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Kimura T, Doolittle WKL, Kruhlak M, Zhao L, Hwang E, Zhu X, Tang B, Wolcott KM, Cheng SY. Inhibition of MEK Signaling Attenuates Cancer Stem Cell Activity in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid 2024; 34:484-495. [PMID: 38115586 PMCID: PMC10998707 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2023.0521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Background: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is highly aggressive and has very limited treatment options. Recent studies suggest that cancer stem cell (CSC) activity in ATC could underlie this recurrence and resistance to treatment. The recent approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of the combined treatment of BRAF and MEK inhibitors for ATC patients has shown some efficacy in patients harboring the BRAFV600E mutation. However, it was unknown whether the combined treatment could affect the CSC activity. This study explores the effects of the BRAF and MEK inhibitors on CSC activity in human ATC cells. Methods: Using three human ATC cells, THJ-11T, THJ-16T, and 8505C cells, we evaluated the effects of dabrafenib (a BRAF kinase inhibitor), trametinib (an MEK inhibitor), or a combined treatment of the two drugs on the CSC activity by tumorsphere formation, Aldefluor assays, expression profiles of key CSC markers, immunohistochemistry, and in vivo xenograft mouse models. Furthermore, we also used confocal imaging to directly visualize the effects on drugs on CSCs by the SORE6-mCherry reporter in cultured cells and xenograft tumor cells. Results: The BRAF inhibitor, dabrafenib, had weak efficacy, while the MEK inhibitor, trametinib, showed strong efficacy in attenuating the CSC activity, as evidenced by suppression of CSC marker expression, tumorsphere formation, and Aldefluor assays. Using ATC cells expressing a fluorescent CSC SORE6 reporter, we showed reduction of CSC activity in the rank order of combined > trametinib > dabrafenib through in vitro and in vivo xenograft models. Molecular analyses showed that suppression of CSC activity by these drugs was, in part, mediated by attenuation of the transcription by dampening the RNA polymerase II activity. Conclusions: Our analyses demonstrated the presence of CSCs in ATC cells. The inhibition of CSC activity by the MEK signaling could partially account for the efficacy of the combined treatment shown in ATC patients. However, our studies also showed that not all CSC activity was totally abolished, which may account for the recurrence observed in ATC patients. Our findings have provided new insights into the molecular basis of efficacy and limitations of these drugs in ATC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Kimura
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Woo Kyung Lee Doolittle
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael Kruhlak
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Li Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Eunmi Hwang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Xuguang Zhu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Binwu Tang
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Karen M. Wolcott
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity Flow Cytometry Core, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sheue-yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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2
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Gillis NE, Cozzens LM, Wilson ER, Smith NM, Tomczak JA, Bolf EL, Carr FE. TRβ Agonism Induces Tumor Suppression and Enhances Drug Efficacy in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer in Female Mice. Endocrinology 2023; 164:bqad135. [PMID: 37702560 PMCID: PMC10506733 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ) is a recognized tumor suppressor in numerous solid cancers. The molecular signaling of TRβ has been elucidated in several cancer types through re-expression models. Remarkably, the potential impact of selective activation of endogenous TRβ on tumor progression remains largely unexplored. We used cell-based and in vivo assays to evaluate the effects of the TRβ agonist sobetirome (GC-1) on a particularly aggressive and dedifferentiated cancer, anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). Here we report that GC-1 reduced the tumorigenic phenotype, decreased cancer stem-like cell populations, and induced redifferentiation of the ATC cell lines with different mutational backgrounds. Of note, this selective activation of TRβ amplified the effects of therapeutic agents in blunting the aggressive cell phenotype and stem cell growth. In xenograft assays, GC-1 alone inhibited tumor growth and was as effective as the kinase inhibitor, sorafenib. These results indicate that selective activation of TRβ not only induces a tumor suppression program de novo but enhances the effectiveness of anticancer agents, revealing potential novel combination therapies for ATC and other aggressive solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelle E Gillis
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Lauren M Cozzens
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Emily R Wilson
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Noah M Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Jennifer A Tomczak
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Eric L Bolf
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Frances E Carr
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
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3
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Lin C, Miao J, He J, Feng W, Chen X, Jiang X, Liu J, Li B, Huang Q, Liao S, Liu Y. The regulatory mechanism of LncRNA-mediated ceRNA network in osteosarcoma. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8756. [PMID: 35610231 PMCID: PMC9130241 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11371-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrantly expressed lncRNAs have been reported to be closely related to the oncogenesis and development of osteosarcoma. However, the role of a dysregulated lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in osteosarcoma in the same individual needs to be further investigated. Whole transcriptome sequencing was performed on the tumour tissues and matched paratumour tissues of three patients with confirmed osteosarcoma. Two divergent lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks were constructed in accordance with their biological significance. The GO and KEGG analysis results of the mRNAs in the two networks revealed that the aberrantly expressed lncRNAs were involved in regulating bone growth and development, epithelial cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest and the N-terminal acetylation of proteins. The survival analysis results of the two networks showed that patients with high expression of GALNT3, FAM91A1, STC2 and SLC7A1 end in poorer prognosis. Likewise, patients with low expression of IGF2, BLCAP, ZBTB47, THRB, PKIA and MITF also had poor prognosis. A subnetwork was then constructed to demonstrate the key genes regulated by aberrantly expressed lncRNAs at the posttranscriptional level via the ceRNA network. Aberrantly expressed lncRNAs in osteosarcoma tissues regulate genes involved in cellular proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis and the cell cycle via the ceRNA network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengsen Lin
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Department of Orthopedics, The Children's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Jifeng Miao
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Juliang He
- Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Neurosurgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Wenyu Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xianxiang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaohong Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Ethnic Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Jianhong Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Boxiang Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Ethnic Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Qian Huang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Shijie Liao
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.
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4
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Pourvali K, Shimi G, Ghorbani A, Shakery A, Shirazi FH, Zand H. Selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist, GC-1, is capable to reduce growth of colorectal tumor in syngeneic mouse models. J Recept Signal Transduct Res 2022; 42:495-502. [PMID: 35473566 DOI: 10.1080/10799893.2022.2032748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The effect of thyroid hormone (TH) on cancers was proposed more than 100 years ago; however, conclusions are conflicting. THs are precisely regulated at tissue and cellular levels. It seems that this regulation is altered in cancers. Thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ) has anti-proliferative and tumor-suppressive effects in many cancer cells. Therefore, we decided to investigate thyroid hormone receptor beta (THRB) expression and activation by the selective agonist, GC-1, on tumor growth in a syngeneic mouse model of colorectal cancer (CRC) and colon cell lines. METHODS In vitro cell viability assay using MTT analysis, cell cycle analysis by PI staining, and FACS analysis were performed. In vivo tumor growth measurements were carried out by caliper and [18F] Fluoro-2-deoxy-2-D-glucose (FDG) - PET imaging. Gene expressions were determined using quantitative-PCR. RESULTS Some concentrations of GC-1 had a marked negative effect on the cell viability of colorectal cell lines. Cell cycle analysis showed that the anti-proliferative effect of GC-1 may not result from cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Tumor growth analysis in mice harboring colorectal tumor showed that GC-1 treatment for 8 d profoundly inhibited tumor growth and 18FDG uptake. THRB expression was decreased in mice tumor; however, it was upregulated following GC-1 administration. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that specific activation of TRβ by GC-1 had negative effect on tumor growth and restored its gene expression in tumors of CRC mice model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katayoun Pourvali
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition Science and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghazaleh Shimi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition Science and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arman Ghorbani
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition Science and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Shakery
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition Science and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farshad Hosseini Shirazi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Zand
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition Science and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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5
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Lee Doolittle WK, Zhu X, Park S, Zhu YJ, Zhao L, Meltzer P, Cheng SY. Regulation of cancer stem cell activity by thyroid hormone receptor β. Oncogene 2022; 41:2315-2325. [PMID: 35256781 PMCID: PMC9018601 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02242-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Increasing numbers of cancer stem cell markers have been recently identified. It is not known, however, whether a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ), can function to regulate cancer stem cell (CSC) activity. Using anaplastic thyroid cancer cells (ATC) as a model, we highlight the role of TRβ in CSC activity. ATC is one of the most aggressive solid cancers in humans and is resistant to currently available therapeutics. Recent studies provide evidence that CSC activity underlies aggressiveness and therapeutic resistance of ATC. Here we show that TRβ inhibits CSC activity by suppressing tumor-sphere formation of human ATC cells and their tumor-initiating capacity. TRβ suppresses the expression of CSC regulators, including ALDH, KLF2, SOX2, b-catenin, and ABCG2, in ATC cell-induced xenograft tumors. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis shows that TRβ reduces CSC population in ATC-induced xenograft tumors. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database demonstrates that the inhibition of CSC capacity by TRβ contributes to favorable clinical outcomes in human cancer. Our studies show that TRβ is a newly identified transcription regulator that acts to suppress CSC activity and that TRβ could be considered as a molecular target for therapeutic intervention of ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo Kyung Lee Doolittle
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Xuguang Zhu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sunmi Park
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Yuelin Jack Zhu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Li Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Paul Meltzer
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sheue-Yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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6
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Schnoell J, Kotowski U, Jank BJ, Stoiber S, Gurnhofer E, Schlederer M, Heiduschka G, Kenner L, Kadletz-Wanke L. Prognostic Relevance of Thyroid-Hormone-Associated Proteins in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11121352. [PMID: 34945824 PMCID: PMC8703850 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11121352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The proteins sodium iodide symporter (NIS), μ-crystallin (CRYM), and thyroid hormone receptor beta (THRB) have been associated with prognosis in various cancer entities. While NIS and THRB may serve as possible therapeutic targets, the role of CRYM in cancer is still unclear. Protein levels of 44 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinicopathological data and outcome. NIS was positive in 72%, CRYM was positive in 55%, and THRB was positive in 39% of the patients. CRYM-positive adenoid cystic carcinomas were associated with a better cause-specific survival. Thus, our data indicate that CRYM might be a suitable positive prognostic marker in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck. Furthermore, expression of NIS was present in most patients and therefore evaluation of the use of radioiodine treatment is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schnoell
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.S.); (U.K.); (B.J.J.); (L.K.-W.)
