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Jiang Y, Liang R, Li L, Guan J. Studies on the effect and mechanism of CD147 on melanoma stem cells. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2024; 52:71-78. [PMID: 38186196 DOI: 10.15586/aei.v52i1.1018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Melanoma stem cells (MSCs) are one of the driving forces of melanoma invasion and metastasis. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the mechanisms that maintain the stemness of MSCs. In this study, CD147-positive (CD147+) MSCs derived from A375 cell line were characterized. METHODS Side population (SP) and non-SP cells were sorted from A375 cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were conducted to determine the expression of CD147 in SP and non-SP cells. Subsequently, CD147+ and CD147-negative (CD147-) cells were isolated from SP cells. Stem cell characteristics and metastatic potential of CD147+/- antigen-presenting cells were identified by sphere-forming, wound-healing, and transwell assays. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the protein levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFβ1) and neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1 (Notch1) signaling pathway. Xenograft tumor experiments were conducted to investigate the tumorigenic capacity of CD147+ cells in vivo. RESULTS CD147 was highly expressed in SP cells of A375 cell line. CD147+ cells have stronger abilities for sphere forming, migration, and invasion in vitro. The protein levels of TGFβ1, notch1, jagged1, and Hes1 were higher in CD147+ cells than in CD147- cells. Moreover, the CD147+ cells showed stronger tumorigenic and metastatic potential in vivo. CONCLUSION SP cells of A375 cell line expressed high levels of CD147, and CD147+ SP cells possessed much stronger stem-like characteristics and motility, which is linked to the activation of TGFβ and notch pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Jiang
- Department of Wound Healing and Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Renyi Liang
- Department of Tumor Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy, Lishui City People's Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Liqun Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China;
| | - Jian Guan
- Department of Wound Healing and Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China;
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Guo M, Lian J, Liu Y, Dong B, He Q, Zhao Q, Zhang H, Qi Y, Zhang Y, Huang L. Loss of miR-637 promotes cancer cell stemness via WASH/IL-8 pathway and serves as a novel prognostic marker in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Biomark Res 2022; 10:77. [PMID: 36329557 PMCID: PMC9635169 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-022-00424-x] [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: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal carcinoma is the highly lethal cancer in the world, predominantly in some areas of East Asia. We previously reported that overexpression of cytoskeleton regulator Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein and SCAR Homolog (WASH) associates with poor prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the molecular mechanism and clinical significance involved in WASH overexpression have not been fully elucidated. METHODS Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay were used to predict and validate miR-637 as a regulator of WASH in ESCC cell lines. qRT-PCR, Western blotting and ELISA assays were performed to examine RNA expression and protein levels, respectively. Next, the biological functions of miR-637 were explored by tumor sphere formation assay in vitro and nude mouse tumor xenograft in vivo. Finally, we evaluated the association of miR-637 levels with clinical features in ESCC patients. RESULTS We identified miR-637 as a WASH-targeting miRNA. miR-637 mimic strongly attenuated the downstream IL-8 production and tumor sphere formation in esophageal cancer cells, whereas miR-637 inhibitor displayed an opposite effect. IL-8 could facilitate stem-like properties and partially rescue the phenotypes induced by miR-637 mimic. Furthermore, miR-637 inhibitor dramatically promoted IL-8 expression and cancer stemness properties in a WASH-dependent manner. Ectopic expression of miR-637 also inhibited tumor growth in a mouse model. Clinically, low expression of miR-637 was observed in tumor tissues and the low expression levels of miR-637 were correlated with poor survival of ESCC patients. In particular, plasma miR-637 could be used as a noninvasive biomarker for ESCC patients. CONCLUSIONS These results implicate the potential application of miR-637 for diagnosis and prognosis of esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxing Guo
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingyao Lian
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaqing Liu
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bo Dong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qianyi He
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qitai Zhao
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yu Qi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Lan Huang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou, China.
