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Santos DS, Rocha MA, Mello MLS. Epigenetic studies in insects and the valproic acid perspective. BRAZ J BIOL 2024; 84:e256045. [DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.256045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Valproic acid in association with sodium valproate (VPA) is an important anticonvulsant drug used for decades to treat neurological disorders. VPA also acts as an epigenetic modulator by inhibiting histone deacetylases, permitting histone acetylation, affecting the DNA and histone methylation status and gene expression, and inducing chromatin remodeling. Insects represent an important animal model for studies in several areas of science. Their high phenotypic plasticity makes them alternative models for epigenetic studies. This brief review emphasizes recent reports on insect epigenetics and the contribution of studies on the VPA action in insects, including effects on epigenetic markers, extending the pharmacological understanding of the potential of this drug, and demonstrating the usefulness of insects as an alternative animal model to drug studies.
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Epp S, Chuah SM, Halasz M. Epigenetic Dysregulation in MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17085. [PMID: 38069407 PMCID: PMC10707345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood cancer arising from the neural crest, poses significant clinical challenges, particularly in cases featuring amplification of the MYCN oncogene. Epigenetic factors play a pivotal role in normal neural crest and NB development, influencing gene expression patterns critical for tumorigenesis. This review delves into the multifaceted interplay between MYCN and known epigenetic modifications during NB genesis, shedding light on the intricate regulatory networks underlying the disease. We provide an extensive survey of known epigenetic mechanisms, encompassing DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, super-enhancers (SEs), bromodomains (BET), and chromatin modifiers in MYCN-amplified (MNA) NB. These epigenetic changes collectively contribute to the dysregulated gene expression landscape observed in MNA NB. Furthermore, we review emerging therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic regulators, including histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), histone methyltransferase inhibitors (HMTi), and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi). We also discuss and summarize current drugs in preclinical and clinical trials, offering insights into their potential for improving outcomes for MNA NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Epp
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Shin Mei Chuah
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
| | - Melinda Halasz
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (S.E.)
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
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Zhang Y, Lim D, Cai Z, Peng J, Jia B, Chu G, Zhang F, Dong C, Feng Z. Valproic acid counteracts polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-induced tumorigenic effects by regulating the polarization of macrophages. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 241:113779. [PMID: 35751934 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common persistent organic pollutants that are carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic, causing a variety of harm to human health. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of how valproic acid (VPA) interferes with the carcinogenesis of PAHs protect normal tissues via the regulation of macrophages' function. Using the established model of transformed malignant breast cancer by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), a representative PAH carcinogen, we discovered VPA induces the polarization of macrophages toward the M1 phenotype in the tumor tissues, facilitates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ, IL-12 and TNF-α, activates CD8+ T cells to secret Granzyme B thus to promote the apoptosis of tumor cells and suppresses the viability of vascular endothelial cells in tissue stroma of tumor. Surprisingly, VPA selectively induces macrophages to polarize towards the M2 phenotype in normal tissues and promotes the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 to enhance cell proliferation. Additionally, at the cellular level, VPA can directly regulate the polarization of macrophages to affect the growth of vascular endothelial cells by simulating the living conditions of tumor and normal cells. Collectively, VPA exerts an interventional effect on tumor growth and a protective effect on normal tissues by regulation of selective macrophages' polarization in their microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisha Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - David Lim
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia; College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Zuchao Cai
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Junxuan Peng
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Beidi Jia
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Guoliang Chu
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Fengmei Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Chao Dong
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.
| | - Zhihui Feng
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.
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Acute Valproate Exposure Induces Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Autophagy with FOXO3a Modulation in SH-SY5Y Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102522. [PMID: 34685502 PMCID: PMC8533738 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug found to induce mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy in cancer cell lines. We treated the SH-SY5Y cell line with various concentrations of VPA (1, 5, and 10 mM). The treatment decreased cell viability, ATP production, and mitochondrial membrane potential and increased reactive oxygen species production. In addition, the mitochondrial DNA copy number increased after VPA treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting showed that the levels of mitochondrial biogenesis-related proteins (PGC-1α, TFAM, and COX4) increased, though estrogen-related receptor expression decreased after VPA treatment. Further, VPA treatment increased the total and acetylated FOXO3a protein levels. Although SIRT1 expression was decreased, SIRT3 expression was increased, which regulated FOXO3 acetylation in the mitochondria. Furthermore, VPA treatment induced autophagy via increased LC3-II levels and decreased p62 expression and mTOR phosphorylation. We suggest that VPA treatment induces mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy via changes in FOXO3a expression and posttranslational modification in the SH-SY5Y cell line.
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Dedoni S, Marras L, Olianas MC, Ingianni A, Onali P. Valproic acid upregulates the expression of the p75NTR/sortilin receptor complex to induce neuronal apoptosis. Apoptosis 2021; 25:697-714. [PMID: 32712736 PMCID: PMC7527367 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-020-01626-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The antiepileptic and mood stabilizer agent valproic acid (VPA) has been shown to exert anti-tumour effects and to cause neuronal damage in the developing brain through mechanisms not completely understood. In the present study we show that prolonged exposure of SH-SY5Y and LAN-1 human neuroblastoma cells to clinically relevant concentrations of VPA caused a marked induction of the protein and transcript levels of the common neurotrophin receptor p75NTR and its co-receptor sortilin, two promoters of apoptotic cell death in response to proneurotrophins. VPA induction of p75NTR and sortilin was associated with an increase in plasma membrane expression of the receptor proteins and was mimicked by cell treatment with several histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. VPA and HDAC1 knockdown decreased the level of EZH2, a core component of the polycomb repressive complex 2, and upregulated the transcription factor CASZ1, a positive regulator of p75NTR. CASZ1 knockdown attenuated VPA-induced p75NTR overexpression. Cell treatment with VPA favoured proNGF-induced p75NTR/sortilin interaction and the exposure to proNGF enhanced JNK activation and apoptotic cell death elicited by VPA. Depletion of p75NTR or addition of the sortilin agonist neurotensin to block proNGF/sortilin interaction reduced the apoptotic response to VPA and proNGF. Exposure of mouse cerebellar granule cells to VPA upregulated p75NTR and sortilin and induced apoptosis which was enhanced by proNGF. These results indicate that VPA upregulates p75NTR apoptotic cell signalling through an epigenetic mechanism involving HDAC inhibition and suggest that this effect may contribute to the anti-neuroblastoma and neurotoxic effects of VPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Dedoni
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Luisa Marras
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria C Olianas
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Angela Ingianni
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Onali
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Section of Neurosciences and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy.
