1
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Gascard PD, Wang X, Nosrati M, Kim KB, Kashani-Sabet M, Tlsty TD, Leong SP, Hendrix MJC. Higher Nodal expression is often associated with poorer survival in patients diagnosed with melanoma and treated with anti-PD1 therapy. Pathol Oncol Res 2024; 30:1611889. [PMID: 39376672 PMCID: PMC11456440 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2024.1611889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 10/09/2024]
Abstract
Advanced melanoma is considered the most aggressive and deadly form of skin cancer whose incidence has been rising over the past three decades. In the absence of treatment, the median overall survival for advanced-stage metastatic disease is less than 6 months. Although most melanomas detected at an early stage can be cured with surgery, a subset of these eventually metastasize. Therefore, a critical need exists to identify unique molecular features that would be predictive of long-term outcome and response to specific therapies. Recent promising therapeutic regimens have included the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-PD1 antibodies. However, the ability to identify responders and non-responders to this therapy remains elusive. To address this challenge at the molecular level, previously our laboratory identified the emergence of a stem cell phenotype associated with advanced melanoma and other aggressive forms of cancer. Underlying this phenotype is the aberrant re-expression of the embryonic morphogen "Nodal". Particularly noteworthy, we have observed Nodal to remain in advanced tumors of non-responders to standard-of-care therapies (i.e., BRAFi). This pilot study is the first proof-of-principle attempt to predict treatment response survival outcome in a small cohort of melanoma patients receiving anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy - based on their Nodal expression profile. Using advanced multiplex immunohistochemistry-based digital pathology, the major finding of this preliminary study indicates that higher Nodal expression is often associated with poorer overall survival after anti-PD1 therapy, reaching nearly statistical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe D. Gascard
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Xianhong Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Mehdi Nosrati
- California Pacific Medical Center, Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, Sutter Health, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Kevin B. Kim
- California Pacific Medical Center, Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, Sutter Health, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Mohammed Kashani-Sabet
- California Pacific Medical Center, Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, Sutter Health, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Thea D. Tlsty
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Stanley P. Leong
- California Pacific Medical Center, Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, Sutter Health, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Mary J. C. Hendrix
- Department of Biology, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV, United States
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2
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Sivaccumar JP, Iaccarino E, Oliver A, Cantile M, Olimpieri P, Leonardi A, Ruvo M, Sandomenico A. Production in Bacteria and Characterization of Engineered Humanized Fab Fragment against the Nodal Protein. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1130. [PMID: 37631045 PMCID: PMC10459755 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081130] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug development in recent years is increasingly focused on developing personalized treatments based on blocking molecules selective for therapeutic targets specifically present in individual patients. In this perspective, the specificity of therapeutic targets and blocking agents plays a crucial role. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and their surrogates are increasingly used in this context thanks to their ability to bind therapeutic targets and to inhibit their activity or to transport bioactive molecules into the compartments in which the targets are expressed. Small antibody-like molecules, such as Fabs, are often used in certain clinical settings where small size and better tissue penetration are required. In the wake of this research trend, we developed a murine mAb (3D1) neutralizing the activity of Nodal, an oncofetal protein that is attracting an ever-increasing interest as a selective therapeutic target for several cancer types. Here, we report the preparation of a recombinant Fab of 3D1 that has been humanized through a computational approach starting from the sequence of the murine antibody. The Fab has been expressed in bacterial cells (1 mg/L bacterial culture), biochemically characterized in terms of stability and binding properties by circular dichroism and bio-layer interferometry techniques and tested in vitro on Nodal-positive cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jwala P. Sivaccumar
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
| | - Emanuela Iaccarino
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
| | - Angela Oliver
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
- Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio Leonardi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples “Federico II”, via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
| | - Annamaria Sandomenico
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy (E.I.)
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3
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Untiveros G, Dezi L, Gillette M, Sidor J, Strizzi L. Normal Skin Cells Increase Aggressiveness of Cutaneous Melanoma by Promoting Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition via Nodal and Wnt Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11719. [PMID: 34769150 PMCID: PMC8583838 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a lethal form of skin cancer triggered by genetic and environmental factors. Excision of early-stage, poorly aggressive melanoma often leads to a successful outcome; however, left undiagnosed these lesions can progress to metastatic disease. This research investigates whether the exposure of poorly aggressive melanoma to certain normal skin cells can explain how non-metastatic melanoma becomes more aggressive while still confined to the skin. To this end, we used a serial co-culture approach to sequentially expose cells from two different, poorly aggressive human melanoma cell lines against normal cells of the skin beginning with normal melanocytes, then epidermal keratinocytes, and finally dermal fibroblasts. Protein extraction of melanoma cells occurred at each step of the co-culture sequence for western blot (WB) analysis. In addition, morphological and functional changes were assessed to detect differences between the serially co-cultured melanoma cells and non-co-cultured cells. Results show that the co-cultured melanoma cells assumed a more mesenchymal morphology and displayed a significant increase in proliferation and invasiveness compared to control or reference cells. WB analysis of protein from the co-cultured melanoma cells showed increased expression of Snail and decreased levels of E-cadherin suggesting that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is occurring in these co-cultured cells. Additional WB analysis showed increased levels of Nodal protein and signaling and signs of increased Wnt activity in the co-cultured melanoma cells compared to reference cells. These data suggest that interaction between poorly aggressive melanoma cells with normal cells of the skin may regulate the transition from localized, poorly aggressive melanoma to invasive, metastatic disease via Nodal and/or Wnt induced EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Untiveros
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
| | - Lindsay Dezi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
| | - Megan Gillette
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA; (M.G.); (J.S.)
| | - Julia Sidor
- Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA; (M.G.); (J.S.)
