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Malla R, Adem M, Chakraborty A. Complexity and diversity of FOXP3 isoforms: Novel insights into the regulation of the immune response in metastatic breast cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 118:110015. [PMID: 36931171 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
FOXP3 is a key transcription factor in the regulation of immune responses, and recent studies have uncovered the complexity and diversity of FOXP3 isoforms in various cancers, including metastatic breast cancers (mBCs). It has dual role in the tumor microenvironment of mBCs. This review aims to provide novel insights into the complexity and diversity of FOXP3 isoforms in the regulation of the immune response in breast cancer. We discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of FOXP3 isoforms, including their interaction with other proteins, regulation of gene expression, and impact on the immune system. We also highlight the importance of understanding the role of FOXP3 isoforms in breast cancer and the potential for using them as therapeutic targets. This review highlights the crucial role of FOXP3 isoforms in the regulation of the immune response in breast cancer and underscores the need for further research to fully comprehend their complex and diverse functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- RamaRao Malla
- Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics, GITAM School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India.
| | - Meghapriya Adem
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidhyalayam, Tirupati 517502, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Anindita Chakraborty
- Radiation Biology Laboratory, UGC-DAE-CSR, Kolkata Centere, Kolkata 700098, West Bengal, India
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2
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Wang M, Zhang Y, Chang W, Zhang L, Syrigos KN, Li P. Noncoding RNA-mediated regulation of pyroptotic cell death in cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1015587. [PMID: 36387211 PMCID: PMC9659888 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1015587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyroptosis is a newly discovered form of programmed cell death, which is manifested by DNA fragmentation, cell swelling, cell membrane rupture and leakage of cell contents. Previous studies have demonstrated that pyroptosis is tightly associated with the initiation and development of various cancers, whereas the molecular mechanisms underlying pyroptosis remain obscure. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a type of heterogeneous transcripts that are broadly expressed in mammalian cells. Owing to their potency of regulating gene expression, ncRNAs play essential roles in physiological and pathological processes. NcRNAs are increasingly acknowledged as important regulators of the pyroptosis process. Importantly, the crosstalk between ncRNAs and pyroptosis affects various hallmarks of cancer, including cell growth, survival, metastasis and therapeutic resistance. The study of the involvement of pyroptosis-associated ncRNAs in cancer pathobiology has become a hot area in recent years, while there are limited reviews on this topic. Herein, we provide an overview of the complicated roles of ncRNAs, mainly including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), in modulating pyroptosis, with a focus on the underlying mechanisms of the ncRNA-pyroptosis axis in cancer pathogenesis. Finally, we discuss the potential applications and challenges of exploiting pyroptosis-regulating ncRNAs as molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenguang Chang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Konstantinos N. Syrigos
- Third Department of Internal Medicine and Laboratory, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Peifeng Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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3
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Forkhead Box Protein P3 (FOXP3) Represses ATF3 Transcriptional Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111400. [PMID: 34768829 PMCID: PMC8583784 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111400] [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: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), a transcription factor and acute stress sensor, is rapidly induced by a variety of pathophysiological signals and is essential in the complex processes in cellular stress response. FOXP3, a well-known breast and prostate tumor suppressor from the X chromosome, is a novel transcriptional repressor for several oncogenes. However, it remains unknown whether ATF3 is the target protein of FOXP3. Herein, we demonstrate that ATF3 expression is regulated by FOXP3. Firstly, we observed that overexpression of FOXP3 reduced ATF3 protein level. Moreover, knockdown FOXP3 by siRNA increased ATF3 expression. Secondly, FOXP3 dose-dependently reduced ATF3 promoter activity in the luciferase reporter assay. Since FOXP3 is regulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs), we next investigated whether PTMs affect FOXP3-mediated ATF3 expression. Interestingly, we observed that phosphorylation mutation on FOXP3 (Y342F) significantly abolished FOXP3-mediated ATF3 expression. However, other PTM mutations on FOXP3, including S418 phosphorylation, K263 acetylation and ubiquitination, and K268 acetylation and ubiquitination, did not alter FOXP3-mediated ATF3 expression. Finally, the FOXP3 binding site was found on ATF3 promoter region by deletion and mutagenesis analysis. Taken together, our results suggest that FOXP3 functions as a novel regulator of ATF3 and that this novel event may be involved in tumor development and progression.
