1
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Salnikov MY, Fonseca GJ, Mymryk JS. Differences in the Tumor Microenvironment of EBV-Associated Gastric Cancers Revealed Using Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3178. [PMID: 37370788 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123178] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a gamma-herpesvirus associated with nearly 10% of gastric cancers (GCs). These EBV-associated GCs (EBVaGCs) are molecularly, histopathologically, and clinically distinct from EBV-negative GCs (EBVnGCs). While viral genes in EBVaGCs contribute to the carcinogenesis process, viral proteins also represent foreign antigens that could trigger enhanced immune responses compared to EBVnGCs. Despite prior investigations of the EBVaGC tumor microenvironment (TME), the cellular composition has not been thoroughly explored. In this study, cellular subpopulations overrepresented in EBVaGCs were identified and molecularly characterized. Genes consistently expressed across both bulk tumor and single-cell RNA sequencing data were highlighted, with the expression across the identified cellular subpopulations analyzed. As expected, based on existing histopathological analysis, EBVaGC is characterized by abundant lymphocytic infiltration of the stroma. Our molecular analysis identified three unique immune cell subpopulations in EBVaGC: T and B cells expressing high levels of proliferation markers and B cells expressing T cell features. The proliferating T cell cluster also expressed markers of follicular T helper cells. Overall, EBVaGC also exhibited unique features indicative of a higher inflammatory response. These substantial differences within the TME suggest that further detailed exploration of the cellular composition of EBVaGCs is needed, which may identify cellular subpopulations and phenotypes associated with patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Y Salnikov
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Gregory J Fonseca
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
- Quantitative Life Sciences Program, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Joe S Mymryk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Otolaryngology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
- London Regional Cancer Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
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2
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Wieland L, Schwarz T, Engel K, Volkmer I, Krüger A, Tarabuko A, Junghans J, Kornhuber ME, Hoffmann F, Staege MS, Emmer A. Epstein-Barr Virus-Induced Genes and Endogenous Retroviruses in Immortalized B Cells from Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223619. [PMID: 36429047 PMCID: PMC9688211 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be triggered by environmental factors in individuals with an unfavorable genetic predisposition. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a major risk factor for subsequent development of MS. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) can be activated by EBV, and might be a missing link between an initial EBV infection and the later onset of MS. In this study, we investigated differential gene expression patterns in EBV-immortalized lymphoblastoid B cell lines (LCL) from MS-affected individuals (MSLCL) and controls by using RNAseq and qRT-PCR. RNAseq data from LCL mapped to the human genome and a virtual virus metagenome were used to identify possible biomarkers for MS or disease-relevant risk factors, e.g., the relapse rate. We observed that lytic EBNA-1 transcripts seemed to be negatively correlated with age leading to an increased expression in LCL from younger PBMC donors. Further, HERV-K (HML-2) GAG was increased upon EBV-triggered immortalization. Besides the well-known transactivation of HERV-K18, our results suggest that another six HERV loci are up-regulated upon stimulation with EBV. We identified differentially expressed genes in MSLCL, e.g., several HERV-K loci, ERVMER61-1 and ERV3-1, as well as genes associated with relapses. In summary, EBV induces genes and HERV in LCL that might be suitable as biomarkers for MS or the relapse risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Wieland
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Tommy Schwarz
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kristina Engel
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ines Volkmer
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anna Krüger
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Alexander Tarabuko
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jutta Junghans
- Department of Neurology, Martha-Maria Hospital Halle-Dölau, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Malte E. Kornhuber
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Frank Hoffmann
- Department of Neurology, Martha-Maria Hospital Halle-Dölau, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Martin S. Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-34-5557-7280
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
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3
