A novel function of differentiation revealed by cDNA microarray profiling of p75NTR-regulated gene expression

The role and potential mechanism of p75NTR in mineralization via in vivo p75NTR knockout mice and in vitro ectomesenchymal stem cells

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the role and potential mechanism of p75NTR in mineralization in vivo using p75NTR-knockout mice and in vitro using ectomesenchymal stem cells (EMSCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Femur bone mass and daily incisor mineralization speed were assessed in an in vivo p75NTR-knockout mouse model. The molecular signatures alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type 1 (Col1), melanoma-associated antigen (Mage)-D1, bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), distal-less homeobox 1 (Dlx1) and Msh homeobox 1 (Msx1) were examined in vitro in EMSCs isolated from p75NTR+/+ and p75NTRExIII-/- mice.

RESULTS

p75NTR-knockout mice were smaller in body size than heterozygous and wild-type mice. Micro-computed tomography and structural quantification showed that the osteogenic ability of p75NTRExIII -knockout mice was significantly decreased compared with that of wild-type mice (P < .05). Weaker ALP and alizarin red staining and reduced expression of ALP, Col1, Runx2, BSP, OCN and OPN were also observed in p75NTRExIII-/- EMSCs. Moreover, the distance between calcein fluorescence bands in p75NTRExIII -knockout mice was significantly smaller than that in wild type and heterozygous mice (P < .05), indicating the lower daily mineralization speed of incisors in p75NTRExIII -knockout mice. Further investigation revealed a positive correlation between p75NTR and Mage-D1, Dlx1, and Msx1.

CONCLUSION

p75NTR not only promotes osteogenic differentiation and tissue mineralization, but also shows a possible relationship with the circadian rhythm of dental hard tissue formation.

Cell Line-Dependent Variability of Coordinate Expression of p75NTR and CRABP1 and Modulation of Effects of Fenretinide on Neuroblastoma Cells

Neuroblastoma is a childhood neural crest tumor. Fenretinide, a retinoic acid analogue, induces accumulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and consequent apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells. The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) enhances the antineuroblastoma cell efficacy of fenretinide in vitro. We examined the role of the retinoid binding protein, CRABP1, in p75NTR-mediated potentiation of the efficacy of fenretinide. Knockdown and overexpression, respectively, of either p75NTR or CRABP1 were effected in neuroblastoma cell lines using standard techniques. Expression was determined by qRT-PCR and confirmed at the protein level by Western blot. Metabolic viability was determined by Alamar blue assay. While protein content of CRABP1 correlated roughly with that of p75NTR in the three neuroblastoid or epithelioid human neuroblastoma cell lines studied, manipulation of p75NTR expression resulted in cell line-dependent, variable change in CRABP1 expression. Furthermore, in some cell lines, induced expression of CRABP1 in the absence of p75NTR did not alter cell sensitivity to fenretinide treatment. The effects of manipulation of p75NTR expression on CRABP1 expression and the effects of CRABP1 expression on fenretinide efficacy are therefore neuroblastoma cell line-dependent. Potentiation of the antineuroblastoma cell effects of fenretinide by p75NTR is not mediated solely through CRABP1.

CD271 mediates stem cells to early progeny transition in human epidermis

CD271 is the low-affinity neurotrophin (p75NTR) receptor that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. Because in human epidermis, CD271 is predominantly expressed in transit-amplifying (TA) cells, we evaluated the role of this receptor in keratinocyte differentiation and in the transition from keratinocyte stem cells (KSCs) to progeny. Calcium induced an upregulation of CD271 in subconfluent keratinocytes, which was prevented by CD271 small interfering RNA. Furthermore, CD271 overexpression provoked the switch of KSCs to TA cells, whereas silencing CD271 induced TA cells to revert to a KSC phenotype, as shown by the expression of β1-integrin and by the increased clonogenic ability. CD271(+) keratinocytes sorted from freshly isolated TA cells expressed more survivin and keratin 15 (K15) compared with CD271(-) cells and displayed a higher proliferative capacity. Early differentiation markers and K15 were more expressed in the skin equivalent generated from CD271(+) TA than from those derived from CD271(-) TA cells. By contrast, late differentiation markers were more expressed in skin equivalents from CD271(-) than in reconstructs from CD271(+) TA cells. Finally, skin equivalents originated from CD271(-) TA cells displayed a psoriatic phenotype. These results indicate that CD271 is critical for keratinocyte differentiation and regulates the transition from KSCs to TA cells.

