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Sehgal P, Lanauze C, Wang X, Hayer KE, Torres-Diz M, Leu NA, Sela Y, Stanger BZ, Lengner CJ, Thomas-Tikhonenko A. MYC Hyperactivates Wnt Signaling in APC/ CTNNB1-Mutated Colorectal Cancer Cells through miR-92a-Dependent Repression of DKK3. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:2003-2014. [PMID: 34593610 PMCID: PMC8642317 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Activation of Wnt signaling is among the earliest events in colon cancer development. It is achieved either via activating mutations in the CTNNB1 gene encoding β-catenin, the key transcription factor in the Wnt pathway, or most commonly by inactivating mutations affecting APC, a major β-catenin binding partner and negative regulator. However, our analysis of recent Pan Cancer Atlas data revealed that CTNNB1 mutations significantly co-occur with those affecting Wnt receptor complex components (e.g., Frizzled and LRP6), underscoring the importance of additional regulatory events even in the presence of common APC/CTNNB1 mutations. In our effort to identify non-mutational hyperactivating events, we determined that KRAS-transformed murine colonocytes overexpressing direct β-catenin target MYC show significant upregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway and reduced expression of Dickkopf 3 (DKK3), a reported ligand for Wnt co-receptors. We demonstrate that MYC suppresses DKK3 transcription through one of miR-17-92 cluster miRNAs, miR-92a. We further examined the role of DKK3 by overexpression and knockdown and discovered that DKK3 suppresses Wnt signaling in Apc-null murine colonic organoids and human colon cancer cells despite the presence of downstream activating mutations in the Wnt pathway. Conversely, MYC overexpression in the same cell lines resulted in hyperactive Wnt signaling, acquisition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers, and enhanced migration/invasion in vitro and metastasis in a syngeneic orthotopic mouse colon cancer model. IMPLICATIONS: Our results suggest that the MYC→miR-92a-|DKK3 axis hyperactivates Wnt signaling, forming a feed-forward oncogenic loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Sehgal
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Claudia Lanauze
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Cell & Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Katharina E Hayer
- The Bioinformatics Group, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Manuel Torres-Diz
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - N Adrian Leu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yogev Sela
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ben Z Stanger
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Christopher J Lengner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrei Thomas-Tikhonenko
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Cell & Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Lanauze CB, Sehgal P, Hayer K, Torres-Diz M, Pippin JA, Grant SFA, Thomas-Tikhonenko A. Colorectal Cancer-Associated Smad4 R361 Hotspot Mutations Boost Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling through Enhanced Smad4-LEF1 Binding. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:823-833. [PMID: 33608451 PMCID: PMC8137583 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
About 10% to 30% of patients with colorectal cancer harbor either loss of or missense mutations in SMAD4, a critical component of the TGFβ signaling pathway. The pathophysiologic function of missense mutations in Smad4 is not fully understood. They usually map to the MH2 domain, specifically to residues that are involved in heterodimeric complex formation with regulatory Smads (such as Smad2/3) and ensuing transcriptional activation. These detrimental effects suggest that SMAD4 missense mutations can be categorized as loss-of-function. However, they tend to cluster in a few hotspots, which is more consistent with them acting by a gain-of-function mechanism. In this study, we investigated the functional role of Smad4 R361 mutants by re-expressing two R361 Smad4 variants in several Smad4-null colorectal cancer cell lines. As predicted, R361 mutations disrupted Smad2/3-Smad4 heteromeric complex formation and abolished canonical TGFβ signaling. In that, they were similar to SMAD4 loss. However, RNA sequencing and subsequent RT-PCR assays revealed that Smad4mut cells acquired a gene signature associated with enhanced Lef1 protein function and increased Wnt signaling. Mechanistically, Smad4 mutant proteins retained binding to Lef1 protein and drove a commensurate increase in downstream Wnt signaling as measured by TOP/FOP luciferase assay and Wnt-dependent cell motility. Consistent with these findings, human colorectal cancers with SMAD4 missense mutations were less likely to acquire activating mutations in the key Wnt pathway gene CTNNB1 (encoding β-catenin) than colorectal cancers with truncating SMAD4 nonsense mutations. IMPLICATIONS: Our studies suggest that in colorectal cancer hotspot mutations in Smad4 confer enhanced Wnt signaling and possibly heightened sensitivity to Wnt pathway inhibitors. VISUAL OVERVIEW: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/molcanres/19/5/823/F1.large.jpg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia B Lanauze
- Division of Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Cell & Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Priyanka Sehgal
- Division of Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Katharina Hayer
- Division of Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Biomedical & Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
| | - Manuel Torres-Diz
- Division of Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - James A Pippin
- Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Struan F A Grant
- Cell & Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrei Thomas-Tikhonenko
