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Xiao J, Yu X, Meng F, Zhang Y, Zhou W, Ren Y, Li J, Sun Y, Sun H, Chen G, He K, Lu L. Integrating spatial and single-cell transcriptomics reveals tumor heterogeneity and intercellular networks in colorectal cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:326. [PMID: 38729966 PMCID: PMC11087651 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06598-6] [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: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), a powerful tool for studying the tumor microenvironment (TME), does not preserve/provide spatial information on tissue morphology and cellular interactions. To understand the crosstalk between diverse cellular components in proximity in the TME, we performed scRNA-seq coupled with spatial transcriptomic (ST) assay to profile 41,700 cells from three colorectal cancer (CRC) tumor-normal-blood pairs. Standalone scRNA-seq analyses revealed eight major cell populations, including B cells, T cells, Monocytes, NK cells, Epithelial cells, Fibroblasts, Mast cells, Endothelial cells. After the identification of malignant cells from epithelial cells, we observed seven subtypes of malignant cells that reflect heterogeneous status in tumor, including tumor_CAV1, tumor_ATF3_JUN | FOS, tumor_ZEB2, tumor_VIM, tumor_WSB1, tumor_LXN, and tumor_PGM1. By transferring the cellular annotations obtained by scRNA-seq to ST spots, we annotated four regions in a cryosection from CRC patients, including tumor, stroma, immune infiltration, and colon epithelium regions. Furthermore, we observed intensive intercellular interactions between stroma and tumor regions which were extremely proximal in the cryosection. In particular, one pair of ligands and receptors (C5AR1 and RPS19) was inferred to play key roles in the crosstalk of stroma and tumor regions. For the tumor region, a typical feature of TMSB4X-high expression was identified, which could be a potential marker of CRC. The stroma region was found to be characterized by VIM-high expression, suggesting it fostered a stromal niche in the TME. Collectively, single cell and spatial analysis in our study reveal the tumor heterogeneity and molecular interactions in CRC TME, which provides insights into the mechanisms underlying CRC progression and may contribute to the development of anticancer therapies targeting on non-tumor components, such as the extracellular matrix (ECM) in CRC. The typical genes we identified may facilitate to new molecular subtypes of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital, (Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University), Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Xinyang Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital, (Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University), Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Fanlin Meng
- CapitalBio Technology Corporation, Beijing, China
| | - Yuncong Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital, (Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University), Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenbin Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital, (Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University), Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Yonghong Ren
- CapitalBio Technology Corporation, Beijing, China
| | - Jingxia Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital, (Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University), Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Yimin Sun
- CapitalBio Technology Corporation, Beijing, China
| | - Hongwei Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital, (Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University), Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Guokai Chen
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.
- Zhuhai UM Science & Technology Research Institute, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
| | - Ke He
- Minimally Invasive Tumor Therapies Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Ligong Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment, Zhuhai People's Hospital, (Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University), Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
- Guangzhou First People's Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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2
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Li Y, Wang D, Ge H, Güngör C, Gong X, Chen Y. Cytoskeletal and Cytoskeleton-Associated Proteins: Key Regulators of Cancer Stem Cell Properties. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1369. [PMID: 36355541 PMCID: PMC9698833 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells possessing stemness characteristics that are closely associated with tumor proliferation, recurrence and resistance to therapy. Recent studies have shown that different cytoskeletal components and remodeling processes have a profound impact on the behavior of CSCs. In this review, we outline the different cytoskeletal components regulating the properties of CSCs and discuss current and ongoing therapeutic strategies targeting the cytoskeleton. Given the many challenges currently faced in targeted cancer therapy, a deeper comprehension of the molecular events involved in the interaction of the cytoskeleton and CSCs will help us identify more effective therapeutic strategies to eliminate CSCs and ultimately improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqiang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heming Ge
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cenap Güngör
- Department of General Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Xuejun Gong
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, Laboratory of Structural Biology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
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3
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Makowiecka A, Mazurkiewicz E, Mrówczyńska E, Malek N, Battistella A, Lazzarino M, Nowak D, Mazur AJ. Changes in Biomechanical Properties of A375 Cells Due to the Silencing of TMSB4X Expression Are Not Directly Correlated with Alterations in Their Stemness Features. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040769. [PMID: 33807338 PMCID: PMC8067020 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a small, 44-amino acid polypeptide. It has been implicated in multiple processes, including cell movement, angiogenesis, and stemness. Previously, we reported that melanoma cell lines differ in Tβ4 levels. Studies on stable clones with silenced TMSB4X expression showed that Tβ4 impacted adhesion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression. Here, we show that the cells with silenced TMSB4X expression exhibited altered actin cytoskeleton’s organization and subcellular relocalization of two intermediate filament proteins: Nestin and Vimentin. The rearrangement of the cell cytoskeleton resulted in changes in the cells’ topology, height, and stiffness defined by Young’s modulus. Simultaneously, only for some A375 clones with a lowered Tβ4 level, we observed a decreased ability to initiate colony formation in soft agar, tumor formation in vivo, and alterations in Nanog’s expression level transcription factor regulating stemness. Thus, we show for the first time that in A375 cells, biomechanical properties are not directly coupled to stemness features, and this cell line is phenotypically heterogeneous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Makowiecka
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-National Research Council, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence: or (A.M.); (A.J.M.); Tel.: +48-71-375-6206 (A.J.M.)
| | - Ewa Mazurkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Ewa Mrówczyńska
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Natalia Malek
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Alice Battistella
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-National Research Council, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (M.L.)
| | - Marco Lazzarino
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-National Research Council, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (M.L.)
