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Haase S, Carney S, Varela ML, Mukherji D, Zhu Z, Li Y, Nuñez FJ, Lowenstein PR, Castro MG. Epigenetic reprogramming in pediatric gliomas: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic implications. Trends Cancer 2024:S2405-8033(24)00196-1. [PMID: 39394009 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Revised: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 10/13/2024]
Abstract
Brain tumors in children and adults differ greatly in patient outcomes and responses to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Moreover, the prevalence of recurrent mutations in histones and chromatin regulatory proteins in pediatric and young adult gliomas suggests that the chromatin landscape is rewired to support oncogenic programs. These early somatic mutations dysregulate widespread genomic loci by altering the distribution of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) and, in consequence, causing changes in chromatin accessibility and in the histone code, leading to gene transcriptional changes. We review how distinct chromatin imbalances in glioma subtypes impact on oncogenic features such as cellular fate, proliferation, immune landscape, and radio resistance. Understanding these mechanisms of epigenetic dysregulation carries substantial implications for advancing targeted epigenetic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Haase
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biomedical Science Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Initiative (BIBC), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Stephen Carney
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biomedical Science Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Initiative (BIBC), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Maria Luisa Varela
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biomedical Science Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Initiative (BIBC), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Devarshi Mukherji
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biomedical Science Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Initiative (BIBC), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Ziwen Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biomedical Science Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Initiative (BIBC), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Yingxiang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biomedical Science Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Initiative (BIBC), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Felipe J Nuñez
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biomedical Science Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Initiative (BIBC), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Pedro R Lowenstein
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biomedical Science Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Initiative (BIBC), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Maria G Castro
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biomedical Science Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer Initiative (BIBC), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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Honer MA, Ferman BI, Gray ZH, Bondarenko EA, Whetstine JR. Epigenetic modulators provide a path to understanding disease and therapeutic opportunity. Genes Dev 2024; 38:473-503. [PMID: 38914477 PMCID: PMC11293403 DOI: 10.1101/gad.351444.123] [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] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
The discovery of epigenetic modulators (writers, erasers, readers, and remodelers) has shed light on previously underappreciated biological mechanisms that promote diseases. With these insights, novel biomarkers and innovative combination therapies can be used to address challenging and difficult to treat disease states. This review highlights key mechanisms that epigenetic writers, erasers, readers, and remodelers control, as well as their connection with disease states and recent advances in associated epigenetic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison A Honer
- Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
- Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA
| | - Benjamin I Ferman
- Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
- Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA
| | - Zach H Gray
- Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
- Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA
| | - Elena A Bondarenko
- Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
- Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
| | - Johnathan R Whetstine
- Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA;
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
- Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA
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3
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Wei X, Li S, Li Z, Wang L, Fan W, Ruan K, Gao J. Fragment-based discovery of small molecule inhibitors of the HDGFRP2 PWWP domain. FEBS Lett 2024. [PMID: 39031937 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14981] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
The PWWP domain of hepatoma-derived growth factor-related protein 2 (HDGFRP2) recognizes methylated histones to initiate the recruitment of homologous recombination repair proteins to damaged silent genes. The combined depletion of HDGFRP2 and its paralog PSIP1 effectively impedes the onset and progression of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Here, we discovered varenicline and 4-(4-bromo-1H-pyrazol-3-yl) pyridine (BPP) as inhibitors of the HDGFRP2 PWWP domain through a fragment-based screening method. The complex crystal structures reveal that both Varenicline and BPP engage with the aromatic cage of the HDGFRP2 PWWP domain, albeit via unique binding mechanisms. Notably, BPP represents the first single-digit micromolar inhibitor of the HDGFRP2 PWWP domain with a high ligand efficiency. As a dual inhibitor targeting both HDGFRP2 and PSIP1 PWWP domains, BPP offers an exceptional foundation for further optimization into a chemical tool to dissect the synergetic function of HDGFRP2 and PSIP1 in DIPG pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Wei
