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Gao C, Ge H, Kuan SF, Cai C, Lu X, Esni F, Schoen RE, Wang JH, Chu E, Hu J. FAK loss reduces BRAF V600E-induced ERK phosphorylation to promote intestinal stemness and cecal tumor formation. eLife 2024; 13:RP94605. [PMID: 38921956 PMCID: PMC11208045 DOI: 10.7554/elife.94605] [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: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BRAFV600E mutation is a driver mutation in the serrated pathway to colorectal cancers. BRAFV600E drives tumorigenesis through constitutive downstream extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation, but high-intensity ERK activation can also trigger tumor suppression. Whether and how oncogenic ERK signaling can be intrinsically adjusted to a 'just-right' level optimal for tumorigenesis remains undetermined. In this study, we found that FAK (Focal adhesion kinase) expression was reduced in BRAFV600E-mutant adenomas/polyps in mice and patients. In Vil1-Cre;BRAFLSL-V600E/+;Ptk2fl/fl mice, Fak deletion maximized BRAFV600E's oncogenic activity and increased cecal tumor incidence to 100%. Mechanistically, our results showed that Fak loss, without jeopardizing BRAFV600E-induced ERK pathway transcriptional output, reduced EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)-dependent ERK phosphorylation. Reduction in ERK phosphorylation increased the level of Lgr4, promoting intestinal stemness and cecal tumor formation. Our findings show that a 'just-right' ERK signaling optimal for BRAFV600E-induced cecal tumor formation can be achieved via Fak loss-mediated downregulation of ERK phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Gao
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghUnited States
| | - Huaibin Ge
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Shih-Fan Kuan
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghUnited States
| | - Chunhui Cai
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Xinghua Lu
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Farzad Esni
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghUnited States
| | - Robert E Schoen
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghUnited States
| | - Jing H Wang
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Edward Chu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Jing Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghUnited States
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2
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Gao C, Ge H, Kuan SF, Cai C, Lu X, Esni F, Schoen R, Wang J, Chu E, Hu J. FAK loss reduces BRAF V600E-induced ERK phosphorylation to promote intestinal stemness and cecal tumor formation. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-2531119. [PMID: 36778401 PMCID: PMC9915899 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2531119/v2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
BRAF V600E mutation is a driver mutation in the serrated pathway to colorectal cancers. BRAFV600E drives tumorigenesis through constitutive downstream extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation, but high-intensity ERK activation can also trigger tumor suppression. Whether and how oncogenic ERK signaling can be intrinsically adjusted to a "just-right" level optimal for tumorigenesis remains undetermined. In this study, we found that FAK (Focal adhesion kinase) expression was reduced in BRAFV600E-mutant adenomas/polyps in mice and patients. In Vill-Cre;BRAFV600E/+;Fakfl/fl mice, Fak deletion maximized BRAFV600E's oncogenic activity and increased cecal tumor incidence to 100%. Mechanistically, our results showed that Fak loss, without jeopardizing BRAFV600E-induced ERK pathway transcriptional output, reduced EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)-dependent ERK phosphorylation. Reduction in ERK phosphorylation increased the level of Lgr4, promoting intestinal stemness and cecal tumor formation. Our findings show that a "just-right" ERK signaling optimal for BRAFV600E-induced cecal tumor formation can be achieved via Fak loss-mediated downregulation of ERK phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jing Wang
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center/University of Pittsburgh
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3
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Gao C, Ge H, Kuan SF, Cai C, Lu X, Esni F, Schoen R, Wang J, Chu E, Hu J. FAK loss reduces BRAF V600E-induced ERK phosphorylation to promote intestinal stemness and cecal tumor formation. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-2531119. [PMID: 36778401 PMCID: PMC9915899 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2531119/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BRAF V600E mutation is a driver mutation in the serrated pathway to colorectal cancers. BRAFV600E drives tumorigenesis through constitutive downstream extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation, but high-intensity ERK activation can also trigger tumor suppression. Whether and how oncogenic ERK signaling can be intrinsically adjusted to a "just-right" level optimal for tumorigenesis remains undetermined. In this study, we found that FAK (Focal adhesion kinase) expression was reduced in BRAFV600E-mutant adenomas/polyps in mice and patients. In Vill-Cre;BRAFV600E/+;Fakfl/fl mice, Fak deletion maximized BRAFV600E's oncogenic activity and increased cecal tumor incidence to 100%. Mechanistically, our results showed that Fak loss, without jeopardizing BRAFV600E-induced ERK pathway transcriptional output, reduced EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)-dependent ERK phosphorylation. Reduction in ERK phosphorylation increased the level of Lgr4, promoting intestinal stemness and cecal tumor formation. Our findings show that a "just-right" ERK signaling optimal for BRAFV600E-induced cecal tumor formation can be achieved via Fak loss-mediated downregulation of ERK phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jing Wang
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center/University of Pittsburgh
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4
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Harvey BJ, Harvey HM. Sex Differences in Colon Cancer: Genomic and Nongenomic Signalling of Oestrogen. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2225. [PMID: 38137047 PMCID: PMC10742859 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122225] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy that exhibits distinct differences in incidence, prognosis, and treatment responses between males and females. These disparities have long been attributed to hormonal differences, particularly the influence of oestrogen signalling. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in colon cancer and the protective role of membrane and nuclear oestrogen signalling in CRC development, progression, and therapeutic interventions. We discuss the epidemiological and molecular evidence supporting sex differences in colon cancer, followed by an exploration of the impact of oestrogen in CRC through various genomic and nongenomic signalling pathways involving membrane and nuclear oestrogen receptors. Furthermore, we examine the interplay between oestrogen receptors and other signalling pathways, in particular the Wnt/β-catenin proliferative pathway and hypoxia in shaping biological sex differences and oestrogen protective actions in colon cancer. Lastly, we highlight the potential therapeutic implications of targeting oestrogen signalling in the management of colon cancer and propose future research directions to address the current gaps in our understanding of this complex phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Harvey
- Faculty of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Harry M. Harvey
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z5, Canada;
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5
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Drastichova Z, Trubacova R, Novotny J. Regulation of phosphosignaling pathways involved in transcription of cell cycle target genes by TRH receptor activation in GH1 cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115830. [PMID: 37931515 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is known to activate several cellular signaling pathway, but the activation of the TRH receptor (TRH-R) has not been reported to regulate gene transcription. The aim of this study was to identify phosphosignaling pathways and phosphoprotein complexes associated with gene transcription in GH1 pituitary cells treated with TRH or its analog, taltirelin (TAL), using label-free bottom-up mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Our detailed analysis provided insight into the mechanism through which TRH-R activation may regulate the transcription of genes related to the cell cycle and proliferation. It involves control of the signaling pathways for β-catenin/Tcf, Notch/RBPJ, p53/p21/Rbl2/E2F, Myc, and YY1/Rb1/E2F through phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of their key components. In many instances, the phosphorylation patterns of differentially phosphorylated phosphoproteins in TRH- or TAL-treated cells were identical or displayed a similar trend in phosphorylation. However, some phosphoproteins, especially components of the Wnt/β-catenin/Tcf and YY1/Rb1/E2F pathways, exhibited different phosphorylation patterns in TRH- and TAL-treated cells. This supports the notion that TRH and TAL may act, at least in part, as biased agonists. Additionally, the deficiency of β-arrestin2 resulted in a reduced number of alterations in phosphorylation, highlighting the critical role of β-arrestin2 in the signal transduction from TRH-R in the plasma membrane to transcription factors in the nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenka Drastichova
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czechia
| | - Radka Trubacova
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czechia; Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 142 20 Prague, Czechia
| | - Jiri Novotny
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 00 Prague, Czechia.
