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Hushmandi K, Saadat SH, Mirilavasani S, Daneshi S, Aref AR, Nabavi N, Raesi R, Taheriazam A, Hashemi M. The multifaceted role of SOX2 in breast and lung cancer dynamics. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 260:155386. [PMID: 38861919 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Breast and lung cancers are leading causes of death among patients, with their global mortality and morbidity rates increasing. Conventional treatments often prove inadequate due to resistance development. The alteration of molecular interactions may accelerate cancer progression and treatment resistance. SOX2, known for its abnormal expression in various human cancers, can either accelerate or impede cancer progression. This review focuses on examining the role of SOX2 in breast and lung cancer development. An imbalance in SOX2 expression can promote the growth and dissemination of these cancers. SOX2 can also block programmed cell death, affecting autophagy and other cell death mechanisms. It plays a significant role in cancer metastasis, mainly by regulating the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Additionally, an imbalanced SOX2 expression can cause resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy in these cancers. Genetic and epigenetic factors may affect SOX2 levels. Pharmacologically targeting SOX2 could improve the effectiveness of breast and lung cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiavash Hushmandi
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Seyed Hassan Saadat
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Seyedalireza Mirilavasani
- Campus Venlo, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - Salman Daneshi
- Department of Public Health,School of Health,Jiroft University of Medical Sciences,Jiroft, the Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Department of Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc. Boston, MA, USA; Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6 Canada
| | - Rasoul Raesi
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.; Department of Nursing, Torbat Jam Faculty of Medical Sciences, Torbat Jam, Iran
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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2
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Wang B, Wang Y, Wang W, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Pan X, Wen X, Leng H, Guo J, Ma XX. WTAP/IGF2BP3 mediated m6A modification of the EGR1/PTEN axis regulates the malignant phenotypes of endometrial cancer stem cells. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:204. [PMID: 39044249 PMCID: PMC11264439 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03120-w] [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: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) stem cells (ECSCs) are pivotal in the oncogenesis, metastasis, immune escape, chemoresistance, and recurrence of EC. However, the specific mechanism of stem cell maintenance in EC cells (ECCs) has not been clarified. We found that WTAP and m6A levels decreased in both EC and ECSCs, and that knocking down WTAP promoted ECCs and ECSCs properties, including proliferation, invasion, migration, cisplatin resistance, and self-renewal. The downregulation of WTAP leads to a decrease in the m6A modification of EGR1 mRNA, and it is difficult for IGF2BP3, as an m6A reader, to recognize and bind to EGR1 mRNA that has lost m6A modification, resulting in a decrease in the stability of EGR1 mRNA. A decrease in the EGR1 level led to a decrease of in the expression tumor suppressor gene PTEN, resulting in deregulation and loss of cellular homeostasis and thereby fostering EC stem cell traits. Notably, the enforced overexpression of WTAP, EGR1, and PTEN inhibited the oncogenic effects of ECCs and ECSCs in vivo, and the combined overexpression of WTAP + EGR1 and EGR1 + PTEN further diminished the tumorigenic potential of these cells. Our findings revealed that the WTAP/EGR1/PTEN pathway is important regulator of EC stem cell maintenance, chemotherapeutic resistance, and tumorigenesis, suggesting a novel and promising therapeutic avenue for treating EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Yuting Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Wantong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Zihao Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Yunzheng Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Xin Pan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Xin Wen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Hongrui Leng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China
| | - Xiao-Xin Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 39 Huaxiang Road, Tiexi District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110022, China.