| | - Ulana Kotowski
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.S.); (U.K.); (B.J.J.); (L.K.-W.)
| | - Bernhard J. Jank
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.S.); (U.K.); (B.J.J.); (L.K.-W.)
| | - Stefan Stoiber
- Department of Pathology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (E.G.); (M.S.)
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Applied Metabolomics, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Gurnhofer
- Department of Pathology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (E.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Michaela Schlederer
- Department of Pathology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (E.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Gregor Heiduschka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.S.); (U.K.); (B.J.J.); (L.K.-W.)
- Correspondence: (G.H.); (L.K.)
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Department of Pathology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (S.S.); (E.G.); (M.S.)
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Applied Metabolomics, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Unit of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- CBmed GmbH-Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Correspondence: (G.H.); (L.K.)
| | - Lorenz Kadletz-Wanke
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (J.S.); (U.K.); (B.J.J.); (L.K.-W.)
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7
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Ezh2 promotes TRβ lysine methylation-mediated degradation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Genes Genomics 2021; 44:369-377. [PMID: 34851506 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-021-01196-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins controls various cellular functions of transcriptional regulators and participates in diverse signal transduction pathways in cancer. The thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine, T3) plays a critical role in metabolic homeostasis via its direct interaction with the thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ). TRβ is involved in physiological processes, such as cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and maintenance of metabolic homeostasis through transcriptional regulation of target genes. OBJECTIVE This study was performed to characterize the specific PTM of TRβ is an active control mechanism for the proteasomal degradation of TRβ in transcriptional signaling pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. METHODS Based on a previous study, we predicted that the lysine methyltransferase and methylation sites of TRβ by comparing the amino acid sequences of histone H3 and TRβ. Methyl-acceptor site of TRβ was confirmed by point mutation. TRβ protein stability was evaluated by ubiquitination assay with MG132. For glucose starvation, HepG2 cells were incubated in media without D-glucose. Proliferation-related proteins were detected by western blotting. MicroRNA level and autophagy marker were measured by real-time qPCR. RESULTS The presence of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2), a methyltransferase of H3 lysine 27, as a methyltransferase of TRβ also revealed that direct lysine methylation and consequent stimulated protein degradation of TRβ underlies the negative correlation between Ezh2 and TRβ. Notably, glucose starvation significantly increased lysine methylation, and methylated TRβ showed further protein instability leading to an increase in the proliferation and growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. CONCLUSIONS TRβ functions as a tumor suppressor in various cancers; therefore, we evaluated the effect of TRβ degradation on oncogenesis during glucose starvation. These data clearly define a functional model and provide a link between metabolism and cancer by regulating methyl-dependent protein levels of tumor suppressors. Taken together, maintaining TRβ against methyl-dependent degradation is considered a possible therapeutic target for cancer progression.
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8
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Lee WK, Cheng SY. Targeting transcriptional regulators for treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer. JOURNAL OF CANCER METASTASIS AND TREATMENT 2021; 7. [PMID: 34761120 PMCID: PMC8577520 DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2021.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of genes perpetuates cancer progression. During carcinogenesis, cancer cells acquire dependency of aberrant transcriptional programs (known as “transcription addiction”) to meet the high demands for uncontrolled proliferation. The needs for particular transcription programs for cancer growth could be cancer-type-selective. The dependencies of certain transcription regulators could be exploited for therapeutic benefits. Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is an extremely aggressive human cancer for which new treatment modalities are urgently needed. Its resistance to conventional treatments and the lack of therapeutic options for improving survival might have been attributed to extensive genetic heterogeneity due to subsequent evolving genetic alterations and clonal selections during carcinogenesis. Despite this genetic complexity, mounting evidence has revealed a characteristic transcriptional addiction of ATC cells resulting in evolving diverse oncogenic signaling for cancer cell survival. The transcriptional addiction has presented a huge challenge for effective targeting as shown by the failure of previous targeted therapies. However, an emerging notion is that many different oncogenic signaling pathways activated by multiple upstream driver mutations might ultimately converge on the transcriptional responses, which would provide an opportunity to target transcriptional regulators for treatment of ATC. Here, we review the current understanding of how genetic alterations in cancer distorted the transcription program, leading to acquisition of transcriptional addiction. We also highlight recent findings from studies aiming to exploit the opportunity for targeting transcription regulators as potential therapeutics for ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo Kyung Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sheue-Yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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9
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Bolf EL, Gillis NE, Davidson CD, Cozzens LM, Kogut S, Tomczak JA, Frietze S, Carr FE. Common tumor-suppressive signaling of thyroid hormone receptor beta in breast and thyroid cancer cells. Mol Carcinog 2021; 60:874-885. [PMID: 34534367 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23352] [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: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ) is a tumor suppressor in multiple types of solid tumors, most prominently in breast and thyroid cancer. An increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which TRβ abrogates tumorigenesis will aid in understanding the core tumor-suppressive functions of TRβ. Here, we restored TRβ expression in the MDA-MB-468 basal-like breast cancer cell line and perform RNA-sequencing to determine the TRβ-mediated changes in gene expression and associated signaling pathways. The TRβ expressing MDA-MB-468 cells exhibit a more epithelial character as determined by principle component analysis-based iterative PAM50 subtyping score and through reduced expression of mesenchymal cytokeratins. The epithelial to mesenchymal transition pathway is also significantly reduced. The MDA-MB-468 data set was further compared with RNA sequencing results from TRβ expressing thyroid cancer cell line SW1736 to determine which genes are TRβ correspondingly regulated across both cell types. Several pathways including lipid metabolism and chromatin remodeling processes were observed to be altered in the shared gene set. These data provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms by which TRβ suppresses breast tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L Bolf
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Noelle E Gillis
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Cole D Davidson
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Lauren M Cozzens
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Sophie Kogut
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Jennifer A Tomczak
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Seth Frietze
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA.,Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Frances E Carr
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
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10
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Davidson CD, Gillis NE, Carr FE. Thyroid Hormone Receptor Beta as Tumor Suppressor: Untapped Potential in Treatment and Diagnostics in Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4254. [PMID: 34503062 PMCID: PMC8428233 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is compelling evidence that the nuclear receptor TRβ, a member of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) family, is a tumor suppressor in thyroid, breast, and other solid tumors. Cell-based and animal studies reveal that the liganded TRβ induces apoptosis, reduces an aggressive phenotype, decreases stem cell populations, and slows tumor growth through modulation of a complex interplay of transcriptional networks. TRβ-driven tumor suppressive transcriptomic signatures include repression of known drivers of proliferation such as PI3K/Akt pathway, activation of novel signaling such as JAK1/STAT1, and metabolic reprogramming in both thyroid and breast cancers. The presence of TRβ is also correlated with a positive prognosis and response to therapeutics in BRCA+ and triple-negative breast cancers, respectively. Ligand activation of TRβ enhances sensitivity to chemotherapeutics. TRβ co-regulators and bromodomain-containing chromatin remodeling proteins are emergent therapeutic targets. This review considers TRβ as a potential biomolecular diagnostic and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole D. Davidson
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.D.D.); (N.E.G.)
