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Raso MG, Barrientos Toro E, Evans K, Rizvi Y, Lazcano R, Akcakanat A, Sini P, Trapani F, Madlener EJ, Waldmeier L, Lazar A, Meric-Bernstam F. Heterogeneous Profile of ROR1 Protein Expression across Tumor Types. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1874. [PMID: 38791952 PMCID: PMC11119314 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101874] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The Wnt receptor ROR1 has generated increased interest as a cancer therapeutic target. Research on several therapeutic approaches involving this receptor is ongoing; however, ROR1 tissue expression remains understudied. We performed an immunohistochemistry analysis of ROR1 protein expression in a large cohort of multiple tumor and histologic types. We analyzed 12 anonymized multi-tumor tissue microarrays (TMAs), including mesothelioma, esophageal and upper gastrointestinal carcinomas, and uterine endometrioid carcinoma, among other tumor types. Additionally, we studied 5 different sarcoma types of TMAs and 6 patient-derived xenografts (PDX) TMAs developed from 19 different anatomic sites and tumor histologic types. A total of 1142 patient cases from different histologic types and 140 PDXs placed in TMAs were evaluated. Pathologists assessed the percentage of tumor cells in each case that were positive for ROR1 and the intensity of staining. For determining the prevalence of staining for each tumor type, a case was considered positive if >1% of its tumor cells showed ROR1 staining. Our immunohistochemistry assays revealed a heterogeneous ROR1 expression profile. A high prevalence of ROR1 expression was found in mesothelioma (84.6%), liposarcoma (36.1%), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (33.3%), and uterine endometrioid carcinoma (28.9%). Other histologic types such as breast, lung, renal cell, hepatocellular, urothelial carcinoma, and colon carcinomas; glioblastoma; cholangiocarcinoma; and leiomyosarcoma showed less ROR1 overall expression, ranging between 0.9 and 13%. No ROR1 expression was seen in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, or gastric adenocarcinoma cases. Overall, ROR1 expression was relatively infrequent and low in most tumor types investigated; however, ROR1 expression was infrequent but high in selected tumor types, such as gastroesophageal GIST, suggesting that ROR1 prescreening may be preferable for those indications. Further, mesothelioma exhibited frequent and high levels of ROR1 expression, which represents a previously unrecognized therapeutic opportunity. These findings can contribute to the development of ROR1-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gabriela Raso
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (E.B.T.); (R.L.)
| | - Elizve Barrientos Toro
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (E.B.T.); (R.L.)
| | - Kurt Evans
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (K.E.); (Y.R.); (A.A.); (F.M.-B.)
| | - Yasmeen Rizvi
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (K.E.); (Y.R.); (A.A.); (F.M.-B.)
| | - Rossana Lazcano
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (E.B.T.); (R.L.)
| | - Argun Akcakanat
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (K.E.); (Y.R.); (A.A.); (F.M.-B.)
| | - Patrizia Sini
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV, 1121 Vienna, Austria (F.T.)
| | | | | | | | - Alexander Lazar
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Funda Meric-Bernstam
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (K.E.); (Y.R.); (A.A.); (F.M.-B.)
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Heabah NAEG, Darwish SA, Eid AM. Evaluation of the prognostic significance of receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) in lung carcinoma and its relation to lymphangiogenesis and epithelial mesenchymal transition. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154703. [PMID: 37481855 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the carcinogenic mechanisms of lung carcinoma helps to discover novel prognostic biomarkers and develop new therapeutic options to improve patient's survival. Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-Like Orphan Receptor 1 (ROR1), a transmembrane protein, contributes to cancer progression and metastasis; via stimulation of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promotion of angiogenesis. This makes ROR1 an important target for tumor therapy. This study aimed to evaluate expression of ROR1, E-cadherin (a marker of EMT), and D2-40 (a marker of lymphangiogenesis) in lung carcinoma and associate their expressions with the available clinicopathological parameters and patients' survival. Immunohistochemical staining using ROR1, E-cadherin, and D2-40 was performed for 78 cases of lung carcinoma. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox-regression analysis were done. High ROR1 expression was detected in 46.2% of cases. Significant relations were found between high ROR1 expression and larger tumor size (P < 0.001), poorly differentiated tumors (P = 0.001), advanced tumor stages (P < 0.001), positive lymph nodal status (P < 0.001), decreased E-cadherin expression (P < 0.001), and high lymphovascular density (LVD) (P < 0.001). Patients' progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were shorter with high ROR1 expression. High ROR1 expression, high LVD, large tumor size, and adenocarcinoma histopathological type were independent risk factors for OS in lung carcinoma patients. High ROR1 expression is associated with poor prognostic parameters in lung carcinoma patients including higher grade, advanced stages, high LVD, epithelial mesenchymal transition, as well as decreased PFS and OS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara A Darwish
- Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt
