1
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Palmer JW, Kumar N, An L, White AC, Mukhtar MS, Harris ML. Molecular heterogeneity of quiescent melanocyte stem cells revealed by single-cell RNA-sequencing. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2024; 37:480-495. [PMID: 38613320 PMCID: PMC11178447 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) of the hair follicle are a rare cell population within the skin and are notably underrepresented in whole-skin, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets. Using a cell enrichment strategy to isolate KIT+/CD45- cells from the telogen skin of adult female C57BL/6J mice, we evaluated the transcriptional landscape of quiescent McSCs (qMcSCs) at high resolution. Through this evaluation, we confirmed existing molecular signatures for qMcCS subpopulations (e.g., Kit+, Cd34+/-, Plp1+, Cd274+/-, Thy1+, Cdh3+/-) and identified novel qMcSC subpopulations, including two that differentially regulate their immune privilege status. Within qMcSC subpopulations, we also predicted melanocyte differentiation potential, neural crest potential, and quiescence depth. Taken together, the results demonstrate that the qMcSC population is heterogeneous and future studies focused on investigating changes in qMcSCs should consider changes in subpopulation composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph W. Palmer
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Nilesh Kumar
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Luye An
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Andrew C. White
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - M. Shahid Mukhtar
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Melissa L. Harris
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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2
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Bhat GR, Sethi I, Sadida HQ, Rah B, Mir R, Algehainy N, Albalawi IA, Masoodi T, Subbaraj GK, Jamal F, Singh M, Kumar R, Macha MA, Uddin S, Akil ASAS, Haris M, Bhat AA. Cancer cell plasticity: from cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms to tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:197-228. [PMID: 38329598 PMCID: PMC11016008 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10172-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease displaying a variety of cell states and phenotypes. This diversity, known as cancer cell plasticity, confers cancer cells the ability to change in response to their environment, leading to increased tumor diversity and drug resistance. This review explores the intricate landscape of cancer cell plasticity, offering a deep dive into the cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon. Cancer cell plasticity is intertwined with processes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the acquisition of stem cell-like features. These processes are pivotal in the development and progression of tumors, contributing to the multifaceted nature of cancer and the challenges associated with its treatment. Despite significant advancements in targeted therapies, cancer cell adaptability and subsequent therapy-induced resistance remain persistent obstacles in achieving consistent, successful cancer treatment outcomes. Our review delves into the array of mechanisms cancer cells exploit to maintain plasticity, including epigenetic modifications, alterations in signaling pathways, and environmental interactions. We discuss strategies to counteract cancer cell plasticity, such as targeting specific cellular pathways and employing combination therapies. These strategies promise to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments and mitigate therapy resistance. In conclusion, this review offers a holistic, detailed exploration of cancer cell plasticity, aiming to bolster the understanding and approach toward tackling the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. As articulated in this review, the delineation of cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms underlying tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance seeks to contribute substantially to the progress in cancer therapeutics and the advancement of precision medicine, ultimately enhancing the prospects for effective cancer treatment and patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gh Rasool Bhat
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Itty Sethi
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Hana Q Sadida
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Bilal Rah
- Iron Biology Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Science, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Rashid Mir
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Fahad Bin Sultan Chair for Biomedical Research, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naseh Algehainy
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Fahad Bin Sultan Chair for Biomedical Research, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Tariq Masoodi
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Farrukh Jamal
- Dr. Rammanohar, Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, India
| | - Mayank Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology (Lab.), Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Dr. BRAIRCH, All India, New Delhi, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Laboratory Animal Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ammira S Al-Shabeeb Akil
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Laboratory Animal Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
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3
