine Research Center, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (P.-J.L.); (M.H.)
| | - Michael Hsiao
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (T.-I.H.); (M.-H.C.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (P.-J.L.); (M.H.)
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21
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The emerging role of miR-200 family in metastasis: focus on EMT, CSCs, angiogenesis, and anoikis. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:6935-6947. [PMID: 34510322 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06666-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer is the second major threat to human society and one of the main challenges facing healthcare systems. One of the main problems of cancer care is the metastases of cancer cells that cause 90% of deaths due to cancer. Multiple molecular mechanisms are involved in cancer cell metastasis. Therefore, a better understanding of these molecular mechanisms is necessary for designing restrictive strategies against cancer cell metastasis. Accumulating data suggests that MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in metastasis and invasion of human tumors through regulating multiple genes expression levels that are involved in molecular mechanisms of metastasis. The goal of this review is to present the molecular pathways by which the miR 200 family manifests its effects on EMT, cancer stem cells, angiogenesis, anoikis, and the effects of tumor cell metastases. METHODS A detailed literature search was conducted to find information about the role of the miR-200 family in the processes involved in metastasis in various databases. RESULTS Numerous lines of evidence revealed an association between the mir-200 family and metastasis of human tumors by impressing processes such as cancer stem cells, EMT, angiogenesis, and anoikis. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with metastasis in which the miR-200 family is involved can be effective in treating metastatic cancers.
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22
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Wang X, Yan J, Shen B, Wei G. Integrated Chromatin Accessibility and Transcriptome Landscapes of Doxorubicin-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:708066. [PMID: 34395436 PMCID: PMC8363264 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.708066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Doxorubicin is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic drugs for breast cancer while its common drug resistance leads to poor patient prognosis and survival. Growing evidence indicate dynamically reorganized chromatin allows rapid access of the gene regulatory machinery to open genomic regions facilitating subsequent gene expression through direct transcription factor (TF) activation and regulatory element binding. METHODS To better understand the regulatory network underlying doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer cells, we explored the systematic alterations of chromatin accessibility and gene expression by the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) in combination with RNA sequencing, followed by integrative analysis to identify potential regulators and their targets associated with differentially accessible regions (DARs) in doxorubicin-resistant MCF7 (MCF7-DR) cells. RESULTS A total of 3,963 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to doxorubicin resistance were identified, including dramatically up-regulated MT1E, GSTP1, LDHB, significantly down-regulated TFF1, UBB, DSCAM-AS1, and histone-modifying enzyme coding genes HDAC2, EZH2, PRMT5, etc. By integrating with transcriptomic datasets, we identified 18,228 DARs in MCF7-DR cells compared to control, which were positively correlated with their nearest DEGs (r = 0.6). There were 11,686 increased chromatin-accessible regions, which were enriched in up-regulated genes related to diverse KEGG pathways, such as the cell cycle, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, signaling pathways of MAPK, PI3K/Akt and Hippo, which play essential roles in regulating cell apoptosis, proliferation, metabolism, and inflammatory responses. The 6,542 decreased chromatin-accessible regions were identified for the declined doxorubicin-associated biological processes, for instance, endocrine and insulin resistance, central carbon metabolism, signaling pathways of TGF-beta and P53. Combining data from TCGA, analyses of the DAR sequences associated with the DNA-binding motifs of significantly enriched TF families including AP-1, TEAD and FOX, indicated that the loss-function of FOXA1 might play a critical role in doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells (DOX-R BCCs). CONCLUSION These data exhibit the non-genetic landscape of chromatin accessibility and transcript levels in the DOX-R BCCs, and provide clear insights and resources for the detection of critical TFs and potential cis-regulatory elements-based putative therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelong Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jizhou Yan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute for Marine Biosystem and Neurosciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Baiyong Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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23
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Jiangzhou H, Zhang H, Sun R, Fahira A, Wang K, Li Z, Shi Y, Wang Z. Integrative omics analysis reveals effective stratification and potential prognosis markers of pan-gastrointestinal cancers. iScience 2021; 24:102824. [PMID: 34381964 PMCID: PMC8340129 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102824] [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: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancers are the most common malignant cancers with high mortality rate. Pan-cancer multi-omics data fusion provides a powerful strategy to examine commonalities and differences among various cancer types and benefits for the identification of pan-cancer drug targets. Herein, we conducted an integrative omics analysis on The Cancer Genome Atlas pan-GI samples including six carcinomas and stratified into 9 clusters, i.e. 5 single-type-dominant clusters and 4 mixed clusters, the clustering reveals the molecular features of different subtypes, other than the organ and cell-of-origin classifications. Especially the mixed clusters revealed the homogeneity of pan-GI cancers. We demonstrated that the prognosis differences among pan-GI subtypes based on multi-omics integration are more significant than clustering by single-omics. The potential prognostic markers for pan-GI stratification were identified by proportional hazards model, such as PSCA (for colorectal and stomach cancer) and PPP1CB (for liver and pancreatic cancer), which have prominent prognostic power supported by high concordance index. Pan-cancer multi-omics strategy reveals homogeneity and heterogeneity of pan-GI cancers Identify 9 iclusters with significantly different survival and molecular features Potential prognostic markers have prominent power supported by concordance index
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiting Jiangzhou
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Centre for Brain Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Hang Zhang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Centre for Brain Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Renliang Sun
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Centre for Brain Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Aamir Fahira
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Centre for Brain Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Centre for Brain Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Zhiqiang Li
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Centre for Brain Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China.,Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University & Biomedical Sciences Institute of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yongyong Shi
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Centre for Brain Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China.,Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University & Biomedical Sciences Institute of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Centre for Brain Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
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24