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
| | - Noelle E. Gillis
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.D.D.); (N.E.G.)
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
| | - Frances E. Carr
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA; (C.D.D.); (N.E.G.)
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
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11
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Davidson CD, Bolf EL, Gillis NE, Cozzens LM, Tomczak JA, Carr FE. Thyroid Hormone Receptor Beta Inhibits PI3K-Akt-mTOR Signaling Axis in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer via Genomic Mechanisms. J Endocr Soc 2021; 5:bvab102. [PMID: 34258492 PMCID: PMC8271203 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvab102] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, and the global incidence has increased rapidly over the past few decades. Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is highly aggressive, dedifferentiated, and patients have a median survival of fewer than 6 months. Oncogenic alterations in ATC include aberrant phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) signaling through receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) amplification, loss of phosphoinositide phosphatase expression and function, and protein kinase B (Akt) amplification. Furthermore, the loss of expression of the tumor suppressor thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ) is strongly associated with ATC. TRβ is known to suppress PI3K in follicular thyroid cancer and breast cancer by binding to the PI3K regulatory subunit p85α. However, the role of TRβ in suppressing PI3K signaling in ATC is not completely delineated. Here we report that TRβ indeed suppresses PI3K signaling in ATC cell lines through unreported genomic mechanisms, including a decrease in RTK expression and an increase in phosphoinositide and Akt phosphatase expression. Furthermore, the reintroduction and activation of TRβ in ATC cell lines enables an increase in the efficacy of the competitive PI3K inhibitors LY294002 and buparlisib on cell viability, migration, and suppression of PI3K signaling. These findings not only uncover additional tumor suppressor mechanisms of TRβ but shed light on the implication of TRβ status and activation on inhibitor efficacy in ATC tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole D Davidson
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA
| | - Eric L Bolf
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA
| | - Noelle E Gillis
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA
| | - Lauren M Cozzens
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA
| | - Jennifer A Tomczak
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA
| | - Frances E Carr
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA,Correspondence: Frances E. Carr, PhD, Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Ave, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
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12
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Guebel DV, Torres NV, Acebes Á. Mapping the transcriptomic changes of endothelial compartment in human hippocampus across aging and mild cognitive impairment. Biol Open 2021; 10:bio057950. [PMID: 34184731 PMCID: PMC8181899 DOI: 10.1242/bio.057950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Compromise of the vascular system has important consequences on cognitive abilities and neurodegeneration. The identification of the main molecular signatures present in the blood vessels of human hippocampus could provide the basis to understand and tackle these pathologies. As direct vascular experimentation in hippocampus is problematic, we achieved this information by computationally disaggregating publicly available whole microarrays data of human hippocampal homogenates. Three conditions were analyzed: 'Young Adults', 'Aged', and 'aged with Mild Cognitive Impairment' (MCI). The genes identified were contrasted against two independent data-sets. Here we show that the endothelial cells from the Younger Group appeared in an 'activated stage'. In turn, in the Aged Group, the endothelial cells showed a significant loss of response to shear stress, changes in cell adhesion molecules, increased inflammation, brain-insulin resistance, lipidic alterations, and changes in the extracellular matrix. Some specific changes in the MCI group were also detected. Noticeably, in this study the features arisen from the Aged Group (high tortuosity, increased bifurcations, and smooth muscle proliferation), pose the need for further experimental verification to discern between the occurrence of arteriogenesis and/or vascular remodeling by capillary arterialization. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel V. Guebel
- Program Agustín de Betancourt, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife 38200, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry, Cellular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Technologies, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife 38200, Spain
| | - Néstor V. Torres
- Department of Biochemistry, Cellular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Technologies, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife 38200, Spain
| | - Ángel Acebes
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Technologies, University of La Laguna, Tenerife 38200, Spain
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13
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Bolf EL, Gillis NE, Davidson CD, Rodriguez PD, Cozzens L, Tomczak JA, Frietze S, Carr FE. Thyroid Hormone Receptor Beta Induces a Tumor-Suppressive Program in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 18:1443-1452. [PMID: 32554601 PMCID: PMC7541631 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ), a key regulator of cellular growth and differentiation, is frequently dysregulated in cancers. Diminished expression of TRβ is noted in thyroid, breast, and other solid tumors and is correlated with more aggressive disease. Restoration of TRβ levels decreased tumor growth supporting the concept that TRβ could function as a tumor suppressor. Yet, the TRβ tumor suppression transcriptome is not well delineated and the impact of TRβ is unknown in aggressive anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). Here, we establish that restoration of TRβ expression in the human ATC cell line SW1736 (SW-TRβ) reduces the aggressive phenotype, decreases cancer stem cell populations and induces cell death in a T3-dependent manner. Transcriptomic analysis of SW-TRβ cells via RNA sequencing revealed distinctive expression patterns induced by ligand-bound TRβ and revealed novel molecular signaling pathways. Of note, liganded TRβ repressed multiple nodes in the PI3K/AKT pathway, induced expression of thyroid differentiation markers, and promoted proapoptotic pathways. Our results further revealed the JAK1-STAT1 pathway as a novel, T3-mediated, antitumorigenic pathway that can be activated in additional ATC lines. These findings elucidate a TRβ-driven tumor suppression transcriptomic signature, highlight unexplored therapeutic options for ATC, and support TRβ activation as a promising therapeutic option in cancers. IMPLICATIONS: TRβ-T3 induced a less aggressive phenotype and tumor suppression program in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells revealing new potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L Bolf
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Noelle E Gillis
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Cole D Davidson
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Princess D Rodriguez
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Lauren Cozzens
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Jennifer A Tomczak
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Seth Frietze
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Frances E Carr
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont.
