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Qin N, Paisana E, Picard D, Leprivier G, Langini M, Custódia C, Cascão R, Conrad C, Peitzsch M, Stefanski A, Stühler K, Fischer U, Faria CC, Dietrich S, Reifenberger G, Remke M. The long non-coding RNA OTX2-AS1 promotes tumor growth and predicts response to BCL-2 inhibition in medulloblastoma. J Neurooncol 2023; 165:329-342. [PMID: 37976029 PMCID: PMC10689561 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-023-04508-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Primary brain tumors are a leading cause of cancer-related death in children, and medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. The current molecular characterization of medulloblastoma is mainly based on protein-coding genes, while little is known about the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). This study aimed to elucidate the role of the lncRNA OTX2-AS1 in medulloblastoma. METHODS Analyses of DNA copy number alterations, methylation profiles, and gene expression data were used to characterize molecular alterations of OTX2-AS1 in medulloblastoma tissue samples. In vitro analyses of medulloblastoma cell models and orthotopic in vivo experiments were carried out for functional characterization of OTX2-AS1. High-throughput drug screening was employed to identify pharmacological inhibitors, while proteomics and metabolomics analyses were performed to address potential mechanisms of drug action. RESULTS We detected amplification and consecutive overexpression of OTX2 and OTX2-AS1 in a subset of medulloblastomas. In addition, OTX2-AS1 promoter methylation was linked to OTX2-AS1 expression. OTX2-AS1 knockout reduced medulloblastoma cell viability and cell migration in vitro and prolonged survival in the D283 orthotopic medulloblastoma mouse xenograft model. Pharmacological inhibition of BCL-2 suppressed the growth of OTX2-AS1 overexpressing medulloblastoma cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed a pro-tumorigenic role of OTX2-AS1 in medulloblastoma and identified BCL-2 inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach to target OTX2-AS1 overexpressing medulloblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Qin
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
- High-Throughput Drug Screening Core Facility, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
- Mildred Scheel School of Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (MSSO ABCD), Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Eunice Paisana
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Daniel Picard
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gabriel Leprivier
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Maike Langini
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Molecular Proteomics Laboratory, Biological and Medical Research Center (BMFZ), Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Carlos Custódia
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Rita Cascão
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Catleen Conrad
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mirko Peitzsch
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anja Stefanski
- Molecular Proteomics Laboratory, Biological and Medical Research Center (BMFZ), Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Medicine 1, Heinrich Heine University Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kai Stühler
- Molecular Proteomics Laboratory, Biological and Medical Research Center (BMFZ), Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Medicine 1, Heinrich Heine University Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ute Fischer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Claudia C Faria
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, 1649-028, Portugal
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, EPE, Lisbon, 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Sascha Dietrich
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Guido Reifenberger
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Essen/Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marc Remke
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- High-Throughput Drug Screening Core Facility, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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2
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ABT-737 suppresses aberrant Hedgehog pathway and overcomes resistance to smoothened antagonists by blocking Gli. MEDICAL ONCOLOGY (NORTHWOOD, LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 39:188. [PMID: 36071246 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01794-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Abnormally activated Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been linked to multiple types of cancers including medulloblastoma (MB). Current Hh-targeted drug development projects mainly focus on antagonizing the upstream oncoprotein Smoothened (Smo). However, the effectiveness of Smo inhibitors is compromised by primary and acquired resistance, which is caused by mutations of Smo or other downstream components. Here, we conducted a cellular screening of small-molecule compounds and identified ABT-737 as a selective Hh inhibitor resulting in active suppression of human Hh-dependent MB cells. Mechanistically, ABT-737 suppressed Hh signals far-downstream of Smo and Sufu at Gli transcriptional effector level. In line with this, ABT-737 potentially inhibited wild-type and drug-resistant mutant Smo. More importantly, ABT-737 also delayed the growth of drug-refractory Hh-dependent MB xenografts derived from genetically engineered mouse model in vivo. These findings identify ABT-737 as a therapeutical substance for cancers with excessive Hh signaling activity, especially for those with primary or acquired resistance to Smo inhibitors in clinic.
