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Shin Y, Kim S, Liang G, Ulmer TS, An W. VprBP/DCAF1 Triggers Melanomagenic Gene Silencing through Histone H2A Phosphorylation. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2552. [PMID: 37760992 PMCID: PMC10526264 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vpr binding protein (VprBP), also known as DDB1- and CUL4-associated factor1 (DCAF1), is a recently identified atypical kinase and plays an important role in downregulating the transcription of tumor suppressor genes as well as increasing the risk for colon and prostate cancers. Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer arising from pigment-producing melanocytes and is often associated with the dysregulation of epigenetic factors targeting histones. Here, we demonstrate that VprBP is highly expressed and phosphorylates threonine 120 (T120) on histone H2A to drive the transcriptional inactivation of growth-regulatory genes in melanoma cells. As is the case for its epigenetic function in other types of cancers, VprBP acts to induce a gene silencing program dependent on H2AT120 phosphorylation (H2AT120p). The significance of VprBP-mediated H2AT120p is further underscored by the fact that VprBP knockdown- or VprBP inhibitor-induced lockage of H2AT120p mitigates melanoma tumor growth in xenograft models. Collectively, our results establish VprBP-mediated H2AT120p as a key epigenetic signal for melanomagenesis and suggest the therapeutic potential of targeting VprBP kinase activity for effective melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghwan Shin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (Y.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Sungmin Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (Y.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Gangning Liang
- Department of Urology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;
| | - Tobias S. Ulmer
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA;
| | - Woojin An
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (Y.S.); (S.K.)
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Shin Y, Kim S, Liang G, Ulmer TS, An W. VprBP/DCAF1 triggers melanomagenic gene silencing through histone H2A phosphorylation. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3147199. [PMID: 37502858 PMCID: PMC10371079 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3147199/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Background Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer arising from pigment-producing melanocytes and is often associated with dysregulation of epigenetic factors targeting histones. VprBP, also known as DCAF1, is a recently identified kinase and plays an important role in downregulating the transcription of tumor suppressor genes as well as increasing the risk for colon and prostate cancers. However, it remains unknown whether VprBP is also involved in triggering the pathogenesis of other types of cancer. Results We demonstrate that VprBP is highly expressed and phosphorylates threonine 120 (T120) on histone H2A to drive transcriptional inactivation of growth regulatory genes in melanoma cells. As is the case for its epigenetic function in colon and prostate cancers, VprBP acts to induce gene silencing program dependently of H2AT120 phosphorylation (H2AT120p). The significance of VprBP-mediated H2AT120p is further underscored by the fact that VprBP knockdown- or VprBP inhibitor-induced lockage of H2AT120p mitigates melanoma tumor growth in xenograft models. Moreover, artificial tethering of VprBP wild type, but not VprBP kinase-dead mutant, to its responsive genes is sufficient for achieving an inactive transcriptional state in VprBP-depleted cells, indicating that VprBP drives gene silencing program in an H2AT120p-dependent manner. Conclusions Our results establish VprBP-mediated H2AT120p as a key epigenetic signal for melanomagenesis and suggest the therapeutic potential of targeting VprBP kinase activity for effective melanoma treatment.
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Shin Y, Kim S, Liang G, Ulmer TS, An W. VprBP/DCAF1 triggers melanomagenic gene silencing through histone H2A phosphorylation. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2950076. [PMID: 37293029 PMCID: PMC10246234 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2950076/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer arising from pigment-producing melanocytes and is often associated with dysregulation of epigenetic factors targeting histones. VprBP, also known as DCAF1, is a recently identified kinase and plays an important role in downregulating the transcription of tumor suppressor genes as well as increasing the risk for colon and prostate cancers. However, it remains unknown whether VprBP is also involved in triggering the pathogenesis of other types of cancer. Results We demonstrate that VprBP is highly expressed and phosphorylates threonine 120 (T120) on histone H2A to drive transcriptional inactivation of growth regulatory genes in melanoma cells. As is the case for its epigenetic function in colon and prostate cancers, VprBP acts to induce gene silencing program dependently of H2AT120 phosphorylation (H2AT120p). The significance of VprBP-mediated H2AT120p is further underscored by the fact that VprBP knockdown- or VprBP inhibitor-induced lockage of H2AT120p mitigates melanoma tumor growth in xenograft models. Moreover, artificial tethering of VprBP wild type, but not VprBP kinase-dead mutant, to its responsive genes is sufficient for achieving an inactive transcriptional state in VprBP-depleted cells, indicating that VprBP drives gene silencing program in an H2AT120p-dependent manner. Conclusions Our results establish VprBP-mediated H2AT120p as a key epigenetic signal for melanomagenesis and suggest the therapeutic potential of targeting VprBP kinase activity for effective melanoma treatment.