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Xu X, Li H, Xie M, Zhou Z, Wang D, Mao W. LncRNAs and related molecular basis in malignant pleural mesothelioma: challenges and potential. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 186:104012. [PMID: 37116816 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare but invasive cancer, which mainly arises from mesothelial tissues of pleura, peritoneum and pericardium. Despite significant advances in treatments, the prognosis of MPM patients remains poor, and the 5-year survival rate is less than 10%. Therefore, it is urgent to explore novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of MPM. Growing evidence has indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) potentially could be promising therapeutic targets for numerous cancers. In this regard, lncRNAs might also potentially therapeutic targets for MPM. Recent advances have been made to investigate the molecular basis of MPM. This review first provides a comprehensive overview of roles of lncRNAs in MPM and then discusses the relationship between molecular basis of MPM and MPM-related lncRNAs to implement them as promising therapeutic targets for MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Xu
- Key Laboratory on Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Cancer, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Huihui Li
- Key Laboratory on Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Cancer, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Mingying Xie
- Key Laboratory on Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Cancer, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Zichao Zhou
- Key Laboratory on Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Cancer, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Ding Wang
- Key Laboratory on Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Cancer, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Weimin Mao
- Key Laboratory on Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Cancer, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital (Zhejiang Cancer Research Institute), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
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4
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Quezada MJ, Lopez-Bergami P. The signaling pathways activated by ROR1 in cancer. Cell Signal 2023; 104:110588. [PMID: 36621728 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is a receptor for WNT5A and related Wnt proteins, that play an important role during embryonic development by regulating cell migration, cell polarity, neural patterning, and organogenesis. ROR1 exerts these functions by transducing signals from the Wnt secreted glycoproteins to the intracellular Wnt/PCP and Wnt/Ca++ pathways. Investigations in adult human cells, particularly cancer cells, have demonstrated that besides these two pathways, the WNT5A/ROR1 axis can activate a number of signaling pathways, including the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, NF-κB, STAT3, and Hippo pathways. Moreover, ROR1 is aberrantly expressed in cancer and was associated with tumor progression and poor survival by promoting cell proliferation, survival, invasion, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and metastasis. Consequently, numerous therapeutic tools to target ROR1 are currently being evaluated in cancer patients. In this review, we will provide a detailed description of the signaling pathways regulated by ROR1 in cancer and their impact in tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Josefina Quezada
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires 1405, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
| | - Pablo Lopez-Bergami
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires 1405, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina.
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5
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Ishikawa T, Ogura Y, Tanaka K, Nagashima H, Sasayama T, Endo M, Minami Y. Ror1 is expressed inducibly by Notch and hypoxia signaling and regulates stem cell-like property of glioblastoma cells. Cancer Sci 2022; 114:561-573. [PMID: 36314076 PMCID: PMC9899608 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ror1 plays a crucial role in cancer progression by regulating cell proliferation and migration. Ror1 is expressed abundantly in various types of cancer cells and cancer stem-like cells. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating expression of Ror1 in these cells remain largely unknown. Ror1 and its putative ligand Wnt5a are expressed highly in malignant gliomas, especially in glioblastomas, and the extents of Ror1 expression are correlated positively with poorer prognosis in patients with gliomas. We show that Ror1 expression can be upregulated in glioblastoma cells under spheroid culture, but not adherent culture conditions. Notch and hypoxia signaling pathways have been shown to be activated in spheroid-forming glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), and Ror1 expression in glioblastoma cells is indeed suppressed by inhibiting either Notch or hypoxia signaling. Meanwhile, either forced expression of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) in or hypoxic culture of glioblastoma cells result in enhanced expression of Ror1 in the cells. Consistently, we show that both NICD and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha bind to upstream regions within the Ror1 gene more efficiently in GSCs under spheroid culture conditions. Furthermore, we provide evidence indicating that binding of Wnt5a to Ror1, upregulated by Notch and hypoxia signaling pathways in GSCs, might promote their spheroid-forming ability. Collectively, these findings indicate for the first time that Notch and hypoxia signaling pathways can elicit a Wnt5a-Ror1 axis through transcriptional activation of Ror1 in glioblastoma cells, thereby promoting their stem cell-like property.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Ishikawa