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3
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Cao XY, Liu Y, Kan JS, Huang XX, Kambey PA, Zhang CT, Gao J. Microglial SIX2 suppresses lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation by up-regulating FXYD2 expression. Brain Res Bull 2024; 212:110970. [PMID: 38688414 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a severe neurodegenerative disease associated with the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Although its pathogenesis remains unclear, microglia-mediated neuroinflammation significantly contributes to the development of PD. Here we showed that the sine oculis homeobox (SIX) homologue family transcription factors SIX2 exerted significant effects on neuroinflammation. The SIX2 protein, which is silenced during development, was reactivated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated microglia. The reactivated SIX2 in microglia mitigated the LPS induced inflammatory effects, and then reduced the toxic effect of conditioned media (CM) of microglia on co-cultured MES23.5 DA cells. Using the LPS-stimulated Cx3cr1-CreERT2 mouse model, we also demonstrated that the highly-expressed SIX2 in microglia obviously attenuated neuroinflammation and protected the DA neurons in SN. Further RNA-Seq analysis on the inflammatory activated microglia revealed that the SIX2 exerted these effects via up-regulating the FXYD domain containing ion transport regulator 2 (FXYD2). Taken together, our study demonstrated that SIX2 was an endogenous anti-inflammatory factor in microglia, and it exerted anti-neuroinflammatory effects by regulating the expression of FXYD2, which provides new ideas for anti-neuroinflammation in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia-Yin Cao
- Department of Neurobiology and Cellular biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Cellular biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Jia-Shuo Kan
- Department of Neurobiology and Cellular biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Xin-Xing Huang
- Department of Neurobiology and Cellular biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Piniel Alphayo Kambey
- Department of Neurobiology and Cellular biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Can-Tang Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Jin Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Cellular biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China.
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4
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Leppänen N, Kaljunen H, Takala E, Kaarijärvi R, Mäkinen PI, Ylä-Herttuala S, Paatero I, Paakinaho V, Ketola K. SIX2 promotes cell plasticity via Wnt/β-catenin signalling in androgen receptor independent prostate cancer. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:5610-5623. [PMID: 38554106 PMCID: PMC11162805 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of androgen receptor (AR) inhibitors in prostate cancer gives rise to increased cellular lineage plasticity resulting in resistance to AR-targeted therapies. In this study, we examined the chromatin landscape of AR-positive prostate cancer cells post-exposure to the AR inhibitor enzalutamide. We identified a novel regulator of cell plasticity, the homeobox transcription factor SIX2, whose motif is enriched in accessible chromatin regions after treatment. Depletion of SIX2 in androgen-independent PC-3 prostate cancer cells induced a switch from a stem-like to an epithelial state, resulting in reduced cancer-related properties such as proliferation, colony formation, and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. These effects were mediated through the downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway and subsequent reduction of nuclear β-catenin. Collectively, our findings provide compelling evidence that the depletion of SIX2 may represent a promising strategy for overcoming the cell plasticity mechanisms driving antiandrogen resistance in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noora Leppänen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Heidi Kaljunen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eerika Takala
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Roosa Kaarijärvi
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Petri I Mäkinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ilkka Paatero
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Ville Paakinaho
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kirsi Ketola
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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5
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Hughes CJ, Alderman C, Wolin AR, Fields KM, Zhao R, Ford HL. All eyes on Eya: A unique transcriptional co-activator and phosphatase in cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189098. [PMID: 38555001 PMCID: PMC11111358 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189098] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The Eya family of proteins (consisting of Eyas1-4 in mammals) play vital roles in embryogenesis by regulating processes such as proliferation, migration/invasion, cellular survival and pluripotency/plasticity of epithelial and mesenchymal states. Eya proteins carry out such diverse functions through a unique combination of transcriptional co-factor, Tyr phosphatase, and PP2A/B55α-mediated Ser/Thr phosphatase activities. Since their initial discovery, re-expression of Eyas has been observed in numerous tumor types, where they are known to promote tumor progression through a combination of their transcriptional and enzymatic activities. Eya proteins thus reinstate developmental processes during malignancy and represent a compelling class of therapeutic targets for inhibiting tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor J Hughes
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America
| | - Christopher Alderman
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America; Molecular Biology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America
| | - Arthur R Wolin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America; Molecular Biology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America
| | - Kaiah M Fields
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America; Molecular Biology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America
| | - Rui Zhao
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America; Molecular Biology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America.
| | - Heide L Ford
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America; Molecular Biology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, United States of America.