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Recknagel H, Leitão HG, Elmer KR. Genetic basis and expression of ventral colour in polymorphic common lizards. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17278. [PMID: 38268086 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Colour is an important visual cue that can correlate with sex, behaviour, life history or ecological strategies, and has evolved divergently and convergently across animal lineages. Its genetic basis in non-model organisms is rarely known, but such information is vital for determining the drivers and mechanisms of colour evolution. Leveraging genetic admixture in a rare contact zone between oviparous and viviparous common lizards (Zootoca vivipara), we show that females (N = 558) of the two otherwise morphologically indistinguishable reproductive modes differ in their ventral colouration (from pale to vibrant yellow) and intensity of melanic patterning. We find no association between female colouration and reproductive investment, and no evidence for selection on colour. Using a combination of genetic mapping and transcriptomic evidence, we identified two candidate genes associated with ventral colour differentiation, DGAT2 and PMEL. These are genes known to be involved in carotenoid metabolism and melanin synthesis respectively. Ventral melanic spots were associated with two genomic regions, including a SNP close to protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) genes. Using genome re-sequencing data, our results show that fixed coding mutations in the candidate genes cannot account for differences in colouration. Taken together, our findings show that the evolution of ventral colouration and its associations across common lizard lineages is variable. A potential genetic mechanism explaining the flexibility of ventral colouration may be that colouration in common lizards, but also across squamates, is predominantly driven by regulatory genetic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Recknagel
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Henrique G Leitão
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kathryn R Elmer
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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4
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Huergo-Baños C, Velasco V, Garate J, Fernández R, Martín-Allende J, Zabalza I, Artola JL, Martí RM, Asumendi A, Astigarraga E, Barreda-Gómez G, Fresnedo O, Ochoa B, Boyano MD, Fernández JA. Lipid fingerprint-based histology accurately classifies nevus, primary melanoma, and metastatic melanoma samples. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:712-722. [PMID: 37984064 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Probably, the most important factor for the survival of a melanoma patient is early detection and precise diagnosis. Although in most cases these tasks are readily carried out by pathologists and dermatologists, there are still difficult cases in which no consensus among experts is achieved. To deal with such cases, new methodologies are required. Following this motivation, we explore here the use of lipid imaging mass spectrometry as a complementary tool for the aid in the diagnosis. Thus, 53 samples (15 nevus, 24 primary melanomas, and 14 metastasis) were explored with the aid of a mass spectrometer, using negative polarity. The rich lipid fingerprint obtained from the samples allowed us to set up an artificial intelligence-based classification model that achieved 100% of specificity and precision both in training and validation data sets. A deeper analysis of the image data shows that the technique reports important information on the tumor microenvironment that may give invaluable insights in the prognosis of the lesion, with the correct interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Huergo-Baños
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Verónica Velasco
- Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
- Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Jone Garate
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Roberto Fernández
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Javier Martín-Allende
- Languages and Computer Systems, School of Engineering University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ignacio Zabalza
- Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Galdakao-Usansolo University Hospital, Galdakao, Spain
| | - Juan L Artola
- Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Dermatology, Galdakao-Usansolo University Hospital, Galdakao, Spain
| | - Rosa M Martí
- Department of Dermatology, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, Institute of Biomedic Research (IRBLleida), University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
- Centre of Biomedical Research on Cancer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Aintzane Asumendi
- Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | | | | | - Olatz Fresnedo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Begoña Ochoa
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - Maria D Boyano
- Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
| | - José A Fernández
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
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5
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Palmer JW, Kumar N, An L, White AC, Mukhtar MS, Harris ML. Molecular heterogeneity of quiescent melanocyte stem cells revealed by single-cell RNA-sequencing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.19.571712. [PMID: 38187565 PMCID: PMC10769266 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.19.571712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) of the hair follicle are a rare cell population within the skin and are notably underrepresented in whole-skin, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets. Using a cell enrichment strategy to isolate KIT+/CD45-cells from the telogen skin of adult female C57BL/6J mice, we evaluated the transcriptional landscape of quiescent McSCs (qMcSCs) at high resolution. Through this evaluation, we confirmed existing molecular signatures for qMcCS subpopulations (e.g., Kit+, Cd34+/- , Plp1+, Cd274+/-, Thy1+, Cdh3+/- ) and identified novel qMcSC subpopulations, including two that differentially regulate their immune privilege status. Within qMcSC subpopulations, we also predicted melanocyte differentiation potential, neural crest potential, and quiescence depth. Taken together, the results demonstrate that the qMcSC population is heterogenous and future studies focused on investigating changes in qMcSCs should consider changes in subpopulation composition. Significance Single cell transcriptomics has revolutionized our ability to interrogate the dynamic nature of tissues. Here we provide a high-resolution map of the melanocyte stem cell population during quiescence. This map provides one of few examples highlighting broad heterogeneity in stem cells during the quiescent cell state. The map also unifies previous observations using other cell, molecular and functional analyses to define the unique features of the quiescent melanocyte stem cell population. This data provides a valuable resource to individuals interested in further evaluating aspects of cellular quiescence in stem cells broadly or melanocyte stem cells specifically.