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6
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McGowan KP, Delgado E, Keeley TM, Hibdon ES, Turgeon DK, Stoffel EM, Samuelson LC. Region-specific Wnt signaling responses promote gastric polyp formation in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e174546. [PMID: 37943618 PMCID: PMC10896006 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.174546] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Germline adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutation in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) promotes gastrointestinal polyposis, including the formation of frequent gastric fundic gland polyps (FGPs). In this study, we investigated how dysregulated Wnt signaling promotes FGPs and why they localize to the corpus region of the stomach. We developed a biobank of FGP and surrounding nonpolyp corpus biopsies and organoids from patients with FAP for comparative studies. Polyp biopsies and polyp-derived organoids exhibited enhanced Wnt target gene expression. Polyp-derived organoids with intrinsically upregulated Wnt signaling showed poor tolerance to further induction, suggesting that high Wnt restricts growth. Targeted genomic sequencing revealed that most gastric polyps did not arise via APC loss of heterozygosity. Studies in genetic mouse models demonstrated that heterozygous Apc loss increased epithelial cell proliferation in the corpus but not the antrum, while homozygous Apc loss was not maintained in the corpus yet induced hyperproliferation in the antrum. Our findings suggest that heterozygous APC mutation in patients with FAP may be sufficient to drive polyp formation in the corpus region while subsequent loss of heterozygosity to further enhance Wnt signaling is not tolerated. This finding contextualizes the abundant yet benign nature of gastric polyps in FAP patient corpus compared with the rare, yet adenomatous polyps in the antrum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - D Kim Turgeon
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Elena M Stoffel
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Linda C Samuelson
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology and
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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7
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McGowan KP, Delgado E, Hibdon ES, Samuelson LC. Differential sensitivity to Wnt signaling gradients in human gastric organoids derived from corpus and antrum. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2023; 325:G158-G173. [PMID: 37338119 PMCID: PMC10393332 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00092.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Wnt signaling regulates gastric stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Although similar Wnt gradients exist within the corpus and antrum of the human stomach, there are striking differences in gland architecture and disease manifestation that suggest Wnt may differentially regulate progenitor cell function in each compartment. In this study, we tested sensitivities to Wnt activation in human gastric corpus and antral organoids to determine whether progenitor cells have region-specific differences in Wnt responsiveness. Human patient-matched corpus and antral organoids were grown in the presence of varying concentrations of the Wnt pathway activator CHIR99021 to assess regional sensitivity to Wnt signaling on growth and proliferation. Corpus organoids were further studied to understand how high Wnt affected cellular differentiation and progenitor cell function. A lower concentration of CHIR99021 stimulated peak growth in corpus organoids compared with patient-matched antral organoids. Supramaximal Wnt signaling levels in corpus organoids suppressed proliferation, altered morphology, reduced surface cell differentiation, and increased differentiation of deep glandular neck and chief cells. Surprisingly, corpus organoids grown in high CHIR99021 had enhanced organoid forming potential, indicating that progenitor cell function was maintained in these nonproliferative, deep glandular cell-enriched organoids. Passaging high-Wnt quiescent organoids into low Wnt rescued normal growth, morphology, and surface cell differentiation. Our findings suggest that human corpus progenitor cells have a lower threshold for optimal Wnt signaling than antral progenitor cells. We demonstrate that Wnt signaling in the corpus regulates a bimodal axis of differentiation, with high Wnt promoting deep glandular cell differentiation and suppressing proliferation while simultaneously promoting progenitor cell function.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates that human gastric corpus organoids have a lower Wnt signaling threshold to drive optimal growth relative to patient-matched antral organoids. Paradoxically, supramaximal Wnt levels suppress corpus organoid proliferation, yet promote differentiation toward deep glandular cell types while simultaneously enhancing progenitor cell function. These findings provide novel insights into how Wnt signaling differentially regulates homeostasis in the human gastric corpus and antrum and contextualizes patterns of Wnt activation diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P McGowan
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Elizabeth Delgado
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Elise S Hibdon
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Linda C Samuelson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
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8
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Groenewald W, Lund AH, Gay DM. The Role of WNT Pathway Mutations in Cancer Development and an Overview of Therapeutic Options. Cells 2023; 12:cells12070990. [PMID: 37048063 PMCID: PMC10093220 DOI: 10.3390/cells12070990] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well established that mutations in the canonical WNT-signalling pathway play a major role in various cancers. Critical to developing new therapeutic strategies is understanding which cancers are driven by WNT pathway activation and at what level these mutations occur within the pathway. Some cancers harbour mutations in genes whose protein products operate at the receptor level of the WNT pathway. For instance, tumours with RNF43 or RSPO mutations, still require exogenous WNT ligands to drive WNT signalling (ligand-dependent mutations). Conversely, mutations within the cytoplasmic segment of the Wnt pathway, such as in APC and CTNNB1, lead to constitutive WNT pathway activation even in the absence of WNT ligands (ligand-independent). Here, we review the predominant driving mutations found in cancer that lead to WNT pathway activation, as well as explore some of the therapeutic interventions currently available against tumours harbouring either ligand-dependent or ligand-independent mutations. Finally, we discuss a potentially new therapeutic avenue by targeting the translational apparatus downstream from WNT signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wibke Groenewald
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders H Lund
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David Michael Gay
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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9
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Sanchez MM, Bagdasarian IA, Darch W, Morgan JT. Organotypic cultures as aging associated disease models. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:9338-9383. [PMID: 36435511 PMCID: PMC9740367 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Aging remains a primary risk factor for a host of diseases, including leading causes of death. Aging and associated diseases are inherently multifactorial, with numerous contributing factors and phenotypes at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organismal scales. Despite the complexity of aging phenomena, models currently used in aging research possess limitations. Frequently used in vivo models often have important physiological differences, age at different rates, or are genetically engineered to match late disease phenotypes rather than early causes. Conversely, routinely used in vitro models lack the complex tissue-scale and systemic cues that are disrupted in aging. To fill in gaps between in vivo and traditional in vitro models, researchers have increasingly been turning to organotypic models, which provide increased physiological relevance with the accessibility and control of in vitro context. While powerful tools, the development of these models is a field of its own, and many aging researchers may be unaware of recent progress in organotypic models, or hesitant to include these models in their own work. In this review, we describe recent progress in tissue engineering applied to organotypic models, highlighting examples explicitly linked to aging and associated disease, as well as examples of models that are relevant to aging. We specifically highlight progress made in skin, gut, and skeletal muscle, and describe how recently demonstrated models have been used for aging studies or similar phenotypes. Throughout, this review emphasizes the accessibility of these models and aims to provide a resource for researchers seeking to leverage these powerful tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina M. Sanchez
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | | | - William Darch
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Joshua T. Morgan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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10
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Ghatak S, Hascall VC, Karamanos N, Markwald RR, Misra S. Chemotherapy induces feedback up-regulation of CD44v6 in colorectal cancer initiating cells through β-catenin/MDR1 signaling to sustain chemoresistance. Front Oncol 2022; 12:906260. [PMID: 36330477 PMCID: PMC9623568 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.906260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance in colorectal cancer initiating cells (CICs) involves the sustained activation of multiple drug resistance (MDR) and WNT/β-catenin signaling pathways, as well as of alternatively spliced-isoforms of CD44 containing variable exon-6 (CD44v6). In spite of its importance, mechanisms underlying the sustained activity of WNT/β-catenin signaling have remained elusive. The presence of binding elements of the β-catenin-interacting transcription factor TCF4 in the MDR1 and CD44 promoters suggests that crosstalk between WNT/β-catenin/TCF4-activation and the expression of the CD44v6 isoform mediated by FOLFOX, a first-line chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer, could be a fundamental mechanism of FOLFOX resistance. Our results identify that FOLFOX treatment induced WNT3A secretion, which stimulated a positive feedback loop coupling β-catenin signaling and CD44v6 splicing. In conjunction with FOLFOX induced WNT3A signal, specific CD44v6 variants produced by alternative splicing subsequently enhance the late wave of WNT/β-catenin activation to facilitate cell cycle progression. Moreover, we revealed that FOLFOX-mediated sustained WNT signal requires the formation of a CD44v6-LRP6-signalosome in caveolin microdomains, which leads to increased FOLFOX efflux. FOLFOX-resistance in colorectal CICs occurs in the absence of tumor-suppressor disabled-2 (DAB2), an inhibitor of WNT/β-catenin signaling. Conversely, in sensitive cells, DAB2 inhibition of WNT-signaling requires interaction with a clathrin containing CD44v6-LRP6-signalosome. Furthermore, full-length CD44v6, once internalized through the caveolin-signalosome, is translocated to the nucleus where in complex with TCF4, it binds to β-catenin/TCF4-regulated MDR1, or to CD44 promoters, which leads to FOLFOX-resistance and CD44v6 transcription through transcriptional-reprogramming. These findings provide evidence that targeting CD44v6-mediated LRP6/β-catenin-signaling and drug efflux may represent a novel approach to overcome FOLFOX resistance and inhibit tumor progression in colorectal CICs. Thus, sustained drug resistance in colorectal CICs is mediated by overexpression of CD44v6, which is both a functional biomarker and a therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibnath Ghatak
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department Natural Sciences, Trident Technical College, North Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Vincent C. Hascall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering/ND20, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Nikos Karamanos
- University of Patras, Matrix Pathobiology Res. Group, Department of Chemistry, Patras, Greece
| | - Roger R. Markwald
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Suniti Misra
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department Natural Sciences, Trident Technical College, North Charleston, SC, United States
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11
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Ghatak S, Hascall VC, Karamanos N, Markwald RR, Misra S. Interplay Between Chemotherapy-Activated Cancer Associated Fibroblasts and Cancer Initiating Cells Expressing CD44v6 Promotes Colon Cancer Resistance. Front Oncol 2022; 12:906415. [PMID: 35982950 PMCID: PMC9380598 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.906415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-initiating cells (CICs) drive colorectal tumor growth by their supportive niches where CICs interact with multiple cell types within the microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). We investigated the interplay between the CICs and the clinically relevant chemotherapeutic FOLFOX that creates the persistent tumorigenic properties of colorectal CICs, and stimulates the microenvironmental factors derived from the CAFs. We found that the CICs expressing an immunophenotype (CD44v6[+]) promote FOLFOX-resistance and that the CIC-immunophenotype was enhanced by factors secreted by CAFs after FOLFOX treatment These secreted factors included periostin, IL17A and WNT3A, which induced CD44v6 expression by activating WNT3A/β-catenin signaling. Blocking the interaction between CICs with any of these CAF-derived factors through tissue-specific conditional silencing of CD44v6 significantly reduced colorectal tumorigenic potential. To achieve this, we generated two unique vectors (floxed-pSico-CD44v6 shRNA plus Fabpl-Cre) that were encapsulated into transferrin coated PEG-PEI/(nanoparticles), which when introduced in vivo reduced tumor growth more effectively than using CD44v6-blocking antibodies. Notably, this tissue-specific conditional silencing of CD44v6 resulted in long lasting effects on self-renewal and tumor growth associated with a positive feedback loop linking WNT3A signaling and alternative-splicing of CD44. These findings have crucial clinical implications suggesting that therapeutic approaches for modulating tumor growth that currently focus on cell-autonomous mechanisms may be too limited and need to be broadened to include mechanisms that recognize the interplay between the stromal factors and the subsequent CIC-immunophenotype enrichment. Thus, more specific therapeutic approaches may be required to block a chemotherapy induced remodeling of a microenvironment that acts as a paracrine regulator to enrich CD44v6 (+) in colorectal CICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibnath Ghatak
