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Qu S, Jia W, Nie Y, Shi W, Chen C, Zhao Z, Song W. AGR2: The Covert Driver and New Dawn of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer Treatment. Biomolecules 2024; 14:743. [PMID: 39062458 PMCID: PMC11275012 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The anterior gradient protein 2 (AGR2) plays a crucial role in facilitating the formation of protein disulfide bonds within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Research suggests that AGR2 can function as an oncogene, with its heightened expression linked to the advancement of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers through invasion and metastasis. Notably, AGR2 not only serves as a pro-oncogenic agent but also as a downstream targeting protein, indirectly fostering cancer progression. This comprehensive review delves into the established functions and expression patterns of AGR2, emphasizing its pivotal role in cancer progression, particularly in hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies. Furthermore, AGR2 emerges as a potential cancer prognostic marker and a promising target for immunotherapy, offering novel avenues for the treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers and enhancing patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Qu
- Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (S.Q.); (W.J.); (W.S.); (C.C.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Weili Jia
- Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (S.Q.); (W.J.); (W.S.); (C.C.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Ye Nie
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Wen Shi
- Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (S.Q.); (W.J.); (W.S.); (C.C.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Chao Chen
- Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (S.Q.); (W.J.); (W.S.); (C.C.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zihao Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Wenjie Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
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2
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Park H. Unveiling Gene Regulatory Networks That Characterize Difference of Molecular Interplays Between Gastric Cancer Drug Sensitive and Resistance Cell Lines. J Comput Biol 2024; 31:257-274. [PMID: 38394313 DOI: 10.1089/cmb.2023.0215] [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] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally and chemotherapy is widely accepted as the standard treatment for gastric cancer. However, drug resistance in cancer cells poses a significant obstacle to the success of chemotherapy, limiting its effectiveness in treating gastric cancer. Although many studies have been conducted to unravel the mechanisms of acquired drug resistance, the existing studies were based on abnormalities of a single gene, that is, differential gene expression (DGE) analysis. Single gene-based analysis alone is insufficient to comprehensively understand the mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer cells, because the underlying processes of the mechanism involve perturbations of the molecular interactions. To uncover the mechanism of acquired gastric cancer drug resistance, we perform for identification of differentially regulated gene networks between drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cell lines. We develop a computational strategy for identifying phenotype-specific gene networks by extending the existing method, CIdrgn, that quantifies the dissimilarity of gene networks based on comprehensive information of network structure, that is, regulatory effect between genes, structure of edge, and expression levels of genes. To enhance the efficiency of identifying differentially regulated gene networks and improve the biological relevance of our findings, we integrate additional information and incorporate knowledge of network biology, such as hubness of genes and weighted adjacency matrices. The outstanding capabilities of the developed strategy are validated through Monte Carlo simulations. By using our strategy, we uncover gene regulatory networks that specifically capture the molecular interplays distinguishing drug-sensitive and drug-resistant profiles in gastric cancer. The reliability and significance of the identified drug-sensitive and resistance-specific gene networks, as well as their related markers, are verified through literature. Our analysis for differentially regulated gene network identification has the capacity to characterize the drug-sensitive and resistance-specific molecular interplays related to mechanisms of acquired drug resistance that cannot be revealed by analysis based solely on abnormalities of a single gene, for example, DGE analysis. Through our analysis and comprehensive examination of relevant literature, we suggest that targeting the suppressors of the identified drug-resistant markers, such as the Melanoma Antigen (MAGE) family, Trefoil Factor (TFF) family, and Ras-Associated Binding 25 (RAB25), while enhancing the expression of inducers of the drug sensitivity markers [e.g., Serum Amyloid A (SAA) family], could potentially reduce drug resistance and enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy for gastric cancer. We expect that the developed strategy will serve as a useful tool for uncovering cancer-related phenotype-specific gene regulatory networks that provide essential clues for uncovering not only drug resistance mechanisms but also complex biological systems of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heewon Park
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science, Sungshin Women's University, Seoul, Korea
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3
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Kosykh AV, Tereshina MB, Gurskaya NG. Potential Role of AGR2 for Mammalian Skin Wound Healing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097895. [PMID: 37175601 PMCID: PMC10178616 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The limited ability of mammals to regenerate has garnered significant attention, particularly in regard to skin wound healing (WH), which is a critical step for regeneration. In human adults, skin WH results in the formation of scars following injury or trauma, regardless of severity. This differs significantly from the scarless WH observed in the fetal skin of mammals or anamniotes. This review investigates the role of molecular players involved in scarless WH, which are lost or repressed in adult mammalian WH systems. Specifically, we analyze the physiological role of Anterior Gradient (AGR) family proteins at different stages of the WH regulatory network. AGR is activated in the regeneration of lower vertebrates at the stage of wound closure and, accordingly, is important for WH. Mammalian AGR2 is expressed during scarless WH in embryonic skin, while in adults, the activity of this gene is normally inhibited and is observed only in the mucous epithelium of the digestive tract, which is capable of full regeneration. The combination of AGR2 unique potencies in postnatal mammals makes it possible to consider it as a promising candidate for enhancing WH processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiya V Kosykh
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria B Tereshina
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nadya G Gurskaya
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, 117997 Moscow, Russia
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4
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Identification of AGR2 Gene-Specific Expression Patterns Associated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810845. [PMID: 36142758 PMCID: PMC9504245 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810845] [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: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The TGF-β signaling pathway is involved in numerous cellular processes, and its deregulation may result in cancer development. One of the key processes in tumor progression and metastasis is epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), in which TGF-β signaling plays important roles. Recently, AGR2 was identified as a crucial component of the cellular machinery responsible for maintaining the epithelial phenotype, thereby interfering with the induction of mesenchymal phenotype cells by TGF-β effects in cancer. Here, we performed transcriptomic profiling of A549 lung cancer cells with CRISPR-Cas9 mediated AGR2 knockout with and without TGF-β treatment. We identified significant changes in transcripts associated with focal adhesion and eicosanoid production, in particular arachidonic acid metabolism. Changes in transcripts associated with the focal adhesion pathway were validated by RT-qPCR of COL4A1, COL4A2, FLNA, VAV3, VEGFA, and VINC mRNAs. In addition, immunofluorescence showed the formation of stress fibers and vinculin foci in cells without AGR2 and in response to TGF-β treatment, with synergistic effects observed. These findings imply that both AGR2 downregulation and TGF-β have a role in focal adhesion formation and cancer cell migration and invasion. Transcripts associated with arachidonic acid metabolism were downregulated after both AGR2 knockout and TGF-β treatment and were validated by RT-qPCR of GPX2, PTGS2, and PLA2G4A. Since PGE2 is a product of arachidonic acid metabolism, its lowered concentration in media from AGR2-knockout cells was confirmed by ELISA. Together, our results demonstrate that AGR2 downregulation and TGF-β have an essential role in focal adhesion formation; moreover, we have identified AGR2 as an important component of the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway.