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital & School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Research Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences at the Microscale, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Shuju Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital & School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Research Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences at the Microscale, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zihuan Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital & School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Research Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences at the Microscale, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital & School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Research Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences at the Microscale, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Weiwei Fan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital & School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Research Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences at the Microscale, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ke Ruan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital & School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Research Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences at the Microscale, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jia Gao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital & School of Life Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membrane-less Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Research Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences at the Microscale, Biomedical Sciences and Health Laboratory of Anhui Province, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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4
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Bussey-Sutton CR, Ward A, Fox JA, Turner AMW, Peterson JJ, Emery A, Longoria AR, Gomez-Martinez I, Jones C, Hepperla A, Margolis DM, Strahl BD, Browne EP. The histone methyltransferase SETD2 regulates HIV expression and latency. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012281. [PMID: 38848441 PMCID: PMC11189200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms that drive HIV expression and latency is a key goal for achieving an HIV cure. Here we investigate the role of the SETD2 histone methyltransferase, which deposits H3K36 trimethylation (H3K36me3), in HIV infection. We show that prevention of H3K36me3 by a potent and selective inhibitor of SETD2 (EPZ-719) leads to reduced post-integration viral gene expression and accelerated emergence of latently infected cells. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of SETD2 in primary CD4 T cells confirmed the role of SETD2 in HIV expression. Transcriptomic profiling of EPZ-719-exposed HIV-infected cells identified numerous pathways impacted by EPZ-719. Notably, depletion of H3K36me3 prior to infection did not prevent HIV integration but resulted in a shift of integration sites from highly transcribed genes to quiescent chromatin regions and to polycomb repressed regions. We also observed that SETD2 inhibition did not apparently affect HIV RNA levels, indicating a post-transcriptional mechanism affecting HIV expression. Viral RNA splicing was modestly reduced in the presence of EPZ-719. Intriguingly, EPZ-719 exposure enhanced responsiveness of latent HIV to the HDAC inhibitor vorinostat, suggesting that H3K36me3 can contribute to a repressive chromatin state at the HIV locus. These results identify SETD2 and H3K36me3 as novel regulators of HIV integration, expression and latency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron R. Bussey-Sutton
- Department of Biochemistry, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Airlie Ward
- Department of Medicine, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- UNC HIV Cure Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Joshua A. Fox
- Department of Medicine, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- UNC HIV Cure Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Anne-Marie W. Turner
- Department of Medicine, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- UNC HIV Cure Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jackson J. Peterson
- UNC HIV Cure Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ann Emery
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Arturo R. Longoria
- Department of Medicine, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- UNC HIV Cure Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ismael Gomez-Martinez
- Department of Genetics, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Corbin Jones
- Department of Genetics, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Austin Hepperla
- Department of Genetics, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - David M. Margolis
- Department of Medicine, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- UNC HIV Cure Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Brian D. Strahl
- Department of Biochemistry, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Edward P. Browne
- Department of Medicine, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- UNC HIV Cure Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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5
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Shi TH, Sugishita H, Gotoh Y. Crosstalk within and beyond the Polycomb repressive system. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202311021. [PMID: 38506728 PMCID: PMC10955045 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202311021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of multicellular organisms depends on spatiotemporally controlled differentiation of numerous cell types and their maintenance. To generate such diversity based on the invariant genetic information stored in DNA, epigenetic mechanisms, which are heritable changes in gene function that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence, are required to establish and maintain unique gene expression programs. Polycomb repressive complexes represent a paradigm of epigenetic regulation of developmentally regulated genes, and the roles of these complexes as well as the epigenetic marks they deposit, namely H3K27me3 and H2AK119ub, have been extensively studied. However, an emerging theme from recent studies is that not only the autonomous functions of the Polycomb repressive system, but also crosstalks of Polycomb with other epigenetic modifications, are important for gene regulation. In this review, we summarize how these crosstalk mechanisms have improved our understanding of Polycomb biology and how such knowledge could help with the design of cancer treatments that target the dysregulated epigenome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Hideyuki Shi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Sugishita
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukiko Gotoh
