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Malnassy G, Ziolkowski L, Macleod KF, Oakes SA. The Integrated Stress Response in Pancreatic Development, Tissue Homeostasis, and Cancer. Gastroenterology 2024:S0016-5085(24)04931-X. [PMID: 38768690 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Present in all eukaryotic cells, the integrated stress response (ISR) is a highly coordinated signaling network that controls cellular behavior, metabolism, and survival in response to diverse stresses. The ISR is initiated when any 1 of 3 stress-sensing kinases (protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase [PERK], general control non-derepressible 2 [GCN2], double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase [PKR], heme-regulated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α kinase [HRI]) becomes activated to phosphorylate the protein translation initiation factor eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), shifting gene expression toward a comprehensive rewiring of cellular machinery to promote adaptation. Although the ISR has been shown to play an important role in the homeostasis of multiple tissues, evidence suggests that it is particularly crucial for the development and ongoing health of the pancreas. Among the most synthetically dynamic tissues in the body, the exocrine and endocrine pancreas relies heavily on the ISR to rapidly adjust cell function to meet the metabolic demands of the organism. The hardwiring of the ISR into normal pancreatic functions and adaptation to stress may explain why it is a commonly used pro-oncogenic and therapy-resistance mechanism in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Here we review what is known about the key roles that the ISR plays in the development, homeostasis, and neoplasia of the pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg Malnassy
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Leah Ziolkowski
- The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinoi; Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kay F Macleod
- The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinoi; Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Committee on Cancer Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Scott A Oakes
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Committee on Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Committee on Cancer Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
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2
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He J, Chen Y, Zhong W, Jun L, Chen D, Cheng H, Mei W. Insufficient secretion of pancreatic FGF21 is the toxicological mechanism and therapeutic target of asparaginase-associated pancreatitis. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 485:116920. [PMID: 38582373 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116920] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Asparaginase-associated pancreatitis (AAP) is a severe and potentially life-threatening drug-induced pancreas targeted toxicity in the combined chemotherapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia among children and adolescents. The toxicological mechanism of AAP is not yet clear, and there are no effective preventive and treatment measures available clinically. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a secretory hormone that regulates lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism balance. Acinar tissue is the main source of pancreatic FGF21 protein and plays an important role in maintaining pancreatic metabolic balance. In this study, we found that the decrease of FGF21 in pancreas is closely related to AAP. Pegaspargase (1 IU/g) induces widespread edema and inflammatory infiltration in the pancreas of rats/mice. The specific expression of FGF21 in the acinar tissue of AAP rats was significantly downregulated. Asparaginase caused dysregulation of the ATF4/ATF3/FGF21 axis in acinar tissue or cells, and thus mediated the decrease of FGF21. It greatly activated ATF3 in the acinar, which competed with ATF4 for the Fgf21 promoter, thereby inhibiting the expression of FGF21. Pharmacological replacement of FGF21 (1 mg/kg) or PERK inhibitors (GSK2656157, 25 mg/kg) can significantly mitigate the pancreatic tissue damage and reduce markers of inflammation associated with AAP, representing potential strategies for the prevention and treatment of AAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang He
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000
| | - Yajing Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000
| | - Wen Zhong
- Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000
| | - Lu Jun
- Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000
| | - Hui Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Wang Mei
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215000.