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McHugh D, Myburgh R, Caduff N, Spohn M, Kok YL, Keller CW, Murer A, Chatterjee B, Rühl J, Engelmann C, Chijioke O, Quast I, Shilaih M, Strouvelle VP, Neumann K, Menter T, Dirnhofer S, Lam JK, Hui KF, Bredl S, Schlaepfer E, Sorce S, Zbinden A, Capaul R, Lünemann JD, Aguzzi A, Chiang AK, Kempf W, Trkola A, Metzner KJ, Manz MG, Grundhoff A, Speck RF, Münz C. EBV renders B cells susceptible to HIV-1 in humanized mice. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:3/8/e202000640. [PMID: 32576602 PMCID: PMC7335381 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV and EBV are human pathogens that cause a considerable burden to worldwide health. In combination, these viruses are linked to AIDS-associated lymphomas. We found that EBV, which transforms B cells, renders them susceptible to HIV-1 infection in a CXCR4 and CD4-dependent manner in vitro and that CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 integrates into the genome of these B cells with the same molecular profile as in autologous CD4+ T cells. In addition, we established a humanized mouse model to investigate the in vivo interactions of EBV and HIV-1 upon coinfection. The respective mice that reconstitute human immune system components upon transplantation with CD34+ human hematopoietic progenitor cells could recapitulate aspects of EBV and HIV immunobiology observed in dual-infected patients. Upon coinfection of humanized mice, EBV/HIV dual-infected B cells could be detected, but were susceptible to CD8+ T-cell-mediated immune control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donal McHugh
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Renier Myburgh
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University and University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Caduff
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Spohn
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yik Lim Kok
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christian W Keller
- Neuroinflammation, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anita Murer
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bithi Chatterjee
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Julia Rühl
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christine Engelmann
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Obinna Chijioke
- Cellular Immunotherapy, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute of Pathology and Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Isaak Quast
- Neuroinflammation, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mohaned Shilaih
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Victoria P Strouvelle
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kathrin Neumann
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Menter
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Dirnhofer
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Janice Kp Lam
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kwai F Hui
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Simon Bredl
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Erika Schlaepfer
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Sorce
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Zbinden
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Riccarda Capaul
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jan D Lünemann
- Neuroinflammation, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alan Ks Chiang
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Werner Kempf
- Kempf und Pfaltz Histologische Diagnostik AG, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Trkola
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Karin J Metzner
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Markus G Manz
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University and University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Adam Grundhoff
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Roberto F Speck
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Münz
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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4
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Schneider J, Volkmer I, Engel K, Emmer A, Staege MS. Expression of A New Endogenous Retrovirus-Associated Transcript in Hodgkin Lymphoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215320. [PMID: 31731509 PMCID: PMC6862598 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During characterization of a cDNA library from the Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cell line L-1236, we discovered a new transcript derived from chromosome 1 at the long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 1768 (LINC01768)/colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) region. The first exon of this transcript from Hodgkin lymphoma cells (THOLE) starts in the predicted exon 4 of LINC01768 and is part of an endogenous retrovirus (ERV) from the HUERS-P1/LTR8 family. High expression of THOLE was only detectable in HL cell line L-1236. The expression of THOLE in L-1236 cell is another example for ERV/LTR-associated gene expression in HL cells. At the genome level, the HUERS-P1/LTR8 region including THOLE is only present in Hominoidea. The influence of ERV/LTRs on gene expression might explain the characteristic phenotype of human HL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Schneider
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06097 Halle, Germany; (J.S.); (I.V.); (K.E.)
| | - Ines Volkmer
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06097 Halle, Germany; (J.S.); (I.V.); (K.E.)
| | - Kristina Engel
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06097 Halle, Germany; (J.S.); (I.V.); (K.E.)