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
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14
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Lee WK, Kim WG, Fozzatti L, Park S, Zhao L, Willingham MC, Lonard D, O’Malley BW, Cheng SY. Steroid receptor coactivator-3 as a target for anaplastic thyroid cancer. Endocr Relat Cancer 2020; 27:209-220. [PMID: 31977311 PMCID: PMC7326649 DOI: 10.1530/erc-19-0482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an aggressive malignancy without effective therapeutic options to improve survival. Steroid receptor coactivator-3 (SRC-3) is a transcriptional coactivator whose amplification and/or overexpression has been identified in many cancers. In this study, we explored the expression of SRC-3 in ATCs and the effects of a new class of SRC-3 inhibitor-2 (SI-2) in human ATC cells (THJ-11T and THJ-16T cells) and mouse xenograft models to assess therapeutic potential of SI-2 for the treatment of ATC. SRC-3 protein abundance was significantly higher in human ATC tissue samples and ATC cells than in differentiated thyroid carcinomas or normal controls. SI-2 treatment effectively reduced the SRC-3 expression in both ATC cells and ATC xenograft tumors induced by these cells. Cancer cell survival in ATC cells and tumor growth in xenograft tumors were significantly reduced by SI-2 treatment through induction of cancer cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. SI-2 also reduced cancer stem-like cells as shown by an inhibition of tumorsphere formation, ALDH activity, and expression of stem cell markers in ATC. These findings indicate that SRC-3 is a potential therapeutic target for treatment of ATC patients and that SI-2 is a potent and promising candidate for a new therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo Kyung Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4264, USA
| | - Won Gu Kim
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4264, USA
- Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Laura Fozzatti
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4264, USA
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Sunmi Park
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4264, USA
| | - Li Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4264, USA
| | - Mark C. Willingham
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4264, USA
| | - David Lonard
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Bert W. O’Malley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Sheue-yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4264, USA
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15
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Bolf EL, Gillis NE, Barnum MS, Beaudet CM, Yu GY, Tomczak JA, Stein JL, Lian JB, Stein GS, Carr FE. The Thyroid Hormone Receptor-RUNX2 Axis: A Novel Tumor Suppressive Pathway in Breast Cancer. Discov Oncol 2019; 11:34-41. [PMID: 31865591 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-019-00373-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic breast cancer is refractory to conventional therapies and is an end-stage disease. RUNX2 is a transcription factor that becomes oncogenic when aberrantly expressed in multiple tumor types, including breast cancer, supporting tumor progression and metastases. Our previous work demonstrated that the thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ) inhibits RUNX2 expression and tumorigenic characteristics in thyroid cells. As TRβ is a tumor suppressor, we investigated the compelling question whether TRβ also regulates RUNX2 in breast cancer. The Cancer Genome Atlas indicates that TRβ expression is decreased in the most aggressive basal-like subtype of breast cancer. We established that modulated levels of TRβ results in corresponding changes in the high levels of RUNX2 expression in metastatic, basal-like breast cells. The MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cell line exhibits low expression of TRβ and high levels of RUNX2. Increased expression of TRβ decreased RUNX2 levels. The thyroid hormone-mediated suppression of RUNX2 is TRβ specific as TRα overexpression failed to alter RUNX2 expression. Consistent with these findings, knockdown of TRβ in non-tumor MCF10A mammary epithelial-like cells results in an increase in RUNX2 and RUNX2 target genes. Mechanistically, TRβ directly interacts with the proximal promoter of RUNX2 through a thyroid hormone response element to reduce promoter activity. The TRβ suppression of the oncogene RUNX2 is a signaling pathway shared by thyroid and breast cancers. Our findings provide a novel mechanism for TRβ-mediated tumor suppression in breast cancers. This pathway may be common to many solid tumors and impact treatment for metastatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L Bolf
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Noelle E Gillis
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Michael S Barnum
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Caitlin M Beaudet
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Grace Y Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Jennifer A Tomczak
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Janet L Stein
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Jane B Lian
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Gary S Stein
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
| | - Frances E Carr
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA. .,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
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16
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Carr FE. THYROID CANCER. Cancer 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/9781119645214.ch23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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17
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Interplay of fibroblasts with anaplastic tumor cells promotes follicular thyroid cancer progression. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8028. [PMID: 31142771 PMCID: PMC6541589 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44361-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is one of the most aggressive thyroid tumors. It is known that activation of oncogenes and/or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes in tumor cells promotes tumorigenesis. The microenvironment of the tumor also plays a key role on cancer development and progression in a variety of tumors. However, the mechanisms by which tumor-stroma crosstalk in thyroid cancer remains poorly characterized. In this study we aimed to understand how interactions between fibroblasts and anaplastic thyroid cancer cells contribute to thyroid carcinogenesis. We first characterized the phenotypic changes of human fibroblasts in vitro through co-cultures by using transwells as well as by using anaplastic thyroid cancer cells-derived conditioned media. We found that fibroblasts acquired an activated phenotype or also known as cancer-associated fibroblast phenotype after being in contact with soluble factors secreted from anaplastic thyroid cancer cells, compared to the fibroblasts in mono-cultures. All the changes were partly mediated through Src/Akt activation. Treatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine reversed in part the metabolic phenotype of activated fibroblasts. Remarkably, conditioned media obtained from these activated fibroblasts promoted cell proliferation and invasion of follicular thyroid cancer cell line, FTC-133 cells. Thus, a reciprocal and dynamic interaction exists between tumor and stromal cells, which results in the promotion of thyroid tumorigenesis. The present studies have advanced the understanding of the molecular basis of tumor-stroma communications, enabling identification and targeting of tumor-supportive mechanisms for novel treatment modalities.
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18
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Fritz AJ, Gillis NE, Gerrard DL, Rodriguez PD, Hong D, Rose JT, Ghule PN, Bolf EL, Gordon JA, Tye CE, Boyd JR, Tracy KM, Nickerson JA, van Wijnen AJ, Imbalzano AN, Heath JL, Frietze SE, Zaidi SK, Carr FE, Lian JB, Stein JL, Stein GS. Higher order genomic organization and epigenetic control maintain cellular identity and prevent breast cancer. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2019; 58:484-499. [PMID: 30873710 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells establish and sustain structural and functional integrity of the genome to support cellular identity and prevent malignant transformation. In this review, we present a strategic overview of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms including histone modifications and higher order chromatin organization (HCO) that are perturbed in breast cancer onset and progression. Implications for dysfunctions that occur in hormone regulation, cell cycle control, and mitotic bookmarking in breast cancer are considered, with an emphasis on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell activities. The architectural organization of regulatory machinery is addressed within the contexts of translating cancer-compromised genomic organization to advances in breast cancer risk assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and identification of novel therapeutic targets with high specificity and minimal off target effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Fritz
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - N E Gillis
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont.,Department of Pharmacology, Larner college of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - D L Gerrard
- Cellular Molecular Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - P D Rodriguez
- Cellular Molecular Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - D Hong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - J T Rose
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - P N Ghule
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - E L Bolf
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont.,Department of Pharmacology, Larner college of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - J A Gordon
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - C E Tye
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - J R Boyd
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - K M Tracy
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - J A Nickerson
- Division of Genes and Development of the Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - A J van Wijnen
- Orthopedic Surgery and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic Minnesota, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - A N Imbalzano
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - J L Heath
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont.,Department of Pediatrics, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - S E Frietze
- Cellular Molecular Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - S K Zaidi
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - F E Carr
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont.,Department of Pharmacology, Larner college of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - J B Lian
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - J L Stein
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
| | - G S Stein
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont
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19