- Division of Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Vu T, Yang S, Datta PK. MiR-216b/Smad3/BCL-2 Axis Is Involved in Smoking-Mediated Drug Resistance in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1879. [PMID: 32668597 PMCID: PMC7408725 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiologic studies have shown that vast majority of lung cancers (85-90%) are causally linked to tobacco smoking. Although much information has been gained about the effects of smoking on various signaling pathways, little is known about how deregulation of miRNAs leads to activation of oncogenes and inhibition of tumor suppressor genes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our previous study showed that smoking inhibits TGF-β-induced tumor suppressor functions through downregulation of Smad3 in lung cancer cells. In order to understand the upstream mechanism of downregulation of Smad3 by smoking, we performed miRNA microarray analyses after treating human lung adenocarcinoma A549 and immortalized peripheral lung epithelial HPL1A cells with cigarette smoke condensate (CSC). We identified miR-216b as being upregulated in CSC treated cells. MiR-216b overexpression decreases Smad3 protein expression by binding to its 3'-UTR, and attenuates transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling and target gene expression. MiR-216b increases B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) expression and promotes chemoresistance of NSCLC cells by decreasing apoptosis. Increased acetylation of histones H3 and H4 in miR-216b gene promoter plays a role in CSC induced miR-216b expression. Taken together, these results suggest that smoking-mediated upregulation of miR-216b increases NSCLC cell growth by downregulating Smad3 and inhibiting TGF-β-induced tumor suppressor function, and induces resistance to platinum-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trung Vu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (T.V.); (S.Y.)
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Shanzhong Yang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (T.V.); (S.Y.)
| | - Pran K. Datta
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (T.V.); (S.Y.)
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
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Yang L, Cui J, Wang Y, Tan J. FAM83H-AS1 is upregulated and predicts poor prognosis in colon cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 118:109342. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
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Yang L, Liu Z, Wen T. Multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry quantitatively analyses microvascular density (MVD) and the roles of TGF-β signalling in orchestrating angiogenesis in colorectal cancer. Transl Cancer Res 2019; 8:429-438. [PMID: 35116775 PMCID: PMC8797362 DOI: 10.21037/tcr.2019.02.09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Advances in multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry (mfIHC) techniques and digital pathology platforms allow the quantification of multiple proteins in the same tissue section and produce continuous data. Previously, we used mfIHC to establish the expressed profiles of proteins involved in TGF-β signalling in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods We used mfIHC to show microvascular density (MVD) by staining CD31 in the tissues from CRC patients. We further investigated the relationship between MVD and TGF-β signalling. Results We found that the levels of MVD were significantly higher in cancer tissues than in paired normal tissues. Prognostic analysis revealed that the survival time for CRC patients with high levels of MVD was significantly shorter than that for those with low levels of MVD. Systematic analysis of the levels of MVD and TGF-β signalling proteins revealed that TGF-β signalling showed contradictory roles in sustained tumour angiogenesis. In CRC cells, the expression of VEGFA was increased by low concentrations of TGFB1 but decreased by high concentrations of TGFB1. Vessel-forming assays demonstrated that low-dose TGFB1 stimulated but high-dose TGFB1 inhibited HUVECs to form vessel tubes. Conclusions Our analysis based on mfIHC staining in CRC tissues supports the concept that TGF-β signalling either promotes or inhibits tumour angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chao-yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chao-yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Tao Wen
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chao-yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
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Ning J, Zhao Y, Ye Y, Yu J. Opposing roles and potential antagonistic mechanism between TGF-β and BMP pathways: Implications for cancer progression. EBioMedicine 2019; 41:702-710. [PMID: 30808576 PMCID: PMC6442991 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily participates in tumour proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, migration, invasion, immune evasion and extracellular matrix remodelling. Genetic deficiency in distinct components of TGF-β and BMP-induced signalling pathways or their excessive activation has been reported to regulate the development and progression of some cancers. As more in-depth studies about this superfamily have been conducted, more evidence suggests that the TGF-β and BMP pathways play an opposing role. The cross-talk of these 2 pathways has been widely studied in kidney disease and bone formation, and the opposing effects have also been observed in some cancers. However, the antagonistic mechanisms are still insufficiently investigated in cancer. In this review, we aim to display more evidences and possible mechanisms accounting for the antagonism between these 2 pathways, which might provide some clues for further study in cancer. Describe the basics of TGF-β and BMP signalling Summarize the potential mechanisms accounting for the antagonism between TGF-β and BMP pathways Provide some evidence about the antagonistic effects between pathways observed in some cancers
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Ning
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, PR China; Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Yi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Information Processing, Advanced Computer Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Computer Architecture, Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yingnan Ye
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Jinpu Yu
- Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Core, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, PR China; Department of Immunology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, PR China.
