1
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Lee AV, Nestler KA, Chiappinelli KB. Therapeutic targeting of DNA methylation alterations in cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 258:108640. [PMID: 38570075 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108640] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a critical component of gene regulation and plays an important role in the development of cancer. Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes and silencing of DNA repair pathways facilitate uncontrolled cell growth and synergize with oncogenic mutations to perpetuate cancer phenotypes. Additionally, aberrant DNA methylation hinders immune responses crucial for antitumor immunity. Thus, inhibiting dysregulated DNA methylation is a promising cancer therapy. Pharmacologic inhibition of DNA methylation reactivates silenced tumor suppressors and bolster immune responses through induction of viral mimicry. Now, with the advent of immunotherapies and discovery of the immune-modulatory effects of DNA methylation inhibitors, there is great interest in understanding how targeting DNA methylation in combination with other therapies can enhance antitumor immunity. Here, we describe the role of aberrant DNA methylation in cancer and mechanisms by which it promotes tumorigenesis and modulates immune responses. Finally, we review the initial discoveries and ongoing efforts to target DNA methylation as a cancer therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail V Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kevin A Nestler
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
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2
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Radrizzani S, Kudla G, Izsvák Z, Hurst LD. Selection on synonymous sites: the unwanted transcript hypothesis. Nat Rev Genet 2024; 25:431-448. [PMID: 38297070 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00686-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Although translational selection to favour codons that match the most abundant tRNAs is not readily observed in humans, there is nonetheless selection in humans on synonymous mutations. We hypothesize that much of this synonymous site selection can be explained in terms of protection against unwanted RNAs - spurious transcripts, mis-spliced forms or RNAs derived from transposable elements or viruses. We propose not only that selection on synonymous sites functions to reduce the rate of creation of unwanted transcripts (for example, through selection on exonic splice enhancers and cryptic splice sites) but also that high-GC content (but low-CpG content), together with intron presence and position, is both particular to functional native mRNAs and used to recognize transcripts as native. In support of this hypothesis, transcription, nuclear export, liquid phase condensation and RNA degradation have all recently been shown to promote GC-rich transcripts and suppress AU/CpG-rich ones. With such 'traps' being set against AU/CpG-rich transcripts, the codon usage of native genes has, in turn, evolved to avoid such suppression. That parallel filters against AU/CpG-rich transcripts also affect the endosomal import of RNAs further supports the unwanted transcript hypothesis of synonymous site selection and explains the similar design rules that have enabled the successful use of transgenes and RNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Radrizzani
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Milner Therapeutics Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Grzegorz Kudla
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute for Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society, Berlin, Germany
| | - Laurence D Hurst
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
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3
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Grundy EE, Shaw LC, Wang L, Powell DJ, Ostrowski M, Jones RB, Cruz CRY, Gordish-Dressman H, Bollard CM, Chiappinelli KB. Limited Immunogenicity of an HLA-A*03:01-restricted Epitope of Erv-k-env in Non-hiv-1 Settings: Implications for Adoptive Cell Therapy in Cancer. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4432372. [PMID: 38854052 PMCID: PMC11160923 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4432372/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Repetitive elements (REs) are often expressed at higher levels in tumor cells than normal cells, implicating these genomic regions as an untapped pool of tumor-associated antigens. In ovarian cancer (OC), protein from the RE ERV-K is frequently expressed by tumor cells. Here we determined whether the targeting of a previously identified immunogenic epitope in the envelope gene (env) of ERV-K resulted in target antigen specificity in non-HIV-1 settings. We found that transducing healthy donor T cells with an ERV-K-Env-specific T cell receptor construct resulted in antigen specificity only when co-cultured with HLA-A*03:01 B lymphoblastoid cells. Furthermore, these transduced T cells were not specific for HLA-A*03:01 + OC cells nor for the cognate peptide in HLA-matched systems from multiple healthy donors. These data suggest that the ERV-K-Env epitope recognized by this T cell receptor is of low immunogenicity and has limited potential as a T cell target for OC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - R Brad Jones
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Medical Sciences
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4
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Choudalakis M, Bashtrykov P, Jeltsch A. RepEnTools: an automated repeat enrichment analysis package for ChIP-seq data reveals hUHRF1 Tandem-Tudor domain enrichment in young repeats. Mob DNA 2024; 15:6. [PMID: 38570859 PMCID: PMC10988844 DOI: 10.1186/s13100-024-00315-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repeat elements (REs) play important roles for cell function in health and disease. However, RE enrichment analysis in short-read high-throughput sequencing (HTS) data, such as ChIP-seq, is a challenging task. RESULTS Here, we present RepEnTools, a software package for genome-wide RE enrichment analysis of ChIP-seq and similar chromatin pulldown experiments. Our analysis package bundles together various software with carefully chosen and validated settings to provide a complete solution for RE analysis, starting from raw input files to tabular and graphical outputs. RepEnTools implementations are easily accessible even with minimal IT skills (Galaxy/UNIX). To demonstrate the performance of RepEnTools, we analysed chromatin pulldown data by the human UHRF1 TTD protein domain and discovered enrichment of TTD binding on young primate and hominid specific polymorphic repeats (SVA, L1PA1/L1HS) overlapping known enhancers and decorated with H3K4me1-K9me2/3 modifications. We corroborated these new bioinformatic findings with experimental data by qPCR assays using newly developed primate and hominid specific qPCR assays which complement similar research tools. Finally, we analysed mouse UHRF1 ChIP-seq data with RepEnTools and showed that the endogenous mUHRF1 protein colocalizes with H3K4me1-H3K9me3 on promoters of REs which were silenced by UHRF1. These new data suggest a functional role for UHRF1 in silencing of REs that is mediated by TTD binding to the H3K4me1-K9me3 double mark and conserved in two mammalian species. CONCLUSIONS RepEnTools improves the previously available programmes for RE enrichment analysis in chromatin pulldown studies by leveraging new tools, enhancing accessibility and adding some key functions. RepEnTools can analyse RE enrichment rapidly, efficiently, and accurately, providing the community with an up-to-date, reliable and accessible tool for this important type of analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Choudalakis
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Pavel Bashtrykov
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
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5
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Chiappinelli KB. Targeting the DHX9 RNA Helicase to Induce Antitumor Immunity in Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:389-391. [PMID: 38426559 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-1523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
SUMMARY Murayama and colleagues establish DHX9 as an exciting new target to induce viral mimicry and downstream antitumor immunity. The potential for use in combination with existing immune therapies is especially exciting in SCLC, an immunologically cold and deadly disease. See related article by Murayama et al., p. 468 (10) .
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington D.C
- The GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
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6
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Lee DH, Bae WH, Ha H, Kim WR, Park EG, Lee YJ, Kim JM, Shin HJ, Kim HS. The human PTGR1 gene expression is controlled by TE-derived Z-DNA forming sequence cooperating with miR-6867-5p. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4723. [PMID: 38413664 PMCID: PMC10899170 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55332-x] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Z-DNA, a well-known non-canonical form of DNA involved in gene regulation, is often found in gene promoters. Transposable elements (TEs), which make up 45% of the human genome, can move from one location to another within the genome. TEs play various biological roles in host organisms, and like Z-DNA, can influence transcriptional regulation near promoter regions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules that play a critical role in the regulation of gene expression. Although TEs can generate Z-DNA and miRNAs can bind to Z-DNA, how these factors affect gene transcription has yet to be elucidated. Here, we identified potential Z-DNA forming sequence (ZFS), including TE-derived ZFS, in the promoter of prostaglandin reductase 1 (PTGR1) by data analysis. The transcriptional activity of these ZFS in PTGR1 was confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter assays. In addition, we discovered a novel ZFS-binding miRNA (miR-6867-5p) that suppressed PTGR1 expression by targeting to ZFS. In conclusion, these findings suggest that ZFS, including TE-derived ZFS, can regulate PTGR1 gene expression and that miR-6867-5p can suppress PTGR1 by interacting with ZFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Du Hyeong Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Hyeon Bae
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongseok Ha
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Ryung Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Gyung Park
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Ju Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Min Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Jin Shin
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Heui-Soo Kim
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Lanciano S, Philippe C, Sarkar A, Pratella D, Domrane C, Doucet AJ, van Essen D, Saccani S, Ferry L, Defossez PA, Cristofari G. Locus-level L1 DNA methylation profiling reveals the epigenetic and transcriptional interplay between L1s and their integration sites. CELL GENOMICS 2024; 4:100498. [PMID: 38309261 PMCID: PMC10879037 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Long interspersed element 1 (L1) retrotransposons are implicated in human disease and evolution. Their global activity is repressed by DNA methylation, but deciphering the regulation of individual copies has been challenging. Here, we combine short- and long-read sequencing to unveil L1 methylation heterogeneity across cell types, families, and individual loci and elucidate key principles involved. We find that the youngest primate L1 families are specifically hypomethylated in pluripotent stem cells and the placenta but not in most tumors. Locally, intronic L1 methylation is intimately associated with gene transcription. Conversely, the L1 methylation state can propagate to the proximal region up to 300 bp. This phenomenon is accompanied by the binding of specific transcription factors, which drive the expression of L1 and chimeric transcripts. Finally, L1 hypomethylation alone is typically insufficient to trigger L1 expression due to redundant silencing pathways. Our results illuminate the epigenetic and transcriptional interplay between retrotransposons and their host genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lanciano
- University Cote d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Claude Philippe
- University Cote d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Arpita Sarkar
- University Cote d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - David Pratella
- University Cote d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Cécilia Domrane
- University Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, Paris, France
| | - Aurélien J Doucet
- University Cote d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Dominic van Essen
- University Cote d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Simona Saccani
- University Cote d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France
| | - Laure Ferry
- University Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, Paris, France
| | | | - Gael Cristofari
- University Cote d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), Nice, France.