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Gahete MD, Jimenez-Vacas JM, Alors-Perez E, Herrero-Aguayo V, Fuentes-Fayos AC, Pedraza-Arevalo S, Castaño JP, Luque RM. Mouse models in endocrine tumors. J Endocrinol 2018; 240:JOE-18-0571.R1. [PMID: 30475226 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine and neuroendocrine tumors comprise a highly heterogeneous group of neoplasms that can arise from (neuro)endocrine cells, either from endocrine glands or from the widespread diffuse neuroendocrine system, and, consequently, are widely distributed throughout the body. Due to their diversity, heterogeneity and limited incidence, studying in detail the molecular and genetic alterations that underlie their development and progression is still a highly elusive task. This, in turn, hinders the discovery of novel therapeutic options for these tumors. To circumvent these limitations, numerous mouse models of endocrine and neuroendocrine tumors have been developed, characterized and used in pre-clinical, co-clinical (implemented in mouse models and patients simultaneously) and post-clinical studies, for they represent powerful and necessary tools in basic and translational tumor biology research. Indeed, different in vivo mouse models, including cell line-based xenografts (CDXs), patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMs), have been used to delineate the development, progression and behavior of human tumors. Results gained with these in vivo models have facilitated the clinical application in patients of diverse breakthrough discoveries made in this field. Herein, we review the generation, characterization and translatability of the most prominent mouse models of endocrine and neuroendocrine tumors reported to date, as well as the most relevant clinical implications obtained for each endocrine and neuroendocrine tumor type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel D Gahete
- M Gahete, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, 14011, Spain
| | - Juan M Jimenez-Vacas
- J Jimenez-Vacas, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Emilia Alors-Perez
- E Alors-Perez, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Inmunology, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba (IMIBIC) / University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Vicente Herrero-Aguayo
- V Herrero-Aguayo, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Antonio C Fuentes-Fayos
- A Fuentes-Fayos, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Sergio Pedraza-Arevalo
- S Pedraza-Arevalo, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Justo P Castaño
- J Castaño, Dpt. of Cell Biology-University of Córdoba, IMIBIC-Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba, Cordoba, E-14004, Spain
| | - Raul M Luque
- R Luque, Dept of Cell Biology, Phisiology and Inmunology, Section of Cell Biology, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain, Cordoba, 14014, Spain
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20
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Thyroid hormone receptor beta-1 expression in early breast cancer: a validation study. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2018; 171:709-717. [DOI: 10.1007/s10549-018-4844-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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21
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Gillis NE, Taber TH, Bolf EL, Beaudet CM, Tomczak JA, White JH, Stein JL, Stein GS, Lian JB, Frietze S, Carr FE. Thyroid Hormone Receptor β Suppression of RUNX2 Is Mediated by Brahma-Related Gene 1-Dependent Chromatin Remodeling. Endocrinology 2018; 159:2484-2494. [PMID: 29750276 PMCID: PMC6692870 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ) suppresses tumor growth through regulation of gene expression, yet the associated TRβ-mediated changes in chromatin assembly are not known. The chromatin ATPase brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1; SMARCA4), a key component of chromatin-remodeling complexes, is altered in many cancers, but its role in thyroid tumorigenesis and TRβ-mediated gene expression is unknown. We previously identified the oncogene runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) as a repressive target of TRβ. Here, we report differential expression of BRG1 in nonmalignant and malignant thyroid cells concordant with TRβ. BRG1 and TRβ have similar nuclear distribution patterns and significant colocalization. BRG1 interacts with TRβ, and together, they are part of the regulatory complex at the RUNX2 promoter. Loss of BRG1 increases RUNX2 levels, whereas reintroduction of TRβ and BRG1 synergistically decreases RUNX2 expression. RUNX2 promoter accessibility corresponded to RUNX2 expression levels. Inhibition of BRG1 activity increased accessibility of the RUNX2 promoter and corresponding expression. Our results reveal a mechanism of TRβ repression of oncogenic gene expression: TRβ recruitment of BRG1 induces chromatin compaction and diminishes RUNX2 expression. Therefore, BRG1-mediated chromatin remodeling may be obligatory for TRβ transcriptional repression and tumor suppressor function in thyroid tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelle E Gillis
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Thomas H Taber
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Eric L Bolf
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Caitlin M Beaudet
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Jennifer A Tomczak
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Jeffrey H White
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Janet L Stein
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Gary S Stein
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Jane B Lian
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Seth Frietze
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Frances E Carr
- Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
- University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
- Correspondence: Frances E. Carr, PhD, Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, Vermont 05405. E-mail:
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22
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Peng X, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Wang L, Song W, Li Q, Zhao R. Overexpressing modified human TRβ1 suppresses the proliferation of breast cancer MDA-MB-468 cells. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:785-792. [PMID: 29963146 PMCID: PMC6019938 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of studies have indicated that thyroid hormone receptor β1 (TRβ1) functions as a tumor suppressor. TRs mediate transcriptional responses through a highly conserved DNA-binding domain (DBD). A novel rat TRβ isoform (rTRβΔ) was previously identified, in which a novel exon, N (108 bp), is located between exons 3 and 4 within the DBD; this exon represents the only difference between rTRβΔ and rTRβ1. In vitro, rTRβΔ exhibits a stronger tumor-suppressive capacity than rTRβ1, and further analysis revealed a high level of conservation between the rat and human DBD sequences. In the present study, an artificially modified human TRβ1 (m-hTRβ1) was constructed via the introduction of the 108-bp sequence into the corresponding position of the wild-type human TRβ1 (wt-hTRβ1) DBD. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay and transfection experiments confirmed that m-hTRβ1 is functional. Overexpression of m-hTRβ1 inhibits the proliferation of MDA-MB-468 cells in the presence of triiodothyronine by promoting apoptosis, which may be associated with the upregulation of Caspase-3 and Bak gene expression and the activation of the Caspase-3 protein. In addition, the pro-apoptotic effect of m-hTRβ1 was stronger, compared with wt-hTRβ1. These results indicated that m-hTRβ1 may act as a tumor suppressor in MDA-MB-468 cells. These data provided a novel insight into gene therapy for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiang Peng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Discipline of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Shandong, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Yangyang Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Discipline of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Shandong, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Yanli Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Discipline of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Shandong, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Lujuan Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Discipline of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Shandong, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Discipline of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Shandong, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Discipline of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Shandong, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Ronglan Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Discipline of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Shandong, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
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23
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Peng X, Zhou Y, Sun Y, Song W, Meng X, Zhao C, Zhao R. Overexpression of modified human TRβ1 suppresses the growth of hepatocarcinoma SK-hep1 cells in vitro and in xenograft models. Mol Cell Biochem 2018; 449:207-218. [PMID: 29679278 PMCID: PMC6223806 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-018-3357-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Association studies suggest that TRβ1 functions as a tumor suppressor. Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) mediate transcriptional responses through a highly conserved DNA-binding domain (DBD). We previously constructed an artificially modified human TRβ1 (m-TRβ1) via the introduction of a 108-bp exon sequence into the corresponding position of the wild-type human TRβ1 (TRβ1) DBD. Studies confirmed that m-TRβ1 was functional and could inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer MDA-MB-468 cells in vitro. To understand the role of m-TRβ1 in liver tumor development, we adopted a gain-of-function approach by stably expressing TRβ (m-TRβ1 and TRβ1) genes in a human hepatocarcinoma cell line, SK-hep1 (without endogenous TRβ), and then evaluated the effects of the expressed TRβ on cancer cell proliferation, migration, and tumor growth in cell-based studies and xenograft models. In the presence of 3,5,3-l-triiodothyronine (T3), the expression of TRβ in SK-hep1 cells inhibited cancer cell proliferation and impeded tumor cell migration through the up-regulation of 4-1BB, Caspase-3, and Bak gene expression; down-regulation of Bcl-2 gene expression; and activation of the Caspase-3 protein. TRβ expression in SK-hep1 led to less tumor growth in xenograft models. Additionally, the anti-tumor effect of m-TRβ1 was stronger than that of TRβ1. These data indicate that m-TRβ1 can act as a tumor suppressor in hepatocarcinoma and its role was significantly better than that of TRβ1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiang Peng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China
- Key Discipline of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Shandong Province, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Yuntao Zhou
- Central Hospital of Zibo, Zibo, 255020, Shandong, China
| | - Yanli Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China
- Key Discipline of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Shandong Province, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China
- Key Discipline of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Shandong Province, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Xiangying Meng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China
- Key Discipline of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Shandong Province, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Chunling Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Biological Medicine in Universities of Shandong Province, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China
| | - Ronglan Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China.
- Key Discipline of Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Shandong Province, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261053, Shandong, China.