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WASHC1 interacts with MCM2-7 complex to promote cell survival under replication stress. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:8349-8357. [PMID: 35733063 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07650-4] [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: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND WASHC1 is a member of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) family and is involved in endosomal protein sorting and trafficking through the generation of filamentous actin (F-actin) via activation of the Arp2/3 complex. There is increasing evidence that WASHC1 is present in the nucleus and nuclear WASHC1 plays important roles in regulating gene transcription, DNA repair as well as maintaining nuclear organization. However, the multi-faceted functions of nuclear WASHC1 still need to be clarified. METHODS AND RESULTS We show here that WASHC1 interacts with several components of the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) 2-7 complex by using co-immunoprecipitation and in situ proximity ligation assay. WASHC1-depleted cells display normal DNA replication and S-phase progression. However, loss of WASHC1 sensitizes HeLa cells to DNA replication inhibitor hydroxyurea (HU) and increases chromosome instability of HeLa and 3T3 cells under condition of HU-induced replication stress. Re-expression of nuclear WASHC1 in WASHC1KO 3T3 cells rescues the deficiency of WASHC1KO cells in the chromosomal stability after HU treatment. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay indicates that WASHC1 associates with DNA replication origins, and knockdown of WASHC1 inhibits MCM protein loading at origins. CONCLUSIONS Since efficient loading of excess MCM2-7 complexes is required for cells to survive replicative stress, these results demonstrate that WASHC1 promotes cell survival and maintain chromosomal stability under replication stress through recruitment of excess MCM complex to origins.
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Sun J, Zhong X, Fu X, Miller H, Lee P, Yu B, Liu C. The Actin Regulators Involved in the Function and Related Diseases of Lymphocytes. Front Immunol 2022; 13:799309. [PMID: 35371070 PMCID: PMC8965893 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.799309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Actin is an important cytoskeletal protein involved in signal transduction, cell structure and motility. Actin regulators include actin-monomer-binding proteins, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) family of proteins, nucleation proteins, actin filament polymerases and severing proteins. This group of proteins regulate the dynamic changes in actin assembly/disassembly, thus playing an important role in cell motility, intracellular transport, cell division and other basic cellular activities. Lymphocytes are important components of the human immune system, consisting of T-lymphocytes (T cells), B-lymphocytes (B cells) and natural killer cells (NK cells). Lymphocytes are indispensable for both innate and adaptive immunity and cannot function normally without various actin regulators. In this review, we first briefly introduce the structure and fundamental functions of a variety of well-known and newly discovered actin regulators, then we highlight the role of actin regulators in T cell, B cell and NK cell, and finally provide a landscape of various diseases associated with them. This review provides new directions in exploring actin regulators and promotes more precise and effective treatments for related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxuan Sun
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xingyu Zhong
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Fu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Heather Miller
- Cytek Biosciences, R&D Clinical Reagents, Fremont, CA, United States
| | - Pamela Lee
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bing Yu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chaohong Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Xiong X, Liao X, Qiu S, Xu H, Zhang S, Wang S, Ai J, Yang L. CXCL8 in Tumor Biology and Its Implications for Clinical Translation. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:723846. [PMID: 35372515 PMCID: PMC8965068 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.723846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The chemokine CXCL8 has been found to play an important role in tumor progression in recent years. CXCL8 activates multiple intracellular signaling pathways by binding to its receptors (CXCR1/2), and plays dual pro-tumorigenic roles in the tumor microenvironment (TME) including directly promoting tumor survival and affecting components of TME to indirectly facilitate tumor progression, which include facilitating tumor cell proliferation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), pro-angiogenesis, and inhibit anti-tumor immunity. More recently, clinical trials indicate that CXCL8 can act as an independently predictive biomarker in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitions (ICIs) therapy. Preclinical studies also suggest that combined CXCL8 blockade and ICIs therapy can enhance the anti-tumor efficacy, and several clinical trials are being conducted to evaluate this therapy modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Xiong
- Department of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinyang Liao
- Department of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shi Qiu
- Department of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hang Xu
- Department of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shiyu Zhang
- Department of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Department of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianzhong Ai