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Ding H, Fan GL, Yi YX, Zhang W, Xiong XX, Mahgoub OK. Prognostic Implications of Immune-Related Genes' (IRGs) Signature Models in Cervical Cancer and Endometrial Cancer. Front Genet 2020; 11:725. [PMID: 32793281 PMCID: PMC7385326 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer and endometrial cancer remain serious threats to women's health. Even though some patients can be treated with surgery plus chemoradiotherapy as a conventional option, the overall efficacy is deemed unsatisfactory. As such, the development for new treatment approaches is truly necessary. In recent years, immunotherapy has been widely used in clinical practice and it is an area of great interest that researchers are keeping attention on. However, a thorough immune-related genes (IRGs) study for cervical cancer and endometrial cancer is still lacking. We therefore aim to make a comprehensive evaluation of IRGs through bioinformatics and large databases, and also investigate the relationship between the two types of cancer. We reviewed the transcriptome RNAs of IRGs and clinical data based on the TCGA database. Survival-associated IRGs in cervical/endometrial cancer were identified using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional-hazard regression analysis for developing an IRG signature model to evaluate the risk of patients. In the end, this model was validated based on the enrichment analyses through GO, KEGG, and GSEA pathways, Kaplan-Meier survival curve, ROC curves, and immune cell infiltration. Our results showed that out of 25/23 survival-associated IRGs for cervical/endometrial cancer, 13/12 warranted further examination by multivariate Cox proportional-hazard regression analysis and were selected to develop an IRGs signature model. As a result, enrichment analyses for high-risk groups indicated main enriched pathways were associated with tumor development and progression, and statistical differences were found between high-risk and low-risk groups as shown by Kaplan-Meier survival curve. This model could be used as an independent measure for risk assessment and was considered relevant to immune cell infiltration, but it had nothing to do with clinicopathological characteristics. In summary, based on comprehensive analysis, we obtained the IRGs signature model in cervical cancer (LTA, TFRC, TYK2, DLL4, CSK, JUND, NFATC4, SBDS, FLT1, IL17RD, IL3RA, SDC1, PLAU) and endometrial cancer (LTA, PSMC4, KAL1, TNF, SBDS, HDGF, LTB, HTR3E, NR2F1, NR3C1, PGR, CBLC), which can effectively evaluate the prognosis and risk of patients and provide justification in immunology for further researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Ding
- Department of Gynecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Guan-Lan Fan
- Department of Gynecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue-Xiong Yi
- Department of Gynecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Xing Xiong
- Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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5
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Jia H, Qi H, Gong Z, Yang S, Ren J, Liu Y, Li MY, Chen GG. The expression of FOXP3 and its role in human cancers. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2019; 1871:170-178. [PMID: 30630091 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
FOXP3 is a transcription factor, which belongs to the family of FOX protein. FOXP3 was initially discovered in regulatory T cells and supposed to play a significant role in the process of regulatory T cell differentiation. Increasing evidence has shown that FOXP3 is also expressed in tumor cells. However, the results of tumor FOXP3 is inconsistent and even the opposite. In some types of human cancers, the expression of FOXP3 is upregulated, and it can promote the development of cancers, leading to a poor prognosis. While in some other types of cancers, it is a different story. The reason for the contradictory data is unknown. The discovery of FOXP3 isoforms, interaction between tumor cells and lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment, subcellular location, and mutation of FOXP3 may provide some clues. In this review, we first summarize and analyze the recent development. The final section focuses on the regulation of FOXP3 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Jia
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Haolong Qi
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Zhongqin Gong
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Shucai Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Pingshan District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jianwei Ren
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ming-Yue Li
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
| | - George Gong Chen
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
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6
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Wang CM, Yang WH, Liu R, Wang L, Yang WH. FOXP3 Activates SUMO-Conjugating UBC9 Gene in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19072036. [PMID: 30011797 PMCID: PMC6073147 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19072036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Forkhead Box Protein P3 (FOXP3), a transcription factor of the FOX protein family, is essentially involved in the development of regulatory T (Treg) cells, and functions as a tumor suppressor. Although FOXP3 has been widely studied in immune system and cancer development, its function in the regulation of the UBC9 gene (for the sole E2 enzyme of SUMOylation) is unknown. Herein, we find that the overexpression of FOXP3 in human MCF7 breast cancer cells increases the level of UBC9 mRNA. Moreover, the level of UBC9 protein dose-dependently increases in the FOXP3-Tet-off MCF7 cells. Notably, the promoter activity of the UBC9 is activated by FOXP3 in a dose-dependent manner in both the MCF7 and HEK293 cells. Next, by mapping the UBC9 promoter as well as the site-directed mutagenesis and ChIP analysis, we show that the FOXP3 response element at the −310 bp region, but not the −2182 bp region, is mainly required for UBC9 activation by FOXP3. Finally, we demonstrate that the removal of phosphorylation (S418A and Y342F) and the removal of acetylation/ubiquitination (K263R and K263RK268R) of the FOXP3 result in attenuated transcriptional activity of UBC9. Taken together, FOXP3 acts as a novel transcriptional activator of the human UBC9 gene, suggesting that FOXP3 may have physiological functions as a novel player in global SUMOylation, as well as other post-translational modification systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiung-Min Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA.