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department Natural Sciences, Trident Technical College, North Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Vincent C. Hascall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering/ND20, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Nikos Karamanos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Matrix Pathobiology Research Group, Patras, Greece
| | - Roger R. Markwald
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Suniti Misra
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department Natural Sciences, Trident Technical College, North Charleston, SC, United States
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12
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Ramadan R, van Driel MS, Vermeulen L, van Neerven SM. Intestinal stem cell dynamics in homeostasis and cancer. Trends Cancer 2022; 8:416-425. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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13
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Parsons MJ, Tammela T, Dow LE. WNT as a Driver and Dependency in Cancer. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:2413-2429. [PMID: 34518209 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-0190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The WNT signaling pathway is a critical regulator of development and adult tissue homeostasis and becomes dysregulated in many cancer types. Although hyperactivation of WNT signaling is common, the type and frequency of genetic WNT pathway alterations can vary dramatically between different cancers, highlighting possible cancer-specific mechanisms for WNT-driven disease. In this review, we discuss how WNT pathway disruption contributes to tumorigenesis in different organs and how WNT affects the tumor cell and immune microenvironment. Finally, we describe recent and ongoing efforts to target oncogenic WNT signaling as a therapeutic strategy. SIGNIFICANCE: WNT signaling is a fundamental regulator of tissue homeostasis and oncogenic driver in many cancer types. In this review, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of WNT signaling in cancer, particularly the complexities of WNT activation in distinct cancer types, its role in immune evasion, and the challenge of targeting the WNT pathway as a therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie J Parsons
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Tuomas Tammela
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Lukas E Dow
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York. .,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
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14
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Leystra AA, Harvey KN, Kaunga E, Hensley H, Vanderveer LA, Devarajan K, Clapper ML. High Variability in Cellular Proliferation, Gene Expression, and Cytokine Production in the Nonneoplastic Colonic Epithelium of Young Apc+/Min-FCCC Mice. Front Oncol 2021; 11:705562. [PMID: 34513688 PMCID: PMC8429936 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.705562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
An urgent need exists to identify efficacious therapeutic preventive interventions for individuals who are at high risk of developing colorectal cancer. To maximize the benefits of preventive intervention, it is vital to identify the time interval during which the initiation of a preventive intervention will lead to an optimal outcome. The goal of the present study was to determine if oncogenic events can be detected in the nonneoplastic colonic mucosa of Apc+/Min-FCCC mice prior to formation of the first adenoma, thus defining an earlier point of intervention along the cancer continuum. Tissues taken at three potential points of intervention were characterized: prior to Apc mutation (wild type Apc+/+-FCCC mice); after initiation but prior to colon adenoma formation (tumor-free Apc+/Min-FCCC mice); and after formation of the first colon adenoma (tumor-bearing Apc+/Min-FCCC mice). Experimentation focused on molecular processes that are dysregulated in early colon lesions: 1) cellular proliferation (proliferative index and size of the proliferative zone); 2) cellular stemness (expression of Ascl2, Grem1, Lgr5 and Muc2); 3) EGFR signaling (expression of Ereg); and 4) inflammation (expression of Mmp9, Ptsg2, and Reg4, as well as secretion of 18 cytokines involved in immune activation and response). Interestingly, the nonneoplastic colonic mucosa of wild type, tumor-free Apc+/Min-FCCC , and tumor-bearing Apc+/Min-FCCC mice did not display significant differences in average epithelial cell proliferation (fold change 0.8-1.3, p≥0.11), mucosal gene expression (fold change 0.8-1.4, p≥0.22), or secretion of specific cytokines from colonic mucosa (fold change 0.2-1.5, p≥0.06). However, the level of cytokine secretion was highly variable, with many (22% of wild type, 31% of tumor-free Apc+/Min-FCCC , and 31% of tumor-bearing Apc+/Min-FCCC ) mice categorized as outliers (> 1.5 x interquartile ranges below the first quartile or above the third quartile) due to elevated expression of at least one cytokine. In summary, no differences were observed in proliferation, stemness, and EGFR signaling in the colonic mucosa of wild type vs Apc+/Min-FCCC mice, with low baseline cytokine expression, prior to the formation of the first colon adenoma. The results of this study provide valuable baseline data to inform the design of future cancer prevention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa A. Leystra
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kristen N. Harvey
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Esther Kaunga
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Harvey Hensley
- Biological Imaging Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lisa A. Vanderveer
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Karthik Devarajan
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Margie L. Clapper
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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15
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Leach JDG, Vlahov N, Tsantoulis P, Ridgway RA, Flanagan DJ, Gilroy K, Sphyris N, Vázquez EG, Vincent DF, Faller WJ, Hodder MC, Raven A, Fey S, Najumudeen AK, Strathdee D, Nixon C, Hughes M, Clark W, Shaw R, van Hooff SR, Huels DJ, Medema JP, Barry ST, Frame MC, Unciti-Broceta A, Leedham SJ, Inman GJ, Jackstadt R, Thompson BJ, Campbell AD, Tejpar S, Sansom OJ. Oncogenic BRAF, unrestrained by TGFβ-receptor signalling, drives right-sided colonic tumorigenesis. Nat Commun 2021. [PMID: 34103493 DOI: 10.1038/s41467‐021‐23717‐5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Right-sided (proximal) colorectal cancer (CRC) has a poor prognosis and a distinct mutational profile, characterized by oncogenic BRAF mutations and aberrations in mismatch repair and TGFβ signalling. Here, we describe a mouse model of right-sided colon cancer driven by oncogenic BRAF and loss of epithelial TGFβ-receptor signalling. The proximal colonic tumours that develop in this model exhibit a foetal-like progenitor phenotype (Ly6a/Sca1+) and, importantly, lack expression of Lgr5 and its associated intestinal stem cell signature. These features are recapitulated in human BRAF-mutant, right-sided CRCs and represent fundamental differences between left- and right-sided disease. Microbial-driven inflammation supports the initiation and progression of these tumours with foetal-like characteristics, consistent with their predilection for the microbe-rich right colon and their antibiotic sensitivity. While MAPK-pathway activating mutations drive this foetal-like signature via ERK-dependent activation of the transcriptional coactivator YAP, the same foetal-like transcriptional programs are also initiated by inflammation in a MAPK-independent manner. Importantly, in both contexts, epithelial TGFβ-receptor signalling is instrumental in suppressing the tumorigenic potential of these foetal-like progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D G Leach
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.,Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Petros Tsantoulis
- Department of Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Oncology, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Ester G Vázquez
- Gastrointestinal Stem Cell Biology Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - William J Faller
- Division of Oncogenomics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael C Hodder
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.,Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Sigrid Fey
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.,Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Colin Nixon
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mark Hughes
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Robin Shaw
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Sander R van Hooff
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (CEMM) and Cancer Center Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David J Huels
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (CEMM) and Cancer Center Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Paul Medema
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (CEMM) and Cancer Center Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Simon T Barry
- Bioscience, Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Margaret C Frame
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Asier Unciti-Broceta
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon J Leedham
- Gastrointestinal Stem Cell Biology Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Gareth J Inman
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.,Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Barry J Thompson
- EMBL Australia, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Sabine Tejpar
- Molecular Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Owen J Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK. .,Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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16
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Leach JDG, Vlahov N, Tsantoulis P, Ridgway RA, Flanagan DJ, Gilroy K, Sphyris N, Vázquez EG, Vincent DF, Faller WJ, Hodder MC, Raven A, Fey S, Najumudeen AK, Strathdee D, Nixon C, Hughes M, Clark W, Shaw R, van Hooff SR, Huels DJ, Medema JP, Barry ST, Frame MC, Unciti-Broceta A, Leedham SJ, Inman GJ, Jackstadt R, Thompson BJ, Campbell AD, Tejpar S, Sansom OJ. Oncogenic BRAF, unrestrained by TGFβ-receptor signalling, drives right-sided colonic tumorigenesis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3464. [PMID: 34103493 PMCID: PMC8187652 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23717-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Right-sided (proximal) colorectal cancer (CRC) has a poor prognosis and a distinct mutational profile, characterized by oncogenic BRAF mutations and aberrations in mismatch repair and TGFβ signalling. Here, we describe a mouse model of right-sided colon cancer driven by oncogenic BRAF and loss of epithelial TGFβ-receptor signalling. The proximal colonic tumours that develop in this model exhibit a foetal-like progenitor phenotype (Ly6a/Sca1+) and, importantly, lack expression of Lgr5 and its associated intestinal stem cell signature. These features are recapitulated in human BRAF-mutant, right-sided CRCs and represent fundamental differences between left- and right-sided disease. Microbial-driven inflammation supports the initiation and progression of these tumours with foetal-like characteristics, consistent with their predilection for the microbe-rich right colon and their antibiotic sensitivity. While MAPK-pathway activating mutations drive this foetal-like signature via ERK-dependent activation of the transcriptional coactivator YAP, the same foetal-like transcriptional programs are also initiated by inflammation in a MAPK-independent manner. Importantly, in both contexts, epithelial TGFβ-receptor signalling is instrumental in suppressing the tumorigenic potential of these foetal-like progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D G Leach
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Petros Tsantoulis
- Department of Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Oncology, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Ester G Vázquez
- Gastrointestinal Stem Cell Biology Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - William J Faller
- Division of Oncogenomics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael C Hodder
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Sigrid Fey
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Colin Nixon
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mark Hughes
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Robin Shaw
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sander R van Hooff
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (CEMM) and Cancer Center Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David J Huels
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (CEMM) and Cancer Center Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Paul Medema
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine (CEMM) and Cancer Center Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Simon T Barry
- Bioscience, Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Margaret C Frame
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Asier Unciti-Broceta
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon J Leedham
- Gastrointestinal Stem Cell Biology Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Gareth J Inman
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Barry J Thompson
- EMBL Australia, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Sabine Tejpar
- Molecular Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Owen J Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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17
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Abstract
Colorectal cancer has served as a genetic and biological paradigm for the evolution of solid tumors, and these insights have illuminated early detection, risk stratification, prevention, and treatment principles. Employing the hallmarks of cancer framework, we provide a conceptual framework to understand how genetic alterations in colorectal cancer drive cancer cell biology properties and shape the heterotypic interactions across cells in the tumor microenvironment. This review details research advances pertaining to the genetics and biology of colorectal cancer, emerging concepts gleaned from immune and single-cell profiling, and critical advances and remaining knowledge gaps influencing the development of effective therapies for this cancer that remains a major public health burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiexi Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Xingdi Ma