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6
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Daren L, Dan Y, Jinhong W, Chao L. NIK-mediated reactivation of SIX2 enhanced the CSC-like traits of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through suppressing ubiquitin-proteasome system. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:583-591. [PMID: 37461228 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The critical roles of NF-κB Inducing Kinase (NIK) in tumor progression have been elucidated in various tumors; however, its effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression are still confusing. Here, we found that NIK level was upregulated in HCC tissues compared to that of normal tissues, and positively correlated with the levels of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers. Then we established HCC cells with NIK-stable knockdown and found that NIK knockdown suppressed the CSC-like traits of HCC cells through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Mechanistically, we revealed that SIX2 protein level, but not its mRNA level, was significantly reduced in HCC cells with NIK knockdown, which was rescued by MG132 treatment. Furthermore, NIK knockdown promoted the ubiquitination level of SIX2 and decreased its protein stability. Moreover, Six2 overexpression partially reversed the inhibition of NIK knockdown on the CSC-like traits of HCC cells. This study identified a novel NIK/SIX2 axis conferring HCC stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Daren
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ye Dan
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wu Jinhong
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Chao
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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7
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Zhang D, Tang D, Liu PT, Tao L, Lu LM. Isolation of tumor stem-like cells from primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells (FD-LS-6). Hum Cell 2024; 37:323-336. [PMID: 37759147 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-023-00984-6] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The development of efficient treatments for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is hindered by the lack of applicable tumor cell lines and animal models of the disease, especially those related to cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). CSCs play critical roles in tumor propagation and pathogenesis whereas no CSCs lines have been developed to date. In this study, we establish an LSCC cell line (FD-LS-6) from primary LSCC tumor tissue (not experienced single-cell cloning) and adapted a culturing condition for the expansion of potential stem cells (EPSCs) to isolate CSCs from FD-LS-6. We successfully derived novel CSCs and named them as LSCC sphere-forming cells (LSCSCs) which were subsequently characterized for their CSC properties. We showed that LSCSCs shared many properties of CSCs, including CSC marker, robust self-renewal capacity, tumorigenesis ability, potential to generate other cell types such as adipocytes and osteoblasts, and resistance to chemotherapy. Compared to parental cells, LSCSCs were significantly more potent in forming tumors in vivo in mice and more resistant to chemotherapy. LSCSCs have higher expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition proteins and chemotherapy resistance factors, and exhibit an activated COX2/PEG2 signaling pathway. Altogether, our work establishes the first CSCs of LSCC (FD-LS-6) and provides a tool to study tumorigenesis and metastasis of LSCC and help the development of anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-HNS, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Key Clinical Disciplines of Otorhinolaryngology, Fudan University School of Medicine, 83 Fenyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Department of Pudong Hospital, Fudan University School of Medicine, 2800 Gongwei Road, Shanghai, 201300, China
| | - Di Tang
- Department of Otolaryngology-HNS, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Key Clinical Disciplines of Otorhinolaryngology, Fudan University School of Medicine, 83 Fenyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Department of Pudong Hospital, Fudan University School of Medicine, 2800 Gongwei Road, Shanghai, 201300, China
| | - Pen-Tao Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Consortium, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 5 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Science and Technology Park, 6-8 Harbour Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lei Tao
- Department of Otolaryngology-HNS, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai Key Clinical Disciplines of Otorhinolaryngology, Fudan University School of Medicine, 83 Fenyang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- Department of Pudong Hospital, Fudan University School of Medicine, 2800 Gongwei Road, Shanghai, 201300, China.
| | - Li-Ming Lu
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 280 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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Evolutionary route of nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis and its clinical significance. Nat Commun 2023; 14:610. [PMID: 36739462 PMCID: PMC9899247 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-35995-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is critical to understand factors associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) metastasis. To track the evolutionary route of metastasis, here we perform an integrative genomic analysis of 163 matched blood and primary, regional lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis tumour samples, combined with single-cell RNA-seq on 11 samples from two patients. The mutation burden, gene mutation frequency, mutation signature, and copy number frequency are similar between metastatic tumours and primary and regional lymph node tumours. There are two distinct evolutionary routes of metastasis, including metastases evolved from regional lymph nodes (lymphatic route, 61.5%, 8/13) and from primary tumours (hematogenous route, 38.5%, 5/13). The hematogenous route is characterised by higher IFN-γ response gene expression and a higher fraction of exhausted CD8+ T cells. Based on a radiomics model, we find that the hematogenous group has significantly better progression-free survival and PD-1 immunotherapy response, while the lymphatic group has a better response to locoregional radiotherapy.