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Matsuoka S, Suzuki H, Kato C, Kamikawa-Tokai M, Kamikawa A, Okamatsu-Ogura Y, Kimura K. Expression of Grainyhead-like 2 in the Process of Ductal Development of Mouse Mammary Gland. J Histochem Cytochem 2021; 69:373-388. [PMID: 33985378 PMCID: PMC8182637 DOI: 10.1369/00221554211013715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Grainyhead-like 2 (Grhl2) is a transcription factor regulating cell adhesion genes. Grhl2 acts as an epithelial-mesenchymal transition suppressor, and it is a proto-oncogene involved in estrogen-stimulated breast cancer proliferation. However, its expression during ovarian hormone-dependent mammary ductal development remains obscure. We here examined Grhl2 expression in the mammary gland of normal and steroid-replaced ovariectomized mice. Grhl2 protein signals were detected in both the mammary luminal epithelial and myoepithelial nuclei. The ratio and density of Grhl2-positive nuclei increased after the onset of puberty and progressed with age, whereas Grhl2-negative epithelial cells were detected in mature ducts. Claudin 3, claudin 4, claudin 7, and E-cadherin gene expression in the mammary gland was upregulated, and their expression was highly correlated with Grhl2 gene expression. Furthermore, Grhl2 mRNA expression and ductal lumen width were significantly increased by the combined treatment of estrogen and progesterone compared with estrogen alone. These results suggest that Grhl2 expressed in the luminal epithelial and myoepithelial cells from the early phase of ductal development, controlling the expression of cell adhesion molecules to establish functional ducts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Matsuoka
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate
School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Suzuki
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate
School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Chieko Kato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate
School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Mai Kamikawa-Tokai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate
School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Akihiro Kamikawa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate
School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuko Okamatsu-Ogura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate
School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kimura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate
School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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25
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Kvokačková B, Remšík J, Jolly MK, Souček K. Phenotypic Heterogeneity of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Mediated by Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2188. [PMID: 34063254 PMCID: PMC8125677 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast carcinoma known for its unusually aggressive behavior and poor clinical outcome. Besides the lack of molecular targets for therapy and profound intratumoral heterogeneity, the relatively quick overt metastatic spread remains a major obstacle in effective clinical management. The metastatic colonization of distant sites by primary tumor cells is affected by the microenvironment, epigenetic state of particular subclones, and numerous other factors. One of the most prominent processes contributing to the intratumoral heterogeneity is an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an evolutionarily conserved developmental program frequently hijacked by tumor cells, strengthening their motile and invasive features. In response to various intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli, malignant cells can revert the EMT state through the mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), a process that is believed to be critical for the establishment of macrometastasis at secondary sites. Notably, cancer cells rarely undergo complete EMT and rather exist in a continuum of E/M intermediate states, preserving high levels of plasticity, as demonstrated in primary tumors and, ultimately, in circulating tumor cells, representing a simplified element of the metastatic cascade. In this review, we focus on cellular drivers underlying EMT/MET phenotypic plasticity and its detrimental consequences in the context of TNBC cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Kvokačková
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic;
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ján Remšík
- Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India;
| | - Karel Souček
- Department of Cytokinetics, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 612 65 Brno, Czech Republic;
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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26
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Deng Z, Cangkrama M, Butt T, Jane SM, Carpinelli MR. Grainyhead-like transcription factors: guardians of the skin barrier. Vet Dermatol 2021; 32:553-e152. [PMID: 33843098 DOI: 10.1111/vde.12956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
There has been selective pressure to maintain a skin barrier since terrestrial animals evolved 360 million years ago. These animals acquired an unique integumentary system with a keratinized, stratified, squamous epithelium surface barrier. The barrier protects against dehydration and entry of microbes and toxins. The skin barrier centres on the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis and consists of cornified envelopes cemented by the intercorneocyte lipid matrix. Multiple components of the barrier undergo cross-linking by transglutaminase (TGM) enzymes, while keratins provide additional mechanical strength. Cellular tight junctions also are crucial for barrier integrity. The grainyhead-like (GRHL) transcription factors regulate the formation and maintenance of the integument in diverse species. GRHL3 is essential for formation of the skin barrier during embryonic development, whereas GRHL1 maintains the skin barrier postnatally. This is achieved by transactivation of Tgm1 and Tgm5, respectively. In addition to its barrier function, GRHL3 plays key roles in wound repair and as an epidermal tumour suppressor. In its former role, GRHL3 activates the planar cell polarity signalling pathway to mediate wound healing by providing directional migration cues. In squamous epithelium, GRHL3 regulates the balance between proliferation and differentiation, and its loss induces squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In the skin, this is mediated through increased expression of MIR21, which reduces the expression levels of GRHL3 and its direct target, PTEN, leading to activation of the PI3K-AKT signalling pathway. These data position the GRHL family as master regulators of epidermal homeostasis across a vast gulf of evolutionary history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Deng
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael Cangkrama
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tariq Butt
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen M Jane
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Marina R Carpinelli
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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27
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Kwan EM, Fettke H, Crumbaker M, Docanto MM, To SQ, Bukczynska P, Mant A, Ng N, Foroughi S, Graham LJK, Haynes AM, Azer S, Lim LE, Segelov E, Mahon K, Davis ID, Parente P, Pezaro C, Todenhöfer T, Sathianathen N, Hauser C, Horvath LG, Joshua AM, Azad AA. Whole blood GRHL2 expression as a prognostic biomarker in metastatic hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:1688-1699. [PMID: 33968657 PMCID: PMC8100842 DOI: 10.21037/tau-20-1444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As potent systemic therapies transition earlier in the prostate cancer disease course, molecular biomarkers are needed to guide optimal treatment selection for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). The value of whole blood RNA to detect candidate biomarkers in mHSPC remains largely undefined. Methods In this cohort study, we used a previously optimised whole blood reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay to assess the prognostic utility [measured by seven-month undetectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and time to castration-resistance (TTCR)] of eight prostate cancer-associated gene transcripts in 43 mHSPC patients. Transcripts with statistically significant associations (P<0.05) were further investigated in a metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) cohort (n=119) receiving contemporary systemic therapy, exploring associations with PSA >50% response (PSA50), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Clinical outcomes were prospectively collected in a protected digital database. Kaplan-Meier estimates and multivariable Cox proportional-hazards models assessed associations between gene transcripts and clinical outcomes (mHSPC covariates: disease volume, docetaxel use and haemoglobin level; mCRPC covariates: prior exposure to chemotherapy or ARPIs, haemoglobin, performance status and presence of visceral disease). Follow-up was performed monthly during ARPI treatment, three-weekly during taxane chemotherapy, and three-monthly during androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) monotherapy. Serial PSA measurements were performed before each follow-up visit and repeat imaging was at the discretion of the investigator. Results Detection of circulating Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2) transcript was associated with poor outcomes in mHSPC and mCRPC patients. Detectable GRHL2 expression in mHSPC was associated with a lower rate of seven-month undetectable PSA levels (25% vs. 65%, P=0.059), and independently associated with shorter TTCR (HR 7.3, 95% CI: 1.5–36, P=0.01). In the mCRPC cohort, GRHL2 expression predicted significantly lower PSA50 response rates (46% vs. 69%, P=0.01), and was independently associated with shorter PFS (HR 3.1, 95% CI: 1.8–5.2, P<0.001) and OS (HR 2.9, 95% CI: 1.6–5.1, P<0.001). Associations were most apparent in patients receiving ARPIs. Conclusions Detectable circulating GRHL2 was a negative prognostic biomarker in our mHSPC and mCRPC cohorts. These data support further investigation of GRHL2 as a candidate prognostic biomarker in metastatic prostate cancer, in addition to expanding efforts to better understand a putative role in therapeutic resistance to AR targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmond M Kwan