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Deepavali Chakravarti
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Shabnam Shalapour
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Ronald A DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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18
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Sphyris N, Hodder MC, Sansom OJ. Subversion of Niche-Signalling Pathways in Colorectal Cancer: What Makes and Breaks the Intestinal Stem Cell. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1000. [PMID: 33673710 PMCID: PMC7957493 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The intestinal epithelium fulfils pleiotropic functions in nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and immune surveillance while also forming a barrier against luminal toxins and gut-resident microbiota. Incessantly barraged by extraneous stresses, the intestine must continuously replenish its epithelial lining and regenerate the full gamut of specialized cell types that underpin its functions. Homeostatic remodelling is orchestrated by the intestinal stem cell (ISC) niche: a convergence of epithelial- and stromal-derived cues, which maintains ISCs in a multipotent state. Following demise of homeostatic ISCs post injury, plasticity is pervasive among multiple populations of reserve stem-like cells, lineage-committed progenitors, and/or fully differentiated cell types, all of which can contribute to regeneration and repair. Failure to restore the epithelial barrier risks seepage of toxic luminal contents, resulting in inflammation and likely predisposing to tumour formation. Here, we explore how homeostatic niche-signalling pathways are subverted in tumorigenesis, enabling ISCs to gain autonomy from niche restraints ("ISC emancipation") and transform into cancer stem cells capable of driving tumour initiation, progression, and therapy resistance. We further consider the implications of the pervasive plasticity of the intestinal epithelium for the trajectory of colorectal cancer, the emergence of distinct molecular subtypes, the propensity to metastasize, and the development of effective therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Sphyris
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; (N.S.); (M.C.H.)
| | - Michael C. Hodder
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; (N.S.); (M.C.H.)
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Owen J. Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; (N.S.); (M.C.H.)
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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19
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Caspi M, Wittenstein A, Kazelnik M, Shor-Nareznoy Y, Rosin-Arbesfeld R. Therapeutic targeting of the oncogenic Wnt signaling pathway for treating colorectal cancer and other colonic disorders. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 169:118-136. [PMID: 33346022 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The canonical Wnt pathway is one of the key cellular signaling cascades that regulates, via the transcriptional co-activator β-catenin, numerous embryogenic developmental processes, as well as tissue homeostasis. It is therefore not surprising that misregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been implicated in carcinogenesis. Aberrant Wnt signaling has been reported in a variety of malignancies, and its role in both hereditary and sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC), has been the subject of intensive study. Interestingly, the vast majority of colorectal tumors harbor mutations in the tumor suppressor gene adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). The Wnt pathway is complex, and despite decades of research, the mechanisms that underlie its functions are not completely known. Thus, although the Wnt cascade is an attractive target for therapeutic intervention against CRC, one of the malignancies with the highest morbidity and mortality rates, achieving efficacy and safety is yet extremely challenging. Here, we review the current knowledge of the Wnt different epistatic signaling components and the mechanism/s by which the signal is transduced in both health and disease, focusing on CRC. We address some of the important questions in the field and describe various therapeutic strategies designed to combat unregulated Wnt signaling, the development of targeted therapy approaches and the emerging challenges that are associated with these advanced methods.
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20
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Han H, Davidson LA, Hensel M, Yoon G, Landrock K, Allred C, Jayaraman A, Ivanov I, Safe SH, Chapkin RS. Loss of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Promotes Colon Tumorigenesis in ApcS580/+; KrasG12D/+ Mice. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 19:771-783. [PMID: 33495399 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The mutational genetic landscape of colorectal cancer has been extensively characterized; however, the ability of "cooperation response genes" to modulate the function of cancer "driver" genes remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigate the role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, in modulating oncogenic cues in the colon. We show that intestinal epithelial cell-targeted AhR knockout (KO) promotes the expansion and clonogenic capacity of colonic stem/progenitor cells harboring ApcS580/+; KrasG12D/+ mutations by upregulating Wnt signaling. The loss of AhR in the gut epithelium increased cell proliferation, reduced mouse survival rate, and promoted cecum and colon tumorigenesis in mice. Mechanistically, the antagonism of Wnt signaling induced by Lgr5 haploinsufficiency attenuated the effects of AhR KO on cecum and colon tumorigenesis. IMPLICATIONS: Our findings reveal that AhR signaling plays a protective role in genetically induced colon tumorigenesis at least by suppressing Wnt signaling and provides rationale for the AhR as a therapeutic target for cancer prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huajun Han
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Laurie A Davidson
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.,Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Martha Hensel
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Grace Yoon
- Department of Statistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Kerstin Landrock
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.,Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Clinton Allred
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Arul Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Ivan Ivanov
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.,Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Stephen H Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Robert S Chapkin
- Program in Integrative Nutrition and Complex Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. .,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.,Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
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21
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Bugter JM, Fenderico N, Maurice MM. Mutations and mechanisms of WNT pathway tumour suppressors in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:5-21. [PMID: 33097916 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-020-00307-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mutation-induced activation of WNT-β-catenin signalling is a frequent driver event in human cancer. Sustained WNT-β-catenin pathway activation endows cancer cells with sustained self-renewing growth properties and is associated with therapy resistance. In healthy adult stem cells, WNT pathway activity is carefully controlled by core pathway tumour suppressors as well as negative feedback regulators. Gene inactivation experiments in mouse models unequivocally demonstrated the relevance of WNT tumour suppressor loss-of-function mutations for cancer growth. However, in human cancer, a far more complex picture has emerged in which missense or truncating mutations mediate stable expression of mutant proteins, with distinct functional and phenotypic ramifications. Herein, we review recent advances and challenges in our understanding of how different mutational subsets of WNT tumour suppressor genes link to distinct cancer types, clinical outcomes and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen M Bugter
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Nicola Fenderico
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Madelon M Maurice
- Oncode Institute and Department of Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
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22
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Adam RS, van Neerven SM, Pleguezuelos-Manzano C, Simmini S, Léveillé N, de Groot NE, Holding AN, Markowetz F, Vermeulen L. Intestinal region-specific Wnt signalling profiles reveal interrelation between cell identity and oncogenic pathway activity in cancer development. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:578. [PMID: 33292279 PMCID: PMC7713000 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01661-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer results from the accumulation of mutations leading to the acquisition of cancer promoting characteristics such as increased proliferation and resistance to cell death. In colorectal cancer, an early mutation leading to such features usually occurs in the APC or CTNNB1 genes, thereby activating Wnt signalling. However, substantial phenotypic differences between cancers originating within the same organ, such as molecular subtypes, are not fully reflected by differences in mutations. Indeed, the phenotype seems to result from a complex interplay between the cell-intrinsic features and the acquired mutations, which is difficult to disentangle when established tumours are studied. METHODS We use a 3D in vitro organoid model to study the early phase of colorectal cancer development. From three different murine intestinal locations we grow organoids. These are transformed to resemble adenomas after Wnt activation through lentiviral transduction with a stable form of β-Catenin. The gene expression before and after Wnt activation is compared within each intestinal origin and across the three locations using RNA sequencing. To validate and generalize our findings, we use gene expression data from patients. RESULTS In reaction to Wnt activation we observe downregulation of location specific genes and differentiation markers. A similar effect is seen in patient data, where genes with significant differential expression between the normal left and right colon are downregulated in the cancer samples. Furthermore, the signature of Wnt target genes differs between the three intestinal locations in the organoids. The location specific Wnt signatures are dominated by genes which have been lowly expressed in the tissue of origin, and are the targets of transcription factors that are activated following enhanced Wnt signalling. CONCLUSION We observed that the region-specific cell identity has a substantial effect on the reaction to Wnt activation in a simple intestinal adenoma model. These findings provide a way forward in resolving the distinct biology between left- and right-sided human colon cancers with potential clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronja S Adam
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne M van Neerven
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cayetano Pleguezuelos-Manzano
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - Salvatore Simmini
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Research & Development Department at STEMCELL Technologies UK, 7100 Cambridge Research Park, Beach Drive Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9TL, UK
| | - Nicolas Léveillé
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nina E de Groot
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew N Holding
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
- The Alan Turing Institute, 96 Euston Road, Kings Cross, London, NW1 2DB, UK
- University of York, Wentworth Way, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Florian Markowetz
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Louis Vermeulen
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology (LEXOR), Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine (CEMM), Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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23
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Madhu B, Uribe-Lewis S, Bachman M, Murrell A, Griffiths JR. Apc Min/+ tumours and normal mouse small intestines show linear metabolite concentration and DNA cytosine hydroxymethylation gradients from pylorus to colon. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13616. [PMID: 32788746 PMCID: PMC7423954 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70579-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Topographical variations of metabolite concentrations have been reported in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of the small intestine, and in human intestinal tumours from those regions, but there are no published metabolite concentrations measurements correlated with linear position in the mouse small intestine or intestinal tumours. Since DNA methylation dynamics are influenced by metabolite concentrations, they too could show linear anatomical variation. We measured metabolites by HR-MAS 1H NMR spectroscopy and DNA cytosine modifications by LC/MS, in normal small intestines of C57BL/6J wild-type mice, and in normal and tumour samples from ApcMin/+ mice. Wild-type mouse intestines showed approximately linear, negative concentration gradations from the pylorus (i.e. the junction with the stomach) of alanine, choline compounds, creatine, leucine and valine. ApcMin/+ mouse tumours showed negative choline and valine gradients, but a positive glycine gradient. 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine showed a positive gradient in the tumours. The linear gradients we found along the length of the mouse small intestine and in tumours contrast with previous reports of discrete concentration changes in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. To our knowledge, this is also the first report of a systematic measurement of global levels of DNA cytosine modification in wild-type and ApcMin/+ mouse small intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basetti Madhu
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK.