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3
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Is Autophagy Always a Barrier to Cisplatin Therapy? Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030463. [PMID: 35327655 PMCID: PMC8946631 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin has long been a first-line chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of cancer, largely for solid tumors. During the course of the past two decades, autophagy has been identified in response to cancer treatments and almost uniformly detected in studies involving cisplatin. There has been increasing recognition of autophagy as a critical factor affecting tumor cell death and tumor chemoresistance. In this review and commentary, we introduce four mechanisms of resistance to cisplatin followed by a discussion of the factors that affect the role of autophagy in cisplatin-sensitive and resistant cells and explore the two-sided outcomes that occur when autophagy inhibitors are combined with cisplatin. Our goal is to analyze the potential for the combinatorial use of cisplatin and autophagy inhibitors in the clinic.
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4
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Programmed cell death, redox imbalance, and cancer therapeutics. Apoptosis 2021; 26:385-414. [PMID: 34236569 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-021-01682-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells are disordered by nature and thus featured by higher internal redox level than healthy cells. Redox imbalance could trigger programmed cell death if exceeded a certain threshold, rendering therapeutic strategies relying on redox control a possible cancer management solution. Yet, various programmed cell death events have been consecutively discovered, complicating our understandings on their associations with redox imbalance and clinical implications especially therapeutic design. Thus, it is imperative to understand differences and similarities among programmed cell death events regarding their associations with redox imbalance for improved control over these events in malignant cells as well as appropriate design on therapeutic approaches relying on redox control. This review addresses these issues and concludes by bringing affront cold atmospheric plasma as an emerging redox controller with translational potential in clinics.
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5
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Chen D, Yan Y, Xie J, Pan J, Chen Y, Li Q, Yuan Y, Zeng W, Xing W. Amide-type local anesthetics may suppress tumor cell proliferation and sensitize Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to Cisplatin via upregulation of RASSF1A expression and demethylation. J Cancer 2020; 11:7312-7319. [PMID: 33193895 PMCID: PMC7646167 DOI: 10.7150/jca.46630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: It has been reported that local anesthetics are toxic to various types of cells. Furthermore, several local anesthetics have been confirmed to exert demethylation effects and regulate the proliferation of human cancer cells. Our previous findings suggest that lidocaine may exert potential antitumor activity and enhance the sensitivity of cisplatin to hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. A recent study proved that lidocaine sensitizes breast cancer cells to cisplatin via upregulation of RASSF1A, a promotor of tumor suppressive gene (TSG) demethylation. We sought to determine whether amide-type local anesthetics (lidocaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine) exert growth-inhibitory effects on human hepatoma cells and to determine whether amide-type local anesthetics sensitize human hepatoma cells to cisplatin-mediated cytotoxicity via upregulation of RASSF1A expression. Methods: Human hepatoma cell lines HepG2 and BEL-7402 were incubated with lidocaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine. The viability of local anesthetic-treated cells with or without cisplatin was investigated. Further, we evaluated RASSF1A expression after treatment of HepG2 and BEL-7402 cells with three local anesthetics and determined the influence of RASSF1A expression on the toxicity of cisplatin to these cells. Results: The viability of HepG2 and BEL-7402 cells was significantly decreased by treatment with amide-type local anesthetics (lidocaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine). In these cells, the combination treatment with cisplatin and local anesthetics exhibited a stronger reduction in viability. Lidocaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine promoted a significant increase in RASSF1A expression and a decrease in RASSF1A methylation. The combined treatment with both local anesthetics and cisplatin resulted in a significantly lower level of HepG2 and BEL-7402 cell viability than that with singular local anesthetics or cisplatin treatment. Moreover, local anesthetics enhanced the cytotoxicity of cisplatin against HepG2 and BEL-7402 cells, accompanied by an increase in RASSF1A expression. Conclusions: These data indicated that amide-type local anesthetics (lidocaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine) have growth-inhibitory and demethylation effects in human hepatoma cells. We also found that these amide local anesthetics may enhance the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells possibly via upregulation of RASSF1A expression and demethylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongtai Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital, Huizhou 516001, China
| | - Jingdun Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Jiahao Pan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yonghua Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yunfei Yuan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Weian Zeng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Wei Xing