| | - William H Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA.
| | - Runhua Liu
- Department of Genetics and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Lizhong Wang
- Department of Genetics and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Wei-Hsiung Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA.
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Gao S, Wang Y, Wang M, Li Z, Zhao Z, Wang RX, Wu R, Yuan Z, Cui R, Jiao K, Wang L, Ouyang L, Liu R. MicroRNA-155, induced by FOXP3 through transcriptional repression of BRCA1, is associated with tumor initiation in human breast cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 8:41451-41464. [PMID: 28562349 PMCID: PMC5522316 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA (miR)-155 is upregulated in breast cancer cells and in sera of patients with breast cancer, but its clinical relevance remains uncertain. The objective of the present effort was to address the transcriptional regulation of miR-155. A bioinformatics analysis of public datasets validated upregulation of miR-155 in tumor cells of patients with breast cancer, particularly those who were at early stages and had triple-negative cancers. The expression profiling and clinical relevance of miR-155 in tumor cells and blood cells were characterized by TaqMan miR assays and, in plasma and exosomes, by nest-quantitative PCR analysis. There was a positive correlation between expression of FOXP3 and miR-155 in breast cancer cell lines and primary breast cancers. In breast cancer cells, FOXP3 induced miR-155 through transcriptional repression of BRCA1. Furthermore, in an Alabama cohort, blood and plasma samples were collected from 259 participants, including patients with breast cancer or benign breast tumors, members of breast cancer families, and matched healthy female controls. For patients with early stage or localized breast cancer, there were high levels of miR-155 in both plasma and blood cells. In cultured breast cancer cells, expression of miR-155 was induced by FOXP3 but was not significantly changed in culture medium or exosomes, suggesting that circulating miR-155 originated from blood cells. These findings reveal a transcriptional axis of FOXP3-BRCA1-miR-155 in breast cancer cells and show that plasma miR-155 may serve as a non-invasive biomarker for detection of early stage breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Gao
- The Second Department of Clinical Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Yicun Wang
- Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of General Surgery, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhiying Zhao
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Raymond X Wang
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Rong Wu
- The Second Department of Clinical Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhengwei Yuan
- The Second Department of Clinical Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ranji Cui
- Provincial Key Laboratory on Molecular and Chemical Genetic, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Kai Jiao
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Lizhong Wang
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ling Ouyang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Runhua Liu
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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8
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Yang S, Liu Y, Li MY, Ng CSH, Yang SL, Wang S, Zou C, Dong Y, Du J, Long X, Liu LZ, Wan IYP, Mok T, Underwood MJ, Chen GG. FOXP3 promotes tumor growth and metastasis by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and EMT in non-small cell lung cancer. Mol Cancer 2017; 16:124. [PMID: 28716029 PMCID: PMC5514503 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-017-0700-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The role of cancer cell FOXP3 in tumorigenesis is conflicting. We aimed to study FOXP3 expression and regulation, function and clinical implication in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods One hundred and six patients with histologically-confirmed NSCLC who underwent surgery were recruited for the study. Tumor samples and NSCLC cell lines were used to examine FOXP3 and its related molecules. Various cell functions related to tumorigenesis were performed. In vivo mouse tumor xenograft was used to confirm the in vitro results. Results NSCLC patients with the high level of FOXP3 had a significant decrease in overall survival and recurrence-free survival. FOXP3 overexpression significantly induced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas its inhibition impaired its oncogenic function. In vivo studies confirmed that FOXP3 promoted tumor growth and metastasis. The ectopic expression of FOXP3 induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) with downregulation of E-cadherin and