| | - Santiago Uribe-Lewis
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Martin Bachman
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK.,Discovery Science and Technology, Medicines Discovery Catapult, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Adele Murrell
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK.,Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - John R Griffiths
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
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24
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Abstract
Stem cell aging underlies aging-associated disorders, such as steeply increased incidences of tumors and impaired regeneration capacity upon stress. However, whether and how the intestinal stem cells age remains largely unknown. Here we show that intestinal stem cells derived from 24-month-old mice hardly form typical organoids with crypt-villus structures, but rather mainly form big, rounded cysts devoid of differentiated cell types, which mimics the culturing of heterozygous APC-deficient cells from the APCmin mouse line. Further analysis showed that cultured crypts derived from aged mice exhibited reduced expression levels of differentiation genes and higher expression of Wnt target genes. Lowering the concentration of R-spondin-1 in the culture system significantly reduced formation of rounded cysts, accompanied by an increased formation of organoids from crypts derived from old mice. We are the first to uncover that intestinal stem cells derived from old mice harbor significant deficiency in differentiation that can be partially rescued through a reduction in R-spondin-1 exposure. This could be highly relevant to intestinal tumor development and the reduced regeneration potential observed in the aged population. Our study provides the first experimental evidence that an over-responsiveness to Wnt/beta-catenin signaling of aged intestinal stem cells mediates the aging-induced deficiency in differentiation, and could serve as a potential target to ameliorate aging-associated intestinal pathologies.
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25
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Buikhuisen JY, Torang A, Medema JP. Exploring and modelling colon cancer inter-tumour heterogeneity: opportunities and challenges. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:66. [PMID: 32647253 PMCID: PMC7347540 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00250-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer inter-tumour heterogeneity is installed on multiple levels, ranging from (epi)genetic driver events to signalling pathway rewiring reflected by differential gene expression patterns. Although the existence of heterogeneity in colon cancer has been recognised for a longer period of time, it is sparingly incorporated as a determining factor in current clinical practice. Here we describe how unsupervised gene expression-based classification efforts, amongst which the consensus molecular subtypes (CMS), can stratify patients in biological subgroups associated with distinct disease outcome and responses to therapy. We will discuss what is needed to extend these subtyping efforts to the clinic and we will argue that preclinical models recapitulate CMS subtypes and can be of vital use to increase our understanding of treatment response and resistance and to discover novel targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce Y Buikhuisen
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arezo Torang
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Paul Medema
- Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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26
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Gebert N, Cheng CW, Kirkpatrick JM, Di Fraia D, Yun J, Schädel P, Pace S, Garside GB, Werz O, Rudolph KL, Jasper H, Yilmaz ÖH, Ori A. Region-Specific Proteome Changes of the Intestinal Epithelium during Aging and Dietary Restriction. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107565. [PMID: 32348758 PMCID: PMC7446723 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The small intestine is responsible for nutrient absorption and one of the most important interfaces between the environment and the body. During aging, changes of the epithelium lead to food malabsorption and reduced barrier function, thus increasing disease risk. The drivers of these alterations remain poorly understood. Here, we compare the proteomes of intestinal crypts from mice across different anatomical regions and ages. We find that aging alters epithelial immunity, metabolism, and cell proliferation and is accompanied by region-dependent skewing in the cellular composition of the epithelium. Of note, short-term dietary restriction followed by refeeding partially restores the epithelium by promoting stem cell differentiation toward the secretory lineage. We identify Hmgcs2 (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A [CoA] synthetase 2), the rate-limiting enzyme for ketogenesis, as a modulator of stem cell differentiation that responds to dietary changes, and we provide an atlas of region- and age-dependent proteome changes of the small intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Gebert
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Chia-Wei Cheng
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Domenico Di Fraia
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Jina Yun
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Patrick Schädel
- Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Simona Pace
- Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - George B Garside
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Oliver Werz
- Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - K Lenhard Rudolph
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany
| | - Henri Jasper
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Ömer H Yilmaz
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Alessandro Ori
- Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany.
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27
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Hoevenaar WHM, Janssen A, Quirindongo AI, Ma H, Klaasen SJ, Teixeira A, van Gerwen B, Lansu N, Morsink FHM, Offerhaus GJA, Medema RH, Kops GJPL, Jelluma N. Degree and site of chromosomal instability define its oncogenic potential. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1501. [PMID: 32198375 PMCID: PMC7083897 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15279-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Most human cancers are aneuploid, due to a chromosomal instability (CIN) phenotype. Despite being hallmarks of cancer, however, the roles of CIN and aneuploidy in tumor formation have not unequivocally emerged from animal studies and are thus still unclear. Using a conditional mouse model for diverse degrees of CIN, we find that a particular range is sufficient to drive very early onset spontaneous adenoma formation in the intestine. In mice predisposed to intestinal cancer (ApcMin/+), moderate CIN causes a remarkable increase in adenoma burden in the entire intestinal tract and especially in the distal colon, which resembles human disease. Strikingly, a higher level of CIN promotes adenoma formation in the distal colon even more than moderate CIN does, but has no effect in the small intestine. Our results thus show that CIN can be potently oncogenic, but that certain levels of CIN can have contrasting effects in distinct tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilma H M Hoevenaar
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aniek Janssen
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Section Molecular Cancer Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ajit I Quirindongo
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Huiying Ma
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd J Klaasen
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Antoinette Teixeira
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan van Gerwen
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nico Lansu
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Folkert H M Morsink
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - G Johan A Offerhaus
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - René H Medema
- Division of Cell Biology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geert J P L Kops
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Nannette Jelluma
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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28
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Flanagan DJ, Vincan E, Phesse TJ. Wnt Signaling in Cancer: Not a Binary ON:OFF Switch. Cancer Res 2019; 79:5901-5906. [PMID: 31431458 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-1362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the March 1 issue of Cancer Research, we identified the Wnt receptor Fzd7 as an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of gastric cancer. In summary, we showed that pharmacological inhibition of Wnt receptors, or genetic deletion of Fzd7, blocks the initiation and growth of gastric tumors. Inhibiting Fzd receptors, specifically Fzd7, inhibits the growth of gastric cancer cells even in the presence of adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) mutation. Apc is located in the cytoplasm downstream of Fzd7 in the Wnt signaling cascade and APC mutations activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling, therefore, this result seems counterintuitive. Here, we analyze this result in greater detail in the context of current knowledge of Wnt signaling and discuss the wider implications of this aspect of Wnt signaling in other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth Vincan
- University of Melbourne and Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia. .,School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Toby J Phesse
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom. .,Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
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29
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Abstract
Developmental signaling pathways control a vast array of biological processes during embryogenesis and in adult life. The WNT pathway was discovered simultaneously in cancer and development. Recent advances have expanded the role of WNT to a wide range of pathologies in humans. Here, we discuss the WNT pathway and its role in human disease and some of the advances in WNT-related treatments.