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
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6
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Liu X, Ding C, Tan W, Zhang A. Medulloblastoma: Molecular understanding, treatment evolution, and new developments. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 210:107516. [PMID: 32105673 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common childhood malignant brain tumor, accounting for approximately 20% of all pediatric central nervous system tumors. Current standard treatments involving surgical interventions followed by craniospinal irradiation and adjuvant chemotherapy have severe motor and cognitive defects. Therefore, individualized treatment regimens with reduced toxicity designed according to the presence of specific oncogenic 'driver' genes are urgently demanded. To this end, recent genetic and epigenetic findings have advanced the classification of MB into the international consensus of four distinct MB molecular subgroups (WNT, SHH, Group 3, and Group 4) based on their respective molecular and histopathological characteristics. More recent studies have indicated that up to seven molecular subgroups exist in childhood MB. Moreover, studies on the inter- and intra-tumoral features of the four subgroups revealed that each subgroup contains variant subtypes. These results have greatly helped risk stratification of MB patients at diagnosis and significantly improved clinical treatment options. Herein, we highlight the recent advances and challenges associated with MB classification, and the development of therapeutic treatments targeting novel subgroup-specific molecular and epigenetic factors, especially those in the SHH-driven MB tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Liu
- Research Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers on Drug Discovery (RLMCBFDD), School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chunyong Ding
- Research Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers on Drug Discovery (RLMCBFDD), School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wenfu Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Ao Zhang
- Research Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers on Drug Discovery (RLMCBFDD), School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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7
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Kinzler MN, Zielke S, Kardo S, Meyer N, Kögel D, van Wijk SJL, Fulda S. STF-62247 and pimozide induce autophagy and autophagic cell death in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Sci Rep 2020; 10:687. [PMID: 31959760 PMCID: PMC6971264 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56990-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Induction of autophagy can have beneficial effects in several human diseases, e.g. cancer and neurodegenerative diseases (ND). Here, we therefore evaluated the potential of two novel autophagy-inducing compounds, i.e. STF-62247 and pimozide, to stimulate autophagy as well as autophagic cell death (ACD) using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) as a cellular model. Importantly, both STF-62247 and pimozide triggered several hallmarks of autophagy in MEFs, i.e. enhanced levels of LC3B-II protein, its accumulation at distinct cytosolic sites and increase of the autophagic flux. Intriguingly, autophagy induction by STF-62247 and pimozide resulted in cell death that was significantly reduced in ATG5- or ATG7-deficient MEFs. Consistent with ACD induction, pharmacological inhibitors of apoptosis, necroptosis or ferroptosis failed to protect MEFs from STF-62247- or pimozide-triggered cell death. Interestingly, at subtoxic concentrations, pimozide stimulated fragmentation of the mitochondrial network, degradation of mitochondrial proteins (i.e. mitofusin-2 and cytochrome c oxidase IV (COXIV)) as well as a decrease of the mitochondrial mass, indicative of autophagic degradation of mitochondria by pimozide. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into the induction of selective autophagy as well as ACD by STF-62247 and pimozide in MEFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian N Kinzler
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Svenja Zielke
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Simon Kardo
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nina Meyer
- Experimental Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Hospital, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Donat Kögel
- Experimental Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Hospital, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sjoerd J L van Wijk
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Simone Fulda
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Komturstr. 3a, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
- German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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8