| | - Luigi Strizzi
- Department of Pathology, College of Graduate Studies, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA
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4
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Nguyen DHT, Lee E, Alimperti S, Norgard RJ, Wong A, Lee JJK, Eyckmans J, Stanger BZ, Chen CS. A biomimetic pancreatic cancer on-chip reveals endothelial ablation via ALK7 signaling. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaav6789. [PMID: 31489365 PMCID: PMC6713506 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aav6789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive, lethal malignancy that invades adjacent vasculatures and spreads to distant sites before clinical detection. Although invasion into the peripancreatic vasculature is one of the hallmarks of PDAC, paradoxically, PDAC tumors also exhibit hypovascularity. How PDAC tumors become hypovascular is poorly understood. We describe an organotypic PDAC-on-a-chip culture model that emulates vascular invasion and tumor-blood vessel interactions to better understand PDAC-vascular interactions. The model features a 3D matrix containing juxtaposed PDAC and perfusable endothelial lumens. PDAC cells invaded through intervening matrix, into vessel lumen, and ablated the endothelial cells, leaving behind tumor-filled luminal structures. Endothelial ablation was also observed in in vivo PDAC models. We also identified the activin-ALK7 pathway as a mediator of endothelial ablation by PDAC. This tumor-on-a-chip model provides an important in vitro platform for investigating the process of PDAC-driven endothelial ablation and may provide a mechanism for tumor hypovascularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duc-Huy T. Nguyen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Esak Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Styliani Alimperti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Robert J. Norgard
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alec Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jake June-Koo Lee
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jeroen Eyckmans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ben Z. Stanger
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Christopher S. Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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5
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Sandomenico A, Ruvo M. Targeting Nodal and Cripto-1: Perspectives Inside Dual Potential Theranostic Cancer Biomarkers. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:1994-2050. [PMID: 30207211 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666180912104707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elucidating the mechanisms of recurrence of embryonic signaling pathways in tumorigenesis has led to the discovery of onco-fetal players which have physiological roles during normal development but result aberrantly re-activated in tumors. In this context, Nodal and Cripto-1 are recognized as onco-developmental factors, which are absent in normal tissues but are overexpressed in several solid tumors where they can serve as theranostic agents. OBJECTIVE To collect, review and discuss the most relevant papers related to the involvement of Nodal and Cripto-1 in the development, progression, recurrence and metastasis of several tumors where they are over-expressed, with a particular attention to their occurrence on the surface of the corresponding sub-populations of cancer stem cells (CSC). RESULTS We have gathered, rationalized and discussed the most interesting findings extracted from some 370 papers related to the involvement of Cripto-1 and Nodal in all tumor types where they have been detected. Data demonstrate the clear connection between Nodal and Cripto-1 presence and their multiple oncogenic activities across different tumors. We have also reviewed and highlighted the potential of targeting Nodal, Cripto-1 and the complexes that they form on the surface of tumor cells, especially of CSC, as an innovative approach to detect and suppress tumors with molecules that block one or more mechanisms that they regulate. CONCLUSION Overall, Nodal and Cripto-1 represent two innovative and effective biomarkers for developing potential theranostic anti-tumor agents that target normal as well as CSC subpopulations and overcome both pharmacological resistance and tumor relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Sandomenico
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Menotti Ruvo
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IBB-CNR), via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy
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6
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Seftor EA, Margaryan NV, Seftor REB, Hendrix MJC. Heterogeneity of Melanoma with Stem Cell Properties. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1139:105-114. [PMID: 31134497 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-14366-4_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma continues to present a significant challenge-with a cure rate of less than 10% and a median survival of 6-9 months. Despite noteworthy advances in the field, the heterogeneity of melanoma tumors, comprised of cell subpopulations expressing a cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype concomitant with drug resistance markers presents a formidable challenge in the design of current therapies. Particularly vexing is the ability of distinct subpopulations of melanoma cells to resist standard-of-care treatments, resulting in relapse and progression to metastasis. Recent studies have provided new information and insights into the expression and function of CSC markers associated with the aggressive melanoma phenotype, such as the embryonic morphogen Nodal and CD133, together with a drug resistance marker ABCA1. This chapter highlights major findings that demonstrate the promise of targeting Nodal as a viable option to pursue in combination with standard-of-care therapy. In recognizing that aggressive melanoma tumors utilize multiple mechanisms to survive, we must consider a more strategic approach to effectively target heterogeneity, tumor cell plasticity, and functional adaptation and resistance to current therapies-to eliminate relapse, disease progression, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth A Seftor
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, One Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Naira V Margaryan
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, One Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Richard E B Seftor
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, One Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mary J C Hendrix
- Department of Biology, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV, USA.
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7
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McCarthy JB, El-Ashry D, Turley EA. Hyaluronan, Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and the Tumor Microenvironment in Malignant Progression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:48. [PMID: 29868579 PMCID: PMC5951929 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes the roles of CAFs in forming a “cancerized” fibrotic stroma favorable to tumor initiation and dissemination, in particular highlighting the functions of the extracellular matrix component hyaluronan (HA) in these processes. The structural complexity of the tumor and its host microenvironment is now well appreciated to be an important contributing factor to malignant progression and resistance-to-therapy. There are multiple components of this complexity, which include an extensive remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and associated biomechanical changes in tumor stroma. Tumor stroma is often fibrotic and rich in fibrillar type I collagen and hyaluronan (HA). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major source of this fibrotic ECM. CAFs organize collagen fibrils and these biomechanical alterations provide highways for invading carcinoma cells either under the guidance of CAFs or following their epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). The increased HA metabolism of a tumor microenvironment instructs carcinoma initiation and dissemination by performing multiple functions. The key effects of HA reviewed here are its role in activating CAFs in pre-malignant and malignant stroma, and facilitating invasion by promoting motility of both CAFs and tumor cells, thus facilitating their invasion. Circulating CAFs (cCAFs) also form heterotypic clusters with circulating tumor cells (CTC), which are considered to be pre-cursors of metastatic colonies. cCAFs are likely required for extravasation of tumors cells and to form a metastatic niche suitable for new tumor colony growth. Therapeutic interventions designed to target both HA and CAFs in order to limit tumor spread and increase response to current therapies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B McCarthy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Masonic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Dorraya El-Ashry
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Masonic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Eva A Turley
- London Regional Cancer Program, Department of Oncology, Biochemistry and Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Lawson Health Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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8
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Kalyan A, Carneiro BA, Chandra S, Kaplan J, Chae YK, Matsangou M, Hendrix MJC, Giles F. Nodal Signaling as a Developmental Therapeutics Target in Oncology. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 16:787-792. [PMID: 28468864 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is a vital feature of oncogenesis and tumor progression. There are several parallels between cancer cells and early developmental stem cells, including their plasticity and signaling mechanisms. In early fetal development, Nodal is expressed for endodermal and mesodermal differentiation. This expression has been shown reemerge in the setting of epithelial cancers, such as breast and melanoma. High Nodal expression correlates to an aggressive tumor grade in these malignancies. Nodal signal begins with its interaction with its coreceptor, Cripto-1, leading to activation of Smad2/Smad3 and ultimately downstream transcription and translation. Lefty is the natural inhibitor of Nodal and controls Nodal signaling during fetal development. However, cancer cells lack the presence of Lefty, thus leading to uncontrolled tumor growth. Given this understanding, inhibition of the Nodal pathway offers a new novel therapeutic target in oncology. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(5); 787-92. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Kalyan
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois. .,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Benedito A Carneiro
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sunandana Chandra
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jason Kaplan