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6
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Stefańska K, Nemcova L, Blatkiewicz M, Żok A, Kaczmarek M, Pieńkowski W, Mozdziak P, Piotrowska-Kempisty H, Kempisty B. Expression Profile of New Marker Genes Involved in Differentiation of Human Wharton's Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Chondrocytes, Osteoblasts, Adipocytes and Neural-like Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12939. [PMID: 37629120 PMCID: PMC10455417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Wharton's jelly (WJ) contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibiting broad immunomodulatory properties and differentiation capacity, which makes them a promising tool for cellular therapies. Although the osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation is a gold standard for proper identification of MSCs, it is important to elucidate the exact molecular mechanisms governing these processes to develop safe and efficient cellular therapies. Umbilical cords were collected from healthy, full-term deliveries, for subsequent MSCs (WJ-MSCs) isolation. WJ-MSCs were cultivated in vitro for osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic and neurogenic differentiation. The RNA samples were isolated and the transcript levels were evaluated using NovaSeq platform, which led to the identification of differentially expressed genes. Expression of H19 and SLPI was enhanced in adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteoblasts, and NPPB was decreased in all analyzed groups compared to the control. KISS1 was down-regulated in adipocytes, chondrocytes, and neural-like cells compared to the control. The most of identified genes were already implicated in differentiation of MSCs; however, some genes (PROK1, OCA2) have not yet been associated with initiating final cell fate. The current results indicate that both osteo- and adipo-induced WJ-MSCs share many similarities regarding the most overexpressed genes, while the neuro-induced WJ-MSCs are quite distinctive from the other three groups. Overall, this study provides an insight into the transcriptomic changes occurring during the differentiation of WJ-MSCs and enables the identification of novel markers involved in this process, which may serve as a reference for further research exploring the role of these genes in physiology of WJ-MSCs and in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Stefańska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
- Cellivia 3 S.A., 61-623 Poznan, Poland
| | - Lucie Nemcova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 27721 Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Małgorzata Blatkiewicz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Żok
- Division of Philosophy of Medicine and Bioethics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Mariusz Kaczmarek
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Gene Therapy Laboratory, Department of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Wojciech Pieńkowski
- Division of Perinatology and Women’s Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
| | - Paul Mozdziak
- Prestage Department of Poultry Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Hanna Piotrowska-Kempisty
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-631 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Bartosz Kempisty
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, 87-100 Torun, Poland
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital and Masaryk University, 60177 Brno, Czech Republic
- Physiology Graduate Faculty, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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7
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Pagliuca C, Di Leo L, De Zio D. New Insights into the Phenotype Switching of Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246118. [PMID: 36551603 PMCID: PMC9776915 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is considered one of the deadliest skin cancers, partly because of acquired resistance to standard therapies. The most recognized driver of resistance relies on acquired melanoma cell plasticity, or the ability to dynamically switch among differentiation phenotypes. This confers the tumor noticeable advantages. During the last year, two new features have been included in the hallmarks of cancer, namely "Unlocking phenotypic plasticity" and "Non-mutational epigenetic reprogramming". Such are inextricably intertwined as, most of the time, plasticity is not discernable at the genetic level, as it rather consists of epigenetic reprogramming heavily influenced by external factors. By analyzing current literature, this review provides reasoning about the origin of plasticity and clarifies whether such features already exist among tumors or are acquired by selection. Moreover, markers of plasticity, molecular effectors, and related tumor advantages in melanoma will be explored. Ultimately, as this new branch of tumor biology opened a wide landscape of therapeutic possibilities, in the final paragraph of this review, we will focus on newly characterized drugs targeting melanoma plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pagliuca
- Melanoma Research Team, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Luca Di Leo
- Melanoma Research Team, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniela De Zio
- Melanoma Research Team, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence:
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8
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Pillai M, Rajaram G, Thakur P, Agarwal N, Muralidharan S, Ray A, Barbhaya D, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. Mapping phenotypic heterogeneity in melanoma onto the epithelial-hybrid-mesenchymal axis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:913803. [PMID: 36003764 PMCID: PMC9395132 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.913803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-studied hallmark of epithelial-like cancers that is characterized by loss of epithelial markers and gain of mesenchymal markers. Melanoma, which is derived from melanocytes of the skin, also undergo phenotypic plasticity toward mesenchymal-like phenotypes under the influence of various micro-environmental cues. Our study connects EMT to the phenomenon of de-differentiation (i.e., transition from proliferative to more invasive phenotypes) observed in melanoma cells during drug treatment. By analyzing 78 publicly available transcriptomic melanoma datasets, we found that de-differentiation in melanoma is accompanied by upregulation of mesenchymal genes, but not necessarily a concomitant loss of an epithelial program, suggesting a more “one-dimensional” EMT that leads to a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype. Samples lying in the hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype also correspond to the intermediate phenotypes in melanoma along the proliferative-invasive axis - neural crest and transitory ones. As melanoma cells progress along the invasive axis, the mesenchymal signature does not increase monotonically. Instead, we observe a peak in mesenchymal scores followed by a decline, as cells further de-differentiate. This biphasic response recapitulates the dynamics of melanocyte development, suggesting close interactions among genes controlling differentiation and mesenchymal programs in melanocytes. Similar trends were noted for metabolic changes often associated with EMT in carcinomas in which progression along mesenchymal axis correlates with the downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation, while largely maintaining glycolytic capacity. Overall, these results provide an explanation for how EMT and de-differentiation axes overlap with respect to their transcriptional and metabolic programs in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maalavika Pillai