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5
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Boisteau E, Posseme C, Di Modugno F, Edeline J, Coulouarn C, Hrstka R, Martisova A, Delom F, Treton X, Eriksson LA, Chevet E, Lièvre A, Ogier-Denis E. Anterior gradient proteins in gastrointestinal cancers: from cell biology to pathophysiology. Oncogene 2022; 41:4673-4685. [PMID: 36068336 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02452-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Most of the organs of the digestive tract comprise secretory epithelia that require specialized molecular machines to achieve their functions. As such anterior gradient (AGR) proteins, which comprise AGR1, AGR2, and AGR3, belong to the protein disulfide isomerase family, and are involved in secretory and transmembrane protein biogenesis in the endoplasmic reticulum. They are generally expressed in epithelial cells with high levels in most of the digestive tract epithelia. To date, the vast majority of the reports concern AGR2, which has been shown to exhibit various subcellular localizations and exert pro-oncogenic functions. AGR2 overexpression has recently been associated with a poor prognosis in digestive cancers. AGR2 is also involved in epithelial homeostasis. Its deletion in mice results in severe diffuse gut inflammation, whereas in inflammatory bowel diseases, the secretion of AGR2 in the extracellular milieu participates in the reshaping of the cellular microenvironment. AGR2 thus plays a key role in inflammation and oncogenesis and may represent a therapeutic target of interest. In this review, we summarize the already known roles and mechanisms of action of the AGR family proteins in digestive diseases, their expression in the healthy digestive tract, and in digestive oncology. At last, we discuss the potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications underlying the biology of AGR proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeric Boisteau
- INSERM U1242, University of Rennes, Rennes, France.,Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Pontchaillou, University of Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Céline Posseme
- INSERM U1242, University of Rennes, Rennes, France.,Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | - Federico Di Modugno
- INSERM U1242, University of Rennes, Rennes, France.,Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | - Julien Edeline
- INSERM U1242, University of Rennes, Rennes, France.,Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | | | - Roman Hrstka
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Martisova
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic.,National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Xavier Treton
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University of Paris, Clichy, France
| | - Leif A Eriksson
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Eric Chevet
- INSERM U1242, University of Rennes, Rennes, France. .,Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France.
| | - Astrid Lièvre
- INSERM U1242, University of Rennes, Rennes, France. .,Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Pontchaillou, University of Rennes, Rennes, France.
| | - Eric Ogier-Denis
- INSERM U1242, University of Rennes, Rennes, France. .,Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France.
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6
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Diffuse gastric cancer: Emerging mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188719. [PMID: 35307354 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is globally the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Patients with diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC) particularly have a poor prognosis that only marginally improved over the last decades, as conventional chemotherapies are frequently ineffective and specific therapies are unavailable. Early-stage DGC is characterized by intramucosal lesions of discohesive cells, which can be present for many years before the emergence of advanced DGC consisting of highly proliferative and invasive cells. The mechanisms underlying the key steps of DGC development and transition to aggressive tumors are starting to emerge. Novel mouse- and organoid models for DGC, together with multi-omic analyses of DGC tumors, revealed contributions of both tumor cell-intrinsic alterations and gradual changes in the tumor microenvironment to DGC progression. In this review, we will discuss how these recent findings are leading towards an understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for DGC initiation and malignancy, which may provide opportunities for targeted therapies.
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7
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Takabatake K, Konishi H, Arita T, Kataoka S, Shibamoto J, Furuke H, Takaki W, Shoda K, Shimizu H, Yamamoto Y, Komatsu S, Shiozaki A, Fujiwara H, Okamoto K, Otsuji E. Anterior gradient 2 regulates cancer progression in TP53‑wild‑type esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Oncol Rep 2021; 46:260. [PMID: 34713298 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) reportedly promotes tumor growth and has an unfavorable impact on survival in several cancers. However, no comprehensive functional analysis of AGR2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has been performed. In the present study, the function and clinical significance of AGR2 were examined using ESCC cell lines and clinical samples. AGR2 was upregulated in EC tissue and ESCC cell lines. The downregulation of AGR2 suppressed cell proliferation and increased the proportion of G2/M‑phase cells and phosphorylation of p53 in TP53‑wild‑type ESCC and osteosarcoma cells. However, these changes were not observed in TP53‑mutant ESCC cells. In addition, immunohistochemistry results demonstrated that high AGR2 and low p53 expression levels in ESCC tissues were correlated with a worse prognosis. These results suggested that although AGR2 enhanced cell proliferation by inhibiting p53 phosphorylation in TP53‑wild‑type ESCC, the same mechanism did not regulate cell functions in TP53‑mutant ESCC. Thus, AGR2 served an important role in ESCC progression and might be a useful prognostic marker in patients with TP53‑wild‑type ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Takabatake
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Konishi
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Arita
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kataoka
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Jun Shibamoto
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Furuke
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Wataru Takaki
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Shoda
- First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Hiroki Shimizu
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yamamoto
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Shuhei Komatsu
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shiozaki
