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Sharma D, Adnan D, Abdel-Reheem MK, Anafi RC, Leary DD, Bishehsari F. Circadian transcriptome of pancreatic adenocarcinoma unravels chronotherapeutic targets. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e177697. [PMID: 38716727 PMCID: PMC11141942 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.177697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal cancer characterized by a poor outcome and an increasing incidence. A significant majority (>80%) of newly diagnosed cases are deemed unresectable, leaving chemotherapy as the sole viable option, though with only moderate success. This necessitates the identification of improved therapeutic options for PDA. We hypothesized that there are temporal variations in cancer-relevant processes within PDA tumors, offering insights into the optimal timing of drug administration - a concept termed chronotherapy. In this study, we explored the presence of the circadian transcriptome in PDA using patient-derived organoids and validated these findings by comparing PDA data from The Cancer Genome Atlas with noncancerous healthy pancreas data from GTEx. Several PDA-associated pathways (cell cycle, stress response, Rho GTPase signaling) and cancer driver hub genes (EGFR and JUN) exhibited a cancer-specific rhythmic pattern intricately linked to the circadian clock. Through the integration of multiple functional measurements for rhythmic cancer driver genes, we identified top chronotherapy targets and validated key findings in molecularly divergent pancreatic cancer cell lines. Testing the chemotherapeutic efficacy of clinically relevant drugs further revealed temporal variations that correlated with drug-target cycling. Collectively, our study unravels the PDA circadian transcriptome and highlights a potential approach for optimizing chrono-chemotherapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Sharma
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Darbaz Adnan
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mostafa K. Abdel-Reheem
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ron C. Anafi
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel D. Leary
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Faraz Bishehsari
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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2
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Agrawal R, Natarajan KN. Oncogenic signaling pathways in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 159:251-283. [PMID: 37268398 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.02.006] [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: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common (∼90% cases) pancreatic neoplasm and one of the most lethal cancer among all malignances. PDAC harbor aberrant oncogenic signaling that may result from the multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations such as the mutation in driver genes (KRAS, CDKN2A, p53), genomic amplification of regulatory genes (MYC, IGF2BP2, ROIK3), deregulation of chromatin-modifying proteins (HDAC, WDR5) among others. A key event is the formation of Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PanIN) that often results from the activating mutation in KRAS. Mutated KRAS can direct a variety of signaling pathways and modulate downstream targets including MYC, which play an important role in cancer progression. In this review, we discuss recent literature shedding light on the origins of PDAC from the perspective of major oncogenic signaling pathways. We highlight how MYC directly and indirectly, with cooperation with KRAS, affect epigenetic reprogramming and metastasis. Additionally, we summarize the recent findings from single cell genomic approaches that highlight heterogeneity in PDAC and tumor microenvironment, and provide molecular avenues for PDAC treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Agrawal
- DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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3
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Beydogan AB, Coskun Yazici ZM, Bolkent S. Influences of calorie restriction and lipopolysaccharide therapy on inflammation, cytokine response, and cell proliferation in pancreatic adenocarcinoma mouse model. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2023; 37:e23250. [PMID: 36281497 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The study aimed to investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone and in combination with calorie restriction (CR) on the pancreatic tissues in C57BL/6 mice modeled with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Forty male C57BL/6 mice (10-13 weeks old) were divided into five groups; LPS, LPS + CR, PDAC, PDAC + LPS, and PDAC + LPS + CR. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κβ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) mRNA expression levels were measured in pancreatic tissues. NF-κβ, IL-6, JNK, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) peptide levels were determined by immunohistochemistry. Oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically. TH1/TH2 cytokine measurements were determined by a flow cytometer. It was detected that the number of PCNA immune + cells in the PDAC + LPS + CR group was significantly lower than in the PDAC and PDAC + LPS groups (p < 0.01, p < 0.05 respectively). PDAC + LPS + CR group's plasma interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IL-6, IL-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-3, and IL-4 levels were found to be significantly lower than the PDAC group (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05 respectively). According to our findings, the combination of low-dose LPS and 40% CR was found to be more effective in PDAC model mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa B Beydogan
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Cerrahpasa Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zeynep M Coskun Yazici
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Demiroglu Bilim University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sema Bolkent
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Cerrahpasa Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
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4