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Yang L, Hu S, Tan J, Zhang X, Yuan W, Wang Q, Xu L, Liu J, Liu Z, Jia Y, Huang X. Pregnancy-specific glycoprotein 9 (PSG9), a driver for colorectal cancer, enhances angiogenesis via activation of SMAD4. Oncotarget 2018; 7:61562-61574. [PMID: 27528036 PMCID: PMC5308672 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PSG9 is a member of the pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (PSG) family and has been shown to contribute to the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) and cancer-related angiogenesis. Here, we aim to investigate abnormal PSG9 levels in patients with CRC and to emphasize the role of PSG9 in driving tumorigenesis. Serum from 140 patients with CRC and 125 healthy controls as well as 74 paired tumors and adjacent normal tissue were used to determine PSG9 levels. We discovered that PSG9 was significantly increased in serum (P<0.001) and in tumor tissues (P<0.001) from patients with CRC. Interestingly, the increased PSG9 levels correlated with poor survival (P=0.009) and microvessel density (MVD) (P=0.034). The overexpression of PSG9 strongly promoted the proliferation and migration of HCT-116 and HT-29 cells. However, PSG9 depletion inhibited the proliferation of SW-480 cells. Using a human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube-forming assay, we found that PSG9 promoted angiogenesis. The overexpression of PSG9 also increased the growth of tumor xenografts in nude mice. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that PSG9 was bound to SMAD4. The PSG9/SMAD4 complex recruited cytoplasmic SMAD2/3 to form a complex, which enhanced SMAD4 nuclear retention. The PSG9 and SMAD4 complex activated the expression of multiple angiogenesis-related genes (included IGFBP-3, PDGF-AA, GM-CSF, and VEGFA). Together, our findings illustrate the innovative mechanism by which PSG9 drives the progression of CRC and tumor angiogenesis. This occurs via nuclear translocation of PSG9/SMAD4, which activates angiogenic cytokines. Therefore, our study may provide evidence for novel treatment strategies by targeting PSG9 in antiangiogenic cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Shusheng Hu
- Clinical Laboratory Department, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Jinjing Tan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojing Zhang
- Oncology Department, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Wen Yuan
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Qian Wang
- Oncology Department, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Lingling Xu
- Oncology Department, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Jian Liu
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yanjun Jia
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoxi Huang
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China
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Yang L, Liu Z, Tan J, Dong H, Zhang X. Multispectral imaging reveals hyper active TGF-β signaling in colorectal cancer. Cancer Biol Ther 2017; 19:105-112. [PMID: 29219668 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2017.1395116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in multiplex immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques and digital pathology platforms allow quantification of multiple proteins at same tissue section and produce continuous data. TGF-β signaling plays crucial and complex roles in colorectal cancer (CRC). We here aimed to investigate clinical pathological relevant of proteins involved in TGF-β signaling at CRC tissues. Multiplex fluorescent IHC was used to quantitative analysis. The levels of eight proteins (TGF-β1, TGFBRI, TGFBRII, SMAD4, SMAD2/3, p-SMAD2/3, SMAD1/5/9, and p-SMAD1/5/9) were determined in TMA sections. Quantitative analysis was carried out by a scoring system by InForm software. It revealed that TGF-β signaling was hyper active. The levels of TGF-β1, TGFBRI, TGFBRII, SMAD4, SMAD1/5/9 and p-SMAD2/3 were significantly increased in cancer tissues when compared their levels in normal tissues. Furthermore, the levels of eight proteins in stroma were significantly lower than the levels that in cancer tissues. Clinical pathological relevant analysis exhibited that TGF-β signaling inclined to suppress the progression of tumor. SMAD1/5/9, TGFBRII, SMAD2/3 were confirmed as significant predictors for overall survival. In conclusion, we established a method based on multispectral imaging to extensively explore the clinical relevant of TGF-β signaling proteins. These results provided an opportunity to consider the novel application for proteins involving TGF-β signaling that used as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers to conduct tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- a Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital , Capital Medical University , Beijing , P.R. China
| | - Zheng Liu
- a Medical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital , Capital Medical University , Beijing , P.R. China
| | - Jinjing Tan
- b Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Beijing Chest Hospital , Capital Medical University , Beijing , P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Dong
- c Oncology Department, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital , Capital Medical University , Beijing , P.R. China
| | - Xiaojing Zhang
- c Oncology Department, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital , Capital Medical University , Beijing , P.R. China