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Fujiwara
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Kazuma Okamoto
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Eigo Otsuji
- Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo‑ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
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8
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Ivanova AS, Tereshina MB, Araslanova KR, Martynova NY, Zaraisky AG. The Secreted Protein Disulfide Isomerase Ag1 Lost by Ancestors of Poorly Regenerating Vertebrates Is Required for Xenopus laevis Tail Regeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:738940. [PMID: 34676214 PMCID: PMC8523854 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.738940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Warm-blooded vertebrates regenerate lost limbs and their parts in general much worse than fishes and amphibians. We previously hypothesized that this reduction in regenerative capability could be explained in part by the loss of some genes important for the regeneration in ancestors of warm-blooded vertebrates. One of such genes could be ag1, which encodes secreted protein disulfide isomerase of the Agr family. Ag1 is activated during limb and tail regeneration in the frog Xenopus laevis tadpoles and is absent in warm-blooded animals. The essential role of another agr family gene, agr2, in limb regeneration was demonstrated previously in newts. However, agr2, as well as the third member of agr family, agr3, are present in all vertebrates. Therefore, it is important to verify if the activity of ag1 lost by warm-blooded vertebrates is also essential for regeneration in amphibians, which could be a further argument in favor of our hypothesis. Here, we show that in the Xenopus laevis tadpoles in which the expression of ag1 or agr2 was artificially suppressed, regeneration of amputated tail tips was also significantly reduced. Importantly, overexpression of any of these agrs or treatment of tadpoles with any of their recombinant proteins resulted in the restoration of tail regeneration in the refractory period when these processes are severely inhibited in normal development. These findings demonstrate the critical roles of ag1 and agr2 in regeneration in frogs and present indirect evidence that the loss of ag1 in evolution could be one of the prerequisites for the reduction of regenerative ability in warm-blooded vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiya S Ivanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria B Tereshina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Karina R Araslanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia Y Martynova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey G Zaraisky
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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9
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Extracellular AGR2 activates neighboring fibroblasts through endocytosis and direct binding to β-catenin that requires AGR2 dimerization and adhesion domains. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 573:86-92. [PMID: 34399098 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) is often overexpressed in several types of cancer. AGR2 is cytoplasmic or secreted as an extracellular signal. Intracellular AGR2 properties and role in cancer have been well studied, but its extracellular function is largely unclear. It has been shown that extracellular AGR2 activates endothelial cells and fibroblasts in culture, but the mechanism of AGR2 signaling is not well elucidated. Here, we report that tumor secreted or externally added AGR2 translocates into cytoplasm by endocytosis, binds to β-catenin and further co-translocates to the nucleus in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Externally added AGR2 also increased β-catenin expression, stability, and accumulation in the nucleus in both fibroblasts and cancer cells. External AGR2 rescued the expression of β-catenin, which was suppressed by EGFR inhibitor AG1478 indicating an alternative pathway to regulate β-catenin independent of EGFR signal. These effects were abolished when a monoclonal antibody against AGR2 was added to the experiments, confirming the effects are caused by AGR2 only. Putting together, our results show that extracellular AGR2 signaling pathway involves endocytosis mediated cellular translocation, direct binding and regulating β-catenin nuclear accumulation. It is also a target against tumor initiated AGR2 signaling to form and maintain tumor microenvironment.
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10
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Zhang H, Chi J, Hu J, Ji T, Luo Z, Zhou C, Huang L, Dai Z, Li J, Wang G, Wang L, Wang Z. Intracellular AGR2 transduces PGE2 stimuli to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis of colorectal cancer. Cancer Lett 2021; 518:180-195. [PMID: 34216690 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Human anterior gradient homolog 2 (AGR2) reportedly acts as an oncogene in multiple types of cancers. As a secreted protein, the oncogenic roles of extracellular AGR2 have been the focus of the increasing number of studies. In contrast, the oncological functions of intracellular AGR2 (iAGR2) remain elusive. Here, we report that intracellular AGR2 (iAGR2) is sufficient to promote CRC metastasis. iAGR2 binds to KDEL receptors (KDELRs) via its KTEL motif to activate downstream Gs-PKA signaling. Activated PKA upregulates the expression of NF-κB subunit c-Rel (REL) and acetylates histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9ac) to promote the transcription of SNAIL and SLUG. AGR2 can be upregulated by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) via EP4-PI3K-AKT pathway and is indispensable for PGE2-induced CRC metastasis. AGR2 knockdown enhances therapeutic effects of a COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, in CRC metastasis. Collectively, our study reveals a promoting role and molecular mechanisms of iAGR2 in CRC metastasis and uncovers a new tumor microenvironment signal regulating AGR2 expression, which may provide new targets for treating metastatic CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Zhang
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiangyang Chi
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Jia Hu
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Tiantian Ji
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhen Luo
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Caihong Zhou
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Lifeng Huang
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Zheng Dai
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Li
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China
| | - Guobin Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China.
| | - Lin Wang
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China.
| | - Zheng Wang
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430022, Wuhan, China.