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3
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Tsai CY, Saito T, Sarangdhar M, Abu-El-Haija M, Wen L, Lee B, Yu M, Lipata DA, Manohar M, Barakat MT, Contrepois K, Tran TH, Theoret Y, Bo N, Ding Y, Stevenson K, Ladas EJ, Silverman LB, Quadro L, Anthony TG, Jegga AG, Husain SZ. A systems approach points to a therapeutic role for retinoids in asparaginase-associated pancreatitis. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabn2110. [PMID: 36921036 PMCID: PMC10205044 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abn2110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Among drug-induced adverse events, pancreatitis is life-threatening and results in substantial morbidity. A prototype example is the pancreatitis caused by asparaginase, a crucial drug used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Here, we used a systems approach to identify the factors affecting asparaginase-associated pancreatitis (AAP). Connectivity Map analysis of the transcriptomic data showed that asparaginase-induced gene signatures were potentially reversed by retinoids (vitamin A and its analogs). Analysis of a large electronic health record database (TriNetX) and the U.S. Federal Drug Administration Adverse Events Reporting System demonstrated a reduction in AAP risk with concomitant exposure to vitamin A. Furthermore, we performed a global metabolomic screening of plasma samples from 24 individuals with ALL who developed pancreatitis (cases) and 26 individuals with ALL who did not develop pancreatitis (controls), before and after a single exposure to asparaginase. Screening from this discovery cohort revealed that plasma carotenoids were lower in the cases than in controls. This finding was validated in a larger external cohort. A 30-day dietary recall showed that the cases received less dietary vitamin A than the controls did. In mice, asparaginase administration alone was sufficient to reduce circulating and hepatic retinol. Based on these data, we propose that circulating retinoids protect against pancreatic inflammation and that asparaginase reduces circulating retinoids. Moreover, we show that AAP is more likely to develop with reduced dietary vitamin A intake. The systems approach taken for AAP provides an impetus to examine the role of dietary vitamin A supplementation in preventing or treating AAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yu Tsai
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Toshie Saito
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Mayur Sarangdhar
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Maisam Abu-El-Haija
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Li Wen
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100006, China
| | - Bomi Lee
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Mang Yu
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Den A. Lipata
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Murli Manohar
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Monique T. Barakat
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Kévin Contrepois
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Thai Hoa Tran
- Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Yves Theoret
- Département Clinique de Médecine de Laboratoire, Secteur Pharmacologie Clinique, Optilab Montréal - CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Na Bo
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Ying Ding
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Kristen Stevenson
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Elena J. Ladas
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplant, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Lewis B. Silverman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Boston, Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Loredana Quadro
- Department of Food Science, Rutgers Center for Lipid Research and the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Tracy G. Anthony
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Anil G. Jegga
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Sohail Z. Husain
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
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BTK inhibition sensitizes Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia to asparaginase by suppressing the Amino Acid Response pathway. Blood 2021; 138:2383-2395. [PMID: 34280258 PMCID: PMC8832462 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021011787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 kinome screen identifies genes involved in ASNase sensitivity. Ibrutinib synergizes with ASNase by inhibiting the amino acid response pathway via c-Myc– mediated regulation of GCN2.
Asparaginase (ASNase) therapy has been a mainstay of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) protocols for decades and shows promise in the treatment of a variety of other cancers. To improve the efficacy of ASNase treatment, we used a CRISPR/Cas9-based screen to identify actionable signaling intermediates that improve the response to ASNase. Both genetic inactivation of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) and pharmacological inhibition by the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib strongly synergize with ASNase by inhibiting the amino acid response pathway, a mechanism involving c-Myc–mediated suppression of GCN2 activity. This synthetic lethal interaction was observed in 90% of patient-derived xenografts, regardless of the genomic subtype. Moreover, ibrutinib substantially improved ASNase treatment response in a murine PDX model. Hence, ibrutinib may be used to enhance the clinical efficacy of ASNase in ALL. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as # NCT02884453.