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Zhao C, Isenberg JS, Popel AS. Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Thrombospondin-1 Expression: A Computational Model. PLoS Comput Biol 2017; 13:e1005272. [PMID: 28045898 PMCID: PMC5207393 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is an important physiological stress signal that drives angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels. Besides an increase in the production of pro-angiogenic signals such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia also stimulates the production of anti-angiogenic signals. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is one of the anti-angiogenic factors whose synthesis is driven by hypoxia. Cellular synthesis of TSP-1 is tightly regulated by different intermediate biomolecules including proteins that interact with hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), transcription factors that are activated by receptor and intracellular signaling, and microRNAs which are small non-coding RNA molecules that function in post-transcriptional modification of gene expression. Here we present a computational model that describes the mechanistic interactions between intracellular biomolecules and cooperation between signaling pathways that together make up the complex network of TSP-1 regulation both at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. Assisted by the model, we conduct in silico experiments to compare the efficacy of different therapeutic strategies designed to modulate TSP-1 synthesis in conditions that simulate tumor and peripheral arterial disease microenvironment. We conclude that TSP-1 production in endothelial cells depends on not only the availability of certain growth factors but also the fine-tuned signaling cascades that are initiated by hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jeffrey S. Isenberg
- Vascular Medicine Institute, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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Yang S, Cho YJ, Jin L, Yuan G, Datta A, Buckhaults P, Datta PK. An epigenetic auto-feedback loop regulates TGF-β type II receptor expression and function in NSCLC. Oncotarget 2016; 6:33237-52. [PMID: 26356817 PMCID: PMC4741762 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The downregulation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) type II receptor (TβRII) expression and function plays a pivotal role in the loss of the TGF-β-induced tumor suppressor function that contributes to lung cancer progression. The aberrant expression of miRNAs has been shown to be involved in the regulation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Our current study involving miRNA microarray, northern blot and QRT-PCR analysis shows an inverse correlation between miR-20a and TβRII expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and cell lines. Stable expression of miR-20a downregulates TβRII in lung epithelial cells which results in an inhibition of TGF-β signaling and attenuation of TGF-β-induced cell growth suppression and apoptosis. Stable knock down of miR-20a increases TβRII expression and inhibits tumorigenicity of lung cancer cells in vivo. Oncogene c-Myc promotes miR-20a expression by activating its promoter leading to downregulation of TβRII expression and TGF-Δ signaling. MiR-145, which is upregulated by TGF-β, inhibits miR-20a expression by targeting c-Myc and upregulates TβRII expression. These correlations among miRNAs and cellular proteins are supported by TCGA public database using NSCLC specimens. These results suggest a novel mechanism for the loss of TβRII expression and TGF-β-induced tumor suppressor functions in lung cancer through a complex auto-feedback loop TGF-β/miR-145/c-Myc/miR-20a/TβRII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanzhong Yang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yong-Jig Cho
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lin Jin
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Guandou Yuan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Arunima Datta
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Phillip Buckhaults
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Pran K Datta
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.,Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
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De Falco G, Ambrosio MR, Fuligni F, Onnis A, Bellan C, Rocca BJ, Navari M, Etebari M, Mundo L, Gazaneo S, Facchetti F, Pileri SA, Leoncini L, Piccaluga PP. Burkitt lymphoma beyond MYC translocation: N-MYC and DNA methyltransferases dysregulation. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:668. [PMID: 26453442 PMCID: PMC4600215 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1661-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The oncogenic transcription factor MYC is pathologically activated in many human malignancies. A paradigm for MYC dysregulation is offered by Burkitt lymphoma, where chromosomal translocations leading to Immunoglobulin gene-MYC fusion are the crucial initiating oncogenic events. However, Burkitt lymphoma cases with no detectable MYC rearrangement but maintaining MYC expression have been identified and alternative mechanisms can be involved in MYC dysregulation in these cases. Methods We studied the microRNA profile of MYC translocation-positive and MYC translocation-negative Burkitt lymphoma cases in order to uncover possible differences at the molecular level. Data was validated at the mRNA and protein level by quantitative Real-Time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results We identified four microRNAs differentially expressed between the two groups. The impact of these microRNAs on the expression of selected genes was then investigated. Interestingly, in MYC translocation-negative cases we found over-expression of DNA-methyl transferase family members, consistent to hypo-expression of the hsa-miR-29 family. This finding suggests an alternative way for the activation of lymphomagenesis in these cases, based on global changes in methylation landscape, aberrant DNA hypermethylation, lack of epigenetic control on transcription of targeted genes, and increase of genomic instability. In addition, we observed an over-expression of another MYC family gene member, MYCN that may therefore represent a cooperating mechanism of MYC in driving the malignant transformation in those cases lacking an identifiable MYC translocation but expressing the gene at the mRNA and protein levels. Conclusions Collectively, our results showed that MYC translocation-positive and MYC translocation-negative Burkitt lymphoma cases are slightly different in terms of microRNA and gene expression. MYC translocation-negative Burkitt lymphoma, similarly to other aggressive B-cell non Hodgkin’s lymphomas, may represent a model to understand the intricate molecular pathway responsible for MYC dysregulation in cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1661-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia De Falco