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Rogers HA, Chapman R, Kings H, Allard J, Barron-Hastings J, Pajtler KW, Sill M, Pfister S, Grundy RG. Limitations of current in vitro models for testing the clinical potential of epigenetic inhibitors for treatment of pediatric ependymoma. Oncotarget 2018; 9:36530-36541. [PMID: 30559935 PMCID: PMC6284855 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epigenetic modifications have been shown to play an important role in the classification and pathogenesis of the pediatric brain tumor ependymoma, suggesting they are a potential therapeutic target. Results Agents targeting epigenetic modifications inhibited the growth and induced the death of ependymoma cells with variable efficiency. However, this was often not at clinically achievable doses. Additionally, DNA methylation profiling revealed a lack of similarity to primary ependymomas suggesting alterations were induced during culture. Toxicity to fetal neural stem cells was also seen at similar drug concentrations Conclusions Agents targeting epigenetic modifications were able to inhibit the growth and induced the death of ependymoma cells grown in vitro. However, many agents were only active at high doses, outside clinical ranges, and also resulted in toxicity to normal brain cells. The lack of similarity in DNA methylation profiles between cultured cells and primary ependymomas questions the validity of using in vitro cultured cells for pre-clinical analysis of agents targeting epigenetic mechanisms and suggests further investigation using models that are more appropriate should be undertaken before agents are taken forward for clinical testing. Materials and Methods The effects of agents targeting epigenetic modifications on the growth and death of a panel of ependymoma cell lines was investigated, as well as toxicity to normal fetal neural stem cells. The ependymoma cell lines were characterized using DNA methylation profiling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel Anne Rogers
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Rebecca Chapman
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Holly Kings
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Julie Allard
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jodie Barron-Hastings
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Kristian W Pajtler
- Hopp Children's Cancer Centre at the NCT (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Sill
- Hopp Children's Cancer Centre at the NCT (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Pfister
- Hopp Children's Cancer Centre at the NCT (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Richard Guy Grundy
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Pal R, Greene S. microRNA-10b Is Overexpressed and Critical for Cell Survival and Proliferation in Medulloblastoma. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137845. [PMID: 26394044 PMCID: PMC4579065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study demonstrates the effects of miRNA-10b on medulloblastoma proliferation through transcriptional induction of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL2. Using a cancer specific miRNA-array, high expression of miRNA-10b in medulloblastoma cell lines compared to a normal cerebellar control was shown, and this was confirmed with real time PCR (RT-PCR). Two medulloblastoma cell lines (DAOY and UW228) were transiently transfected with control miRNA, miRNA-10b inhibitor or miRNA-10b mimic and subjected to RT-PCR, MTT, apoptosis, clonogenic assay and western blot analysis. Transfection of miRNA-10b inhibitor induced a significant down-regulation of miRNA-10b expression, inhibited proliferation, and induced apoptosis, while miRNA-10b mimic exerted an opposite effect. Inhibition of miRNA-10b abrogated the colony-forming capability of medulloblastoma cells, and markedly down-regulated the expression of BCL2. Down-regulation of BCL2 by antisense oligonucleotides or siRNA also significantly down-regulated miRNA-10b, suggesting that BCL2 is a major mediator of the effects of miRNA-10b. ABT-737 and ABT-199, potent inhibitors of BCL2, downregulated the expression of miRNA-10b and increased apoptosis. Analysis of miRNA-10b levels in 13 primary medulloblastoma samples revealed that the 2 patients with the highest levels of miRNA-10b had multiple recurrences (4.5) and died within 8 years of diagnosis, compared with the 11 patients with low levels of miRNA-10b who had a mean of 1.2 recurrences and nearly 40% long-term survival. The data presented here indicate that miRNA-10b may act as an oncomir in medulloblastoma tumorigenesis, and reveal a previously unreported mechanism with Bcl-2 as a mediator of the effects of miRNA-10b upon medulloblastoma cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rekha Pal
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Greene
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Lidocaine sensitizes the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in breast cancer cells via up-regulation of RARβ2 and RASSF1A demethylation. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:23519-36. [PMID: 25526566 PMCID: PMC4284778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms151223519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2014] [Revised: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that lidocaine is toxic to various types of cells. And a recent study has confirmed that lidocaine exerts a demethylation effect and regulates the proliferation of human breast cancer cell lines. To recognize a potential anti-tumor effect of lidocaine, we evaluated the DNA demethylation by lidocaine in human breast cancer lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, and determined the influence of demethylation on the toxicity to these cells of cisplatin, which is a commonly utilized anti-tumor agent for breast cancer. Results demonstrated that lidocaine promoted a significant global genomic demethylation, and particularly in the promoters of tumor suppressive genes (TSGs), RARβ2 and RASSF1A. Further, the lidocaine treatment increased cisplatin-induced apoptosis and enhanced cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. The combined treatment with both lidocaine and cisplatin promoted a significantly higher level of MCF-7 cell apoptosis than singular lidocaine or cisplatin treatment. Moreover, the abrogation of RARβ2 or RASSF1A expression inhibited such apoptosis. In conclusion, the present study confirms the demethylation effect of lidocaine in breast cancer cells, and found that the demethylation of RARβ2 and RASSF1A sensitized the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in breast cancer cells.