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Tommasi S, Blumenfeld H, Besaratinia A. Vaping Dose, Device Type, and E-Liquid Flavor are Determinants of DNA Damage in Electronic Cigarette Users. Nicotine Tob Res 2023; 25:1145-1154. [PMID: 36780924 PMCID: PMC10202635 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntad003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the widespread use of electronic cigarettes, the long-term health consequences of vaping are largely unknown. AIMS AND METHODS We investigated the DNA-damaging effects of vaping as compared to smoking in healthy adults, including "exclusive" vapers (never smokers), cigarette smokers only, and nonusers, matched for age, gender, and race (N = 72). Following biochemical verification of vaping or smoking status, we quantified DNA damage in oral epithelial cells of our study subjects, using a long-amplicon quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS We detected significantly increased levels of DNA damage in both vapers and smokers as compared to nonusers (p = .005 and p = .020, respectively). While the mean levels of DNA damage did not differ significantly between vapers and smokers (p = .522), damage levels increased dose-dependently, from light users to heavy users, in both vapers and smokers as compared to nonusers. Among vapers, pod users followed by mod users, and those who used sweet-, mint or menthol-, and fruit-flavored e-liquids, respectively, showed the highest levels of DNA damage. The nicotine content of e-liquid was not a predictor of DNA damage in vapers. CONCLUSIONS This is the first demonstration of a dose-dependent formation of DNA damage in vapers who had never smoked cigarettes. Our data support a role for product characteristics, specifically device type and e-liquid flavor, in the induction of DNA damage in vapers. Given the popularity of pod and mod devices and the preferability of sweet-, mint or menthol-, and fruit-flavored e-liquids by both adult- and youth vapers, our findings can have significant implications for public health and tobacco products regulation. IMPLICATIONS We demonstrate a dose-dependent formation of DNA damage in oral cells from vapers who had never smoked tobacco cigarettes as well as exclusive cigarette smokers. Device type and e-liquid flavor determine the extent of DNA damage detected in vapers. Users of pod devices followed by mod users, and those who use sweet-, mint or menthol-, and fruit-flavored e-liquids, respectively, show the highest levels of DNA damage when compared to nonusers. Given the popularity of pod and mod devices and the preferability of these same flavors of e-liquid by both adult- and youth vapers, our findings can have significant implications for public health and tobacco products regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Tommasi
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, M/C 9603, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Hannah Blumenfeld
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, M/C 9603, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Ahmad Besaratinia
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, M/C 9603, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Besaratinia A. The State of Research and Weight of Evidence on the Epigenetic Effects of Bisphenol A. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097951. [PMID: 37175656 PMCID: PMC10178030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high-production-volume chemical with numerous industrial and consumer applications. BPA is extensively used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. The widespread utilities of BPA include its use as internal coating for food and beverage cans, bottles, and food-packaging materials, and as a building block for countless goods of common use. BPA can be released into the environment and enter the human body at any stage during its production, or in the process of manufacture, use, or disposal of materials made from this chemical. While the general population is predominantly exposed to BPA through contaminated food and drinking water, non-dietary exposures through the respiratory system, integumentary system, and vertical transmission, as well as other routes of exposure, also exist. BPA is often classified as an endocrine-disrupting chemical as it can act as a xenoestrogen. Exposure to BPA has been associated with developmental, reproductive, cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, or immune effects, as well as oncogenic effects. BPA can disrupt the synthesis or clearance of hormones by binding and interfering with biological receptors. BPA can also interact with key transcription factors to modulate regulation of gene expression. Over the past 17 years, an epigenetic mechanism of action for BPA has emerged. This article summarizes the current state of research on the epigenetic effects of BPA by analyzing the findings from various studies in model systems and human populations. It evaluates the weight of evidence on the ability of BPA to alter the epigenome, while also discussing the direction of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Besaratinia
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, M/C 9603, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Anestopoulos I, Kyriakou S, Tragkola V, Paraskevaidis I, Tzika E, Mitsiogianni M, Deligiorgi MV, Petrakis G, Trafalis DT, Botaitis S, Giatromanolaki A, Koukourakis MI, Franco R, Pappa A, Panayiotidis MI. Targeting the epigenome in malignant melanoma: Facts, challenges and therapeutic promises. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108301. [PMID: 36283453 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most lethal type of skin cancer with high rates of mortality. Although current treatment options provide a short-clinical benefit, acquired-drug resistance highlights the low 5-year survival rate among patients with advanced stage of the disease. In parallel, the involvement of an aberrant epigenetic landscape, (e.g., alterations in DNA methylation patterns, histone modifications marks and expression of non-coding RNAs), in addition to the genetic background, has been also associated with the onset and progression of melanoma. In this review article, we report on current therapeutic options in melanoma treatment with a focus on distinct epigenetic alterations and how their reversal, by specific drug compounds, can restore a normal phenotype. In particular, we concentrate on how single and/or combinatorial therapeutic approaches have utilized epigenetic drug compounds in being effective against malignant melanoma. Finally, the role of deregulated epigenetic mechanisms in promoting drug resistance to targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors is presented leading to the development of newly synthesized and/or improved drug compounds capable of targeting the epigenome of malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Anestopoulos
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - S Kyriakou
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - V Tragkola
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - I Paraskevaidis
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - E Tzika
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - M V Deligiorgi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - G Petrakis
- Saint George Hospital, Chania, Crete, Greece
| | - D T Trafalis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - S Botaitis
- Department of Surgery, Alexandroupolis University Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace School of Medicine, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - A Giatromanolaki
- Department of Pathology, Democritus University of Thrace, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - M I Koukourakis
- Radiotherapy / Oncology, Radiobiology & Radiopathology Unit, Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - R Franco
- Redox Biology Centre, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA; School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - A Pappa
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - M I Panayiotidis
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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Olszewska M, Kordyl O, Kamieniczna M, Fraczek M, Jędrzejczak P, Kurpisz M. Global 5mC and 5hmC DNA Levels in Human Sperm Subpopulations with Differentially Protaminated Chromatin in Normo- and Oligoasthenozoospermic Males. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094516. [PMID: 35562907 PMCID: PMC9099774 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications play a special role in the male infertility aetiology. Published data indicate the link between sperm quality and sperm chromatin protamination. This study aimed to determine the relationship between methylation (5mC) and hydroxymethylation (5hmC) in sperm DNA, with respect to sperm chromatin protamination in three subpopulations of fertile normozoospermic controls and infertile patients with oligo-/oligoasthenozoospermia. For the first time, a sequential staining protocol was applied, which allowed researchers to analyse 5mC/5hmC levels by immunofluorescence staining, with a previously determined chromatin protamination status (aniline blue staining), using the same spermatozoa. TUNEL assay determined the sperm DNA fragmentation level. The 5mC/5hmC levels were diversified with respect to chromatin protamination status in both studied groups of males, with the highest values observed in protaminated spermatozoa. The linkage between chromatin protamination and 5mC/5hmC levels in control males disappeared in patients with deteriorated semen parameters. A relationship between 5mC/5hmC and sperm motility/morphology was identified in the patient group. Measuring the 5mC/5hmC status of sperm DNA according to sperm chromatin integrity provides evidence of correct spermatogenesis, and its disruption may represent a prognostic marker for reproductive failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Olszewska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (M.F.)