upregulation of N-cadherin, vimentin, snail, slug, and MMP9. The oncogenic effects by FOXP3 could be attributed to FOX3-mediated activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, as FOXP3 increased luciferase activity of Topflash reporter and upregulated Wnt signaling target genes including c-Myc and Cyclin D1 in NSCLC cells. Co-immunoprecipitation results further indicated that FOXP3 could physically interacted with β-catenin and TCF4 to enhance the functions of β-catenin and TCF4, inducing transcription of Wnt target genes to promote cell proliferation, invasion and EMT induction. Conclusions FOXP3 can act as a co-activator to facilitate the Wnt-b-catenin signaling pathway, inducing EMT and tumor growth and metastasis in NSCLC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-017-0700-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shucai Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Pingshan District People's Hospital Of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Ming-Yue Li
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Calvin S H Ng
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sheng-Li Yang
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.,Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chang Zou
- Clinical Research Centre, Shenzhen People's Hospital, the Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yujuan Dong
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jing Du
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiang Long
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Li-Zhong Liu
- Faculty of Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Innes Y P Wan
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tony Mok
- Department of Clinical Oncology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Malcolm J Underwood
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - George G Chen
- Department of Surgery, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China. .,Shenzhen Research Institute, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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9
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Ka NL, Na TY, Na H, Lee MH, Park HS, Hwang S, Kim IY, Seong JK, Lee MO. NR1D1 Recruitment to Sites of DNA Damage Inhibits Repair and Is Associated with Chemosensitivity of Breast Cancer. Cancer Res 2017; 77:2453-2463. [PMID: 28249904 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-2099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
DNA repair capacity is critical for survival of cancer cells upon therapeutic DNA damage and thus is an important determinant of susceptibility to chemotherapy in cancer patients. In this study, we identified a novel function of nuclear receptor NR1D1 in DNA repair, which enhanced chemosensitivity in breast cancer cells. NR1D1 inhibited both nonhomologous end joining and homologous recombination double-strand breaks repair, and delayed the clearance of γH2AX DNA repair foci that formed after treatment of doxorubicin. PARylation of NR1D1 by PARP1 drove its recruitment to damaged DNA lesions. Deletion of the ligand binding domain of NR1D1 that interacted with PARP1, or treatment of 6-(5H)-phenanthridinone, an inhibitor of PARP1, suppressed the recruitment of NR1D1 to DNA damaged sites, indicating PARylation as a critical step for the NR1D1 recruitment. NR1D1 inhibited recruitment of the components of DNA damage response complex such as SIRT6, pNBS1, and BRCA1 to DNA lesions. Downregulation of NR1D1 in MCF7 cells resulted in resistance to doxorubicin, both in vitro and in vivo Analysis of four public patient data sets indicated that NR1D1 expression correlates positively with clinical outcome in breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy. Our findings suggest that NR1D1 and its ligands provide therapeutic options that could enhance the outcomes of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Cancer Res; 77(9); 2453-63. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na-Lee Ka
- College of Pharmacy and Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae-Young Na
- College of Pharmacy and Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyelin Na
- College of Pharmacy and Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min-Ho Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Han-Su Park
- College of Pharmacy and Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sewon Hwang
- College of Pharmacy and Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Il Yong Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University and Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Je Kyung Seong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University and Korea Mouse Phenotyping Center, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mi-Ock Lee
- College of Pharmacy and Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea.