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Jackson ER, Persson ML, Fish CJ, Findlay IJ, Mueller S, Nazarian J, Hulleman E, van der Lugt J, Duchatel RJ, Dun MD. A review of current therapeutics targeting the mitochondrial protease ClpP in diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27-altered. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:S136-S154. [PMID: 37589388 PMCID: PMC11066926 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) are devastating pediatric brain tumors recognized as the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. DMGs are high-grade gliomas (HGGs) diagnosed along the brain's midline. Euchromatin is the hallmark feature of DMG, caused by global hypomethylation of H3K27 either through point mutations in histone H3 genes (H3K27M), or by overexpression of the enhancer of zeste homolog inhibitory protein. In a clinical trial for adults with progressive HGGs, a 22-year-old patient with a thalamic DMG, H3 K27-altered, showed a remarkable clinical and radiological response to dordaviprone (ONC201). This response in an H3 K27-altered HGG patient, coupled with the lack of response of patients harboring wildtype-H3 tumors, has increased the clinical interest in dordaviprone for the treatment of DMG. Additional reports of clinical benefit have emerged, but research defining mechanisms of action (MOA) fall behind dordaviprone's clinical use, with biomarkers of response unresolved. Here, we summarize dordaviprone's safety, interrogate its preclinical MOA identifying the mitochondrial protease "ClpP" as a biomarker of response, and discuss other ClpP agonists, expanding the arsenal of potential weapons in the fight against DMG. Finally, we discuss combination strategies including ClpP agonists, and their immunomodulatory effects suggestive of a role for the tumor microenvironment in DMG patient response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangeline R Jackson
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales , Australia
| | - Mika L Persson
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales , Australia
| | - Cameron J Fish
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales , Australia
| | - Izac J Findlay
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales , Australia
| | - Sabine Mueller
- DIPG/DMG Center Zurich, University Children’s Hospital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Pediatric, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Javad Nazarian
- DIPG/DMG Center Zurich, University Children’s Hospital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Esther Hulleman
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jasper van der Lugt
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ryan J Duchatel
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales , Australia
| | - Matthew D Dun
- Cancer Signalling Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Precision Medicine Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales , Australia
- Paediatric Program, Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
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7
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Saratsis AM, Knowles T, Petrovic A, Nazarian J. H3K27M mutant glioma: Disease definition and biological underpinnings. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:S92-S100. [PMID: 37818718 PMCID: PMC11066930 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
High-grade glioma (HGG) is the most common cause of cancer death in children and the most common primary central nervous system tumor in adults. While pediatric HGG was once thought to be biologically similar to the adult form of disease, research has shown these malignancies to be significantly molecularly distinct, necessitating distinct approaches to their clinical management. However, emerging data have shown shared molecular events in pediatric and adult HGG including the histone H3K27M mutation. This somatic missense mutation occurs in genes encoding one of two isoforms of the Histone H3 protein, H3F3A (H3.3), or HIST1H3B (H3.1), and is detected in up to 80% of pediatric diffuse midline gliomas and in up to 60% of adult diffuse gliomas. Importantly, the H3K27M mutation is associated with poorer overall survival and response to therapy compared to patients with H3 wild-type tumors. Here, we review the clinical features and biological underpinnings of pediatric and adult H3K27M mutant glioma, offering a groundwork for understanding current research and clinical approaches for the care of patients suffering with this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Antonela Petrovic
- DMG Research Center, Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Javad Nazarian
- Research Center for Genetic Medicine, Children’s National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Brain Tumor Institute, Children’s National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- DMG Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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8
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Qazi S, Talebi Z, Trieu V. Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 (TGFB2) and Interferon Gamma Receptor 2 (IFNGR2) mRNA Levels in the Brainstem Tumor Microenvironment (TME) Significantly Impact Overall Survival in Pediatric DMG Patients. Biomedicines 2024; 12:191. [PMID: 38255296 PMCID: PMC10813255 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
This hypothesis-generating study characterized the mRNA expression profiles and prognostic impacts of antigen-presenting cell (APC) markers (CD14, CD163, CD86, and ITGAX/CD11c) in pediatric brainstem diffuse midline glioma (pbDMG) tumors. We also assessed the mRNA levels of two therapeutic targets, transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGFB2) and interferon gamma receptor 2 (IFNGR2), for their biomarker potentials in these highly aggressive pbDMG tumors. The expressions of CD14, CD163, and ITGAX/CD11c mRNAs exhibited significant decreases of 1.64-fold (p = 0.037), 1.75-fold (p = 0.019), and 3.33-fold (p < 0.0001), respectively, in pbDMG tumors relative to those in normal brainstem/pons samples. The pbDMG samples with high levels of TGFB2 in combination with low levels of APC markers, reflecting the cold immune state of pbDMG tumors, exhibited significantly worse overall survival outcomes at low expression levels of CD14, CD163, and CD86. The expression levels of IFNGR2 and TGFB2 (1.51-fold increase (p = 0.002) and 1.58-fold increase (p = 5.5 × 10-4), respectively) were significantly upregulated in pbDMG tumors compared with normal brainstem/pons samples. We performed multivariate Cox proportional hazards modelling that showed TGFB2 was a prognostic indicator (HR for patients in the TGFB2high group of pbDMG patients = 2.88 (1.12-7.39); p = 0.028) for poor overall survival (OS) and was independent of IFNGR2 levels, the age of the patient, and the significant interaction effect observed between IFNGR2 and TGFB2 (p = 0.015). Worse survival outcomes in pbDMG patients when comparing high versus low TGFB2 levels in the context of low IFNGR2 levels suggest that the abrogation of the TGFB2 mRNA expression in the immunologically cold tumor microenvironment can be used to treat pbDMG patients. Furthermore, pbDMG patients with low levels of JAK1 or STAT1 mRNA expression in combination with high levels of TGFB2 also exhibited poor OS outcomes, suggesting that the inclusion of (interferon-gamma) IFN-γ to stimulate and activate JAK1 and STAT1 in anti-tumor APC cells present the brainstem TME can enhance the effect of the TGFB2 blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjive Qazi
- Oncotelic Therapeutics, 29397 Agoura Road, Suite 107, Agoura Hills, CA 91301, USA; (Z.T.); (V.T.)