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8
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Ramirez P, Sun W, Kazempour Dehkordi S, Zare H, Fongang B, Bieniek KF, Frost B. Nanopore-based DNA long-read sequencing analysis of the aged human brain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.01.578450. [PMID: 38370753 PMCID: PMC10871260 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.01.578450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Aging disrupts cellular processes such as DNA repair and epigenetic control, leading to a gradual buildup of genomic alterations that can have detrimental effects in post-mitotic cells. Genomic alterations in regions of the genome that are rich in repetitive sequences, often termed "dark loci," are difficult to resolve using traditional sequencing approaches. New long-read technologies offer promising avenues for exploration of previously inaccessible regions of the genome. Using nanopore-based long-read whole-genome sequencing of DNA extracted from aged 18 human brains, we identify previously unreported structural variants and methylation patterns within repetitive DNA, focusing on transposable elements ("jumping genes") as crucial sources of variation, particularly in dark loci. Our analyses reveal potential somatic insertion variants and provides DNA methylation frequencies for many retrotransposon families. We further demonstrate the utility of this technology for the study of these challenging genomic regions in brains affected by Alzheimer's disease and identify significant differences in DNA methylation in pathologically normal brains versus those affected by Alzheimer's disease. Highlighting the power of this approach, we discover specific polymorphic retrotransposons with altered DNA methylation patterns. These retrotransposon loci have the potential to contribute to pathology, warranting further investigation in Alzheimer's disease research. Taken together, our study provides the first long-read DNA sequencing-based analysis of retrotransposon sequences, structural variants, and DNA methylation in the aging brain affected with Alzheimer's disease neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulino Ramirez
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Wenyan Sun
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Shiva Kazempour Dehkordi
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Habil Zare
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Bernard Fongang
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Kevin F. Bieniek
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Bess Frost
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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9
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Liang Y, Qu X, Shah NM, Wang T. Towards targeting transposable elements for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:123-140. [PMID: 38228901 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00653-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) represent almost half of the human genome. Historically deemed 'junk DNA', recent technological advancements have stimulated a wave of research into the functional impact of TEs on gene-regulatory networks in evolution and development, as well as in diseases including cancer. The genetic and epigenetic evolution of cancer involves the exploitation of TEs, whereby TEs contribute directly to cancer-specific gene activities. This Review provides a perspective on the role of TEs in cancer as being a 'double-edged sword', both promoting cancer evolution and representing a vulnerability that could be exploited in cancer therapy. We discuss how TEs affect transcriptome regulation and other cellular processes in cancer. We highlight the potential of TEs as therapeutic targets for cancer. We also summarize technical hurdles in the characterization of TEs with genomic assays. Last, we outline open questions and exciting future research avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghao Liang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xuan Qu
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nakul M Shah
- Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
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10
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Xiong Z, Raphael I, Olin M, Okada H, Li X, Kohanbash G. Glioblastoma vaccines: past, present, and opportunities. EBioMedicine 2024; 100:104963. [PMID: 38183840 PMCID: PMC10808938 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104963] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most lethal central nervous systems (CNS) tumours in adults. As supplements to standard of care (SOC), various immunotherapies improve the therapeutic effect in other cancers. Among them, tumour vaccines can serve as complementary monotherapy or boost the clinical efficacy with other immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) therapy. Previous studies in GBM therapeutic vaccines have suggested that few neoantigens could be targeted in GBM due to low mutation burden, and single-peptide therapeutic vaccination had limited efficacy in tumour control as monotherapy. Combining diverse antigens, including neoantigens, tumour-associated antigens (TAAs), and pathogen-derived antigens, and optimizing vaccine design or vaccination strategy may help with clinical efficacy improvement. In this review, we discussed current GBM therapeutic vaccine platforms, evaluated and potential antigenic targets, current challenges, and perspective opportunities for efficacy improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zujian Xiong
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA; Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Itay Raphael
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA
| | - Michael Olin
- Department of Pediatrics, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Hideho Okada
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Xuejun Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China; Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Brain Tumor Research, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008 PR China.
| | - Gary Kohanbash
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, USA; Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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11
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Lykoskoufis NMR, Planet E, Ongen H, Trono D, Dermitzakis ET. Transposable elements mediate genetic effects altering the expression of nearby genes in colorectal cancer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:749. [PMID: 38272908 PMCID: PMC10811328 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42405-0] [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: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are prevalent repeats in the human genome, play a significant role in the regulome, and their disruption can contribute to tumorigenesis. However, TE influence on gene expression in cancer remains unclear. Here, we analyze 275 normal colon and 276 colorectal cancer samples from the SYSCOL cohort, discovering 10,231 and 5,199 TE-expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) in normal and tumor tissues, respectively, of which 376 are colorectal cancer specific eQTLs, likely due to methylation changes. Tumor-specific TE-eQTLs show greater enrichment of transcription factors, compared to shared TE-eQTLs suggesting specific regulation of their expression in tumor. Bayesian networks reveal 1,766 TEs as mediators of genetic effects, altering the expression of 1,558 genes, including 55 known cancer driver genes and show that tumor-specific TE-eQTLs trigger the driver capability of TEs. These insights expand our knowledge of cancer drivers, deepening our understanding of tumorigenesis and presenting potential avenues for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos M R Lykoskoufis
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Institute for Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
- NGS-AI JSR Life Sciences, Route de la Corniche 3, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland.
| | - Evarist Planet
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Halit Ongen
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute for Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Didier Trono
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Emmanouil T Dermitzakis
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Institute for Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
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12
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Guo Y, Li TD, Modzelewski AJ, Siomi H. Retrotransposon renaissance in early embryos. Trends Genet 2024; 40:39-51. [PMID: 37949723 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite being the predominant genetic elements in mammalian genomes, retrotransposons were often dismissed as genomic parasites with ambiguous biological significance. However, recent studies reveal their functional involvement in early embryogenesis, encompassing crucial processes such as zygotic genome activation (ZGA) and cell fate decision. This review underscores the paradigm shift in our understanding of retrotransposon roles during early preimplantation development, as well as their rich functional reservoir that is exploited by the host to provide cis-regulatory elements, noncoding RNAs, and functional proteins. The rapid advancement in long-read sequencing, low input multiomics profiling, advanced in vitro systems, and precise gene editing techniques encourages further dissection of retrotransposon functions that were once obscured by the intricacies of their genomic footprints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjia Guo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Ten D Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4539, USA
| | - Andrew J Modzelewski
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4539, USA.
| | - Haruhiko Siomi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Human Biology Microbiome Quantum Research Center (WPI-Bio2Q), Keio University, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
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13
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Schall PZ, Winkler PA, Petersen-Jones SM, Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan V, Kidd JM. Genome-wide methylation patterns from canine nanopore assemblies. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad203. [PMID: 37681359 PMCID: PMC10627269 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in long-read sequencing have enabled the creation of reference-quality genome assemblies for multiple individuals within a species. In particular, 8 long-read genome assemblies have recently been published for the canine model (dogs and wolves). These assemblies were created using a range of sequencing and computational approaches, with only limited comparisons described among subsets of the assemblies. Here we present 3 high-quality de novo reference assemblies based upon Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing: 2 Bernese Mountain Dogs (BD & OD) and a Cairn terrier (CA611). These breeds are of particular interest due to the enrichment of unresolved genetic disorders. Leveraging advancement in software technologies, we utilized published data of Labrador Retriever (Yella) to generate a new assembly, resulting in a ∼280-fold increase in continuity (N50 size of 91 kbp vs 25.75 Mbp). In conjunction with these 4 new assemblies, we uniformly assessed 8 existing assemblies for generalized quality metrics, sequence divergence, and a detailed BUSCO assessment. We identified a set of ∼400 conserved genes during the BUSCO analysis missing in all assemblies. Genome-wide methylation profiles were generated from the nanopore sequencing, resulting in broad concordance with existing whole-genome and reduced-representation bisulfite sequencing, while highlighting superior overage of mobile elements. These analyses demonstrate the ability of Nanopore sequencing to resolve the sequence and epigenetic profile of canine genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Z Schall
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Paige A Winkler
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Simon M Petersen-Jones
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Kidd
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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14
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Grillo G, Keshavarzian T, Linder S, Arlidge C, Mout L, Nand A, Teng M, Qamra A, Zhou S, Kron KJ, Murison A, Hawley JR, Fraser M, van der Kwast TH, Raj GV, He HH, Zwart W, Lupien M. Transposable Elements Are Co-opted as Oncogenic Regulatory Elements by Lineage-Specific Transcription Factors in Prostate Cancer. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:2470-2487. [PMID: 37694973 PMCID: PMC10618745 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Transposable elements hold regulatory functions that impact cell fate determination by controlling gene expression. However, little is known about the transcriptional machinery engaged at transposable elements in pluripotent and mature versus oncogenic cell states. Through positional analysis over repetitive DNA sequences of H3K27ac chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data from 32 normal cell states, we report pluripotent/stem and mature cell state-specific "regulatory transposable elements." Pluripotent/stem elements are binding sites for pluripotency factors (e.g., NANOG, SOX2, OCT4). Mature cell elements are docking sites for lineage-specific transcription factors, including AR and FOXA1 in prostate epithelium. Expanding the analysis to prostate tumors, we identify a subset of regulatory transposable elements shared with pluripotent/stem cells, including Tigger3a. Using chromatin editing technology, we show how such elements promote prostate cancer growth by regulating AR transcriptional activity. Collectively, our results suggest that oncogenesis arises from lineage-specific transcription factors hijacking pluripotent/stem cell regulatory transposable elements. SIGNIFICANCE We show that oncogenesis relies on co-opting transposable elements from pluripotent stem cells as regulatory elements altering the recruitment of lineage-specific transcription factors. We further discover how co-option is dependent on active chromatin states with important implications for developing treatment options against drivers of oncogenesis across the repetitive DNA. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 2293.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Grillo
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tina Keshavarzian
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon Linder
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christopher Arlidge
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisanne Mout
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ankita Nand
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mona Teng
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aditi Qamra
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stanley Zhou
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ken J. Kron
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alex Murison
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James R. Hawley
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Fraser
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Theodorus H. van der Kwast
- Laboratory Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ganesh V. Raj
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Housheng Hansen He
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wilbert Zwart
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Mathieu Lupien
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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15
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Park EG, Lee YJ, Huh JW, Park SJ, Imai H, Kim WR, Lee DH, Kim JM, Shin HJ, Kim HS. Identification of microRNAs Derived from Transposable Elements in the Macaca mulatta (Rhesus Monkey) Genome. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1984. [PMID: 38002927 PMCID: PMC10671384 DOI: 10.3390/genes14111984] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA entities that can move within the host genome. Over long periods of evolutionary time, TEs are typically silenced via the accumulation of mutations in the genome, ultimately resulting in their immobilization. However, they still play an important role in the host genome by acting as regulatory elements. They influence host transcription in various ways, one of which as the origin of the generation of microRNAs (miRNAs), which are so-called miRNAs derived from TEs (MDTEs). miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that are involved in many biological processes by regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Here, we identified MDTEs in the Macaca mulatta (rhesus monkey) genome, which is phylogenetically close species to humans, based on the genome coordinates of miRNAs and TEs. The expression of 5 out of 17 MDTEs that were exclusively registered in M. mulatta from the miRBase database (v22) was examined via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Moreover, Gene Ontology analysis was performed to examine the functional implications of the putative target genes of the five MDTEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Gyung Park
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (E.G.P.); (Y.J.L.); (W.R.K.); (D.H.L.); (J.-m.K.)