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Shi J, Yang X, Kang Q, Lu J, Denzinger M, Kornmann M, Traub B. JNK inhibitor IX restrains pancreatic cancer through p53 and p21. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1006131. [PMID: 36568248 PMCID: PMC9768178 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1006131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel treatment options for pancreatic cancer are desperately needed. De-regulated kinases can be regularly detected in pancreatic cancer. Multiple pathway inhibitors were developed to exploit these features, among them selective inhibitors of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase isoforms 1 and 2 (JNK1 and 2). We evaluated the effectiveness of four different JNK inhibitors on pancreatic cancer cell lines. Cell mobility and migration were evaluated in scratch assay and Boyden chamber assay. Mechanism of cell death was analyzed via apoptosis assays in FACS and immunoblotting as well as cell cycle analysis via FACS, and qPCR. JNK2 knockout cells were generated using siRNA transfection. Among the inhibitors, JNK inhibitor IX (JNK-in-IX), designed as specific inhibitor against JNK2 was proven highly effective in inhibiting cell growth, mobility and migration. We were able to show that JNK-in-IX caused DNA damage resulting in G2 arrest mediated through p53 and p21. Interestingly, JNK-in-IX acted independently of its primary target JNK2. In summary, JNK-in-IX was shown highly effective in pancreatic cancer. This study underlines the need for modeling systems in testing therapeutic options as JNK2 was previously not indicated as a potential target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Shi
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China,Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Xing Yang
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Qi Kang
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jian Lu
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Maximilian Denzinger
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Marko Kornmann
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Benno Traub
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany,*Correspondence: Benno Traub,
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Fang Z, Meng Q, Xu J, Wang W, Zhang B, Liu J, Liang C, Hua J, Zhao Y, Yu X, Shi S. Signaling pathways in cancer-associated fibroblasts: recent advances and future perspectives. CANCER COMMUNICATIONS (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 43:3-41. [PMID: 36424360 PMCID: PMC9859735 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
As a critical component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play important roles in cancer initiation and progression. Well-known signaling pathways, including the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Hedgehog (Hh), Notch, Wnt, Hippo, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways, as well as transcription factors, including hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1), P53, Snail, and Twist, constitute complex regulatory networks in the TME to modulate the formation, activation, heterogeneity, metabolic characteristics and malignant phenotype of CAFs. Activated CAFs remodel the TME and influence the malignant biological processes of cancer cells by altering the transcriptional and secretory characteristics, and this modulation partially depends on the regulation of signaling cascades. The results of preclinical and clinical trials indicated that therapies targeting signaling pathways in CAFs demonstrated promising efficacy but were also accompanied by some failures (e.g., NCT01130142 and NCT01064622). Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the signaling cascades in CAFs might help us better understand the roles of CAFs and the TME in cancer progression and may facilitate the development of more efficient and safer stroma-targeted cancer therapies. Here, we review recent advances in studies of signaling pathways in CAFs and briefly discuss some future perspectives on CAF research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengli Fang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Qingcai Meng
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Jie Hua
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Yingjun Zhao
- Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Institutes of Biomedical SciencesShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic SurgeryFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghai200032P. R. China,Department of OncologyShanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer InstituteShanghai200032P. R. China,Pancreatic Cancer InstituteFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
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6
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c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2 suppresses pancreatic cancer growth and invasion and is opposed by c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:73-86. [PMID: 33526844 PMCID: PMC8761571 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-020-00290-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The c-Jun N-terminal protein kinases (JNKs) JNK1 and JNK2 can act as either tumor suppressors or pro-oncogenic kinases in human cancers. The isoform-specific roles for JNK1 and JNK2 in human pancreatic cancer are still unclear, the question which should be addressed in this project. Human pancreatic cancer cell lines MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 clones were established either expressing either JNK1 or -2 shRNA in a stable manner. Basal anchorage-dependent and -independent cell growth, single-cell movement, and invasion using the Boyden chamber assay were analyzed. Xenograft growth was assessed using an orthotopic mouse model. All seven tested pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed JNKs as did human pancreatic cancer samples determined by immunohistochemistry. Pharmacological, unspecific JNK inhibition (SP600125) reduced cell growth of all cell lines but PANC-1. Especially inhibition of JNK2 resulted in overall increased oncogenic potential with increased proliferation and invasion, associated with alterations in cytoskeleton structure. Specific inhibition of JNK1 revealed opposing functions. Overall, JNK1 and JNK2 can exert different functions in human pancreatic cancer and act as counter players for tumor invasion. Specifically modulating the activity of JNKs may be of potential therapeutic interest in the future.