- Correspondence: (M.O.); (M.K.)
| | - Oliwia Kordyl
- Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, 61-614 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Marzena Kamieniczna
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Monika Fraczek
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Piotr Jędrzejczak
- Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Maciej Kurpisz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (M.F.)
- Correspondence: (M.O.); (M.K.)
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Besaratinia A, Caceres A, Tommasi S. DNA Hydroxymethylation in Smoking-Associated Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2657. [PMID: 35269796 PMCID: PMC8910185 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) was first detected in mammalian DNA five decades ago. However, it did not take center stage in the field of epigenetics until 2009, when ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) was found to oxidize 5-methylcytosine to 5-hmC, thus offering a long-awaited mechanism for active DNA demethylation. Since then, a remarkable body of research has implicated DNA hydroxymethylation in pluripotency, differentiation, neural system development, aging, and pathogenesis of numerous diseases, especially cancer. Here, we focus on DNA hydroxymethylation in smoking-associated carcinogenesis to highlight the diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic potentials of this epigenetic mark. We describe the significance of 5-hmC in DNA demethylation, the importance of substrates and cofactors in TET-mediated DNA hydroxymethylation, the regulation of TETs and related genes (isocitrate dehydrogenases, fumarate hydratase, and succinate dehydrogenase), the cell-type dependency and genomic distribution of 5-hmC, and the functional role of 5-hmC in the epigenetic regulation of transcription. We showcase examples of studies on three major smoking-associated cancers, including lung, bladder, and colorectal cancers, to summarize the current state of knowledge, outstanding questions, and future direction in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Besaratinia
- Department of Population & Public Health Sciences, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, M/C 9603, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (A.C.); (S.T.)
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Dobre EG, Constantin C, Costache M, Neagu M. Interrogating Epigenome toward Personalized Approach in Cutaneous Melanoma. J Pers Med 2021; 11:901. [PMID: 34575678 PMCID: PMC8467841 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11090901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations have emerged as essential contributors in the pathogenesis of various human diseases, including cutaneous melanoma (CM). Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic modifications are highly dynamic and reversible and thus easy to regulate. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the latest research findings on the role of genetic and epigenetic alterations in CM initiation and development. We believe that a better understanding of how aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications, along with other molecular processes, affect the genesis and clinical behavior of CM can provide the clinical management of this disease a wide range of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as potential therapeutic targets that can be used to prevent or abrogate drug resistance. We will also approach the modalities by which these epigenetic alterations can be used to customize the therapeutic algorithms in CM, the current status of epi-therapies, and the preliminary results of epigenetic and traditional combinatorial pharmacological approaches in this fatal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena-Georgiana Dobre
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91–95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.C.); (M.N.)
| | - Carolina Constantin
- Immunology Department, “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania;
- Pathology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marieta Costache
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91–95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.C.); (M.N.)
| | - Monica Neagu
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91–95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.C.); (M.N.)