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Jonsson WO, Margolies NS, Mirek ET, Zhang Q, Linden MA, Hill CM, Link C, Bithi N, Zalma B, Levy JL, Pettit AP, Miller JW, Hine C, Morrison CD, Gettys TW, Miller BF, Hamilton KL, Wek RC, Anthony TG. Physiologic Responses to Dietary Sulfur Amino Acid Restriction in Mice Are Influenced by Atf4 Status and Biological Sex. J Nutr 2021; 151:785-799. [PMID: 33512502 PMCID: PMC8030708 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxaa396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary sulfur amino acid restriction (SAAR) improves body composition and metabolic health across several model organisms in part through induction of the integrated stress response (ISR). OBJECTIVE We investigate the hypothesis that activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) acts as a converging point in the ISR during SAAR. METHODS Using liver-specific or global gene ablation strategies, in both female and male mice, we address the role of ATF4 during dietary SAAR. RESULTS We show that ATF4 is dispensable in the chronic induction of the hepatokine fibroblast growth factor 21 while being essential for the sustained production of endogenous hydrogen sulfide. We also affirm that biological sex, independent of ATF4 status, is a determinant of the response to dietary SAAR. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that auxiliary components of the ISR, which are independent of ATF4, are critical for SAAR-mediated improvements in metabolic health in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- William O Jonsson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - Emily T Mirek
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, USA
| | - Melissa A Linden
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, USA,Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Cristal M Hill
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Christopher Link
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Nazmin Bithi
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Brian Zalma
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Jordan L Levy
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Ashley P Pettit
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Joshua W Miller
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Christopher Hine
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Thomas W Gettys
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Benjamin F Miller
- Aging & Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Karyn L Hamilton
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, USA
| | - Ronald C Wek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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6
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Deng X, He Y, Miao X, Yu B. ATF4-mediated histone deacetylase HDAC1 promotes the progression of acute pancreatitis. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:5. [PMID: 33414424 PMCID: PMC7791124 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03296-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Acute pancreatitis (AP), an acute inflammatory process, can be difficult to diagnose. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) has been reported to participate in the pathogenesis of AP. Additionally, histone deacetylases (HDACs) are shown to be closely related to the development of a variety of diseases, including inflammation disease. In our study, we tried to highlight the role of ATF4 in AP through regulation of HDAC1. Firstly, we validated the effect of ATF4 on pancreatic acinar cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation through in vitro experiments on cellular models of caerulein-induced AP. Next, we examined the correlation between ATF4 and HDAC1, and between HDAC1 with neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). Finally, the regulatory role of ATF4 in AP was further assessed by determination of pathological conditions, biochemical indicators and inflammation through in vivo experiments on caerulein-induced AP mouse models. After AP induction, highly expressed ATF4 was observed, and silencing ATF4 could promote pancreatic acinar cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis. ATF4 could bind to the HDAC1 promoter and upregulate its expression in AP. Moreover, HDAC1 could increase KLF4 expression by inhibiting NEP expression. Functionally, silencing ATF4 could suppress AP through regulation of NEP-mediated KLF4 via downregulation of HDAC1. Above all, our study uncovered the promotive role of ATF4 in AP through upregulation of HDAC1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Deng
- Department of General Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, P. R. China
| | - Yu He
- Department of Radiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, P. R. China
| | - Xiongying Miao
- Department of General Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, P. R. China
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, P. R. China.
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7
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Chen Q, Ma J, Yang X, Li Q, Lin Z, Gong F. SIRT1 Mediates Effects of FGF21 to Ameliorate Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:241. [PMID: 32210821 PMCID: PMC7076185 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in cancer patients. Kidney function is closely related to patients’ quality of life and tumor prognosis. Cisplatin is a highly effective anti-tumor drug. However, the use of cisplatin is limited by its nephrotoxicity. It has been reported that FGF21 has a renal-protective function, but the mechanisms by which it does so remain unclear. In this study, we show that the expression of FGF21 is significantly upregulated in both in vitro and in vivo cisplatin-induced AKI models. Administration of recombinant FGF21 to cisplatin-induced AKI mice resulted in significantly decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels, as well as significantly reduced protein levels of kidney injury molecule-1 (TIM-1), C-caspase 3, and Bax. H&E-stained kidney sections from cisplatin-induced AKI mice treated with recombinant FGF21 showed a relatively normal renal tissue structure, a reduced number of necrotic sites and vacuolar changes, and decreased casts, suggesting alleviated renal tubular injury. Experiments with an AKI cell model (cisplatin-treated HK-2 cells) yielded similar results as the mouse model; recombinant FGF21 significantly downregulated protein expression levels of TIM-1, C-caspase 3, and Bax. Furthermore, administration of recombinant FGF21 to cisplatin-treated AKI models significantly increased SIRT1 expression, and the beneficial effects of FGF21 on kidney injury were reversed by SIRT1 knockdown. Collectively, our results suggest that SIRT1 mediates the protective effect of FGF21 on cisplatin-induced kidney injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiongzhen Chen