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Traub B, Roth A, Kornmann M, Knippschild U, Bischof J. Stress-activated kinases as therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:4963-4984. [PMID: 34497429 PMCID: PMC8384741 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i30.4963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a dismal disease with high incidence and poor survival rates. With the aim to improve overall survival of pancreatic cancer patients, new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Protein kinases are key regulatory players in basically all stages of development, maintaining physiologic functions but also being involved in pathogenic processes. c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 kinases, representatives of the mitogen-activated protein kinases, as well as the casein kinase 1 (CK1) family of protein kinases are important mediators of adequate response to cellular stress following inflammatory and metabolic stressors, DNA damage, and others. In their physiologic roles, they are responsible for the regulation of cell cycle progression, cell proliferation and differentiation, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of the underlying pathways consequently has been identified in various cancer types, including pancreatic cancer. Pharmacological targeting of those pathways has been the field of interest for several years. While success in earlier studies was limited due to lacking specificity and off-target effects, more recent improvements in small molecule inhibitor design against stress-activated protein kinases and their use in combination therapies have shown promising in vitro results. Consequently, targeting of JNK, p38, and CK1 protein kinase family members may actually be of particular interest in the field of precision medicine in patients with highly deregulated kinase pathways related to these kinases. However, further studies are warranted, especially involving in vivo investigation and clinical trials, in order to advance inhibition of stress-activated kinases to the field of translational medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benno Traub
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Aileen Roth
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Marko Kornmann
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Uwe Knippschild
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Joachim Bischof
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm 89081, Germany
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Tam SY, Law HKW. JNK in Tumor Microenvironment: Present Findings and Challenges in Clinical Translation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092196. [PMID: 34063627 PMCID: PMC8124407 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are members of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Apart from having both tumor promoting and tumor suppressing roles in cancers due to its impact on apoptosis and autophagy pathways, JNK also plays complex roles in the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME) and is involved in different tumorigenesis pathways. The JNK pathway influences various stressful and chronic inflammatory conditions along with different cell populations in TME. In this review, we aim to present the current knowledge of JNK-mediated processes in TME and the challenges in clinical translation. Abstract The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are a group of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). JNK is mainly activated under stressful conditions or by inflammatory cytokines and has multiple downstream targets for mediating cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, apoptosis, and immune responses. JNK has been demonstrated to have both tumor promoting and tumor suppressing roles in different cancers depending on the focused pathway in each study. JNK also plays complex roles in the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME). JNK is involved in different tumorigenesis pathways. TME closely relates with tumor development and consists of various stressful and chronic inflammatory conditions along with different cell populations, in which the JNK pathway may have various mediating roles. In this review, we aim to summarize the present knowledge of JNK-mediated processes in TME, including hypoxia, reactive oxygen species, inflammation, immune responses, angiogenesis, as well as the regulation of various cell populations within TME. This review also suggests future research directions for translating JNK modulation in pre-clinical findings to clinical benefits.