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Antonina Joanna Mazur
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
- Correspondence: or (A.M.); (A.J.M.); Tel.: +48-71-375-6206 (A.J.M.)
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4
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Xing Y, Ye Y, Zuo H, Li Y. Progress on the Function and Application of Thymosin β4. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:767785. [PMID: 34992578 PMCID: PMC8724243 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.767785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a multifunctional and widely distributed peptide that plays a pivotal role in several physiological and pathological processes in the body, namely, increasing angiogenesis and proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis and inflammation. Moreover, Tβ4 is effectively utilized for several indications in animal experiments or clinical trials, such as myocardial infarction and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, xerophthalmia, liver and renal fibrosis, ulcerative colitis and colon cancer, and skin trauma. Recent studies have reported the potential application of Tβ4 and its underlying mechanisms. The present study reveals the progress regarding functions and applications of Tβ4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Xing
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, China
| | - Yumeng Ye
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyan Zuo
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Hongyan Zuo, ; Yang Li,
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
- Academy of Life Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei City, China
- *Correspondence: Hongyan Zuo, ; Yang Li,
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5
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Luongo F, Colonna F, Calapà F, Vitale S, Fiori ME, De Maria R. PTEN Tumor-Suppressor: The Dam of Stemness in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1076. [PMID: 31366089 PMCID: PMC6721423 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PTEN is one of the most frequently inactivated tumor suppressor genes in cancer. Loss or variation in PTEN gene/protein levels is commonly observed in a broad spectrum of human cancers, while germline PTEN mutations cause inherited syndromes that lead to increased risk of tumors. PTEN restrains tumorigenesis through different mechanisms ranging from phosphatase-dependent and independent activities, subcellular localization and protein interaction, modulating a broad array of cellular functions including growth, proliferation, survival, DNA repair, and cell motility. The main target of PTEN phosphatase activity is one of the most significant cell growth and pro-survival signaling pathway in cancer: PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Several shreds of evidence shed light on the critical role of PTEN in normal and cancer stem cells (CSCs) homeostasis, with its loss fostering the CSC compartment in both solid and hematologic malignancies. CSCs are responsible for tumor propagation, metastatic spread, resistance to therapy, and relapse. Thus, understanding how alterations of PTEN levels affect CSC hallmarks could be crucial for the development of successful therapeutic approaches. Here, we discuss the most significant findings on PTEN-mediated control of CSC state. We aim to unravel the role of PTEN in the regulation of key mechanisms specific for CSCs, such as self-renewal, quiescence/cell cycle, Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal-Transition (EMT), with a particular focus on PTEN-based therapy resistance mechanisms and their exploitation for novel therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Luongo
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Colonna
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Calapà
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Vitale
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Micol E Fiori
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.
- Scientific Vice-Direction, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli"-I.R.C.C.S., Largo Francesco Vito 1-8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
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6
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Yuan X, Wei W, Bao Q, Chen H, Jin P, Jiang W. Metformin inhibits glioma cells stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via regulating YAP activity. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 102:263-270. [PMID: 29567539 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This work aims to study the roles and mechanisms of metformin in glioma cells stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Here, we found that metformin suppressed glioma cells spheroid formation and size, inhibited the expression of glioma stemness-related marker, CD133. Additionally, Metformin attenuated TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in glioma cells. Mechanistically, metformin inhibited the nuclear abundance of YAP, a key effector of Hippo pathway, subsequently leading to its cytoplasmic retention, and thus reduced YAP transcriptional modulating activity. Importantly, overexpression of a mutant form of YAP (YAP-5SA) attenuated the inhibition of metformin on glioma cells stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Thus, metformin inhibits glioma cells stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via regulating YAP activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital, The Affliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, No.2 Yongning North Road, Changzhou, 213002, China
| | - Wenfeng Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital, The Affliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, No.2 Yongning North Road, Changzhou, 213002, China.