- Division of Cell Physiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKobe UniversityKobeJapan
| | - Yasuka Ogura
- Division of Cell Physiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKobe UniversityKobeJapan
| | - Kazuhiro Tanaka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of MedicineKobe UniversityKobeJapan
| | - Hiroaki Nagashima
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of MedicineKobe UniversityKobeJapan
| | - Takashi Sasayama
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of MedicineKobe UniversityKobeJapan
| | - Mitsuharu Endo
- Division of Cell Physiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKobe UniversityKobeJapan
| | - Yasuhiro Minami
- Division of Cell Physiology, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKobe UniversityKobeJapan
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Orozco Morales ML, Rinaldi CA, de Jong E, Lansley SM, Gummer JP, Olasz B, Nambiar S, Hope DE, Casey TH, Lee YCG, Leslie C, Nealon G, Shackleford DM, Powell AK, Grimaldi M, Balaguer P, Zemek RM, Bosco A, Piggott MJ, Vrielink A, Lake RA, Lesterhuis WJ. PPARα and PPARγ activation is associated with pleural mesothelioma invasion but therapeutic inhibition is ineffective. iScience 2022; 25:103571. [PMID: 34984327 PMCID: PMC8692993 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesothelioma is a cancer that typically originates in the pleura of the lungs. It rapidly invades the surrounding tissues, causing pain and shortness of breath. We compared cell lines injected either subcutaneously or intrapleurally and found that only the latter resulted in invasive and rapid growth. Pleural tumors displayed a transcriptional signature consistent with increased activity of nuclear receptors PPARα and PPARγ and with an increased abundance of endogenous PPAR-activating ligands. We found that chemical probe GW6471 is a potent, dual PPARα/γ antagonist with anti-invasive and anti-proliferative activity in vitro. However, administration of GW6471 at doses that provided sustained plasma exposure levels sufficient for inhibition of PPARα/γ transcriptional activity did not result in significant anti-mesothelioma activity in mice. Lastly, we demonstrate that the in vitro anti-tumor effect of GW6471 is off-target. We conclude that dual PPARα/γ antagonism alone is not a viable treatment modality for mesothelioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Lizeth Orozco Morales
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Catherine A. Rinaldi
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy Characterisation and Analysis, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Emma de Jong
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, West Perth, WA 6872, Australia
| | | | - Joel P.A. Gummer
- School of Science, Department of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
- UWA Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Bence Olasz
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Shabarinath Nambiar
- School of Veterinary and Life Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Danika E. Hope
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Thomas H. Casey
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Y. C. Gary Lee
- Institute for Respiratory Health, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Connull Leslie
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, PathWest Laboratory Medicine, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Gareth Nealon
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - David M. Shackleford
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Andrew K. Powell
- Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Marina Grimaldi
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Montpellier 34090, France
| | - Patrick Balaguer
- IRCM, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Montpellier 34090, France
| | - Rachael M. Zemek
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, West Perth, WA 6872, Australia
| | - Anthony Bosco
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, West Perth, WA 6872, Australia
| | - Matthew J. Piggott
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Alice Vrielink
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Richard A. Lake
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - W. Joost Lesterhuis
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, West Perth, WA 6872, Australia
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Castro MV, Lopez-Bergami P. Cellular and molecular mechanisms implicated in the dual role of ROR2 in cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 170:103595. [PMID: 35032666 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ROR1 and ROR2 are Wnt receptors that are critical for β-catenin-independent Wnt pathways and have been linked to processes driving tumor progression, such as cell proliferation, survival, invasion, and therapy resistance. Both receptors have garnered interest as potential therapeutic targets since they are largely absent in adult tissue, are overexpressed in several cancers, and, as members of the receptor tyrosine kinase family, are easier to target than all other components of the pathway. Unlike ROR1 which always promotes tumorigenesis, ROR2 has a very complex role in cancer acting either to promote or inhibit tumor progression in different tumor types. In the present article, we summarize the findings on ROR2 expression in cancer patients and its impact on clinical outcome. Further, we review the biological processes and signaling pathways regulated by ROR2 that explain its dual role in cancer. Finally, we describe the ongoing strategies to target ROR2 in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Victoria Castro
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires, 1405, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, 1425, Argentina
| | - Pablo Lopez-Bergami
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires, 1405, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, 1425, Argentina.