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Zhang R, Zhang X, Zhang W, Cui W, Xiao Y, Liu L, Zhi S, Feng X, Liu X, Shen Y, Chai J, Hao J. Sohlh2 Regulates the Stemness and Differentiation of Colon Cancer Stem Cells by Downregulating LncRNA-H19 Transcription. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:115-126. [PMID: 36287177 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-22-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Colon cancer stem cells (CSC) are tumor-initiating cells that drive tumorigenesis and progression through self-renewal and various differentiation potency. Therefore, the identification of factors critical for colon CSC function is vital for the development of therapies. Sohlh2 belongs to the superfamily of bhlh transcription factors and serves as a tumor suppressor in several tumors. The role of Sohlh2 in CSCs remains unknown. Here we demonstrated that Sohlh2 was related to the inhibition of LncRNA-H19/miR-141/β-catenin signaling and led to the consequent suppression of colon CSC stemness and the promotion of colon CSC differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, Sohlh2 could directly bind to the promoter of LncRNA-H19 and repress its transcription activity. LncRNA-H19 mediated the effects of Sohlh2 on colon CSC stemness and differentiation. Clinically, we observed a significant inverse correlation between Sohlh2 and LncRNA-H19, β-catenin, Lgr5, CD133 expression levels, and positive correlation between Sohlh2 and MUC2, TFF2 expression in colon cancer tissues. Collectively, our findings suggest an important role of the Sohlh2/LncRNA-H19/miR-141/β-catenin pathway in regulating colon CSC stemness and differentiation, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for colon cancer. IMPLICATIONS This study identifies that Sohlh2 directly manipulates LncRNA-H19 transcription and suppresses the β-catenin signaling pathway and the Sohlh2/LncRNA-H19/miR-141/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an essential role in the stemness of colon CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of The Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Key Laboratory of The Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Shandong, China
| | - Wenfang Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Linyi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Shandong, China
| | - Weiwei Cui
- Key Laboratory of The Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Shandong, China
| | - Yunling Xiao
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Shandong, China
| | - Lanlan Liu
- Key Laboratory of The Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Shandong, China
| | - Sujuan Zhi
- Key Laboratory of The Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoning Feng
- Key Laboratory of The Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Shandong, China
| | - Xuyue Liu
- Key Laboratory of The Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Shandong, China
| | - Ying Shen
- Key Laboratory of The Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Chai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong, China
| | - Jing Hao
- Key Laboratory of The Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Shandong, China
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10
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Zhang L, Chen W, Liu S, Chen C. Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:552-570. [PMID: 36632469 PMCID: PMC9830502 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.76187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential roles of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) in tumor initiation and recurrence have been recognized for many decades. Due to their strong capacity for self-renewal and differentiation, BCSCs are the major reasons for poor clinical outcomes and low therapeutic response. Several hypotheses on the origin of cancer stem cells have been proposed, including critical gene mutations in stem cells, dedifferentiation of somatic cells, and cell plasticity remodeling by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, the tumor microenvironment, including cellular components and cytokines, modulates the self-renewal and therapeutic resistance of BCSCs. Small molecules, antibodies, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting BCSCs have been developed, and their applications in combination with conventional therapies are undergoing clinical trials. In this review, we focus on the features of BCSCs, emphasize the major factors and tumor environment that regulate the stemness of BCSCs, and discuss potential BCSC-targeting therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai paracrine Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College; Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wenmin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650201, China.,Kunming College of Life Sciences, the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Suling Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai paracrine Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College; Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Ceshi Chen, E-mail: or Suling Liu, E-mail:
| | - Ceshi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650201, China.,Academy of Biomedical Engineering, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China.,The Third Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Ceshi Chen, E-mail: or Suling Liu, E-mail:
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11