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11
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Vieujean S, Hu S, Bequet E, Salee C, Massot C, Bletard N, Pierre N, Quesada Calvo F, Baiwir D, Mazzucchelli G, De Pauw E, Coimbra Marques C, Delvenne P, Rieder F, Louis E, Meuwis MA. Potential Role of Epithelial Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Anterior Gradient Protein 2 Homologue in Crohn's Disease Fibrosis. J Crohns Colitis 2021; 15:1737-1750. [PMID: 33822017 PMCID: PMC8861373 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjab061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Intestinal fibrosis is a common complication of Crohn's disease [CD]. It is characterised by an accumulation of fibroblasts differentiating into myofibroblasts secreting excessive extracellular matrix. The potential role of the intestinal epithelium in this fibrotic process remains poorly defined. METHODS We performed a pilot proteomic study comparing the proteome of surface epithelium, isolated by laser-capture microdissection, in normal and fibrotic zones of resected ileal CD strictures [13 zones collected in five patients]. Proteins of interests were validated by immunohistochemistry [IHC] in ileal and colonic samples of stricturing CD [n = 44], pure inflammatory CD [n = 29], and control [n = 40] subjects. The pro-fibrotic role of one selected epithelial protein was investigated through in-vitro experiments using HT-29 epithelial cells and a CCD-18Co fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation model. RESULTS Proteomic study revealed an endoplasmic reticulum [ER] stress proteins increase in the epithelium of CD ileal fibrotic strictures, including anterior gradient protein 2 homologue [AGR2] and binding-immunoglobulin protein [BiP]. This was confirmed by IHC. In HT-29 cells, tunicamycin-induced ER stress triggered AGR2 intracellular expression and its secretion. Supernatant of these HT-29 cells, pre-conditioned by tunicamycin, led to a myofibroblastic differentiation when applied on CCD-18Co fibroblasts. By using recombinant protein and blocking agent for AGR2, we demonstrated that the secretion of this protein by epithelial cells can play a role in the myofibroblastic differentiation. CONCLUSIONS The development of CD fibrotic strictures could involve epithelial ER stress and particularly the secretion of AGR2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Vieujean
- Corresponding author: Sophie Vieujean, MD, Laboratory of Translational Gastroenterology, University of Liège, GIGA-Research, +2, B34, Avenue de l’hôpital 1, 4000 Liège, Belgium. Tel.: +32-4-3667256; fax: +32-4-3667889; mail:
| | | | - Emeline Bequet
- Laboratory of Translational Gastroenterology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium,Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Catherine Salee
- Laboratory of Translational Gastroenterology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Massot
- Laboratory of Translational Gastroenterology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Noëlla Bletard
- Pathological Anatomy and Cytology, University Hospital CHU of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Pierre
- Laboratory of Translational Gastroenterology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | | | | | - Gabriel Mazzucchelli
- MolSys Research Unit, Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Edwin De Pauw
- MolSys Research Unit, Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Philippe Delvenne
- Pathological Anatomy and Cytology, University Hospital CHU of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Florian Rieder
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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12
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Moidu NA, A Rahman NS, Syafruddin SE, Low TY, Mohtar MA. Secretion of pro-oncogenic AGR2 protein in cancer. Heliyon 2020; 6:e05000. [PMID: 33005802 PMCID: PMC7519367 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anterior gradient-2 (AGR2) protein mediates the formation, breakage and isomerization of disulphide bonds during protein maturation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and contributes to the homoeostasis of the secretory pathway. AGR2 promotes tumour development and metastasis and its elevated expression is almost completely restricted to malignant tumours. Interestingly, this supposedly ER-resident protein can be localised to other compartments of cancer cells and can also be secreted into the extracellular milieu. There are emerging evidences that describe the gain-of-function activities of the extracellular AGR2, particularly in cancer development. Here, we reviewed studies detailing the expression, pathological and physiological roles associated with AGR2 and compared the duality of localization, intracellular and extracellular, with special emphasis on the later. We also discussed the possible mechanisms of AGR2 secretion as well as deliberating the functional impacts of AGR2 in cancer settings. Last, we deliberate the current therapeutic strategies and posit the potential use AGR2, as a prognosis and diagnosis marker in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurshahirah Ashikin Moidu
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nisa Syakila A Rahman
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Saiful Effendi Syafruddin
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Teck Yew Low
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - M Aiman Mohtar
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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13
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Pajdzik K, Wilamowski M, Żurawek D, Stopa KB, Nodzyński M, Kalita A, Jura J. Anterior gradient 2 promotes tumorigenesis through upregulation of CCAAT-enhancer binding protein beta and hypoxia-inducible factor-2α and subsequent secretion of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and vascular endothelial growth factor in the Caki-1 clear cell renal cell carcinoma cell line. IUBMB Life 2020; 72:1807-1818. [PMID: 32593213 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
It has been previously established that hypoxia leads to tumor development, treatment resistance, and a poor prognosis. Under oxygen deprivation, hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are stimulated to activate the genes necessary for tumor development in a low-oxygen environment. These genes encode regulators of angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and cellular metabolism. A disulfide isomerase, anterior gradient 2 (AGR2), has been shown to increase hypoxia-inducible factor 1, alpha subunit (HIF-1α) stability in breast cancer. Our goal was to determine if AGR2 affects the level of transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 2, alpha subunit (HIF-2α). As a model, we used the clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cell line Caki-1. The cells were transduced with lentiviral vector (Tet-On) encoding AGR2. After induction of AGR2 expression, cells were grown under either hypoxic (0.5% O2 ) or normoxic (21% O2 ) conditions. Our data showed that AGR2 upregulated both HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression in Caki-1 cells increasing the expression of HIF-activated genes (glucose transporter 1, phosphoglycerate kinase 1, vascular endothelial growth factor A, and transforming growth factor-alpha) under the hypoxic conditions. Under the normoxic conditions, AGR2 strongly activated CCAAT-enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ). Upregulation of C/EBPβ correlated with increased expression and secretion of the interleukin-6 and interleukin-8, inducing angiogenesis and inflammation in Caki-1 cells. In summary, our studies revealed that AGR2 has essential functions in ccRCC progression through upregulation of C/EBPβ and HIF-2α expressions, which affects cell signaling and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Pajdzik
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Mateusz Wilamowski
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Dariusz Żurawek
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Kinga B Stopa
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Michał Nodzyński
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agata Kalita
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jolanta Jura
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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14