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06097 Halle, Germany
| | - Martin S. Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06097 Halle, Germany; (J.S.); (I.V.); (K.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-345-557-7280; Fax: +49-345-557-7275
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5
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Brütting C, Narasimhan H, Hoffmann F, Kornhuber ME, Staege MS, Emmer A. Investigation of Endogenous Retrovirus Sequences in the Neighborhood of Genes Up-regulated in a Neuroblastoma Model after Treatment with Hypoxia-Mimetic Cobalt Chloride. Front Microbiol 2018. [PMID: 29515560 PMCID: PMC5826361 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) have been found to be associated with different diseases, e.g., multiple sclerosis (MS). Most human ERVs integrated in our genome are not competent to replicate and these sequences are presumably silent. However, transcription of human ERVs can be reactivated, e.g., by hypoxia. Interestingly, MS has been linked to hypoxia since decades. As some patterns of demyelination are similar to white matter ischemia, hypoxic damage is discussed. Therefore, we are interested in the association between hypoxia and ERVs. As a model, we used human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells after treatment with the hypoxia-mimetic cobalt chloride and analyzed differences in the gene expression profiles in comparison to untreated cells. The vicinity of up-regulated genes was scanned for endogenous retrovirus-derived sequences. Five genes were found to be strongly up-regulated in SH-SY5Y cells after treatment with cobalt chloride: clusterin, glutathione peroxidase 3, insulin-like growth factor 2, solute carrier family 7 member 11, and neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 9. In the vicinity of these genes we identified large (>1,000 bp) open reading frames (ORFs). Most of these ORFs showed only low similarities to proteins from retro-transcribing viruses. However, we found very high similarity between retrovirus envelope sequences and a sequence in the vicinity of neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 9. This sequence encodes the human endogenous retrovirus group FRD member 1, the encoded protein product is called syncytin 2. Transfection of syncytin 2 into the well-characterized Ewing sarcoma cell line A673 was not able to modulate the low immunostimulatory activity of this cell line. Future research is needed to determine whether the identified genes and the human endogenous retrovirus group FRD member 1 might play a role in the etiology of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Brütting
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Harini Narasimhan
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Frank Hoffmann
- Department of Neurology, Hospital "Martha-Maria" Halle-Dölau, Halle, Germany
| | - Malte E Kornhuber
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Martin S Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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6
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Braune K, Volkmer I, Staege MS. Characterization of Alstrom Syndrome 1 (ALMS1) Transcript Variants in Hodgkin Lymphoma Cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170694. [PMID: 28135309 PMCID: PMC5279758 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Alstrom syndrome gene (ALMS1) is one of the largest disease associated genes identified today in the human genome and is implicated in cell cycle control, ciliogenesis, endosome recycling and intracellular transport mechanisms. ALMS1 mutations cause Alstrom syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. However, its function is not completely understood. DNA microarray analysis suggested that ALMS1 might be differentially expressed between Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cells and normal tissues. By using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) we detected low but variable expression of ALMS1 in HL cell lines with highest expression in KM-H2 cells. Immunofluorescence indicated centrosomal accumulation of ALMS1 protein in HL cells. Knock-down of ALMS1 in KM-H2 cells had no impact on viability or cytotoxic drug sensitivity of these cells. Sequencing of RT-PCR products from HL cell lines identified three variable regions in ALMS1 transcripts that affect exons 2, 13, and 23. One of these variants was characterized by splicing out of exon 13. The other variants are characterized by two alternative 5 prime ends or alternative 3 prime ends. Structure prediction of the corresponding RNAs and proteins suggest that the different transcript variants might affect posttranscriptional regulation and ligand binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Braune
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ines Volkmer
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Martin S. Staege
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- * E-mail:
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7
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Kewitz S, Kurch L, Volkmer I, Staege MS. Stimulation of the hypoxia pathway modulates chemotherapy resistance in Hodgkin's lymphoma cells. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:8229-37. [PMID: 26718211 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4705-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is a malignant disease of the lymphatic system. The therapy has been improved during the last decades but there are still patients who cannot be cured, and the therapy is associated with several adverse late effects. Therefore, we asked which genes might be involved in the chemotherapy resistance of HL cells. We observed that HL cells became more resistant against cisplatin after treatment with cobalt chloride. Therefore, we analyzed which genes were differentially expressed between cells incubated in medium with or without cobalt chloride. We found several genes which were up- or downregulated in the presence of cobalt chloride and might be involved in the modulation of chemotherapy resistance. Cobalt chloride is a hypoxia-mimetic agent. Therefore, we tested chemo-resistance and gene expression of HL cells under hypoxic conditions and confirmed the results from the cobalt chloride experiments. Taken together, activation of the hypoxia pathway led to altered gene expression and drug resistance of HL cells. Differentially expressed genes might be interesting targets for the development of future treatment strategies against drug-resistant HL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Kewitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, 06097, Germany.