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Ju Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (E.G.P.); (Y.J.L.); (W.R.K.); (D.H.L.); (J.-m.K.)
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Won Huh
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cheongju 28116, Republic of Korea; (J.-W.H.); (S.-J.P.)
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Je Park
- National Primate Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cheongju 28116, Republic of Korea; (J.-W.H.); (S.-J.P.)
| | - Hiroo Imai
- Molecular Biology Section, Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi 484-8506, Japan;
| | - Woo Ryung Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (E.G.P.); (Y.J.L.); (W.R.K.); (D.H.L.); (J.-m.K.)
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Du Hyeong Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (E.G.P.); (Y.J.L.); (W.R.K.); (D.H.L.); (J.-m.K.)
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-min Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (E.G.P.); (Y.J.L.); (W.R.K.); (D.H.L.); (J.-m.K.)
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Jin Shin
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (E.G.P.); (Y.J.L.); (W.R.K.); (D.H.L.); (J.-m.K.)
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Heui-Soo Kim
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
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16
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Frost B. Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies: disorders of disrupted neuronal identity. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:797-813. [PMID: 37591720 PMCID: PMC10528597 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Postmitotic neurons require persistently active controls to maintain terminal differentiation. Unlike dividing cells, aberrant cell cycle activation in mature neurons causes apoptosis rather than transformation. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related tauopathies, evidence suggests that pathogenic forms of tau drive neurodegeneration via neuronal cell cycle re-entry. Multiple interconnected mechanisms linking tau to cell cycle activation have been identified, including, but not limited to, tau-induced overstabilization of the actin cytoskeleton, consequent changes to nuclear architecture, and disruption of heterochromatin-mediated gene silencing. Cancer- and development-associated pathways are upregulated in human and cellular models of tauopathy, and many tau-induced cellular phenotypes are also present in various cancers and progenitor/stem cells. In this review, I delve into mechanistic parallels between tauopathies, cancer, and development, and highlight the role of tau in cancer and in the developing brain. Based on these studies, I put forth a model by which pathogenic forms of tau disrupt the program that maintains terminal neuronal differentiation, driving cell cycle re-entry and consequent neuronal death. This framework presents tauopathies as conditions involving the profound toxic disruption of neuronal identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bess Frost
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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17
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Karttunen K, Patel D, Xia J, Fei L, Palin K, Aaltonen L, Sahu B. Transposable elements as tissue-specific enhancers in cancers of endodermal lineage. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5313. [PMID: 37658059 PMCID: PMC10474299 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41081-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TE) are repetitive genomic elements that harbor binding sites for human transcription factors (TF). A regulatory role for TEs has been suggested in embryonal development and diseases such as cancer but systematic investigation of their functions has been limited by their widespread silencing in the genome. Here, we utilize unbiased massively parallel reporter assay data using a whole human genome library to identify TEs with functional enhancer activity in two human cancer types of endodermal lineage, colorectal and liver cancers. We show that the identified TE enhancers are characterized by genomic features associated with active enhancers, such as epigenetic marks and TF binding. Importantly, we identify distinct TE subfamilies that function as tissue-specific enhancers, namely MER11- and LTR12-elements in colon and liver cancers, respectively. These elements are bound by distinct TFs in each cell type, and they have predicted associations to differentially expressed genes. In conclusion, these data demonstrate how different cancer types can utilize distinct TEs as tissue-specific enhancers, paving the way for comprehensive understanding of the role of TEs as bona fide enhancers in the cancer genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konsta Karttunen
- Applied Tumor Genomics Program, Research Programs Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Divyesh Patel
- Applied Tumor Genomics Program, Research Programs Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jihan Xia
- Applied Tumor Genomics Program, Research Programs Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Liangru Fei
- Applied Tumor Genomics Program, Research Programs Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kimmo Palin
- Applied Tumor Genomics Program, Research Programs Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Aaltonen
- Applied Tumor Genomics Program, Research Programs Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Biswajyoti Sahu
- Applied Tumor Genomics Program, Research Programs Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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18
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Walker RR, Chiappinelli KB. Protein Exaptation by Endogenous Retroviral Elements Shapes Tumor Cell Senescence and Downstream Immune Signaling. Cancer Res 2023; 83:2640-2642. [PMID: 37549230 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell senescence in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is associated with a poor response to chemotherapies and immunotherapies due to promotion of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This environment is shaped by the senescence-associated secretory pathway, which recruits suppressive immune cell populations. In a recent study, Attig and colleagues identified a transcription factor-activated molecular switch that circumvents cellular senescence through increased expression of the calbindin protein. A human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) sequence upstream of the calbindin gene, CALB1, promotes the transcription of an HERVH-CALB1 transcript through a splice event at the third CALB1 exon in a process known as protein exaptation. The KLF5 transcription factor mediates this transcriptional activity by binding at the HERVH sequence, subsequently initiating the chimeric HERVH-CALB1 transcription. This increased expression of calbindin reduces CXCL8 chemokine production and downstream neutrophil recruitment in LUSC tumor cells. CALB1 exaptation by HERVH is one example by which endogenous retroelements (ERE) regulate immunity in human cancers, highlighting the emerging role of EREs in tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reddick R Walker
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
- Integrated Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
- Integrated Biomedical Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
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19
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Kanholm T, Rentia U, Hadley M, Karlow JA, Cox OL, Diab N, Bendall ML, Dawson T, McDonald JI, Xie W, Crandall KA, Burns KH, Baylin SB, Easwaran H, Chiappinelli KB. Oncogenic Transformation Drives DNA Methylation Loss and Transcriptional Activation at Transposable Element Loci. Cancer Res 2023; 83:2584-2599. [PMID: 37249603 PMCID: PMC10527578 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-3485] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TE) are typically silenced by DNA methylation and repressive histone modifications in differentiated healthy human tissues. However, TE expression increases in a wide range of cancers and is correlated with global hypomethylation of cancer genomes. We assessed expression and DNA methylation of TEs in fibroblast cells that were serially transduced with hTERT, SV40, and HRASR24C to immortalize and then transform them, modeling the different steps of the tumorigenesis process. RNA sequencing and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing were performed at each stage of transformation. TE expression significantly increased as cells progressed through transformation, with the largest increase in expression after the final stage of transformation, consistent with data from human tumors. The upregulated TEs were dominated by endogenous retroviruses [long terminal repeats (LTR)]. Most differentially methylated regions (DMR) in all stages were hypomethylated, with the greatest hypomethylation in the final stage of transformation. A majority of the DMRs overlapped TEs from the RepeatMasker database, indicating that TEs are preferentially demethylated. Many hypomethylated TEs displayed a concordant increase in expression. Demethylation began during immortalization and continued into transformation, while upregulation of TE transcription occurred in transformation. Numerous LTR elements upregulated in the model were also identified in The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets of breast, colon, and prostate cancer. Overall, these findings indicate that TEs, specifically endogenous retroviruses, are demethylated and transcribed during transformation. SIGNIFICANCE Analysis of epigenetic and transcriptional changes in a transformation model reveals that transposable element expression and methylation are dysregulated during oncogenic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Kanholm
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- The Institute for Biomedical Sciences at the George Washington University
| | - Uzma Rentia
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Melissa Hadley
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Karlow
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olivia L. Cox
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Noor Diab
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
| | - Matthew L. Bendall
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tyson Dawson
- The Institute for Biomedical Sciences at the George Washington University
- Computational Biology Institute, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - James I. McDonald
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Wenbing Xie
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Keith A. Crandall
- Computational Biology Institute, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kathleen H. Burns
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephen B. Baylin
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hari Easwaran
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Katherine B. Chiappinelli
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
- The Institute for Biomedical Sciences at the George Washington University
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20
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Farani MR, Sarlak M, Gholami A, Azaraian M, Binabaj MM, Kakavandi S, Tambuwala MM, Taheriazam A, Hashemi M, Ghasemi S. Epigenetic drugs as new emerging therapeutics: What is the scale's orientation of application and challenges? Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154688. [PMID: 37494800 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression or function without altering the DNA sequence. Important factors are part of epigenetic events, such as methylation, DNA histone rearrangements, nucleosome transposition, and non-coding RNAs. Dysregulated epigenetic mechanics are associated with various cancers' initiation, development, and metastasis. It is known that the occurrence and development of cancer can be controlled by regulating unexpected epigenetic events. Epi-drugs are used singly or in combination with chemotherapy and enhance antitumor activity, reduce drug resistance, and stimulate the host immune response. Despite these benefits, epigenetic therapy as a single therapy or in combination with other drugs leads to adverse effects. This review article introduces and compares the advantages, disadvantages, and side effects of using these drugs for the first time since their introduction. Also, this article describes the mechanism of action of various epigenetic drugs. Recommendations for future use of epigenetic drugs as cancer therapeutics are suggested as an overall conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Ramezani Farani
- Toxicology and Diseases Group (TDG), Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 1417614411 Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Sarlak
- Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Amir Gholami
- Student Research Committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Maryam Azaraian
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin 10117, Germany; Department of Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maryam Moradi Binabaj
- Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, School of Medicine, Sabzevar University of Medical Science, Sabzevar, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Sareh Kakavandi
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, 0United Kingdom
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sorayya Ghasemi
- Cancer Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
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21
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Oláh E. Learning from cancer to address COVID-19. Biol Futur 2023:10.1007/s42977-023-00156-5. [PMID: 37410273 DOI: 10.1007/s42977-023-00156-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Patients with cancer have been disproportionately affected by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Knowledge collected during the last three decades of cancer research has helped the medical research community worldwide to respond to many of the challenges raised by COVID-19, during the pandemic. The review, briefly summarizes the underlying biology and risk factors of COVID-19 and cancer, and aims to present recent evidence on cellular and molecular relationship between the two diseases, with a focus on those that are related to the hallmarks of cancer and uncovered in the first less than three years of the pandemic (2020-2022). This may not only help answer the question "Why cancer patients are considered to be at a particularly high risk of developing severe COVID-19 illness?", but also helped treatments of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The last session highlights the pioneering mRNA studies and the breakthrough discovery on nucleoside-modifications of mRNA by Katalin Karikó, which led to the innovation and development of the mRNA-based SARSCoV-2 vaccines saving lives of millions and also opened the door for a new era of vaccines and a new class of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edit Oláh
- Department of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Oncology, Ráth György u. 7-9, Budapest, 1122, Hungary.