The p75 neurotrophin receptor regulates MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic differentiation

While the role of p75(NTR) signaling in the regulation of nerve-related cell growth and survival has been well documented, its actions in osteoblasts are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the effects of p75(NTR) on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation using the MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cell line. Proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were significantly enhanced in p75(NTR)-overexpressing MC3T3-E1 cells (p75GFP-E1). In addition, expression of osteoblast-specific osteocalcin (OCN), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and osterix mRNA, ALP activity, and mineralization capacity were dramatically enhanced in p75GFP-E1 cells, compared to wild MC3T3-E1 cells (GFP-E1). To determine the binding partner of p75(NTR) in p75GFP-E1 cells during osteogenic differentiation, we examined the expression of trkA, trkB, and trkC that are known binding partners of p75(NTR), as well as NgR. Pharmacological inhibition of trk tyrosine kinase with the K252a inhibitor resulted in marked reduction in the level of ALPase under osteogenic conditions. The deletion of the GDI binding domain in the p75(NTR)-GFP construct had no effect on mineralization. Taken together, our studies demonstrated that p75(NTR) signaling through the trk tyrosine kinase pathway affects osteoblast functions by targeting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.

siRNA knockdown of ribosomal protein gene RPL19 abrogates the aggressive phenotype of human prostate cancer

We provide novel functional data that posttranscriptional silencing of gene RPL19 using RNAi not only abrogates the malignant phenotype of PC-3M prostate cancer cells but is selective with respect to transcription and translation of other genes. Reducing RPL19 transcription modulates a subset of genes, evidenced by gene expression array analysis and Western blotting, but does not compromise cell proliferation or apoptosis in-vitro. However, growth of xenografted tumors containing the knocked-down RPL19 in-vivo is significantly reduced. Analysis of the modulated genes reveals induction of the non-malignant phenotype principally to involve perturbation of networks of transcription factors and cellular adhesion genes. The data provide evidence that extra-ribosomal regulatory functions of RPL19, beyond protein synthesis, are critical regulators of cellular phenotype. Targeting key members of affected networks identified by gene expression analysis raises the possibility of therapeutically stabilizing a benign phenotype generated by modulating the expression of an individual gene and thereafter constraining a malignant phenotype while leaving non-malignant tissues unaffected.

Gene expression profile of rat prostate during pubertal growth and maturation

Temporal gene expression profiling can provide valuable insight into mechanisms of differentiation and may be helpful in laying a foundation for characterization of the molecular aspects of development. Prostate development begins in fetal life and is complete at sexual maturity, and androgen stimulation is both necessary and sufficient for development and maturity of the prostate. In this study, we investigated gene expression profiles of rat prostate at 3 different developmental stages (2 weeks, 3.5 weeks, and 8 weeks), when serum testosterone levels are low, intermediate, and high. Through this analysis, we attempted to narrow down genes whose expression is affected by androgen increase during pubertal growth and maturation of the prostate.

Induction of human epithelial stem/progenitor expansion by FOXM1

Stem cells are permanent residents of tissues and thought to be targets of cancer initiation. The frequent, and often early, upregulation of the FOXM1 transcription factor in the majority of human cancers suggests that it may participate in the initiation of human tumorigenesis. However, this hypothesis has not been tested. Herein, we show that targeting the ectopic expression of FOXM1 to the highly clonogenic cells of primary human keratinocytes with stem/progenitor cell properties, but not to differentiating cells, caused clonal expansion in vitro. We show, using a functional three-dimensional organotypic epithelial tissue regeneration system, that ectopic FOXM1 expression perturbed epithelial differentiation generating a hyperproliferative phenotype reminiscent of that seen in human epithelial hyperplasia. Furthermore, transcriptional expression analysis of a panel of 28 epithelial differentiation-specific genes reveals a role for FOXM1 in the suppression of epithelial differentiation. This study provides the first evidence that FOXM1 participates in an early oncogenic pathway that predisposes cells to tumorigenesis by expanding the stem/progenitor compartment and deregulating subsequent keratinocyte terminal differentiation. This finding reveals an important window of susceptibility to oncogenic signals in epithelial stem/progenitor cells prior to differentiation, and may provide a significant benefit to the design of cancer therapeutic interventions that target oncogenesis at its earliest incipient stage.