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Liu XD, Zhang ZW, Wu HW, Liang ZY. A new prognosis prediction model combining TNM stage with MAP2K4 and JNK in postoperative pancreatic cancer patients. Pathol Res Pract 2020; 217:153313. [PMID: 33341545 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2020.153313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MAP2K4) is a tumor suppressor in many cancers. However, its roles and action mechanisms in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain unclear. Here, we analyzed MAP2K4 and its downstream kinases (c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38) using immunohistochemical staining and their prognostic significances using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis in our PDAC cohort. Then, we validated MAP2K4/JNK/p38 mRNA levels and prognostic significances using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Finally, we evaluated the effects of MAP2K4 on the proliferation and invasion of PDAC cells. MAP2K4, JNK, and p38 proteins were expressed in 97.3 % (72/74), 95.6 % (65/68), and 88.6 % (62/70) of the samples, respectively, and their levels in tumor tissues were significantly higher than those in normal ducts. MAP2K4 protein expression was lower in male patients (p = 0.028). In our PDAC cohort, advanced TNM stage, low MAP2K4, and high JNK protein levels were significant prognostic factors for poor overall survival (OS) based on a univariate survival analysis (p = 0.006, p < 0.001, and p = 0.004, respectively). N stage and MAP2K4 and JNK protein levels were independent prognostic factors for OS based on multivariate analysis. We then built a prognosis prediction nomogram combining the standard TNM staging system with MAP2K4 and JNK expression that had a Harrell's C-index of 0.645. The new prognosis prediction model effectively stratified the resected patients with PDAC, from both our cohort and TCGA database, into low- and high-risk groups. Finally, MAP2K4 overexpression inhibited pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro. This study shows that reduced protein and mRNA levels of MAP2K4 found in PDAC patients, coupled to in vitro effects observed, support the tumor suppressor role of MAP2K4 in PDAC. Importantly, combining MAP2K4 and JNK expression with the TNM staging system results in a better prediction of postoperative survival of patients with PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ding Liu
- Research Centre for Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Wen Zhang
- Research Centre for Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Huan-Wen Wu
- Research Centre for Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Liang
- Research Centre for Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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Creeden JF, Alganem K, Imami AS, Henkel ND, Brunicardi FC, Liu SH, Shukla R, Tomar T, Naji F, McCullumsmith RE. Emerging Kinase Therapeutic Targets in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Pancreatic Cancer Desmoplasia. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228823. [PMID: 33233470 PMCID: PMC7700673 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinase drug discovery represents an active area of therapeutic research, with previous pharmaceutical success improving patient outcomes across a wide variety of human diseases. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), innovative pharmaceutical strategies such as kinase targeting have been unable to appreciably increase patient survival. This may be due, in part, to unchecked desmoplastic reactions to pancreatic tumors. Desmoplastic stroma enhances tumor development and progression while simultaneously restricting drug delivery to the tumor cells it protects. Emerging evidence indicates that many of the pathologic fibrotic processes directly or indirectly supporting desmoplasia may be driven by targetable protein tyrosine kinases such as Fyn-related kinase (FRK); B lymphoid kinase (BLK); hemopoietic cell kinase (HCK); ABL proto-oncogene 2 kinase (ABL2); discoidin domain receptor 1 kinase (DDR1); Lck/Yes-related novel kinase (LYN); ephrin receptor A8 kinase (EPHA8); FYN proto-oncogene kinase (FYN); lymphocyte cell-specific kinase (LCK); tec protein kinase (TEC). Herein, we review literature related to these kinases and posit signaling networks, mechanisms, and biochemical relationships by which this group may contribute to PDAC tumor growth and desmoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin F. Creeden
- Department of Neurosciences, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (K.A.); (A.S.I.); (N.D.H.); (R.S.); (R.E.M.)
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (F.C.B.); (S.-H.L.)
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 6038, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-419-383-6474
| | - Khaled Alganem
- Department of Neurosciences, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (K.A.); (A.S.I.); (N.D.H.); (R.S.); (R.E.M.)
| | - Ali S. Imami
- Department of Neurosciences, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (K.A.); (A.S.I.); (N.D.H.); (R.S.); (R.E.M.)
| | - Nicholas D. Henkel
- Department of Neurosciences, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (K.A.); (A.S.I.); (N.D.H.); (R.S.); (R.E.M.)
| | - F. Charles Brunicardi
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (F.C.B.); (S.-H.L.)
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 6038, USA
| | - Shi-He Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (F.C.B.); (S.-H.L.)
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 6038, USA
| | - Rammohan Shukla
- Department of Neurosciences, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (K.A.); (A.S.I.); (N.D.H.); (R.S.); (R.E.M.)
| | - Tushar Tomar
- PamGene International BV, 5200 BJ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands; (T.T.); (F.N.)
| | - Faris Naji
- PamGene International BV, 5200 BJ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands; (T.T.); (F.N.)
| | - Robert E. McCullumsmith
- Department of Neurosciences, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; (K.A.); (A.S.I.); (N.D.H.); (R.S.); (R.E.M.)