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22
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Wolf MM, Rathmell WK, de Cubas AA. Immunogenicity in renal cell carcinoma: shifting focus to alternative sources of tumour-specific antigens. Nat Rev Nephrol 2023; 19:440-450. [PMID: 36973495 PMCID: PMC10801831 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-023-00700-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) comprises a group of malignancies arising from the kidney with unique tumour-specific antigen (TSA) signatures that can trigger cytotoxic immunity. Two classes of TSAs are now considered potential drivers of immunogenicity in RCC: small-scale insertions and deletions (INDELs) that result in coding frameshift mutations, and activation of human endogenous retroviruses. The presence of neoantigen-specific T cells is a hallmark of solid tumours with a high mutagenic burden, which typically have abundant TSAs owing to non-synonymous single nucleotide variations within the genome. However, RCC exhibits high cytotoxic T cell reactivity despite only having an intermediate non-synonymous single nucleotide variation mutational burden. Instead, RCC tumours have a high pan-cancer proportion of INDEL frameshift mutations, and coding frameshift INDELs are associated with high immunogenicity. Moreover, cytotoxic T cells in RCC subtypes seem to recognize tumour-specific endogenous retrovirus epitopes, whose presence is associated with clinical responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Here, we review the distinct molecular landscapes in RCC that promote immunogenic responses, discuss clinical opportunities for discovery of biomarkers that can inform therapeutic immune checkpoint blockade strategies, and identify gaps in knowledge for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M Wolf
- Department of Medicine, Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - W Kimryn Rathmell
- Department of Medicine, Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Aguirre A de Cubas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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23
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Lee KH, Hwang HJ, Im YJ, Nam AR, Lee JW, Cho JY. New oncogenic functions of LINE1 retroelement as a ceRNA for tumor suppressive microRNA miR-126 on ENPP5. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286814. [PMID: 37352273 PMCID: PMC10289412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Retroelements (REs) had been considered 'Junk' until the encyclopedia of DNA elements (ENCODE) project demonstrated that most genome is functional. Although the function of retroelements has been reported in diverse cancers including human breast cancer (HBC) and subtypes, only a few studies have suggested the putative functions of REs via their random genome integration. A canine mammary tumor (CMT) has been highlighted due to the similarities in molecular and pathophysiology with HBC. This study investigated the putative roles of REs common in both HBC and CMT. The human LINE and HERV-K sequences harbor many miRNAs responsive elements (MREs) for tumor-suppressive miRNA such as let-7. We also observed that various MREs are exist in the ERV and LINE highly expressed in the transcriptome data of CMT as well as HBC sets. MREs against miR-126 were highly expressed in both HBC and CMT while the levels of miR-126 were down-regulated. Oppositely, the expression of miR-126 target genes was significantly up-regulated in the cancers. Moreover, cancer patients with an increased level of miR-126 showed better overall survival. The expression of ENPP5, a putative miR-126 target gene, was downregulated by miR-126 mimic. Importantly, overexpression of LINE fragment significantly suppressed miR-126 function on the target gene expression. We propose the functional role of REs expression in tumorigenesis as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) against tumor-suppressive miRNAs. This study provided pieces of evidence that LINE expression, even partial and fragmented, have a regulatory function in ENPP5 gene expression via the competition with miR-126.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Hoon Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, BK21 Plus and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeon-Ji Hwang
- Department of Biochemistry, BK21 Plus and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Comparative Medicine Disease Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeo-Jin Im
- Department of Biochemistry, BK21 Plus and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Comparative Medicine Disease Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - A-Reum Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, BK21 Plus and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Comparative Medicine Disease Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Woon Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, BK21 Plus and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Comparative Medicine Disease Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Yoel Cho
- Department of Biochemistry, BK21 Plus and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Comparative Medicine Disease Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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24
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Cunha C, Marinheiro D, Ferreira BJML, Oliveira H, Daniel-da-Silva AL. Morin Hydrate Encapsulation and Release from Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Melanoma Therapy. Molecules 2023; 28:4776. [PMID: 37375331 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma incidence, a type of skin cancer, has been increasing worldwide. There is a strong need to develop new therapeutic strategies to improve melanoma treatment. Morin is a bioflavonoid with the potential for use in the treatment of cancer, including melanoma. However, therapeutic applications of morin are restrained owing to its low aqueous solubility and limited bioavailability. This work investigates morin hydrate (MH) encapsulation in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) to enhance morin bioavailability and consequently increase the antitumor effects in melanoma cells. Spheroidal MSNs with a mean size of 56.3 ± 6.5 nm and a specific surface area of 816 m2/g were synthesized. MH was successfully loaded (MH-MSN) using the evaporation method, with a loading capacity of 28.3% and loading efficiency of 99.1%. In vitro release studies showed that morin release from MH-MSNs was enhanced at pH 5.2, indicating increased flavonoid solubility. The in vitro cytotoxicity of MH and MH-MSNs on human A375, MNT-1 and SK-MEL-28 melanoma cell lines was investigated. Exposure to MSNs did not affect the cell viability of any of the cell lines tested, suggesting that the nanoparticles are biocompatible. The effect of MH and MH-MSNs on reducing cell viability was time- and concentration-dependent in all melanoma cell lines. The A375 and SK-MEL-28 cell lines were slightly more sensitive than MNT-1 cells in both the MH and MH-MSN treatments. Our findings suggest that MH-MSNs are a promising delivery system for the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Cunha
- Department of Biology, CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Diogo Marinheiro
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Bárbara J M L Ferreira
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Helena Oliveira
- Department of Biology, CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana L Daniel-da-Silva
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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25
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Mathavarajah S, Vergunst KL, Habib EB, Williams SK, He R, Maliougina M, Park M, Salsman J, Roy S, Braasch I, Roger A, Langelaan D, Dellaire G. PML and PML-like exonucleases restrict retrotransposons in jawed vertebrates. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:3185-3204. [PMID: 36912092 PMCID: PMC10123124 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We have uncovered a role for the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) gene and novel PML-like DEDDh exonucleases in the maintenance of genome stability through the restriction of LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposition in jawed vertebrates. Although the mammalian PML protein forms nuclear bodies, we found that the spotted gar PML ortholog and related proteins in fish function as cytoplasmic DEDDh exonucleases. In contrast, PML proteins from amniote species localized both to the cytoplasm and formed nuclear bodies. We also identified the PML-like exon 9 (Plex9) genes in teleost fishes that encode exonucleases. Plex9 proteins resemble TREX1 but are unique from the TREX family and share homology to gar PML. We also characterized the molecular evolution of TREX1 and the first non-mammalian TREX1 homologs in axolotl. In an example of convergent evolution and akin to TREX1, gar PML and zebrafish Plex9 proteins suppressed L1 retrotransposition and could complement TREX1 knockout in mammalian cells. Following export to the cytoplasm, the human PML-I isoform also restricted L1 through its conserved C-terminus by enhancing ORF1p degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Thus, PML first emerged as a cytoplasmic suppressor of retroelements, and this function is retained in amniotes despite its new role in the assembly of nuclear bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathleen L Vergunst
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Elias B Habib
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Shelby K Williams
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Raymond He
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Maria Maliougina
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Mika Park
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jayme Salsman
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stéphane Roy
- Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Dentistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QB, Canada
| | - Ingo Braasch
- Michigan State University, Department of Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Andrew J Roger
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - David N Langelaan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Graham Dellaire
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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26
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Mosaddeghi P, Farahmandnejad M, Zarshenas MM. The role of transposable elements in aging and cancer. Biogerontology 2023:10.1007/s10522-023-10028-z. [PMID: 37017895 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10028-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a large portion of the human genome. Various mechanisms at the transcription and post-transcription levels developed to suppress TE activity in healthy conditions. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that TE dysregulation is involved in various human diseases, including age-related diseases and cancer. In this review, we explained how sensing TEs by the immune system could induce innate immune responses, chronic inflammation, and following age-related diseases. We also noted that inflammageing and exogenous carcinogens could trigger the upregulation of TEs in precancerous cells. Increased inflammation could enhance epigenetic plasticity and upregulation of early developmental TEs, which rewires the transcriptional networks and gift the survival advantage to the precancerous cells. In addition, upregulated TEs could induce genome instability, activation of oncogenes, or inhibition of tumor suppressors and consequent cancer initiation and progression. So, we suggest that TEs could be considered therapeutic targets in aging and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pouria Mosaddeghi
- Medicinal Plants Processing Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mitra Farahmandnejad
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Quality Control of Drug Products Department, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad M Zarshenas
- Department of Phytopharmaceuticals (Traditional Pharmacy), School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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27
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Hofstetter G, Mildner M, Tschandl P, Pammer J. ORF1p Is a Potential Novel Diagnostic Marker for Differentiated Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia. Int J Gynecol Pathol 2023; 42:201-206. [PMID: 36044297 DOI: 10.1097/pgp.0000000000000907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Accurate diagnosis of differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN) can be challenging as histomorphologic features may be subtle and overlap with nondysplastic lesions. In practice, aberrant p53 expression supports the diagnosis, but a substantial percentage retains wild-type p53. Recently, the retrotransposon long interspersed nuclear element 1 has been detected in distinct cancer types. We have now investigated the expression of the long interspersed nuclear element 1 encoded protein ORF1p in dysplastic and nondysplastic vulvar samples to assess its diagnostic value. Specimens of dVIN (n=29), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (n=26), inflammatory vulvar lesions (n=20), lichen sclerosus (n=22), and normal vulvar epithelia (n=29) were included. ORF1p and p53 expression was determined using immunohistochemistry. The majority of dVIN [27/29 (93%)] and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions [20/26 (77%)] showed distinct (i.e. moderate or strong) ORF1p expression in the basal and suprabasal or all epithelial layers, respectively. Of note, ORF1p was present in all 4 cases of dVIN with wild-type p53 staining pattern. In contrast, ORF1p was negative or weakly expressed in most inflammatory lesions [14/20 (70%)] and lichen sclerosus [18/22 (82%), P <0.001]. Normal control epithelium exhibited negative staining in all cases. In conclusion, ORF1p might be a useful diagnostic marker for dVIN, especially in cases with retained wild-type p53.