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30
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Li S, Peppelenbosch MP, Smits R. Bacterial biofilms as a potential contributor to mucinous colorectal cancer formation. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2019; 1872:74-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2019.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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31
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van Neerven SM, Vermeulen L. The interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic Wnt signaling in controlling intestinal transformation. Differentiation 2019; 108:17-23. [PMID: 30799131 PMCID: PMC6717105 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The intestinal epithelial layer is the fastest renewing tissue in the human body. Due to its incredible turnover rate, the intestine is especially prone to develop cancer, in particular in the colon. Colorectal cancer (CRC) development is characterized by the stepwise accumulation of mutations over time, of which mutations in the tumor suppressor APC are often very early to occur. Generally, mutations in this gene lead to truncated APC proteins that cannot bind to β-catenin to promote its degradation, resulting in a constant overstimulation of the Wnt pathway. The level of intrinsic Wnt activation is dependent on the number of functional β-catenin binding sites remaining within the APC proteins, and the right amount of Wnt signaling is rate-limiting in the formation of polyps. In addition, the intestinal niche provides an extensive spectrum of Wnt ligands, amplifiers and antagonists that locally regulate basal Wnt levels and consequently influence polyp formation propensity. Here we will discuss the crosstalk between transforming epithelial cells and their regional niche in the development of intestinal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne M van Neerven
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Louis Vermeulen
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, LEXOR, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Cancer Center Amsterdam and Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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32
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Gay DM, Ridgway RA, Müller M, Hodder MC, Hedley A, Clark W, Leach JD, Jackstadt R, Nixon C, Huels DJ, Campbell AD, Bird TG, Sansom OJ. Loss of BCL9/9l suppresses Wnt driven tumourigenesis in models that recapitulate human cancer. Nat Commun 2019; 10:723. [PMID: 30760720 PMCID: PMC6374445 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08586-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Different thresholds of Wnt signalling are thought to drive stem cell maintenance, regeneration, differentiation and cancer. However, the principle that oncogenic Wnt signalling could be specifically targeted remains controversial. Here we examine the requirement of BCL9/9l, constituents of the Wnt-enhanceosome, for intestinal transformation following loss of the tumour suppressor APC. Although required for Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells and regeneration, Bcl9/9l deletion has no impact upon normal intestinal homeostasis. Loss of BCL9/9l suppressed many features of acute APC loss and subsequent Wnt pathway deregulation in vivo. This resulted in a level of Wnt pathway activation that favoured tumour initiation in the proximal small intestine (SI) and blocked tumour growth in the colon. Furthermore, Bcl9/9l deletion completely abrogated β-catenin driven intestinal and hepatocellular transformation. We speculate these results support the just-right hypothesis of Wnt-driven tumour formation. Importantly, loss of BCL9/9l is particularly effective at blocking colonic tumourigenesis and mutations that most resemble those that occur in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Gay
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Rachel A Ridgway
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Miryam Müller
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Michael C Hodder
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Ann Hedley
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - William Clark
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Joshua D Leach
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Rene Jackstadt
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Colin Nixon
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - David J Huels
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew D Campbell
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Thomas G Bird
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Owen J Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK.
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK.
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33
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Flanagan DJ, Austin CR, Vincan E, Phesse TJ. Wnt Signalling in Gastrointestinal Epithelial Stem Cells. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9040178. [PMID: 29570681 PMCID: PMC5924520 DOI: 10.3390/genes9040178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signalling regulates several cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and migration, and is critical for embryonic development. Stem cells are defined by their ability for self-renewal and the ability to be able to give rise to differentiated progeny. Consequently, they are essential for the homeostasis of many organs including the gastrointestinal tract. This review will describe the huge advances in our understanding of how stem cell functions in the gastrointestinal tract are regulated by Wnt signalling, including how deregulated Wnt signalling can hijack these functions to transform cells and lead to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin J Flanagan
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory and the Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
| | - Chloe R Austin
- Cancer and Cell Signalling Laboratory, European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, Wales, UK.
| | - Elizabeth Vincan
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory and the Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia.
| | - Toby J Phesse
- Cancer and Cell Signalling Laboratory, European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, Wales, UK.
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34
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Huels DJ, Bruens L, Hodder MC, Cammareri P, Campbell AD, Ridgway RA, Gay DM, Solar-Abboud M, Faller WJ, Nixon C, Zeiger LB, McLaughlin ME, Morrissey E, Winton DJ, Snippert HJ, van Rheenen J, Sansom OJ. Wnt ligands influence tumour initiation by controlling the number of intestinal stem cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1132. [PMID: 29556067 PMCID: PMC5859272 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03426-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many epithelial stem cell populations follow a pattern of stochastic stem cell divisions called 'neutral drift'. It is hypothesised that neutral competition between stem cells protects against the acquisition of deleterious mutations. Here we use a Porcupine inhibitor to reduce Wnt secretion at a dose where intestinal homoeostasis is maintained despite a reduction of Lgr5+ stem cells. Functionally, there is a marked acceleration in monoclonal conversion, so that crypts become rapidly derived from a single stem cell. Stem cells located further from the base are lost and the pool of competing stem cells is reduced. We tested whether this loss of stem cell competition would modify tumorigenesis. Reduction of Wnt ligand secretion accelerates fixation of Apc-deficient cells within the crypt leading to accelerated tumorigenesis. Therefore, ligand-based Wnt signalling influences the number of stem cells, fixation speed of Apc mutations and the speed and likelihood of adenoma formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Huels
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - L Bruens
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M C Hodder
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - P Cammareri
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | | | - R A Ridgway
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - D M Gay
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | | | - W J Faller
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - C Nixon
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - L B Zeiger
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - M E McLaughlin
- Oncology Translational Research, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - E Morrissey
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - D J Winton
- CRUK Cambridge Institute, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - H J Snippert
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J van Rheenen
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - O J Sansom
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK.
- Institute of Cancer Sciences (ICS), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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35
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Chir99021 and Valproic acid reduce the proliferative advantage of Apc mutant cells. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:255. [PMID: 29449562 PMCID: PMC5833359 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-017-0199-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
More than 90% of colorectal cancers carry mutations in Apc that drive tumourigenesis. A 'just-right' signalling model proposes that Apc mutations stimulate optimal, but not excessive Wnt signalling, resulting in a growth advantage of Apc mutant over wild-type cells. Reversal of this growth advantage constitutes a potential therapeutic approach. We utilised intestinal organoids to compare the growth of Apc mutant and wild-type cells. Organoids derived from ApcMin/+ mice recapitulate stages of intestinal polyposis in culture. They eventually form spherical cysts that reflect the competitive growth advantage of cells that have undergone loss of heterozygosity (LOH). We discovered that this emergence of cysts was inhibited by Chiron99021 and Valproic acid, which potentiates Wnt signalling. Chiron99021 and Valproic acid restrict the growth advantage of Apc mutant cells while stimulating that of wild-type cells, suggesting that excessive Wnt signalling reduces the relative fitness of Apc mutant cells. As a proof of concept, we demonstrated that Chiron99021-treated Apc mutant organoids were rendered susceptible to TSA-induced apoptosis, while wild-type cells were protected.
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36
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Abstract
Recently, several lines of evidence that indicate a strong link between the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) and aspects of the gut microbiota have become apparent. However, it remains unclear how changes in the gut microbiota might influence carcinogenesis or how regional organization of the gut might influence the microbiota. In this review, we discuss several leading theories that connect gut microbial dysbiosis with CRC and set this against a backdrop of what is known about proximal-distal gut physiology and the pathways of CRC development and progression. Finally, we discuss the potential for gut microbial modulation therapies, for example, probiotics, antibiotics, and others, to target and improve gut microbial dysbiosis as a strategy for the prevention or treatment of CRC.