| | - Qing Bao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital, The Affliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, No.2 Yongning North Road, Changzhou, 213002, China
| | - Hongchun Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital, The Affliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, No.2 Yongning North Road, Changzhou, 213002, China
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital, The Affliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, No.2 Yongning North Road, Changzhou, 213002, China
| | - Wenqing Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital, The Affliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, No.2 Yongning North Road, Changzhou, 213002, China
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7
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Gollapalli K, Ghantasala S, Kumar S, Srivastava R, Rapole S, Moiyadi A, Epari S, Srivastava S. Subventricular zone involvement in Glioblastoma - A proteomic evaluation and clinicoradiological correlation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1449. [PMID: 28469129 PMCID: PMC5431125 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01202-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most malignant of all gliomas is characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity and poor response to treatment. The sub-ventricular zone (SVZ) is the major site of neurogenesis in the brain and is rich in neural stem cells. Based on the proximity of the GBM tumors to the SVZ, the tumors can be further classified into SVZ+ and SVZ−. The tumors located in close contact with the SVZ are classified as SVZ+, while the tumors located distantly from the SVZ are classified as SVZ−. To gain an insight into the increased aggressiveness of SVZ+ over SVZ− tumors, we have used proteomics techniques like 2D-DIGE and LC-MS/MS to investigate any possible proteomic differences between the two subtypes. Serum proteomic analysis revealed significant alterations of various acute phase proteins and lipid carrying proteins, while tissue proteomic analysis revealed significant alterations in cytoskeletal, lipid binding, chaperone and cell cycle regulating proteins, which are already known to be associated with disease pathobiology. These findings provide cues to molecular basis behind increased aggressiveness of SVZ+ GBM tumors over SVZ− GBM tumors and plausible therapeutic targets to improve treatment modalities for these highly invasive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sachendra Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | | | - Srikanth Rapole
- Proteomics Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Aliasgar Moiyadi
- Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) and Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, India
| | - Sridhar Epari
- Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) and Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, India
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8
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PTEN status is a crucial determinant of the functional outcome of combined MEK and mTOR inhibition in cancer. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43013. [PMID: 28220839 PMCID: PMC5318947 DOI: 10.1038/srep43013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Combined MAPK/PI3K pathway inhibition represents an attractive, albeit toxic, therapeutic strategy in oncology. Since PTEN lies at the intersection of these two pathways, we investigated whether PTEN status determines the functional response to combined pathway inhibition. PTEN (gene, mRNA, and protein) status was extensively characterized in a panel of cancer cell lines and combined MEK/mTOR inhibition displayed highly synergistic pharmacologic interactions almost exclusively in PTEN-loss models. Genetic manipulation of PTEN status confirmed a mechanistic role for PTEN in determining the functional outcome of combined pathway blockade. Proteomic analysis showed greater phosphoproteomic profile modification(s) in response to combined MEK/mTOR inhibition in PTEN-loss contexts and identified JAK1/STAT3 activation as a potential mediator of synergistic interactions. Overall, our results show that PTEN-loss is a crucial determinant of synergistic interactions between MAPK and PI3K pathway inhibitors, potentially exploitable for the selection of cancer patients at the highest chance of benefit from combined therapeutic strategies.
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Lulli V, Buccarelli M, Martini M, Signore M, Biffoni M, Giannetti S, Morgante L, Marziali G, Ilari R, Pagliuca A, Larocca LM, De Maria R, Pallini R, Ricci-Vitiani L. miR-135b suppresses tumorigenesis in glioblastoma stem-like cells impairing proliferation, migration and self-renewal. Oncotarget 2016; 6:37241-56. [PMID: 26437223 PMCID: PMC4741927 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and fatal malignant adult primary brain tumor. Currently, the overall prognosis for GBM patients remains poor despite advances in neurosurgery and adjuvant treatments. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to the pathogenesis of various types of tumor, including GBM. In this study we analyzed the expression of a panel of miRNAs, which are known to be differentially expressed by the brain and GBM tumor, in a collection of patient-derived GBM stem-like cells (GSCs). Notably, the average expression level of miR-135b, was the most downregulated compared to its normal counterpart, suggesting a potential role as anti-oncogene. Restoration of miR-135b in GSCs significantly decreased proliferation, migration and clonogenic abilities. More importantly, miR-135b restoration was able to significantly reduce brain infiltration in mouse models of GBM obtained by intracerebral injection of GSC lines. We identified ADAM12 and confirmed SMAD5 and GSK3β as miR-135b targets and potential mediators of its effects. The whole transcriptome analysis ascertained that the expression of miR-135b downmodulated additional genes driving key pathways in GBM survival and infiltration capabilities. Our results identify a critical role of miR-135b in the regulation of GBM development, suggesting that miR-135b might act as a tumor-suppressor factor and thus providing a potential candidate for the treatment of GBM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lulli
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Buccarelli
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Martini
- Institute of Anatomic Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Signore
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Biffoni
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Giannetti
- Institute of Human Anatomy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Liliana Morgante
- Institute of Human Anatomy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Marziali
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ramona Ilari
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pagliuca
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Maria Larocca
- Institute of Anatomic Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Pallini
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Ricci-Vitiani
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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10
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Thymosin β4 induces proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Amino Acids 2015; 48:117-27. [PMID: 26276576 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-2070-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a vital role in carcinogenesis, invasion, and metastasis of many epithelial tumors including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a common malignancy of the head and neck. However, the functional role of the actin-sequestering protein thymosin β4 (Tβ4) in the EMT in OSCCs remains unclear. Thus, we investigated whether overexpression of Tβ4 could induce in vitro tumorigenesis such as cell proliferation and anchorage independency and an EMT-like phenotype in OSCCs. Also, we examined whether it affects invasiveness and cell motility-associated signaling molecules. Tβ4-overexpressing OSCCs, SCC-15_Tβ4 and SCC-25_Tβ4, enhanced cell proliferation and colony formation. In addition, we observed that Tβ4 overexpression induced an EMT-like phenotype, accompanied by a decrease in expression of the epithelial cell marker E-cadherin and an increase in expression of mesenchymal cell markers vimentin and N-cadherin. Also, the expression level of Twist1, an EMT-inducing transcription factor, was significantly enhanced in SCC-15_Tβ4 and SCC-25_Tβ4 cells. Tβ4 overexpression augmented in vitro invasion and MMP-2 activity and enhanced the phosphorylation of paxillin and cortactin and expression of LIMK1. Taken together, these results suggest that Tβ4 overexpression could be one of the causes of tumorigenesis and progression in OSCCs. Further investigation on the Tβ4 molecule would encourage the development of specific targets for cancer treatment.