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Young Kwang Chae
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Maria Matsangou
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mary J C Hendrix
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Anne and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Francis Giles
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Olson Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois.,Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
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9
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Tian RH, Yang S, Zhu ZJ, Wang JL, Liu Y, Yao C, Ma M, Guo Y, Yuan Q, Hai Y, Huang YR, He Z, Li Z. NODAL secreted by male germ cells regulates the proliferation and function of human Sertoli cells from obstructive azoospermia and nonobstructive azoospermia patients. Asian J Androl 2016; 17:996-1005. [PMID: 26289399 PMCID: PMC4814958 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.159722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was designed to explore the regulatory effects of male germ cell secreting factor NODAL on Sertoli cell fate decisions from obstructive azoospermia (OA) and nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients. Human Sertoli cells and male germ cells were isolated using two-step enzymatic digestion and SATPUT from testes of azoospermia patients. Expression of NODAL and its multiple receptors in human Sertoli cells and male germ cells were characterized by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunochemistry. Human recombinant NODAL and its receptor inhibitor SB431542 were employed to probe their effect on the proliferation of Sertoli cells using the CCK-8 assay. Quantitative PCR and Western blots were utilized to assess the expression of Sertoli cell functional genes and proteins. NODAL was found to be expressed in male germ cells but not in Sertoli cells, whereas its receptors ALK4, ALK7, and ACTR-IIB were detected in Sertoli cells and germ cells, suggesting that NODAL plays a regulatory role in Sertoli cells and germ cells via a paracrine and autocrine pathway, respectively. Human recombinant NODAL could promote the proliferation of human Sertoli cells. The expression of cell cycle regulators, including CYCLIN A, CYCLIN D1 and CYCLIN E, was not remarkably affected by NODAL signaling. NODAL enhanced the expression of essential growth factors, including GDNF, SCF, and BMP4, whereas SB431542 decreased their levels. There was not homogeneity of genes changes by NODAL treatment in Sertoli cells from OA and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCO) patients. Collectively, this study demonstrates that NODAL produced by human male germ cells regulates proliferation and numerous gene expression of Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Zuping He
- Department of Urology, Institute of Andrology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Med-X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Cancer, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Urology, Institute of Andrology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
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10
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Yao J, Zhang L, Hu L, Guo B, Hu X, Borjigin U, Wei Z, Chen Y, Lv M, Lau JTY, Wang X, Li G, Hu YP. Tumorigenic potential is restored during differentiation in fusion-reprogrammed cancer cells. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2314. [PMID: 27468690 PMCID: PMC4973342 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Detailed understanding of the mechanistic steps underlying tumor initiation and malignant progression is critical for insights of potentially novel therapeutic modalities. Cellular reprogramming is an approach of particular interest because it can provide a means to reset the differentiation state of the cancer cells and to revert these cells to a state of non-malignancy. Here, we investigated the relationship between cellular differentiation and malignant progression by the fusion of four independent mouse cancer cell lines from different tissues, each with differing developmental potentials, to pluripotent mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Fusion was accompanied by loss of differentiated properties of the four parental cancer cell lines and concomitant emergence of pluripotency, demonstrating the feasibility to reprogram the malignant and differentiative properties of cancer cells. However, the original malignant and differentiative phenotypes re-emerge upon withdrawal of the fused cells from the embryonic environment in which they were maintained. cDNA array analysis of the malignant hepatoma progression implicated a role for Foxa1, and silencing Foxa1 prevented the re-emergence of malignant and differentiation-associated gene expression. Our findings support the hypothesis that tumor progression results from deregulation of stem cells, and our approach provides a strategy to analyze possible mechanisms in the cancer initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Yao
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Stem Cells and Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China.,Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xian 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - L Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, People's Republic of China
| | - L Hu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xian 710061, People's Republic of China.,Basic Medical College, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi 030024, People's Republic of China
| | - B Guo
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xian 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - X Hu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, People's Republic of China
| | - U Borjigin
- Key Laboratory of National Education Ministry for Mammalian Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Inner Mongolia University, Huhhot 010021, People's Republic of China
| | - Z Wei
- Key Laboratory of National Education Ministry for Mammalian Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Inner Mongolia University, Huhhot 010021, People's Republic of China
| | - Y Chen
- Pearl Laboratory Animal Science and Technology Co. Ltd, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - M Lv
- Pearl Laboratory Animal Science and Technology Co. Ltd, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - J T Y Lau
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - X Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of National Education Ministry for Mammalian Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Inner Mongolia University, Huhhot 010021, People's Republic of China.,Hepatoscience Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA
| | - G Li
- Key Laboratory of National Education Ministry for Mammalian Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Inner Mongolia University, Huhhot 010021, People's Republic of China
| | - Y-P Hu
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Stem Cells and Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
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11
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New Anti-Nodal Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting the Nodal Pre-Helix Loop Involved in Cripto-1 Binding. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:21342-62. [PMID: 26370966 PMCID: PMC4613256 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160921342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Nodal is a potent embryonic morphogen belonging to the TGF-β superfamily. Typically, it also binds to the ALK4/ActRIIB receptor complex in the presence of the co-receptor Cripto-1. Nodal expression is physiologically restricted to embryonic tissues and human embryonic stem cells, is absent in normal cells but re-emerges in several human cancers, including melanoma, breast, and colon cancer. Our aim was to obtain mAbs able to recognize Nodal on a major CBR (Cripto-Binding-Region) site and to block the Cripto-1-mediated signalling. To achieve this, antibodies were raised against hNodal(44-67) and mAbs generated by the hybridoma technology. We have selected one mAb, named 3D1, which strongly associates with full-length rhNodal (KD 1.4 nM) and recognizes the endogenous protein in a panel of human melanoma cell lines by western blot and FACS analyses. 3D1 inhibits the Nodal-Cripto-1 binding and blocks Smad2/3 phosphorylation. Data suggest that inhibition of the Nodal-Cripto-1 axis is a valid therapeutic approach against melanoma and 3D1 is a promising and interesting agent for blocking Nodal-Cripto mediated tumor development. These findings increase the interest for Nodal as both a diagnostic and prognostic marker and as a potential new target for therapeutic intervention.
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Chinen AB, Guan CM, Ferrer JR, Barnaby SN, Merkel TJ, Mirkin CA. Nanoparticle Probes for the Detection of Cancer Biomarkers, Cells, and Tissues by Fluorescence. Chem Rev 2015; 115:10530-74. [PMID: 26313138 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 623] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa B Chinen
- Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Chemical Engineering, §Department of Interdepartmental Biological Sciences, and ∥International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University , 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chenxia M Guan
- Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Chemical Engineering, §Department of Interdepartmental Biological Sciences, and ∥International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University , 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Jennifer R Ferrer
- Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Chemical Engineering, §Department of Interdepartmental Biological Sciences, and ∥International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University , 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Stacey N Barnaby
- Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Chemical Engineering, §Department of Interdepartmental Biological Sciences, and ∥International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University , 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Timothy J Merkel
- Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Chemical Engineering, §Department of Interdepartmental Biological Sciences, and ∥International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University , 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Chemical Engineering, §Department of Interdepartmental Biological Sciences, and ∥International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University , 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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Qiao L, Liang N, Zhang J, Xie J, Liu F, Xu D, Yu X, Tian Y. Advanced research on vasculogenic mimicry in cancer. J Cell Mol Med 2015; 19:315-26. [PMID: 25598425 PMCID: PMC4407602 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a brand-new tumour vascular paradigm independent of angiogenesis that describes the specific capacity of aggressive cancer cells to form vessel-like networks that provide adequate blood supply for tumour growth. A variety of molecule mechanisms and signal pathways participate in VM induction. Additionally, cancer stem cell and epithelial-mesenchymal transitions are also shown to be implicated in VM formation. As a unique perfusion way, VM is associated with tumour invasion, metastasis and poor cancer patient prognosis. Due to VM's important effects on tumour progression, more VM-related strategies are being utilized for anticancer treatment. Here, with regard to the above aspects, we make a review of advanced research on VM in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Qiao