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Heidi Fettke
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Megan Crumbaker
- Department of Medical Oncology, Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St Vincent's Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.,Garvan Institute of Medical Research, New South Wales, Australia.,University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Maria M Docanto
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sarah Q To
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Andrew Mant
- Department of Medical Oncology, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia.,Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicole Ng
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Siavash Foroughi
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Sarah Azer
- Department of Urology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Eva Segelov
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kate Mahon
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, New South Wales, Australia.,University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Medical Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ian D Davis
- Department of Medical Oncology, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia.,Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Phillip Parente
- Department of Medical Oncology, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia.,Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Niranjan Sathianathen
- Division of Cancer Surgery, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Lisa G Horvath
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, New South Wales, Australia.,University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Medical Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, New South Wales, Australia.,Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anthony M Joshua
- Department of Medical Oncology, Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St Vincent's Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.,Garvan Institute of Medical Research, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Arun A Azad
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Australia
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Cysteine-Rich Angiogenic Inducer 61: Pro-Survival Function and Role as a Biomarker for Disseminating Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030563. [PMID: 33540545 PMCID: PMC7867178 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Metastasis is the leading cause of death in breast cancer, and it can be predicted by the detection of circulating tumor cells in the blood and disseminated tumor cells in the bone marrow, which are usually detected by epithelial marker proteins. However, tumor cells with mesenchymal attributes down-regulate the expression of epithelial marker proteins, and are therefore difficult to detect. Here, we found that the protein-cysteine–rich angiogenetic inducer 61 (Cyr61) is strongly expressed in tumor cells with mesenchymal attributes. Cyr61 expression was undetectable in normal blood cells, suggesting that Cyr61 might represent a tumor-associated protein. Functional experiments showed that the loss of Cyr61 reduces the viability of breast tumor cells. Thus, Cyr61 might represent an interesting anti-metastatic target that needs to be explored in future studies. Abstract (1) Background: the early detection of cancer cells in the blood or bone marrow of breast cancer patients improves the understanding of metastasis. Disseminating tumor cells in the bone marrow with a pronounced manifestation of mesenchymal markers (mDTC) are difficult to detect by epithelial markers, but they are relevant in the initiation of metastasis. (2) Methods: the breast cancer mDTC cell line BC-M1 was analyzed by mass spectrometry, which revealed high levels of the protein-cysteine–rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61). The function of Cyr61 was investigated using shRNA and hypoxia. Peripheral blood samples from 35 breast cancer patients were investigated for CTCs defined as cytokeratin-positive/CD45-negative cells. (3) Results: the Cyr61 levels are elevated in mDTC lines from breast, lung, and prostate cancer patients. The loss of Cyr61 resulted in the diminished expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha, and increased apoptosis. Cyr61 was present in 47 (43%) of the 109 detected circulating tumor cells (CTCs), while the blood and bone marrow cells from healthy controls were Cyr61-negative. (4) Conclusions: Cyr61 is expressed in mDTC lines, supports the viability of cancer cells, and classifies a new subset of cytokeratin-positive CTCs, which deserves further investigation.
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Jang M, An J, Oh SW, Lim JY, Kim J, Choi JK, Cheong JH, Kim P. Matrix stiffness epigenetically regulates the oncogenic activation of the Yes-associated protein in gastric cancer. Nat Biomed Eng 2021; 5:114-123. [PMID: 33288878 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-020-00657-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
In many cancers, tumour progression is associated with increased tissue stiffness. Yet, the mechanisms associating tissue stiffness with tumorigenesis and malignant transformation are unclear. Here we show that in gastric cancer cells, the stiffness of the extracellular matrix reversibly regulates the DNA methylation of the promoter region of the mechanosensitive Yes-associated protein (YAP). Reciprocal interactions between YAP and the DNA methylation inhibitors GRHL2, TET2 and KMT2A can cause hypomethylation of the YAP promoter and stiffness-induced oncogenic activation of YAP. Direct alteration of extracellular cues via in situ matrix softening reversed YAP activity and the epigenetic program. Our findings suggest that epigenetic reprogramming of the mechanophysical properties of the extracellular microenvironment of solid tumours may represent a therapeutic strategy for the inhibition of cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjeong Jang
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhyeon An
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Won Oh
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Yeon Lim
- Department of Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Kyoon Choi
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Ho Cheong
- Department of Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Pilnam Kim
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. .,Institute for Health Science and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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Gupta R, Kumar G, Jain BP, Chandra S, Goswami SK. Ectopic expression of 35 kDa and knocking down of 78 kDa SG2NAs induce cytoskeletal reorganization, alter membrane sialylation, and modulate the markers of EMT. Mol Cell Biochem 2020; 476:633-648. [PMID: 33083950 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-020-03932-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
SG2NA is a protein of the striatin family that organizes STRIPAK complexes. It has splice variants expressing differentially in tissues. Its 78 kDa isoform regulates cell cycle, maintains homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum, and prevents oxidative injuries. The 35 kDa variant is devoid of the signature WD-40 repeats in the carboxy terminal, and its function is unknown. We expressed it in NIH 3T3 cells that otherwise express 78 kDa variant only. These cells (35 EE) have altered morphology, faster rate of migration, and enhanced growth as measured by the MTT assay. Similar phenotypes were also seen in cells where the endogenous 78 kDa isoform was downregulated by siRNA (78 KD). Proteomic analyses showed that several cancer-associated proteins are modulated in both 35 EE and 78 KD cells. The 35 EE cells have diffused actin fibers, distinctive ultrastructure, reduced sialylation, and increased expression of MMP2 & 9. The 78 KD cells also had diffused actin fibers and an upregulated expression of MMP2. In both cells, markers epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) viz, E- & N-cadherins, β-catenin, slug, vimentin, and ZO-1 were modulated partially in tune with the EMT process. Since NIH 3T3 cells are mesenchymal, we also expressed 35 kDa SG2NA in MCF-7 cells of epithelial origin. In these cells (MCF-7-35), the actin fibers were also diffused and the modulation of the markers was more in tune with the EMT process. However, unlike in 35 EE cells, in MCF-7-35 cells, membrane sialylation rather increased. We infer that ectopic expression of 35 kDa and downregulation of 78 kDa SG2NAs partially induce transformed phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Gupta