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11
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Overcoming multiple drug resistance mechanisms in medulloblastoma. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2014; 2:57. [PMID: 24887326 PMCID: PMC4229867 DOI: 10.1186/2051-5960-2-57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant paediatric brain tumour. Recurrence and progression of disease occurs in 15-20% of standard risk and 30-40% of high risk patients. We analysed whether circumvention of chemoresistance pathways (drug export, DNA repair and apoptotic inhibition) can restore chemotherapeutic efficacy in a panel of MB cell lines. RESULTS We demonstrate, by immunohistochemistry in patient tissue microarrays, that ABCB1 is expressed in 43% of tumours and is significantly associated with high-risk. We show that ABCB1, O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) and BCL2 family members are differentially expressed (by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and flow cytometry) in MB cell lines. Based on these findings, each pathway was then inhibited or circumvented and cell survival assessed using clonogenic assays. Inhibition of ABCB1 using vardenafil or verapamil resulted in a significant increase in sensitivity to etoposide in ABCB1-expressing MB cell lines. Sensitivity to temozolomide (TMZ) was MGMT-dependent, but two novel imidazotetrazine derivatives (N-3 sulfoxide and N-3 propargyl TMZ analogues) demonstrated ≥7 fold and ≥3 fold more potent cytotoxicity respectively compared to TMZ in MGMT-expressing MB cell lines. Activity of the BAD mimetic ABT-737 was BCL2A1 and ABCB1 dependent, whereas the pan-BCL2 inhibitor obatoclax was effective as a single cytotoxic agent irrespective of MCL1, BCL2, BCL2A1, or ABCB1 expression. CONCLUSIONS ABCB1 is associated with high-risk MB; hence, inhibition of ABCB1 by vardenafil may represent a valid approach in these patients. Imidazotetrazine analogues of TMZ and the BH3 mimetic obatoclax are promising clinical candidates in drug resistant MB tumours expressing MGMT and BCL2 anti-apoptotic members respectively.
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Si JG, Su YY, Han YH, Chen RH. Role of RASSF1A promoter methylation in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2014; 18:394-402. [PMID: 24665911 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2014.0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the current meta-analysis was to comprehensively assess the role of RASSF1A promoter methylation in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer. METHOD A range of electronic databases were searched: Web of Science (1945-2013), the Cochrane Library Database (Issue 12, 2013), PubMed (1966-2013), EMBASE (1980-2013), CINAHL (1982-2013), and the Chinese Biomedical Database (1982-2013) without language restrictions. Meta-analysis was conducted using the STATA 12.0 software. The crude odds ratio (OR) with its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. RESULTS Twelve clinical cohort studies with a total of 739 ovarian cancer patients were included in the current meta-analysis. The results of our meta-analysis suggested that the frequency of RASSF1A promoter methylation in cancer tissues was higher compared with benign, adjacent, and normal tissues (cancer tissues vs. benign tissues: OR=9.92, 95% CI: 7.67-12.82, p<0.001; cancer tissues vs. adjacent tissues: OR=68.15, 95% CI: 39.30-118.18, p<0.001; cancer tissues vs. normal tissues: OR=30.71, 95% CI: 23.12-40.80, p<0.001; respectively). Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity and sample types revealed that RASSF1A gene methylation was closely associated with the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer in all subgroups (all p<0.05). CONCLUSION Our findings indicated that abnormal RASSF1A promoter methylation may be strongly correlated with the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ge Si
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The People's Hospital of Zhongshan City , Zhongshan, People's Republic of China
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Rogers HA, Mayne C, Chapman RJ, Kilday JP, Coyle B, Grundy RG. PI3K pathway activation provides a novel therapeutic target for pediatric ependymoma and is an independent marker of progression-free survival. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:6450-60. [PMID: 24077346 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-0222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Currently, there are few effective adjuvant therapies for pediatric ependymoma outside confocal radiation, and prognosis remains poor. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is one of the most commonly activated pathways in cancer. PI3Ks transduce signals from growth factors and cytokines, resulting in the phosphorylation and activation of AKT, which in turn induces changes in cell growth, proliferation, and apoptosis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN PI3K pathway status was analyzed in ependymoma using gene expression data and immunohistochemical analysis of phosphorylated AKT (P-AKT). The effect of the PI3K pathway on cell proliferation was investigated by immunohistochemical analysis of cyclin D1 and Ki67, plus in vitro functional analysis. To identify a potential mechanism of PI3K pathway activation, PTEN protein expression and the mutation status of PI3K catalytic subunit α-isoform gene (PIK3CA) was investigated. RESULTS Genes in the pathway displayed significantly higher expression in supratentorial than in posterior fossa and spinal ependymomas. P-AKT protein expression, indicating pathway activation, was seen in 72% of tumors (n = 169) and P-AKT expression was found to be an independent marker of a poorer progression-free survival. A significant association between PI3K pathway activation and cell proliferation was identified, suggesting that pathway activation was influencing this process. PTEN protein loss was not associated with P-AKT staining and no mutations were identified in PIK3CA. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the PI3K pathway could act as a biomarker, not only identifying patients with a worse prognosis but also those that could be treated with therapies targeted against the pathway, a strategy potentially effective in a high percentage of ependymoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel A Rogers
- Authors' Affiliation: Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, D Floor Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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WNT/β-catenin pathway activation in Myc immortalised cerebellar progenitor cells inhibits neuronal differentiation and generates tumours resembling medulloblastoma. Br J Cancer 2012; 107:1144-52. [PMID: 22929883 PMCID: PMC3461168 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2012.377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant childhood brain tumour. Aberrant activation of the WNT/β-catenin pathway occurs in approximately 25% of medulloblastomas. However, its role in medulloblastoma pathogenesis is not understood. Methods: We have developed a model of WNT/β-catenin pathway-activated medulloblastoma. Pathway activation was induced in a Myc immortalised cerebellar progenitor cell line through stable expression of Wnt1. In vitro and in vivo analysis was undertaken to understand the effect of pathway activation and identify the potential cell of origin. Results: Tumours that histologically resembled classical medulloblastoma formed in vivo using cells overexpressing Wnt1, but not with the control cell line. Wnt1 overexpression inhibited neuronal differentiation in vitro, suggesting WNT/β-catenin pathway activation prevents cells terminally differentiating, maintaining them in a more ‘stem-like’ state. Analysis of cerebellar progenitor cell markers demonstrated the cell line resembled cells from the cerebellar ventricular zone. Conclusion: We have developed a cell line with the means of orthotopically modelling WNT/β-catenin pathway-activated medulloblastoma. We provide evidence of the role pathway activation is playing in tumour pathogenesis and suggest medulloblastomas can arise from cells other than granule cell progenitors. This cell line is a valuable resource to further understand the role of pathway activation in tumorigenesis and for investigation of targeted therapies.
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RASSF Signalling and DNA Damage: Monitoring the Integrity of the Genome? Mol Biol Int 2012; 2012:141732. [PMID: 22577550 PMCID: PMC3337673 DOI: 10.1155/2012/141732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The RASSF family of proteins has been extensively studied in terms of their genetics, structure and function. One of the functions that has been increasingly studied is the role of the RASSF proteins in the DNA damage response. Surprisingly, this research, which encompasses both the classical and N-terminal RASSF proteins, has revealed an involvement of the RASSFs in oncogenic pathways as well as the more familiar tumour suppressor pathways usually associated with the RASSF family members. The most studied protein with respect to DNA damage is RASSF1A, which has been shown, not only to be activated by ATM, a major regulator of the DNA damage response, but also to bind to and activate a number of different pathways which all lead to and feedback from the guardian of the genome, p53. In this review we discuss the latest research linking the RASSF proteins to DNA damage signalling and maintenance of genomic integrity and look at how this knowledge is being utilised in the clinic to enhance the effectiveness of traditional cancer therapies such as radiotherapy.
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