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Integrated genetic profiling of archival pediatric high-grade glial tumors and reassessment with 2021 WHO classification of paediatric CNS tumours. Cancer Genet 2023; 274-275:10-20. [PMID: 36917897 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Though rare, pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG) are a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in children. We wanted to determine whether our currently available clinical laboratory methods could better define diagnosis for pHGG that had been archived at our institution for the past 20 years (1998 to 2017). We investigated 33 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded pHGG using ThermoFisher Oncoscan SNP microarray with somatic mutation analysis, Sanger sequencing, and whole genome sequencing. These data were correlated with historical histopathological, chromosomal, clinical, and radiological data. Tumors were subsequently classified according to the 2021 WHO Classification of Paediatric CNS Tumours. All 33 tumors were found to have genetic aberrations that placed them within a 2021 WHO subtype and/or provided prognostic information; 6 tumors were upgraded from WHO CNS grade 3 to grade 4. New pHGG genetic features were found including two small cell glioblastomas with H3 G34 mutations not previously described; one tumor with STRN-NTRK2 fusion; and a congenital diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor without a chromosomal 1p deletion but with KIAA1549-BRAF fusion. Overall, the combination of laboratory methods yielded key information for tumor classification. Thus, even small studies of these uncommon tumor types may yield new genetic features and possible new subtypes that warrant future investigations.
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10
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Loss of p53 Concurrent with RAS and TERT Activation Induces Glioma Formation. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3452-3463. [PMID: 36867344 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03288-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
There is an ongoing debate regarding whether gliomas originate due to functional or genetic changes in neural stem cells (NSCs). Genetic engineering has made it possible to use NSCs to establish glioma models with the pathological features of human tumors. Here, we found that RAS, TERT, and p53 mutations or abnormal expression were associated with the occurrence of glioma in the mouse tumor transplantation model. Moreover, EZH2 palmitoylation mediated by ZDHHC5 played a significant role in this malignant transformation. EZH2 palmitoylation activates H3K27me3, which in turn decreases miR-1275, increases glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression, and weakens the binding of DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) to the OCT4 promoter region. Thus, these findings are significant because RAS, TERT, and p53 oncogenes in human neural stem cells are conducive to a fully malignant and rapid transformation, suggesting that gene changes and specific combinations of susceptible cell types are important factors in determining the occurrence of gliomas.
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11
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Parsels LA, Wahl DR, Koschmann C, Morgan MA, Zhang Q. Developing H3K27M mutant selective radiosensitization strategies in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Neoplasia 2023; 37:100881. [PMID: 36724689 PMCID: PMC9918797 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2023.100881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a rare but highly lethal pediatric and adolescent tumor located in the pons of the brainstem. DIPGs harbor unique and specific pathological and molecular alterations, such as the hallmark lysine 27-to-methionine (H3K27M) mutation in histone H3, which lead to global changes in the epigenetic landscape and drive tumorigenesis. While fractionated radiotherapy, the current standard of care, improves symptoms and delays tumor progression, DIPGs inevitably recur, and despite extensive efforts chemotherapy-driven radiosensitization strategies have failed to improve survival. Advances in our understanding of the role of epigenetics in the cellular response to radiation-induced DNA damage, however, offer new opportunities to develop combinational therapeutic strategies selective for DIPGs expressing H3K27M. In this review, we provide an overview of preclinical studies that explore potential radiosensitization strategies targeting the unique epigenetic landscape of H3K27M mutant DIPG. We further discuss opportunities to selectively radiosensitize DIPG through strategic inhibition of the radiation-induced DNA damage response. Finally, we discuss the potential for using radiation to induce anti-tumor immune responses that may be potentiated in DIPG by radiosensitizing-therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A Parsels