- Immunology Department, “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania;
- Pathology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
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Mitsiogianni M, Anestopoulos I, Kyriakou S, Trafalis DT, Franco R, Pappa A, Panayiotidis MI. Benzyl and phenethyl isothiocyanates as promising epigenetic drug compounds by modulating histone acetylation and methylation marks in malignant melanoma. Invest New Drugs 2021; 39:1460-1468. [PMID: 33963962 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-021-01127-0] [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: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with increasing incidence rates globally. On the other hand, isothiocyanates are derived from cruciferous vegetables and are known to exert a wide range of anti-cancer activities including, among others, their ability to interact with the epigenome in order to supress cancer progression. The aim of this study was to determine the role of phenethyl and benzyl isothiocyanates in modulating histone acetylation and methylation as a potential epigenetic therapeutic strategy in an in vitro model of malignant melanoma. We report that both isothiocyanates induced cytotoxicity and influenced acetylation and methylation status of specific lysine residues on histones H3 and H4 by modulating the expression of various histone acetyltransferases, deacetylases and methyltransferases in malignant melanoma cells. Our data highlight novel insights on the interaction of isothiocyanates with components of the histone regulatory machinery in order to exert their anti-cancer action in malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Mitsiogianni
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ioannis Anestopoulos
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.,The Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Sotiris Kyriakou
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.,The Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Dimitrios T Trafalis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Rodrigo Franco
- Redox Biology Centre, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA.,School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Aglaia Pappa
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Mihalis I Panayiotidis
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. .,Department of Cancer Genetics, Therapeutics & Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus. .,The Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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Abstract
Histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) have been shown to be dysregulated in multiple cancers including melanoma, and as they are abundant and easily detectable, they make ideal biomarkers. The aim of this study was to identify histone PTMs that could be potential biomarkers for melanoma diagnosis. Previously, we utilized mass spectrometry to identify histone PTMs that were dysregulated in matched melanoma cell lines and found two modifications, H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (histone H3K27me3) and H4 lysine 20 monomethylation (histone H4K20me), that were differentially expressed in the more aggressive compared to the less aggressive cell line. In this study, we performed immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays containing 100 patient tissue spots; 18 benign nevi, 62 primary, and 20 metastatic melanoma tissues. We stained for histone H3K27me3 and histone H4K20me to ascertain whether these histone PTMs could be used to distinguish different stages of melanoma. Loss of histone H4K20me was observed in 66% of malignant patient tissues compared to 14% of benign nevi. A majority (79%) of benign nevi had low histone H3K27me3 staining, while 72% of malignant patient tissues showed either a complete loss or had strong histone H3K27me3 staining. When we analyzed the staining for both marks together, we found that we could identify 71% of the benign nevi and 89% of malignant melanomas. Histone H3K27me3 or histone H4K20me display differential expression patterns that can be used to distinguish benign nevi from melanoma; however, when considered together the diagnostic utility of these PTMs increased significantly. The work presented supports the use of combination immunohistochemistry of histone PTMs to increase accuracy and confidence in the diagnosis of melanoma.
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Kyriakou G, Melachrinou M. Cancer stem cells, epigenetics, tumor microenvironment and future therapeutics in cutaneous malignant melanoma: a review. Future Oncol 2020; 16:1549-1567. [PMID: 32484008 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the ontogeny and biology of melanoma stem cells in cutaneous malignant melanoma. This article also summarizes and evaluates the current knowledge of the underlying epigenetic mechanisms, the regulation of melanoma progress by the tumor microenvironment as well as the therapeutic implications and applications of these novel insights, in the setting of personalized medicine. Unraveling the complex ecosystem of cutaneous malignant melanoma and the interplay between its components, aims to provide novel insights into the establishment of efficient therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Kyriakou
- Department of Dermatology, University General Hospital of Patras, Rion 265 04, Greece
| | - Maria Melachrinou
- Department of Pathology, University General Hospital of Patras, Rion 265 04, Greece
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Abstract
Recent advances in immunotherapy have revolutionized the treatment of certain cancers. Some patients show a durable response to these immunotherapies, while others show little benefit or develop resistance. Identification of biomarkers to predict responsiveness will be helpful for informing treatment strategies; and would furthermore lead to the identification of molecular pathways dysregulated in nonresponding patients that could be targeted for therapeutic development. Pathways of epigenetic modification, such as histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs), have been shown to be dysregulated in certain cancer and immune cells. Histones are abundant cellular proteins readily assayed with high-throughput technologies, making them attractive targets as biomarkers. We explore promising advancements for using histone PTMs as immunotherapy responsiveness biomarkers in both cancer and immune cells, and provide a methodological workflow for assaying histone PTMs in relevant samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Taylor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Brian Koss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Lauren E Davis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Alan J Tackett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
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14
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Bertoli E, Giavarra M, Vitale MG, Minisini AM. Neuroblastoma rat sarcoma mutated melanoma: That's what we got so far. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2019; 32:744-752. [PMID: 31403745 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma rat sarcoma (NRAS) mutation, occurring in about 20%-30% of cutaneous melanomas, leads to activation of RAS-RAF-MAPK cascade and represents a clear distinct clinicopathological entity in melanoma. In contrast with BRAF mutant melanoma, no specific target therapies are available outside the setting of clinical trials. In the field of immunoncology, the predictive role of NRAS mutation with respect to checkpoint inhibitors treatment has not clearly established and deserves further investigation. At present, the standard treatment is the same as for BRAF wild type melanoma. Ongoing trials are exploring novel combination strategies among patients with advanced NRAS mutant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bertoli
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy.,Department of Oncology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Marco Giavarra
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy.,Department of Oncology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Vitale
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy.,Department of Oncology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, Udine, Italy
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15
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Abstract
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. In the early stages, melanoma can be treated successfully with surgery alone and survival rates are high, but after metastasis survival rates drop significantly. Therefore, early and correct diagnosis is key for ensuring patients have the best possible prognosis. Melanoma misdiagnosis accounts for more pathology and dermatology malpractice claims than any cancer other than breast cancer, as an early misdiagnosis can significantly reduce a patient’s chances of survival. As far as treatment for metastatic melanoma goes, there have been several new drugs developed over the last 10 years that have greatly improved the prognosis of patients with metastatic melanoma, however, a majority of patients do not show a lasting response to these treatments. Thus, new biomarkers and drug targets are needed to improve the accuracy of melanoma diagnosis and treatment. This article will discuss the major advancements of melanoma diagnosis and treatment from antiquity to the present day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Davis