Carprofen induction of p75NTR-dependent apoptosis via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in prostate cancer cells

The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) functions as a tumor suppressor in prostate epithelial cells, where its expression declines with progression to malignant cancer. Previously, we showed that treatment with R-flurbiprofen or ibuprofen induced p75(NTR) expression in several prostate cancer cell lines leading to p75(NTR)-mediated decreased survival. Using the 2-phenyl propionic acid moiety of these profens as a pharmacophore, we screened an in silico database of 30 million compounds and identified carprofen as having an order of magnitude greater activity for induction of p75(NTR) levels and inhibition of cell survival. Prostate (PC-3 and DU-145) and bladder (T24) cancer cells were more sensitive to carprofen induction of p75(NTR)-associated loss of survival than breast (MCF-7) and fibroblast (3T3) cells. Transfection of prostate cell lines with a dominant-negative form of p75(NTR) before carprofen treatment partially rescued cell survival, showing a cause-and-effect relationship between carprofen induction of p75(NTR) levels and inhibition of survival. Carprofen induced apoptotic nuclear fragmentation in prostate but not in MCF-7 and 3T3 cells. Furthermore, small interfering RNA knockdown of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) protein prevented induction of p75(NTR) by carprofen in both prostate cell lines. Carprofen treatment induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK as early as within 1 min. Expression of a dominant-negative form of MK2, the kinase downstream of p38 MAPK frequently associated with signaling cascades leading to apoptosis, prevented carprofen induction of the p75(NTR) protein. Collectively, we identify carprofen as a highly potent profen capable of inducing p75(NTR)-dependent apoptosis via the p38 MAPK pathway in prostate cancer cells.

Gene expression profile of prostate cancer cell lines: effect of nerve growth factor treatment

A dysregulation of the nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated control of prostate cell growth is associated with the malignant progression of prostate epithelial cells. Exogenous NGF induced in prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines DU145 and PC3 the expression of p75(NGFR), accompanied by a reduction of the cell malignancy. The aim of this study was to analyze the profile of NGF-regulated genes the PCa cell line DU145 by using the cDNA microarray technique. NGF treatment of DU145 cells decreased the expression of 52 known genes, while the expression of 40 known genes was increased. NGF treatment of the DU145 cell line modified the expression profile of clusters of genes involved in invasion and metastasis, in cell proliferation and apoptosis, inflammation, cell metabolism and transcriptional activity. Interestingly, NGF induced the same pattern of gene modifications in both PCa cell lines. Data presented here may help to identify gene/proteins that dispose to PCa progression and to assess future markers that could allow the development of new clinic diagnostic and therapeutical approaches.

Manipulation of the nerve growth factor network in prostate cancer

Autocrine and paracrine events regulated by nerve growth factor (NGF) and relevant receptors (low- and high affinity; p75 neurotrophin receptor [p75(NTR)] and TrkA, respectively) seem to play a significant role in prostate carcinogenesis. Studies reveal that p75(NTR) is both a tumor suppressor of growth and a metastasis suppressor of human prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, p75(NTR) is progressively lost during prostate carcinogenesis. An imbalance between p75(NTR) and tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA)-mediated signals may be involved in the progression of prostate cancer through increased proliferation and reduced apoptosis. The antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of GnRH analogs in prostate cancer cells may be mediated by altering the TrkA:p75(NTR) NGF receptor ratio. Administration of NGF induces a reversion of the androgen-independent/androgen receptor-negative prostate cancer cell lines to a less malignant phenotype. Finally, Trk inhibition is a novel, attractive and rational approach for prostate cancer therapy. This review unravels the NGF 'circuitry' in prostate cancinogenesis for relevant pharmacologic manipulation to lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents.

The p75(NTR) metastasis suppressor inhibits urokinase plasminogen activator, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in PC-3 prostate cancer cells

The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) has been characterized as a metastasis and tumor suppressor in prostate cancer. In order to investigate the mechanism(s) by which the p75(NTR) functions as a metastasis suppressor in prostate cancer cells, we characterized the ectopic expression of p75(NTR) on the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and the type IV collagen matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. Rank-order expression of p75(NTR) greatly reduced protein levels and enzymatic activities of uPA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 as shown by immunoblot and zymography analyses. Conversely, expression of the MMP-9 antagonist, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) exhibited an increase in protein levels with an increase in p75(NTR) levels, whereas TIMP-2 was not detected. Transient transfection with an inducible dominant negative antagonist Deltap75(NTR) rescued uPA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 protein levels and protease activities, and conversely suppressed TIMP-1 levels. Since p75(NTR) signal transduction occurs via the NFkappaB and JNK pathways, antagonism of signaling intermediates in these pathways, using dominant negative IKKbeta or dominant negative MKK-4, respectively, was shown to further decrease expression of uPA, MMP-2, and MMP-9 protein and enzymatic activity levels, and conversely up-regulate levels of TIMP-1. These results indicate that expression of uPA, MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 are directly regulated by expression of p75(NTR) and its downstream signal transduction cascade. These results suggest that the metastasis suppressor activity of p75(NTR) is mediated, in part, by down-regulation of specific proteases (uPA, type IV collagenases) implicated in cell migration and metastasis.