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11
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Milella M, Falcone I, Conciatori F, Cesta Incani U, Del Curatolo A, Inzerilli N, Nuzzo CMA, Vaccaro V, Vari S, Cognetti F, Ciuffreda L. PTEN: Multiple Functions in Human Malignant Tumors. Front Oncol 2015; 5:24. [PMID: 25763354 PMCID: PMC4329810 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 323] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PTEN is the most important negative regulator of the PI3K signaling pathway. In addition to its canonical, PI3K inhibition-dependent functions, PTEN can also function as a tumor suppressor in a PI3K-independent manner. Indeed, the PTEN network regulates a broad spectrum of biological functions, modulating the flow of information from membrane-bound growth factor receptors to nuclear transcription factors, occurring in concert with other tumor suppressors and oncogenic signaling pathways. PTEN acts through its lipid and protein phosphatase activity and other non-enzymatic mechanisms. Studies conducted over the past 10 years have expanded our understanding of the biological role of PTEN, showing that in addition to its ability to regulate proliferation and cell survival, it also plays an intriguing role in regulating genomic stability, cell migration, stem cell self-renewal, and tumor microenvironment. Changes in PTEN protein levels, location, and enzymatic activity through various molecular mechanisms can generate a continuum of functional PTEN levels in inherited syndromes, sporadic cancers, and other diseases. PTEN activity can indeed, be modulated by mutations, epigenetic silencing, transcriptional repression, aberrant protein localization, and post-translational modifications. This review will discuss our current understanding of the biological role of PTEN, how PTEN expression and activity are regulated, and the consequences of PTEN dysregulation in human malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Milella
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy
| | - Italia Falcone
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy
| | - Fabiana Conciatori
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy
| | - Ursula Cesta Incani
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy
| | - Anais Del Curatolo
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy
| | - Nicola Inzerilli
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy
| | - Carmen M A Nuzzo
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy
| | - Vanja Vaccaro
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy
| | - Sabrina Vari
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy
| | - Francesco Cognetti
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy
| | - Ludovica Ciuffreda
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy
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Maccalli C, De Maria R. Cancer stem cells: perspectives for therapeutic targeting. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2015; 64:91-7. [PMID: 25104304 PMCID: PMC11028671 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-014-1592-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cells with "stemness" and tumor-initiating properties have been isolated from both hematological and solid tumors. These cells denominated as cancer stem cells (CSCs), representing rare populations within tumors, have the ability to metastasize and are resistant to standard therapies and immunotherapy. Heterogeneity and plasticity in the phenotype of CSCs have been described in relation to their tissue origin. Few definitive markers have been isolated for CSCs from human solid tumors, limiting their usage for in vivo identification of these cells. Nevertheless, progress in the emerging CSCs concept has been achieved gaining, at least for some type of tumors, their biological and immunological characterization. The recent identification of molecules and signaling pathways that are up-regulated or aberrantly induced in CSCs allowed the development of small agents for specifically targeting of CSCs. A general low immunogenic profile has been reported for CSCs with, in some cases, the identification of the mechanisms responsible of the impairment of cell-mediated immune responses. These concepts are discussed in the context of this review. Although CSCs still need to be fully characterized, potential candidate markers and/or signaling pathways, to be exploited for the design of novel CSC-targeting therapeutic strategies, are described in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Maccalli
- Unit of Immuno-biotherapy of Melanoma and Solid Tumors, San Raffaele Foundation Centre, Milan, Italy,
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13
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Cardinale A, de Stefano MC, Mollinari C, Racaniello M, Garaci E, Merlo D. Biochemical characterization of sirtuin 6 in the brain and its involvement in oxidative stress response. Neurochem Res 2014; 40:59-69. [PMID: 25366464 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-014-1465-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) is a member of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase protein family and has been implicated in the control of glucose and lipid metabolism, cancer, genomic stability and DNA repair. Moreover, SIRT6 regulates the expression of a large number of genes involved in stress response and aging. The role of SIRT6 in brain function and neuronal survival is largely unknown. Here, we biochemically characterized SIRT6 in brain tissues and primary neuronal cultures and found that it is highly expressed in cortical and hippocampal regions and enriched in the synaptosomal membrane fraction. Immunoblotting analysis on cortical and hippocampal neurons showed that SIRT6 is downregulated during maturation in vitro, reaching the lowest expression at 11 days in vitro. In addition, SIRT6 overexpression in terminally differentiated cortical and hippocampal neurons, mediated by a neuron-specific recombinant adeno-associated virus, downregulated cell viability under oxidative stress condition. By contrast, under control condition, SIRT6 overexpression had no detrimental effect. Overall these results suggest that SIRT6 may play a role in synaptic function and neuronal maturation and it may be implicated in the regulation of neuronal survival.