- Neurosciences Institute, ProMedica, Toledo, OH 6038, USA
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Al Matari N, Deeb G, Mshiek H, Sinjab A, Kadara H, Abou-Kheir W, Mhanna R. Anti-Tumor Effects of Biomimetic Sulfated Glycosaminoglycans on Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells in 2D and 3D In Vitro Models. Molecules 2020; 25:E2595. [PMID: 32503108 PMCID: PMC7321182 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25112595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer development relies on cell proliferation and migration, which in turn requires interaction with extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The mechanisms through which GAGs regulate cancer cell functions are not fully understood but they are, in part, mediated by controlled interactions with cytokines and growth factors (GFs). In order to mechanistically understand the effect of the degree of sulfation (DS) of GAGs on lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells, we synthesized sulfated alginate (AlgSulf) as sulfated GAG mimics with DS = 0.0, 0.8, 2.0, and 2.7. Human (H1792) and mouse (MDA-F471) LUAD cell lines were treated with AlgSulf of various DSs at two concentrations 10 and 100 µg/mL and their anti-tumor properties were assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), trypan blue exclusion, and wound healing assays for 2D models and sphere formation assay for the 3D model. The proliferation and number of live MDA-F471 cells at the concentration of 100 µg/mL decreased significantly with the increase in the DS of biomimetic GAGs. In addition, the increase in the DS of biomimetic GAGs decreased cell migration (p < 0.001 for DS = 2.0 and 2.7 compared to control) and decreased the diameter and number of spheres formed (p < 0.001). The increased DS of biomimetic GAGs attenuated the expression of cancer stem cell (CSC)/progenitor markers in the 3D cultures. In conclusion, GAG-mimetic AlgSulf with increased DS exhibit enhanced anti-proliferative and migratory properties while also reducing growth of KRAS-mutant LUAD spheres in vitro. We suggest that these anti-tumor effects by GAG-mimetic AlgSulf are possibly due to differential binding to GFs and consequential decreased cell stemness. AlgSulf may be suitable for applications in cancer therapy after further in vivo validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Al Matari
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (N.A.M.); (G.D.)
| | - George Deeb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (N.A.M.); (G.D.)
| | - Hiba Mshiek
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Ansam Sinjab
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.S.); (H.K.)
| | - Humam Kadara
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.S.); (H.K.)
| | - Wassim Abou-Kheir
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Rami Mhanna
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (N.A.M.); (G.D.)
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12
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Kobelt D, Zhang C, Clayton-Lucey IA, Glauben R, Voss C, Siegmund B, Stein U. Pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IFN-γ Promote Tumor Growth and Metastasis via Induction of MACC1. Front Immunol 2020; 11:980. [PMID: 32670264 PMCID: PMC7326113 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Early stage CRC patients have a good prognosis. If distant metastasis occurs, the 5-year survival drops below 10%. Despite treatment success over the last decades, treatment options for metastatic disease are still limited. Therefore, novel targets are needed to foster therapy of advanced stage CRC patients and hinder progression of early stage patients into metastasis. A novel target is the crucial oncogene Metastasis-Associated in Colon Cancer 1 (MACC1) involved in molecular pathogenesis of CRC metastasis. MACC1 induces cell proliferation and motility, supports cellular survival and rewires metabolism resulting in increased metastasis in vivo. MACC1 is a prognostic biomarker not only for CRC but for more than 20 solid cancer entities. Inflammation plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, tumor progression and metastasis. For CRC, inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis are important inflammation associated risk factors. Certain cytokines, such as TNF-α and IFN-γ, are key factors in determining the contribution of the inflammatory process to CRC. Knowledge of the connection between inflammation and MACC1 driven tumors remains unclear. Gene expression analysis of CRC cells after cytokine stimulation was analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Cellular motility was assessed by Boyden chamber assays. MACC1 promoter activity after stimulation with pro-inflammatory cytokines was measured using promoter-luciferase constructs. To investigate signal transduction from receptor to effector molecules, blocking experiments using neutralizing antibodies and knockdown experiments were performed. Following TNF-α stimulation, MACC1 and c-Jun expression were significantly increased at the mRNA and protein level. Knockdown of c-Jun reduced MACC1 inducibility following TNF-α stimulation. TNF-α promoted MACC1-induced cell migration that was reverted following MACC1 knockdown. Moreover, MACC1 and c-Jun expression were downregulated by blocking TNFR1, but not TNFR2. Knock down of the NF-κB subunit, p65, reduced basal MACC1 and c-Jun mRNA expression levels. Adalimumab, a clinically approved monoclonal anti-TNF-α antibody, hindered MACC1 induction. The present study highlights that TNF-α regulates the induction of MACC1 via the NF-κB subunit p65 and the transcription factor c-Jun in CRC cells. This finding unravels a novel signaling pathway upstream of MACC1 and provides a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC patients with an associated inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Kobelt