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8
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Castro MV, Barbero GA, Villanueva MB, Grumolato L, Nsengimana J, Newton-Bishop J, Illescas E, Quezada MJ, Lopez-Bergami P. ROR2 has a protective role in melanoma by inhibiting Akt activity, cell-cycle progression, and proliferation. J Biomed Sci 2021; 28:76. [PMID: 34774050 PMCID: PMC8590781 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-021-00776-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2) is a Wnt5a receptor aberrantly expressed in cancer that was shown to either suppress or promote carcinogenesis in different tumor types. Our goal was to study the role of ROR2 in melanoma. METHODS Gain and loss-of-function strategies were applied to study the biological function of ROR2 in melanoma. Proliferation assays, flow cytometry, and western blotting were used to evaluate cell proliferation and changes in expression levels of cell-cycle and proliferation markers. The role of ROR2 in tumor growth was assessed in xenotransplantation experiments followed by immunohistochemistry analysis of the tumors. The role of ROR2 in melanoma patients was assessed by analysis of clinical data from the Leeds Melanoma Cohort. RESULTS Unlike previous findings describing ROR2 as an oncogene in melanoma, we describe that ROR2 prevents tumor growth by inhibiting cell-cycle progression and the proliferation of melanoma cells. The effect of ROR2 is mediated by inhibition of Akt phosphorylation and activity which, in turn, regulates the expression, phosphorylation, and localization of major cell-cycle regulators including cyclins (A, B, D, and E), CDK1, CDK4, RB, p21, and p27. Xenotransplantation experiments demonstrated that ROR2 also reduces proliferation in vivo, resulting in inhibition of tumor growth. In agreement with these findings, a higher ROR2 level favors thin and non-ulcerated primary melanomas with reduced mitotic rate and better prognosis. CONCLUSION We conclude that the expression of ROR2 slows down the growth of primary tumors and contributes to prolonging melanoma survival. Our results demonstrate that ROR2 has a far more complex role than originally described.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Victoria Castro
- grid.440480.c0000 0000 9361 4204Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, 1405 Buenos Aires, Argentina ,grid.423606.50000 0001 1945 2152Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gastón Alexis Barbero
- grid.440480.c0000 0000 9361 4204Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, 1405 Buenos Aires, Argentina ,grid.423606.50000 0001 1945 2152Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Villanueva
- grid.440480.c0000 0000 9361 4204Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, 1405 Buenos Aires, Argentina ,grid.423606.50000 0001 1945 2152Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luca Grumolato
- grid.10400.350000 0001 2108 3034INSERM U982, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine, University of Rouen, 76183 Rouen, France
| | - Jérémie Nsengimana
- grid.1006.70000 0001 0462 7212Biostatistics Research Group, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH UK
| | | | - Edith Illescas
- grid.440480.c0000 0000 9361 4204Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, 1405 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Josefina Quezada
- grid.440480.c0000 0000 9361 4204Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, 1405 Buenos Aires, Argentina ,grid.423606.50000 0001 1945 2152Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Lopez-Bergami
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico, Universidad Maimonides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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9
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Chavkin NW, Sano S, Wang Y, Oshima K, Ogawa H, Horitani K, Sano M, MacLauchlan S, Nelson A, Setia K, Vippa T, Watanabe Y, Saucerman JJ, Hirschi KK, Gokce N, Walsh K. The Cell Surface Receptors Ror1/2 Control Cardiac Myofibroblast Differentiation. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e019904. [PMID: 34155901 PMCID: PMC8403294 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.019904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background A hallmark of heart failure is cardiac fibrosis, which results from the injury-induced differentiation response of resident fibroblasts to myofibroblasts that deposit extracellular matrix. During myofibroblast differentiation, fibroblasts progress through polarization stages of early proinflammation, intermediate proliferation, and late maturation, but the regulators of this progression are poorly understood. Planar cell polarity receptors, receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 and 2 (Ror1/2), can function to promote cell differentiation and transformation. In this study, we investigated the role of the Ror1/2 in a model of heart failure with emphasis on myofibroblast differentiation. Methods and Results The role of Ror1/2 during cardiac myofibroblast differentiation was studied in cell culture models of primary murine cardiac fibroblast activation and in knockout mouse models that underwent transverse aortic constriction surgery to induce cardiac injury by pressure overload. Expression of Ror1 and Ror2 were robustly and exclusively induced in fibroblasts in hearts after transverse aortic constriction surgery, and both were rapidly upregulated after early activation of primary murine cardiac fibroblasts in culture. Cultured fibroblasts isolated from Ror1/2 knockout mice displayed a proinflammatory phenotype indicative of impaired myofibroblast differentiation. Although the combined ablation of Ror1/2 in mice did not result in a detectable baseline phenotype, transverse aortic constriction surgery led to the death of all mice by day 6 that was associated with myocardial hyperinflammation and vascular leakage. Conclusions Together, these results show that Ror1/2 are essential for the progression of myofibroblast differentiation and for the adaptive remodeling of the heart in response to pressure overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas W. Chavkin