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Feulgenstr. 12, Giessen, 35392, Germany.
| | - Lars Kurch
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, 04109, Germany
| | - Ines Volkmer
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, 06097, Germany
| | - Martin S Staege
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, 06097, Germany
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8
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Reuter D, Staege MS, Kühnöl CD, Föll J. Immunostimulation by OX40 Ligand Transgenic Ewing Sarcoma Cells. Front Oncol 2015; 5:242. [PMID: 26579494 PMCID: PMC4621427 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) transgenic Ewing sarcoma cells can induce tumor specific T and NK cell responses and reduce tumor growth in vivo and in vitro. Nevertheless, the efficiency of this stimulation is not high enough to inhibit tumor growth completely. In addition to recognition of the cognate antigen, optimal T-cell stimulation requires signals from so-called co-stimulatory molecules. Several members of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily have been identified as co-stimulatory molecules that can augment antitumor immune responses. OX40 (CD134) and OX40 ligand (OX40L = CD252; also known as tumor necrosis factor ligand family member 4) is one example of such receptor/ligand pair with co-stimulatory function. In the present investigation, we generated OX40L transgenic Ewing sarcoma cells and tested their immunostimulatory activity in vitro. OX40L transgenic Ewing sarcoma cells showed preserved expression of Ewing sarcoma-associated (anti)gens including lipase member I, cyclin D1 (CCND1), cytochrome P450 family member 26B1 (CYP26B1), and the Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1-friend leukemia virus integration 1 (EWSR1-FLI1) oncogene. OX40L-expressing tumor cells showed a trend for enhanced immune stimulation against Ewing sarcoma cells in combination with IL-2 and stimulation of CD137. Our data suggest that inclusion of the OX40/OX40L pathway of co-stimulation might improve immunotherapy strategies for the treatment of Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dajana Reuter
- University Clinic and Polyclinic for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg , Halle , Germany
| | - Martin S Staege
- University Clinic and Polyclinic for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg , Halle , Germany
| | - Caspar D Kühnöl
- University Clinic and Polyclinic for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg , Halle , Germany
| | - Jürgen Föll
- University Clinic and Polyclinic for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg , Halle , Germany ; Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
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9
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A short treatise concerning a musical approach for the interpretation of gene expression data. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15281. [PMID: 26472273 PMCID: PMC4607888 DOI: 10.1038/srep15281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent technical developments allow the genome-wide and near-complete analysis of gene expression in a given sample, e.g. by usage of high-density DNA microarrays or next generation sequencing. The generated data structure is usually multi-dimensional and requires extensive processing not only for analysis but also for presentation of the results. Today, such data are usually presented graphically, e.g. in the form of heat maps. In the present paper, we propose an alternative form of analysis and presentation which is based on the transformation of gene expression data into sounds that are characterized by their frequency (pitch) and tone duration. Using DNA microarray data from a panel of neuroblastoma and Ewing sarcoma cell lines as well as from Hodgkin’s lymphoma cell lines and normal B cells, we demonstrate that this Gene Expression Music Algorithm (GEMusicA) can be used for discrimination between samples with different biology and for the characterization of differentially expressed genes.