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Chen K, Zhou Y, Sheng M, Li M. Culture and identification of multipotent stem cells in guinea pig sclera. Int Ophthalmol 2023; 43:113-120. [PMID: 35794406 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-022-02393-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate whether the sclera of guinea pig contains stem cells with multiple differentiation potentials. METHODS Scleral tissue from guinea pig was separated from the retina and choroid and digested to release single cells. The cells cultured was identified as stem cells by flow cytometric analysis, semiquantitative RT-PCR. Abilities for multipotent differentiation were analyzed by histochemical staining technique (oil-red-O staining, alcian blue staining and alizarin red staining). Scleral fibroblast cell was treated as control group. RESULTS The cultured scleral stem cells were positive for CD44 and CD105 (mesenchymal stem cell surface markers) by flow cytometry. The cells cultured expressed stem cell markers ABCG2, Notch1, Six2, and Pax6, and the most important component of sclera type I collagen. The positive staining informed that the cells cultured were able to differentiate to adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages. Scleral fibroblast cell was stained negative by oil-red-O staining and alizarin red staining. Expression of Sox9 in the cells cultured after chondrogenic differentiation significantly increased compared with scleral fibroblast cell. CONCLUSION The guinea pig sclera contained stem cells with multiple differentiation potentials. The cells were also related to scleral collagen and cartilage related proteins. The finding may provide a new tool to help clarify mechanisms of sclera related disease in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaichuan Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanping Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated with Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minjie Sheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated with Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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12
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Acetylation of Checkpoint suppressor 1 enhances its stability and promotes the progression of triple-negative breast cancer. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:474. [PMID: 36450706 PMCID: PMC9712368 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01269-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Checkpoint suppressor 1 (CHES1), a transcriptional regulator, had been dysregulated in many types of malignancies including breast cancer, and its expression level is strongly associated with progression and prognosis of patients. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of CHES1 expression in the breast cancer and the effects of post-translational modifications (PTMs) on its functional performance remain to be fully investigated. Herein, we found that CHES1 had a high abundance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its expression was tightly associated with malignant phenotype and poor outcomes of patients. Furthermore, we confirmed that CHES1 was an acetylated protein and its dynamic modification was mediated by p300 and HDAC1, and CHES1 acetylation enhanced its stability via decreasing its ubiquitination and degradation, which resulted in the high abundance of CHES1 in TNBC. RNA-seq and functional study revealed that CHES1 facilitated the activation of oncogenic genes and pathways leading to proliferation and metastasis of TNBC. Taken together, this research established a novel regulatory role of acetylation on the stability and activity of CHES1. The results demonstrate the significance of CHES1 acetylation and underlying mechanisms in the progression of TNBC, offering new potential candidate for molecular-targeted therapy in breast cancer.
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13
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Shen S, Li T, Fan J, Shao Q, Dong H, Xu X, Mo R. Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticle with cell-distinct drug release for treatment of stemness-derived resistant tumor. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 13:1262-1273. [PMID: 36970217 PMCID: PMC10031347 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance presents one of the major causes for the failure of cancer chemotherapy. Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), a population of self-renewal cells with high tumorigenicity and innate chemoresistance, can survive conventional chemotherapy and generate increased resistance. Here, we develop a lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticle for co-delivery and cell-distinct release of the differentiation-inducing agent, all-trans retinoic acid and the chemotherapeutic drug, doxorubicin to overcome the CSC-associated chemoresistance. The hybrid nanoparticles achieve differential release of the combined drugs in the CSCs and bulk tumor cells by responding to their specific intracellular signal variation. In the hypoxic CSCs, ATRA is released to induce differentiation of the CSCs, and in the differentiating CSCs with decreased chemoresistance, DOX is released upon elevation of reactive oxygen species to cause subsequent cell death. In the bulk tumor cells, the drugs are released synchronously upon the hypoxic and oxidative conditions to exert potent anticancer effect. This cell-distinct drug release enhances the synergistic therapeutic efficacy of ATRA and DOX with different anticancer mechanism. We show that treatment with the hybrid nanoparticle efficiently inhibit the tumor growth and metastasis of the CSC-enriched triple negative breast cancer in the mouse models.