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Little Rock , AR , USA
| | - Sara C Shalin
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Pathology , Little Rock , AR , USA
| | - Alan J Tackett
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Little Rock , AR , USA
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16
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Echevarría-Vargas IM, Reyes-Uribe PI, Guterres AN, Yin X, Kossenkov AV, Liu Q, Zhang G, Krepler C, Cheng C, Wei Z, Somasundaram R, Karakousis G, Xu W, Morrissette JJ, Lu Y, Mills GB, Sullivan RJ, Benchun M, Frederick DT, Boland G, Flaherty KT, Weeraratna AT, Herlyn M, Amaravadi R, Schuchter LM, Burd CE, Aplin AE, Xu X, Villanueva J. Co-targeting BET and MEK as salvage therapy for MAPK and checkpoint inhibitor-resistant melanoma. EMBO Mol Med 2019; 10:emmm.201708446. [PMID: 29650805 PMCID: PMC5938620 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201708446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite novel therapies for melanoma, drug resistance remains a significant hurdle to achieving optimal responses. NRAS‐mutant melanoma is an archetype of therapeutic challenges in the field, which we used to test drug combinations to avert drug resistance. We show that BET proteins are overexpressed in NRAS‐mutant melanoma and that high levels of the BET family member BRD4 are associated with poor patient survival. Combining BET and MEK inhibitors synergistically curbed the growth of NRAS‐mutant melanoma and prolonged the survival of mice bearing tumors refractory to MAPK inhibitors and immunotherapy. Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis revealed that combining BET and MEK inhibitors mitigates a MAPK and checkpoint inhibitor resistance transcriptional signature, downregulates the transcription factor TCF19, and induces apoptosis. Our studies demonstrate that co‐targeting MEK and BET can offset therapy resistance, offering a salvage strategy for melanomas with no other therapeutic options, and possibly other treatment‐resistant tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adam N Guterres
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xiangfan Yin
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew V Kossenkov
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qin Liu
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gao Zhang
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Clemens Krepler
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chaoran Cheng
- College of Computing Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Zhi Wei
- College of Computing Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | | | - Giorgos Karakousis
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wei Xu
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer Jd Morrissette
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yiling Lu
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gordon B Mills
- Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ryan J Sullivan
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Miao Benchun
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dennie T Frederick
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Genevieve Boland
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keith T Flaherty
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ravi Amaravadi
- Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lynn M Schuchter
- Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christin E Burd
- Departments of Molecular Genetics and Cancer Biology and Genetics, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Andrew E Aplin
- Department of Cancer Biology and Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jessie Villanueva
- Molecular & Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA .,Melanoma Research Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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17
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Hammons JC, Trzoss L, Jimenez PC, Hirata AS, Costa-Lotufo LV, La Clair JJ, Fenical W. Advance of Seriniquinone Analogues as Melanoma Agents. ACS Med Chem Lett 2019; 10:186-190. [PMID: 30783501 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Seriniquinone, a marine natural product, displayed potent cytotoxicity and selectivity against melanoma cancer cells. This selectivity, combined with a novel mode of action (MOA), prompted studies to translate a pharmacologically relevant lead. Herein, we report on structure-activity relationships (SARs), and provide a strategy to prepare analogues that retain activity and offer an improved water solubility and isomeric purity. From intermediates made on a gram-scale, derivatives were prepared and evaluated for their antiproliferation activity and melanoma selectivity. Overall these studies provide methods to install side chain motifs that demonstrate a common, and yet unique, biological profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin C. Hammons
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0204, United States
| | - Lynnie Trzoss
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0204, United States
| | - Paula C. Jimenez
- Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, São Paulo 11070-100, Brazil
| | - Amanda S. Hirata
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Leticia V. Costa-Lotufo
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
| | - James J. La Clair
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0358, United States
| | - William Fenical
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0204, United States
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18
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Desjobert C, Carrier A, Delmas A, Marzese DM, Daunay A, Busato F, Pillon A, Tost J, Riond J, Favre G, Etievant C, Arimondo PB. Demethylation by low-dose 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine impairs 3D melanoma invasion partially through miR-199a-3p expression revealing the role of this miR in melanoma. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:9. [PMID: 30651148 PMCID: PMC6335767 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-018-0600-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efficient treatments against metastatic melanoma dissemination are still lacking. Here, we report that low-cytotoxic concentrations of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, a DNA demethylating agent, prevent in vitro 3D invasiveness of metastatic melanoma cells and reduce lung metastasis formation in vivo. RESULTS We unravelled that this beneficial effect is in part due to MIR-199A2 re-expression by promoter demethylation. Alone, this miR showed an anti-invasive and anti-metastatic effect. Throughout integration of micro-RNA target prediction databases with transcriptomic analysis after 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatments, we found that miR-199a-3p downregulates set of genes significantly involved in invasion/migration processes. In addition, analysis of data from melanoma patients showed a stage- and tissue type-dependent modulation of MIR-199A2 expression by DNA methylation. CONCLUSIONS Thus, our data suggest that epigenetic- and/or miR-based therapeutic strategies can be relevant to limit metastatic dissemination of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Desjobert
- FRE no. 3600 CNRS, Epigenetic Targeting of Cancer (ETaC), Toulouse, France
| | - Arnaud Carrier
- FRE no. 3600 CNRS, Epigenetic Targeting of Cancer (ETaC), Toulouse, France
| | - Audrey Delmas
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, CRCT, Toulouse, France
| | - Diego M Marzese
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Antoine Daunay
- Laboratory for Functional Genomics, Fondation Jean Dausset - CEPH, Paris, France
| | - Florence Busato
- Laboratory for Epigenetics and Environment, Centre National de la Recherche en Génomique Humaine, CEA, Evry, France
| | - Arnaud Pillon
- Institut de Recherche Pierre Fabre, CRDPF, Toulouse, France
| | - Jörg Tost
- Laboratory for Epigenetics and Environment, Centre National de la Recherche en Génomique Humaine, CEA, Evry, France
| | - Joëlle Riond
- FRE no. 3600 CNRS, Epigenetic Targeting of Cancer (ETaC), Toulouse, France.,UMR 1037 INSERM/Université Toulouse III, CRCT, Toulouse, France
| | - Gilles Favre
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, CRCT, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Paola B Arimondo
- FRE no. 3600 CNRS, Epigenetic Targeting of Cancer (ETaC), Toulouse, France. .,Institut Pasteur CNRS UMR3523, Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Paris, France.