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Dedoni S, Marras L, Olianas MC, Ingianni A, Onali P. The Neurotrophin Receptor TrkC as a Novel Molecular Target of the Antineuroblastoma Action of Valproic Acid. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157790. [PMID: 34360553 PMCID: PMC8346142 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins and their receptors are relevant factors in controlling neuroblastoma growth and progression. The histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) has been shown to downregulate TrkB and upregulate the p75NTR/sortilin receptor complex. In the present study, we investigated the VPA effect on the expression of the neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) receptor TrkC, a favorable prognostic marker of neuroblastoma. We found that VPA induced the expression of both full-length and truncated (TrkC-T1) isoforms of TrkC in human neuroblastoma cell lines without (SH-SY5Y) and with (Kelly, BE(2)-C and IMR 32) MYCN amplification. VPA enhanced cell surface expression of the receptor and increased Akt and ERK1/2 activation by NT-3. The HDAC inhibitors entinostat, romidepsin and vorinostat also increased TrkC in SH-SY5Y, Kelly and BE(2)-C but not IMR 32 cells. TrkC upregulation by VPA involved induction of RUNX3, stimulation of ERK1/2 and JNK, and ERK1/2-mediated Egr1 expression. In SH-SY5Y cell monolayers and spheroids the exposure to NT-3 enhanced the apoptotic cascade triggered by VPA. Gene silencing of both TrkC-T1 and p75NTR prevented the NT-3 proapoptotic effect. Moreover, NT-3 enhanced p75NTR/TrkC-T1 co-immunoprecipitation. The results indicate that VPA upregulates TrkC by activating epigenetic mechanisms and signaling pathways, and sensitizes neuroblastoma cells to NT-3-induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Dedoni
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Section of Neurosciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.D.); (M.C.O.)
| | - Luisa Marras
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (L.M.); (A.I.)
| | - Maria C. Olianas
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Section of Neurosciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.D.); (M.C.O.)
| | - Angela Ingianni
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (L.M.); (A.I.)
| | - Pierluigi Onali
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Section of Neurosciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.D.); (M.C.O.)
- Correspondence:
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Ge YY, Zhang QM, Liu C, Zeng X, Nong WX, Chen F, Bi SQ, Guo WW, Luo B, Xie XX. Combined treatment with epigenetic agents enhances anti-tumor activity of T cells by upregulating the ACRBP expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Transl Res 2021; 13:7591-7609. [PMID: 34377237 PMCID: PMC8340224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of combined epigenetic drugs of decitabine (DAC), valproic acid (VPA) and trichostatin A (TSA) on immunotherapy with a murine model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Dendritic cells (DCs) transduced with recombinant lentivirus expressing a cancer-testis antigen, acrosin binding protein (ACRBP), are referred to as DC/ACRBP. CD8+ T cells were harvested from spleens of C57BL/6 mice and activated by DC/ACRBP. Cytotoxicity of DC/ACRBP-activated T cells was analyzed by cytotoxicity and murine xenograft assays. RESULTS Cytotoxicity assay results revealed that DC/ACRBP-activated T cells exhibited the highest cytotoxicity against HCC cells pre-treated with triple drugs (DAC+VPA+TSA) compared with dual drugs (DAC+VPA and DAC+TSA) and single drug (DAC, VPA and TSA) respectively. Analyses of RT-PCR and immunoblotting demonstrated that the highest ACRBP expression of HCC cells was induced by the triple drugs compared with the single and dual drugs. These results indicated that DC/ACRBP-activated T cells might be ACRBP-specific lymphocytes, and the augmented cytotoxicity may be dependent on the upregulation of ACRBP expression. These assumptions were further confirmed by xenograft tumor assay. Tumor cells of mice administrated with the triple drugs exhibited increased ACRBP expression compared with those of mice without administration. As expected, DC/ACRBP-activated T cells adopted by mice injected with the triple drugs, compared with those adopted by mice without injection, remarkably impeded growth and facilitated apoptosis of tumor cells. CONCLUSION These data suggested that combined treatment with DAC, VPA and TSA may enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of ACRBP-specific T cells by upregulating ACRBP expression in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Ying Ge
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
- Central Laboratory of Pre-Clinical Medicine (Key Laboratory of Guangxi Colleges and Universities), Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qing-Mei Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
- Central Laboratory of Pre-Clinical Medicine (Key Laboratory of Guangxi Colleges and Universities), Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xia Zeng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei-Xia Nong
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fang Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
- Central Laboratory of Pre-Clinical Medicine (Key Laboratory of Guangxi Colleges and Universities), Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shui-Qing Bi
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wen-Wen Guo
- Department of Pathology, The People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous RegionNanning 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Luo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
- Central Laboratory of Pre-Clinical Medicine (Key Laboratory of Guangxi Colleges and Universities), Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Xun Xie
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Pre-Clinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
- Central Laboratory of Pre-Clinical Medicine (Key Laboratory of Guangxi Colleges and Universities), Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment of Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University)Ministry of Education, People’s Republic of China
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Mello MLS. Sodium Valproate-Induced Chromatin Remodeling. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:645518. [PMID: 33959607 PMCID: PMC8093769 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.645518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid/sodium valproate (VPA), a drug originally prescribed as an anticonvulsant, has been widely reported to act on epigenetic marks by inducing histone acetylation, affecting the DNA and histone methylation status, and altering the expression of transcription factors, thus leading to modulation of gene expression. All these epigenetic changes have been associated with chromatin remodeling effects. The present minireview briefly reports the main effects of VPA on chromatin and image analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy in association with molecular biology methodological approaches to investigate the VPA-induced changes in chromatin structure and at the higher-order supraorganizational level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luiza S. Mello
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, Brazil
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Bahmad HF, Elajami MK, El Zarif T, Bou-Gharios J, Abou-Antoun T, Abou-Kheir W. Drug repurposing towards targeting cancer stem cells in pediatric brain tumors. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2020; 39:127-148. [PMID: 31919619 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-019-09840-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In the pediatric population, brain tumors represent the most commonly diagnosed solid neoplasms and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. They include low-grade gliomas (LGGs), medulloblastomas (MBs), and other embryonal, ependymal, and neuroectodermal tumors. The mainstay of treatment for most brain tumors includes surgical intervention, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. However, resistance to conventional therapy is widespread, which contributes to the high mortality rates reported and lack of improvement in patient survival despite advancement in therapeutic research. This has been attributed to the presence of a subpopulation of cells, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), which reside within the tumor bulk and maintain self-renewal and recurrence potential of the tumor. An emerging promising approach that enables identifying novel therapeutic strategies to target CSCs and overcome therapy resistance is drug repurposing or repositioning. This is based on using previously approved drugs with known pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics for indications other than their traditional ones, like cancer. In this review, we provide a synopsis of the drug repurposing methodologies that have been used in pediatric brain tumors, and we argue how this selective compilation of approaches, with a focus on CSC targeting, could elevate drug repurposing to the next level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisham F Bahmad
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, DTS Bldg, Room 116-B, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mohamad K Elajami
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, DTS Bldg, Room 116-B, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Talal El Zarif
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, DTS Bldg, Room 116-B, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jolie Bou-Gharios
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, DTS Bldg, Room 116-B, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Tamara Abou-Antoun
- School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos Campus, CHSC 6101, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Wassim Abou-Kheir
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Bliss Street, DTS Bldg, Room 116-B, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Wang J, Yu L, Jiang H, Zheng X, Zeng S. Epigenetic Regulation of Differentially Expressed Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes in Cancer. Drug Metab Dispos 2020; 48:759-768. [PMID: 32601104 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.120.000008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug metabolism is a biotransformation process of drugs, catalyzed by drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs), including phase I DMEs and phase II DMEs. The aberrant expression of DMEs occurs in the different stages of cancer. It can contribute to the development of cancer and lead to individual variations in drug response by affecting the metabolic process of carcinogen and anticancer drugs. Apart from genetic polymorphisms, which we know the most about, current evidence indicates that epigenetic regulation is also central to the expression of DMEs. This review summarizes differentially expressed DMEs in cancer and related epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and noncoding RNAs. Exploring the epigenetic regulation of differentially expressed DMEs can provide a basis for implementing individualized and rationalized medication. Meanwhile, it can promote the development of new biomarkers and targets for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cancer. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review summarizes the aberrant expression of DMEs in cancer and the related epigenetic regulation of differentially expressed DMEs. Exploring the epigenetic regulatory mechanism of DMEs in cancer can help us to understand the role of DMEs in cancer progression and chemoresistance. Also, it provides a basis for developing new biomarkers and targets for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Wang
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China (J.W., L.Y., H.J., S.Z.) and Hangzhou Cancer Institution, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China (X.Z.)