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Todaro M, Gaggianesi M, Catalano V, Benfante A, Iovino F, Biffoni M, Apuzzo T, Sperduti I, Volpe S, Cocorullo G, Gulotta G, Dieli F, De Maria R, Stassi G. CD44v6 is a marker of constitutive and reprogrammed cancer stem cells driving colon cancer metastasis. Cell Stem Cell 2014; 14:342-56. [PMID: 24607406 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2014.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 534] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Revised: 10/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells drive tumor formation and metastasis, but how they acquire metastatic traits is not well understood. Here, we show that all colorectal cancer stem cells (CR-CSCs) express CD44v6, which is required for their migration and generation of metastatic tumors. CD44v6 expression is low in primary tumors but demarcated clonogenic CR-CSC populations. Cytokines hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), osteopontin (OPN), and stromal-derived factor 1α (SDF-1), secreted from tumor associated cells, increase CD44v6 expression in CR-CSCs by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which promotes migration and metastasis. CD44v6(-) progenitor cells do not give rise to metastatic lesions but, when treated with cytokines, acquire CD44v6 expression and metastatic capacity. Importantly, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibition selectively killed CD44v6 CR-CSCs and reduced metastatic growth. In patient cohorts, low levels of CD44v6 predict increased probability of survival. Thus, the metastatic process in colorectal cancer is initiated by CSCs through the expression of CD44v6, which is both a functional biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Todaro
- Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Miriam Gaggianesi
- Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Veronica Catalano
- Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonina Benfante
- Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Flora Iovino
- Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mauro Biffoni
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Apuzzo
- Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Volpe
- Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Gaspare Gulotta
- Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Dieli
- Biopathology and Biomedical Methodologies, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research (CLADIBIOR), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Stassi
- Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy.
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Chao TC, Chen KJ, Tang MC, Chan LC, Chen PM, Tzeng CH, Su Y. Thymosin beta-4 knockdown in IEC-6 normal intestinal epithelial cells induces DNA re-replication via downregulating Emi1. J Cell Physiol 2014; 229:1639-46. [PMID: 24615569 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4 ) is a multifunctional protein already used clinically to treat various diseases; however, the promoting effect of this protein on tumor malignancy should not be neglected. Here, we assessed whether Tβ4 alteration influences normal intestinal epithelial cells because Tβ4 is deemed a novel target for treating colorectal cancer (CRC). For this purpose, we examined the consequences of shRNA-mediated knockdown of Tβ4 in IEC-6 normal rat small intestinal cells and found that inhibiting Tβ4 expression significantly suppressed their growth and induced apoptosis in some cells. Flow cytometric analysis further revealed a marked decrease of G0/G1 population but a drastic increase of polyploid ones in these cells. The increase of polyploidy likely resulted from DNA re-replication because not only the de novo DNA synthesis was greatly increased but also the expression levels of Cdc6 (a replication-licensing factor), cyclin A, and phosphorylated-checkpoint kinase 1 were all dramatically elevated. Moreover, marked reductions in both RNA and protein levels of Emi1 (early mitotic inhibitor 1) were also detected in Tβ4 -downregulated IEC-6 cells which might be accounted by the downregulation of E2F1, a transcription factor capable of inducing Emi1 expression, mediated by glycogen synthase-3β (GSK-3β). To our best knowledge, this is the first report showing that inhibiting Tβ4 expression triggers DNA re-replication in normal intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting that this G-actin sequester may play a crucial role in maintaining genome stability in these cells. More importantly, clinical oncologists should take this novel activity into consideration when design CRC therapy based on targeting Tβ4 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Ta-Chung Chao
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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16
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Ciuffreda L, Falcone I, Incani UC, Del Curatolo A, Conciatori F, Matteoni S, Vari S, Vaccaro V, Cognetti F, Milella M. PTEN expression and function in adult cancer stem cells and prospects for therapeutic targeting. Adv Biol Regul 2014; 56:66-80. [PMID: 25088603 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2014.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) is a non-redundant lipid phosphatase that restrains and fine tunes the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway. PTEN is involved in inherited syndromes, which predispose to different types of cancers and is among the most frequently inactivated tumor suppressor genes in sporadic cancers. Indeed, loss of PTEN function occurs in a wide spectrum of human cancers through a variety of mechanisms, including mutations, deletions, transcriptional silencing, or protein instability. PTEN prevents tumorigenesis through multiple mechanisms and regulates a plethora of cellular processes, including survival, proliferation, energy metabolism and cellular architecture. Moreover, recent studies have demonstrated that PTEN is able to exit, exist, and function outside the cell, allowing for inhibition of the PI3K pathway in neighboring cells in a paracrine fashion. Most recently, studies have shown that PTEN is also critical for stem cell maintenance and that PTEN loss can lead to the emergence and proliferation of cancer stem cell (CSC) clones. Depending on the cellular and tissue context of origin, PTEN deletion may result in increased self-renewal capacity or normal stem cell exhaustion and PTEN-defìcient stem and progenitor cells have been reported in prostate, lung, intestinal, and pancreatic tissues before tumor formation; moreover, reversible or irreversible PTEN loss is frequently observed in CSC from a variety of solid and hematologic malignancies, where it may contribute to the functional phenotype of CSC. In this review, we will focus on the role of PTEN expression and function and downstream pathway activation in cancer stem cell biology and regulation of the tumorigenic potential; the emerging role of PTEN in mediating the crosstalk between the PI3K and MAPK pathways will also be discussed, together with prospects for the therapeutic targeting of tumors lacking PTEN expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Ciuffreda
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Italia Falcone
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Ursula Cesta Incani
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Anais Del Curatolo
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiana Conciatori
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Matteoni
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Vari
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Vanja Vaccaro
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Cognetti
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
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In vivo growth suppression of CT-26 mouse colorectal cancer cells by adenovirus-expressed small hairpin RNA specifically targeting thymosin beta-4 mRNA. Cancer Gene Ther 2014; 21:389-96. [PMID: 25124811 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2014.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Revised: 07/19/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is known to be involved in tumorigenesis. Overexpression of this polypeptide has been observed in a wide variety of cancers, including colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Accordingly, Tβ4 has been proposed to be a novel therapeutic target for CRC, especially in its metastatic form. Although in vitro tumor-suppressive effects of Tβ4 gene silencing mediated by small hairpin RNA (shRNA) have already been demonstrated, the in vivo efficacy of such an approach has not yet been reported. Herein, we demonstrated that infection with recombinant adenovirus expressing an shRNA targeting Tβ4 markedly reduced the growth of and robustly induced apoptosis in CT-26 mouse CRC cells in culture. Additionally, tumors grown in nude mice from the CT-26 cells whose Tβ4 expression already been downregulated by virus infection were also drastically reduced. Most importantly, significant growth arrest of tumors derived from the parental CT-26 cells was observed after multiple intratumoral injections of these viruses. Together, our results show for the first time that in vivo silencing of Tβ4 expression by its shRNA generated after adenoviral infection can suppress CRC growth. These results further demonstrate the feasibility of treating CRC by a Tβ4 knockdown gene therapeutic approach.