- Department of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Jianzhong Ai, ; Lu Yang,
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Jianzhong Ai, ; Lu Yang,
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6
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Lu Y, Huang D, Wang B, Zheng B, Liu J, Song J, Zheng S. FAM21C Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Invasion and Metastasis by Driving Actin Cytoskeleton Remodeling via Inhibiting Capping Ability of CAPZA1. Front Oncol 2022; 11:809195. [PMID: 35096613 PMCID: PMC8793146 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.809195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by a high incidence of metastasis. The dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton plays an important role in the invasion and migration of HCC cells. In previous studies, we found that CAPZA1, a capping protein, can promote EMT of HCC cells by regulating the remodeling of the actin filament (F-actin) cytoskeleton, thus promoting the invasion and migration of HCC cells. In this study, we found that FAM21C may have a regulatory effect on CAPZA1, and we conducted an in-depth study on its potential regulatory mechanism. First, we found that FAM21C is highly expressed in HCC tissues and its high expression could promote the malignant progression of HCC. Meanwhile, the high expression of FAM21C promoted the invasion and migration of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Further, FAM21C interacted with CAPZA1, and their binding inhibited the capping capacity of CAPZA1, thus promoting the invasion and migration of HCC cells. This effect of FAM21C was abolished by mutating the CP-interacting (CPI) domain, the CAPZA1 binding site on FAM21C. In conclusion, high expression of FAM21C in HCC tissues can promote malignant progression of HCC and its potential mechanism involves FAM21C inhibition of CAPZA1 capping capacity by binding to CAPZA1, which drives F-actin cytoskeleton remodeling, and thus promotes invasion and migration of HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Lu
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Deng Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary, General Hospital of Tibet Military Command Area, Tibet, China
| | - Baolin Wang
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Bowen Zheng
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jialong Liu
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Juxian Song
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Shuguo Zheng
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
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7
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Hosahalli Vasanna S, Pereda MA, Dalal J. Clinical Features, Cancer Biology, Transplant Approach and Other Integrated Management Strategies for Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome. J Multidiscip Healthc 2022; 14:3497-3512. [PMID: 34992377 PMCID: PMC8711845 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s295386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked recessive inborn error of immunity (IEI) first described in 1937. Classic WAS is characterized by the triad of thrombocytopenia with small platelets, recurrent infections due to combined immunodeficiency, and eczema. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was the only curative option available for five decades, with excellent outcomes reported for matched sibling donors (MSD) and matched unrelated donors (MUD). More recently, alternative donor transplants such as umbilical cord blood (UCB) and haploidentical transplant have emerged as viable options due to improvements in better graft selection, cell dosing, and effective allograft manipulation measures. Gene therapy is another potential curative option with promising results, yet currently is offered only as part of a clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smitha Hosahalli Vasanna
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Maria A Pereda
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jignesh Dalal
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH, USA
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8
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Li MM, Yuan J, Guan XY, Ma NF, Liu M. Molecular subclassification of gastrointestinal cancers based on cancer stem cell traits. Exp Hematol Oncol 2021; 10:53. [PMID: 34774101 PMCID: PMC8590337 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-021-00246-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human gastrointestinal malignancies are highly heterogeneous cancers. Clinically, heterogeneity largely contributes to tumor progression and resistance to therapy. Heterogeneity within gastrointestinal cancers is defined by molecular subtypes in genomic and transcriptomic analyses. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been demonstrated to be a major source of tumor heterogeneity; therefore, assessing tumor heterogeneity by CSC trait-guided classification of gastrointestinal cancers is essential for the development of effective therapies. CSCs share critical features with embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Molecular investigations have revealed that embryonic genes and developmental signaling pathways regulating the properties of ESCs or cell lineage differentiation are abnormally active and might be oncofetal drivers in certain tumor subtypes. Currently, multiple strategies allow comprehensive identification of tumor subtype-specific oncofetal signatures and evaluation of subtype-specific therapies. In this review, we summarize current knowledge concerning the molecular classification of gastrointestinal malignancies based on CSC features and elucidate their clinical relevance. We also outline strategies for molecular subtype identification and subtype-based therapies. Finally, we explore how clinical implementation of tumor classification by CSC subtype might facilitate the development of more effective personalized therapies for gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Mei Li