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Junfeng Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiaoning Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Qinyao Li
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhuofeng Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Pharmaceutical Development of Growth Factors, Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhuofeng Lin,
| | - Fanghua Gong
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Pharmaceutical Development of Growth Factors, Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, China
- Fanghua Gong,
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8
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Nikonorova IA, Zhu Q, Signore CC, Mirek ET, Jonsson WO, Kong B, Guo GL, Belden WJ, Anthony TG. Age modulates liver responses to asparaginase-induced amino acid stress in mice. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:13864-13875. [PMID: 31413113 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.009864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Asparaginase is an amino acid-depleting agent used to treat blood cancers. Metabolic complications due to asparaginase affect liver function in humans. To examine how the liver response to asparaginase changes during maturity to adulthood, here we treated juvenile (2-week), young adult (8-week), and mature adult (16-week) mice with drug or excipient for 1 week and conducted RNA-Seq and functional analyses. Asparaginase reduced body growth and liver mass in juveniles but not in the adult animals. Unbiased exploration of the effect of asparaginase on the liver transcriptome revealed that the integrated stress response (ISR) was the only molecular signature shared across the ages, corroborating similar eukaryotic initiation factor 2 phosphorylation responses to asparaginase at all ages. Juvenile livers exhibited steatosis and iron accumulation following asparaginase exposure along with a hepatic gene signature indicating that asparaginase uniquely affects lipid, cholesterol, and iron metabolism in juvenile mice. In contrast, asparaginase-treated adult mice displayed greater variability in liver function, which correlated with an acute-phase inflammatory response gene signature. Asparaginase-exposed adults also had a serine/glycine/one-carbon metabolism gene signature in liver that corresponded with reduced circulating glycine and serine levels. These results establish the ISR as a conserved response to asparaginase-mediated amino acid deprivation and provide new insights into the relationship between the liver transcriptome and hepatic function upon asparaginase exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna A Nikonorova
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
| | - Qiaoqiao Zhu
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
| | - Christina C Signore
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
| | - Emily T Mirek
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
| | - William O Jonsson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
| | - Bo Kong
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854
| | - Grace L Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854
| | - William J Belden
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
| | - Tracy G Anthony
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
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9
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Mukherjee A, Ahmed N, Rose FT, Ahmad AN, Javed TA, Wen L, Bottino R, Xiao X, Kilberg MS, Husain SZ. Asparagine Synthetase Is Highly Expressed at Baseline in the Pancreas Through Heightened PERK Signaling. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 9:1-13. [PMID: 31421261 PMCID: PMC6881672 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2019.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Asparaginase (ASNase) causes pancreatitis in approximately 10% of leukemia patients, and the mechanisms underlying this painful complication are not known. ASNase primarily depletes circulating asparagine, and the endogenously expressed enzyme, asparagine synthetase (ASNS), replenishes asparagine. ASNS was suggested previously to be highly expressed in the pancreas. In this study, we determined the expression pattern of ASNS in the pancreas and the mechanism for increased pancreatic ASNS abundance. Compared with other organs, ASNS was highly expressed in both the human and mouse pancreas, and, within the pancreas, ASNS was present primarily in the acinar cells. The high baseline pancreatic ASNS was associated with higher baseline activation of protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) signaling in the pancreas, and inhibition of PERK in acinar cells lessened ASNS expression. ASNase exposure, but not the common pancreatitis triggers, uniquely up-regulated ASNS expression, indicating that the increase is mediated by nutrient stress. The up-regulation of acinar ASNS with ASNase exposure was owing to increased transcriptional rather than delayed degradation. Knockdown of ASNS in the 266-6 acinar cells provoked acinar cell injury and worsened ASNase-induced injury, whereas ASNS overexpression protected against ASNase-induced injury. In summary, ASNS is highly expressed in the pancreatic acinar cells through heightened basal activation of PERK, and ASNS appears to be crucial to maintaining acinar cell integrity. The implications are that ASNS is especially hardwired in the pancreas to protect against both baseline perturbations and nutrient deprivation stressors, such as during ASNase exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amitava Mukherjee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Nayyar Ahmed
- Division of Natural Sciences, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, Greensburg, Pennsylvania
| | - Fateema T Rose
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Abraheem N Ahmad
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Tanveer A Javed
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Li Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rita Bottino
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Allegheny-Singer Research Institute, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Xiangwei Xiao
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael S Kilberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Sohail Z Husain
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.