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10
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Bernig T, Richter N, Volkmer I, Staege MS. Functional analysis and molecular characterization of spontaneously outgrown human lymphoblastoid cell lines. Mol Biol Rep 2014; 41:6995-7007. [PMID: 25037273 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-014-3587-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In vitro, the infection of human B-cells with the lymphotropic gammaherpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) induces formation of permanently growing lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). In a spontaneously outgrown LCL (cell line CSIII), we detected nucleotide sequence variations of the EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) RNA that was different from the reference sequence of EBNA1 in the prototypic EBV strain B95-8. In the present study, we molecularly and functionally characterized this virus isolate in comparison to LCL with the prototypic nucleotide sequence. Although we detected high functional similarity between CSIII and the other LCL, our data suggest that the lytic cycle might be ineffective in the CSIII LCL. DNA microarray analysis indicated that RNA binding motif, single stranded interacting protein 1 (RBMS1), which is typically expressed in latency III of EBV to prevent the lytic cycle, was the most overexpressed gene in CSIII LCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toralf Bernig
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Cancer Research Centre, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube Str. 40, D-06097, Halle, Germany
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11
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Expression of dual-specificity phosphatase 5 pseudogene 1 (DUSP5P1) in tumor cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89577. [PMID: 24651368 PMCID: PMC3949351 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Sequencing of individual clones from a newly established cDNA library from the chemoresistant Hodgkin's lymphoma cell line L-1236 led to the isolation of a cDNA clone corresponding to a short sequence from chromosome 1. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction indicated high expression of this sequence in Hodgkin's lymphoma derived cell lines but not in normal blood cells. Further characterization of this sequence and the surrounding genomic DNA revealed that this sequence is part of a human endogenous retrovirus locus. The sequence of this endogenous retrovirus is interrupted by a pseudogene of the dual specificity phosphatase 5 (DUSP5). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed high expression of this pseudogene (DUSP5P1) in HL cell lines but not in normal blood cells or Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized B cells. Cells from other tumor types (Burkitt's lymphoma, leukemia, neuroblastoma, Ewing sarcoma) also showed a higher DUSP5P1/DUSP5 ratio than normal cells. Furthermore, we observed that higher expression of DUSP5 in relation to DUSP5P1 correlated with the expression of the pro-apoptotic factor B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2-like 11 (BCL2L11) in peripheral blood cells and HL cells. Knock-down of DUSP5 in HL cells resulted in down-regulation of BCL2L11. Thus, the DUSP5/DUSP5P1 system could be responsible for regulation of BCL2L11 leading to inhibition of apoptosis in these tumor cells.
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12
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Kühnöl C, Herbarth M, Föll J, Staege MS, Kramm C. CD137 stimulation and p38 MAPK inhibition improve reactivity in an in vitro model of glioblastoma immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2013; 62:1797-809. [PMID: 24129764 PMCID: PMC11028552 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-013-1484-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cell vaccination has become an interesting option for cancer immunotherapy. Tumor-lysate-pulsed dendritic cells (DC) can prime naïve T cells and induce the regression of established tumors including gliomas as shown in various animal models. Despite hopeful results even in clinical studies, the outcome for many patients is still unsatisfying. In the present study, we tested the combination of tumor-lysate-pulsed dendritic cells (TPDC) with a monoclonal antibody against CD137, a monoclonal antibody against CD25 (daclizumab) and a specific p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor (SB203580) for improving immunostimulation in an in vitro model of immunotherapy for human gliomas. We observed a higher secretion of interferon gamma by TPDC-primed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) that were incubated with an antibody against CD137 or the p38 MAPK inhibitor. In addition, we observed higher specific lysis of tumor cells after incubation of PBMC with the p38 MAPK inhibitor or the anti-CD137 antibody. In contrast, incubation of TPDC-primed PBMC with the anti-CD25 antibody did enhance neither interferon gamma secretion nor cellular cytotoxicity. Cell depletion experiments demonstrated that the immune reaction induced by TPDC is strongly dependent on CD4-positive and CD8-positive cells. Incubation of DC during maturation and antigen loading with the anti-CD137 antibody did not enhance cytotoxicity and interferon gamma secretion in comparison with application of the anti-CD137 antibody during priming. In conclusion, our data suggest that p38 MAPK inhibition and anti-CD137 antibodies can enhance the immune response against glioblastoma cells.