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24
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Zhu X, Cheng SY. Analysis of Thyroid Tumorigenesis in Xenograft Mouse Model. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1801:207-223. [PMID: 29892827 PMCID: PMC7971365 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7902-8_17] [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: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Analysis of thyroid tumorigenesis in xenograft mouse model is important to study human thyroid cancer. Recent studies have made big strides toward understanding the molecular mechanisms by which thyroid hormone nuclear receptors (TR) act to maintain normal cellular functions in growth, differentiation, and development. Despite growing interest, the role of TR in oncogenesis remains to be fully elucidated. Two TR genes give rise to three major TR isoforms: TRα1, TRβ1, and TRβ2. These TR subtypes express in a tissue- and development-dependent manner. Research has been directed at understanding the mechanisms by which TR could mediate aberrant cellular signaling that contributes to oncogenesis, at dissecting possible distinct roles of TR isoforms in oncogenesis, and at the differential susceptibility of target tissues to the oncogenic actions of TR. This chapter gives a brief overview of the current undersatanding of known molecular oncogenic actions of TR. Here, we describe analysis of thyroid tumorigenesis used in interrogating the in vivo oncogenic actions of TR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuguang Zhu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sheue-Yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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25
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Miro C, Ambrosio R, De Stefano MA, Di Girolamo D, Di Cicco E, Cicatiello AG, Mancino G, Porcelli T, Raia M, Del Vecchio L, Salvatore D, Dentice M. The Concerted Action of Type 2 and Type 3 Deiodinases Regulates the Cell Cycle and Survival of Basal Cell Carcinoma Cells. Thyroid 2017; 27:567-576. [PMID: 28088877 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2016.0532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid hormones (THs) mediate pleiotropic cellular processes involved in metabolism, cellular proliferation, and differentiation. The intracellular hormonal environment can be tailored by the type 1 and 2 deiodinase enzymes D2 and D3, which catalyze TH activation and inactivation respectively. In many cellular systems, THs exert well-documented stimulatory or inhibitory effects on cell proliferation; however, the molecular mechanisms by which they control rates of cell cycle progression have not yet been entirely clarified. We previously showed that D3 depletion or TH treatment influences the proliferation and survival of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cells. Surprisingly, we also found that BCC cells express not only sustained levels of D3 but also robust levels of D2. The aim of the present study was to dissect the contribution of D2 to TH metabolism in the BCC context, and to identify the molecular changes associated with cell proliferation and survival induced by TH and mediated by D2 and D3. METHODS We used the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to genetically deplete D2 and D3 in BCC cells and studied the consequences of depletion on cell cycle progression and on cell death. Cell cycle progression was analyzed by fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis of synchronized cells, and the apoptosis rate by annexin V incorporation. RESULTS Mechanistic investigations revealed that D2 inactivation accelerates cell cycle progression thereby enhancing the proportion of S-phase cells and cyclin D1 expression. Conversely, D3 mutagenesis drastically suppressed cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis of BCC cells. Furthermore, the basal apoptotic rate was oppositely regulated in D2- and D3-depleted cells. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that BCC cells constitute an example in which the TH signal is finely tuned by the concerted expression of opposite-acting deiodinases. The dual regulation of D2 and D3 expression plays a critical role in cell cycle progression and cell death by influencing cyclin D1-mediated entry into the G1-S phase. These findings reinforce the concept that TH is a potential therapeutic target in human BCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Miro
- 1 Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" , Napoli, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ambrosio
- 2 Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico-SDN , Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Angela De Stefano
- 1 Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" , Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Di Girolamo
- 1 Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" , Napoli, Italy
| | - Emery Di Cicco
- 1 Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" , Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Mancino
- 1 Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" , Napoli, Italy
| | - Tommaso Porcelli
- 1 Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" , Napoli, Italy
| | - Maddalena Raia
- 3 Centro di Ingegneria Genetica-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c. a r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Del Vecchio
- 3 Centro di Ingegneria Genetica-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c. a r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Salvatore
- 1 Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" , Napoli, Italy
- 3 Centro di Ingegneria Genetica-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c. a r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Dentice
- 1 Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II" , Napoli, Italy
- 3 Centro di Ingegneria Genetica-Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c. a r.l., Naples, Italy
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26
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Carr FE, Tai PWL, Barnum MS, Gillis NE, Evans KG, Taber TH, White JH, Tomczak JA, Jaworski DM, Zaidi SK, Lian JB, Stein JL, Stein GS. Thyroid Hormone Receptor-β (TRβ) Mediates Runt-Related Transcription Factor 2 (Runx2) Expression in Thyroid Cancer Cells: A Novel Signaling Pathway in Thyroid Cancer. Endocrinology 2016; 157:3278-92. [PMID: 27253998 PMCID: PMC4967127 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-2046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR)β is common in human cancers. Restoration of functional TRβ delays tumor progression in models of thyroid and breast cancers implicating TRβ as a tumor suppressor. Conversely, aberrant expression of the runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) is established in the progression and metastasis of thyroid, breast, and other cancers. Silencing of Runx2 diminishes tumor invasive characteristics. With TRβ as a tumor suppressor and Runx2 as a tumor promoter, a compelling question is whether there is a functional relationship between these regulatory factors in thyroid tumorigenesis. Here, we demonstrated that these proteins are reciprocally expressed in normal and malignant thyroid cells; TRβ is high in normal cells, and Runx2 is high in malignant cells. T3 induced a time- and concentration-dependent decrease in Runx2 expression. Silencing of TRβ by small interfering RNA knockdown resulted in a corresponding increase in Runx2 and Runx2-regulated genes, indicating that TRβ levels directly impact Runx2 expression and associated epithelial to mesenchymal transition molecules. TRβ specifically bound to 3 putative thyroid hormone-response element motifs within the Runx2-P1 promoter ((-)105/(+)133) as detected by EMSA and chromatin immunoprecipitation. TRβ suppressed Runx2 transcriptional activities, thus confirming TRβ regulation of Runx2 at functional thyroid hormone-response elements. Significantly, these findings indicate that a ratio of the tumor-suppressor TRβ and tumor-promoting Runx2 may reflect tumor aggression and serve as biomarkers in biopsy tissues. The discovery of this TRβ-Runx2 signaling supports the emerging role of TRβ as a tumor suppressor and reveals a novel pathway for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances E Carr
- Departments of Pharmacology (F.E.C., M.S.B., N.E.G., K.G.E., T.H.T., J.H.W., J.A.T.), Biochemistry (P.W.L.T., S.K.Z., J.B.L., J.L.S., G.S.S.), and Neurological Sciences (D.M.J.), College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Phillip W L Tai
- Departments of Pharmacology (F.E.C., M.S.B., N.E.G., K.G.E., T.H.T., J.H.W., J.A.T.), Biochemistry (P.W.L.T., S.K.Z., J.B.L., J.L.S., G.S.S.), and Neurological Sciences (D.M.J.), College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Michael S Barnum
- Departments of Pharmacology (F.E.C., M.S.B., N.E.G., K.G.E., T.H.T., J.H.W., J.A.T.), Biochemistry (P.W.L.T., S.K.Z., J.B.L., J.L.S., G.S.S.), and Neurological Sciences (D.M.J.), College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Noelle E Gillis
- Departments of Pharmacology (F.E.C., M.S.B., N.E.G., K.G.E., T.H.T., J.H.W., J.A.T.), Biochemistry (P.W.L.T., S.K.Z., J.B.L., J.L.S., G.S.S.), and Neurological Sciences (D.M.J.), College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Katherine G Evans
- Departments of Pharmacology (F.E.C., M.S.B., N.E.G., K.G.E., T.H.T., J.H.W., J.A.T.), Biochemistry (P.W.L.T., S.K.Z., J.B.L., J.L.S., G.S.S.), and Neurological Sciences (D.M.J.), College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Thomas H Taber
- Departments of Pharmacology (F.E.C., M.S.B., N.E.G., K.G.E., T.H.T., J.H.W., J.A.T.), Biochemistry (P.W.L.T., S.K.Z., J.B.L., J.L.S., G.S.S.), and Neurological Sciences (D.M.J.), College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Jeffrey H White
- Departments of Pharmacology (F.E.C., M.S.B., N.E.G., K.G.E., T.H.T., J.H.W., J.A.T.), Biochemistry (P.W.L.T., S.K.Z., J.B.L., J.L.S., G.S.S.), and Neurological Sciences (D.M.J.), College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Jennifer A Tomczak
- Departments of Pharmacology (F.E.C., M.S.B., N.E.G., K.G.E., T.H.T., J.H.W., J.A.T.), Biochemistry (P.W.L.T., S.K.Z., J.B.L., J.L.S., G.S.S.), and Neurological Sciences (D.M.J.), College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Diane M Jaworski