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10
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Expression and Clinical Significance of Protein Kinase RNA-Like Endoplasmic Reticulum Kinase and Phosphorylated Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Pancreas 2019; 48:323-328. [PMID: 30747823 PMCID: PMC6521859 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000001248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Endoplasmic reticulum stress and subsequent phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) by protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) plays an important role in the development and chemoresistance of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the expression and significance of phosphorylated eIF2α (p-eIF2α) and PERK in PDAC have not been examined. METHODS We examined p-eIF2α and PERK expression in 84 PDAC and paired normal pancreas samples by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting and correlated the results with clinicopathologic parameters and survival. RESULTS Mean PERK H score was 140.8 in PDAC compared with 82.1 in normal pancreas (P < 0.001). High p-eIF2α expression was present in 56% of PDACs versus 7.6% of normal pancreases (P < 0.001). High PERK and p-eIF2α expression correlated with shorter overall survival (P = 0.048 and P = 0.03, respectively). By multivariate analysis, high p-eIF2α (P = 0.01), positive margin (P = 0.002), and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.01) were independent prognosticators for survival. CONCLUSIONS The expression levels of PERK and p-eIF2α are higher in PDAC than those in normal pancreas. High levels of PERK and p-eIF2α are predictors of shorter survival in PDAC patients, suggesting that PERK and eIF2α could be promising targets in PDAC.
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Inhibition of GCN2 sensitizes ASNS-low cancer cells to asparaginase by disrupting the amino acid response. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E7776-E7785. [PMID: 30061420 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1805523115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
General control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) plays a major role in the cellular response to amino acid limitation. Although maintenance of amino acid homeostasis is critical for tumor growth, the contribution of GCN2 to cancer cell survival and proliferation is poorly understood. In this study, we generated GCN2 inhibitors and demonstrated that inhibition of GCN2 sensitizes cancer cells with low basal-level expression of asparagine synthetase (ASNS) to the antileukemic agent l-asparaginase (ASNase) in vitro and in vivo. We first tested acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells and showed that treatment with GCN2 inhibitors rendered ALL cells sensitive to ASNase by preventing the induction of ASNS, resulting in reduced levels of de novo protein synthesis. Comprehensive gene-expression profiling revealed that combined treatment with ASNase and GCN2 inhibitors induced the stress-activated MAPK pathway, thereby triggering apoptosis. By using cell-panel analyses, we also showed that acute myelogenous leukemia and pancreatic cancer cells were highly sensitive to the combined treatment. Notably, basal ASNS expression at protein levels was significantly correlated with sensitivity to combined treatment. These results provide mechanistic insights into the role of GCN2 in the amino acid response and a rationale for further investigation of GCN2 inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.