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28
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Li HT, Jang HJ, Rohena-Rivera K, Liu M, Gujar H, Kulchycki J, Zhao S, Billet S, Zhou X, Weisenberger DJ, Gill I, Jones PA, Bhowmick NA, Liang G. RNA mis-splicing drives viral mimicry response after DNMTi therapy in SETD2-mutant kidney cancer. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112016. [PMID: 36662621 PMCID: PMC10034851 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors with mutations in chromatin regulators present attractive targets for DNA hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC) therapy, which further disrupts cancer cells' epigenomic fidelity and reactivates transposable element (TE) expression to drive viral mimicry responses. SETD2 encodes a histone methyltransferase (H3K36me3) and is prevalently mutated in advanced kidney cancers. Here, we show that SETD2-mutant kidney cancer cells are especially sensitive in vitro and in vivo to DAC treatment. We find that the viral mimicry response are direct consequences of mis-splicing events, such as exon inclusions or extensions, triggered by DAC treatment in an SETD2-loss context. Comprehensive epigenomic analysis reveals H3K9me3 deposition, rather than DNA methylation dynamics, across intronic TEs might contribute to elevated mis-splicing rates. Through epigenomic and transcriptomic analyses, we show that SETD2-deficient kidney cancers are prone to mis-splicing, which can be therapeutically exacerbated with DAC treatment to increase viral mimicry activation and provide synergy with combinatorial immunotherapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Tao Li
- Department of Urology, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - H Josh Jang
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Krizia Rohena-Rivera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Minmin Liu
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Hemant Gujar
- Department of Urology, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Justin Kulchycki
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Shuqing Zhao
- Department of Urology, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Sandrin Billet
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Xinyi Zhou
- Department of Urology, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Daniel J Weisenberger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Inderbir Gill
- Department of Urology, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Peter A Jones
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
| | - Neil A Bhowmick
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA.
| | - Gangning Liang
- Department of Urology, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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29
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Walker RR, Rentia Z, Chiappinelli KB. Epigenetically programmed resistance to chemo- and immuno-therapies. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 158:41-71. [PMID: 36990538 PMCID: PMC10184181 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.12.001] [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] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to cancer treatments remains a major barrier in developing cancer cures. While promising combination chemotherapy treatments and novel immunotherapies have improved patient outcomes, resistance to these treatments remains poorly understood. New insights into the dysregulation of the epigenome show how it promotes tumor growth and resistance to therapy. By altering control of gene expression, tumor cells can evade immune cell recognition, ignore apoptotic cues, and reverse DNA damage induced by chemotherapies. In this chapter, we summarize the data on epigenetic remodeling during cancer progression and treatment that enable cancer cell survival and describe how these epigenetic changes are being targeted clinically to overcome resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reddick R Walker
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, United States; Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Zainab Rentia
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, United States
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, United States; Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States.
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30
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Patient-specific identification of genome-wide DNA-methylation differences between intracranial and extracranial melanoma metastases. Sci Rep 2023; 13:444. [PMID: 36624125 PMCID: PMC9829750 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24940-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanomas frequently metastasize to distant organs and especially intracranial metastases still represent a major clinical challenge. Epigenetic reprogramming of intracranial metastases is thought to be involved in therapy failure, but so far only little is known about patient-specific DNA-methylation differences between intra- and extracranial melanoma metastases. Hierarchical clustering of the methylomes of 24 patient-matched intra- and extracranial melanoma metastases pairs revealed that intra- and extracranial metastases of individual patients were more similar to each other than to metastases in the same tissue from other patients. Therefore, a personalized analysis of each metastases pair was done by a Hidden Markov Model to classify methylation levels of individual CpGs as decreased, unchanged or increased in the intra- compared to the extracranial metastasis. The predicted DNA-methylation alterations were highly patient-specific differing in the number and methylation states of altered CpGs. Nevertheless, four important general observations were made: (i) intracranial metastases of most patients mainly showed a reduction of DNA-methylation, (ii) cytokine signaling was most frequently affected by differential methylation in individual metastases pairs, but also MAPK, PI3K/Akt and ECM signaling were often altered, (iii) frequently affected genes were mainly involved in signaling, growth, adhesion or apoptosis, and (iv) an enrichment of functional terms related to channel and transporter activities supports previous findings for a brain-like phenotype. In addition, the derived set of 17 signaling pathway genes that distinguished intra- from extracranial metastases in more than 50% of patients included well-known oncogenes (e.g. PRKCA, DUSP6, BMP4) and several other genes known from neuronal disorders (e.g. EIF4B, SGK1, CACNG8). Moreover, associations of gene body methylation alterations with corresponding gene expression changes revealed that especially the three signaling pathway genes JAK3, MECOM, and TNXB differ strongly in their expression between patient-matched intra- and extracranial metastases. Our analysis contributes to an in-depth characterization of DNA-methylation differences between patient-matched intra- and extracranial melanoma metastases and may provide a basis for future experimental studies to identify targets for new therapeutic approaches.
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31
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Moya-Jódar M, Ullate-Agote A, Barlabé P, Rodríguez-Madoz JR, Abizanda G, Barreda C, Carvajal-Vergara X, Vilas-Zornoza A, Romero JP, Garate L, Agirre X, Coppiello G, Prósper F, Aranguren XL. Revealing cell populations catching the early stages of human embryo development in naive pluripotent stem cell cultures. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 18:64-80. [PMID: 36563688 PMCID: PMC9860119 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Naive human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are defined as the in vitro counterpart of the human preimplantation embryo's epiblast and are used as a model system to study developmental processes. In this study, we report the discovery and characterization of distinct cell populations coexisting with epiblast-like cells in 5iLAF naive human induced PSC (hiPSC) cultures. It is noteworthy that these populations closely resemble different cell types of the human embryo at early developmental stages. While epiblast-like cells represent the main cell population, interestingly we detect a cell population with gene and transposable element expression profile closely resembling the totipotent eight-cell (8C)-stage human embryo, and three cell populations analogous to trophectoderm cells at different stages of their maturation process: transition, early, and mature stages. Moreover, we reveal the presence of cells resembling primitive endoderm. Thus, 5iLAF naive hiPSC cultures provide an excellent opportunity to model the earliest events of human embryogenesis, from the 8C stage to the peri-implantation period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Moya-Jódar
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Asier Ullate-Agote
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Advanced Genomics Laboratory, Program of Hemato-Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Paula Barlabé
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Juan Roberto Rodríguez-Madoz
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), IDISNA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gloria Abizanda
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Carolina Barreda
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Xonia Carvajal-Vergara
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Amaia Vilas-Zornoza
- Advanced Genomics Laboratory, Program of Hemato-Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan Pablo Romero
- Advanced Genomics Laboratory, Program of Hemato-Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,10x Genomics, 6230 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA
| | - Leire Garate
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), IDISNA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Xabier Agirre
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), IDISNA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Giulia Coppiello
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Felipe Prósper
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain; Hemato-Oncology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), IDISNA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Hematology Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Xabier L. Aranguren
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain,Corresponding author
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Casarotto M, Lupato V, Giurato G, Guerrieri R, Sulfaro S, Salvati A, D’Angelo E, Furlan C, Menegaldo A, Baboci L, Montico B, Turturici I, Dolcetti R, Romeo S, Baggio V, Corrado S, Businello G, Guido M, Weisz A, Giacomarra V, Franchin G, Steffan A, Sigalotti L, Vaccher E, Boscolo-Rizzo P, Jerry P, Fanetti G, Fratta E. LINE-1 hypomethylation is associated with poor outcomes in locoregionally advanced oropharyngeal cancer. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:171. [PMID: 36503584 PMCID: PMC9743592 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01386-5] [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: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity represents a strong prognostic factor for both reduced risk of relapse and improved survival in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). However, a subset of HPV-positive OPSCC patients still experience poor outcomes. Furthermore, HPV-negative OPSCC patients, who have an even higher risk of relapse, are still lacking suitable prognostic biomarkers for clinical outcome. Here, we evaluated the prognostic value of LINE-1 methylation level in OPSCC patients and further addressed the relationship between LINE-1 methylation status and p53 protein expression as well as genome-wide/gene-specific DNA methylation. RESULTS In this study, DNA was extracted from 163 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples retrospectively collected from stage III-IVB OPSCC patients managed with curative intent with up-front treatment. Quantitative methylation-specific PCR revealed that LINE-1 hypomethylation was directly associated with poor prognosis (5-year overall survival-OS: 28.1% for LINE-1 methylation < 35% vs. 69.1% for ≥ 55%; p < 0.0001). When LINE-1 methylation was dichotomized as < 55% versus ≥ 55%, interaction with HPV16 emerged: compared with hypermethylated HPV16-positive patients, subjects with hypomethylated HPV16-negative OPSCC reported an adjusted higher risk of death (HR 4.83, 95% CI 2.24-10.38) and progression (HR 4.54, 95% CI 2.18-9.48). Tumor protein p53 (TP53) gene is often mutated and overexpressed in HPV-negative OPSCC. Since p53 has been reported to repress LINE-1 promoter, we then analyzed the association between p53 protein expression and LINE-1 methylation levels. Following p53 immunohistochemistry, results indicated that among HPV16-negative patients with p53 ≥ 50%, LINE-1 methylation levels declined and remained stable at approximately 43%; any HPV16-positive patient reported p53 ≥ 50%. Finally, DNA methylation analysis demonstrated that genome-wide average methylation level at cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites was significantly lower in HPV16-negative OPSCC patients who relapsed within two years. The subsequent integrative analysis of gene expression and DNA methylation identified 20 up-regulated/hypomethylated genes in relapsed patients, and most of them contained LINE-1 elements in their promoter sequences. CONCLUSIONS Evaluation of the methylation level of LINE-1 may help in identifying the subset of OPSCC patients with bad prognosis regardless of their HPV status. Aberrant LINE-1 hypomethylation might occur along with TP53 mutations and lead to altered gene expression in OPSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariateresa Casarotto