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Gaurav Kumar
- Peptide and Proteomics Division, Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), DRDO, Delhi, 110054, India
| | - Buddhi Prakash Jain
- Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, 845401, Bihar, India
| | - Sunandini Chandra
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shyamal K Goswami
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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Silveira DA, Gupta S, Mombach JCM. Systems biology approach suggests new miRNAs as phenotypic stability factors in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J R Soc Interface 2020; 17:20200693. [PMID: 33050781 PMCID: PMC7653381 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular programme on which epithelial cells undergo a phenotypic transition to mesenchymal ones acquiring metastatic properties such as mobility and invasion. TGF-β signalling can promote the EMT process. However, the dynamics of the concentration response of TGF-β-induced EMT is not well explained. In this work, we propose a logical model of TGF-β dose dependence of EMT in MCF10A breast cells. The model outcomes agree with experimentally observed phenotypes for the wild-type and perturbed/mutated cases. As important findings of the model, it predicts the coexistence of more than one hybrid state and that the circuit between TWIST1 and miR-129 is involved in their stabilization. Thus, miR-129 should be considered as a phenotypic stability factor. The circuit TWIST1/miR-129 associates with ZEB1-mediated circuits involving miRNAs 200, 1199, 340, and the protein GRHL2 to stabilize the hybrid state. Additionally, we found a possible new autocrine mechanism composed of the circuit involving TGF-β, miR-200, and SNAIL1 that contributes to the stabilization of the mesenchymal state. Therefore, our work can extend our comprehension of TGF-β-induced EMT in MCF10A cells to potentially improve the strategies for breast cancer treatment.
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Sundararajan V, Pang QY, Choolani M, Huang RYJ. Spotlight on the Granules (Grainyhead-Like Proteins) - From an Evolutionary Conserved Controller of Epithelial Trait to Pioneering the Chromatin Landscape. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:213. [PMID: 32974388 PMCID: PMC7471608 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the transcription factors that are conserved across phylogeny, the grainyhead family holds vital roles in driving the epithelial cell fate. In Drosophila, the function of grainyhead (grh) gene is essential during developmental processes such as epithelial differentiation, tracheal tube formation, maintenance of wing and hair polarity, and epidermal barrier wound repair. Three main mammalian orthologs of grh: Grainyhead-like 1-3 (GRHL1, GRHL2, and GRHL3) are highly conserved in terms of their gene structures and functions. GRHL proteins are essentially associated with the development and maintenance of the epithelial phenotype across diverse physiological conditions such as epidermal differentiation and craniofacial development as well as pathological functions including hearing impairment and neural tube defects. More importantly, through direct chromatin binding and induction of epigenetic alterations, GRHL factors function as potent suppressors of oncogenic cellular dedifferentiation program - epithelial-mesenchymal transition and its associated tumor-promoting phenotypes such as tumor cell migration and invasion. On the contrary, GRHL factors also induce pro-tumorigenic effects such as increased migration and anchorage-independent growth in certain tumor types. Furthermore, investigations focusing on the epithelial-specific activation of grh and GRHL factors have revealed that these factors potentially act as a pioneer factor in establishing a cell-type/cell-state specific accessible chromatin landscape that is exclusive for epithelial gene transcription. In this review, we highlight the essential roles of grh and GRHL factors during embryogenesis and pathogenesis, with a special focus on its emerging pioneering function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Sundararajan
- Center for Translational Medicine, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qing You Pang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mahesh Choolani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ruby Yun-Ju Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Gaponova AV, Rodin S, Mazina AA, Volchkov PV. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition: Role in Cancer Progression and the Perspectives of Antitumor Treatment. Acta Naturae 2020; 12:4-23. [PMID: 33173593 PMCID: PMC7604894 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.11010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
About 90% of all malignant tumors are of epithelial nature. The epithelial tissue is characterized by a close interconnection between cells through cell-cell interactions, as well as a tight connection with the basement membrane, which is responsible for cell polarity. These interactions strictly determine the location of epithelial cells within the body and are seemingly in conflict with the metastatic potential that many cancers possess (the main criteria for highly malignant tumors). Tumor dissemination into vital organs is one of the primary causes of death in patients with cancer. Tumor dissemination is based on the so-called epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process when epithelial cells are transformed into mesenchymal cells possessing high mobility and migration potential. More and more studies elucidating the role of the EMT in metastasis and other aspects of tumor progression are published each year, thus forming a promising field of cancer research. In this review, we examine the most recent data on the intracellular and extracellular molecular mechanisms that activate EMT and the role they play in various aspects of tumor progression, such as metastasis, apoptotic resistance, and immune evasion, aspects that have usually been attributed exclusively to cancer stem cells (CSCs). In conclusion, we provide a detailed review of the approved and promising drugs for cancer therapy that target the components of the EMT signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. V. Gaponova
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701 Russia
| | - S. Rodin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 17177 Sweden
| | - A. A. Mazina
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701 Russia
| | - P. V. Volchkov
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701 Russia
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SNAI1-Driven Sequential EMT Changes Attributed by Selective Chromatin Enrichment of RAD21 and GRHL2. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051140. [PMID: 32370157 PMCID: PMC7281482 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over two decades of research on cancer-associated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) led us to ascertain the occurrence of transitional intermediate states (collectively referred to as the EMT spectrum). Among the molecular factors that drive EMT, SNAI1 plays an indispensable role in regulating other core transcription factors, and this regulation is highly context-dependent. However, molecular investigation on this context-dependent regulation is still lacking. Using two ovarian cancer cell lines, we show that SNAI1 regulation on other core EMT-TFs switches from a repressive control in highly epithelial cells to an activation signaling in intermediate epithelial cells. Upon further scrutiny, we identify that the expression of early epithelial genes PERP and ERBB3 are differentially regulated in SNAI1-induced sequential EMT changes. Mechanistically, we show that changes in PERP and ERBB3 transcript levels could be correlated to the selective enrichment loss of RAD21, a cohesin component, at the distal enhancer sites of PERP and ERBB3, which precedes that of the proximal promoter-associated sites. Furthermore, the RAD21 enrichment at the distal enhancer sites is dependent on GRHL2 expression. In a nutshell, the alteration of GRHL2-associated RAD21 enrichment in epithelial genes is crucial to redefine the transition of cellular states along the EMT spectrum.