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18
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Receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase κ directly dephosphorylates CD133 and regulates downstream AKT activation. Oncogene 2014; 34:1949-60. [PMID: 24882578 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Revised: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Although CD133 has been considered to be a molecular marker for cancer stem cells, its functional roles in tumorigenesis remain unclear. We here examined the molecular basis behind CD133-mediated signaling. Knockdown of CD133 resulted in the retardation of xenograft tumor growth of colon cancer-derived HT-29 and LoVo cells accompanied by hypophosphorylation of AKT, which diminished β-catenin/T-cell factor-mediated CD44 expression. As tyrosine residues of CD133 at positions 828 and 852 were phosphorylated in HT-29 and SW480 cells, we further addressed the significance of this phosphorylation in the tumorigenesis of SW480 cells expressing mutant CD133, with substitution of these tyrosine residues by glutamate (CD133-EE) or phenylalanine (CD133-FF). Forced expression of CD133-EE promoted much more aggressive xenograft tumor growth relative to wild-type CD133-expressing cells accompanied by hyperphosphorylation of AKT; however, CD133-FF expression had negligible effects on AKT phosphorylation and xenograft tumor formation. Intriguingly, the tyrosine phosphorylation status of CD133 was closely linked to the growth of SW480-derived spheroids. Using yeast two-hybrid screening, we finally identified receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase κ (PTPRK) as a binding partner of CD133. In vitro studies demonstrated that PTPRK associates with the carboxyl-terminal region of CD133 through its intracellular phosphatase domains and also catalyzes dephosphorylation of CD133 at tyrosine-828/tyrosine-852. Silencing of PTPRK elevated the tyrosine phosphorylation of CD133, whereas forced expression of PTPRK reduced its phosphorylation level markedly and abrogated CD133-mediated AKT phosphorylation. Endogenous CD133 expression was also closely associated with higher AKT phosphorylation in primary colon cancer cells, and ectopic expression of CD133 enhanced AKT phosphorylation. Furthermore, lower PTPRK expression significantly correlated with the poor prognosis of colon cancer patients with high expression of CD133. Thus, our present findings strongly indicate that the tyrosine phosphorylation of CD133, which is dephosphorylated by PTPRK, regulates AKT signaling and has a critical role in colon cancer progression.
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19
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Yan Z, Yin H, Wang R, Wu D, Sun W, Liu B, Su Q. Overexpression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) promotes migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition via NF-κB signaling. Acta Histochem 2014; 116:527-33. [PMID: 24360977 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2013.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Revised: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 11/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a ubiquitously expressed and evolutionally conserved serine/threonine kinase, has been shown to be aberrantly overexpressed and activated in diversified types of human malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the potential role of ILK in cancer cell migration and invasion remains to be elucidated. In this study, we introduced the human ILK gene into a low ILK-expressing human CRC cell line SW480. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated by the wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay, respectively. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins were detected by Western blot analysis or immunofluorescence. We found that enforced overexpression of ILK in SW480 cells dramatically promoted their migratory and invasive ability in vitro. Furthermore, SW480 cells stably overexpressing ILK underwent EMT, as indicated by mesenchymal morphology, decreased expression of E-cadherin, and increased expression of vimentin, Snail, and Slug. Finally, the nuclear factor (NF)-κB inhibitor BAY 11-7028 or NF-κB p65 small interfering RNA significantly restored the reduced E-cadherin level in ILK-overexpressing cells, suggesting that ILK-mediated down-regulation of E-cadherin is dependent on NF-κB activation. Overall, our study demonstrates a pivotal role of ILK in EMT and metastasis, and suggests novel therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaopeng Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongzhuan Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Baolin Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Su
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, People's Republic of China.