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An oasis in the desert of cancer chemotherapeutic resistance: The enlightenment from reciprocal crosstalk between signaling pathways of UPR and autophagy in cancers. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 92:972-981. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.05.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 05/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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Al-Baghdadi RJT, Nikonorova IA, Mirek ET, Wang Y, Park J, Belden WJ, Wek RC, Anthony TG. Role of activating transcription factor 4 in the hepatic response to amino acid depletion by asparaginase. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1272. [PMID: 28455513 PMCID: PMC5430736 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01041-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The anti-leukemic agent asparaginase activates the integrated stress response (ISR) kinase GCN2 and inhibits signaling via mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). The study objective was to investigate the protective role of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in controlling the hepatic transcriptome and mediating GCN2-mTORC1 signaling during asparaginase. We compared global gene expression patterns in livers from wildtype, Gcn2−/−, and Atf4−/− mice treated with asparaginase or excipient and further explored selected responses in livers from Atf4+/− mice. Here, we show that ATF4 controls a hepatic gene expression profile that overlaps with GCN2 but is not required for downregulation of mTORC1 during asparaginase. Ingenuity pathway analysis indicates GCN2 independently influences inflammation-mediated hepatic processes whereas ATF4 uniquely associates with cholesterol metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Livers from Atf4−/− or Atf4+/− mice displayed an amplification of the amino acid response and ER stress response transcriptional signatures. In contrast, reduction in hepatic mTORC1 signaling was retained in Atf4−/− mice treated with asparaginase. Conclusions: GCN2 and ATF4 serve complementary roles in the hepatic response to asparaginase. GCN2 functions to limit inflammation and mTORC1 signaling whereas ATF4 serves to limit the amino acid response and prevent ER stress during amino acid depletion by asparaginase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana J T Al-Baghdadi
- Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences Graduate Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 0890, USA.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiayah, Iraq
| | - Inna A Nikonorova
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Emily T Mirek
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Yongping Wang
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Jinhee Park
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 0890, USA
| | - William J Belden
- Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 0890, USA
| | - Ronald C Wek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Tracy G Anthony
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
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Nikonorova IA, Al-Baghdadi RJT, Mirek ET, Wang Y, Goudie MP, Wetstein BB, Dixon JL, Hine C, Mitchell JR, Adams CM, Wek RC, Anthony TG. Obesity challenges the hepatoprotective function of the integrated stress response to asparaginase exposure in mice. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:6786-6798. [PMID: 28242759 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.768408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity increases risk for liver toxicity by the anti-leukemic agent asparaginase, but the mechanism is unknown. Asparaginase activates the integrated stress response (ISR) via sensing amino acid depletion by the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) kinase GCN2. The goal of this work was to discern the impact of obesity, alone versus alongside genetic disruption of the ISR, on mechanisms of liver protection during chronic asparaginase exposure in mice. Following diet-induced obesity, biochemical analysis of livers revealed that asparaginase provoked hepatic steatosis that coincided with activation of another eIF2 kinase PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), a major ISR transducer to ER stress. Genetic loss of Gcn2 intensified hepatic PERK activation to asparaginase, yet surprisingly, mRNA levels of key ISR gene targets such as Atf5 and Trib3 failed to increase. Instead, mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signal transduction was unleashed, and this coincided with liver dysfunction reflected by a failure to maintain hydrogen sulfide production or apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB100) expression. In contrast, obese mice lacking hepatic activating transcription factor 4 (Atf4) showed an exaggerated ISR and greater loss of endogenous hydrogen sulfide but normal inhibition of mTORC1 and maintenance of ApoB100 during asparaginase exposure. In both genetic mouse models, expression and phosphorylation of Sestrin2, an ATF4 gene target, was increased by asparaginase, suggesting mTORC1 inhibition during asparaginase exposure is not driven via eIF2-ATF4-Sestrin2. In conclusion, obesity promotes a maladaptive ISR during asparaginase exposure. GCN2 functions to repress mTORC1 activity and maintain ApoB100 protein levels independently of Atf4 expression, whereas hydrogen sulfide production is promoted via GCN2-ATF4 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rana J T Al-Baghdadi
- the Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences Graduate Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
| | | | | | | | | | - Joseph L Dixon
- From the Department of Nutritional Sciences, and.,the Rutgers Center for Lipid Research, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
| | - Christopher Hine
- the Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - James R Mitchell
- the Department of Genetics and Complex Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Christopher M Adams
- the Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, and
| | - Ronald C Wek
- the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
| | - Tracy G Anthony
- From the Department of Nutritional Sciences, and .,the Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences Graduate Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901.,the Rutgers Center for Lipid Research, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
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