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MESH Headings
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/pharmacology
- Blotting, Western
- Brain Neoplasms/immunology
- Brain Neoplasms/metabolism
- Brain Neoplasms/therapy
- Cell Proliferation
- Cells, Cultured
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
- Daclizumab
- Dendritic Cells/cytology
- Dendritic Cells/drug effects
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Flow Cytometry
- Glioblastoma/immunology
- Glioblastoma/metabolism
- Glioblastoma/therapy
- Humans
- Imidazoles/pharmacology
- Immunoglobulin G/pharmacology
- Immunosuppressive Agents/pharmacology
- Immunotherapy
- Interferon-gamma
- Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/antagonists & inhibitors
- Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/immunology
- Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/metabolism
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/drug effects
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology
- Pyridines/pharmacology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9/immunology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9/metabolism
- p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
- p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/immunology
- p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Caspar Kühnöl
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany
| | - Monique Herbarth
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany
| | - Jürgen Föll
- Department of Pediatrics and Juvenile Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin S. Staege
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany
| | - Christof Kramm
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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13
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Mahlendorf DE, Staege MS. Characterization of Ewing sarcoma associated cancer/testis antigens. Cancer Biol Ther 2013; 14:254-61. [PMID: 23291981 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.23298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of patients suffering from tumors of the Ewing family (EFT) is still poor. Immunotherapy strategies are pursued and EFT-specific antigens have to be identified as targets for cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL). Due to the lack of expression of cancer/testis antigens (CTA) in normal tissues, these antigens are partially able to induce immune responses in cancer patients. Therefore, they are promising targets for immunotherapy. EFT are characterized by chromosomal rearrangements involving members of the TET (translocated in liposarcoma, Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1, TATA box binding protein-associated factor 15) family of RNA binding proteins and members of the E-26 (ETS) family of transcription factors. The resulting onco-fusion proteins are highly specific for EFT and downstream targets of TET-ETS represent candidate tumor specific antigens. In order to identify new EFT-associated CTA, we analyzed microarray-data sets from EFT and normal tissues from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The impact of TET-ETS on expression of CTA was analyzed using GEO data sets from transgenic mesenchymal stem cells. One CTA with high specificity for EFT is lipase I (LIPI, membrane-associated phospholipase A1-β). CTL specific for LIPI-derived peptides LDYTDAKFV and NLLKHGASL were able to lyse HLA-A2 positive EFT cells in vitro which confirms the possible role of LIPI and other CTA for EFT-immunotherapy.
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14
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Winkler C, Steingrube DS, Altermann W, Schlaf G, Max D, Kewitz S, Emmer A, Kornhuber M, Banning-Eichenseer U, Staege MS. Hodgkin's lymphoma RNA-transfected dendritic cells induce cancer/testis antigen-specific immune responses. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2012; 61:1769-79. [PMID: 22419371 PMCID: PMC11029013 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-012-1239-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Accepted: 02/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) can kill Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) cells, and CTL have been used for the treatment of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive HL. For patients with EBV-negative HL, this strategy cannot be employed and alternative target structures have to be defined. In order to establish a system for the stimulation of HL-reactive T cells, we used dendritic cells (DC) as antigen-presenting cells for autologous T cells and transfected these DC with RNA from established HL cell lines. After stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with RNA-transfected DC, we analyzed the reactivity of primed PBMC by interferon gamma enzyme-linked immunospot. Our results suggest the presence of antigens with expression in HL cell lines and recognition of these antigens in combination with DC-derived human leukocyte antigen molecules. By the analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus microarray data sets from HL cell lines and primary HL samples in comparison with testis and other normal tissues, we identified HL-associated cancer testis antigens (CTA) including the preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME). After stimulation of PBMC with RNA-transfected DC, we detected PRAME-reactive T cells. PRAME and other HL-associated CTA might be targets for HL-specific immune therapy or for the monitoring of HL-directed immune responses.