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of Cell BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Soichi Sano
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Hematovascular Biology CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
- Department of CardiologyGraduate School of MedicineOsaka City UniversityOsakaJapan
- Department of CardiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Ying Wang
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Hematovascular Biology CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
- Department of CardiologyXinqiao HospitalArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Kosei Oshima
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
| | - Hayato Ogawa
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of CardiologyGraduate School of MedicineOsaka City UniversityOsakaJapan
| | - Keita Horitani
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of CardiologyGraduate School of MedicineOsaka City UniversityOsakaJapan
| | - Miho Sano
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
- Department of CardiologyGraduate School of MedicineOsaka City UniversityOsakaJapan
| | - Susan MacLauchlan
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
| | - Anders Nelson
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Karishma Setia
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Tanvi Vippa
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Yosuke Watanabe
- Vascular Biology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
| | - Jeffrey J. Saucerman
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
| | - Karen K. Hirschi
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Department of Cell BiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Hematovascular Biology CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineYale UniversityNew HavenCT
| | - Noyan Gokce
- Boston University School of MedicineBostonMA
| | - Kenneth Walsh
- Cardiovascular Research CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Hematovascular Biology CenterSchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
- Molecular Cardiology/Whitaker Cardiovascular InstituteBoston University School of MedicineBostonMA
- Department of CardiologySchool of MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVA
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10
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Menck K, Heinrichs S, Baden C, Bleckmann A. The WNT/ROR Pathway in Cancer: From Signaling to Therapeutic Intervention. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010142. [PMID: 33445713 PMCID: PMC7828172 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The WNT pathway is one of the major signaling cascades frequently deregulated in human cancer. While research had initially focused on signal transduction centered on β-catenin as a key effector activating a pro-tumorigenic transcriptional response, nowadays it is known that WNT ligands can also induce a multitude of β-catenin-independent cellular pathways. Traditionally, these comprise WNT/planar cell polarity (PCP) and WNT/Ca2+ signaling. In addition, signaling via the receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptors (RORs) has gained increasing attention in cancer research due to their overexpression in a multitude of tumor entities. Active WNT/ROR signaling has been linked to processes driving tumor development and progression, such as cell proliferation, survival, invasion, or therapy resistance. In adult tissue, the RORs are largely absent, which has spiked the interest in them for targeted cancer therapy. Promising results in preclinical and initial clinical studies are beginning to unravel the great potential of such treatment approaches. In this review, we summarize seminal findings on the structure and expression of the RORs in cancer, their downstream signaling, and its output in regard to tumor cell function. Furthermore, we present the current clinical anti-ROR treatment strategies and discuss the state-of-the-art, as well as the challenges of the different approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Menck
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (S.H.); (C.B.)
- West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Saskia Heinrichs
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (S.H.); (C.B.)
- West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Cornelia Baden
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (S.H.); (C.B.)
- West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Annalen Bleckmann
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (K.M.); (S.H.); (C.B.)