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Undergraduate Programme, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Gouri Rajaram
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
| | - Pradipti Thakur
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
| | - Nilay Agarwal
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Undergraduate Programme, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Srinath Muralidharan
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Ankita Ray
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
| | - Dev Barbhaya
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India
| | | | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- *Correspondence: Mohit Kumar Jolly,
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9
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Casalou C, Moreiras H, Mayatra JM, Fabre A, Tobin DJ. Loss of 'Epidermal Melanin Unit' Integrity in Human Skin During Melanoma-Genesis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:878336. [PMID: 35574390 PMCID: PMC9097079 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.878336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma can be a most challenging neoplasm of high lethality, in part due to its extreme heterogeneity and characteristic aggressive and invasive nature. Indeed, its moniker 'the great masquerader' reflects that not all melanomas are created equal in terms of their originating cellular contexts, but also that melanoma cells in the malignant tumor can adopt a wide range of different cell states and variable organotropism. In this review, we focus on the early phases of melanomagenesis by discussing how the originating pigment cell of the melanocyte lineage can be influenced to embark on a wide range of tumor fates with distinctive microanatomical pathways. In particular, we assess how cells of the melanocyte lineage can differ by maturation status (stem cell; melanoblast; transiently amplifying cell; differentiated; post-mitotic; terminally-differentiated) as well as by micro-environmental niche (in the stratum basale of the epidermis; within skin appendages like hair follicle, eccrine gland, etc). We discuss how the above variable contexts may influence the susceptibility of the epidermal-melanin unit (EMU) to become unstable, which may presage cutaneous melanoma development. We also assess how unique features of follicular-melanin unit(s) (FMUs) can, by contrast, protect melanocytes from melanomagenesis. Lastly, we postulate how variable melanocyte fates in vitiligo, albinism, psoriasis, and alopecia areata may provide new insights into immune-/non immune-mediated outcomes for melanocytes in cutaneous melanin units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Casalou
- The Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Hugo Moreiras
- The Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jay M Mayatra
- The Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aurelie Fabre
- Department of Histopathology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,The Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Desmond J Tobin
- The Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,The Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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10
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McNeal AS, Belote RL, Zeng H, Urquijo M, Barker K, Torres R, Curtin M, Shain AH, Andtbacka RHI, Holmen S, Lum DH, McCalmont TH, VanBrocklin MW, Grossman D, Wei ML, Lang UE, Judson-Torres RL. BRAF V600E induces reversible mitotic arrest in human melanocytes via microrna-mediated suppression of AURKB. eLife 2021; 10:e70385. [PMID: 34812139 PMCID: PMC8610417 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Benign melanocytic nevi frequently emerge when an acquired BRAFV600E mutation triggers unchecked proliferation and subsequent arrest in melanocytes. Recent observations have challenged the role of oncogene-induced senescence in melanocytic nevus formation, necessitating investigations into alternative mechanisms for the establishment and maintenance of proliferation arrest in nevi. We compared the transcriptomes of melanocytes from healthy human skin, nevi, and melanomas arising from nevi and identified a set of microRNAs as highly expressed nevus-enriched transcripts. Two of these microRNAs-MIR211-5p and MIR328-3p-induced mitotic failure, genome duplication, and proliferation arrest in human melanocytes through convergent targeting of AURKB. We demonstrate that BRAFV600E induces a similar proliferation arrest in primary human melanocytes that is both reversible and conditional. Specifically, BRAFV600E expression stimulates either arrest or proliferation depending on the differentiation state of the melanocyte. We report genome duplication in human melanocytic nevi, reciprocal expression of AURKB and microRNAs in nevi and melanomas, and rescue of arrested human nevus cells with AURKB expression. Taken together, our data describe an alternative molecular mechanism for melanocytic nevus formation that is congruent with both experimental and clinical observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S McNeal
- University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | | | - Hanlin Zeng
- Huntsman Cancer Inst.Salt Lake CityUnited States
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Torres
- University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | | | - A Hunter Shain
- University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Robert HI Andtbacka
- Huntsman Cancer Inst.Salt Lake CityUnited States
- University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Sheri Holmen
- Huntsman Cancer Inst.Salt Lake CityUnited States
- University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - David H Lum
- Huntsman Cancer Inst.Salt Lake CityUnited States
| | | | - Matt W VanBrocklin
- Huntsman Cancer Inst.Salt Lake CityUnited States
- University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Douglas Grossman
- Huntsman Cancer Inst.Salt Lake CityUnited States
- University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
| | - Maria L Wei
- University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Ursula E Lang
- University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Robert L Judson-Torres
- Huntsman Cancer Inst.Salt Lake CityUnited States
- University of UtahSalt Lake CityUnited States
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