| | - Lushan Yu
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China (J.W., L.Y., H.J., S.Z.) and Hangzhou Cancer Institution, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China (X.Z.)
| | - Huidi Jiang
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China (J.W., L.Y., H.J., S.Z.) and Hangzhou Cancer Institution, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China (X.Z.)
| | - Xiaoli Zheng
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China (J.W., L.Y., H.J., S.Z.) and Hangzhou Cancer Institution, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China (X.Z.)
| | - Su Zeng
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China (J.W., L.Y., H.J., S.Z.) and Hangzhou Cancer Institution, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China (X.Z.)
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de Campos Vidal B, Mello MLS. Sodium valproate (VPA) interactions with DNA and histones. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 163:219-231. [PMID: 32619665 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.06.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Valproic acid/sodium valproate (VPA) constitutes a widely prescribed drug for the treatment of seizure disorders and is a well-known epigenetic agent, inducing the acetylation of histones and affecting the methylation status of DNA and histones, with consequences on gene expression. Because this drug has been recently reported to exert affinity for histone H1, and to a minor degree for DNA, in this work, we investigated a possible interaction of sodium valproate with DNA and histones H1 and H3 using high-performance polarization microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy. The preparations under examination consisted of hemispheres resulting from drop-casting samples containing VPA-DNA and VPA-histone mixtures. The results indicated that VPA may interact with DNA and histones, inducing changes in the textural superstructure and molecular order of the DNA possibly through van der Waals forces, and in histone H1 and H3 conformations, probably as a result of electrostatic binding between the drug and protein amino acid residues. These results contribute to a better understanding of the pharmacological potential of VPA. The precise sites and mechanisms involved in these interactions would certainly benefit from investigations provided by complementary methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedicto de Campos Vidal
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), 13083-862 Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Luiza S Mello
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), 13083-862 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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Hao M, Bryant SH, Wang Y. Open-source chemogenomic data-driven algorithms for predicting drug-target interactions. Brief Bioinform 2020; 20:1465-1474. [PMID: 29420684 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bby010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
While novel technologies such as high-throughput screening have advanced together with significant investment by pharmaceutical companies during the past decades, the success rate for drug development has not yet been improved prompting researchers looking for new strategies of drug discovery. Drug repositioning is a potential approach to solve this dilemma. However, experimental identification and validation of potential drug targets encoded by the human genome is both costly and time-consuming. Therefore, effective computational approaches have been proposed to facilitate drug repositioning, which have proved to be successful in drug discovery. Doubtlessly, the availability of open-accessible data from basic chemical biology research and the success of human genome sequencing are crucial to develop effective in silico drug repositioning methods allowing the identification of potential targets for existing drugs. In this work, we review several chemogenomic data-driven computational algorithms with source codes publicly accessible for predicting drug-target interactions (DTIs). We organize these algorithms by model properties and model evolutionary relationships. We re-implemented five representative algorithms in R programming language, and compared these algorithms by means of mean percentile ranking, a new recall-based evaluation metric in the DTI prediction research field. We anticipate that this review will be objective and helpful to researchers who would like to further improve existing algorithms or need to choose appropriate algorithms to infer potential DTIs in the projects. The source codes for DTI predictions are available at: https://github.com/minghao2016/chemogenomicAlg4DTIpred.
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13
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Kale VP, Habib H, Chitren R, Patel M, Pramanik KC, Jonnalagadda SC, Challagundla K, Pandey MK. Old drugs, new uses: Drug repurposing in hematological malignancies. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 68:242-248. [PMID: 32151704 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Discovery and development of novel anti-cancer drugs are expensive and time consuming. Systems biology approaches have revealed that a drug being developed for a non-cancer indication can hit other targets as well, which play critical roles in cancer progression. Since drugs for non-cancer indications would have already gone through the preclinical and partial or full clinical development, repurposing such drugs for hematological malignancies would cost much less, and drastically reduce the development time, which is evident in case of thalidomide. Here, we have reviewed some of the drugs for their potential to repurpose for treating the hematological malignancies. We have also enlisted resources that can be helpful in drug repurposing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay P Kale
- Clinical and Nonclinical Research, Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Hasan Habib
- School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA
| | - Robert Chitren
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, USA
| | - Milan Patel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Kartick C Pramanik
- Department of Pharmacology, Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM), University of Pikeville, KY, USA
| | | | - Kishore Challagundla
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Manoj K Pandey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
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14
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Rocha MA, Veronezi GMB, Felisbino MB, Gatti MSV, Tamashiro WMSC, Mello MLS. Sodium valproate and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine differentially modulate DNA demethylation in G1 phase-arrested and proliferative HeLa cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18236. [PMID: 31796828 PMCID: PMC6890691 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54848-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sodium valproate/valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR), a DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) inhibitor, induce DNA demethylation in several cell types. In HeLa cells, although VPA leads to decreased DNA 5-methylcytosine (5mC) levels, the demethylation pathway involved in this effect is not fully understood. We investigated this process using flow cytometry, ELISA, immunocytochemistry, Western blotting and RT-qPCR in G1 phase-arrested and proliferative HeLa cells compared to the presumably passive demethylation promoted by 5-aza-CdR. The results revealed that VPA acts predominantly on active DNA demethylation because it induced TET2 gene and protein overexpression, decreased 5mC abundance, and increased 5-hydroxy-methylcytosine (5hmC) abundance, in both G1-arrested and proliferative cells. However, because VPA caused decreased DNMT1 gene expression levels, it may also act on the passive demethylation pathway. 5-aza-CdR attenuated DNMT1 gene expression levels but increased TET2 and 5hmC abundance in replicating cells, although it did not affect the gene expression of TETs at any stage of the cell cycle. Therefore, 5-aza-CdR may also function in the active pathway. Because VPA reduces DNA methylation levels in non-replicating HeLa cells, it could be tested as a candidate for the therapeutic reversal of DNA methylation in cells in which cell division is arrested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Amorim Rocha
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Giovana Maria Breda Veronezi
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Marina Barreto Felisbino
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Silvia Viccari Gatti
- Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Wirla M S C Tamashiro
- Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Luiza Silveira Mello
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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15
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Fila M, Chojnacki C, Chojnacki J, Blasiak J. Is an "Epigenetic Diet" for Migraines Justified? The Case of Folate and DNA Methylation. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11112763. [PMID: 31739474 PMCID: PMC6893742 DOI: 10.3390/nu11112763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Migraines are a common disease with limited treatment options and some dietary factors are recognized to trigger headaches. Although migraine pathogenesis is not completely known, aberrant DNA methylation has been reported to be associated with its occurrence. Folate, an essential micronutrient involved in one-carbon metabolism and DNA methylation, was shown to have beneficial effects on migraines. Moreover, the variability of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene, important in both folate metabolism and migraine pathogenesis, modulates the beneficial effects of folate for migraines. Therefore, migraine could be targeted by a folate-rich, DNA methylation-directed diet, but there are no data showing that beneficial effects of folate consumption result from its epigenetic action. Furthermore, contrary to epigenetic drugs, epigenetic diets contain many compounds, some yet unidentified, with poorly known or completely unknown potential to interfere with the epigenetic action of the main dietary components. The application of epigenetic diets for migraines and other diseases requires its personalization to the epigenetic profile of a patient, which is largely unknown. Results obtained so far do not warrant the recommendation of any epigenetic diet as effective in migraine prevention and therapy. Further studies including a folate-rich diet fortified with valproic acid, another modifier of epigenetic profile effective in migraine prophylaxis, may help to clarify this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Fila
- Department of Neurology, Polish Mother Memorial Hospital, Research Institute, 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Cezary Chojnacki
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland; (C.C.); (J.C.)