- Departments of Pharmacology (F.E.C., M.S.B., N.E.G., K.G.E., T.H.T., J.H.W., J.A.T.), Biochemistry (P.W.L.T., S.K.Z., J.B.L., J.L.S., G.S.S.), and Neurological Sciences (D.M.J.), College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Sayyed K Zaidi
- Departments of Pharmacology (F.E.C., M.S.B., N.E.G., K.G.E., T.H.T., J.H.W., J.A.T.), Biochemistry (P.W.L.T., S.K.Z., J.B.L., J.L.S., G.S.S.), and Neurological Sciences (D.M.J.), College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Jane B Lian
- Departments of Pharmacology (F.E.C., M.S.B., N.E.G., K.G.E., T.H.T., J.H.W., J.A.T.), Biochemistry (P.W.L.T., S.K.Z., J.B.L., J.L.S., G.S.S.), and Neurological Sciences (D.M.J.), College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Janet L Stein
- Departments of Pharmacology (F.E.C., M.S.B., N.E.G., K.G.E., T.H.T., J.H.W., J.A.T.), Biochemistry (P.W.L.T., S.K.Z., J.B.L., J.L.S., G.S.S.), and Neurological Sciences (D.M.J.), College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
| | - Gary S Stein
- Departments of Pharmacology (F.E.C., M.S.B., N.E.G., K.G.E., T.H.T., J.H.W., J.A.T.), Biochemistry (P.W.L.T., S.K.Z., J.B.L., J.L.S., G.S.S.), and Neurological Sciences (D.M.J.), College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405
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Park JW, Zhao L, Willingham MC, Cheng SY. Loss of tyrosine phosphorylation at Y406 abrogates the tumor suppressor functions of the thyroid hormone receptor β. Mol Carcinog 2016; 56:489-498. [PMID: 27254276 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We have recently identified that phosphorylation at tyrosine (Y)406 is critical for the tumor suppressor functions of the thyroid hormone receptor β1 (TRβ) in a breast cancer line. However, still unclear is whether the critical tumor suppressor role of phosphorylated Y406 of TRβ is limited to only breast cancer cells or could be extended to other cell types. In the present studies, we addressed this question by stably expressing TRβ, a mutated TRβ oncogene (PV), or a TRβ mutated at Y406 (TRβY406F) in rat PCCL3 thyroid follicular cells and evaluated their tumor characteristics in athymic mice with elevated thyroid stimulating hormone. PCCL3 cells stably expressing PV (PCCL3-PV), TRβY406F (PCCL3-TRβY406F), or vector only (PCCL3-Neo) developed tumors with sizes in the rank order of TRβY406F>PV = Neo, whereas PCCL3 cells expressing TRβ (PCCL3-TRβ) barely developed tumors. As evidenced by markedly elevated Ki67, cyclin D1, and p-Rb protein abundance, proliferative activity was high in PV and TRβY406F tumors, but low in TRβ tumors. These results indicate that TRβ acted as a tumor suppressor in PCCL3 cells, whereas TRβY406F and PV had lost tumor suppressor activity. Interestingly, TRβY406F tumors had very low necrotic areas with decreased TNFα-NFκB signaling to lower apoptotic activity. In contrast, PV tumors had prominent large necrotic areas, with no apparent changes in TNFα-NFκB signaling, indicating distinct oncogenic activities of mutant PV and TRβY406F. Thus, the present studies uncovered a novel mechanism by which TRβ could function as a tumor suppressor through modulation of the TNFα-NFκB signaling. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Won Park
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Li Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Mark C Willingham
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sheue-Yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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28
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Lin H, Chin Y, Yang YSH, Lai H, Whang‐Peng J, Liu LF, Tang H, Davis PJ. Thyroid Hormone, Cancer, and Apoptosis. Compr Physiol 2016; 6:1221-37. [DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c150035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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29
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Park JW, Zhao L, Willingham M, Cheng SY. Oncogenic mutations of thyroid hormone receptor β. Oncotarget 2016; 6:8115-31. [PMID: 25924236 PMCID: PMC4480739 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The C-terminal frame-shift mutant of the thyroid hormone receptor TRβ1, PV, functions as an oncogene. An important question is whether the oncogenic activity of mutated TRβ1 is uniquely dependent on the PV mutated sequence. Using four C-terminal frame-shift mutants—PV, Mkar, Mdbs, and AM—we examined that region in the oncogenic actions of TRβ1 mutants. Remarkably, these C-terminal mutants induced similar growth of tumors in mouse xenograft models. Molecular analyses showed that they physically interacted with the p85α regulatory subunit of PI3K similarly in cells. In vitro GST-binding assay showed that they bound to the C-terminal Src-homology 2 (CSH2) of p85α with markedly higher avidity. The sustained association of mutants with p85α led to activation of the common PI3K-AKT-ERK/STAT3 signaling to promote cell proliferation and invasion and to inhibit apoptosis. Thus, these results argue against the oncogenic activity of PV being uniquely dependent on the PV mutated sequence. Rather, these four mutants could favor a C-terminal conformation that interacted with the CSH2 domain of p85α to initiate activation of PI3K to relay downstream signaling to promote tumorigenesis. Thus, we propose that the mutated C-terminal region of TRβ1 could function as an “onco-domain” and TRβ1 is a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Won Park
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Li Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark Willingham
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sheue-Yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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30
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Master A, Wójcicka A, Giżewska K, Popławski P, Williams GR, Nauman A. A Novel Method for Gene-Specific Enhancement of Protein Translation by Targeting 5'UTRs of Selected Tumor Suppressors. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155359. [PMID: 27171412 PMCID: PMC4865139 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Translational control is a mechanism of protein synthesis regulation emerging as an important target for new therapeutics. Naturally occurring microRNAs and synthetic small inhibitory RNAs (siRNAs) are the most recognized regulatory molecules acting via RNA interference. Surprisingly, recent studies have shown that interfering RNAs may also activate gene transcription via the newly discovered phenomenon of small RNA-induced gene activation (RNAa). Thus far, the small activating RNAs (saRNAs) have only been demonstrated as promoter-specific transcriptional activators. FINDINGS We demonstrate that oligonucleotide-based trans-acting factors can also specifically enhance gene expression at the level of protein translation by acting at sequence-specific targets within the messenger RNA 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR). We designed a set of short synthetic oligonucleotides (dGoligos), specifically targeting alternatively spliced 5'UTRs in transcripts expressed from the THRB and CDKN2A suppressor genes. The in vitro translation efficiency of reporter constructs containing alternative TRβ1 5'UTRs was increased by up to more than 55-fold following exposure to specific dGoligos. Moreover, we found that the most folded 5'UTR has higher translational regulatory potential when compared to the weakly folded TRβ1 variant. This suggests such a strategy may be especially applied to enhance translation from relatively inactive transcripts containing long 5'UTRs of complex structure. SIGNIFICANCE This report represents the first method for gene-specific translation enhancement using selective trans-acting factors designed to target specific 5'UTR cis-acting elements. This simple strategy may be developed further to complement other available methods for gene expression regulation including gene silencing. The dGoligo-mediated translation-enhancing approach has the potential to be transferred to increase the translation efficiency of any suitable target gene and may have future application in gene therapy strategies to enhance expression of proteins including tumor suppressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Master
- The Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ul. Marymoncka 99/103, 01-813, Warsaw, Poland
- BioTe21, Laboratory of Molecular Medical Biology, ul. Krolowej Jadwigi 33/3b, 30-209, Cracow, Poland
| | - Anna Wójcicka
- The Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ul. Marymoncka 99/103, 01-813, Warsaw, Poland
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-089, Warsaw, Poland
- Genomic Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kamilla Giżewska
- BioTe21, Laboratory of Molecular Medical Biology, ul. Krolowej Jadwigi 33/3b, 30-209, Cracow, Poland
| | - Piotr Popławski
- The Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ul. Marymoncka 99/103, 01-813, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Graham R. Williams
- Molecular Endocrinology Group, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Alicja Nauman
- The Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ul. Marymoncka 99/103, 01-813, Warsaw, Poland
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2c, 02-089, Warsaw, Poland