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Daniel R Wahl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Carl Koschmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Meredith A Morgan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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12
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Xu Z, Wu Y, Yang M, Wei H, Pu J. CBX2-mediated suppression of SIAH2 triggers WNK1 accumulations to promote glycolysis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Exp Cell Res 2023; 426:113513. [PMID: 36780970 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have highlighted the poor prognosis of liver cancer, and treatment effects are overall limited. We aimed to confirm the biological roles of SIAH2 in liver cancer and provide potential therapeutic targets. Differential analysis was conducted based on public datasets and found that SIAH2 expressed lowly in HCC samples relative to normal tissues, which was demonstrated in tumor samples via immunohistochemistry (IHC). Besides, SIAH2 overexpression could significantly suppress HCC proliferation. SIAH2 deficiency induced cell proliferation, migration and self-renewal abilities in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SIAH2 could interact with WNK1, and trigger the ubiquitination and degradation of WNK1 proteins. In addition, low SIAH2 depended on elevated WNK1 proteins to drive HCC malignant features, including proliferation, migration and stemness. Meanwhile, we further found that CBX2 could regulate SIAH2 expressions. CBX2 cooperated with EZH2 to mediate the H3K27me3 enrichment on the promoter region of SIAH2 to suppress its transcriptional levels. High CBX2/EZH2 levels in HCC correlated with poor prognosis of patients. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) further implicated that WNK1 correlates tightly with glycolytic process in HCC samples. WNK1 overexpression was found to notably enhance glycolytic activity, whereas WNK1 deficiency could significantly suppress the HCC glycolysis activity. Lastly, the subcutaneous tumor model further demonstrated that targeting WNK1 was effective to inhibit the in vivo tumor growth of SIAH2low HCC. Collectively, down-regulated SIAH2 expressions induced by CBX2/EZH2 could drive progression and glycolysis via accumulating WNK1 proteins, indicating that CBX2/SIAH2/WNK1 axis is a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic vulnerability for human HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuoming Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, 533000, China
| | - Yinghong Wu
- Graduate College of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, 533000, China
| | - Meng Yang
- Graduate College of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, 533000, China
| | - Huamei Wei
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalitie, 533000, China
| | - Jian Pu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, 533000, China.
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13
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Bakshi S, Wende AR. KDM8 prevents heart failure by controlling cardiac metabolism. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2023; 2:106-107. [PMID: 39196059 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-023-00229-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Bakshi
- Department of Pathology, Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Adam R Wende
- Department of Pathology, Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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14
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Chen Y, Zhao C, Li S, Wang J, Zhang H. Immune Microenvironment and Immunotherapies for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030602. [PMID: 36765560 PMCID: PMC9913210 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a primary glial glioma that occurs in all age groups but predominates in children and is the main cause of solid tumor-related childhood mortality. Due to its rapid progression, the inability to operate and insensitivity to most chemotherapies, there is a lack of effective treatment methods in clinical practice for DIPG patients. The prognosis of DIPG patients is extremely poor, with a median survival time of no more than 12 months. In recent years, there have been continuous breakthroughs for immunotherapies in various hematological tumors and malignant solid tumors with extremely poor prognoses, which provides new insights into tumors without effective treatment strategies. Meanwhile, with the gradual development of stereotactic biopsy techniques, it is gradually becoming easier and safer to obtain live DIPG tissue, and the understanding of the immune properties of DIPG has also increased. On this basis, a series of immunotherapy studies of DIPG are under way, some of which have shown encouraging results. Herein, we review the current understanding of the immune characteristics of DIPG and critically reveal the limitations of current immune research, as well as the opportunities and challenges for immunological therapies in DIPG, hoping to clarify the development of novel immunotherapies for DIPG treatment.