| | - Jan Chojnacki
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland; (C.C.); (J.C.)
| | - Janusz Blasiak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-426-354-334
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16
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Exploring the Drug Repurposing Versatility of Valproic Acid as a Multifunctional Regulator of Innate and Adaptive Immune Cells. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:9678098. [PMID: 31001564 PMCID: PMC6437734 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9678098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is widely recognized for its use in the control of epilepsy and other neurological disorders in the past 50 years. Recent evidence has shown the potential of VPA in the control of certain cancers, owed in part to its role in modulating epigenetic changes through the inhibition of histone deacetylases, affecting the expression of genes involved in the cell cycle, differentiation, and apoptosis. The direct impact of VPA in cells of the immune system has only been explored recently. In this review, we discuss the effects of VPA in the suppression of some activation mechanisms in several immune cells that lead to an anti-inflammatory response. As expected, immune cells are not exempt from the effect of VPA, as it also affects the expression of genes of the cell cycle and apoptosis through epigenetic modifications. In addition to inhibiting histone deacetylases, VPA promotes RNA interference, activates histone methyltransferases, or represses the activation of transcription factors. However, during the infectious process, the effectiveness of VPA is subject to the biological nature of the pathogen and the associated immune response; this is because VPA can promote the control or the progression of the infection. Due to its various effects, VPA is a promising alternative for the control of autoimmune diseases and hypersensitivity and needs to be further explored.
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17
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Combination treatment of acute myeloid leukemia cells with DNMT and HDAC inhibitors: predominant synergistic gene downregulation associated with gene body demethylation. Leukemia 2018; 33:945-956. [PMID: 30470836 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-018-0293-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) approved for older AML patients are clinically tested in combination with histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi). The mechanism of action of these drugs is still under debate. In colon cancer cells, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC) can downregulate oncogenes and metabolic genes by reversing gene body DNA methylation, thus implicating gene body methylation as a novel drug target. We asked whether DAC-induced gene body demethylation in AML cells is also associated with gene repression, and whether the latter is enhanced by HDACi.Transcriptome analyses revealed that a combined treatment with DAC and the HDACi panobinostat or valproic acid affected significantly more transcripts than the sum of the genes regulated by either treatment alone, demonstrating a quantitative synergistic effect on genome-wide expression in U937 cells. This effect was particularly striking for downregulated genes. Integrative methylome and transcriptome analyses showed that a massive downregulation of genes, including oncogenes (e.g., MYC) and epigenetic modifiers (e.g., KDM2B, SUV39H1) often overexpressed in cancer, was associated predominantly with gene body DNA demethylation and changes in acH3K9/27. These findings have implications for the mechanism of action of combined epigenetic treatments, and for a better understanding of responses in trials where this approach is clinically tested.
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18
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Wolters JEJ, van Breda SGJ, Grossmann J, Fortes C, Caiment F, Kleinjans JCS. Integrated 'omics analysis reveals new drug-induced mitochondrial perturbations in human hepatocytes. Toxicol Lett 2018; 289:1-13. [PMID: 29501571 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We performed a multiple 'omics study by integrating data on epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic perturbations associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in primary human hepatocytes caused by the liver toxicant valproic acid (VPA), to deeper understand downstream events following epigenetic alterations in the mitochondrial genome. Furthermore, we investigated persistence of cross-omics changes after terminating drug treatment. Upon transient methylation changes of mitochondrial genes during VPA-treatment, increasing complexities of gene-interaction networks across time were demonstrated, which normalized during washout. Furthermore, co-expression between genes and their corresponding proteins increased across time. Additionally, in relation to persistently decreased ATP production, we observed decreased expression of mitochondrial complex I and III-V genes. Persistent transcripts and proteins were related to citric acid cycle and β-oxidation. In particular, we identified a potential novel mitochondrial-nuclear signaling axis, MT-CO2-FN1-MYC-CPT1. In summary, this cross-omics study revealed dynamic responses of the mitochondrial epigenome to an impulse toxicant challenge resulting in persistent mitochondrial dysfunctioning. Moreover, this approach allowed for discriminating between the toxic effect of VPA and adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarno E J Wolters
- Department of Toxicogenomics, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Simone G J van Breda
- Department of Toxicogenomics, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jonas Grossmann
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, Functional Genomics Center Zurich, University Zurich/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Claudia Fortes
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, Functional Genomics Center Zurich, University Zurich/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Florian Caiment
- Department of Toxicogenomics, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jos C S Kleinjans
- Department of Toxicogenomics, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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19
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Rationale for combination of therapeutic antibodies targeting tumor cells and immune checkpoint receptors: Harnessing innate and adaptive immunity through IgG1 isotype immune effector stimulation. Cancer Treat Rev 2017; 63:48-60. [PMID: 29223828 PMCID: PMC7505164 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 antibodies stimulate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Cetuximab, an IgG1 isotype monoclonal antibody, is a standard-of-care treatment for locally advanced and recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Here we review evidence regarding the clinical relevance of cetuximab-mediated ADCC and other immune functions and provide a biological rationale concerning why this property positions cetuximab as an ideal partner for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and other emerging immunotherapies. We performed a nonsystematic review of available preclinical and clinical data involving cetuximab-mediated immune activity and combination approaches of cetuximab with other immunotherapies, including ICIs, in SCCHN and CRC. Indeed, cetuximab mediates ADCC activity in the intratumoral space and primes adaptive and innate cellular immunity. However, counterregulatory mechanisms may lead to immunosuppressive feedback loops. Accordingly, there is a strong rationale for combining ICIs with cetuximab for the treatment of advanced tumors, as targeting CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 can ostensibly overcome these immunosuppressive counter-mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, combining ICIs (or other immunotherapies) with cetuximab is a promising strategy for boosting immune response and enhancing response rates and durability of response. Cetuximab immune activity–including, but not limited to, ADCC–provides a strong rationale for its combination with ICIs or other immunotherapies to synergistically and fully mobilize the adaptive and innate immunity against tumor cells. Ongoing prospective studies will evaluate the clinical effect of these combination regimens and their immune effect in CRC and SCCHN and in other indications.