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35
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A STAT3 of Addiction: Adipose Tissue, Adipocytokine Signalling and STAT3 as Mediators of Metabolic Remodelling in the Tumour Microenvironment. Cells 2020; 9:cells9041043. [PMID: 32331320 PMCID: PMC7226520 DOI: 10.3390/cells9041043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic remodelling of the tumour microenvironment is a major mechanism by which cancer cells survive and resist treatment. The pro-oncogenic inflammatory cascade released by adipose tissue promotes oncogenic transformation, proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis and evasion of apoptosis. STAT3 has emerged as an important mediator of metabolic remodelling. As a downstream effector of adipocytokines and cytokines, its canonical and non-canonical activities affect mitochondrial functioning and cancer metabolism. In this review, we examine the central role played by the crosstalk between the transcriptional and mitochondrial roles of STAT3 to promote survival and further oncogenesis within the tumour microenvironment with a particular focus on adipose-breast cancer interactions.
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36
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Yuan M, Wang J, Fang F. Grainyhead-Like Genes Family May Act as Novel Biomarkers in Colon Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:3237-3245. [PMID: 32368082 PMCID: PMC7173839 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s242763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Grainyhead-like (GRHL) genes family were reported to participate in the development of a number of diseases. This study was designed to investigate the role of GRHL genes family in colon cancer (CC). METHODS In this study, the transcriptional levels of GRHL genes family in patients with CC from GEPIA were explored. Meanwhile, the immunohistochemical data of the GRHL genes family were also obtained in the HPA database. Additionally, we re-identified the mRNA of these genes via real-time PCR. Furthermore, the association between the levels of GRHL genes and stage plot as well as survival condition including overall survival and disease-free survival of patients with CC was analyzed. Finally, by transfecting with specific-siRNA, clone formation assay was performed to observe the role of GRHL genes family in the proliferation of SW480 human colon cancer cells. RESULTS We found that the mRNA and protein levels of GRHL1, GRHL2 and GRHL3 were significantly higher in CC tissues than in normal colon tissues. Additionally, GRHL1, GRHL2 and GRHL3 were significantly associated with the stages of CC. The Kaplan-Meier plotter showed that the low levels of GRHL1, GRHL2 and GRHL3 conferred a better overall survival of patients with CC while the high levels of GRHL1 and GRHL3 were associated with poor disease-free survival. Knockdown of GRHL1, GRHL2 and GRH L3 siHgnificantly inhibited the ability of colony formation of human colon cancer cells. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that GRHL genes are involved in the prognosis and survival in patients with CC, the inhibition of which may suppress the proliferation of colon cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minchi Yuan
- Department of Oncology, The First People’s Hospital of Jiashan, Jiashan, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianping Wang
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fazhuang Fang
- Department of Abdominal Tumor Surgery, Jinhua Guangfu Hospital, Jinhua, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
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37
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Carpinelli MR, de Vries ME, Auden A, Butt T, Deng Z, Partridge DD, Miles LB, Georgy SR, Haigh JJ, Darido C, Brabletz S, Brabletz T, Stemmler MP, Dworkin S, Jane SM. Inactivation of Zeb1 in GRHL2-deficient mouse embryos rescues mid-gestation viability and secondary palate closure. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm.042218. [PMID: 32005677 PMCID: PMC7104862 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.042218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cleft lip and palate are common birth defects resulting from failure of the facial processes to fuse during development. The mammalian grainyhead-like (Grhl1-3) genes play key roles in a number of tissue fusion processes including neurulation, epidermal wound healing and eyelid fusion. One family member, Grhl2, is expressed in the epithelial lining of the first pharyngeal arch in mice at embryonic day (E)10.5, prompting analysis of the role of this factor in palatogenesis. Grhl2-null mice die at E11.5 with neural tube defects and a cleft face phenotype, precluding analysis of palatal fusion at a later stage of development. However, in the first pharyngeal arch of Grhl2-null embryos, dysregulation of transcription factors that drive epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurs. The aberrant expression of these genes is associated with a shift in RNA-splicing patterns that favours the generation of mesenchymal isoforms of numerous regulators. Driving the EMT perturbation is loss of expression of the EMT-suppressing transcription factors Ovol1 and Ovol2, which are direct GRHL2 targets. The expression of the miR-200 family of microRNAs, also GRHL2 targets, is similarly reduced, resulting in a 56-fold upregulation of Zeb1 expression, a major driver of mesenchymal cellular identity. The critical role of GRHL2 in mediating cleft palate in Zeb1−/− mice is evident, with rescue of both palatal and facial fusion seen in Grhl2−/−;Zeb1−/− embryos. These findings highlight the delicate balance between GRHL2/ZEB1 and epithelial/mesenchymal cellular identity that is essential for normal closure of the palate and face. Perturbation of this pathway may underlie cleft palate in some patients. Summary: Epithelial transcription factor GRHL2 is required for face closure while mesenchymal transcription factor ZEB1 is required for palate closure. Surprisingly, animals lacking both factors close their face and secondary palate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina R Carpinelli
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Michael E de Vries
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Alana Auden
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Tariq Butt
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Zihao Deng
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Darren D Partridge
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Lee B Miles
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Smitha R Georgy
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Jody J Haigh
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Charbel Darido
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Simone Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine I, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine I, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Marc P Stemmler
- Department of Experimental Medicine I, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dworkin
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Stephen M Jane