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15
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Mo Y, Duan S, Zhang X, Hua X, Zhou H, Wei HJ, Watanabe J, McQuillan N, Su Z, Gu W, Wu CC, Vakoc CR, Hashizume R, Chang K, Zhang Z. Epigenome Programming by H3.3K27M Mutation Creates a Dependence of Pediatric Glioma on SMARCA4. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:2906-2929. [PMID: 36305747 PMCID: PMC9722525 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-1492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Patients with diffuse midline gliomas that are H3K27 altered (DMG) display a dismal prognosis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying DMG tumorigenesis remain poorly defined. Here we show that SMARCA4, the catalytic subunit of the mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, is essential for the proliferation, migration, and invasion of DMG cells and tumor growth in patient-derived DMG xenograft models. SMARCA4 colocalizes with SOX10 at gene regulatory elements to control the expression of genes involved in cell growth and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Moreover, SMARCA4 chromatin binding is reduced upon depletion of SOX10 or H3.3K27M, a mutation occurring in about 60% DMG tumors. Furthermore, the SMARCA4 occupancy at enhancers marked by both SOX10 and H3K27 acetylation is reduced the most upon depleting the H3.3K27M mutation. Taken together, our results support a model in which epigenome reprogramming by H3.3K27M creates a dependence on SMARCA4-mediated chromatin remodeling to drive gene expression and the pathogenesis of H3.3K27M DMG. SIGNIFICANCE DMG is a deadly pediatric glioma currently without effective treatments. We discovered that the chromatin remodeler SMARCA4 is essential for the proliferation of DMG with H3K27M mutation in vitro and in vivo, identifying a potentially novel therapeutic approach to this disease. See related commentary by Beytagh and Weiss, p. 2730. See related article by Panditharatna et al., p. 2880. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2711.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Mo
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Shoufu Duan
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Xu Zhang
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Xu Hua
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hui Zhou
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hong-Jian Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jun Watanabe
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Nicholas McQuillan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Zhenyi Su
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Wei Gu
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Cheng-Chia Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Rintaro Hashizume
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Kenneth Chang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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16
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Kolsteeg C, Hulleman E, Bianco J. Emerging nanomedical strategies for direct targeting of pediatric and adult diffuse gliomas. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:1193-1200. [PMID: 35715639 PMCID: PMC9519870 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01884-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade gliomas, in particularly diffuse midline glioma, H3K27-altered in children and glioblastoma in adults, are the most lethal brain tumour with a dismal prognosis. Developments in modern medicine are constantly being applied in the search for a cure, although finding the right strategy remains elusive. Circumventing the blood-brain barrier is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to treating brain tumours. The cat and mouse game of finding the Trojan horse to traverse this barrier and deliver therapeutics to the brain has been a long and hard-fought struggle. Research is ongoing to find new and feasible ways to reach specific targets in the brain, with a special focus on inoperable or recurring brain tumours. Many options and combinations of options have been tested to date and continue to be so in the search to find the most effective and least toxic treatment paradigm. Although improvements are often small and slow, some of these strategies have already shown promise, shining a light of hope that finding the cure is feasible. In this review, we discuss recent findings that elucidate promising but atypical strategies for targeting gliomas and the implications that this work has on developing new treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy Kolsteeg
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Esther Hulleman
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - John Bianco
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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17
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Mitchener MM, Muir TW. Oncohistones: Exposing the nuances and vulnerabilities of epigenetic regulation. Mol Cell 2022; 82:2925-2938. [PMID: 35985302 PMCID: PMC9482148 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Work over the last decade has uncovered a new layer of epigenetic dysregulation. It is now appreciated that somatic missense mutations in histones, the packaging agents of genomic DNA, are often associated with human pathologies, especially cancer. Although some of these "oncohistone" mutations are thought to be key drivers of cancer, the impacts of the majority of them on disease onset and progression remain to be elucidated. Here, we survey this rapidly expanding research field with particular emphasis on how histone mutants, even at low dosage, can corrupt chromatin states. This work is unveiling the remarkable intricacies of epigenetic control mechanisms. Throughout, we highlight how studies of oncohistones have leveraged, and in some cases fueled, the advances in our ability to manipulate and interrogate chromatin at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tom W Muir
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
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18
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KDM4C Contributes to Trophoblast-Like Stem Cell Conversion from Porcine-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (piPSCs) Via Regulating CDX2. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147586. [PMID: 35886932 PMCID: PMC9323581 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on ESRRB-regulating porcine-induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) converted to trophoblast-like stem cells (TLSCs) contribute to the understanding of early embryo development. However, the epigenetic modification regulation network during the conversion is poorly understood. Here, the global change in histone H3 Lysine 4, 9, 27, 36 methylation and Lysine 27 acetylation was investigated in piPSCs and TLSCs. We found a high modification profile of H3K36me2 in TLSCs compared to that of piPSCs, whereas the profiles of other modifications remained constant. KDM4C, a H3K36me3/2 demethylase, whose gene body region was combined with ESRRB, was upregulated in TLSCs. Moreover, KDM4 inhibitor supplementation rescued the AP-negative phenotype observed in TLSCs, confirming that KDM4C could regulate the pluripotency of TLSCs. Subsequently, KDM4C replenishment results show the significantly repressed proliferation and AP-positive staining of TLSCs. The expressions of CDX2 and KRT8 were also upregulated after KDM4C overexpression. In summary, these results show that KDM4C replaced the function of ESRRB. These findings reveal the unique and crucial role of KDM4C-mediated epigenetic chromatin modifications in determination of piPSCs’ fate and expand the understanding of the connection between piPSCs and TSCs.