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20
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Impact of Natural Compounds on DNA Methylation Levels of the Tumor Suppressor Gene RASSF1A in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18102160. [PMID: 29039788 PMCID: PMC5666841 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18102160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) is a fundamental event in the pathogenesis of human cancer. This silencing is accomplished by aberrant chromatin modifications including DNA hypermethylation of the gene promoter. One of the most frequently hypermethylated TSG in human cancer is the Ras Association Domain Family 1A (RASSF1A) gene. Aberrant methylation of RASSF1A has been reported in melanoma, sarcoma and carcinoma of different tissues. RASSF1A hypermethylation has been correlated with tumor progression and poor prognosis. Reactivation of epigenetically silenced TSG has been suggested as a therapy in cancer treatment. In particular, natural compounds isolated from herbal extracts have been tested for their capacity to induce RASSF1A in cancer cells, through demethylation. Here, we review the treatment of cancer cells with natural supplements (e.g., methyl donors, vitamins and polyphenols) that have been utilized to revert or prevent the epigenetic silencing of RASSF1A. Moreover, we specify pathways that were involved in RASSF1A reactivation. Several of these compounds (e.g., reseveratol and curcumin) act by inhibiting the activity or expression of DNA methyltransferases and reactive RASSF1A in cancer. Thus natural compounds could serve as important agents in tumor prevention or cancer therapy. However, the exact epigenetic reactivation mechanism is still under investigation.
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21
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Raudenska M, Krejcova L, Richtera L, Heger Z, Hrabeta J, Eckschlager T, Stiborova M, Adam V, Kratochvilova M, Masarik M, Gumulec J. VPA does not enhance platinum binding to DNA in cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma cancer cells. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317711656. [PMID: 28945187 DOI: 10.1177/1010428317711656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma represents a malignancy of the sympathetic nervous system characteristic by biological heterogeneity. Thus, chemotherapy exhibits only low effectivity in curing high-risk forms. Previous studies revealed the cytotoxic potential of valproate on neuroblastoma cells. Nevertheless, these studies omitted effects of hypoxia, despite its undeniable tumorigenic role. In this study, we addressed the question whether valproate promotes binding of platinum-based anti-cancer drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin) to DNA and role of hypoxia, cellular antioxidant capacity and cisplatin resistance in this process. Following parameters differed significantly when cells were exposed to treatment with platinum-based drugs: elevation of platinum content bound to DNA, elevation of total thiol content, GSH/GSSG ratio, glutathione reductase and peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and elevation of antioxidant capacity. Hypoxia caused a decrease in cytosine/adenine peak, and no changes in platinum-DNA binding properties were observed. After valproate co-treatment, oxidative stress-related parameters and cytosine/adenine peak were only elevated. The amount of platinum bound to DNA was not changed significantly. Valproate is not able to enhance platinum binding to DNA in neuroblastoma cells, neither in case of intrinsic resistance (UKF-NB-4) nor in case of acquired resistance (UKF-NB-4CDDP). Therefore, another mechanism different from increase in platinum binding to DNA should be considered as a synergistic effect of valproate by cisplatin treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Raudenska
- 1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,2 Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ludmila Krejcova
- 2 Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic.,3 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Richtera
- 2 Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic.,3 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Heger
- 2 Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic.,3 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Hrabeta
- 4 Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Eckschlager
- 4 Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Stiborova
- 5 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Adam
- 2 Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic.,3 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Kratochvilova
- 1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,2 Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Masarik
- 1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,2 Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaromir Gumulec
- 1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,2 Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
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22
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Sargolzaei J, Rabbani-Chadegani A, Mollaei H, Deezagi A. Spectroscopic analysis of the interaction of valproic acid with histone H1 in solution and in chromatin structure. Int J Biol Macromol 2017; 99:427-432. [PMID: 28263810 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.02.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Histone H1 is a basic chromosomal protein which links adjacent nucleosomes in chromatin structure. Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, is widely used as an antiepileptic drug for the treatment of various cancers. In this study the interaction between VPA and histone H1, chromatin and DNA in solution was investigated employing spectroscopic techniques. The results showed that VPA binds cooperatively to histone H1 and chromatin but exhibited very weak interaction with DNA. The association constants demonstrated higher affinity of VPA to H1 compared to chromatin. Fluorescence emission intensity was reduced by quenching value (Ksv) of 2.3 and 0.83 for H1 and chromatin respectively. VPA also altered ellipticity of chromatin and H1 at 220nm indicating increase in α-helix content of H1/chromatin proteins suggesting that the protein moiety of chromatin is the site of VPA action. Moreover, thermal denaturation revealed hypochromicity in chromatin Tm profiles with small shift in Tm values without any significant change in DNA pattern. It is concluded that VPA, apart from histone deacetylase inhibition activity, binds strongly to histone H1 in chromatin structure, demonstrating that VPA may also exert its anticancer activity by influencing chromatin proteins which opens new insight into the mechanism of VPA action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Sargolzaei
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azra Rabbani-Chadegani
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hossein Mollaei
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolkhalegh Deezagi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biochemistry, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
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23
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Jeanne A, Martiny L, Dedieu S. Thrombospondin-targeting TAX2 peptide impairs tumor growth in preclinical mouse models of childhood neuroblastoma. Pediatr Res 2017; 81:480-488. [PMID: 27842053 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2016.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have previously identified TAX2 peptide as an orthosteric antagonist for thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) interaction with the cell-surface receptor CD47. TAX2 displays exciting antiangiogenic, antitumor, and antimetastatic properties in both allograft and xenograft models of melanoma as well as pancreatic carcinoma. Here, TAX2 therapeutic potential was investigated in two distinct preclinical mouse models of neuroblastoma. METHODS SK-N-BE(2) (MYCN-amplified) and SK-N-SH (MYCN-negative) human neuroblastoma cells have been implanted in outbred NMRI nude mice prior to systemic administrations of TAX2, and then tumor growth as well as intratumoral blood flow were longitudinally monitored. At study termination, subcutaneous xenografts were macroscopically and histopathologically examined. RESULTS In both models, TAX2 induced a significant inhibition of tumor burden in mice engrafted with large pre-established neuroblastoma tumors. Indeed, TAX2 administered at biologically relevant doses sharply alters xenograft vascularization as well as multiple features of tumor progression. CONCLUSION Altogether, our results present TAX2 peptide specifically targeting TSP-1:CD47 interaction as a new putative therapeutic approach for treating neuroblastoma, whether utilized alone or in combination with existing chemotherapy drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albin Jeanne
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, UFR Sciences Exactes et Naturelles, Reims, France.,CNRS UMR 7369, Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, MEDyC, Reims, France.,SATT Nord, Lille, France
| | - Laurent Martiny
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, UFR Sciences Exactes et Naturelles, Reims, France.,CNRS UMR 7369, Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, MEDyC, Reims, France
| | - Stéphane Dedieu
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, UFR Sciences Exactes et Naturelles, Reims, France.,CNRS UMR 7369, Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, MEDyC, Reims, France