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Jeon MJ, Kim WG, Lim S, Choi HJ, Sim S, Kim TY, Shong YK, Kim WB. Alpha lipoic acid inhibits proliferation and epithelial mesenchymal transition of thyroid cancer cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 419:113-23. [PMID: 26463583 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The naturally occurring short-chain fatty acid, α-lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant which is clinically used for treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Recent studies suggested the possibility of ALA as a potential anti-cancer agent, because it could activate adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibit transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) pathway. In this study, we evaluate the effects of ALA on thyroid cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. We performed in vitro cell proliferation analysis using BCPAP, HTH-83, CAL-62 and FTC-133 cells. ALA suppressed thyroid cancer cell proliferation through activation of AMPK and subsequent down-regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-S6 signaling pathway. Low-dose ALA, which had minimal effects on cell proliferation, also decreased cell migration and invasion of BCPAP, CAL-62 and HTH-83 cells. ALA inhibited epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) evidently by increase of E-cadherin and decreases of activated β-catenin, vimentin, snail, and twist in these cells. ALA suppressed TGFβ production and inhibited induction of p-Smad2 and twist by TGFβ1 or TGFβ2. These findings indicate that ALA reduces cancer cell migration and invasion through suppression of TGFβ production and inhibition of TGFβ signaling pathways in thyroid cancer cells. ALA also significantly suppressed tumor growth in mouse xenograft model using BCPAP and FTC-133 cells. This is the first study to show anti-cancer effect of ALA on thyroid cancer cells. ALA could be a potential therapeutic agent for treatment of advanced thyroid cancer, possibly as an adjuvant therapy with other systemic therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Ji Jeon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Won Gu Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seonhee Lim
- Asan Institute of Life Sciences, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Soyoung Sim
- Asan Institute of Life Sciences, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae Yong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Kee Shong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Won Bae Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
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Park JW, Zhao L, Webb P, Cheng SY. Src-dependent phosphorylation at Y406 on the thyroid hormone receptor β confers the tumor suppressor activity. Oncotarget 2015; 5:10002-16. [PMID: 25275301 PMCID: PMC4259401 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Association studies suggest that the thyroid hormone receptor β1 (TRβ1) could function as a tumor suppressor in cancer cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. We explored how TRβ1 acted as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer MDA cells. Proliferation and invasiveness were markedly inhibited in cells stably expressing TRβ1 (MDA-TRβ1 cells). cSrc-phosphorylated TRβ1 at Y406 signaled T3-induced degradation. Mutation of Y406 to Phe (TRβ1Y406F) did not affect T3 binding affinity, but blocked T3-induced degradation in cells. Importantly, cell-based studies showed that TRβ1Y406F lost the inhibitory effects by TRβ1 on cell proliferation and invasion. Consistently, in xenograft models, MDA-TRβ1 cells exhibited significantly slower tumor growth rates than those of Neo control cells. In contrast, the tumor growth rates of MDA-TRβ1Y406F cells were indistinguishable from those of Neo control cells. We further showed that markedly more TRβ1Y406F than TRβ1 was physically associated with cSrc in cells, leading to constitutive activation of cSrc-FAK-ERK signaling. In contrast, degradation of T3-bound TRβ1 complexed with cSrc attenuated signaling to decrease cell proliferation and invasiveness, thus confirming TRβ1 as a tumor suppressor. Thus, the present studies suggested that TRβ1 could be tested as a novel potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Won Park
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Li Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Paul Webb
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX
| | - Sheue-Yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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Heublein S, Mayr D, Meindl A, Angele M, Gallwas J, Jeschke U, Ditsch N. Thyroid Hormone Receptors Predict Prognosis in BRCA1 Associated Breast Cancer in Opposing Ways. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127072. [PMID: 26029931 PMCID: PMC4451081 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Since BRCA1 associated breast cancers are frequently classified as hormone receptor negative or even triple negative, the application of endocrine therapies is rather limited in these patients. Like hormone receptors that bind to estrogen or progesterone, thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. TRs might be interesting biomarkers - especially in the absence of classical hormone receptors. The current study aimed to investigate whether TRs may be specifically expressed in BRCA1 associated cancer cases and whether they are of prognostic significance in these patients as compared to sporadic breast cancer cases. This study analyzed TRα and TRβ immunopositivity in BRCA1 associated (n = 38) and sporadic breast cancer (n = 86). Further, TRs were studied in MCF7 (BRCA1 wildtype) and HCC3153 (BRCA1 mutated) cells. TRβ positivity rate was significantly higher in BRCA1 associated as compared to sporadic breast cancers (p = 0.001). The latter observation remained to be significant when cases that had been matched for clinicopathological criteria were compared (p = 0.037). Regarding BRCA1 associated breast cancer cases TRβ positivity turned out to be a positive prognostic factor for five-year (p = 0.007) and overall survival (p = 0.026) while TRα positivity predicted reduced five-year survival (p = 0.030). Activation of TRβ resulted in down-modulation of CTNNB1 while TRα inhibition reduced cell viability in HCC3153. However, only BRCA1 wildtype MCF7 cells were capable of rapidly degrading TRα1 in response to T3 stimulation. Significantly, this study identified TRβ to be up-regulated in BRCA1 associated breast cancer and revealed TRs to be associated with patients’ prognosis. TRs were also found to be expressed in triple negative BRCA1 associated breast cancer. Further studies need to be done in order to evaluate whether TRs may become interesting targets of endocrine therapeutic approaches, especially when tumors are triple-negative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Heublein
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Doris Mayr
- Department of Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alfons Meindl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Angele
- Department of Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Gallwas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Udo Jeschke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nina Ditsch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Paolino D, Cosco D, Gaspari M, Celano M, Wolfram J, Voce P, Puxeddu E, Filetti S, Celia C, Ferrari M, Russo D, Fresta M. Targeting the thyroid gland with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-nanoliposomes. Biomaterials 2014; 35:7101-9. [PMID: 24836306 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.04.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Various tissue-specific antibodies have been attached to nanoparticles to obtain targeted delivery. In particular, nanodelivery systems with selectivity for breast, prostate and cancer tissue have been developed. Here, we have developed a nanodelivery system that targets the thyroid gland. Nanoliposomes have been conjugated to the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which binds to the TSH receptor (TSHr) on the surface of thyrocytes. The results indicate that the intracellular uptake of TSH-nanoliposomes is increased in cells expressing the TSHr. The accumulation of targeted nanoliposomes in the thyroid gland following intravenous injection was 3.5-fold higher in comparison to untargeted nanoliposomes. Furthermore, TSH-nanoliposomes encapsulated with gemcitabine showed improved anticancer efficacy in vitro and in a tumor model of follicular thyroid carcinoma. This drug delivery system could be used for the treatment of a broad spectrum of thyroid diseases to reduce side effects and improve therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Paolino
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus Universitario "S. Venuta", Viale S. Venuta, Germaneto, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy; IRC FSH-Interregional Research Center for Food Safety & Health, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus Universitario "S. Venuta", Viale S. Venuta, Germaneto, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Donato Cosco
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus Universitario "S. Venuta", Viale S. Venuta, Germaneto, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy; IRC FSH-Interregional Research Center for Food Safety & Health, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus Universitario "S. Venuta", Viale S. Venuta, Germaneto, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marco Gaspari
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro"Magna Græcia", Campus Universitario "S. Venuta", Viale S. Venuta, Germaneto, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marilena Celano
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus Universitario "S. Venuta", Viale S. Venuta, Germaneto, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Joy Wolfram
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience & Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Pasquale Voce
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Efisio Puxeddu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Filetti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Rome "Sapienza", V.le del Policlinico, 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Celia
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti - Pescara "G. d Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, Chieti 66013, Italy; IRC FSH-Interregional Research Center for Food Safety & Health, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus Universitario "S. Venuta", Viale S. Venuta, Germaneto, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Mauro Ferrari
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Diego Russo
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus Universitario "S. Venuta", Viale S. Venuta, Germaneto, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Massimo Fresta
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus Universitario "S. Venuta", Viale S. Venuta, Germaneto, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy; IRC FSH-Interregional Research Center for Food Safety & Health, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Campus Universitario "S. Venuta", Viale S. Venuta, Germaneto, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
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