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14
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SIX3 function in cancer: progression and comprehensive analysis. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:1542-1549. [PMID: 35764712 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-022-00488-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The homeobox gene family encodes transcription factors that are essential for cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation, and its dysfunction is linked to tumor initiation and progression. Sine oculis homeobox (SIX) belongs to the homeobox gene family, with SIX3 being a core member. Recent studies indicate that SXI3 functions as a cancer suppressor or promoter, which is mainly dependent on SIX3's influence on the signal pathways that promote or inhibit cancer in cells. The low expression of SIX3 in most malignant tumors was confirmed by detailed studies, which could promote the cell cycle, proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. The recovery or upregulation of SIX3 expression to suppress cancer is closely related to the direct or indirect inhibition of the Wnt pathway. However, in some malignancies, such as esophageal cancer and gastric cancer, SIX3 is a tumor-promoting factor, and repressing SIX3 improves patients' prognosis. This review introduces the research progress of SIX3 in tumors and gives a comprehensive analysis, intending to explain why SIX3 plays different roles in different cancers and provide new cancer therapy strategies.
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15
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The oncogenic JAG1 intracellular domain is a transcriptional cofactor that acts in concert with DDX17/SMAD3/TGIF2. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111626. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Xu Y, Yuan L, Jiang X, Su M, Huang M, Chen Y, Zhang L, Chen X, Zhu H, Lu J. Glutathione peroxidase 8 expression on cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts facilitates lung cancer metastasis. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e152. [PMID: 35978854 PMCID: PMC9365937 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, of which lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common subtype. Metastasis is the major cause of poor prognosis and mortality for lung cancer patients, which urgently needs great efforts to be further explored. Herein, glutathione peroxidase 8 (GPX8) was identified as a novel potential pro-metastatic gene in LUAD metastatic mice models from GEO database. GPX8 was highly expressed in tumor tissues, predicting poor prognosis in LUAD patients. Knockdown of GPX8 inhibited LUAD metastasis in vitro and in vivo, while it did not obviously affect tumor growth. Knockdown of GPX8 decreased the levels of p-FAK and p-Paxillin and disturbed the distribution of focal adhesion. Furthermore, GPX8 was overexpressed in cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) and associated with CAF infiltration in tumor microenvironment of lung cancer. GPX8 silence on fibroblasts suppressed lung cancer cell migration in the coculture system. BRD2 and RRD4 were the potential transcriptionally regulators for GPX8. Bromodomain extra-terminal inhibitor JQ1 downregulated GPX8 expression and suppressed lung cancer cell migration. Our findings indicate that highly expressed GPX8 in lung cancer cells and fibroblasts functions as a pro-metastatic factor in lung cancer. JQ1 is identified as a potential inhibitor against GPX8-mediated lung cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu‐Lian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese MedicineInstitute of Chinese Medical SciencesUniversity of MacauMacaoChina
| | - Luo‐Wei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese MedicineInstitute of Chinese Medical SciencesUniversity of MacauMacaoChina
| | - Xiao‐Ming Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese MedicineInstitute of Chinese Medical SciencesUniversity of MacauMacaoChina
| | - Min‐Xia Su
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese MedicineInstitute of Chinese Medical SciencesUniversity of MacauMacaoChina
| | - Mu‐Yang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese MedicineInstitute of Chinese Medical SciencesUniversity of MacauMacaoChina
| | - Yu‐Chi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese MedicineInstitute of Chinese Medical SciencesUniversity of MacauMacaoChina
| | - Le‐Le Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese MedicineInstitute of Chinese Medical SciencesUniversity of MacauMacaoChina
| | - Xiuping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese MedicineInstitute of Chinese Medical SciencesUniversity of MacauMacaoChina
| | - Hong Zhu
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti‐Cancer Drug ResearchCollege of Pharmaceutical SciencesZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jin‐Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese MedicineInstitute of Chinese Medical SciencesUniversity of MacauMacaoChina
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of MacauMacaoChina
- MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision OncologyUniversity of MacauMacaoChina
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease ResearchUniversity of MacauMacaoChina
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Dey A, Kundu M, Das S, Jena BC, Mandal M. Understanding the function and regulation of Sox2 for its therapeutic potential in breast cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188692. [PMID: 35122882 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sox family of transcriptional factors play essential functions in development and are implicated in multiple clinical disorders, including cancer. Sox2 being their most prominent member and performing a critical role in reprogramming differentiated adult cells to an embryonic phenotype is frequently upregulated in multiple cancers. High Sox2 levels are detected in breast tumor tissues and correlate with a worse prognosis. In addition, Sox2 expression is connected with resistance to conventional anticancer therapy. Together, it can be said that inhibiting Sox2 expression can reduce the malignant features associated with breast cancer, including invasion, migration, proliferation, stemness, and chemoresistance. This review highlights the critical roles played by the Sox gene family members in initiating or suppressing breast tumor development, while primarily focusing on Sox2 and its role in breast tumor initiation, maintenance, and progression, elucidates the probable mechanisms that control its activity, and puts forward potential therapeutic strategies to inhibit its expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Dey
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
| | - Moumita Kundu
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
| | - Subhayan Das
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
| | - Bikash Chandra Jena
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
| | - Mahitosh Mandal
- Cancer Biology Lab, School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Kharagpur, West Bengal, India..