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy - Via delle Scotte, 6 - 53100, Siena, Italy. .,School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | - Maria Raffaella Ambrosio
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy - Via delle Scotte, 6 - 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Fabio Fuligni
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Anna Onnis
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy - Via delle Scotte, 6 - 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Cristiana Bellan
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy - Via delle Scotte, 6 - 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Bruno Jim Rocca
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy - Via delle Scotte, 6 - 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Mohsen Navari
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Maryam Etebari
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Lucia Mundo
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy - Via delle Scotte, 6 - 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Sara Gazaneo
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy - Via delle Scotte, 6 - 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Fabio Facchetti
- Unit of Pathology, Brescia University, Piazza del Mercato, 15, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Stefano A Pileri
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Leoncini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy - Via delle Scotte, 6 - 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pier Paolo Piccaluga
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni, 33, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
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Vlahopoulos SA, Cen O, Hengen N, Agan J, Moschovi M, Critselis E, Adamaki M, Bacopoulou F, Copland JA, Boldogh I, Karin M, Chrousos GP. Dynamic aberrant NF-κB spurs tumorigenesis: a new model encompassing the microenvironment. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2015; 26:389-403. [PMID: 26119834 PMCID: PMC4526340 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recently it was discovered that a transient activation of transcription factor NF-κB can give cells properties essential for invasiveness and cancer initiating potential. In contrast, most oncogenes to date were characterized on the basis of mutations or by their constitutive overexpression. Study of NF-κB actually leads to a far more dynamic perspective on cancer: tumors caused by diverse oncogenes apparently evolve into cancer after loss of feedback regulation for NF-κB. This event alters the cellular phenotype and the expression of hormonal mediators, modifying signals between diverse cell types in a tissue. The result is a disruption of stem cell hierarchy in the tissue, and pervasive changes in the microenvironment and immune response to the malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spiros A Vlahopoulos
- First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Horemeio Research Laboratory, Athens, Greece.
| | - Osman Cen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, United States
| | - Nina Hengen
- Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University, United States
| | - James Agan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, United States
| | - Maria Moschovi
- First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Horemeio Research Laboratory, Athens, Greece
| | - Elena Critselis
- First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Horemeio Research Laboratory, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Adamaki
- First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Horemeio Research Laboratory, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Horemeio Research Laboratory, Athens, Greece
| | - John A Copland
- Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Cancer Biology, United States
| | - Istvan Boldogh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, United States
| | - Michael Karin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, United States
| | - George P Chrousos
- First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Horemeio Research Laboratory, Athens, Greece
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13
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Prabhu VV, El-Deiry WS. 4th international conference on tumor progression and therapeutic resistance: meeting report. Cancer Biol Ther 2015; 16:363-76. [PMID: 25782066 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2015.1004928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The fourth international conference on tumor progression and therapeutic resistance organized in association with GTCbio was held in Boston, MA from March 9 to 11, 2014. The meeting attracted a diverse group of experts in the field of cancer biology, therapeutics and medical oncology from academia and industry. The meeting addressed the current challenges in the treatment of cancer including tumor heterogeneity, therapy resistance and metastasis along with the need for improved biomarkers of tumor progression and clinical trial design. Keynote speakers included Clifton Leaf, Editor at Fortune Magazine, Dr. Mina Bissell from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Dr. Levi Garraway from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The meeting featured cutting edge tools, preclinical models and the latest basic, translational and clinical research findings in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun V Prabhu
- a Laboratory of Translational Oncology and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics, Department of Hematology/Oncology and Molecular Therapeutics Program , Fox Chase Cancer Center , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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