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19
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Lam UTF, Tan BKY, Poh JJX, Chen ES. Structural and functional specificity of H3K36 methylation. Epigenetics Chromatin 2022; 15:17. [PMID: 35581654 PMCID: PMC9116022 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-022-00446-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The methylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 (H3K36me) is essential for maintaining genomic stability. Indeed, this methylation mark is essential for proper transcription, recombination, and DNA damage response. Loss- and gain-of-function mutations in H3K36 methyltransferases are closely linked to human developmental disorders and various cancers. Structural analyses suggest that nucleosomal components such as the linker DNA and a hydrophobic patch constituted by histone H2A and H3 are likely determinants of H3K36 methylation in addition to the histone H3 tail, which encompasses H3K36 and the catalytic SET domain. Interaction of H3K36 methyltransferases with the nucleosome collaborates with regulation of their auto-inhibitory changes fine-tunes the precision of H3K36me in mediating dimethylation by NSD2 and NSD3 as well as trimethylation by Set2/SETD2. The identification of specific structural features and various cis-acting factors that bind to different forms of H3K36me, particularly the di-(H3K36me2) and tri-(H3K36me3) methylated forms of H3K36, have highlighted the intricacy of H3K36me functional significance. Here, we consolidate these findings and offer structural insight to the regulation of H3K36me2 to H3K36me3 conversion. We also discuss the mechanisms that underlie the cooperation between H3K36me and other chromatin modifications (in particular, H3K27me3, H3 acetylation, DNA methylation and N6-methyladenosine in RNAs) in the physiological regulation of the epigenomic functions of chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulysses Tsz Fung Lam
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bryan Kok Yan Tan
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - John Jia Xin Poh
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ee Sin Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore, Singapore.
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Integrative Sciences & Engineering Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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20
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Furth N, Algranati D, Dassa B, Beresh O, Fedyuk V, Morris N, Kasper LH, Jones D, Monje M, Baker SJ, Shema E. H3-K27M-mutant nucleosomes interact with MLL1 to shape the glioma epigenetic landscape. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110836. [PMID: 35584667 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated mutations in genes encoding histones dramatically reshape chromatin and support tumorigenesis. Lysine to methionine substitution of residue 27 on histone H3 (K27M) is a driver mutation in high-grade pediatric gliomas, known to abrogate polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) activity. We applied single-molecule systems to image individual nucleosomes and delineate the combinatorial epigenetic patterns associated with H3-K27M expression. We found that chromatin marks on H3-K27M-mutant nucleosomes are dictated both by their incorporation preferences and by intrinsic properties of the mutation. Mutant nucleosomes not only preferentially bind PRC2 but also directly interact with MLL1, leading to genome-wide redistribution of H3K4me3. H3-K27M-mediated deregulation of repressive and active chromatin marks leads to unbalanced "bivalent" chromatin, which may support a poorly differentiated cellular state. This study provides evidence for a direct effect of H3-K27M oncohistone on the MLL1-H3K4me3 pathway and highlights the capability of single-molecule tools to reveal mechanisms of chromatin deregulation in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Furth
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Danielle Algranati
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Bareket Dassa
- Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Olga Beresh
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Vadim Fedyuk
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Natasha Morris
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Lawryn H Kasper
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | | | - Michelle Monje
- Department of Neurology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Suzanne J Baker
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Efrat Shema
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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21
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Furth N, Shema E. It's all in the combination: decoding the epigenome for cancer research and diagnostics. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2022; 73:101899. [PMID: 35091256 PMCID: PMC9168437 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2022.101899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Genome regulation is governed by the dynamics of chromatin modifications. The extensive and diverse array of DNA and histone modifications allow multiple elements to act combinatorically and direct tissue-specific and cell-specific outcomes. Yet, our ability to elucidate these complex combinations and link them to normal genome regulation, as well as understand their deregulation in cancer, has been hindered by the lack of suitable technologies. Here, we describe recent findings indicating the importance of the combinatorial epigenome, and novel methodologies to measure and characterize these combinations. These complementary methods span multiple disciplines, providing a means to decode epigenetic combinations and link them to biological outcomes. Finally, we discuss the promise of harnessing the rich combinatorial epigenetic information to improve cancer diagnostics and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Furth
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Efrat Shema
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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22
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Soshnev AA, Allis CD, Cesarman E, Melnick AM. Histone H1 Mutations in Lymphoma: A Link(er) between Chromatin Organization, Developmental Reprogramming, and Cancer. Cancer Res 2021; 81:6061-6070. [PMID: 34580064 PMCID: PMC8678342 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-2619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant cell fate decisions due to transcriptional misregulation are central to malignant transformation. Histones are the major constituents of chromatin, and mutations in histone-encoding genes are increasingly recognized as drivers of oncogenic transformation. Mutations in linker histone H1 genes were recently identified as drivers of peripheral lymphoid malignancy. Loss of H1 in germinal center B cells results in widespread chromatin decompaction, redistribution of core histone modifications, and reactivation of stem cell-specific transcriptional programs. This review explores how linker histones and mutations therein regulate chromatin structure, highlighting reciprocal relationships between epigenetic circuits, and discusses the emerging role of aberrant three-dimensional chromatin architecture in malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey A Soshnev
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
| | - C David Allis
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Ethel Cesarman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Ari M Melnick
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York.