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, China.,Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Xinzao, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Jun Yuan
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, China.,Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Xinzao, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ning-Fang Ma
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, China.,Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Xinzao, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, China. .,Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Xinzao, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
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Zhao X, Liu S, Chen X, Zhao J, Li F, Zhao Q, Xie T, Huang L, Zhang Z, Qi Y, Yang Y, Zhao S, Zhang Y. L1CAM overexpression promotes tumor progression through recruitment of regulatory T cells in esophageal carcinoma. Cancer Biol Med 2021; 18:j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0182. [PMID: 33710805 PMCID: PMC8185865 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2020.0182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) exhibits oncogenic activity in tumors. However, the link between L1CAM and the tumor microenvironment remains poorly understood in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this study, we investigated how L1CAM expression in ESCC affects the oncogenic characteristics of tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. METHODS Human ESCC samples were collected, and the mRNA and protein levels of L1CAM were examined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Overexpression and knockdown gene expression assays were used for mechanistic studies. The cell proliferation and cell cycle were measured with CCK-8 assays and flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion ability were measured with Transwell assays. Multiplex bead-based assays were performed to identity the factors downstream of L1CAM. Xenograft studies were performed in nude mice to evaluate the effects of L1CAM on tumor growth and regulatory T cell (Treg) recruitment. RESULTS L1CAM expression was significantly elevated in ESCC tissues (P < 0.001) and correlated with poorer prognosis (P < 0.05). Ablation of L1CAM in ESCC cells inhibited tumor growth and migration, and increased tumor cell apoptosis (P < 0.05). In the tumor microenvironment, L1CAM expression correlated with Treg infiltration in ESCC by affecting CCL22 secretion. Mechanistically, L1CAM facilitated CCL22 expression by activating the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, CCL22 promoted Treg recruitment to the tumor site; the Tregs then secreted TGF-β, which in turn promoted L1CAM expression via Smad2/3 in a positive feedback loop. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide new insight into the mechanism of immune evasion mediated by L1CAM, suggesting that targeting L1CAM-CCL22-TGF-β crosstalk between tumor cells and Tregs may offer a unique means to improve treatment of patients with ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhao
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Shasha Liu
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xinfeng Chen
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Jianyi Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Feng Li
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Qitai Zhao
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Tan Xie
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yu Qi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Song Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
- Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy, Zhengzhou 450052, China
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10
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Li J, Zhang C, Yuan X, Ren Z, Yu Z. Correlations between stemness indices for hepatocellular carcinoma, clinical characteristics, and prognosis. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:5496-5510. [PMID: 33042433 PMCID: PMC7540154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are involved in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, potential mechanisms for this have not yet been elucidated. We constructed a model based on the Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium database to generate stemness indices. We then utilized RNA-seq data and clinical information from the Cancer Genome Atlas (CGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) for model predictions and verification. An mRNA gene expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) and a DNA methylation-based stemness index (mDNAsi) were both calculated through one-class logistic regression. By applying univariate Cox regression analysis, we found that the mRNAsi and the mDNAsi correlated significantly with overall survival. Functional prediction analyses were used to characterize implicated genes and their degree of involvement as network hubs through protein-protein interaction analysis, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test was used to assess the relationship between hub genes and indices for stemness. The mRNAsi values for CGA and ICGC carcinoma samples correlated significantly with negative clinical characteristics and overall survival, whereas gene and protein-protein interaction analyses revealed that SNAP25, KPT19, GABBR1, and EPCAM were negatively associated with clinical mDNAsi scores. Collectively, the data suggest that our new stemness model based on related genes may predict patient prognoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Gene Hospital of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Chunting Zhang