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19
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Abstract
Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder is one of the most common malignancies in the industrialized world, mainly caused by smoking and occupational exposure to chemicals. The favorable prognosis of early stage bladder cancer underscores the importance of early detection for the treatment of this disease. The high recurrence rate of this malignancy also highlights the need for close post-diagnosis monitoring of bladder cancer patients. As for other malignancies, aberrant DNA methylation has been shown to play a crucial role in the initiation and progression of bladder cancer, and thus holds great promise as a diagnostic and prognostic biological marker. Here, we describe a protocol for a versatile DNA methylation enrichment method, the Methylated CpG Island Recovery Assay (MIRA), which enables analysis of the DNA methylation status in individual genes or across the entire genome. MIRA is based on the ability of the methyl-binding domain (MBD) proteins, the MBD2B/MBD3L1 complex, to specifically bind methylated CpG dinucleotides. This easy-to-perform method can be used to analyze the methylome of bladder cancer or urothelial cells shed in the urine to elucidate the evolution of bladder carcinogenesis and/or identify epigenetic signatures of chemicals known to cause this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Tommasi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, M/C 9603, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| | - Ahmad Besaratinia
- Department of Preventive Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, M/C 9603, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
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20
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Min X, Zeng W, Chen S, Chen N, Chen T, Jiang R. Predicting enhancers with deep convolutional neural networks. BMC Bioinformatics 2017; 18:478. [PMID: 29219068 PMCID: PMC5773911 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-017-1878-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background With the rapid development of deep sequencing techniques in the recent years, enhancers have been systematically identified in such projects as FANTOM and ENCODE, forming genome-wide landscapes in a series of human cell lines. Nevertheless, experimental approaches are still costly and time consuming for large scale identification of enhancers across a variety of tissues under different disease status, making computational identification of enhancers indispensable. Results To facilitate the identification of enhancers, we propose a computational framework, named DeepEnhancer, to distinguish enhancers from background genomic sequences. Our method purely relies on DNA sequences to predict enhancers in an end-to-end manner by using a deep convolutional neural network (CNN). We train our deep learning model on permissive enhancers and then adopt a transfer learning strategy to fine-tune the model on enhancers specific to a cell line. Results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our method in the classification of enhancers against random sequences, exhibiting advantages of deep learning over traditional sequence-based classifiers. We then construct a variety of neural networks with different architectures and show the usefulness of such techniques as max-pooling and batch normalization in our method. To gain the interpretability of our approach, we further visualize convolutional kernels as sequence logos and successfully identify similar motifs in the JASPAR database. Conclusions DeepEnhancer enables the identification of novel enhancers using only DNA sequences via a highly accurate deep learning model. The proposed computational framework can also be applied to similar problems, thereby prompting the use of machine learning methods in life sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Min
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Bioinformatics Division, TNLIST, Beijing, 100084, China.,Department of Computer Science and Technology, State Key Lab of Intelligent Technology and Systems, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Wanwen Zeng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Bioinformatics Division, TNLIST, Beijing, 100084, China.,Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Shengquan Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Bioinformatics Division, TNLIST, Beijing, 100084, China.,Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ning Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Bioinformatics Division, TNLIST, Beijing, 100084, China.,Department of Computer Science and Technology, State Key Lab of Intelligent Technology and Systems, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ting Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Bioinformatics Division, TNLIST, Beijing, 100084, China.,Department of Computer Science and Technology, State Key Lab of Intelligent Technology and Systems, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.,Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Rui Jiang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Bioinformatics Division, TNLIST, Beijing, 100084, China. .,Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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21
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Penta D, Somashekar BS, Meeran SM. Epigenetics of skin cancer: Interventions by selected bioactive phytochemicals. PHOTODERMATOLOGY PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE 2017; 34:42-49. [DOI: 10.1111/phpp.12353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dhanamjai Penta
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics; Department of Biochemistry; CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute; Mysore India
| | - Bagganahalli S. Somashekar
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics; Department of Biochemistry; CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute; Mysore India
| | - Syed Musthapa Meeran
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics; Department of Biochemistry; CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute; Mysore India
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22
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Micevic G, Theodosakis N, Bosenberg M. Aberrant DNA methylation in melanoma: biomarker and therapeutic opportunities. Clin Epigenetics 2017; 9:34. [PMID: 28396701 PMCID: PMC5381063 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-017-0332-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation is an epigenetic hallmark of melanoma, known to play important roles in melanoma formation and progression. Recent advances in genome-wide methylation methods have provided the means to identify differentially methylated genes, methylation signatures, and potential biomarkers. However, despite considerable effort and advances in cataloging methylation changes in melanoma, many questions remain unanswered. The aim of this review is to summarize recent developments, emerging trends, and important unresolved questions in the field of aberrant DNA methylation in melanoma. In addition to reviewing recent developments, we carefully synthesize the findings in an effort to provide a framework for understanding the current state and direction of the field. To facilitate clarity, we divided the review into DNA methylation changes in melanoma, biomarker opportunities, and therapeutic developments. We hope this review contributes to accelerating the utilization of the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential of DNA methylation for the benefit of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Micevic