- grid.414603.4Unit of Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Valentina Lupato
- grid.415199.10000 0004 1756 8284Division of Otolaryngology, General Hospital “S. Maria Degli Angeli”, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- grid.11780.3f0000 0004 1937 0335Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA Italy ,grid.11780.3f0000 0004 1937 0335Genome Research Center for Health, Campus of Medicine, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA Italy
| | - Roberto Guerrieri
- grid.414603.4Unit of Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Sandro Sulfaro
- grid.415199.10000 0004 1756 8284Division of Pathology, General Hospital “S. Maria Degli Angeli”, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- grid.11780.3f0000 0004 1937 0335Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA Italy ,grid.11780.3f0000 0004 1937 0335Genome Research Center for Health, Campus of Medicine, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA Italy ,grid.11780.3f0000 0004 1937 0335Medical Genomics Program, AOU ‘SS. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona’, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Elisa D’Angelo
- grid.413363.00000 0004 1769 5275Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Carlo Furlan
- grid.415199.10000 0004 1756 8284Department of Radiation Oncology, General Hospital “San Martino”, Belluno, Italy
| | - Anna Menegaldo
- Unit of Otolaryngology, AULSS 2 - Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
| | - Lorena Baboci
- grid.414603.4Unit of Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Barbara Montico
- grid.414603.4Unit of Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Irene Turturici
- grid.418321.d0000 0004 1757 9741Division of Radiotherapy, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, PN Italy
| | - Riccardo Dolcetti
- grid.1055.10000000403978434Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XSir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010 Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Salvatore Romeo
- Department of Services of Diagnosis and Care, Santorso Hospital, Santorso, VI Italy
| | - Vittorio Baggio
- grid.413196.8Department of Radiation Oncology, Treviso Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy
| | - Stefania Corrado
- grid.413363.00000 0004 1769 5275Department of Anatomy and Pathology, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Gianluca Businello
- grid.413196.8Department of Pathology, Treviso Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy
| | - Maria Guido
- grid.413196.8Department of Pathology, Treviso Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy ,grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- grid.11780.3f0000 0004 1937 0335Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry ‘Scuola Medica Salernitana’, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA Italy ,grid.11780.3f0000 0004 1937 0335Genome Research Center for Health, Campus of Medicine, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA Italy ,grid.11780.3f0000 0004 1937 0335Medical Genomics Program, AOU ‘SS. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona’, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Vittorio Giacomarra
- grid.415199.10000 0004 1756 8284Division of Otolaryngology, General Hospital “S. Maria Degli Angeli”, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Giovanni Franchin
- grid.418321.d0000 0004 1757 9741Division of Radiotherapy, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, PN Italy
| | - Agostino Steffan
- grid.414603.4Unit of Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Luca Sigalotti
- grid.414603.4Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Emanuela Vaccher
- grid.414603.4Division of Medical Oncology A, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Paolo Boscolo-Rizzo
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Treviso, Italy
| | - Polesel Jerry
- grid.414603.4Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fanetti
- grid.418321.d0000 0004 1757 9741Division of Radiotherapy, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, PN Italy
| | - Elisabetta Fratta
- grid.414603.4Unit of Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, Italy ,grid.418321.d0000 0004 1757 9741Division of Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini, 2, 33081 Aviano, PN Italy
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Gomez S, Cox OL, Walker RR, Rentia U, Hadley M, Arthofer E, Diab N, Grundy EE, Kanholm T, McDonald JI, Kobyra J, Palmer E, Noonepalle S, Villagra A, Leitenberg D, Bollard CM, Saunthararajah Y, Chiappinelli KB. Inhibiting DNA methylation and RNA editing upregulates immunogenic RNA to transform the tumor microenvironment and prolong survival in ovarian cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004974. [PMID: 36343976 PMCID: PMC9644370 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Novel therapies are urgently needed for ovarian cancer (OC), the fifth deadliest cancer in women. Preclinical work has shown that DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTis) can reverse the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in OC. Inhibiting DNA methyltransferases activate transcription of double-stranded (ds)RNA, including transposable elements. These dsRNAs activate sensors in the cytoplasm and trigger type I interferon (IFN) signaling, recruiting host immune cells to kill the tumor cells. Adenosine deaminase 1 (ADAR1) is induced by IFN signaling and edits mammalian dsRNA with an A-to-I nucleotide change, which is read as an A-to-G change in sequencing data. These edited dsRNAs cannot be sensed by dsRNA sensors, and thus ADAR1 inhibits the type I IFN response in a negative feedback loop. We hypothesized that decreasing ADAR1 editing would enhance the DNMTi-induced immune response. METHODS Human OC cell lines were treated in vitro with DNMTi and then RNA-sequenced to measure RNA editing. Adar1 was stably knocked down in ID8 Trp53-/- mouse OC cells. Control cells (shGFP) or shAdar1 cells were tested with mock or DNMTi treatment. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were immunophenotyped using flow cytometry and cell culture supernatants were analyzed for secreted chemokines/cytokines. Mice were injected with syngeneic shAdar1 ID8 Trp53-/- cells and treated with tetrahydrouridine/DNMTi while given anti-interferon alpha and beta receptor 1, anti-CD8, or anti-NK1.1 antibodies every 3 days. RESULTS We show that ADAR1 edits transposable elements in human OC cell lines after DNMTi treatment in vitro. Combining ADAR1 knockdown with DNMTi significantly increases pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production and sensitivity to IFN-β compared with either perturbation alone. Furthermore, DNMTi treatment and Adar1 loss reduces tumor burden and prolongs survival in an immunocompetent mouse model of OC. Combining Adar1 loss and DNMTi elicited the most robust antitumor response and transformed the immune microenvironment with increased recruitment and activation of CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSION In summary, we showed that the survival benefit from DNMTi plus ADAR1 inhibition is dependent on type I IFN signaling. Thus, epigenetically inducing transposable element transcription combined with inhibition of RNA editing is a novel therapeutic strategy to reverse immune evasion in OC, a disease that does not respond to current immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Gomez
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Olivia L Cox
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Reddick R Walker
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Uzma Rentia
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Melissa Hadley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Elisa Arthofer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Noor Diab
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Erin E Grundy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Tomas Kanholm
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - James I McDonald
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Julie Kobyra
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Erica Palmer
- Department of Biochemistry, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Satish Noonepalle
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Alejandro Villagra
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - David Leitenberg
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Catherine M Bollard
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA,Department of Pediatrics, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Yogen Saunthararajah
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Savytska N, Heutink P, Bansal V. Transcription start site signal profiling improves transposable element RNA expression analysis at locus-level. Front Genet 2022; 13:1026847. [PMID: 36338986 PMCID: PMC9633680 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1026847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional activity of Transposable Elements (TEs) has been involved in numerous pathological processes, including neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The TE expression analysis from short-read sequencing technologies is, however, challenging due to the multitude of similar sequences derived from singular TEs subfamilies and the exaptation of TEs within longer coding or non-coding RNAs. Specialised tools have been developed to quantify the expression of TEs that either relies on probabilistic re-distribution of multimapper count fractions or allow for discarding multimappers altogether. Until now, the benchmarking across those tools was largely limited to aggregated expression estimates over whole TEs subfamilies. Here, we compared the performance of recently published tools (SQuIRE, TElocal, SalmonTE) with simplistic quantification strategies (featureCounts in unique, fraction and random modes) at the individual loci level. Using simulated datasets, we examined the false discovery rate and the primary driver of those false positive hits in the optimal quantification strategy. Our findings suggest a high false discovery number that exceeds the total number of correctly recovered active loci for all the quantification strategies, including the best performing tool TElocal. As a remedy, filtering based on the minimum number of read counts or baseMean expression improves the F1 score and decreases the number of false positives. Finally, we demonstrate that additional profiling of Transcription Start Site mapping statistics (using a k-means clustering approach) significantly improves the performance of TElocal while reporting a reliable set of detected and differentially expressed TEs in human simulated RNA-seq data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vikas Bansal
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
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35
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SoloTE for improved analysis of transposable elements in single-cell RNA-Seq data using locus-specific expression. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1063. [PMID: 36202992 PMCID: PMC9537157 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04020-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable Elements (TEs) contribute to the repetitive fraction in almost every eukaryotic genome known to date, and their transcriptional activation can influence the expression of neighboring genes in healthy and disease states. Single cell RNA-Seq (scRNA-Seq) is a technical advance that allows the study of gene expression on a cell-by-cell basis. Although a current computational approach is available for the single cell analysis of TE expression, it omits their genomic location. Here we show SoloTE, a pipeline that outperforms the previous approach in terms of computational resources and by allowing the inclusion of locus-specific TE activity in scRNA-Seq expression matrixes. We then apply SoloTE to several datasets to reveal the repertoire of TEs that become transcriptionally active in different cell groups, and based on their genomic location, we predict their potential impact on gene expression. As our tool takes as input the resulting files from standard scRNA-Seq processing pipelines, we expect it to be widely adopted in single cell studies to help researchers discover patterns of cellular diversity associated with TE expression.