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MESH Headings
- Antigens, Neoplasm/biosynthesis
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/metabolism
- Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Hodgkin Disease/immunology
- Hodgkin Disease/metabolism
- Humans
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism
- Male
- RNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Ewing/immunology
- Sarcoma, Ewing/metabolism
- Testis/immunology
- Testis/metabolism
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Winkler
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany
| | | | - Wolfgang Altermann
- HLA-Laboratory, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Gerald Schlaf
- HLA-Laboratory, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Daniela Max
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany
| | - Stefanie Kewitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Malte Kornhuber
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Ursula Banning-Eichenseer
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany
| | - Martin Sebastian Staege
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany
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15
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Kewitz S, Bernig T, Staege MS. Histone deacetylase inhibition restores cisplatin sensitivity of Hodgkin's lymphoma cells. Leuk Res 2012; 36:773-8. [PMID: 22424710 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2012.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2011] [Revised: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggest that epigenetic mechanisms (e.g. histone modification by histone deacetylases) play a major role in the pathogenesis of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). We treated HL cell lines with the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat and investigated the gene expression profile of these cells by using DNA microarrays. Vorinostat inhibited cell proliferation and induced chances in the gene expression profile of HL cells, including down regulation of interleukin-26 and CD30. Vorinostat also increased sensitivity for cisplatin. Our data suggest that the combination of vorinostat and chemotherapy might be an interesting option for patients with chemoresistant HL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Kewitz
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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16
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Li J, Neumann I, Volkmer I, Staege MS. Down-regulation of achaete-scute complex homolog 1 (ASCL1) in neuroblastoma cells induces up-regulation of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2). Mol Biol Rep 2010; 38:1515-21. [PMID: 20842449 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-010-0259-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2010] [Accepted: 09/02/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extra-cranial solid pediatric tumor. The prognosis of patients with NB has been improved during the last decades. However, treatment results for patients with advanced tumor stages are still unsatisfying. NB cells are characterized by a high tendency for spontaneous or induced differentiation. During differentiation, down-regulation of the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor achaete-scute complex homolog 1 (ASCL1) has been observed but the consequences of ASCL1 down-regulation have not been elucidated. We used RNA interference to knock-down ASCL1 in NB cells. DNA microarray analysis was used for the identification of ASCL1-regulated genes. Furthermore, conventional and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for validation of ASCL1-regulated genes. Down-regulation of ASCL1 influenced the expression of several genes. After down-regulation of ASCL1, we observed very high expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), a factor that is known to be induced during differentiation of NB cells. RT-PCR indicated up-regulation of multiple IGF2 transcript variants after ASCL1 knock-down. Our data suggest that the ASCL1-pathway is responsible for the up-regulation of IGF2 during NB differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialing Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst Grube Str 40, 06097 Halle, Germany
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Neumann I, Foell JL, Bremer M, Volkmer I, Korholz D, Burdach S, Staege MS. Retinoic acid enhances sensitivity of neuroblastoma cells for imatinib mesylate. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010; 55:464-70. [PMID: 20658618 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.22603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retinoids can induce differentiation of neuroblastoma (NB) cells and are in clinical use for the treatment of patients with NB. Despite improvements of standard treatment during the last years, many patients with NB still relapse and new treatment options for these patients are required. PROCEDURE We analyzed NB cells after incubation with retinoids by using Affymetrix HG_U133A microarrays, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and flow cytometry. Sequencing of RT-PCR products was applied for determination of CD117 mRNA sequences from NB cell lines. In addition, we tested sensitivity of NB cells for the kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate after treatment with retinoids. RESULTS Treatment of NB cells with retinoids induced expression of several genes including the retinoid metabolizing enzymes CYP26A1 and CYP26B1. In addition, we observed up-regulation of CD117 (KIT), particularly after long-term treatment with retinoids. Sequencing of CD117 mRNA from NB cell lines revealed heterozygosity for a non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism in SH-SY5Y NB cells. Up-regulation of CD117 in NB cells correlated with increased sensitivity for the kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate. CONCLUSIONS The combination of retinoids with kinase inhibitors might be worth exploring further for the treatment of NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Neumann
- Department of Pediatrics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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