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24
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Veronezi GMB, Felisbino MB, Gatti MSV, Mello MLS, Vidal BDC. DNA Methylation Changes in Valproic Acid-Treated HeLa Cells as Assessed by Image Analysis, Immunofluorescence and Vibrational Microspectroscopy. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170740. [PMID: 28114349 PMCID: PMC5256918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA), a well-known histone deacetylase inhibitor, has been reported to affect the DNA methylation status in addition to inducing histone hyperacetylation in several cell types. In HeLa cells, VPA promotes histone acetylation and chromatin remodeling. However, DNA demethylation was not checked in this cell model for standing effects longer than those provided by histone acetylation, which is a rapid and transient phenomenon. Demonstration of VPA-induced DNA demethylation in HeLa cells would contribute to understanding the effect of VPA on an aggressive tumor cell line. In the present work, DNA demethylation in VPA-treated HeLa cells was assessed by image analysis of chromatin texture, the abundance of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) immunofluorescence signals and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy centered on spectral regions related to the vibration of–CH3 groups. Image analysis indicated that increased chromatin unpacking promoted by a 4-h-treatment with 1.0 mM VPA persisted for 24 h in the absence of the drug, suggesting the occurrence of DNA demethylation that was confirmed by decreased 5mC immunofluorescence signals. FT-IR spectra of DNA samples from 1 mM or 20 mM VPA-treated cells subjected to a peak fitting analysis of the spectral window for–CH3 stretching vibrations showed decreased vibrations and energy of these groups as a function of the decreased abundance of 5mC induced by increased VPA concentrations. Only the 20 mM-VPA treatment caused an increase in the ratio of -CH3 bending vibrations evaluated at 1375 cm-1 in relation to in-plane vibrations of overall cytosines evaluated at 1492 cm-1. CH3 stretching vibrations showed to be more sensitive than–CH3 bending vibrations, as detected with FT-IR microspectroscopy, for studies aiming to associate vibrational spectroscopy and changes in DNA 5mC abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovana M. B. Veronezi
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology and, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Barreto Felisbino
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology and, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Sílvia V. Gatti
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Bioagents, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Luiza S. Mello
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology and, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Benedicto de Campos Vidal
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology and, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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Hao M, Bryant SH, Wang Y. Predicting drug-target interactions by dual-network integrated logistic matrix factorization. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40376. [PMID: 28079135 PMCID: PMC5227688 DOI: 10.1038/srep40376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we propose a dual-network integrated logistic matrix factorization (DNILMF) algorithm to predict potential drug-target interactions (DTI). The prediction procedure consists of four steps: (1) inferring new drug/target profiles and constructing profile kernel matrix; (2) diffusing drug profile kernel matrix with drug structure kernel matrix; (3) diffusing target profile kernel matrix with target sequence kernel matrix; and (4) building DNILMF model and smoothing new drug/target predictions based on their neighbors. We compare our algorithm with the state-of-the-art method based on the benchmark dataset. Results indicate that the DNILMF algorithm outperforms the previously reported approaches in terms of AUPR (area under precision-recall curve) and AUC (area under curve of receiver operating characteristic) based on the 5 trials of 10-fold cross-validation. We conclude that the performance improvement depends on not only the proposed objective function, but also the used nonlinear diffusion technique which is important but under studied in the DTI prediction field. In addition, we also compile a new DTI dataset for increasing the diversity of currently available benchmark datasets. The top prediction results for the new dataset are confirmed by experimental studies or supported by other computational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Hao
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
| | - Stephen H Bryant
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
| | - Yanli Wang
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20894, USA
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Choi KY, Kim YK. Plasticity-augmented psychotherapy for refractory depressive and anxiety disorders. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2016; 70:134-47. [PMID: 27072378 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy have been the mainstays of treatment for depression and anxiety disorders during the last century. However, treatment response has not improved in the last few decades, with only half of all patients responding satisfactorily to typical antidepressants. To fulfill the needs of the remaining patients, new treatments with better efficacy are in demand. The addition of psychotherapy to antidepressant treatment has been shown to be superior to pharmacotherapy alone. However, the time costs of psychotherapy limit its use for clinicians and patients. Advancements in neuroscience have contributed to an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of depressive and anxiety disorders. In particular, recent advances in the field of fear conditioning have provided valuable insight into the treatment of refractory depressive and anxiety disorders. In this review, we studied the reconsolidation-updating paradigm and the concept of epigenetic modification, which has been shown to permanently attenuate remote fear memory. This has implications for drug-augmented, e.g. antidepressant and valproic acid, psychotherapy. Future research on more sophisticated psychotherapy techniques will increase the desirability of this treatment modality for both clinicians and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang-Yeon Choi
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Ku Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Patties I, Kortmann RD, Menzel F, Glasow A. Enhanced inhibition of clonogenic survival of human medulloblastoma cells by multimodal treatment with ionizing irradiation, epigenetic modifiers, and differentiation-inducing drugs. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2016; 35:94. [PMID: 27317342 PMCID: PMC4912728 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-016-0376-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric brain tumor. Current treatment regimes consisting of primary surgery followed by radio- and chemotherapy, achieve 5-year overall survival rates of only about 60 %. Therapy-induced endocrine and neurocognitive deficits are common late adverse effects. Thus, improved antitumor strategies are urgently needed. In this study, we combined irradiation (IR) together with epigenetic modifiers and differentiation inducers in a multimodal approach to enhance the efficiency of tumor therapy in MB and also assessed possible late adverse effects on neurogenesis. Methods In three human MB cell lines (DAOY, MEB-Med8a, D283-Med) short-time survival (trypan blue exclusion assay), apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle distribution, formation of gH2AX foci, and long-term reproductive survival (clonogenic assay) were analyzed after treatment with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-azadC), valproic acid (VPA), suberanilohydroxamic acid (SAHA), abacavir (ABC), all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and resveratrol (RES) alone or combined with 5-aza-dC and/or IR. Effects of combinatorial treatments on neurogenesis were evaluated in cultured murine hippocampal slices from transgenic nestin-CFPnuc C57BL/J6 mice. Life imaging of nestin-positive neural stem cells was conducted at distinct time points for up to 28 days after treatment start. Results All tested drugs showed a radiosynergistic action on overall clonogenic survival at least in two-outof-three MB cell lines. This effect was pronounced in multimodal treatments combining IR, 5-aza-dC and a second drug. Hereby, ABC and RES induced the strongest reduction of clongenic survival in all three MB cell lines and led to the induction of apoptosis (RES, ABC) and/or autophagy (ABC). Additionally, 5-aza-dC, RES, and ABC increased the S phase cell fraction and induced the formation of gH2AX foci at least in oneout-of-three cell lines. Thereby, the multimodal treatment with 5-aza-dC, IR, and RES or ABC did not change the number of normal neural progenitor cells in murine slice cultures. Conclusion In conclusion, the radiosensitizing capacities of epigenetic and differentiation-inducing drugs presented here suggest that their adjuvant administration might improve MB therapy. Thereby, the combination of 5-aza-dC/IR with ABC and RES seemed to be the most promising to enhance tumor control without affecting the normal neural precursor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Patties
- Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Leipzig, Stephanstraße 9a, Leipzig, 04103, Germany.