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA.,Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Nicholas Theodosakis
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA.,Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Marcus Bosenberg
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA.,Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
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23
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Olszewska M, Barciszewska MZ, Fraczek M, Huleyuk N, Chernykh VB, Zastavna D, Barciszewski J, Kurpisz M. Global methylation status of sperm DNA in carriers of chromosome structural aberrations. Asian J Androl 2017; 19:117-124. [PMID: 26908061 PMCID: PMC5227660 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.168684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility might be clearly associated with aberrant DNA methylation patterns in human spermatozoa. An association between oxidative stress and the global methylation status of the sperm genome has also been suggested. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the global sperm DNA methylation status was affected in the spermatozoa of carriers of chromosome structural aberrations. The relationships between the 5-methylcytosine (m5C) levels in spermatozoa and chromatin integrity status were evaluated. The study patients comprised male carriers of chromosome structural aberrations with reproductive failure (n = 24), and the controls comprised normozoospermic sperm volunteers (n = 23). The global m5C level was measured using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and immunofluorescence (IF) techniques. The sperm chromatin integrity was assessed using aniline blue (AB) staining and TUNEL assay. The mean m5C levels were similar between the investigated chromosome structural aberrations carriers (P) and controls (K). However, sperm chromatin integrity tests revealed significantly higher values in chromosomal rearrangement carriers than in controls (P < 0.05). Although the potential relationship between sperm chromatin integrity status and sperm DNA fragmentation and the m5C level juxtaposed in both analyzed groups (P vs K) was represented in a clearly opposite manner, the low chromatin integrity might be associated with the high hypomethylation status of the sperm DNA observed in carriers of chromosome structural aberrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Olszewska
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Stem Cells, Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland
| | - Miroslawa Z Barciszewska
- Department of RNA Biology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Monika Fraczek
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Stem Cells, Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland
| | - Nataliya Huleyuk
- Institute of Hereditary Pathology, Ukrainian Academy of Medical Sciences, Lysenko Street 31a, 79000 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Vyacheslav B Chernykh
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moskvorechie Street 1, 115478 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Danuta Zastavna
- Institute of Hereditary Pathology, Ukrainian Academy of Medical Sciences, Lysenko Street 31a, 79000 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Jan Barciszewski
- Department of RNA Biology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Maciej Kurpisz
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Stem Cells, Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland
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24
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25
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Yang YY, He HQ, Cui JH, Nie YJ, Wu YX, Wang R, Wang G, Zheng JN, Ye RD, Wu Q, Li SS, Qian F. Shikonin Derivative DMAKO-05 Inhibits Akt Signal Activation and Melanoma Proliferation. Chem Biol Drug Des 2016; 87:895-904. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 12/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yao-yao Yang
- School of Pharmacy; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody; Ministry of Education; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200 240 China
| | - Hui-qiong He
- School of Pharmacy; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody; Ministry of Education; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200 240 China
| | - Jia-hua Cui
- School of Pharmacy; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody; Ministry of Education; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200 240 China
| | - Yun-juan Nie
- School of Pharmacy; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody; Ministry of Education; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200 240 China
| | - Ya-xian Wu
- School of Pharmacy; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody; Ministry of Education; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200 240 China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology; First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College; 287 Changhuai Rd. Bengbu Anhui 233 000 China
| | - Gang Wang
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy; Cancer Institute; Xuzhou Medical College; 209 Tongshan Rd. Xuzhou Jiangsu Province 221 004 China
| | - Jun-Nian Zheng
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy; Cancer Institute; Xuzhou Medical College; 209 Tongshan Rd. Xuzhou Jiangsu Province 221 004 China
| | - Richard D. Ye
- School of Pharmacy; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody; Ministry of Education; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200 240 China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology; First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College; 287 Changhuai Rd. Bengbu Anhui 233 000 China
| | - Shao-shun Li
- School of Pharmacy; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody; Ministry of Education; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200 240 China
| | - Feng Qian
- School of Pharmacy; Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody; Ministry of Education; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200 240 China
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26