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37
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Prawira A, Pugh T, Stockley T, Siu L. Data resources for the identification and interpretation of actionable mutations by clinicians. Ann Oncol 2017; 28:946-957. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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38
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Lu B, Green BA, Farr JM, Lopes FCM, Van Raay TJ. Wnt Drug Discovery: Weaving Through the Screens, Patents and Clinical Trials. Cancers (Basel) 2016; 8:cancers8090082. [PMID: 27598201 PMCID: PMC5040984 DOI: 10.3390/cancers8090082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway is intricately involved in many aspects of development and is the root cause of an increasing number of diseases. For example, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in the industrialized world and aberration of Wnt signaling within the colonic stem cell is the cause of more than 90% of these cancers. Despite our advances in successfully targeting other pathways, such as Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2), there are no clinically relevant therapies available for Wnt-related diseases. Here, we investigated where research activities are focused with respect to Wnt signaling modulators by searching the United States Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) for patents and patent applications related to Wnt modulators and compared this to clinical trials focusing on Wnt modulation. We found that while the transition of intellectual property surrounding the Wnt ligand-receptor interface to clinical trials is robust, this is not true for specific inhibitors of β-catenin, which is constitutively active in many cancers. Considering the ubiquitous use of the synthetic T-cell Factor/Lymphoid Enhancer Factor (TCF/Lef) reporter system and its success in identifying novel modulators in vitro, we speculate that this model of drug discovery does not capture the complexity of in vivo Wnt signaling that may be required if we are to successfully target the Wnt pathway in the clinic. Notwithstanding, increasingly more complex models are being developed, which may not be high throughput, but more pragmatic in our pursuit to control Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Lu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Brooke A Green
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Jacqueline M Farr
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Flávia C M Lopes
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Terence J Van Raay
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
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Small Intestinal Cancer: Why the Rarity? Trends Cancer 2016; 2:395-397. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 06/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Leedham SJ, Chetty R. Wnt disruption in colorectal polyps - the traditional serrated adenoma enters the fray. J Pathol 2016; 239:387-90. [PMID: 27172330 DOI: 10.1002/path.4741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The adenoma-carcinoma sequence describes the development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) from benign colorectal precursor lesions. Molecular classification of established CRC has demonstrated considerable disease heterogeneity; however, as an emerging cancer frequently outgrows and destroys the initial precursor lesion, CRC molecular taxonomy can only be partially reconciled with histologically classified polyps. Thus, the molecular pathogenesis of some colorectal polyp types, including the traditional serrated adenoma (TSA), is still unclear. Now, candidate driver gene analysis of a cohort of different polyps reveals characteristic, but highly variable, mutations disrupting the Wnt signalling pathway across different histological polyp subtypes. How and when different precursor lesions acquire Wnt disruption reflects important distinctions in polyp biology, dependent on a combination of the dominant molecular pathway and the cell of origin of individual lesions. TSAs preferentially acquire ligand-dependent Wnt activating mutations, which means that the cancers that arise from these aggressive polyps may be sensitive to targeted Wnt inhibition. This paper demonstrates that applying next-generation sequencing technology to improve our understanding of colorectal precursor lesion molecular pathogenesis could also give important and translationally relevant insights into colorectal cancer biology. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J Leedham
- Gastrointestinal Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Oxford Centre for Cancer Gene Research, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Runjan Chetty
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine Program, University Health Network/University of Toronto, Canada
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Silva P, Albuquerque C, Lage P, Fontes V, Fonseca R, Vitoriano I, Filipe B, Rodrigues P, Moita S, Ferreira S, Sousa R, Claro I, Nobre Leitão C, Chaves P, Dias Pereira A. Serrated polyposis associated with a family history of colorectal cancer and/or polyps: The preferential location of polyps in the colon and rectum defines two molecular entities. Int J Mol Med 2016; 38:687-702. [PMID: 27430658 PMCID: PMC4990292 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2016.2666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Serrated polyposis (SPP) is characterized by the development of multiple serrated polyps and an increased predisposition to colorectal cancer (CRC). In the present study, we aimed to characterize, at a clinical and molecular level, a cohort of SPP patients with or without a family history of SPP and/or polyps/CRC (SPP-FHP/CRC). Sixty-two lesions from 12 patients with SPP-FHP/CRC and 6 patients with sporadic SPP were included. The patients with SPP-FHP/CRC presented with an older mean age at diagnosis (p=0.027) and a more heterogeneous histological pattern of lesions (p=0.032) than the patients with sporadic SPP. We identified two molecular forms of SPP-FHP/CRC, according to the preferential location of the lesions: proximal/whole-colon or distal colon. Mismatch repair (MMR) gene methylation [mutS homolog 6 (MSH6)/mutS homolog 3 (MSH3)] or loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of D2S123 (flanking MSH6) were detected exclusively in the former (p=3.0×10−7), in most early lesions. Proximal/whole-colon SPP-FHP/CRC presented a higher frequency of O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation/LOH, microsatel-lite instability (MSI) and Wnt mutations (19/29 vs. 7/17; 16/23 vs. 1/14, p=2.2×10−4; 15/26 vs. 2/15, p=0.006; 14/26 vs. 4/20, p=0.02) but a lower frequency of B-raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) mutations (7/30 vs. 12/20, p=0.0089) than the distal form. CRC was more frequent in cases of Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)-associated proximal/whole-colon SPP-FHP/CRC than in the remaining cases (4/4 vs. 1/8, p=0.01). Thus, SPP-FHP/CRC appears to be a specific entity, presenting two forms, proximal/whole-colon and distal, which differ in the underlying tumor initiation pathways. Early MGMT and MMR gene deficiency in the former may underlie an inherited susceptibility to genotoxic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Silva
- Molecular Pathobiology Research Unit (UIPM), Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristina Albuquerque
- Molecular Pathobiology Research Unit (UIPM), Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Lage
- Gastroenterology Service, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Fontes
- Molecular Pathobiology Research Unit (UIPM), Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Fonseca
- Pathology Service, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês Vitoriano
- Molecular Pathobiology Research Unit (UIPM), Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bruno Filipe
- Molecular Pathobiology Research Unit (UIPM), Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula Rodrigues
- Familial Cancer Risk Clinic, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Moita
- Molecular Pathobiology Research Unit (UIPM), Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Ferreira
- Gastroenterology Service, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Sousa
- Gastroenterology Service, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Claro
- Gastroenterology Service, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carlos Nobre Leitão
- Gastroenterology Service, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula Chaves
- Pathology Service, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - António Dias Pereira
- Gastroenterology Service, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Lisbon Francisco Gentil, E.P.E. (IPOLFG, EPE), Lisbon, Portugal
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Wnt Signaling in Cancer Stem Cell Biology. Cancers (Basel) 2016; 8:cancers8070060. [PMID: 27355964 PMCID: PMC4963802 DOI: 10.3390/cancers8070060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant regulation of Wnt signaling is a common theme seen across many tumor types. Decades of research have unraveled the epigenetic and genetic alterations that result in elevated Wnt pathway activity. More recently, it has become apparent that Wnt signaling levels identify stem-like tumor cells that are responsible for fueling tumor growth. As therapeutic targeting of these tumor stem cells is an intense area of investigation, a concise understanding on how Wnt activity relates to cancer stem cell traits is needed. This review attempts at summarizing the intricacies between Wnt signaling and cancer stem cell biology with a special emphasis on colorectal cancer.
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Attayek PJ, Ahmad AA, Wang Y, Williamson I, Sims CE, Magness ST, Allbritton NL. In Vitro Polarization of Colonoids to Create an Intestinal Stem Cell Compartment. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153795. [PMID: 27100890 PMCID: PMC4839657 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The polarity of proliferative and differentiated cellular compartments of colonic crypts is believed to be specified by gradients of key mitogens and morphogens. Indirect evidence demonstrates a tight correlation between Wnt- pathway activity and the basal-luminal patterning; however, to date there has been no direct experimental manipulation demonstrating that a chemical gradient of signaling factors can produce similar patterning under controlled conditions. In the current work, colonic organoids (colonoids) derived from cultured, multicellular organoid fragments or single stem cells were exposed in culture to steep linear gradients of two Wnt-signaling ligands, Wnt-3a and R-spondin1. The use of a genetically engineered Sox9-Sox9EGFP:CAGDsRED reporter gene mouse model and EdU-based labeling enabled crypt patterning to be quantified in the developing colonoids. Colonoids derived from multicellular fragments cultured for 5 days under a Wnt-3a or a combined Wnt-3a and R-spondin1 gradient were highly polarized with proliferative cells localizing to the region of the higher morphogen concentration. In a Wnt-3a gradient, Sox9EGFP polarization was 7.3 times greater than that of colonoids cultured in the absence of a gradient; and the extent of EdU polarization was 2.2 times greater than that in the absence of a gradient. Under a Wnt-3a/R-spondin1 gradient, Sox9EGFP polarization was 8.2 times greater than that of colonoids cultured in the absence of a gradient while the extent of EdU polarization was 10 times greater than that in the absence of a gradient. Colonoids derived from single stem cells cultured in Wnt-3a/R-spondin1 gradients were most highly polarized demonstrated by a Sox9EGFP polarization 20 times that of colonoids grown in the absence of a gradient. This data provides direct evidence that a linear gradient of Wnt signaling factors applied to colonic stem cells is sufficient to direct patterning of the colonoid unit in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Attayek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, United States of America
| | - Asad A. Ahmad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, United States of America
| | - Yuli Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States of America
| | - Ian Williamson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, United States of America
| | - Christopher E. Sims
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States of America
| | - Scott T. Magness
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States of America
| | - Nancy L. Allbritton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Huels DJ, Ridgway RA, Radulescu S, Leushacke M, Campbell AD, Biswas S, Leedham S, Serra S, Chetty R, Moreaux G, Parry L, Matthews J, Song F, Hedley A, Kalna G, Ceteci F, Reed KR, Meniel VS, Maguire A, Doyle B, Söderberg O, Barker N, Watson A, Larue L, Clarke AR, Sansom OJ. E-cadherin can limit the transforming properties of activating β-catenin mutations. EMBO J 2015; 34:2321-33. [PMID: 26240067 PMCID: PMC4570519 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201591739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt pathway deregulation is a common characteristic of many cancers. Only colorectal cancer predominantly harbours mutations in APC, whereas other cancer types (hepatocellular carcinoma, solid pseudopapillary tumours of the pancreas) have activating mutations in β-catenin (CTNNB1). We have compared the dynamics and the potency of β-catenin mutations in vivo. Within the murine small intestine (SI), an activating mutation of β-catenin took much longer to achieve Wnt deregulation and acquire a crypt-progenitor cell (CPC) phenotype than Apc or Gsk3 loss. Within the colon, a single activating mutation of β-catenin was unable to drive Wnt deregulation or induce the CPC phenotype. This ability of β-catenin mutation to differentially transform the SI versus the colon correlated with higher expression of E-cadherin and a higher number of E-cadherin:β-catenin complexes at the membrane. Reduction in E-cadherin synergised with an activating mutation of β-catenin resulting in a rapid CPC phenotype within the SI and colon. Thus, there is a threshold of β-catenin that is required to drive transformation, and E-cadherin can act as a buffer to sequester mutated β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marc Leushacke
- A∗STAR Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore City, Singapore