| | - Rolf-Dieter Kortmann
- Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Leipzig, Stephanstraße 9a, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Franziska Menzel
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 13, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Annegret Glasow
- Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Leipzig, Stephanstraße 9a, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
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Trejbalová K, Kovářová D, Blažková J, Machala L, Jilich D, Weber J, Kučerová D, Vencálek O, Hirsch I, Hejnar J. Development of 5' LTR DNA methylation of latent HIV-1 provirus in cell line models and in long-term-infected individuals. Clin Epigenetics 2016; 8:19. [PMID: 26900410 PMCID: PMC4759744 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-016-0185-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) latency represents the major barrier to virus eradication in infected individuals because cells harboring latent HIV-1 provirus are not affected by current antiretroviral therapy (ART). We previously demonstrated that DNA methylation of HIV-1 long terminal repeat (5' LTR) restricts HIV-1 reactivation and, together with chromatin conformation, represents an important mechanism of HIV-1 latency maintenance. Here, we explored the new issue of temporal development of DNA methylation in latent HIV-1 5' LTR. RESULTS In the Jurkat CD4(+) T cell model of latency, we showed that the stimulation of host cells contributed to de novo DNA methylation of the latent HIV-1 5' LTR sequences. Consecutive stimulations of model CD4(+) T cell line with TNF-α and PMA or with SAHA contributed to the progressive accumulation of 5' LTR DNA methylation. Further, we showed that once established, the high DNA methylation level of the latent 5' LTR in the cell line model was a stable epigenetic mark. Finally, we explored the development of 5' LTR DNA methylation in the latent reservoir of HIV-1-infected individuals who were treated with ART. We detected low levels of 5' LTR DNA methylation in the resting CD4(+) T cells of the group of patients who were treated for up to 3 years. However, after long-term ART, we observed an accumulation of 5' LTR DNA methylation in the latent reservoir. Importantly, within the latent reservoir of some long-term-treated individuals, we uncovered populations of proviral molecules with a high density of 5' LTR CpG methylation. CONCLUSIONS Our data showed the presence of 5' LTR DNA methylation in the long-term reservoir of HIV-1-infected individuals and implied that the transient stimulation of cells harboring latent proviruses may contribute, at least in part, to the methylation of the HIV-1 promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Trejbalová
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Denisa Kovářová
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Blažková
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Machala
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Hospital Na Bulovce in Prague, Budínova 67/2, CZ-18081 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - David Jilich
- Department of Infectious, Tropical and Parasitic Diseases, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Hospital Na Bulovce, Budínova 67/ 2, CZ-18081 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Weber
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, CZ-16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Dana Kučerová
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Vencálek
- Department of Mathematical Analysis and Applications of Mathematics, Faculty of Science of the Palacky University in Olomouc, Olomouc, CZ-77146 Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Hirsch
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic ; Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, CZ-16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic ; Faculty of Science, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 5, CZ-12844 Prague 2, Czech Republic ; Inserm, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), F-13273 Marseille, France ; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, F-13009 Marseille, France ; Aix-Marseille Univ., F-13284 Marseille, France ; CNRS, UMR7258, CRCM, F-13009 Marseille, France
| | - Jiří Hejnar
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
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Backlund L, Wei YB, Martinsson L, Melas PA, Liu JJ, Mu N, Östenson CG, Ekström TJ, Schalling M, Lavebratt C. Mood Stabilizers and the Influence on Global Leukocyte DNA Methylation in Bipolar Disorder. MOLECULAR NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2015; 1:76-81. [PMID: 27602359 DOI: 10.1159/000430867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the relationship between treatments for bipolar disorder (BD), their therapeutic responses and the DNA methylation status. We investigated whether global DNA methylation levels differ between healthy controls and bipolar patients under different treatments. Global DNA methylation was measured in leukocyte DNA from bipolar patients under lithium monotherapy (n = 29) or combination therapy (n = 32) and from healthy controls (n = 26). Lithium response was assessed using the Alda scale. Lithium in monotherapy was associated with hypomethylation (F = 4.63, p = 0.036). Lithium + valproate showed a hypermethylated pattern compared to lithium alone (F = 7.27, p = 0.011). Lithium response was not associated with DNA methylation levels. These data suggest that the choice of treatment in BD may lead to different levels of global DNA methylation. However, further research is needed to understand its clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Backlund
- Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Psychiatric Research and Education, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ya Bin Wei
- Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lina Martinsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philippe A Melas
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jia Jia Liu
- Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; School of Nursing, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ninni Mu
- Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Claes-Göran Östenson
- Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas J Ekström
- Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Schalling
- Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Catharina Lavebratt
- Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Wei Y, Melas PA, Wegener G, Mathé AA, Lavebratt C. Antidepressant-like effect of sodium butyrate is associated with an increase in TET1 and in 5-hydroxymethylation levels in the Bdnf gene. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 18:pyu032. [PMID: 25618518 PMCID: PMC4368891 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyu032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic drugs like sodium butyrate (NaB) show antidepressant-like effects in preclinical studies, but the exact molecular mechanisms of the antidepressant effects remain unknown. While research using NaB has mainly focused on its role as a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), there is also evidence that NaB affects DNA methylation. METHODS The purpose of this study was to examine NaB's putative antidepressant-like efficacy in relation to DNA methylation changes in the prefrontal cortex of an established genetic rat model of depression (the Flinders Sensitive Line [FSL]) and its controls (the Flinders Resistant Line). RESULTS The FSL rats had lower levels of ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase 1 (TET1), which catalyzes the conversion of DNA methylation to hydroxymethylation. As indicated by the behavioral despair test, chronic administration of NaB had antidepressant-like effects in the FSL and was accompanied by increased levels of TET1. The TET1 upregulation was also associated with an increase of hydroxymethylation and a decrease of methylation in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf), a gene associated with neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. These epigenetic changes were associated with a corresponding BDNF overexpression. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the antidepressant efficacy of HDACis and suggest that their epigenetic effects may also include DNA methylation changes that are mediated by demethylation-facilitating enzymes like TET1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yabin Wei
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Neurogenetics Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Drs Wei, Melas, and Lavebratt); Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Drs Wei, Melas, and Lavebratt); Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Dr Wegener); Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa (Dr Wegener); and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section for Psychiatry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Dr Mathé)
| | - Philippe A Melas
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Neurogenetics Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Drs Wei, Melas, and Lavebratt); Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Drs Wei, Melas, and Lavebratt); Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Dr Wegener); Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa (Dr Wegener); and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section for Psychiatry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Dr Mathé)
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Neurogenetics Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Drs Wei, Melas, and Lavebratt); Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Drs Wei, Melas, and Lavebratt); Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Dr Wegener); Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa (Dr Wegener); and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section for Psychiatry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Dr Mathé)
| | - Aleksander A Mathé
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Neurogenetics Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Drs Wei, Melas, and Lavebratt); Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Drs Wei, Melas, and Lavebratt); Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Dr Wegener); Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa (Dr Wegener); and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section for Psychiatry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Dr Mathé)
| | - Catharina Lavebratt
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Neurogenetics Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Drs Wei, Melas, and Lavebratt); Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Drs Wei, Melas, and Lavebratt); Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (Dr Wegener); Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa (Dr Wegener); and Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Section for Psychiatry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (Dr Mathé)
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Sitarz KS, Elliott HR, Karaman BS, Relton C, Chinnery PF, Horvath R. Valproic acid triggers increased mitochondrial biogenesis in POLG-deficient fibroblasts. Mol Genet Metab 2014; 112:57-63. [PMID: 24725338 PMCID: PMC4013927 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2014.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Revised: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used antiepileptic drug and also prescribed to treat migraine, chronic headache and bipolar disorder. Although it is usually well tolerated, a severe hepatotoxic reaction has been repeatedly reported after VPA administration. A profound toxic reaction on administration of VPA has been observed in several patients carrying POLG mutations, and heterozygous genetic variation in POLG has been strongly associated with VPA-induced liver toxicity. Here we studied the effect of VPA in fibroblasts of five patients carrying pathogenic mutations in the POLG gene. VPA administration caused a significant increase in the expression of POLG and several regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis. It was further supported by elevated mtDNA copy numbers. The effect of VPA on mitochondrial biogenesis was observed in both control and patient cell lines, but the capacity of mutant POLG to increase the expression of mitochondrial genes and to increase mtDNA copy numbers was less effective. No evidence of substantive differences in DNA methylation across the genome was observed between POLG mutated patients and controls. Given the marked perturbation of gene expression observed in the cell lines studied, we conclude that altered DNA methylation is unlikely to make a major contribution to POLG-mediated VPA toxicity. Our data provide experimental evidence that VPA triggers increased mitochondrial biogenesis by altering the expression of several mitochondrial genes; however, the capacity of POLG-deficient liver cells to address the increased metabolic rate caused by VPA administration is significantly impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil S Sitarz
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ UK
| | - Hannah R Elliott
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ UK; MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Oakfield House, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Betül S Karaman
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ UK; Nijmegen Center for Mitochondrial Disorders, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline Relton
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ UK; MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Oakfield House, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Patrick F Chinnery
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ UK
| | - Rita Horvath
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ UK.