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Chenyu Zhang
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Isabelle Ailish Clayton-Lucey
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rainer Glauben
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Charité - Universitäsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cynthia Voss
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Britta Siegmund
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Charité - Universitäsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Stein
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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13
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Zubair H, Khan MA, Anand S, Srivastava SK, Singh S, Singh AP. Modulation of the tumor microenvironment by natural agents: implications for cancer prevention and therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 80:237-255. [PMID: 32470379 PMCID: PMC7688484 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of cancer is not just the growth and proliferation of a single transformed cell, but its surrounding environment also coevolves with it. Indeed, successful cancer progression depends on the ability of the tumor cells to develop a supportive tumor microenvironment consisting of various types of stromal cells. The interactions between the tumor and stromal cells are bidirectional and mediated through a variety of growth factors, cytokines, metabolites, and other biomolecules secreted by these cells. Tumor-stromal crosstalk creates optimal conditions for the tumor growth, metastasis, evasion of immune surveillance, and therapy resistance, and its targeting is being explored for clinical management of cancer. Natural agents from plants and marine life have been at the forefront of traditional medicine. Numerous epidemiological studies have reported the health benefits imparted on the consumption of certain fruits, vegetables, and their derived products. Indeed, a significant majority of anti-cancer drugs in clinical use are either naturally occurring compounds or their derivatives. In this review, we describe fundamental cellular and non-cellular components of the tumor microenvironment and discuss the significance of natural compounds in their targeting. Existing literature provides hope that novel prevention and therapeutic approaches will emerge from ongoing scientific efforts leading to the reduced tumor burden and improve clinical outcomes in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haseeb Zubair
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA; Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA
| | - Mohammad Aslam Khan
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA; Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA
| | - Shashi Anand
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA; Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA
| | - Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA; Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA
| | - Seema Singh
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA; Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA
| | - Ajay Pratap Singh
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA; Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA.
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14
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Lipner MB, Peng XL, Jin C, Xu Y, Gao Y, East MP, Rashid NU, Moffitt RA, Herrera Loeza SG, Morrison AB, Golitz BT, Vaziri C, Graves LM, Johnson GL, Yeh JJ. Irreversible JNK1-JUN inhibition by JNK-IN-8 sensitizes pancreatic cancer to 5-FU/FOLFOX chemotherapy. JCI Insight 2020; 5:129905. [PMID: 32213714 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.129905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 55,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) yearly, and fewer than 20% of these patients survive a year beyond diagnosis. Chemotherapies are considered or used in nearly every PDAC case, but there is limited understanding of the complex signaling responses underlying resistance to these common treatments. Here, we take an unbiased approach to study protein kinase network changes following chemotherapies in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of PDAC to facilitate design of rational drug combinations. Proteomics profiling following chemotherapy regimens reveals that activation of JNK-JUN signaling occurs after 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin (5-FU + LEU) and FOLFOX (5-FU + LEU plus oxaliplatin [OX]), but not after OX alone or gemcitabine. Cell and tumor growth assays with the irreversible inhibitor JNK-IN-8 and genetic manipulations demonstrate that JNK and JUN each contribute to chemoresistance and cancer cell survival after FOLFOX. Active JNK1 and JUN are specifically implicated in these effects, and synergy with JNK-IN-8 is linked to FOLFOX-mediated JUN activation, cell cycle dysregulation, and DNA damage response. This study highlights the potential for JNK-IN-8 as a biological tool and potential combination therapy with FOLFOX in PDAC and reinforces the need to tailor treatment to functional characteristics of individual tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B Lipner
- Department of Pharmacology.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | | | - Chong Jin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Biostatistics
| | - Yi Xu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Yanzhe Gao
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Pathology, and
| | - Michael P East
- Department of Pharmacology.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Naim U Rashid