- Department of Oncology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Pro, China
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Hsiao YP, Tsai CH, Wu PP, Hsu SC, Liu HC, Huang YP, Yang JH, Chung JG. Cantharidin induces G2/M phase arrest by inhibition of Cdc25c and Cyclin A and triggers apoptosis through reactive oxygen species and the mitochondria‑dependent pathways of A375.S2 human melanoma cells. Int J Oncol 2014; 45:2393-402. [PMID: 25340978 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cantharidin (CTD), a component of natural mylabris (Mylabris phalerata Pallas) was reported to have high cytotoxicity in many human cancer cell lines. However, it was not reported to affect human melanoma A375.S2 cells. In the present study, we found that CTD induced cell morphological changes and decreased the percentage of viable cells and induced G2/M phase arrest and induction of apoptosis in A375.S2 cells. Results also showed that CTD induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca2+ and decreased mitochondria membrane potential and lead to the release of cytochrome c, AIF and Endo G. Further investigation revealed that CTD induced A375.S2 cells with an increase of caspase activation and caspase-dependent apoptotic proteins to trigger correlated pathway mechanisms according to western blotting results. Western blotting was used for examining the changes of G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis-associated protein expression and confocal laser microscopy was used to examine the translocation apoptosis-associated protein. Results showed that CTD increased the protein expression of caspase-3, -8 and -9, cytochrome c, Bax, Bid, Endo G and AIF but inhibited the levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x. CTD induced ER stress-associated protein expression such as GRP78, IRE1β, ATF6α and caspase-12. Based on those observations, we suggest that CTD may have potential as a novel anti-cancer agent for the treatment of skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ping Hsiao
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chung-Hung Tsai
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ping-Ping Wu
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Shu-Chun Hsu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hsin-Chung Liu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yi-Ping Huang
- Department of Physiology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Jen-Hung Yang
- Department of Dermatology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Jing-Gung Chung
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Qi H, Sun B, Zhao X, Du J, Gu Q, Liu Y, Cheng R, Dong X. Wnt5a promotes vasculogenic mimicry and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via protein kinase Cα in epithelial ovarian cancer. Oncol Rep 2014; 32:771-9. [PMID: 24898696 DOI: 10.3892/or.2014.3229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death in women. The majority of epithelial ovarian cancer patients present with metastasis at the time of initial diagnosis. Studies have demonstrated that vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is highly correlated with metastasis and invasiveness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is pivotal in VM formation. Wnt5a, a member of the Wnt protein family, can activate the non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway mediating cancer initiation and progression. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between Wnt5a and VM and its mechanism in epithelial ovarian cancer. The present results showed that Wnt5a staining was significantly correlated with metastasis in epithelial ovarian cancer. The correlation between the expression of Wnt5a and VM or protein kinase Cα (PKCα) indicated that Wnt5a was associated with VM and may be linked to the PKC pathway. In vitro experiments revealed that Wnt5a enhanced the vasculogenic capacity, motility and invasiveness of ovarian cancer cells; however, the PKCα inhibitor blocked these effects. Western blot analysis showed that changes in Wnt5a expression coincided with changes in PKC expression and that PI3K and Snail expression increased along with Wnt5a upregulation. However, no change was observed in β-catenin levels, indicating that Wnt5a may mediate EMT and VM in ovarian cancer cells via the PKCα pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Qi
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Baocun Sun
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Xiulan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Jing Du
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Gu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Yanrong Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Runfen Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
| | - Xueyi Dong
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, P.R. China
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Seftor EA, Seftor REB, Weldon D, Kirsammer GT, Margaryan NV, Gilgur A, Hendrix MJC. Melanoma tumor cell heterogeneity: a molecular approach to study subpopulations expressing the embryonic morphogen nodal. Semin Oncol 2014; 41:259-266. [PMID: 24787297 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2014.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
As the frequency of melanoma increases, current treatment strategies are struggling to significantly impact patient survival. One of the critical issues in designing efficient therapies is understanding the composition of heterogeneous melanoma tumors in order to target cancer stem cells (CSCs) and drug-resistant subpopulations. In this review, we summarize recent findings pertinent to the reemergence of the embryonic Nodal signaling pathway in melanoma and its significance as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target. In addition, we offer a novel molecular approach to studying the functional relevance of Nodal-expressing subpopulations and their CSC phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth A Seftor
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Richard E B Seftor
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | | | - Gina T Kirsammer
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Naira V Margaryan
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Alina Gilgur
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Mary J C Hendrix
- Cancer Biology and Epigenomics Program, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Research Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
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Chen J, Liu WB, Jia WD, Xu GL, Ma JL, Ren Y, Chen H, Sun SN, Huang M, Li JS. Embryonic morphogen nodal is associated with progression and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. PLoS One 2014; 9:e85840. [PMID: 24465741 PMCID: PMC3897529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nodal, a TGF-β-related embryonic morphogen, is involved in multiple biologic processes. However, the expression of Nodal in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its correlation with tumor angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and prognosis is unclear. Methods We used real-time PCR and Western blotting to investigate Nodal expression in 6 HCC cell lines and 1 normal liver cell line, 16 pairs of tumor and corresponding paracarcinomatous tissues from HCC patients. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine Nodal expression in HCC and corresponding paracarcinomatous tissues from 96 patients. CD34 and Vimentin were only examined in HCC tissues of patients mentioned above. Nodal gene was silenced by shRNA in MHCC97H and HCCLM3 cell lines, and cell migration and invasion were detected. Statistical analyses were applied to evaluate the prognostic value and associations of Nodal expression with clinical parameters. Results Nodal expression was detected in HCC cell lines with high metastatic potential alone. Nodal expression is up-regulated in HCC tissues compared with paracarcinomatous and normal liver tissues. Nodal protein was expressed in 70 of the 96 (72.9%) HCC tumors, and was associated with vascular invasion (P = 0.000), status of metastasis (P = 0.004), AFP (P = 0.049), ICGR15 (indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min) (P = 0.010) and tumor size (P = 0.000). High Nodal expression was positively correlated with high MVD (microvessal density) (P = 0.006), but not with Vimentin expression (P = 0.053). Significantly fewer migrated and invaded cells were seen in shRNA group compared with blank group and negative control group (P<0.05). High Nodal expression was found to be an independent factor for predicting overall survival of HCC. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that Nodal expression is associated with aggressive characteristics of HCC. Its aberrant expression may be a predictive factor of unfavorable prognosis for HCC after surgery.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Antigens, CD34/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement
- Disease Progression
- Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism
- Female
- Frozen Sections
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Kaplan-Meier Estimate
- Liver/metabolism
- Liver/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Multivariate Analysis
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- Nodal Protein/genetics
- Nodal Protein/metabolism
- Prognosis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Vimentin/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wen-Bin Liu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wei-Dong Jia
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ge-Liang Xu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jin-Liang Ma
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yun Ren
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Si-Nan Sun
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Mei Huang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jian-Sheng Li
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- * E-mail:
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Sun J, Liu SZ, Lin Y, Cao XP, Liu JM. TGF-β promotes glioma cell growth via activating Nodal expression through Smad and ERK1/2 pathways. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 443:1066-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.12.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Cao Z, Bao M, Miele L, Sarkar FH, Wang Z, Zhou Q. Tumour vasculogenic mimicry is associated with poor prognosis of human cancer patients: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Cancer 2013; 49:3914-23. [PMID: 23992642 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.07.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Revised: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) has been reported in various malignant tumours and is known to play an important role in cancer progression and metastasis. However, the impact of VM on the overall survival of human cancer patients remains controversial. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether VM is associated with 5-year survival of human cancer patients. METHODS Twenty-two eligible clinical studies with data on both tumour cell-dominant VM and the 5-year survival of 3062 patients involved in 15 types of cancers were pooled in the meta-analysis. RESULTS The 5-year overall survival of VM-positive and -negative cancer patients was 31% and 56%, respectively. The relative risk (RR) of the 5-year survival of VM-positive patients was significantly higher than that of VM-negative cases (RR=1.531; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.357-1.726; P<0.001). Notably, metastatic melanoma patients demonstrated a higher VM rate (45.3%) than patients with primary melanoma (23.1%) and showed worse 5-year survival, suggesting that VM contributes to tumour metastasis and poor prognosis in cancer patients. Subgroup analysis indicated that a poor 5-year survival was significantly associated with eight types of VM-positive malignant tumours, such as lung, colon, liver cancers, sarcomas and melanoma; but was not associated with the seven other types of cancers, such as prostate cancer. Heterogeneity and publication biases were found among the 22 studies, mainly due to the divergent characteristics of cancers and extremely low survival rate in six types of malignant tumours. CONCLUSION VM-positive cancer patients show a poor 5-year overall survival compared with VM-negative malignant tumour cases, particularly in metastatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifei Cao
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Ministry of Health, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, PR China
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Cao Z, Shang B, Zhang G, Miele L, Sarkar FH, Wang Z, Zhou Q. Tumor cell-mediated neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis contrive tumor progression and cancer metastasis. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2013; 1836:273-86. [PMID: 23933263 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2013.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Revised: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Robust neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis have been found in a variety of aggressive and metastatic tumors. Endothelial sprouting angiogenesis is generally considered to be the major mechanism by which new vasculature forms in tumors. However, increasing evidence shows that tumor vasculature is not solely composed of endothelial cells (ECs). Some tumor cells acquire processes similar to embryonic vasculogenesis and produce new vasculature through vasculogenic mimicry, trans-differentiation of tumor cells into tumor ECs, and tumor cell-EC vascular co-option. In addition, tumor cells secrete various vasculogenic factors that induce sprouting angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Vasculogenic tumor cells actively participate in the formation of vascular cancer stem cell niche and a premetastatic niche. Therefore, tumor cell-mediated neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis are closely associated with tumor progression, cancer metastasis, and poor prognosis. Vasculogenic tumor cells have emerged as key players in tumor neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis and play pivotal roles in tumor progression and cancer metastasis. However, the mechanisms underlying tumor cell-mediated vascularity as they relate to tumor progression and cancer metastasis remain unclear. Increasing data have shown that various intrinsic and extrinsic factors activate oncogenes and vasculogenic genes, enhance vasculogenic signaling pathways, and trigger tumor neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis. Collectively, tumor cells are the instigators of neovascularization. Therefore, targeting vasculogenic tumor cells, genes, and signaling pathways will open new avenues for anti-tumor vasculogenic and metastatic drug discovery. Dual targeting of endothelial sprouting angiogenesis and tumor cell-mediated neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis may overcome current clinical problems with anti-angiogenic therapy, resulting in significantly improved anti-angiogenesis and anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifei Cao
- Cyrus Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Ministry of Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China
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Fang R, Zhang G, Guo Q, Ning F, Wang H, Cai S, Du J. Nodal promotes aggressive phenotype via Snail-mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition in murine melanoma. Cancer Lett 2013; 333:66-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2013.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2012] [Revised: 01/05/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Nodal promotes invasive phenotypes via a mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent pathway. Oncogene 2013; 33:461-73. [PMID: 23334323 PMCID: PMC5025281 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Revised: 10/20/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The progression of cancer from localized to invasive disease is requisite for metastasis, and is often characterized by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and alterations in cellular adhesion and migration. Studies have shown that this transition is associated with an up-regulation of embryonic stem cell-associated genes, resulting in a dedifferentiated phenotype and poor patient prognosis. Nodal is an embryonic factor that plays a critical role in promoting early invasive events during development. Nodal is silenced as stem cells differentiate; however, it re-emerges in adult life during placentation and mammary gland development, and is aberrantly expressed in many cancers. Here, we show that Nodal over-expression, in poorly-invasive breast cancer and choriocarcinoma cells, causes increased invasion and migration in vitro. Furthermore, we show that Nodal over-expression in these epithelial cancer types induces an EMT-like event concomitant with the internalization of E-Cadherin. This ability of Nodal to promote cellular invasion and EMT-like phenomena is dependent upon the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Since Nodal normally signals through SMADs, these findings lend insight into an alternative pathway that is hijacked by this protein in cancer. To evaluate the clinical implications of our results, we show that Nodal inhibition reduces liver tumor burden in a model of spontaneous breast cancer metastasis in vivo, and that Nodal loss-of-function in aggressive breast cancer lines results in a decrease in invasive phenotypes. Our results demonstrate that Nodal is involved in promoting invasion in multiple cellular contexts, and that Nodal inhibition may be useful as a therapeutic target for patients with progressive disease.
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Perrot CY, Javelaud D, Mauviel A. Overlapping activities of TGF-β and Hedgehog signaling in cancer: therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Pharmacol Ther 2012; 137:183-99. [PMID: 23063491 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2012.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Accepted: 09/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in the field of cancer therapeutics come from the development of drugs that specifically recognize validated oncogenic or pro-metastatic targets. The latter may be mutated proteins with altered function, such as kinases that become constitutively active, or critical components of growth factor signaling pathways, whose deregulation leads to aberrant malignant cell proliferation and dissemination to metastatic sites. We herein focus on the description of the overlapping activities of two important developmental pathways often exacerbated in cancer, namely Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) and Hedgehog (HH) signaling, with a special emphasis on the unifying oncogenic role played by GLI1/2 transcription factors. The latter are the main effectors of the canonical HH pathway, yet are direct target genes of TGF-β/SMAD signal transduction. While tumor-suppressor in healthy and pre-malignant tissues, TGF-β is often expressed at high levels in tumors and contributes to tumor growth, escape from immune surveillance, invasion and metastasis. HH signaling regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, and aberrant HH signaling is found in a variety of cancers. We discuss the current knowledge on HH and TGF-β implication in cancer including cancer stem cell biology, as well as the current state, both successes and failures, of targeted therapeutics aimed at blocking either of these pathways in the pre-clinical and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Y Perrot
- Institut Curie, Team TGF-β and Oncogenesis, 91400, Orsay, France; INSERM U1021, 91400, Orsay, France
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Jewer M, Findlay SD, Postovit LM. Post-transcriptional regulation in cancer progression : Microenvironmental control of alternative splicing and translation. J Cell Commun Signal 2012; 6:233-48. [PMID: 23054595 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-012-0179-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The microenvironment acts as a conduit for cellular communication, delivering signals that direct development and sustain tissue homeostasis. In pathologies such as cancer, this integral function of the microenvironment is hijacked to support tumor growth and progression. Cells sense the microenvironment via signal transduction pathways culminating in altered gene expression. In addition to induced transcriptional changes, the microenvironment exerts its effect on the cell through regulation of post-transcriptional processes including alternative splicing and translational control. Here we describe how alternative splicing and protein translation are controlled by microenvironmental parameters such as oxygen availability. We also emphasize how these pathways can be utilized to support processes that are hallmarks of cancer such as angiogenesis, proliferation, and cell migration. We stress that cancer cells respond to their microenvironment through an integrated regulation of gene expression at multiple levels that collectively contribute to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Jewer
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 438 Medical Science Building, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