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Mangukiya HB, Negi H, Merugu SB, Sehar Q, Mashausi DS, Yunus FUN, Wu Z, Li D. Paracrine signalling of AGR2 stimulates RhoA function in fibroblasts and modulates cell elongation and migration. Cell Adh Migr 2019; 13:332-344. [PMID: 31710263 PMCID: PMC6844563 DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2019.1685928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The most prominent cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in tumor stroma is known to form a protective structure to support tumor growth. Anterior gradient-2 (AGR2), a tumor secretory protein is believed to play a pivotal role during tumor microenvironment (TME) development. Here, we report that extracellular AGR2 enhances fibroblasts elongation and migration significantly. The early stimulation of RhoA showed the association of AGR2 by upregulation of G1-S phase-regulatory protein cyclin D1 and FAK phosphorylation through fibroblasts growth factor receptor (FGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). Our finding indicates that secretory AGR2 alters fibroblasts elongation, migration, and organization suggesting the secretory AGR2 as a potential molecular target that might be responsible to alter fibroblasts infiltration to support tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hema Negi
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Qudsia Sehar
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Zhenghua Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dawei Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Engineering Research center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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15
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Obacz J, Sommerova L, Sicari D, Durech M, Avril T, Iuliano F, Pastorekova S, Hrstka R, Chevet E, Delom F, Fessart D. Extracellular AGR3 regulates breast cancer cells migration via Src signaling. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:4449-4456. [PMID: 31611954 PMCID: PMC6781763 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.10849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human anterior gradient proteins AGR2 and AGR3 are overexpressed in a variety of adenocarcinomas and are often secreted in cancer patients' specimens, which suggests a role for AGR proteins in intra and extracellular compartments. Although these proteins exhibit high sequence homology, AGR2 is predominantly described as a pro-oncogene and a potential prognostic biomarker. However, little is known about the function of AGR3. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of AGR3 in breast cancer. The results demonstrated that breast cancer cells secrete AGR3. Furthermore, it was revealed that extracellular AGR3 (eAGR3) regulates tumor cell adhesion and migration. The current study indicated that the pharmacological and genetic perturbation of Src kinase signaling, through treatment with Dasatinib (protein kinase inhibitor) or investigating cells that express a dominant-negative form of Src, significantly abrogated eAGR3-mediated breast cancer cell migration. Therefore, the results indicated that eAGR3 may control tumor cell migration via activation of Src kinases. The results of the present study indicated that eAGR3 may serve as a microenvironmental signaling molecule in tumor-associated processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Obacz
- INSERM U1242, 'Chemistry, Oncogenesis Stress Signaling', University of Rennes Campus 1, F-35000 Rennes, France.,Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, F-35000 Rennes, France.,Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic.,Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Lucia Sommerova
- Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Daria Sicari
- INSERM U1242, 'Chemistry, Oncogenesis Stress Signaling', University of Rennes Campus 1, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Michal Durech
- Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tony Avril
- INSERM U1242, 'Chemistry, Oncogenesis Stress Signaling', University of Rennes Campus 1, F-35000 Rennes, France.,Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Filippo Iuliano
- Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Silvia Pastorekova
- Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic.,Institute of Virology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Roman Hrstka
- Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eric Chevet
- INSERM U1242, 'Chemistry, Oncogenesis Stress Signaling', University of Rennes Campus 1, F-35000 Rennes, France.,Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Frederic Delom
- University of Bordeaux, ACTION, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.,INSERM U1218, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.,Bergonie Cancer Institute, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Delphine Fessart
- INSERM U1242, 'Chemistry, Oncogenesis Stress Signaling', University of Rennes Campus 1, F-35000 Rennes, France.,Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, F-35000 Rennes, France.,University of Bordeaux, ACTION, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.,INSERM U1218, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
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16
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Alsereihi R, Schulten HJ, Bakhashab S, Saini K, Al-Hejin AM, Hussein D. Leveraging the Role of the Metastatic Associated Protein Anterior Gradient Homologue 2 in Unfolded Protein Degradation: A Novel Therapeutic Biomarker for Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11070890. [PMID: 31247903 PMCID: PMC6678570 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11070890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers can help in tracking disease progress, predict patients’ survival, and considerably affect the drive for successful clinical management. The present review aims to determine how the metastatic-linked protein anterior gradient homologue 2 (AGR2) operates to affect cancer progression, and to identify associated potential diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers, particularly in central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Studies that show a high expression level of AGR2, and associate the protein expression with the resilience to chemotherapeutic treatments or with poor cancer survival, are reported. The primary protein structures of the seven variants of AGR2, including their functional domains, are summarized. Based on experiments in various biological models, this review shows an orchestra of multiple molecules that regulate AGR2 expression, including a feedback loop with p53. The AGR2-associated molecular functions and pathways including genomic integrity, proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, adhesion, migration, stemness, and inflammation, are detailed. In addition, the mechanisms that can enable the rampant oncogenic effects of AGR2 are clarified. The different strategies used to therapeutically target AGR2-positive cancer cells are evaluated in light of the current evidence. Moreover, novel associated pathways and clinically relevant deregulated genes in AGR2 high CNS tumors are identified using a meta-analysis approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Alsereihi
- Neurooncology Translational Group, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Hans-Juergen Schulten
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Sherin Bakhashab
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- Biochemistry Department, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80218, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Kulvinder Saini
- School of Biotechnology, Eternal University, Baru Sahib-173101, Himachal Pradesh, India.
| | - Ahmed M Al-Hejin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- Microbiology Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Deema Hussein
- Neurooncology Translational Group, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
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17
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Endoplasmic reticulum proteostasis control and gastric cancer. Cancer Lett 2019; 449:263-271. [PMID: 30776479 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the primary organelle responsible for the synthesis, modification, folding and secretion of proteins, especially in specialized secretory cells. It also contributes to the maintenance of cellular functions, such as Ca2+ storage, lipogenesis, gluconeogenesis, and organelle biogenesis. Cellular stress conditions, such as glucose deprivation, hypoxia and disturbance of Ca2+ homeostasis, may increase the risk of protein misfolding and perturb proteostasis. This activates ER stress and triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR), leading to either the restoration of homeostasis or cell death. ER stress and UPR have been shown to play crucial roles in the pathogenesis, progression and treatment response of various cancers. In gastric cancer (GC), one of the most aggressive cancer types, critical functions of ER stress signaling have also started to emerge. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge linking ER stress and UPR to GC; we also discuss the possible nodes of therapeutic intervention and propose directions of future research.