- Department of Medicine, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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Shen J, Lv X, Zhang L. GRHL2 Acts as an Anti-Oncogene in Bladder Cancer by Regulating ZEB1 in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Process. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:2511-2522. [PMID: 32280236 PMCID: PMC7127877 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s239120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE GRHL2 played important roles in different cancers. In this study, we aimed to investigate the roles of GRHL2 in bladder cancer. METHODS The immunohistochemistry assay was performed to detect the expression of GRHL2 in bladder cancer tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues and the expression levels of GRHL2 and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB1) mRNA in tissues were determined by qRT-PCR. In addition, qRT-PCR and Western blotting were applied to detect the expression levels of GRHL2 and ZEB1 in bladder cancer cell lines (RT4, BIU-87, 5637, T24) and immortalized human bladder epithelial cell line (SV-HUC-1). The cell models with up-regulated and down-regulated expression of GRHL2 were constructed using bladder cancer cell lines T24 and 5637 to investigate the underlying roles of GRHL2 on the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT process of bladder cancer cells. After that, cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK8 assay, cell cycle assay and colony formation assay. Transwell assay and wound healing assay were performed to determine the invasion and migration ability of the bladder cancer cells. The expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related proteins (E-cadherin, Vimentin, Slug and Snail) were assessed by Western blot analysis. Moreover, ZEB1 and GRHL2 were co-transfected into T24 and 5637 cells and their effects on EMT process and invasive capacity of cells were examined. RESULTS The expression of GRHL2 was down-regulated in bladder cancer tissues and human bladder cancer cell lines compared with the normal bladder tissues and immortalized human bladder epithelial cell line. Besides, down-regulation of GRHL2 improved the proliferation ability of bladder cancer cells and promoted the EMT process through up-regulation of ZEB1. The overexpression of ZEB1 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of GRHL2 on EMT. CONCLUSION GRHL2 acts as an anti-oncogene to regulate bladder cancer cell proliferation and inhibit EMT by targeting ZEB1. This study may provide a theoretical basis for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingang Shen
- Department of Urology, Chengwu County People’s Hospital, Shandong274200, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xianbao Lv
- Department of Urology, Chengwu County People’s Hospital, Shandong274200, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Urology, Zoucheng People’s Hospital, Shandong273500, People’s Republic of China
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Bergmann S, Coym A, Ott L, Soave A, Rink M, Janning M, Stoupiec M, Coith C, Peine S, von Amsberg G, Pantel K, Riethdorf S. Evaluation of PD-L1 expression on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC). Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1738798. [PMID: 32391189 PMCID: PMC7199812 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1738798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis shows durable responses in a subset of patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC). However, PD-L1 expression in tumor biopsies does not necessarily correlate with response to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Thus, a reliable predictive biomarker is urgently needed. Here, the expression of PD-L1 on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood from patients with advanced UC was analyzed. For this purpose, an assay to test PD-L1 expression on CTCs using the CellSearch® system was established using cells of five UC cell lines spiked into blood samples from healthy donors and applied to a heterogeneous cohort of UC patients. Enumeration of CTCs was performed in blood samples from 49 patients with advanced UC. PD-L1 expression in ≥1 CTC was found in 10 of 16 CTC-positive samples (63%). Both intra- and inter-patient heterogeneity regarding PD-L1 expression of CTCs were observed. Furthermore, vimentin-expressing CTCs were detected in 4 of 15 CTC-positive samples (27%), independently of PD-L1 analysis. Both CTC detection and presence of CTCs with moderate or strong PD-L1 expression correlated with worse overall survival. Analyses during disease course of three individual patients receiving ICI suggest that apart from CTC numbers also PD-L1 expression on CTCs might potentially indicate disease progression. This is the first study demonstrating the feasibility to detect CTC-PD-L1 expression in patients with advanced UC using the CellSearch® system. This assay is readily available for clinical application and could be implemented in future clinical trials to evaluate its relevance for predicting and monitoring response to ICI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Bergmann
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anja Coym
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leonie Ott
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Armin Soave
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Rink
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Janning
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Stoupiec
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Coith
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Peine
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gunhild von Amsberg
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Martini-Clinic, Prostate Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Riethdorf
- Institute of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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de Vries M, Carpinelli M, Rutland E, Hatzipantelis A, Partridge D, Auden A, Anderson PJ, De Groef B, Wu H, Osterwalder M, Visel A, Jane SM, Dworkin S. Interrogating the Grainyhead-like 2 (Grhl2) genomic locus identifies an enhancer element that regulates palatogenesis in mouse. Dev Biol 2020; 459:194-203. [PMID: 31782997 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The highly-conserved Grainyhead-like (Grhl) transcription factors are critical regulators of embryogenesis that regulate cellular survival, proliferation, migration and epithelial integrity, especially during the formation of the craniofacial skeleton. Family member Grhl2 is expressed throughout epithelial tissues during development, and loss of Grhl2 function leads to significant defects in neurulation, abdominal wall closure, formation of the face and fusion of the maxilla/palate. Whereas numerous downstream target genes of Grhl2 have been identified, very little is known about how this crucial developmental transcription factor itself is regulated. Here, using in silico and in utero expression analyses and functional deletion in mice, we have identified a novel 2.4 kb enhancer element (mm1286) that drives reporter gene expression in a pattern that strongly recapitulates endogenous Grhl2 in the craniofacial primordia, modulates Grhl2 expression in these tissues, and augments Grhl2-mediated closure of the secondary palate. Deletion of this genomic element, in the context of inactivation of one allele of Grhl2 (through generation of double heterozygous Grhl2+/-;mm1286+/- mice), results in a significant predisposition to palatal clefting at birth. Moreover, we found that a highly conserved 325 bp region of mm1286 is both necessary and sufficient for mediating the craniofacial-specific enhancer activity of this region, and that an extremely well-conserved 12-bp sequence within this element (CTGTCAAACAGGT) substantially determines full enhancer function. Together, these data provide valuable new insights into the upstream genomic regulatory landscape responsible for transcriptional control of Grhl2 during palatal closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael de Vries
- Department of Medicine, Monash University Central Clinical School, Prahran, Victoria, 3004, Australia; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Marina Carpinelli
- Department of Medicine, Monash University Central Clinical School, Prahran, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Emilie Rutland
- Department of Medicine, Monash University Central Clinical School, Prahran, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Aaron Hatzipantelis
- Department of Medicine, Monash University Central Clinical School, Prahran, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Darren Partridge
- Department of Medicine, Monash University Central Clinical School, Prahran, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Alana Auden
- Department of Medicine, Monash University Central Clinical School, Prahran, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Peter J Anderson
- Australian Craniofacial Unit, Women and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia; Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Bert De Groef
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Han Wu
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Marco Osterwalder
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Axel Visel
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Stephen M Jane
- Department of Medicine, Monash University Central Clinical School, Prahran, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Sebastian Dworkin
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3086, Australia.