| | | | - Sujata Biswas
- Gastrointestinal Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Experimental Medicine Division, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, Headington, UK
| | - Simon Leedham
- Gastrointestinal Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Experimental Medicine Division, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, Headington, UK
| | - Stefano Serra
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network/Toronto Medical Laboratories, Toronto, Canada
| | - Runjan Chetty
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network/Toronto Medical Laboratories, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Lee Parry
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - James Matthews
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Fei Song
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ann Hedley
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Fatih Ceteci
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Karen R Reed
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Valerie S Meniel
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Aoife Maguire
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brendan Doyle
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ola Söderberg
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology Science for Life Laboratory, BMC Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nick Barker
- A∗STAR Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Alastair Watson
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Lionel Larue
- Institut Curie, CNRS UMR3347 INSERM, U1021 Equipe labellisée - Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Orsay, France
| | - Alan R Clarke
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Jang BG, Kim HS, Kim KJ, Rhee YY, Kim WH, Kang GH. Distribution of intestinal stem cell markers in colorectal precancerous lesions. Histopathology 2015. [PMID: 26212207 DOI: 10.1111/his.12787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Intestinal stem cell (ISC) markers such as LGR5, ASCL2, EPHB2 and OLFM4, and their clinical implications have been studied extensively in colorectal cancers (CRCs). However, little is known about their expression in precancerous lesions of CRCs. Here, we investigated the expression and distribution of ISC markers in serrated polyps and conventional adenomas. METHODS AND RESULTS Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that all ISC markers were up-regulated significantly in conventional adenomas with low-grade dysplasia (CALGs) compared with other lesions. RNA in-situ hybridization confirmed that CALGs exhibited strong and diffuse expression of all ISC markers, which indicate a stem cell-like phenotype. However, normal colonic mucosa, hyperplastic polyps and sessile serrated adenomas harboured LGR5(+) cells that were confined to the crypt base and demonstrated an organized expression of ISC markers. Notably, in traditional serrated adenomas, expression of LGR5 and ASCL2 was localized to the ectopic crypts as in the normal crypts, but expression of EPHB2 and OLFM4 was distributed in a diffuse manner, which is suggestive of a progenitor-like features. CONCLUSIONS The expression and distribution profile of ISC markers possibly provides insights into the organization of stem and progenitor-like cells in each type of precancerous lesion of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Gun Jang
- Department of Pathology, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, South Korea
| | - Hye Sung Kim
- Department of Pathology, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, South Korea
| | - Kyung Ju Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ye-Young Rhee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Woo Ho Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Gyeong Hoon Kang
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Dow LE, O'Rourke KP, Simon J, Tschaharganeh DF, van Es JH, Clevers H, Lowe SW. Apc Restoration Promotes Cellular Differentiation and Reestablishes Crypt Homeostasis in Colorectal Cancer. Cell 2015; 161:1539-1552. [PMID: 26091037 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 379] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor is mutated in the vast majority of human colorectal cancers (CRC) and leads to deregulated Wnt signaling. To determine whether Apc disruption is required for tumor maintenance, we developed a mouse model of CRC whereby Apc can be conditionally suppressed using a doxycycline-regulated shRNA. Apc suppression produces adenomas in both the small intestine and colon that, in the presence of Kras and p53 mutations, can progress to invasive carcinoma. In established tumors, Apc restoration drives rapid and widespread tumor-cell differentiation and sustained regression without relapse. Tumor regression is accompanied by the re-establishment of normal crypt-villus homeostasis, such that once aberrantly proliferating cells reacquire self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation capability. Our study reveals that CRC cells can revert to functioning normal cells given appropriate signals and provide compelling in vivo validation of the Wnt pathway as a therapeutic target for treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas E Dow
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Kevin P O'Rourke
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,Weill-Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD program
| | - Janelle Simon
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Darjus F Tschaharganeh
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Johan H van Es
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research and University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Clevers
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research and University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Scott W Lowe
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
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Buchert M, Rohde F, Eissmann M, Tebbutt N, Williams B, Tan CW, Owen A, Hirokawa Y, Gnann A, Orend G, Orner G, Dashwood RH, Heath JK, Ernst M, Janssen KP. A hypermorphic epithelial β-catenin mutation facilitates intestinal tumorigenesis in mice in response to compounding WNT-pathway mutations. Dis Model Mech 2015; 8:1361-73. [PMID: 26398937 PMCID: PMC4631784 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.019844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway occurs in the vast majority of colorectal cancers. However, the outcome of the disease varies markedly from individual to individual, even within the same tumor stage. This heterogeneity is governed to a great extent by the genetic make-up of individual tumors and the combination of oncogenic mutations. In order to express throughout the intestinal epithelium a degradation-resistant β-catenin (Ctnnb1), which lacks the first 131 amino acids, we inserted an epitope-tagged ΔN(1-131)-β-catenin-encoding cDNA as a knock-in transgene into the endogenous gpA33 gene locus in mice. The resulting gpA33(ΔN-Bcat) mice showed an increase in the constitutive Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation that shifts the cell fate towards the Paneth cell lineage in pre-malignant intestinal epithelium. Furthermore, 19% of all heterozygous and 37% of all homozygous gpA33(ΔN-Bcat) mice spontaneously developed aberrant crypt foci and adenomatous polyps, at frequencies and latencies akin to those observed in sporadic colon cancer in humans. Consistent with this, the Wnt target genes, MMP7 and Tenascin-C, which are most highly expressed in benign human adenomas and early tumor stages, were upregulated in pre-malignant tissue of gpA33(ΔN-Bcat) mice, but those Wnt target genes associated with excessive proliferation (i.e. Cdnn1, myc) were not. We also detected diminished expression of membrane-associated α-catenin and increased intestinal permeability in gpA33(ΔN-Bcat) mice in challenge conditions, providing a potential explanation for the observed mild chronic intestinal inflammation and increased susceptibility to azoxymethane and mutant Apc-dependent tumorigenesis. Collectively, our data indicate that epithelial expression of ΔN(1-131)-β-catenin in the intestine creates an inflammatory microenvironment and co-operates with other mutations in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to facilitate and promote tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Buchert
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Franziska Rohde
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz Eissmann
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Niall Tebbutt
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Ben Williams
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Chin Wee Tan
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Alexander Owen
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Yumiko Hirokawa
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Alexandra Gnann
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Gertraud Orend
- Inserm U1109, MN3T team, 3 Av. Molière, Strasbourg 67200, France LabEx Medalis, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67200, France Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg 67200, France
| | - Gayle Orner
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Rod H Dashwood
- Texas A&M Health Science Center, Center for Epigenetics and Disease Prevention, Houston, TX 77030-3303, USA
| | - Joan K Heath
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Matthias Ernst
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Klaus-Peter Janssen
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
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Baker AM, Graham TA, Elia G, Wright NA, Rodriguez-Justo M. Characterization of LGR5 stem cells in colorectal adenomas and carcinomas. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8654. [PMID: 25728748 PMCID: PMC4345329 DOI: 10.1038/srep08654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
LGR5 is known to be a stem cell marker in the murine small intestine and colon, however the localization of LGR5 in human adenoma samples has not been examined in detail, and previous studies have been limited by the lack of specific antibodies. Here we used in situ hybridization to specifically examine LGR5 mRNA expression in a panel of human adenoma and carcinoma samples (n = 66). We found that a small number of cells express LGR5 at the base of normal colonic crypts. We then showed that conventional adenomas widely express high levels of LGR5, and there is no evidence of stereotypic cellular hierarchy. In contrast, serrated lesions display basal localization of LGR5, and the cellular hierarchy resembles that of a normal crypt. Moreover, ectopic crypts found in traditional serrated adenomas show basal LGR5 mRNA, indicating that they replicate the stem cell organization of normal crypts with the development of a cellular hierarchy. These data imply differences in the stem cell dynamics between the serrated and conventional pathways of colorectal carcinogenesis. Furthermore we noted high LGR5 expression in invading cells, with later development of a stem cell niche in adenocarcinomas of all stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Marie Baker
- Centre for Tumor Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK, EC1M 6BQ
| | - Trevor A. Graham
- Centre for Tumor Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK, EC1M 6BQ
| | - George Elia
- Centre for Tumor Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK, EC1M 6BQ
| | - Nicholas A. Wright
- Centre for Tumor Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK, EC1M 6BQ
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Lindström NO, Lawrence ML, Burn SF, Johansson JA, Bakker ERM, Ridgway RA, Chang CH, Karolak MJ, Oxburgh L, Headon DJ, Sansom OJ, Smits R, Davies JA, Hohenstein P. Integrated β-catenin, BMP, PTEN, and Notch signalling patterns the nephron. eLife 2015; 3:e04000. [PMID: 25647637 PMCID: PMC4337611 DOI: 10.7554/elife.04000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The different segments of the nephron and glomerulus in the kidney balance the processes of water homeostasis, solute recovery, blood filtration, and metabolite excretion. When segment function is disrupted, a range of pathological features are presented. Little is known about nephron patterning during embryogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that the early nephron is patterned by a gradient in β-catenin activity along the axis of the nephron tubule. By modifying β-catenin activity, we force cells within nephrons to differentiate according to the imposed β-catenin activity level, thereby causing spatial shifts in nephron segments. The β-catenin signalling gradient interacts with the BMP pathway which, through PTEN/PI3K/AKT signalling, antagonises β-catenin activity and promotes segment identities associated with low β-catenin activity. β-catenin activity and PI3K signalling also integrate with Notch signalling to control segmentation: modulating β-catenin activity or PI3K rescues segment identities normally lost by inhibition of Notch. Our data therefore identifies a molecular network for nephron patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils O Lindström
- Division of Developmental Biology, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Melanie L Lawrence
- Centre for Integrated Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sally F Burn
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Jeanette A Johansson
- Division of Developmental Biology, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
| | - Elvira RM Bakker
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rachel A Ridgway
- Department of Invasion and Metastasis, Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - C-Hong Chang
- Centre for Integrated Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Michele J Karolak
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, United States
| | - Leif Oxburgh
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, United States
| | - Denis J Headon
- Division of Developmental Biology, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
| | - Owen J Sansom
- Beatston Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ron Smits
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jamie A Davies
- Centre for Integrated Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hohenstein
- Division of Developmental Biology, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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