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36
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Kim WR, Park EG, Lee YJ, Bae WH, Lee DH, Kim HS. Integration of TE Induces Cancer Specific Alternative Splicing Events. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810918. [PMID: 36142830 PMCID: PMC9502224 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing of messenger RNA (mRNA) precursors contributes to genetic diversity by generating structurally and functionally distinct transcripts. In a disease state, alternative splicing promotes incidence and development of several cancer types through regulation of cancer-related biological processes. Transposable elements (TEs), having the genetic ability to jump to other regions of the genome, can bring about alternative splicing events in cancer. TEs can integrate into the genome, mostly in the intronic regions, and induce cancer-specific alternative splicing by adjusting various mechanisms, such as exonization, providing splicing donor/acceptor sites, alternative regulatory sequences or stop codons, and driving exon disruption or epigenetic regulation. Moreover, TEs can produce microRNAs (miRNAs) that control the proportion of transcripts by repressing translation or stimulating the degradation of transcripts at the post-transcriptional level. Notably, TE insertion creates a cancer-friendly environment by controlling the overall process of gene expression before and after transcription in cancer cells. This review emphasizes the correlative interaction between alternative splicing by TE integration and cancer-associated biological processes, suggesting a macroscopic mechanism controlling alternative splicing by TE insertion in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo Ryung Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Eun Gyung Park
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Yun Ju Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Woo Hyeon Bae
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Du Hyeong Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Heui-Soo Kim
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea
- Correspondence:
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Chiappinelli KB, Baylin SB. Inhibiting DNA methylation improves antitumor immunity in ovarian cancer. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:160186. [PMID: 35838045 PMCID: PMC9282922 DOI: 10.1172/jci160186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells resist the immune response in a process known as immune editing or immune evasion. Therapies that target the immune system have revolutionized cancer treatment; however, immunotherapies have been ineffective for the majority of ovarian cancer cases. In this issue of the JCI, Chen, Xie, et al. hypothesized that hypomethylating agent (HMA) treatment would induce antitumor immunity to sensitize patients with ovarian cancer to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. The authors performed a phase II clinical trial to test the combination of guadecitabine, a second-generation HMA, along with pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1. The trial included a group of 35 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. While the clinical benefit from the combined HMA plus immune checkpoint blockade regimen was lower than hoped, the correlate analyses gave important information about which patients with ovarian cancer may be more likely to respond to immune therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine and.,GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Stephen B Baylin
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
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Bhat A, Ghatage T, Bhan S, Lahane GP, Dhar A, Kumar R, Pandita RK, Bhat KM, Ramos KS, Pandita TK. Role of Transposable Elements in Genome Stability: Implications for Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147802. [PMID: 35887150 PMCID: PMC9319628 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Most living organisms have in their genome a sizable proportion of DNA sequences capable of mobilization; these sequences are commonly referred to as transposons, transposable elements (TEs), or jumping genes. Although long thought to have no biological significance, advances in DNA sequencing and analytical technologies have enabled precise characterization of TEs and confirmed their ubiquitous presence across all forms of life. These findings have ignited intense debates over their biological significance. The available evidence now supports the notion that TEs exert major influence over many biological aspects of organismal life. Transposable elements contribute significantly to the evolution of the genome by giving rise to genetic variations in both active and passive modes. Due to their intrinsic nature of mobility within the genome, TEs primarily cause gene disruption and large-scale genomic alterations including inversions, deletions, and duplications. Besides genomic instability, growing evidence also points to many physiologically important functions of TEs, such as gene regulation through cis-acting control elements and modulation of the transcriptome through epigenetic control. In this review, we discuss the latest evidence demonstrating the impact of TEs on genome stability and the underling mechanisms, including those developed to mitigate the deleterious impact of TEs on genomic stability and human health. We have also highlighted the potential therapeutic application of TEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audesh Bhat
- Centre for Molecular Biology, Central University of Jammu, Jammu 181143, India;
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (T.K.P.)
| | - Trupti Ghatage
- Department of Pharmacy, BITS-Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad 500078, India; (T.G.); (G.P.L.); (A.D.)
| | - Sonali Bhan
- Centre for Molecular Biology, Central University of Jammu, Jammu 181143, India;
| | - Ganesh P. Lahane
- Department of Pharmacy, BITS-Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad 500078, India; (T.G.); (G.P.L.); (A.D.)
| | - Arti Dhar
- Department of Pharmacy, BITS-Pilani Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad 500078, India; (T.G.); (G.P.L.); (A.D.)
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishnav Devi University, Katra 182320, India;
| | - Raj K. Pandita
- Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Krishna M. Bhat
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
| | - Kenneth S. Ramos
- Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Tej K. Pandita
- Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Center for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (T.K.P.)
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Bonté PE, Arribas YA, Merlotti A, Carrascal M, Zhang JV, Zueva E, Binder ZA, Alanio C, Goudot C, Amigorena S. Single-cell RNA-seq-based proteogenomics identifies glioblastoma-specific transposable elements encoding HLA-I-presented peptides. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110916. [PMID: 35675780 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
We analyze transposable elements (TEs) in glioblastoma (GBM) patients using a proteogenomic pipeline that combines single-cell transcriptomics, bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) samples from tumors and healthy-tissue cohorts, and immunopeptidomic samples. We thus identify 370 human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-I-bound peptides encoded by TEs differentially expressed in GBM. Some of the peptides are encoded by repeat sequences from intact open reading frames (ORFs) present in up to several hundred TEs from recent long interspersed nuclear element (LINE)-1, long terminal repeat (LTR), and SVA subfamilies. Other HLA-I-bound peptides are encoded by single copies of TEs from old subfamilies that are expressed recurrently in GBM tumors and not expressed, or very infrequently and at low levels, in healthy tissues (including brain). These peptide-coding, GBM-specific, highly recurrent TEs represent potential tumor-specific targets for cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Emmanuel Bonté
- Institut Curie, PSL University, INSERM U932, Immunity and Cancer, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Yago A Arribas
- Institut Curie, PSL University, INSERM U932, Immunity and Cancer, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Antonela Merlotti
- Institut Curie, PSL University, INSERM U932, Immunity and Cancer, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Montserrat Carrascal
- Biological and Environmental Proteomics, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona-CSIC, IDIBAPS, Roselló 161, 6a planta, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jiasi Vicky Zhang
- GBM Translational Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Elina Zueva
- Institut Curie, PSL University, INSERM U932, Immunity and Cancer, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Zev A Binder
- GBM Translational Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Cécile Alanio
- Institut Curie, PSL University, INSERM U932, Immunity and Cancer, 75005 Paris, France; Laboratoire d'Immunologie Clinique, Institut Curie, Paris 75005, France; Parker Institute of Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Christel Goudot
- Institut Curie, PSL University, INSERM U932, Immunity and Cancer, 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Sebastian Amigorena
- Institut Curie, PSL University, INSERM U932, Immunity and Cancer, 75005 Paris, France.
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Grillo G, Lupien M. Cancer-associated chromatin variants uncover the oncogenic role of transposable elements. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2022; 74:101911. [PMID: 35487182 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2022.101911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The vast array of cell states found across human tissue arises from chromatin variants, which correspond to segments of the genome, known as DNA elements, adopting a different chromatin state over cell state transitions. Oncogenesis stems from alterations to the chromatin states over DNA elements that result in cancer-associated chromatin variants. Here, we review how cancer-associated chromatin variants call attention to repetitive DNA elements, and guide the functional characterization of transposable elements to decode their role in oncogenesis. We further discuss prevailing opportunities in the study of repetitive DNA elements to move towards the 'complete cancer genome' goal for precision medicine in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Grillo
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Mathieu Lupien
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Abstract
Over the past few decades, epigenetic regulators have emerged as major players in cellular processes that drive cancer initiation and progression, and subsequently modulate the responsiveness of cancers to therapeutic agents. This Special Issue of The FEBS Journal, Cancer Epigenetics, features an exciting collection of review articles that focus on the functions of a broad spectrum of epigenetic modulators in cancer. The diverse topics explored herein range from the roles of transposable elements and chromatin architecture in cancer and the most recent research advances on cancer-associated histone variants (oncohistones), to the effects of altered epigenetics on transcription and advanced cancer cell phenotypes. Moreover, the prospective key function of cancer metabolism in linking epigenetics and transcriptional regulation, and the potential of epigenetics for targeted cancer therapeutics is discussed. We hope that this collection of articles will give readers an enlightening overview of the most recent advances in the fast-moving field of cancer epigenetics.