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10
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Kan C, Zhang J. BRCA1 Mutation: A Predictive Marker for Radiation Therapy? Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2015; 93:281-93. [PMID: 26383678 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
DNA repair, in particular, DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair, is essential for the survival of both normal and cancer cells. An elaborate repair mechanism has been developed in cells to efficiently repair the damaged DNA. The pathways predominately involved in DSB repair are homologous recombination and classic nonhomologous end-joining, although the alternative NHEJ pathway, a third DSB repair pathway, could also be important in certain contexts. The protein of BRCA1 encoded by the tumor suppressor gene BRCA1 regulates all DSB repair pathways. Given that DSBs represent the most biologically significant lesions induced by ionizing radiation and that impaired DSB repair leads to radiation sensitivity, it has been expected that cancer patients with BRCA1 mutations should benefit from radiation therapy. However, the clinical data have been conflicting and inconclusive. We provide an overview about the current status of the data regarding BRCA1 deficiency and radiation therapy sensitivity in both experimental models and clinical investigations. In addition, we discuss a strategy to potentiate the effects of radiation therapy by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, the pharmacologic drugs being investigated as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with BRCA1/2 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlene Kan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Junran Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.
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11
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Wang X, Dong H, Li Q, Li Y, Hong A. Thioredoxin induces Tregs to generate an immunotolerant tumor microenvironment in metastatic melanoma. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e1027471. [PMID: 26405597 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1027471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Revised: 03/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer that is very difficult to treat. Additionally, the antitumor immune reaction of melanoma is still unclear. Here we demonstrate an association between the expression and secretion of the antioxidant protein thioredoxin (TRX) and increasing tumor stage and metastasis in melanoma. To elucidate the role of TRX in melanoma, we assessed the correlation of TRX expression with different disease parameters in melanoma. We also examined the in vitro and in vivo effects of modulating TRX levels in melanoma cells using various methods of TRX depletion and augmentation. We further explored the effects of TRX on the cytokine milieu and the ability of TRX to regulate the proportion and specific activities of T-cell populations. We demonstrate that TRX expression correlates with Treg representation in clinical samples and, that modulation of TRX influences the induction of Tregs and the generation of an immunotolerant cytokine profile in mouse serum. Using a murine metastatic melanoma model, we identified a tumor immunoevasion mechanism whereby melanoma cell-secreted TRX enhances Treg infiltration. TRX displays chemotactic effects in recruiting Tregs, stimulates the conversion of conventional T cells to Tregs, and confers survival advantage to Tregs in the tumor microenvironment. In turn, this increase of Tregs generates immunotolerance in tissues and therefore decreases antitumor immune reactions. These results elucidate a mechanism by which TRX promotes metastatic melanoma in part through Treg recruitment to inhibit T-cell antitumor effects and suggest that TRX antibody may be useful in the clinic as a therapy against melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaogang Wang
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine; College of Life Science and Technology; Jinan University ; Guangzhou, China
| | - Haisheng Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application; China Astronaut Research and Training Center ; Beijing, China
| | - Qi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application; China Astronaut Research and Training Center ; Beijing, China
| | - Yingxian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application; China Astronaut Research and Training Center ; Beijing, China
| | - An Hong
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine; College of Life Science and Technology; Jinan University ; Guangzhou, China
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12
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Chu R, Liu SYW, Vlantis AC, van Hasselt CA, Ng EKW, Fan MD, Ng SK, Chan ABW, Du J, Wei W, Liu X, Liu Z, Chen GG. Inhibition of Foxp3 in cancer cells induces apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 399:228-34. [PMID: 25312920 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in lymphocytes facilitate the thyroid tumor growth and invasion. Very limited information is available on Foxp3 expression in thyroid cancer cells and its function is totally unknown. This study demonstrated that Foxp3 expression was increased in thyroid cancer cells. Inhibition of Foxp3 decreased cell proliferation and migration, but increased apoptosis, suggesting a positive role of Foxp3 in cancer growth. Interestingly, Foxp3 inhibition enhanced PPARγ expression and activity. In addition, Foxp3 inhibition downregulated NF-κB subunit p65 and cyclin D1 but upregulated caspase-3 levels. These molecular changes are in line with Foxp3 shRNA-mediated alteration of cell functions. Collectively, our study demonstrates that thyroid cancer cells express a high level of functional Foxp3 and that the inhibition of the Foxp3 suppresses the proliferation and migration but promotes apoptosis, suggesting that targeting Foxp3 in thyroid cancer cells may offer a novel therapeutic option for thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Chu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shirley Y W Liu
- Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alexander C Vlantis
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - C Andrew van Hasselt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Enders K W Ng
- Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Michael Dahua Fan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Siu Kwan Ng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Amy B W Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jing Du
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoling Liu
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhimin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - George G Chen
- Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
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13
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Tan B, Anaka M, Deb S, Freyer C, Ebert LM, Chueh AC, Al-Obaidi S, Behren A, Jayachandran A, Cebon J, Chen W, Mariadason JM. FOXP3 over-expression inhibits melanoma tumorigenesis via effects on proliferation and apoptosis. Oncotarget 2014; 5:264-76. [PMID: 24406338 PMCID: PMC3960207 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) transcription factor is the key driver of regulatory T cell (Treg cells) differentiation and immunosuppressive function. In addition, FOXP3 has been reported to be expressed in many tumors, including melanoma. However, its role in tumorigenesis is conflicting, with both tumor suppressive and tumor promoting functions described. The aim of the current study was to characterize the expression and function of FOXP3 in melanoma. FOXP3 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 12% (18/146) of stage III and IV melanomas. However expression was confined to fewer than 1% of cells in these tumors. Stable over-expression of FOXP3 in the SK-MEL-28 melanoma cell line reduced cell proliferation and clonogenicity in vitro, and reduced xenograft growth in vivo. FOXP3 over-expression also increased pigmentation and the rate of apoptosis of SK-MEL-28 cells. Based on its infrequent expression in human melanoma, and its growth inhibitory and pro-apoptotic effect in over-expressing melanoma cells, we conclude that FOXP3 is not likely to be a key tumor suppressor or promoter in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- BeeShin Tan
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd. Melbourne-Austin Branch, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
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14
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Devaud C, Darcy PK, Kershaw MH. Foxp3 expression in T regulatory cells and other cell lineages. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2014; 63:869-76. [PMID: 25063364 PMCID: PMC11028988 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-014-1581-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) is an important transcription factor that belongs to the forkhead/winged-helix family of transcriptional regulators. Foxp3 has been extensively studied over the past 13 years as a master regulator of transcription in a specific T-cell type, CD4(+) regulatory T cells (Treg), both in humans and in mice. Compelling data characterize Foxp3 as critically important and necessary for the development and the differentiation of Treg. It has been considered initially as the only specific marker for Treg. However, recent work has proposed that Foxp3 can be expressed by other types of lymphoid cells or myeloid cells and also by some non-hematopoietic cells such as epithelial cells. It remains controversial about the expression of Foxp3 in cells other than Treg, but understanding the potential expression and function of this master regulator in different cell subsets could have a wide range of implications for immune tolerance and several pathologies including autoimmune disorders and immune responses to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christel Devaud
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Saint Andrews Place, Melbourne, VIC 3002 Australia
| | - Phillip K. Darcy
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Prahran, VIC 3181 Australia
| | - Michael H. Kershaw
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Prahran, VIC 3181 Australia
- Cancer Immunology Research Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Saint Andrews Place, Melbourne, VIC 3002 Australia
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15