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Vartanian AA. RETRACTED ARTICLE: Signaling pathways in tumor vasculogenic mimicry. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2012; 77:1044-55. [DOI: 10.1134/s000629791209012x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Mimeault M, Batra SK. Novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for optimizing the therapeutic management of melanomas. World J Clin Oncol 2012; 3:32-42. [PMID: 22442756 PMCID: PMC3309891 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v3.i3.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2011] [Revised: 02/12/2012] [Accepted: 03/05/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous malignant melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer with an extremely poor survival rate for the patients diagnosed with locally invasive and metastatic disease states. Intensive research has led in last few years to an improvement of the early detection and curative treatment of primary cutaneous melanomas that are confined to the skin by tumor surgical resection. However, locally advanced and disseminated melanomas are generally resistant to conventional treatments, including ionizing radiation, systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy and/or adjuvant stem cell-based therapies, and result in the death of patients. The rapid progression of primary melanomas to locally invasive and/or metastatic disease states remains a major obstacle for an early effective diagnosis and a curative therapeutic intervention for melanoma patients. Importantly, recent advances in the melanoma research have led to the identification of different gene products that are often implicated in the malignant transformation of melanocytic cells into melanoma cells, including melanoma stem/progenitor cells, during melanoma initiation and progression to locally advanced and metastatic disease states. The frequent deregulated genes products encompass the oncogenic B-RafV600E and N-RasQ61R mutants, different receptor tyrosine kinases and developmental pathways such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), stem cell-like factor (SCF) receptor KIT, hedgehog, Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGFR receptor. These growth factors can cooperate to activate distinct tumorigenic downstream signaling elements and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated molecules, including phosphatidylinositol 3’-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/ molecular target of rapamycin (mTOR), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1), vimentin, snail and twist. Of therapeutic relevance, these deregulated signal transduction components constitute new potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets of great clinical interest for improving the efficacy of current diagnostic and prognostic methods and management of patients diagnosed with locally advanced, metastatic and/or relapsed melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murielle Mimeault
- Murielle Mimeault, Surinder K Batra, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, United States
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ZHANG ZHIWEI, JIANG TAO, LI QUANLIN, WANG JIANBO, YANG DEYONG, LI XIANCHENG, WANG QIFEI, SONG XISHUANG. Nodal activates smad and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 pathways promoting renal cell carcinoma proliferation. Mol Med Rep 2012; 12:587-94. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Huynh C, Poliseno L, Segura MF, Medicherla R, Haimovic A, Menendez S, Shang S, Pavlick A, Shao Y, Darvishian F, Boylan JF, Osman I, Hernando E. The novel gamma secretase inhibitor RO4929097 reduces the tumor initiating potential of melanoma. PLoS One 2011; 6:e25264. [PMID: 21980408 PMCID: PMC3182998 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2011] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Several reports have demonstrated a role for aberrant NOTCH signaling in melanoma genesis and progression, prompting us to explore if targeting this pathway is a valid therapeutic approach against melanoma. We targeted NOTCH signaling using RO4929097, a novel inhibitor of gamma secretase, which is a key component of the enzymatic complex that cleaves and activates NOTCH. The effects of RO4929097 on the oncogenic and stem cell properties of a panel of melanoma cell lines were tested both in vitro and in vivo, using xenograft models. In human primary melanoma cell lines, RO4929097 decreased the levels of NOTCH transcriptional target HES1. This was accompanied by reduced proliferation and impaired ability to form colonies in soft agar and to organize in tridimensional spheres. Moreover, RO4929097 affected the growth of human primary melanoma xenograft in NOD/SCID/IL2gammaR-/- mice and inhibited subsequent tumor formation in a serial xenotransplantation model, suggesting that inhibition of NOTCH signaling suppresses the tumor initiating potential of melanoma cells. In addition, RO4929097 decreased tumor volume and blocked the invasive growth pattern of metastatic melanoma cell lines in vivo. Finally, increased gene expression of NOTCH signaling components correlated with shorter post recurrence survival in metastatic melanoma cases. Our data support NOTCH inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy against melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanh Huynh
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Laura Poliseno
- Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Miguel F. Segura
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ratna Medicherla
- Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Adele Haimovic
- Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Silvia Menendez
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Shulian Shang
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Anna Pavlick
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Yongzhao Shao
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Farbod Darvishian
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - John F. Boylan
- Discovery Oncology, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Nutley, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Iman Osman
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (EH); (IO)
| | - Eva Hernando
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (EH); (IO)
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Vo BT, Khan SA. Expression of nodal and nodal receptors in prostate stem cells and prostate cancer cells: autocrine effects on cell proliferation and migration. Prostate 2011; 71:1084-96. [PMID: 21557273 PMCID: PMC3139718 DOI: 10.1002/pros.21326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2010] [Accepted: 11/22/2010] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nodal, a TGFβ like growth factor, functions as an embryonic morphogen that maintains the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. Nodal has been implicated in cancer progression; however, there is no information on expression and functions of Nodal in prostate cancer. In this study, we have investigated the expression of Nodal, its receptors, and its effects on proliferation and migration of human prostate cells. METHODS RT-PCR, qPCR, and Western blot analyses were performed to analyze expression of Nodal and Nodal receptors and its effects on phosphorylation of Smad2/3 in prostate cells. The effects on proliferation and migration were determined by (3) H-Thymidine incorporation and cell migration assays in the presence or absence of Nodal receptor inhibitor (SB431542). RESULTS Nodal was highly expressed in WPE, DU145, LNCaP, and LNCaP-C81 cells with low expression in RWPE1 and RWPE2 cells, but not in PREC, PC3 and PC3M cells. Nodal receptors are expressed at varying levels in all prostate cells. Treatment with exogenous Nodal induced phosphorylation of Smad2/3 in WPE, DU145, and PC3 cells, which was blocked by SB431542. Nodal dose-dependently inhibited proliferation of WPE, RWPE1 and DU145 cells, but not LNCaP and PC3 cells. Nodal induced cell migration in PC3 cells, which was inhibited by SB431542; Nodal had no effect on cell migration in WPE and DU145 cells. The effects of Nodal on cell proliferation and migration are mediated via ALK4 and ActRII/ActRIIB receptors and Smad 2/3 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS Nodal may function as an autocrine regulator of proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- BaoHan T Vo
- Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development and Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Veiseh M, Turley EA. Hyaluronan metabolism in remodeling extracellular matrix: probes for imaging and therapy of breast cancer. Integr Biol (Camb) 2011; 3:304-15. [PMID: 21264398 DOI: 10.1039/c0ib00096e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and experimental evidence increasingly support the concept of cancer as a disease that emulates a component of wound healing, in particular abnormal stromal extracellular matrix remodeling. Here we review the biology and function of one remodeling process, hyaluronan (HA) metabolism, which is essential for wound resolution but closely linked to breast cancer (BCA) progression. Components of the HA metabolic cycle (HAS2, SPAM1 and HA receptors CD44, RHAMM/HMMR and TLR2) are discussed in terms of their known functions in wound healing and in breast cancer progression. Finally, we discuss recent advances in the use of HA-based platforms for developing nanoprobes to image areas of active HA metabolism and for therapeutics in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Veiseh
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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Abstract
CONTEXT Melanoma growing as a tumorigenic nodule is one of the most virulent neoplasms to which the flesh is heir. At a considerably small tumor size, it incurs significant risk for widespread metastatic dissemination. There are no effective means of surgical intervention, chemical therapy, or immunologic therapy for advanced and metastatic melanoma. OBJECTIVE To review the literature and highlight recent cardinal advances in the understanding of melanoma vertical growth, with specific emphasis on how its recognition and characterization may be applied to diagnostic practice and development of novel investigative approaches. DATA SOURCES Literature review, archival material, personal experience, and research collaborators. CONCLUSIONS The study of tumorigenic melanoma, both in primary lesions and in metastases, is the key to the eventual eradication of this highly virulent neoplasm that may disseminate widely when only occupying the volume of a grain of rice. Morphology often provides the first insight into structure and function. A growing database using meticulous and inclusive criteria to define tumor stem cells in the context of clinically relevant models now indicates that the key to melanoma heterogeneity may reside in a small subpopulation with the ability to self-renew and form tumors despite most cells present being significantly less virulent. Hopefully, from these insights into melanoma tumor progression from radial growth phase to heterogeneous and tumorigenic vertical growth phase will come additional answers to how smart therapies may be developed that specifically target those vertical growth phase cells that most pertain to patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro C Laga
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