- Gene Hospital of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Xin Yuan
- Gene Hospital of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Zhigang Ren
- Gene Hospital of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Zujiang Yu
- Gene Hospital of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
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11
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Yi L, Huang P, Zou X, Guo L, Gu Y, Wen C, Wu G. Integrative stemness characteristics associated with prognosis and the immune microenvironment in esophageal cancer. Pharmacol Res 2020; 161:105144. [PMID: 32810627 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSCs) induces tumor metastasis and recurrence. However, the role of CSCs in molding the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is largely inexplicit. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the stemness of esophageal cancer (EC) and correlate the stemness patterns with TIME. METHODS A trained stemness index model was used to score EC patients based on the one-class logistic regression (OCLR) machine-learning algorithm. Gene expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) and DNA methylation-based stemness index (mDNAsi) were calculated for integrative analyses of EC stemness in the training cohort (n = 182) and validation cohort (n = 179). Intrinsic stemness patterns were estimated to determine its association with clinical features, biological pathways, prognosis, and potential inhibitors. Additionally, the dynamic interplay between EC stemness and TIME was integrally characterized. RESULTS Analyses of EC stemness and clinical characteristics indicated that higher-stage and metastatic tumors featured more dedifferentiated phenotypically. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that mRNAsi was significantly associated with overall survival (OS) of EC patients, whereas no relationship was observed between mDNAsi and OS. Notably, prolonged OS was observed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in low versus high mRNAsi groups, whereas the OS was equivalent between the two groups for esophageal adenocarcinoma (ESAD). The mRNAsi may thus recapitulate prognostic molecular subgroups of EC. The prognostic model comprising 14 stemness signatures was constructed using combined Cox and Lasso regression analyses which effectively distinguished individual survival of ESCC in two cohorts. Nevertheless, no significant differences in OS was observed when the same prognostic model of ESCC was applied to ESAD. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) of selected stemness signatures indicated that ESCC stemness is involved in immune-related pathways. Furthermore, ESCC stemness and stemness-related signatures were associated with tumor-infiltrating immune cells, immunoscore, and PD-L1 expression. Compounds specific to the selected stemness signatures were detected using the CMap database. CONCLUSION This study determined integrated characteristics of EC stemness. The identified mRNAsi-based signatures conferred with the predictive ability of personalized ESCC prognosis and highlighted the potential targets for CSC-mediated immunotherapy. Analyses of the interface between ESCC stemness and TIME may help in predicting the efficacy of CSC-specific immunotherapy and provide insight into combinatorial therapy by targeting ESCC stem cells and TIME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilan Yi
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, Meizhou People's Hospital (Huangtang Hospital), Meizhou Academy of Medical Sciences, Meizhou Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Clinical Translational Research of Hakka Population, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China.
| | - Ping Huang
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, Meizhou People's Hospital (Huangtang Hospital), Meizhou Academy of Medical Sciences, Meizhou Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Clinical Translational Research of Hakka Population, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Xiaofang Zou
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, Meizhou People's Hospital (Huangtang Hospital), Meizhou Academy of Medical Sciences, Meizhou Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Clinical Translational Research of Hakka Population, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Longhua Guo
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, Meizhou People's Hospital (Huangtang Hospital), Meizhou Academy of Medical Sciences, Meizhou Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Clinical Translational Research of Hakka Population, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Yinfang Gu
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, Meizhou People's Hospital (Huangtang Hospital), Meizhou Academy of Medical Sciences, Meizhou Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Clinical Translational Research of Hakka Population, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Chunling Wen
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, Meizhou People's Hospital (Huangtang Hospital), Meizhou Academy of Medical Sciences, Meizhou Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Clinical Translational Research of Hakka Population, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Guowu Wu
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, Meizhou People's Hospital (Huangtang Hospital), Meizhou Academy of Medical Sciences, Meizhou Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine and Clinical Translational Research of Hakka Population, 63 Huangtang Road, Meizhou, 514031, Guangdong, PR China.