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Douglass S, Meeson AP, Overbeck-Zubrzycka D, Brain JG, Bennett MR, Lamb CA, Lennard TWJ, Browell D, Ali S, Kirby JA. Breast cancer metastasis: demonstration that FOXP3 regulates CXCR4 expression and the response to CXCL12. J Pathol 2014; 234:74-85. [PMID: 24870556 DOI: 10.1002/path.4381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The X-linked transcription factor FOXP3 is expressed by epithelial cells of organs including the breast, where it is considered a tumour suppressor. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 also regulates the development of breast cancer by stimulating cell migration towards CXCL12-expressing sites of metastatic spread. During activation, human T cells show reciprocal regulation of FOXP3 and CXCR4. This study was designed to examine the role FOXP3 plays in metastatic breast cancer, with a particular focus on its potential to regulate CXCR4. Human breast cancer samples showed significantly decreased FOXP3 protein expression but an increased number of CXCR4 transcripts. In comparison with normal primary breast epithelial cells, FOXP3 was down-regulated at both transcript and protein levels in the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. In the invasive MDA-MB-231 cells, the remaining FOXP3 was located predominately within the cytoplasm. Following stable FOXP3 overexpression in MDA-MB-231 cells, significant decreases were observed in the expression of ErbB2/HER2, SKP2, c-MYC, and CXCR4. In contrast, an increase in p21 expression led to inhibition of cell proliferation, with a greater proportion in the G1 phase of the cell cycle suggesting the induction of senescence. Specific knockdown of FOXP3 in normal human breast epithelial cells with siRNA significantly increased ErbB2/HER2, SKP2, c-MYC, and CXCR4, and decreased p21 expression. These cells also showed a significantly increased chemotactic response towards CXCL12, consistent with a role for FOXP3 in the regulation of cell migration. Results from this study are consistent with FOXP3 functioning as an important tumour suppressor in breast cancer. Indeed, the potential functions of FOXP3 in breast epithelium can now be extended to include regulation of CXCR4 expression and response to the pro-metastatic chemokine CXCL12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Douglass
- Applied Immunobiology Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
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16
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Lee J, Lee YJ, Oh SM, Yi JM, Kim NS, Bang OS. Bioactive compounds from the roots of Asiasarum heterotropoides. Molecules 2013; 19:122-38. [PMID: 24366089 PMCID: PMC6270674 DOI: 10.3390/molecules19010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Revised: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A new tetrahydrofuran lignan, (7S,8R,7'S,8'S)-3-methoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxy-7,9'-epoxylignane-4,7',9-triol (1), and 21 known compounds 2–22 were isolated from the roots of Asiasarum heterotropoides by chromatographic separation methods. The structures of all compounds 1–22 were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including 1D- and 2D-NMR. Fourteen of these compounds (1–3, 7, 10, 12–17, 19, 21, and 22) were isolated from this species in this study for the first time. All of the isolates were evaluated for their anticancer activities using in vitro assays. Among the 22 tested compounds, two (compounds 5 and 7) induced the downregulation of NO production, FOXP3 expression, and HIF-1α transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ok-Sun Bang
- KM-Based Herbal Drug Development Group, Herbal Medicine Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 305-811, Korea.
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17
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Kim MH, Koo JS, Lee S. FOXP3 expression is related to high Ki-67 index and poor prognosis in lymph node-positive breast cancer patients. Oncology 2013; 85:128-36. [PMID: 23948758 DOI: 10.1159/000351473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent preclinical studies have shown that Forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) is an important tumor suppressor gene. The clinical and prognostic implication of FOXP3 expression in breast cancer cells still remains controversial. METHODS We evaluated the FOXP3 expression status of 183 patients who underwent curative surgery for breast cancer using the immunohistochemical assay of tissue microarray. RESULTS We found FOXP3 expression in 51 out of 183 (27.9%) surgically resected breast cancer tumors, and 33 patients were scored as weak positive and 18 as strong positive. FOXP3-positive tumors were associated with significantly higher nuclear grade, higher histologic grade and a more negative estrogen receptor status. The FOXP3 expression level was independently associated with high Ki-67 index in a logistic regression model. In the node-positive subgroup, strong FOXP3 positivity was related to poor disease-free survival and disease-specific survival compared to FOXP3-negative patients, whereas there was no survival difference between FOXP3-negative and FOXP3-weak-positive patients. Multivariate analysis with adjustment for patient age and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status demonstrated significantly poor survival of FOXP3-strong-positive patients in node-positive patients. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that strong FOXP3 expression in breast cancer cells is associated with poor prognosis and high Ki-67 index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Hwan Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Abstract
In this review, we introduce the IPEX syndrome and its relationship with germline mutations of the FOXP3 gene. We then describe the multiple functional roles of FOXP3 in regulatory T cells and epithelial cells as well as in IPEX syndrome and tumor progression. Potential mechanisms of FOXP3 inactivation and transcriptional regulation are discussed with recent advances. Finally, we point out current issues and a potential FOXP3-mediated therapeutic strategy as well as the reactivation of FOXP3 in patients with IPEX syndrome and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runhua Liu
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA
| | - Silin Li
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA
| | - Wei-Hsiung Yang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, Georgia 31404, USA
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