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Hueng DY, Lin GJ, Huang SH, Liu LW, Ju DT, Chen YW, Sytwu HK, Chang C, Huang SM, Yeh YS, Lee HM, Ma HI. Inhibition of Nodal suppresses angiogenesis and growth of human gliomas. J Neurooncol 2010; 104:21-31. [PMID: 21116837 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-010-0467-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2010] [Accepted: 11/08/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is the hallmark of malignant gliomas positively correlated with the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. We previously reported that expression levels of Nodal, a member of transforming growth factor-β super family, correlate with the malignant invasive behavior of human glioma cells. In this study, we show that knockdown of Nodal suppresses glioma angiogenesis by inhibition of VEGF. In human primary glioma specimens, expression of Nodal positively correlates with WHO glioma tumor grades and expression of VEGF in the corresponding glioma specimens. In human U87MG glioma cells, knockdown of endogenous Nodal by RNA interference (RNAi) significantly decreases colony formation and secretion of VEGF. In vivo, cellular depletion of Nodal in U87MG inhibited brain glioma growth and prolonged the survival of mice with U87MG/shNodal glioma compared with controls. Inhibition of Nodal suppressed tumor vessel growth in U87MG gliomas. Using Nodal inhibitor (SB431542), silencing Nodal, or overexpressing Nodal in the U87MG, GBM8401, and GBM glioma cells, our further experiments revealed that Nodal-induced VEGF expression might, at least in part, mediate through the ERK1/2-HIF-1α-mediated signaling pathway. Taken together, our data revealed that alteration of Nodal expression in glioma cells resulted in changes to VEGF secretion, and subsequent colony formation, in vivo tumor growth, and angiogenesis, all of which are consistent with the regulation of VEGF through the ERK1/2-HIF-1α-mediated signaling, suggesting that Nodal may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of human gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dueng-Yuan Hueng
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 325, Sec. 2, Cheng-Kung Road, Neihu 114, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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Skivka L, Susak Y, Trompak O, Kudryavets Y, Bezdeneznikh N, Semesiuk N, Lykhova O. The effect of monotherapy and combined therapy with NSC-631570 (ukrain) on growth of low- and high-metastasizing B16 melanoma in mice. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2010; 17:339-49. [PMID: 20817651 DOI: 10.1177/1078155210382470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND NSC-631570 (ukrain) is a semisynthetic derivative of the Chelidonium majus alcaloids and the alkylans thiotepa. It exerts a selective cytotoxic effect on tumor cells in vitro and in vivo and shows the ability to modulate immunocyte functions. Purpose. The aim of our work was to carry out a comparative investigation of the effects of NSC-631570 alone or in combination with pathogen-associated molecules (PAM) on the growth of low- and high-metastasizing melanoma B16 in mice. METHODS NSC-631570 was administered intravenously and PAM intramuscularly to tumor-bearing mice seven times every third day, starting from the second day after the transplantation of tumor cells. The effect of monotherapy and combined therapy on tumor growth was evaluated by the indices of tumor growth inhibition in experimental animals. Cell cycle distribution of cancer cells was determined by flow cytometry. TAP1 and TAP2 expression was evaluated by RT-PCR. The metabolic activity of phagocytes was determined by NBT-test, phagocytosis was tested by flow cytometry, and arginase activity was estimated by colorimetric determination of urea. RESULTS Combined therapy and monotherapy with NSC-631570 resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth in melanoma-bearing mice. Monotherapy with Ukrain was more effective in mice with high-metastasizing tumors. The therapeutic efficacy of NSC-631570 used in combination with PAM was more expressed in mice with low-metastasizing melanoma. CONCLUSION The effectiveness of monotherapy and combined therapy with NSC-631570 in the treatment of melanoma B16 depends on the biological properties of the tumor and the immune state of the organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lm Skivka
- Microbiology and General Immunology (sub)department, Biological Department, Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
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McAllister JC, Zhan Q, Weishaupt C, Hsu MY, Murphy GF. The embryonic morphogen, Nodal, is associated with channel-like structures in human malignant melanoma xenografts. J Cutan Pathol 2010; 37 Suppl 1:19-25. [PMID: 20482672 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2010.01503.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Formation of channel-like structures, also termed vasculogenic mimicry (VM), describes the ability of aggressive melanoma cells to form PAS-positive anastomosing structures that correlate with tumor virulence. This phenomenon may indicate differentiation plasticity, a feature melanoma cells may share with stem cells in the developing embryo. Recent studies have indicated that VM and tumorigenicity of human malignant melanoma may depend on the signaling pathways of an embryonic morphogen, Nodal. However, given the secretory nature of Nodal protein and melanoma cell heterogeneity, it remains unclear whether the Nodal-expressing cells participate directly or indirectly in VM that is potentially related to tumorigenic growth. We have developed a humanized murine xenograft model in which developing human melanomas may be sequentially studied during early stages of tumorigenic growth within a physiological human dermal microenvironment. Nodal protein localized diffusely to melanoma cell membranes, with occasional foci of accentuated reactivity in patterns suggestive of channel formation. Similar findings were detected in a limited number of patient-derived tumors. In situ hybridization confirmed Nodal mRNA to be restricted to tumor cells within xenografts that formed arborizing networks in patterns consistent with VM. These data indicate that Nodal gene expression is associated with formation of VM-like structures in a physiologically relevant model of human melanoma tumorigenesis, and further support a key role for Nodal expression in the formation of channel-like structures. The humanized xenograft model should be useful in future studies to define the mechanistic pathways responsible for VM and melanoma progression.
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Banerjee D. Reinventing diagnostics for personalized therapy in oncology. Cancers (Basel) 2010; 2:1066-91. [PMID: 24281107 PMCID: PMC3835119 DOI: 10.3390/cancers2021066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2010] [Revised: 05/15/2010] [Accepted: 05/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cancers are still diagnosed and classified using the light microscope. The criteria are based upon morphologic observations by pathologists and tend to be subject to interobserver variation. In preoperative biopsies of non-small cell lung cancers, the diagnostic concordance, even amongst experienced pulmonary pathologists, is no better than a coin-toss. Only 25% of cancer patients, on average, benefit from therapy as most therapies do not account for individual factors that influence response or outcome. Unsuccessful first line therapy costs Canada CAN$1.2 billion for the top 14 cancer types, and this extrapolates to $90 billion globally. The availability of accurate drug selection for personalized therapy could better allocate these precious resources to the right therapies. This wasteful situation is beginning to change with the completion of the human genome sequencing project and with the increasing availability of targeted therapies. Both factors are giving rise to attempts to correlate tumor characteristics and response to specific adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies. Static cancer classification and grading systems need to be replaced by functional classification systems that not only account for intra- and inter- tumor heterogeneity, but which also allow for the selection of the correct chemotherapeutic compounds for the individual patient. In this review, the examples of lung and breast cancer are used to illustrate the issues to be addressed in the coming years, as well as the emerging technologies that have great promise in enabling personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diponkar Banerjee
- Centre for Translational and Applied Genomics (CTAG), Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) Laboratories, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Fan YZ, Sun W. Molecular regulation of vasculogenic mimicry in tumors and potential tumor-target therapy. World J Gastrointest Surg 2010; 2:117-27. [PMID: 21160860 PMCID: PMC2999229 DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v2.i4.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2009] [Revised: 01/26/2010] [Accepted: 02/02/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
“Vasculogenic mimicry (VM)”, is a term that describes the unique ability of highly aggressive tumor cells to express a multipotent, stem cell-like phenotype, and form a pattern of vasculogenic-like networks in three-dimensional culture. As an angiogenesis-independent pathway, VM and/or periodic acid-schiff-positive patterns are associated with poor prognosis in tumor patients. Moreover, VM is resistant to angiogenesis inhibitors. Here, we will review the advances in research on biochemical and molecular signaling pathways of VM in tumors and on potential anti-VM therapy strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Zu Fan
- Yue-Zu Fan, Wei Sun, Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
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Abstract
Uncontrolled growth and diffused invasion are major causes of mortality in patients with malignant gliomas. Nodal has been shown to have a central role in the tumorigenic signaling pathways of malignant melanoma. In this study, we show that grade IV human glioma cell lines expressed different levels of Nodal, paralleled to the potential for cell invasiveness. Treatment of glioma cell lines with recombinant Nodal (rNodal) increased matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) secretion and cell invasiveness. The ectopic expression of Nodal in GBM glioma cells that expressed Nodal at low level resulted in increased MMP-2 secretion, enhanced cell invasiveness, raised cell proliferation rates in vitro, increased tumor growth in vivo, and was associated with poor survival in a mice xenograft model. In contrast, the knockdown of Nodal expression in U87MG glioma cells with high Nodal expression level had reduced MMP-2 secretion, less cell invasiveness, lower tumor growth in vivo and longer lifespan in mice with U87MG/shNodal cell xenografts. In addition, Nodal knockdown promoted the reversion of malignant glioma cells toward a differentiated astrocytic phenotype. Furthermore, our data support the notion that Nodal may regulate glioma progression through the induction of the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and Cripto-1 through activated Smad.