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18
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Anterior Gradient-2 monoclonal antibody inhibits lung cancer growth and metastasis by upregulating p53 pathway and without exerting any toxicological effects: A preclinical study. Cancer Lett 2019; 449:125-134. [PMID: 30685412 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Increased drug resistance and acute side effects on normal organs are the major disadvantages of traditional cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This has increased the focus on targeted therapeutic strategies such as monoclonal antibody-based cancer therapies. The major advantage of antibody-based therapies is the specific inhibition of cancer-related targets, with reduced off-target side effects. Anterior gradient-2 (AGR2) is a prometastatic and proangiogenic tumor marker that is overexpressed in multiple cancers. Therefore, anti-AGR2 antibodies may be potential therapeutic agents for treating different cancers. In the present study, we examined a novel anti-AGR2 monoclonal antibody mAb18A4 and found that this antibody inhibited lung cancer progression and metastasis without exerting any adverse side effects on the major organs and blood in mice. Moreover, we found that mAb18A4 activated p53 pathway and attenuated ERK1/2-MAPK pathway. Furthermore, mAb18A4-treated cancer cell lines showed attenuated proliferation and colony formation, enhanced apoptosis, increased p53 expression, and reduced phosphorylated ERK1/2 expression. Treatment with mAb18A4 significantly reduced tumor size and suppressed tumor metastasis in and increased the survival of different xenograft tumor models. In addition, mAb18A4 potently suppressed AGR2-induced angiogenesis. Results of pharmacokinetic and toxicological analyses confirmed the safety of mAb18A4 as an antitumor treatment.
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19
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Tian S, Hu J, Tao K, Wang J, Chu Y, Li J, Liu Z, Ding X, Xu L, Li Q, Cai M, Gao J, Shuai X, Wang G, Wang L, Wang Z. Secreted AGR2 promotes invasion of colorectal cancer cells via Wnt11-mediated non-canonical Wnt signaling. Exp Cell Res 2018; 364:198-207. [PMID: 29427622 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Human anterior gradient-2 (AGR2), a member of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family, is present in both intracellular and extracellular compartments. Although AGR2 is overexpressed in various human cancers and reported to promote aggressive tumor features, little is known regarding AGR2's extracellular functions during tumorigenesis. Here, we demonstrate that secreted AGR2 promotes cell migration and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, secreted AGR2 elevated Wnt11 expression, triggering non-canonical Wnt signaling: the Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and c-jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways. Knockdown of Wnt11 or pretreatment with CaMKII and JNK inhibitors reversed the secreted AGR2's migration-promoting effect. Further studies revealed that AGR2 antagonized canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling via activating CaMKII. Collectively, our study uncovers a critical role of Wnt11-mediated non-canonical Wnt signaling (CaMKII and JNK pathways) in secreted AGR2's promoted migration of CRC cells. These results raise the possibility that secreted AGR2 may be a potential therapeutic target towards inhibiting CRC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaobo Tian
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jia Hu
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Kaixiong Tao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yanan Chu
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Zhibo Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xueliang Ding
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Luming Xu
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Qilin Li
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Ming Cai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jinbo Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xiaoming Shuai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Guobin Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Lin Wang
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
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20
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Jia M, Guo Y, Zhu D, Zhang N, Li L, Jiang J, Dong Y, Xu Q, Zhang X, Wang M, Yu H, Wang F, Tian K, Zhang J, Young CYF, Lou H, Yuan H. Pro-metastatic activity of AGR2 interrupts angiogenesis target bevacizumab efficiency via direct interaction with VEGFA and activation of NF-κB pathway. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2018; 1864:1622-1633. [PMID: 29410027 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Anterior gradient 2 (AGR2), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI), is associated with cancer development and malignant progression. Here, we show that high level of AGR2 promotes the aggressive phenotype of prostate cancer (PCa) mouse models developed by either patient-derived xenografts or surgical intra-prostate implantation of PCa cells, associated with enrichment of the blood vessel network in tumor tissues. Angiogenesis markers VEGFR2 and CD34, accompanied with the invasive marker Vimentin, were predominantly stained in metastatic liver tissues. Secreted AGR2 was defined to enhance VEGFR2 activity as evidenced by physical interaction of purified recombinant human AGR2 (rhAGR2) with rhVEGFA through the formation of a disulfide bond. Mutant or deleted thioredoxin motif in rhAGR2 was also unable to bind to rhVEGFA that led to the significant abolishment in the vessel formation, but partially affecting the aggressive process, implicating alternative mechanisms are required for AGR2-conferring metastasis. Cytosolic AGR2 contributed to cell metastasis ascribed to its stabilizing effect on p65 protein, which subsequently activated the NF-κB and facilitated epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Importantly, GSH and cabozantinib, but not bevacizumab, effectively blocked the pro-angiogenic effect of rhAGR2 in vitro and in vivo, providing evidence that secreted AGR2 acts as a predictive biomarker for selection of angiogenesis-targeting therapeutic drugs based on its levels in the circular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqi Jia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yanxia Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Deyu Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Nianzhao Zhang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Nature Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Jin Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yiwen Dong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Qingqing Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xiulei Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Meijuan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Haina Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Keli Tian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jinsan Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Center for Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, China; Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Charles Y F Young
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Hongxiang Lou
- Department of Nature Product Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Huiqing Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, China.
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Sommerova L, Ondrouskova E, Vojtesek B, Hrstka R. Suppression of AGR2 in a TGF-β-induced Smad regulatory pathway mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transition. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:546. [PMID: 28810836 PMCID: PMC5557473 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3537-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During cancer progression, epithelial cancer cells can be reprogrammed into mesenchymal-like cells with increased migratory potential through the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), representing an essential step of tumor progression towards metastatic state. AGR2 protein was shown to regulate several cancer-associated processes including cellular proliferation, survival and drug resistance. Methods The expression of AGR2 was analyzed in cancer cell lines exposed to TGF-β alone or to combined treatment with TGF-β and the Erk1/2 inhibitor PD98059 or the TGF-β receptor specific inhibitor SB431542. The impact of AGR2 silencing by specific siRNAs or CRISPR/Cas9 technology on EMT was investigated by western blot analysis, quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence analysis, real-time invasion assay and adhesion assay. Results Induction of EMT was associated with decreased AGR2 along with changes in cellular morphology, actin reorganization, inhibition of E-cadherin and induction of the mesenchymal markers vimentin and N-cadherin in various cancer cell lines. Conversely, induction of AGR2 caused reversion of the mesenchymal phenotype back to the epithelial phenotype and re-acquisition of epithelial markers. Activated Smad and Erk signaling cascades were identified as mutually complementary pathways responsible for TGF-β-mediated inhibition of AGR2. Conclusion Taken together our results highlight a crucial role for AGR2 in maintaining the epithelial phenotype by preventing the activation of key factors involved in the process of EMT. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-017-3537-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Sommerova
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Ondrouskova
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Borivoj Vojtesek
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Hrstka
- RECAMO, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic.