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He J, Feng C, Zhu H, Wu S, Jin P, Xu T. Grainyhead-like 2 as a double-edged sword in development and cancer. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:310-331. [PMID: 32194886 PMCID: PMC7061838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2), one of the three homologs of Drosophila grainyhead, contributes to epithelial morphogenesis and differentiation. Dysregulation of GRHL2 has been shown to be involved in hearing loss and neural tube defects during embryogenesis. Moreover, it is well-recognized that GRHL2 suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that is required for migration and invasion of carcinoma, implicating, GRHL2 in carcinogenesis. Diverse mechanisms, as well as the varied roles of GRHL2 in different tumor tissues, have been elucidated. However, the functions of GRHL2 appear to be more complicated than initially thought. GRHL2, acting as either a tumor enhancer or a tumor inhibitor, depends on the type of cancer. In this review, we summarize research progress about normal physiological functions of GRHL2 including epithelial morphogenesis, neural tube closure, and hearing loss. Moreover, the mechanisms of GRHL2 in tumorigenesis, containing EMT suppression, forming a negative feedback loop with ZEB1 and miR200 family, interactions with estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent signaling pathway, regulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase and relationships with TGF-beta signaling pathway are discussed in this review in an effort to better understand the roles of GRHL2 in a variety of cancers toward the goal of GRHL2-targeted treatment in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxing He
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chunyang Feng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
| | - He Zhu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
| | - Shuying Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of MedicineAtlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Tianmin Xu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun, Jilin, China
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PLAGL2 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and mediates colorectal cancer metastasis via β-catenin-dependent regulation of ZEB1. Br J Cancer 2019; 122:578-589. [PMID: 31827238 PMCID: PMC7028997 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0679-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We previously demonstrated that the pleomorphic adenoma gene like-2 (PLAGL2) is involved in the pathogenesis of Hirschsprung disease. Enhanced PLAGL2 expression was observed in several malignant tumours. However, the exact function of PLAGL2 and its underlying mechanism in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain largely unknown. Methods Immunohistochemical analysis of PLAGL2 was performed. A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to reveal the role of PLAGL2 in the progression of CRC. Results Enhanced PLAGL2 expression was significantly associated with EMT-related proteins in CRC. The data revealed that PLAGL2 promotes CRC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, PLAGL2 promoted the expression of ZEB1. PLAGL2 enhanced the expression and nuclear translocation of β-catenin by decreasing its phosphorylation. The depletion of β-catenin neutralised the regulation of ZEB1 that was caused by enhanced PLAGL2 expression. The small-molecule inhibitor PNU-74654, also impaired the enhancement of ZEB1 that resulted from the modified PLAGL2 expression. The depletion of ZEB1 could block the biological function of PLAGL2 in CRC cells. Conclusions Collectively, our findings suggest that PLAGL2 mediates EMT to promote colorectal cancer metastasis via β-catenin-dependent regulation of ZEB1.
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Alterations in GRHL2-OVOL2-ZEB1 axis and aberrant activation of Wnt signaling lead to altered gene transcription in posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy. Exp Eye Res 2019; 188:107696. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.107696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Cocce KJ, Jasper JS, Desautels TK, Everett L, Wardell S, Westerling T, Baldi R, Wright TM, Tavares K, Yllanes A, Bae Y, Blitzer JT, Logsdon C, Rakiec DP, Ruddy DA, Jiang T, Broadwater G, Hyslop T, Hall A, Laine M, Phung L, Greene GL, Martin LA, Pancholi S, Dowsett M, Detre S, Marks JR, Crawford GE, Brown M, Norris JD, Chang CY, McDonnell DP. The Lineage Determining Factor GRHL2 Collaborates with FOXA1 to Establish a Targetable Pathway in Endocrine Therapy-Resistant Breast Cancer. Cell Rep 2019; 29:889-903.e10. [PMID: 31644911 PMCID: PMC6874102 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Notwithstanding the positive clinical impact of endocrine therapies in estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα)-positive breast cancer, de novo and acquired resistance limits the therapeutic lifespan of existing drugs. Taking the position that resistance is nearly inevitable, we undertook a study to identify and exploit targetable vulnerabilities that were manifest in endocrine therapy-resistant disease. Using cellular and mouse models of endocrine therapy-sensitive and endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer, together with contemporary discovery platforms, we identified a targetable pathway that is composed of the transcription factors FOXA1 and GRHL2, a coregulated target gene, the membrane receptor LYPD3, and the LYPD3 ligand, AGR2. Inhibition of the activity of this pathway using blocking antibodies directed against LYPD3 or AGR2 inhibits the growth of endocrine therapy-resistant tumors in mice, providing the rationale for near-term clinical development of humanized antibodies directed against these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J Cocce
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jeff S Jasper
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Taylor K Desautels
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Logan Everett
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Suzanne Wardell
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Thomas Westerling
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Robert Baldi
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Tricia M Wright
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kendall Tavares
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Alex Yllanes
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yeeun Bae
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Craig Logsdon
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Daniel P Rakiec
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Oncology Disease Area, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - David A Ruddy
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Oncology Disease Area, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tiancong Jiang
- Department of Biostatistics, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Gloria Broadwater
- Department of Biostatistics, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Terry Hyslop
- Department of Biostatistics, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Allison Hall
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Muriel Laine
- The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Linda Phung
- The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Geoffrey L Greene
- The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Lesley-Ann Martin
- Breast Cancer Now, Toby Robins Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London, SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Sunil Pancholi
- Breast Cancer Now, Toby Robins Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research, London, SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Mitch Dowsett
- Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Simone Detre
- Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, SW3 6JJ, UK
| | - Jeffrey R Marks
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Gregory E Crawford
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Myles Brown
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - John D Norris
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ching-Yi Chang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Donald P McDonnell
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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The multiverse nature of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 58:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Spinal neural tube closure depends on regulation of surface ectoderm identity and biomechanics by Grhl2. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2487. [PMID: 31171776 PMCID: PMC6554357 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10164-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lack or excess expression of the surface ectoderm-expressed transcription factor Grainyhead-like2 (Grhl2), each prevent spinal neural tube closure. Here we investigate the causative mechanisms and find reciprocal dysregulation of epithelial genes, cell junction components and actomyosin properties in Grhl2 null and over-expressing embryos. Grhl2 null surface ectoderm shows a shift from epithelial to neuroepithelial identity (with ectopic expression of N-cadherin and Sox2), actomyosin disorganisation, cell shape changes and diminished resistance to neural fold recoil upon ablation of the closure point. In contrast, excessive abundance of Grhl2 generates a super-epithelial surface ectoderm, in which up-regulation of cell-cell junction proteins is associated with an actomyosin-dependent increase in local mechanical stress. This is compatible with apposition of the neural folds but not with progression of closure, unless myosin activity is inhibited. Overall, our findings suggest that Grhl2 plays a crucial role in regulating biomechanical properties of the surface ectoderm that are essential for spinal neurulation. Loss or over-expression of Grainyhead-like transcription factors (Grhl) prevents closure of the neural tube but the mechanism underlying this is unclear. Here, the authors show that Grhl2 regulates murine posterior-neuropore closure via changes in the identity and biomechanics of the non-neural, surface ectoderm cells.