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Paulis YWJ, Soetekouw PMMB, Verheul HMW, Tjan-Heijnen VCG, Griffioen AW. Signalling pathways in vasculogenic mimicry. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2010; 1806:18-28. [PMID: 20079807 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2010.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2009] [Revised: 12/24/2009] [Accepted: 01/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Solid tumour growth is dependent on the development of an adequate blood supply. For years, sprouting angiogenesis has been considered an exclusive mechanism of tumour vascularization. However, over the last years, several other mechanisms have been identified, including vessel-co-option, intussusception, recruitment of endothelial precursor cells (EPCs) and even mechanisms that do not involve endothelial cells, a process called vasculogenic mimicry (VM). The latter describes a mechanism by which highly aggressive tumour cells can form vessel-like structures themselves, by virtue of their high plasticity. VM has been observed in several tumour types and its occurrence is strongly associated with a poor prognosis. This review will focus on signalling molecules and cascades involved in VM. In addition, we will discuss the presence of VM in relation to ongoing cancer research. Finally, we describe the clinical significance of VM regarding anti-angiogenesis treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette W J Paulis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology (GROW), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Papageorgiou I, Nicholls PK, Wang F, Lackmann M, Makanji Y, Salamonsen LA, Robertson DM, Harrison CA. Expression of nodal signalling components in cycling human endometrium and in endometrial cancer. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2009; 7:122. [PMID: 19874624 PMCID: PMC2774317 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-7-122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2009] [Accepted: 10/29/2009] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human endometrium is unique in its capacity to remodel constantly throughout adult reproductive life. Although the processes of tissue damage and breakdown in the endometrium have been well studied, little is known of how endometrial regeneration is achieved after menstruation. Nodal, a member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, regulates the processes of pattern formation and differentiation that occur during early embryo development. METHODS In this study, the expression of Nodal, Cripto (co-receptor) and Lefty A (antagonist) was examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry across the menstrual cycle and in endometrial carcinomas. RESULTS Nodal and Cripto were found to be expressed at high levels in both stromal and epithelial cells during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Although immunoreactivity for both proteins in surface and glandular epithelium was maintained at relatively steady-state levels across the cycle, their expression was significantly decreased within the stromal compartment by the mid-secretory phase. Lefty expression, as has previously been reported, was primarily restricted to glandular epithelium and surrounding stroma during the late secretory and menstrual phases. In line with recent studies that have shown that Nodal pathway activity is upregulated in many human cancers, we found that Nodal and Cripto immunoreactivity increased dramatically in the transition from histologic Grade 1 to histologic Grades 2 and 3 endometrial carcinomas. Strikingly, Lefty expression was low or absent in all cancer tissues. CONCLUSION The expression of Nodal in normal and malignant endometrial cells that lack Lefty strongly supports an important role for this embryonic morphogen in the tissue remodelling events that occur across the menstrual cycle and in tumourogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Papageorgiou
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Vic 3168, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Clayton, Vic 3168, Australia
| | - Peter K Nicholls
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Vic 3168, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Vic 3168, Australia
| | - Fang Wang
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Vic 3168, Australia
| | - Martin Lackmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Vic 3168, Australia
| | - Yogeshwar Makanji
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Vic 3168, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Clayton, Vic 3168, Australia
| | - Lois A Salamonsen
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Vic 3168, Australia
| | - David M Robertson
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Vic 3168, Australia
| | - Craig A Harrison
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Vic 3168, Australia
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Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is extremely refractory to existing chemotherapeutic drugs and bioimmune adjuvant therapies, and the life span of patients with metastatic melanoma is often measured in months. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for the development of tumor metastasis is critical for finding successful curative measures. An expending amount of data reveal the importance of inflammatory microenvironment and stroma in cancer initiation and progression, which brings new directions and approaches to cancer treatment. This review will summarize current data on the role of the tumor microenvironment in shaping the metastatic phenotype of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislava O Melnikova
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Lissitzky JC, Parriaux D, Ristorcelli E, Vérine A, Lombardo D, Verrando P. Cyclic AMP signaling as a mediator of vasculogenic mimicry in aggressive human melanoma cells in vitro. Cancer Res 2009; 69:802-9. [PMID: 19176384 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-2391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aggressive melanoma cells can engage in a process termed vasculogenic mimicry (VM) that reflects the ability of tumor cells to express a multipotent, stem cell-like phenotype. Melanoma cell plasticity contributes to the lack of efficient therapeutic strategies targeting metastatic tumors. This study reveals cyclic AMP as a mediator of VM in vitro. In uveal and cutaneous metastatic aggressive human melanoma cells, an increase in cyclic AMP by forskolin, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, or G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) ligands such as adrenaline and vasoactive intestinal peptide inhibited VM to different extents. Although chemical modulators of protein kinase A (PKA) had no effect, a specific pharmacologic activator of Exchange protein directly activated by cyclic AMP (Epac) impaired VM. Ras-associated protein-1 (Rap1) activation assays revealed that cyclic AMP-elevating agents induce a PKA-independent activation of Epac/Rap1. Pharmacologic inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activity abolished VM. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was PKA-independently inhibited by forskolin but not inhibited by Epac/Rap1 signaling, PKA modulation, or GPCR ligands. Furthermore, the forskolin also inhibited phosphatidyl inositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-mediated activation of protein kinase Akt, as monitored by Ser473 phosphorylation. The pharmacologic activation of Epac and GPCR ligands slightly stimulated Akt, a likely concomitant process of VM modulation. Collectively, these data show that forskolin strongly inhibits VM through PKA-independent activation of Epac/Rap1, PKA-, and Epac-independent inactivation of ERK1/2 and inhibition of PI3K/Akt. The data also show that VM inhibition by GPCR ligands involves mainly the Epac/Rap1-activated signal. Thus cyclic AMP inhibits VM through multiple signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Claude Lissitzky
- Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale UMR911, Centre de Recherche en Oncologie Biologique et Onco-pharmacologie, Aix-Marseille University, School of Medicine Timone, Marseille, France
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Cooper CD, Raible DW. Mechanisms for reaching the differentiated state: Insights from neural crest-derived melanocytes. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2008; 20:105-10. [PMID: 18935965 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2008.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2008] [Accepted: 09/25/2008] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Black pigment cells, or melanocytes, are the major contributing cells to pigmentation in vertebrate organisms. Although the function of these cells is distinct depending on the organism, the events involved in their development are remarkably similar. Here, we review the mechanisms involved in the early development of melanocytes from neural crest, many of which are conserved in organisms as diverse as zebrafish, birds and humans. We also discuss recent studies that provide further insight into how melanocyte differentiation is achieved and maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia D Cooper
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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