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Marzagalli M, Montagnani Marelli M, Casati L, Fontana F, Moretti RM, Limonta P. Estrogen Receptor β in Melanoma: From Molecular Insights to Potential Clinical Utility. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2016; 7:140. [PMID: 27833586 PMCID: PMC5080294 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2016.00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive tumor; its incidence has been reported to increase fast in the past decades. Melanoma is a heterogeneous tumor, with most patients harboring mutations in the BRAF or NRAS oncogenes, leading to the overactivation of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways. The current therapeutic approaches are based on therapies targeting mutated BRAF and the downstream pathway, and on monoclonal antibodies against the immune checkpoint blockade. However, treatment resistance and side effects are common events of these therapeutic strategies. Increasing evidence supports that melanoma is a hormone-related cancer. Melanoma incidence is higher in males than in females, and females have a significant survival advantage over men. Estrogens exert their effects through estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) that affect cancer growth in an opposite way: ERα is associated with a proliferative action and ERβ with an anticancer effect. ERβ is the predominant ER in melanoma, and its expression decreases in melanoma progression, supporting its role as a tumor suppressor. Thus, ERβ is now considered as an effective molecular target for melanoma treatment. 17β-estradiol was reported to inhibit melanoma cells proliferation; however, clinical trials did not provide the expected survival benefits. In vitro studies demonstrate that ERβ ligands inhibit the proliferation of melanoma cells harboring the NRAS (but not the BRAF) mutation, suggesting that ERβ activation might impair melanoma development through the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway. These data suggest that ERβ agonists might be considered as an effective treatment strategy, in combination with MAPK inhibitors, for NRAS mutant melanomas. In an era of personalized medicine, pretreatment evaluation of the expression of ER isoforms together with the concurrent oncogenic mutations should be considered before selecting the most appropriate therapeutic intervention. Natural compounds that specifically bind to ERβ have been identified. These phytoestrogens decrease the proliferation of melanoma cells. Importantly, these effects are unrelated to the oncogenic mutations of melanomas, suggesting that, in addition to their ERβ activating function, these compounds might impair melanoma development through additional mechanisms. A better identification of the role of ERβ in melanoma development will help increase the therapeutic options for this aggressive pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Marzagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Marina Montagnani Marelli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Lavinia Casati
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Fontana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberta Manuela Moretti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
- *Correspondence: Patrizia Limonta,
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Abstract
Melanoma, one of the most virulent forms of human malignancy, is the primary cause of mortality from cancers arising from the skin. The prognosis of metastatic melanoma remains dismal despite targeted therapeutic regimens that exploit our growing understanding of cancer immunology and genetic mutations that drive oncogenic cell signaling pathways in cancer. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation/demethylation, histone modifications and noncoding RNAs recently have been shown to play critical roles in melanoma pathogenesis. Current evidence indicates that imbalance of DNA methylation and demethylation, dysregulation of histone modification and chromatin remodeling, and altered translational control by noncoding RNAs contribute to melanoma tumorigenesis. Here, we summarize the most recent insights relating to epigenetic markers, focusing on diagnostic potential as well as novel therapeutic approaches for more effective treatment of advanced melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Guo
- Program in Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Ave. EBRC 401, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ting Xu
- Program in Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Ave. EBRC 401, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jonathan J Lee
- Program in Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Ave. EBRC 401, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - George F Murphy
- Program in Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Ave. EBRC 401, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christine G Lian
- Program in Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Ave. EBRC 401, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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28
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Marzagalli M, Casati L, Moretti RM, Montagnani Marelli M, Limonta P. Estrogen Receptor β Agonists Differentially Affect the Growth of Human Melanoma Cell Lines. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26225426 PMCID: PMC4520550 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive malignancy; its incidence is increasing worldwide and its prognosis remains poor. Clinical observations indicate that estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is expressed in melanoma tissues and its expression decreases with tumor progression, suggesting its tumor suppressive function. These experiments were performed to investigate the effects of ERβ activation on melanoma cell growth. Methods and Results Protein expression was analyzed by Western blot and immunofluorescence assays. Cell proliferation was assessed by counting the cells by hemocytometer. ERβ transcriptional activity was evaluated by gene reporter assay. Global DNA methylation was analyzed by restriction enzyme assay and ERβ isoforms were identified by qRT-PCR. We demonstrated that ERβ is expressed in a panel of human melanoma cell lines (BLM, WM115, A375, WM1552). In BLM (NRAS-mutant) cells, ERβ agonists significantly and specifically inhibited cell proliferation. ERβ activation triggered its cytoplasmic-to-nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity. Moreover, the antiproliferative activity of ERβ agonists was associated with an altered expression of G1-S transition-related proteins. In these cells, global DNA was found to be hypomethylated when compared to normal melanocytes; this DNA hypomethylation status was reverted by ERβ activation. ERβ agonists also decreased the proliferation of WM115 (BRAF V600D-mutant) cells, while they failed to reduce the growth of A375 and WM1552 (BRAF V600E-mutant) cells. Finally, we could observe that ERβ isoforms are expressed at different levels in the various cell lines. Specific oncogenic mutations or differential expression of receptor isoforms might be responsible for the different responses of cell lines to ERβ agonists. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that ERβ is expressed in melanoma cell lines and that ERβ agonists differentially regulate the proliferation of these cells. These data confirm the notion that melanoma is a heterogeneous tumor and that genetic profiling is mandatory for the development of effective personalized therapeutic approaches for melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Marzagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Lavinia Casati
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberta M. Moretti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Marina Montagnani Marelli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
- * E-mail:
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