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Biostatistics
| | | | | | | | | | - Cyrus Vaziri
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Pathology, and
| | - Lee M Graves
- Department of Pharmacology.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Gary L Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Jen Jen Yeh
- Department of Pharmacology.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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15
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Inhibition of LONP1 Suppresses Pancreatic Cancer Progression Via c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Pathway-Meditated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Pancreas 2019; 48:629-635. [PMID: 31091208 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000001321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the role of LONP1 in the progression of pancreatic cancer. METHODS Lentivirus was used to silence LONP1 in PANC-1 cells. Colony formation assay, cell counting kit (CCK8) assay, cell scratch-wound assay, and transwell assay were used to assess the effects of our strategy on inhibiting cancer growth, migration, and invasion. Protein expression was detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS The expression of LONP1 in pancreatic carcinoma tissues was higher than that in adjacent normal pancreatic tissues. Downregulation of LONP1 suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PANC-1 cells. Knockdown of LONP1 in PANC-1 cells inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition and matrix metalloprotein (MMP) 2/9 by downregulation of vimentin, snail, slug, MMP2, and MMP9 and upregulation of claudin-1. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway was inactivated in LONP1 knockdown PANC-1 cells. Activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway by anisomycin treatment significantly reversed the changes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers and MMP2/9 induced by ablation of LONP1 in PANC-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS LONP1 plays a vital role in the proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic cancer, which provides a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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16
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Sato T, Shibata W, Hikiba Y, Kaneta Y, Suzuki N, Ihara S, Ishii Y, Sue S, Kameta E, Sugimori M, Yamada H, Kaneko H, Sasaki T, Ishii T, Tamura T, Kondo M, Maeda S. c-Jun N-terminal kinase in pancreatic tumor stroma augments tumor development in mice. Cancer Sci 2017; 108:2156-2165. [PMID: 28837246 PMCID: PMC5666025 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Revised: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a life‐threatening disease and there is an urgent need to develop improved therapeutic approaches. The role of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) in PDAC stroma is not well defined even though dense desmoplastic reactions are characteristic of PDAC histology. We aimed to explore the role of JNK in PDAC stroma in mice. We crossed Ptf1aCre/+;KrasG12D/+ mice with JNK1−/− mice to generate Ptf1aCre/+;KrasG12D/+;JNK1−/− (Kras;JNK1−/−) mice. Tumor weight was significantly lower in Kras;JNK1−/− mice than in Kras;JNK1+/− mice, whereas histopathological features were similar. We also transplanted a murine PDAC cell line (mPC) with intact JNK1 s.c. into WT and JNK1−/− mice. Tumor diameters were significantly smaller in JNK1−/− mice. Phosphorylated JNK (p‐JNK) was activated in α‐smooth muscle actin (SMA)‐positive cells in tumor stroma, and mPC‐conditioned medium activated p‐JNK in tumor‐associated fibroblasts (TAF) in vitro. Relative expression of Ccl20 was downregulated in stimulated TAF. Ccl20 is an important chemokine that promotes CD8+ T‐cell infiltration by recruitment of dendritic cells, and the number of CD8+ T cells was decreased in Kras;JNK1+/− mice compared with Kras;JNK1−/− mice. These results suggest that the cancer secretome decreases Ccl20 secretion from TAF by activation of JNK, and downregulation of Ccl20 secretion might be correlated with reduction of infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Therefore, we concluded that inhibition of activated JNK in pancreatic tumor stroma could be a potential therapeutic target to increase Ccl20 secretion from TAF and induce accumulation of CD8+ T cells, which would be expected to enhance antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Sato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Wataru Shibata
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.,Division of Translational Research, Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yohko Hikiba
- Institute for Adult Diseases, Asahi Life Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kaneta
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Nobumi Suzuki
- Institute for Adult Diseases, Asahi Life Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sozaburo Ihara
- Institute for Adult Diseases, Asahi Life Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Ishii
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Soichiro Sue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Eri Kameta
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Makoto Sugimori
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Yamada
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Sasaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Ishii
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Toshihide Tamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masaaki Kondo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Shin Maeda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
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