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12
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Biber G, Ben-Shmuel A, Sabag B, Barda-Saad M. Actin regulators in cancer progression and metastases: From structure and function to cytoskeletal dynamics. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 356:131-196. [PMID: 33066873 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The cytoskeleton is a central factor contributing to various hallmarks of cancer. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence demonstrating the involvement of actin regulatory proteins in malignancy, and their dysregulation was shown to predict poor clinical prognosis. Although enhanced cytoskeletal activity is often associated with cancer progression, the expression of several inducers of actin polymerization is remarkably reduced in certain malignancies, and it is not completely clear how these changes promote tumorigenesis and metastases. The complexities involved in cytoskeletal induction of cancer progression therefore pose considerable difficulties for therapeutic intervention; it is not always clear which cytoskeletal regulator should be targeted in order to impede cancer progression, and whether this targeting may inadvertently enhance alternative invasive pathways which can aggravate tumor growth. The entire constellation of cytoskeletal machineries in eukaryotic cells are numerous and complex; the system is comprised of and regulated by hundreds of proteins, which could not be covered in a single review. Therefore, we will focus here on the actin cytoskeleton, which encompasses the biological machinery behind most of the key cellular functions altered in cancer, with specific emphasis on actin nucleating factors and nucleation-promoting factors. Finally, we discuss current therapeutic strategies for cancer which aim to target the cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Biber
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - A Ben-Shmuel
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - B Sabag
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - M Barda-Saad
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
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13
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Lehmann JS, Rughwani P, Kolenovic M, Ji S, Sun B. LEGENDplex™: Bead-assisted multiplex cytokine profiling by flow cytometry. Methods Enzymol 2019; 629:151-176. [PMID: 31727238 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Over the past two decades there have been tremendous advances in our understanding of tumor immunology, which have in turn led to new and exciting immunology-based therapeutics. However, further research is needed into the dynamics and regulation of the immune response in the tumor microenvironment in order to achieve the full potential of these agents in treating all cancer patients. Defining the role of cytokines, chemokines, and other soluble mediators will be essential to this endeavor. This chapter describes, in detail, the technical protocol and applicability of LEGENDplex™ bead-based multiplex assays in quantifying these critical signaling molecules.
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14
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Etiology, cancer stem cells and potential diagnostic biomarkers for esophageal cancer. Cancer Lett 2019; 458:21-28. [PMID: 31125642 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) has been a leading cause of cancer death worldwide in part due to late detection and lack of precision treatment. EC includes two major malignancies, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Recent studies reveal that ESCC and EAC have distinct cell of origin and contain cancer stem cells (also known as tumor initiating cells) expressing different cell surface markers. These biomarkers have potentially important values for both early detection and finding effective therapy. In this review we summarize the updated findings for cell of origin and provide an overview of cancer cell biomarkers that have been tested for ESCC and EAC. In addition, we also discuss recent progress in the study of molecular mechanisms leading to these malignancies.
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15
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Shi X, Chen X, Fang B, Ping Y, Qin G, Yue D, Li F, Yang S, Zhang Y. Decitabine enhances tumor recognition by T cells through upregulating the MAGE-A3 expression in esophageal carcinoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 112:108632. [PMID: 30797153 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer testis (CT) antigens are expressed in various types of tumors and represent the potential targets for T cell-based immunotherapy. Analysis of CT gene expression and DNA methylation have indicated that certain CT genes are epigenetically regulated and studies have confirmed that certain CT antigens are regulated by DNA methylation. In this study, we explored the epigenetic regulation of MAGE-A3 and improved the clinical outcome of MAGE-A3-specific T cell therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We used molecular profiling datasets in The Cancer Genome Atlas to analyze CT gene expression in ESCC and its regulation by DNA methylation. We performed quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and bisulfite sequencing in ESCC cell lines and ESCC tissues. Functional assays, such as flow cytometry, cytotoxicity assays and ELISA, were performed to determine the demethylation agent, decitabine (5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, DAC)-treated cancer cell improved antigen specific T cells response. ESCC tumor cell-xenograft mouse model and enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays were used to determine the function of DAC treatment in enhancing anti-MAGE-3 T cell responses in ESCC. Furthermore, we performed qRT-PCR and flow cytometry in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients. MAGE-A3, one of the CT antigens, expressed at various levels in ESCC and was interfered by DNA methylation. We observed an efficient increase in MAGE-A3 expression in tumor cells and tissues after the treatment of decitabine and the expression of MAGE-A3 was affected by DNA methylation. Functional assays showed enhanced secretion of IFN-γ and cytolysis of MAGE-A3 antigen-specific T cells by DAC-treated target cells. In the tumor cell-xenograft mouse model and ELISPOT assays, DAC increased the expression of MAGE-A3 and T cell mediated tumor clearance in ESCC as well. Notably, the proportions of MAGE-A3-responsive T cells were elevated in DAC-treated patients with MDS, indicating DAC dismissed the epigenetic inhibition of MAGE-A3. DAC would probably improve the clinical outcome of MAGE-A3-specific T cell therapy by augmenting the expression of target gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Shi
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Xinfeng Chen
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Baijun Fang
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China
| | - Yu Ping
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Guohui Qin
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Dongli Yue
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Feng Li
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Shengli Yang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China; School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China; Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China.