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Estrogen receptor signaling is reprogrammed during breast tumorigenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:11437-11443. [PMID: 31110002 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1819155116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Limited knowledge of the changes in estrogen receptor (ER) signaling during the transformation of the normal mammary gland to breast cancer hinders the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies. Differences in estrogen signaling between normal human primary breast epithelial cells and primary breast tumors obtained immediately following surgical excision were explored. Transcriptional profiling of normal ER+ mature luminal mammary epithelial cells and ER+ breast tumors revealed significant difference in the response to estrogen stimulation. Consistent with these differences in gene expression, the normal and tumor ER cistromes were distinct and sufficient to segregate normal breast tissues from breast tumors. The selective enrichment of the DNA binding motif GRHL2 in the breast cancer-specific ER cistrome suggests that it may play a role in the differential function of ER in breast cancer. Depletion of GRHL2 resulted in altered ER binding and differential transcriptional responses to estrogen stimulation. Furthermore, GRHL2 was demonstrated to be essential for estrogen-stimulated proliferation of ER+ breast cancer cells. DLC1 was also identified as an estrogen-induced tumor suppressor in the normal mammary gland with decreased expression in breast cancer. In clinical cohorts, loss of DLC1 and gain of GRHL2 expression are associated with ER+ breast cancer and are independently predictive for worse survival. This study suggests that normal ER signaling is lost and tumor-specific ER signaling is gained during breast tumorigenesis. Unraveling these changes in ER signaling during breast cancer progression should aid the development of more effective prevention strategies and targeted therapeutics.
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Zhuang X, Zhang H, Hu G. Cancer and Microenvironment Plasticity: Double-Edged Swords in Metastasis. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2019; 40:419-429. [PMID: 31078320 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer initiates at one site (primary tumor) and, in most cases, spreads to other distant organs (metastasis). During the multistep process of metastasis, primary tumor cells acquire cellular and phenotypic plasticity to survive and thrive in different environments. Moreover, cancer cells also utilize and educate microenvironmental components by reshaping them into accomplices of metastasis. Recent studies have identified a plethora of new molecular and cellular modulators of metastasis that have dynamic or even opposite roles, dominating the phenotypic plasticity of both tumoral and microenvironmental components. In this review we discuss their bipotential functions and the possible underpinning mechanisms, as well as their implications for targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqian Zhuang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hao Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Guohong Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
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Yang Z, Wu D, Chen Y, Min Z, Quan Y. GRHL2 inhibits colorectal cancer progression and metastasis via oppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Cancer Biol Ther 2019; 20:1195-1205. [PMID: 31063022 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2019.1599664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Our previous study has demonstrated that knockdown of Grainyhead-like 2(GRHL2) in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells inhibited cell proliferation by targeting ZEB1. This study aimed at researching whether knockdown of GRHL2 promoted CRC progression and metastasis via inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). GRHL2-upregulated SW-620/GRHL2+ and GRHL2-knockdown HCT116/GRHL2-KD, HT29/GRHL2-KD cells and their control cells were generated. The morphological changes after overexpression and knockdown GRHL2 were observed. qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and Immunofluorescence were used to detect EMT markers: E-cadherin, Vimentin, p-catein, ZO-1 and ZEB1 expression. Then, sh-ZEB1 was transfected to GRHL2 knockdown cells to research the relationship between GRHL2 and ZEB1. Transwell and wound healing assays were further performed to detect the impact of GRHL2 on invasion and migration in vitro. CRC cells were injected into mice tail vein to verify the impact of GRHL2 on CRC metastasis. Morphological change of mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) could be observed in SW620/GRHL2+ cell. The expression of epithelial markers: E-cadherin, β-catenin, ZO-1 were up-regulated, while mesenchymal markers: Vimentin was decreased. Meanwhile, opposite EMT morphological change could be observed in HCT116/GRHL2-KD cell, accompanied by reverse change of E-cadherin, β-catenin, ZO-1, and Vimentin. The expression level of GRHL2 and ZEB1 was found negative in both SW620/GRHL2+ and HCT116/GRHL2-KD cells. Knockdown of ZEB1 by siRNA in HCT116/GRHL2-KD and HT29/GRHL2-KD could upregulate expression of E-cadherin and GRHL2. GRHL2 knockdown also promoted migration, invasion in vitro and CRC metastasis in mice model. In conclusion, GRHL2/ZEB1 axis inhibits CRC progression and metastasis via oppressing EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center , Shanghai , China
| | - Dejun Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center , Shanghai , China
| | - Yusheng Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center , Shanghai , China
| | - Zhijun Min
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center , Shanghai , China
| | - Yingjun Quan
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center , Shanghai , China
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Reese RM, Harrison MM, Alarid ET. Grainyhead-like Protein 2: The Emerging Role in Hormone-Dependent Cancers and Epigenetics. Endocrinology 2019; 160:1275-1288. [PMID: 30958537 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, the grainyhead-like transcription factor (GRHL) family is composed of three nuclear proteins that are responsible for driving epithelial cell fate: GRHL1, GRHL2, and GRHL3. GRHL2 is important in maintaining proper tubulogenesis during development and in suppressing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Within the last decade, evidence indicates both tumor-suppressive and oncogenic roles for GRHL2 in various types of cancers. Recent studies suggest that GRHL2 may be especially important in hormone-dependent cancers, as correlative relationships exist between GRHL2 and various steroid receptors, such as the androgen and estrogen receptors. Acting as a pioneer factor and coactivator, GRHL2 may directly affect steroid receptor transcriptional activity. This review will highlight recent discoveries of GRHL2 activity in cancer and in maintaining the epithelial state, while also exploring recent literature on the role of GRHL2 in hormone-dependent cancers and epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M Reese
- Department of Oncology and Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Melissa M Harrison
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Elaine T Alarid
- Department of Oncology and Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
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