- West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
- Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37099 Göttingen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-0251-8352712
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11
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Li R, Liu T, Shi J, Luan W, Wei X, Yu J, Mao H, Liu P. ROR2 induces cell apoptosis via activating IRE1α/JNK/CHOP pathway in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. J Transl Med 2019; 17:428. [PMID: 31878941 PMCID: PMC6933631 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-02178-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal cancer in female genital tumors. New disease markers and novel therapeutic strategies are urgent to identify considering the current status of treatment. Receptor tyrosine kinases family plays critical roles in embryo development and disease progression. However, ambivalent research conclusions of ROR2 make its role in tumor confused and the underlying mechanism is far from being understood. In this study, we sought to clarify the effects of ROR2 on high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) cells and reveal the mechanism. Methods Immunohistochemistry assay and western-blot assay were used to detect proteins expression. ROR2 overexpression adenovirus and Lentivirus were used to create ROR2 overexpression model in vitro and in vivo, respectively. MTT assay, colony formation assay and transwell assay were used to measure the proliferation, invasion and migration ability of cancer cells. Flow cytometry assay was used to detect cell apoptosis rate. Whole transcriptome analysis was used to explore the differentially expressed genes between ROR2 overexpression group and negative control group. SiRNA targeted IRE1α was used to knockdown IRE1α. Kira6 was used to inhibit phosphorylation of IRE1α. Results Expression of ROR2 was significantly lower in HGSOC tissues compared to normal fallopian tube epithelium or ovarian surface epithelium tissues. In HGSOC cohort, patients with advanced stages or positive lymph nodes were prone to express lower ROR2. Overexpression of ROR2 could repress the proliferation of HGSOC cells and induce cell apoptosis. RNA sequencing analysis indicated that ROR2 overexpression could induce unfold protein response. The results were also confirmed by upregulation of BIP and phosphorylated IRE1α. Furthermore, pro-death factors like CHOP, phosphorylated JNK and phosphorylated c-Jun were also upregulated. IRE1α knockdown or Kira6 treatment could reverse the apoptosis induced by ROR2 overexpression. Finally, tumor xenograft experiment showed ROR2 overexpression could significantly repress the growth rate and volume of transplanted tumors. Conclusions Taken together, ROR2 downregulation was associated with HGSOC development and progression. ROR2 overexpression could repress cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis in HGSOC cells. And the underlying mechanism might be the activation of IRE1α/JNK/CHOP pathway induced by ROR2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianfeng Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Linyi People's Hospital, 27 Jiefang Road, Linyi, 276003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Juanjuan Shi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Affiliated Tengzhou Center People's Hospital of Jining Medical University, 181 Xing Tan Road, Tengzhou, 277599, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqing Luan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Wei
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiangtao Yu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongluan Mao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Peishu Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
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Miyake N, Ochi N, Yamane H, Fukazawa T, Ikeda T, Yokota E, Takeyama M, Nakagawa N, Nakanishi H, Kohara H, Nagasaki Y, Kawahara T, Ichiyama N, Yamatsuji T, Naomoto Y, Takigawa N. Targeting ROR1 in combination with pemetrexed in malignant mesothelioma cells. Lung Cancer 2019; 139:170-178. [PMID: 31809978 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2019.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is overexpressed in a subset of malignant cells. However, it remains unknown whether ROR1 is targetable in malignant mesothelioma (MM). Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of ROR1 inhibition in mesothelioma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Growth inhibition, colony formation, apoptosis, and mRNA/protein levels using siRNA-transfected MM cells were evaluated. Cluster analysis using Gene Expression Omnibus repository of transcriptomic information was also performed. RESULTS Our results indicated that in three (H2052, H2452, and MESO-1) among four MM cell lines, ROR1 inhibition had anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects and suppressed the activation of AKT and STAT3. Although growth inhibition by siROR1 was minimal in another mesothelioma cell line (H28), colony formation was significantly suppressed. Microarray, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analyses showed that there were differences in the suppression of mRNA and proteins between H2452 and H28 cells transfected with siROR1 compared with those transfected with control siRNA. Cluster analysis further showed that MM tumors had relatively high ROR1 expression, although the cluster in them was different from that in MM cell lines. Thymidylate synthase, a target of pemetrexed, was downregulated in H2452 cells transfected with siROR1. Accordingly, a combination of pemetrexed with siROR1 was found to be effective in the three MM cell lines we studied. CONCLUSION Our findings may provide novel therapeutic insight into the treatment of advanced MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Miyake
- General Medical Center Research Unit, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Ochi
- Department of General Internal Medicine 4, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Yamane
- Department of General Internal Medicine 4, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Takuya Fukazawa
- General Medical Center Research Unit, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan; Department of General Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ikeda
- General Medical Center Research Unit, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Etsuko Yokota
- General Medical Center Research Unit, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Masami Takeyama
- Department of General Internal Medicine 4, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Nozomu Nakagawa
- Department of General Internal Medicine 4, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Nakanishi
- Department of General Internal Medicine 4, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kohara
- Department of General Internal Medicine 4, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Yasunari Nagasaki
- Department of General Internal Medicine 4, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Tatsuyuki Kawahara
- Department of General Internal Medicine 4, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Naruhiko Ichiyama
- Department of General Internal Medicine 4, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Tomoki Yamatsuji
- Department of General Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Yoshio Naomoto
- Department of General Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Nagio Takigawa
- General Medical Center Research Unit, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan; Department of General Internal Medicine 4, Kawasaki Medical School, 2-6-1 Nakasange, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8505, Japan.
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