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Transposable Elements and Human Diseases: Mechanisms and Implication in the Response to Environmental Pollutants. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052551. [PMID: 35269693 PMCID: PMC8910135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are recognized as major players in genome plasticity and evolution. The high abundance of TEs in the human genome, especially the Alu and Long Interspersed Nuclear Element-1 (LINE-1) repeats, makes them responsible for the molecular origin of several diseases. This involves several molecular mechanisms that are presented in this review: insertional mutation, DNA recombination and chromosomal rearrangements, modification of gene expression, as well as alteration of epigenetic regulations. This literature review also presents some of the more recent and/or more classical examples of human diseases in which TEs are involved. Whether through insertion of LINE-1 or Alu elements that cause chromosomal rearrangements, or through epigenetic modifications, TEs are widely implicated in the origin of human cancers. Many other human diseases can have a molecular origin in TE-mediated chromosomal recombination or alteration of gene structure and/or expression. These diseases are very diverse and include hemoglobinopathies, metabolic and neurological diseases, and common diseases. Moreover, TEs can also have an impact on aging. Finally, the exposure of individuals to stresses and environmental contaminants seems to have a non-negligible impact on the epigenetic derepression and mobility of TEs, which can lead to the development of diseases. Thus, improving our knowledge of TEs may lead to new potential diagnostic markers of diseases.
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Jayabal P, Ma X, Shiio Y. EZH2 suppresses endogenous retroviruses and an interferon response in cancers. Genes Cancer 2021; 12:96-105. [PMID: 34966479 PMCID: PMC8711646 DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive cancer of bone and soft tissue in children. It is characterized by the chromosomal translocation between EWS and an Ets family transcription factor, most commonly FLI1. We recently reported that Ewing sarcoma depends on the autocrine signaling mediated by a cytokine, NELL2. NELL2 signaling stimulates the transcriptional output of EWS-FLI1 through the BAF chromatin remodeling complexes. While studying the impact of NELL2 silencing on Ewing sarcoma, we found that suppression of NELL2 signaling induces the expression of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and LINE-1 retrotransposons, an interferon response, and growth arrest. We determined that a histone methyltransferase, EZH2, is the critical downstream target of NELL2 signaling in suppressing ERVs, LINE-1, an interferon response, and growth arrest. We show that EZH2 inhibitors induce ERVs, LINE-1, and an interferon response in a variety of cancer types. These results uncover the role for NELL2–EZH2 signaling in suppressing endogenous virus-like agents and an antiviral response, and suggest the potential utility of EZH2 inhibitors in enhancing anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panneerselvam Jayabal
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Xiuye Ma
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
| | - Yuzuru Shiio
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.,Mays Cancer Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
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Bioinformatics and Machine Learning Approaches to Understand the Regulation of Mobile Genetic Elements. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10090896. [PMID: 34571773 PMCID: PMC8465862 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences that are, or were, able to move (transpose) within the genome of a single cell. They were first discovered by Barbara McClintock while working on maize, and they make up a large fraction of the genome. Transpositions can result in mutations and they can alter the genome size. Cells regulate the activity of TEs using a variety of mechanisms, such as chemical modifications of DNA and small RNAs. Machine learning (ML) is an interdisciplinary subject that studies computer algorithms that can improve through experience and by the use of data. ML has been successfully applied to a variety of problems in bioinformatics and has exhibited favorable precision and speed. Here, we provide a systematic and guided review on the ML and bioinformatic methods and tools that are used for the analysis of the regulation of TEs. Abstract Transposable elements (TEs, or mobile genetic elements, MGEs) are ubiquitous genetic elements that make up a substantial proportion of the genome of many species. The recent growing interest in understanding the evolution and function of TEs has revealed that TEs play a dual role in genome evolution, development, disease, and drug resistance. Cells regulate TE expression against uncontrolled activity that can lead to developmental defects and disease, using multiple strategies, such as DNA chemical modification, small RNA (sRNA) silencing, chromatin modification, as well as sequence-specific repressors. Advancements in bioinformatics and machine learning approaches are increasingly contributing to the analysis of the regulation mechanisms. A plethora of tools and machine learning approaches have been developed for prediction, annotation, and expression profiling of sRNAs, for methylation analysis of TEs, as well as for genome-wide methylation analysis through bisulfite sequencing data. In this review, we provide a guided overview of the bioinformatic and machine learning state of the art of fields closely associated with TE regulation and function.
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Briggs EM, Mita P, Sun X, Ha S, Vasilyev N, Leopold ZR, Nudler E, Boeke JD, Logan SK. Unbiased proteomic mapping of the LINE-1 promoter using CRISPR Cas9. Mob DNA 2021; 12:21. [PMID: 34425899 PMCID: PMC8381588 DOI: 10.1186/s13100-021-00249-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The autonomous retroelement Long Interspersed Element-1 (LINE-1) mobilizes though a copy and paste mechanism using an RNA intermediate (retrotransposition). Throughout human evolution, around 500,000 LINE-1 sequences have accumulated in the genome. Most of these sequences belong to ancestral LINE-1 subfamilies, including L1PA2-L1PA7, and can no longer mobilize. Only a small fraction of LINE-1 sequences, approximately 80 to 100 copies belonging to the L1Hs subfamily, are complete and still capable of retrotransposition. While silenced in most cells, many questions remain regarding LINE-1 dysregulation in cancer cells. RESULTS Here, we optimized CRISPR Cas9 gRNAs to specifically target the regulatory sequence of the L1Hs 5'UTR promoter. We identified three gRNAs that were more specific to L1Hs, with limited binding to older LINE-1 sequences (L1PA2-L1PA7). We also adapted the C-BERST method (dCas9-APEX2 Biotinylation at genomic Elements by Restricted Spatial Tagging) to identify LINE-1 transcriptional regulators in cancer cells. Our LINE-1 C-BERST screen revealed both known and novel LINE-1 transcriptional regulators, including CTCF, YY1 and DUSP1. CONCLUSION Our optimization and evaluation of gRNA specificity and application of the C-BERST method creates a tool for studying the regulatory mechanisms of LINE-1 in cancer. Further, we identified the dual specificity protein phosphatase, DUSP1, as a novel regulator of LINE-1 transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica M Briggs
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Sciences, 450 East 29th Street, Room 321, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Present Address: Opentrons Labworks, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Paolo Mita
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Sciences, 450 East 29th Street, Room 321, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Present Address: Opentrons Labworks, Queens, NY, USA
- Institute of Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Xiaoji Sun
- Institute of Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Cellarity, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Susan Ha
- Department of Urology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Sciences, 450 East 29th Street, Room 321, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Nikita Vasilyev
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Sciences, 450 East 29th Street, Room 321, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Zev R Leopold
- Department of Urology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Sciences, 450 East 29th Street, Room 321, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Evgeny Nudler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Sciences, 450 East 29th Street, Room 321, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jef D Boeke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Sciences, 450 East 29th Street, Room 321, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Institute of Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Susan K Logan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Sciences, 450 East 29th Street, Room 321, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Department of Urology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Alexandria Center for Life Sciences, 450 East 29th Street, Room 321, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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Kasperek A, Béguin A, Bawa O, De Azevedo K, Job B, Massard C, Scoazec JY, Heidmann T, Heidmann O. Therapeutic potential of the human endogenous retroviral envelope protein HEMO: a pan-cancer analysis. Mol Oncol 2021; 16:1451-1473. [PMID: 34318590 PMCID: PMC8978518 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses represent approximately 8% of our genome. Most of these sequences are defective except for a few genes such as the ancestral retroviral HEMO envelope gene (Human Endogenous MER34 ORF), recently characterized by our group. In this study, we characterized transcriptional activation of HEMO in primary tumors from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and in metastatic tumors from a Gustave Roussy cohort. Pan‐cancer detection of the HEMO protein in a series of patient samples validated these results. Differential gene expression analysis in various TCGA datasets revealed a link between HEMO expression and activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, in particular in endometrial cancer. Studies on cell models led us to propose that the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway could act as an upstream regulator of this retroviral endogenous sequence in tumor condition. Characterization of transcriptomic profiles of both HEMOLow and HEMOHigh tumors suggested that activation of HEMO is negatively associated with immune response signatures. Taken together, these results highlight that HEMO, as an endogenous retroviral envelope protein specifically expressed in tumors, represents a promising tumor biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Kasperek
- CNRS UMR 9196, Laboratory of Physiology and Pathology of Infectious and Endogenous Retroviruses, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Anthony Béguin
- CNRS UMR 9196, Laboratory of Physiology and Pathology of Infectious and Endogenous Retroviruses, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Olivia Bawa
- PETRA platform, AMMICa, CNRS-UMS 3655 and INSERM-US23, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Kévin De Azevedo
- CNRS UMR 9196, Laboratory of Physiology and Pathology of Infectious and Endogenous Retroviruses, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Bastien Job
- Bioinformatic Core Facility, AMMICa, CNRS-UMS 3655 and INSERM-US23, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Christophe Massard
- Drug Development Department (DITEP), Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Jean-Yves Scoazec
- PETRA platform, AMMICa, CNRS-UMS 3655 and INSERM-US23, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France.,University Paris-Saclay, Faculty of Medicine, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, 94270, France.,Department of Pathology, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Thierry Heidmann
- CNRS UMR 9196, Laboratory of Physiology and Pathology of Infectious and Endogenous Retroviruses, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
| | - Odile Heidmann
- CNRS UMR 9196, Laboratory of Physiology and Pathology of Infectious and Endogenous Retroviruses, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, 94805, France
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Philippsen GS. Transposable Elements in the Genome of Human Parasite Schistosoma mansoni: A Review. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:tropicalmed6030126. [PMID: 34287380 PMCID: PMC8293314 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6030126] [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: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences able to transpose within the host genome and, consequently, influence the dynamics of evolution in the species. Among the possible effects, TEs insertions may alter the expression and coding patterns of genes, leading to genomic innovations. Gene-duplication events, resulting from DNA segmental duplication induced by TEs transposition, constitute another important mechanism that contributes to the plasticity of genomes. This review aims to cover the current knowledge regarding TEs in the genome of the parasite Schistosoma mansoni, an agent of schistosomiasis-a neglected tropical disease affecting at least 250 million people worldwide. In this context, the literature concerning TEs description and TEs impact on the genomic architecture for S. mansoni was revisited, displaying evidence of TEs influence on schistosome speciation-mediated by bursts of transposition-and in gene-duplication events related to schistosome-host coevolution processes, as well several instances of TEs contribution into the coding sequences of genes. These findings indicate the relevant role of TEs in the evolution of the S. mansoni genome.
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