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Mortezaee K, Majidpoor J. (Im)maturity in Tumor Ecosystem. Front Oncol 2022; 11:813897. [PMID: 35145911 PMCID: PMC8821092 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.813897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors have special features that make them distinct from their normal counterparts. Immature cells in a tumor mass and their critical contributions to the tumorigenesis will open new windows toward cancer therapy. Incomplete cellular development brings versatile and unique functionality in the cellular tumor ecosystem, such as what is seen for highly potential embryonic cells. There is evidence that maturation of certain types of cells in this ecosystem can recover the sensitivity of the tumor. Therefore, understanding more about the mechanisms that contributed to this immaturity will render new therapeutic approaches in cancer therapy. Targeting such mechanisms can be exploited as a supplementary to the current immunotherapeutic treatment schedules, such as immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. The key focus of this review is to discuss the impact of (im)maturity in cellular tumor ecosystems on cancer progression, focusing mainly on immaturity in the immune cell compartment of the tumor, as well as on the stemness of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Jamal Majidpoor
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Infectious Disease Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
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Zhuang Z, Cai H, Lin H, Guan B, Wu Y, Zhang Y, Liu X, Zhuang J, Guan G. Development and Validation of a Robust Pyroptosis-Related Signature for Predicting Prognosis and Immune Status in Patients with Colon Cancer. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2021; 2021:5818512. [PMID: 34840571 PMCID: PMC8616665 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5818512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pyroptosis has been confirmed as a type of inflammatory programmed cell death in recent years. However, the prognostic role of pyroptosis in colon cancer (CC) remains unclear. METHODS Dataset TCGA-COAD which came from the TCGA portal was taken as the training cohort. GSE17538 from the GEO database was treated as validation cohorts. Differential expression genes (DEGs) between normal and tumor tissues were confirmed. Patients were classified into two subgroups according to the expression characteristics of pyroptosis-related DEGs. The LASSO regression analysis was used to build the best prognostic signature, and its reliability was validated using Kaplan-Meier, ROC, PCA, and t-SNE analyses. And a nomogram based on the multivariate Cox analysis was developed. The enrichment analysis was performed in the GO and KEGG to investigate the potential mechanism. In addition, we explored the difference in the abundance of infiltrating immune cells and immune microenvironment between high- and low-risk groups. And we also predicted the association of common immune checkpoints with risk scores. Finally, we verified the expression of the pyroptosis-related hub gene at the protein level by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS A total of 23 pyroptosis-related DEGs were identified in the TCGA cohort. Patients were classified into two molecular clusters (MC) based on DEGs. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients with MC1 represented significantly poorer OS than patients with MC2. 13 overall survival- (OS-) related DEGs in MCs were used to construct the prognostic signature. Patients in the high-risk group exhibited poorer OS compared to those in the low-risk group. Combined with the clinical features, the risk score was found to be an independent prognostic factor of CC patients. The above results are verified in the external dataset GSE17538. A nomogram was established and showed excellent performance. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated that the varied prognostic performance between high- and low-risk groups may be related to the immune response mediated by local inflammation. Further analysis showed that the high-risk group has stronger immune cell infiltration and lower tumor purity than the low-risk group. Through the correlation between risk score and immune checkpoint expression, T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM-3) was predicted as a potential therapeutic target for the high-risk group. CONCLUSION The 13-gene signature was associated with OS, immune cells, tumor purity, and immune checkpoints in CC patients, and it could provide the basis for immunotherapy and predicting prognosis and help clinicians make decisions for individualized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicheng Zhuang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Huajun Cai
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Hexin Lin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Bingjie Guan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yong Wu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yiyi Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xing Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jinfu Zhuang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Guoxian Guan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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Shang XY, Shi Y, He DD, Wang L, Luo Q, Deng CH, Qu YL, Wang N, Han ZG. ARID1A deficiency weakens BRG1-RAD21 interaction that jeopardizes chromatin compactness and drives liver cancer cell metastasis. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:990. [PMID: 34689165 PMCID: PMC8542038 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04291-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