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Histone-lysine methyltransferase EHMT2 is involved in proliferation, apoptosis, cell invasion, and DNA methylation of human neuroblastoma cells. Anticancer Drugs 2013; 24:484-93. [PMID: 23466651 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0b013e32835ffdbb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood neoplasm arising from neural crest cells, is characterized by a diversity of clinical behaviors ranging from spontaneous remission to rapid tumor progression and death. In addition to genetic abnormalities, recent studies have indicated that epigenetic aberrations also contribute toward NB pathogenesis. However, the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of NB are largely unknown. Inhibition of euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2) was evaluated through the measurement of H3K9Me2 levels. Cell proliferation was examined by cell counting in human NB cell lines (LA1-55n, IMR-5, and NMB). The RNA expression of EHMT2, MYCN, and p21 was measured by real-time PCR. The expression of PCNA, MYCN, p53, cyclinD1, H3, H3K27M2, and H3K9Me2 was examined by western blot analysis. In-vitro invasion and the effects of the EHMT2 inhibitor (BIX-01294) were assessed in the Transwell chamber assay. Caspase 3 and 8 activities were measured using a Caspase-Glo assay kit. The level of overall DNA methylation was measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. BIX-01294, a specific inhibitor of EHMT2 (a key enzyme for histone H3 dimethylation at lysine-9), specifically decreases the overall H3K9Me2 level but not H3K27Me2. The inhibition of EHMT2 decreased the proliferation of NB cells and induced apoptosis by increasing caspase 8/caspase 3 activity. BIX-01294 inhibited NB cell mobility and invasion. This was accompanied by a decreased expression of the MYCN oncogene. Inhibition of EHMT2 enhanced a doxorubicin-induced inhibitory effect on cell proliferation. Finally, EHMT2 inhibition modulated overall DNA methylation levels in NB cells. Our results show that histone-lysine methylation is involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell invasion, and overall DNA methylation in human NB cells. Further understanding of this mechanism may provide an insight into the pathogenesis of NB progression and lead to novel treatment strategies.
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Di Renzo F, Giavini E, Menegola E. Methionine Pretreatment Enhances the Effects of Valproate on Axial Development in a CD1 Mouse Model. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 98:328-33. [DOI: 10.1002/bdrb.21069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Di Renzo
- Department of Biosciences; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milan; Italy
| | - Erminio Giavini
- Department of Biosciences; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milan; Italy
| | - Elena Menegola
- Department of Biosciences; Università degli Studi di Milano; Milan; Italy
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Gupta SC, Sung B, Prasad S, Webb LJ, Aggarwal BB. Cancer drug discovery by repurposing: teaching new tricks to old dogs. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2013; 34:508-17. [PMID: 23928289 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2013.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Progressively increasing failure rates, high cost, poor bioavailability, poor safety, limited efficacy, and a lengthy design and testing process associated with cancer drug development have necessitated alternative approaches to drug discovery. Exploring established non-cancer drugs for anticancer activity provides an opportunity rapidly to advance therapeutic strategies into clinical trials. The impetus for development of cancer therapeutics from non-cancer drugs stems from the fact that different diseases share common molecular pathways and targets in the cell. Common molecular origins of diverse diseases have been discovered through advancements in genomics, proteomics, and informatics technologies, as well as through the development of analytical tools that allow researchers simultaneously to screen large numbers of existing drugs against a particular disease target. Thus, drugs originally identified as antitussive, sedative, analgesic, antipyretic, antiarthritic, anesthetic, antidiabetic, muscle relaxant, immunosuppressant, antibiotic, antiepileptic, cardioprotective, antihypertensive, erectile function enhancing, or angina relieving are being repurposed for cancer. This review describes the repurposing of these drugs for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subash C Gupta
- Cytokine Research Laboratory, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Yang Q, Lu Z, Ramchandran R, Longo LD, Raj JU. Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration in fetal lambs acclimatized to high-altitude long-term hypoxia: role of histone acetylation. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2012; 303:L1001-10. [PMID: 23043075 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00092.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
High-altitude long-term hypoxia (LTH) is known to induce pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation in the fetus, leading to pulmonary arterial remodeling and pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. The mechanisms underlying these conditions remain enigmatic however. We hypothesized that epigenetic alterations in fetal PASMC induced by high-altitude LTH may play an important role in modulating their proliferation during pulmonary arterial remodeling. To test this hypothesis, we have analyzed epigenetic alterations in the pulmonary vasculature of fetal lambs exposed to high-altitude LTH [pregnant ewes were kept at 3,801 m altitude from ~40 to 145 days gestation] or to sea level atmosphere. Intrapulmonary arteries were isolated, and fetal PASMC were cultured from both control and LTH fetuses. Compared with controls, in LTH fetus pulmonary arteries measurements of histone acetylation and global DNA methylation demonstrated reduced levels of global histone 4 acetylation and DNA methylation, accompanied by the loss of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. Treatment of LTH fetal PASMCs with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor trichostatin A decreased their proliferation rate, in part because of altered expression of p21 at both RNA and protein level. In PASMC of LTH fetuses, HDAC inhibition also decreased PDGF-induced cell migration and ERK1/2 activation and modulated global DNA methylation. On the basis of these observations, we propose that epigenetic alterations (reduced histone acetylation and DNA methylation) caused by chronic hypoxia leads to fetal PASMC proliferation and vessel remodeling associated with vascular proliferative disease and that this process is regulated by p21.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwei Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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