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23
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Pharmaco-proteogenomic profiling of pediatric diffuse midline glioma to inform future treatment strategies. Oncogene 2021; 41:461-475. [PMID: 34759345 PMCID: PMC8782719 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02102-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) is a deadly pediatric and adolescent central nervous system (CNS) tumor localized along the midline structures of the brain atop the spinal cord. With a median overall survival (OS) of just 9–11-months, DMG is characterized by global hypomethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3), driven by recurring somatic mutations in H3 genes including, HIST1H3B/C (H3.1K27M) or H3F3A (H3.3K27M), or through overexpression of EZHIP in patients harboring wildtype H3. The recent World Health Organization’s 5th Classification of CNS Tumors now designates DMG as, ‘H3 K27-altered’, suggesting that global H3K27me3 hypomethylation is a ubiquitous feature of DMG and drives devastating transcriptional programs for which there are no treatments. H3-alterations co-segregate with various other somatic driver mutations, highlighting the high-level of intertumoral heterogeneity of DMG. Furthermore, DMG is also characterized by very high-level intratumoral diversity with tumors harboring multiple subclones within each primary tumor. Each subclone contains their own combinations of driver and passenger lesions that continually evolve, making precision-based medicine challenging to successful execute. Whilst the intertumoral heterogeneity of DMG has been extensively investigated, this is yet to translate to an increase in patient survival. Conversely, our understanding of the non-genomic factors that drive the rapid growth and fatal nature of DMG, including endogenous and exogenous microenvironmental influences, neurological cues, and the posttranscriptional and posttranslational architecture of DMG remains enigmatic or at best, immature. However, these factors are likely to play a significant role in the complex biological sequelae that drives the disease. Here we summarize the heterogeneity of DMG and emphasize how analysis of the posttranslational architecture may improve treatment paradigms. We describe factors that contribute to treatment response and disease progression, as well as highlight the potential for pharmaco-proteogenomics (i.e., the integration of genomics, proteomics and pharmacology) in the management of this uniformly fatal cancer.
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The LEDGF/p75 Integrase Binding Domain Interactome Contributes to the Survival, Clonogenicity, and Tumorsphere Formation of Docetaxel-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102723. [PMID: 34685704 PMCID: PMC8534522 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with prostate cancer (PCa) receiving docetaxel chemotherapy invariably develop chemoresistance. The transcription co-activator lens epithelium-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75), also known as DFS70 and PSIP1, is upregulated in several human cancers, including PCa and promotes resistance to docetaxel and other drugs. The C-terminal region of LEDGF/p75 contains an integrase binding domain (IBD) that tethers nuclear proteins, including the HIV-1 integrase and transcription factors, to active chromatin to promote viral integration and transcription of cellular survival genes. Here, we investigated the contribution of the LEDGF/p75 IBD interactome to PCa chemoresistance. Quantitative immunoblotting revealed that LEDGF/p75 and its IBD-interacting partners are endogenously upregulated in docetaxel-resistant PCa cell lines compared to docetaxel-sensitive parental cells. Using specific human autoantibodies, we co-immunoprecipitated LEDGF/p75 with its endogenous IBD-interacting partners JPO2, menin, MLL, IWS1, ASK1, and PogZ, as well as transcription factors c-MYC and HRP2, in docetaxel-resistant cells, and confirmed their nuclear co-localization by confocal microscopy. Depletion of LEDGF/p75 and selected interacting partners robustly decreased the survival, clonogenicity, and tumorsphere formation capacity of docetaxel-resistant cells. These results implicate the LEDGF/p75 IBD interactome in PCa chemoresistance and could lead to novel therapeutic strategies targeting this protein complex for the treatment of docetaxel-resistant tumors.
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