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22
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ERp29 inhibits tumorigenicity by suppressing epithelial mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:78757-78766. [PMID: 29108263 PMCID: PMC5667996 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.20225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
ERp29 is a novel endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein that plays an important role in protein unfolding and secretion. Recently, it has been reported to be widely implicated in control of tumorigenesis in some tumors. However, the potential function of ERp29 in gastric cancer remains poorly understood. In this study, we found that the positive rate of ERp29 in gastric cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent non-tumor tissues. And tumor with high ERp29 expression had inclinations towards smaller tumor size and earlier TNM stage. The in vitro experiments indicated that over-expression of ERp29 in gastric cancer cells significantly suppressed the proliferation and migration of tumor cells, which is consistent with the result of the in vivo animal experiments. Furthermore, our mechanistic investigations revealed that ERp29 reversed EMT process in gastric carcinoma, and its effect was related to the inactivation of ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation. Thus, we conclude that ERp29 acts as a tumor suppressor gene in gastric cancer, and is expected to become a novel target of the treatment of GC.
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23
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Zhu Q, Mangukiya HB, Mashausi DS, Guo H, Negi H, Merugu SB, Wu Z, Li D. Anterior gradient 2 is induced in cutaneous wound and promotes wound healing through its adhesion domain. FEBS J 2017; 284:2856-2869. [PMID: 28665039 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Anterior gradient 2 (AGR2), a member of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family, is both located in cytoplasm and secreted into extracellular matrix. The orthologs of AGR2 have been linked to limb regeneration in newt and wound healing in zebrafish. In mammals, AGR2 influences multiple cell signaling pathways in tumor formation and in normal cell functions related to new tissue formation like angiogenesis. However, the function of AGR2 in mammalian wound healing remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate AGR2 expression and its function during skin wound healing and the possible application of external AGR2 in cutaneous wound to accelerate the healing process. Our results showed that AGR2 expression was induced in the migrating epidermal tongue and hyperplastic epidermis after skin excision. Topical application of recombinant AGR2 significantly accelerated wound-healing process by increasing the migration of keratinocytes (Kera.) and the recruitment of fibroblasts (Fibro.) near the wounded area. External AGR2 also promoted the migration of Kera. and Fibro. in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. The adhesion domain of AGR2 was required for the formation of focal adhesions in migrating Fibro., leading to the directional migration along AGR2 gradient. These results indicate that recombinant AGR2 accelerates skin wound healing through regulation of Kera. and Fibro. migration, thus demonstrating its potential utility as an alternative strategy of the therapeutics to accelerate the healing of acute or chronic skin wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | | | | | - Hao Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Hema Negi
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | | | - Zhenghua Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Dawei Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.,Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
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24
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Guo H, Zhu Q, Yu X, Merugu SB, Mangukiya HB, Smith N, Li Z, Zhang B, Negi H, Rong R, Cheng K, Wu Z, Li D. Tumor-secreted anterior gradient-2 binds to VEGF and FGF2 and enhances their activities by promoting their homodimerization. Oncogene 2017; 36:5098-5109. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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25
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Hrstka R, Podhorec J, Nenutil R, Sommerova L, Obacz J, Durech M, Faktor J, Bouchal P, Skoupilova H, Vojtesek B. Tamoxifen-Dependent Induction of AGR2 Is Associated with Increased Aggressiveness of Endometrial Cancer Cells. Cancer Invest 2017; 35:313-324. [DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2017.1309546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roman Hrstka
- Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Podhorec
- Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Rudolf Nenutil
- Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Sommerova
- Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Joanna Obacz
- Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Durech
- Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Faktor
- Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Bouchal
- Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Skoupilova
- Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, RECAMO, Brno, Czech Republic
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26
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Matoulkova E, Sommerova L, Pastorek M, Vojtesek B, Hrstka R. Regulation of AGR2 expression via 3'UTR shortening. Exp Cell Res 2017; 356:40-47. [PMID: 28408318 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
One recently discussed general mechanism affecting gene expression is 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) length. Events such as shortening, translocation or loss of 3'UTRs are observed within oncogenes and are proposed to associate with increased expression. Thus, increased efforts are being made to understand constitutive and differential transcript 3'end formation. Investigation of AGR2 mRNA revealed a direct impact of its 3'UTR length on AGR2 expression. In silico analyses identified several regulatory sequences within the distal part of AGR2 mRNA that may regulate 3'UTR length and associated protein levels. Short 3'UTRs were observed in a panel of AGR2-positive cancer cell lines and in human breast cancer specimens, in which more extensive 3'UTR shortening correlated with increased AGR2 protein levels. AGR2 is an important member of PI3K/AKT signalling pathway, which along with the proposed involvement of mTOR in the regulation of alternative polyadenylation, prompted us to study the role of mTOR in relation to AGR2 mRNA 3'UTR shortening. A direct impact of mTOR signalling on AGR2 3'UTR shortening associated with increased protein synthesis was found, which led to the identification of a novel molecular mechanism involved in upregulation of AGR2 levels in mTOR-activated cells via modulating the 3'UTR length of AGR2 mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Matoulkova
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czechia
| | - Lucia Sommerova
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czechia
| | - Michal Pastorek
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czechia
| | - Borivoj Vojtesek
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czechia
| | - Roman Hrstka
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czechia.