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20
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Theunissen W, Fanni D, Nemolato S, Di Felice E, Cabras T, Gerosa C, Van Eyken P, Messana I, Castagnola M, Faa G. Thymosin beta 4 and thymosin beta 10 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. Eur J Histochem 2014; 58:2242. [PMID: 24704991 PMCID: PMC3980204 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2014.2242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2013] [Revised: 01/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) and thymosin beta 10 (Tβ10) are two members of the beta-thymosin family involved in many cellular processes such as cellular motility, angiogenesis, inflammation, cell survival and wound healing. Recently, a role for beta-thymosins has been proposed in the process of carcinogenesis as both peptides were detected in several types of cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression pattern of Tβ4 and Tβ10 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To this end, the expression pattern of both peptides was analyzed in liver samples obtained from 23 subjects diagnosed with HCC. Routinely formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded liver samples were immunostained by indirect immunohistochemistry with polyclonal antibodies to Tβ4 and Tβ10. Immunoreactivity for Tβ4 and Tβ10 was detected in the liver parenchyma of the surrounding tumor area. Both peptides showed an increase in granular reactivity from the periportal to the periterminal hepatocytes. Regarding HCC, Tβ4 reactivity was detected in 7/23 cases (30%) and Tβ10 reactivity in 22/23 (96%) cases analyzed, adding HCC to human cancers that express these beta-thymosins. Intriguing finding was seen looking at the reactivity of both peptides in tumor cells infiltrating the surrounding liver. Where Tβ10 showed a strong homogeneous expression, was Tβ4 completely absent in cells undergoing stromal invasion. The current study shows expression of both beta-thymosins in HCC with marked differences in their degree of expression and frequency of immunoreactivity. The higher incidence of Tβ10 expression and its higher reactivity in tumor cells involved in stromal invasion indicate a possible major role for Tβ10 in HCC progression.
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Todaro M, Gaggianesi M, Catalano V, Benfante A, Iovino F, Biffoni M, Apuzzo T, Sperduti I, Volpe S, Cocorullo G, Gulotta G, Dieli F, De Maria R, Stassi G. CD44v6 Is a Marker of Constitutive and Reprogrammed Cancer Stem Cells Driving Colon Cancer Metastasis. Cell Stem Cell 2014. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2014.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
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Wirsching HG, Krishnan S, Florea AM, Frei K, Krayenbühl N, Hasenbach K, Reifenberger G, Weller M, Tabatabai G. Thymosin β 4 gene silencing decreases stemness and invasiveness in glioblastoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 137:433-48. [PMID: 24355709 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awt333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin beta 4 is a pleiotropic actin-sequestering polypeptide that is involved in wound healing and developmental processes. Thymosin beta 4 gene silencing promotes differentiation of neural stem cells whereas thymosin beta 4 overexpression initiates cortical folding of developing brain hemispheres. A role of thymosin beta 4 in malignant gliomas has not yet been investigated. We analysed thymosin beta 4 staining on tissue microarrays and performed interrogations of the REMBRANDT and the Cancer Genome Atlas databases. We investigated thymosin beta 4 expression in seven established glioma cell lines and seven glioma-initiating cell lines and induced or silenced thymosin beta 4 expression by lentiviral transduction in LNT-229, U87MG and GS-2 cells to study the effects of altered thymosin beta 4 expression on gene expression, growth, clonogenicity, migration, invasion, self-renewal and differentiation capacity in vitro, and tumorigenicity in vivo. Thymosin beta 4 expression increased with grade of malignancy in gliomas. Thymosin beta 4 gene silencing in LNT-229 and U87MG glioma cells inhibited migration and invasion, promoted starvation-induced cell death in vitro and enhanced survival of glioma-bearing mice. Thymosin beta 4 gene silencing in GS-2 cells inhibited self-renewal and promoted differentiation in vitro and decreased tumorigenicity in vivo. Gene expression analysis suggested a thymosin beta 4-dependent regulation of mesenchymal signature genes and modulation of TGFβ and p53 signalling networks. We conclude that thymosin beta 4 should be explored as a novel molecular target for anti-glioma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Georg Wirsching
- 1 Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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23
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Kang YJ, Jo JO, Ock MS, Chang HK, Lee SH, Ahn BK, Baek KW, Choi YH, Kim WJ, Leem SH, Cha HJ. Thymosin β4 was upregulated in recurred colorectal cancers. J Clin Pathol 2013; 67:188-90. [PMID: 24098025 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2013-201940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Jeong Kang
- Departments of Parasitology and Genetics, Kosin University College of Medicine, , Busan, Republic of Korea
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Fang DD, Zhang CC, Gu Y, Jani JP, Cao J, Tsaparikos K, Yuan J, Thiel M, Jackson-Fisher A, Zong Q, Lappin PB, Hayashi T, Schwab RB, Wong A, John-Baptiste A, Bagrodia S, Los G, Bender S, Christensen J, VanArsdale T. Antitumor Efficacy of the Dual PI3K/mTOR Inhibitor PF-04691502 in a Human Xenograft Tumor Model Derived from Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells Harboring a PIK3CA Mutation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e67258. [PMID: 23826249 PMCID: PMC3695076 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2012] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PIK3CA (phosphoinositide-3-kinase, catalytic, alpha polypeptide) mutations can help predict the antitumor activity of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway inhibitors in both preclinical and clinical settings. In light of the recent discovery of tumor-initiating cancer stem cells (CSCs) in various tumor types, we developed an in vitro CSC model from xenograft tumors established in mice from a colorectal cancer patient tumor in which the CD133+/EpCAM+ population represented tumor-initiating cells. CD133+/EpCAM+ CSCs were enriched under stem cell culture conditions and formed 3-dimensional tumor spheroids. Tumor spheroid cells exhibited CSC properties, including the capability for differentiation and self-renewal, higher tumorigenic potential and chemo-resistance. Genetic analysis using an OncoCarta™ panel revealed a PIK3CA (H1047R) mutation in these cells. Using a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, PF-04691502, we then showed that blockage of the PI3K/mTOR pathway inhibited the in vitro proliferation of CSCs and in vivo xenograft tumor growth with manageable toxicity. Tumor growth inhibition in mice was accompanied by a significant reduction of phosphorylated Akt (pAKT) (S473), a well-established surrogate biomarker of PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway inhibition. Collectively, our data suggest that PF-04691502 exhibits potent anticancer activity in colorectal cancer by targeting both PIK3CA (H1047R) mutant CSCs and their derivatives. These results may assist in the clinical development of PF-04691502 for the treatment of a subpopulation of colorectal cancer patients with poor outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas D. Fang