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16
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Verboon JM, Decker JR, Nakamura M, Parkhurst SM. Wash exhibits context-dependent phenotypes and, along with the WASH regulatory complex, regulates Drosophila oogenesis. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs.211573. [PMID: 29549166 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.211573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
WASH, a Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) family protein, has many cell and developmental roles related to its function as a branched actin nucleation factor. Similar to mammalian WASHC1, which is embryonic lethal, Drosophila Wash was found to be essential for oogenesis and larval development. Recently, however, Drosophila wash was reported to be homozygous viable. Here, we verify that the original wash null allele harbors an unrelated lethal background mutation; however, this unrelated lethal mutation does not contribute to any Wash oogenesis phenotypes. Significantly, we find that: (1) the homozygous wash null allele retains partial lethality, leading to non-Mendelian inheritance; (2) the allele's functions are subject to its specific genetic background; and (3) the homozygous stock rapidly accumulates modifications that allow it to become robust. Together, these results suggest that Wash plays an important role in oogenesis via the WASH regulatory complex. Finally, we show that another WAS family protein, SCAR/WAVE, plays a similar role in oogenesis and that it is upregulated as one of the modifications that allows the wash allele to survive in the homozygous state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Verboon
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
| | - Jacob R Decker
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
| | - Mitsutoshi Nakamura
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
| | - Susan M Parkhurst
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA 98109
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17
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Huang L, Lian J, Chen X, Qin G, Zheng Y, Zhang Y. WASH overexpression enhances cancer stem cell properties and correlates with poor prognosis of esophageal carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2017; 108:2358-2365. [PMID: 28914471 PMCID: PMC5715296 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that cytoskeleton remodeling is involved in cancer progression. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) family represents a key regulator of actin cytoskeleton remodeling. However, the underlying mechanism of the WASP family in cancer progression remains elusive. Here, we studied the role of WASP and SCAR Homolog (WASH), a recently identified WASP family member, in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Using three human ESCC cell lines, we found that WASH expression was significantly elevated in cancer stem-like cells enriched by sphere formation assay. WASH knockdown decreased the sphere-forming capacity of esophageal cancer cells whereas WASH over-expression exhibited the opposite effect. Mechanistically, we identified interleukin-8 (IL-8) as a key downstream target of WASH. IL-8 knockdown completely attenuated tumor sphere formation induced by WASH overexpression. WASH knockdown also delayed the growth of human ESCC xenografts in BALB/c nude mice. Importantly, high WASH levels were associated with poor clinical prognosis in a total of 145 human ESCC tissues. Collectively, our results suggest an essential role of the WASH/IL-8 pathway in human ESCC by maintaining the stemness of cancer cells. Hence, targeting this pathway might represent a promising strategy to control human esophageal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Huang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingyao Lian
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinfeng Chen
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guohui Qin
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yujia Zheng
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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