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Boilly B, Faulkner S, Jobling P, Hondermarck H. Nerve Dependence: From Regeneration to Cancer. Cancer Cell 2017; 31:342-354. [PMID: 28292437 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2017.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Revised: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nerve dependence has long been described in animal regeneration, where the outgrowth of axons is necessary to the reconstitution of lost body parts and tissue remodeling in various species. Recent discoveries have demonstrated that denervation can suppress tumor growth and metastasis, pointing to nerve dependence in cancer. Regeneration and cancer share similarities in regard to the stimulatory role of nerves, and there are indications that the stem cell compartment is a preferred target of innervation. Thus, the neurobiology of cancer is an emerging discipline that opens new perspectives in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoni Boilly
- UFR de Biologie, Université de Lille, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Sam Faulkner
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Phillip Jobling
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Hubert Hondermarck
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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28
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Vitello EA, Quek SI, Kincaid H, Fuchs T, Crichton DJ, Troisch P, Liu AY. Cancer-secreted AGR2 induces programmed cell death in normal cells. Oncotarget 2016; 7:49425-49434. [PMID: 27283903 PMCID: PMC5226518 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anterior Gradient 2 (AGR2) is a protein expressed in many solid tumor types including prostate, pancreatic, breast and lung. AGR2 functions as a protein disulfide isomerase in the endoplasmic reticulum. However, AGR2 is secreted by cancer cells that overexpress this molecule. Secretion of AGR2 was also found in salamander limb regeneration. Due to its ubiquity, tumor secretion of AGR2 must serve an important role in cancer, yet its molecular function is largely unknown. This study examined the effect of cancer-secreted AGR2 on normal cells. Prostate stromal cells were cultured, and tissue digestion media containing AGR2 prepared from prostate primary cancer 10-076 CP and adenocarcinoma LuCaP 70CR xenograft were added. The control were tissue digestion media containing no AGR2 prepared from benign prostate 10-076 NP and small cell carcinoma LuCaP 145.1 xenograft. In the presence of tumor-secreted AGR2, the stromal cells were found to undergo programmed cell death (PCD) characterized by formation of cellular blebs, cell shrinkage, and DNA fragmentation as seen when the stromal cells were UV irradiated or treated by a pro-apoptotic drug. PCD could be prevented with the addition of the monoclonal AGR2-neutralizing antibody P3A5. DNA microarray analysis of LuCaP 70CR media-treated vs. LuCaP 145.1 media-treated cells showed downregulation of the gene SAT1 as a major change in cells exposed to AGR2. RT-PCR analysis confirmed the array result. SAT1 encodes spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, which maintains intracellular polyamine levels. Abnormal polyamine metabolism as a result of altered SAT1 activity has an adverse effect on cells through the induction of PCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Vitello
- Department of Urology and Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sue-Ing Quek
- Department of Urology and Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Present address: Singapore Polytechnic, Center for Biomedical and Life Sciences, Singapore
| | - Heather Kincaid
- EDRN Informatics Center and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Fuchs
- EDRN Informatics Center and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Daniel J. Crichton
- EDRN Informatics Center and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - Alvin Y. Liu
- Department of Urology and Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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29
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Guo H, Chen H, Zhu Q, Yu X, Rong R, Merugu SB, Mangukiya HB, Li D. A humanized monoclonal antibody targeting secreted anterior gradient 2 effectively inhibits the xenograft tumor growth. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 475:57-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Wu J, Chen XH, Wang XQ, Yu Y, Ren JM, Xiao Y, Zhou T, Li P, Xu CD. ERp19 contributes to tumorigenicity in human gastric cancer by promoting cell growth, migration and invasion. Oncotarget 2016; 6:11794-805. [PMID: 25940440 PMCID: PMC4494905 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
ERp19, a mammalian thioredoxin-like protein, plays a key role in defense against endoplasmic reticulum stress. It belongs to the protein disulfide isomerize (PDI) family, whose members have been implicated in development of breast, ovarian and gastrointestinal cancers. However, the role of ERp19 in gastric cancer (GC) remains undefined. Therefore, we sought to investigate the expression and prognostic value of ERp19 in GC patients, and to explore the role of ERp19 in tumorigenicity. Expression of ERp19 in gastric tissues was assessed by immunohistochemical staining and real-time PCR in clinical samples of GC patients. Statistical analysis of clinical cases revealed that the expression levels of ERp19 were higher in tumor tissues than non-tumor tissues. And the level of ERp19 expression was correlated with tumor size, lymph node involvement and poor clinical prognosis. Furthermore, ERp19 knockdown dramatically suppressed gastric cancer cell growth, inhibited cellular migration/invasion and down-regulated the phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin, whereas ERp19 over-expression reversed these changes. We conclude that ERp19 contributes to tumorigenicity and metastasis of GC by activating the FAK signaling pathway, and may function as an oncogene in GC. ERp19 may represent a new diagnostic and prognostic marker and a novel target for the treatment of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic
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Obacz J, Brychtova V, Podhorec J, Fabian P, Dobes P, Vojtesek B, Hrstka R. Anterior gradient protein 3 is associated with less aggressive tumors and better outcome of breast cancer patients. Onco Targets Ther 2015; 8:1523-32. [PMID: 26170690 PMCID: PMC4485854 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s82235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Anterior gradient protein (AGR) 3 is a highly related homologue of pro-oncogenic AGR2 and belongs to the family of protein disulfide isomerases. Although AGR3 was found in breast, ovary, prostate, and liver cancer, it remains of yet poorly defined function in tumorigenesis. This study aimed to determine AGR3 expression in a cohort of 129 primary breast carcinomas and evaluate the clinical and prognostic significance of AGR3 in these tumors. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed the presence of AGR3 staining to varying degrees in 80% of analyzed specimens. The percentage of AGR3-positive cells significantly correlated with estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor (both P<0.0001) as well as low histological grade (P=0.003), and inversely correlated with the level of Ki-67 expression (P<0.0001). In the whole cohort, AGR3 expression was associated with longer progression-free survival (PFS), whereas AGR3-positive subgroup of low-histological grade tumors showed both significantly longer PFS and overall survival. In conclusion, AGR3 is associated with the level of differentiation, slowly proliferating tumors, and more favorable prognosis of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Obacz
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Brychtova
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Podhorec
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Fabian
- Department of Pathology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Dobes
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Borivoj Vojtesek
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Hrstka
- Regional Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Brno, Czech Republic
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