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Cathy C. Zhang
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Yin Gu
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Jitesh P. Jani
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Joan Cao
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Konstantinos Tsaparikos
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Jing Yuan
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Melissa Thiel
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Amy Jackson-Fisher
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Qing Zong
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Patrick B. Lappin
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Tomoko Hayashi
- Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Richard B. Schwab
- Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Anthony Wong
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Annette John-Baptiste
- Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Shubha Bagrodia
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Geritt Los
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Steve Bender
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - James Christensen
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Todd VanArsdale
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, California, United States of America
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Sribenja S, Wongkham S, Wongkham C, Yao Q, Chen C. Roles and Mechanisms of β-Thymosins in Cell Migration and Cancer Metastasis: An Update. Cancer Invest 2013; 31:103-10. [DOI: 10.3109/07357907.2012.756111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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26
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Analysis of the combined action of miR-143 and miR-145 on oncogenic pathways in colorectal cancer cells reveals a coordinate program of gene repression. Oncogene 2012; 32:4806-13. [PMID: 23128394 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2012] [Revised: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 09/13/2012] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) from the gene cluster miR-143-145 are diminished in cells of colorectal tumor origin when compared with normal colon epithelia. Until now, no report has addressed the coordinate action of these miRNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we performed a comprehensive molecular and functional analysis of the miRNA cluster regulatory network. First, we evaluated proliferation, migration, anchorage-independent growth and chemoresistance in the colon tumor cell lines after miR-143 and miR-145 restoration. Then, we assessed the contribution of single genes targeted by miR-143 and miR-145 by reinforcing their expression and checking functional recovery. Restoring miR-143 and miR-145 in colon cancer cells decreases proliferation, migration and chemoresistance. We identified cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5), Kirsten rat sarcoma 2 viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) and v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) as proteins targeted by miR-143 and miR-145. Their re-expression can partially revert a decrease in transformation properties caused by the overexpression of miR-143 and miR-145. In addition, we determined a set of mRNAs that are diminished after reinforcing miR-143 and miR-145 expression. The whole transcriptome analysis ascertained that downregulated transcripts are enriched in predicted target genes in a statistically significant manner. A number of additional genes, whose expression decreases as a direct or indirect consequence of miR-143 and miR-145, reveals a complex regulatory network that affects cell signaling pathways involved in transformation. In conclusion, we identified a coordinated program of gene repression by miR-143 and miR-145, in CRC, where either of the two miRNAs share a target transcript, or where the target transcripts share a common signaling pathway. Major mediators of the oncosuppression by miR-143 and miR-145 are genes belonging to the growth factor receptor-mitogen-activated protein kinase network and to the p53 signaling pathway.
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27
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Ji YI, Lee BY, Kang YJ, Jo JO, Lee SH, Kim HY, Kim YO, Lee C, Koh SB, Kim A, Lee JY, Jung MH, Ock MS, Cha HJ. Expression Patterns of Thymosin β4 and Cancer Stem Cell Marker CD133 in Ovarian Cancers. Pathol Oncol Res 2012; 19:237-45. [DOI: 10.1007/s12253-012-9574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Accepted: 09/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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28
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Scatena R, Bottoni P, Pontoglio A, Giardina B. The proteomics of cancer stem cells. Potential clinical applications for innovative research in oncology. Proteomics Clin Appl 2011; 5:590-602. [DOI: 10.1002/prca.201000142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
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29
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Wilson BJ, Schatton T, Frank MH, Frank NY. Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells: Biology and Therapeutic Implications. CURRENT COLORECTAL CANCER REPORTS 2011; 7:128-135. [PMID: 21552371 DOI: 10.1007/s11888-011-0093-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The hypothesis that cancer is driven by a subpopulation of tumor-initiating or cancer stem cells (CSC), defined by their selective ability for extensive self-renewal and capacity to give rise to nontumorigenic cancer cell progeny through differentiation, has been validated experimentally in diverse human malignancies. Translational relevance of the CSC hypothesis is underlined by emerging novel strategies designed to target all subpopulations within a given tumor in order to effect cancer eradication and improve patient outcomes. Colorectal cancer stem cells (CRSCs) have been identified and successfully isolated by several research groups based on distinct cell-surface marker characteristics. Identification of CRSC populations has led to a wave of discoveries describing novel self-renewal and drug resistance mechanisms in colorectal cancer that represent novel future therapeutic targets. In this review, we will discuss emerging CRSC-specific pathways and the therapeutic promise of targeting this cancer population in colorectal cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Wilson
- Transplantation Research Center, Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Skin Disease Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Enders 814, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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