ARID1A, encoding a subunit of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, is widely recognized as a tumor suppressor gene in multiple tumor types including liver cancer. Previous studies have demonstrated that ARID1A deficiency can cause liver cancer metastasis, possibly due to the altered chromatin organization, however the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. To address the effect of Arid1a deficiency on chromatin organization, we generated chromatin interaction matrices, and exploited the conformation changes upon Arid1a depletion in hepatocytes. Our results demonstrated that Arid1a deficiency induced A/B compartment switching, topologically associated domain (TAD) remodeling, and decrease of chromatin loops. Further mechanism studies revealed that ATPase BRG1 of SWI/SNF complex could physically interact with RAD21, a structural subunit of chromatin architectural element cohesin; whereas ARID1A deficiency significantly diminished the coupled BRG1-RAD21. Interestingly, the tumor-associated genes within the switched compartments were differentially expressed depending upon Arid1a depletion or not. As a consequence of ARID1A deficiency-induced conformational alteration, the dysregulation of some genes such as PMP22 and GSC, promoted the invasion capacity of liver cancer cells. This study provides an insight into liver cancer tumorigenesis and progression related to ARID1A mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ying Shang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Dan-Dan He
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Qing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Chuan-Huai Deng
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yu-Lan Qu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Na Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Ze-Guang Han
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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21
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Meurer L, Ferdman L, Belcher B, Camarata T. The SIX Family of Transcription Factors: Common Themes Integrating Developmental and Cancer Biology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:707854. [PMID: 34490256 PMCID: PMC8417317 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.707854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The sine oculis (SIX) family of transcription factors are key regulators of developmental processes during embryogenesis. Members of this family control gene expression to promote self-renewal of progenitor cell populations and govern mechanisms of cell differentiation. When the function of SIX genes becomes disrupted, distinct congenital defects develops both in animal models and humans. In addition to the embryonic setting, members of the SIX family have been found to be critical regulators of tumorigenesis, promoting cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and metastasis. Research in both the fields of developmental biology and cancer research have provided an extensive understanding of SIX family transcription factor functions. Here we review recent progress in elucidating the role of SIX family genes in congenital disease as well as in the promotion of cancer. Common themes arise when comparing SIX transcription factor function during embryonic and cancer development. We highlight the complementary nature of these two fields and how knowledge in one area can open new aspects of experimentation in the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan Meurer
- Department of Basic Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States
| | - Leonard Ferdman
- Department of Basic Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States
| | - Beau Belcher
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States
| | - Troy Camarata
- Department of Basic Sciences, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States
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22
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Ishii H, Mimura Y, Zahra MH, Katayama S, Hassan G, Afify SM, Seno M. Isolation and characterization of cancer stem cells derived from human glioblastoma. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:441-457. [PMID: 33575080 PMCID: PMC7868757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cell (CSC) is considered as a cause of cancer recurrence and metastasis. Simultaneously CSCs are responsible for the heterogeneous population in tumor tissues due to their differentiation potential. However, the characterizations of CSCs are still not enough and cancer stem cell lines widely available is desired to be established for the advancement of cancer research. In this study, we tried to isolate and characterize stem like cells from human glioblastoma cell line U-251MG cells. U-251MG P1 cells, which was previously condensed in the presence of hyaluronic acid as CD44 positive population were subjected to single cell isolation procedure. Although 5 clones were isolated, only one clone exhibited high expression of CD44, Nanog, OCT3/4 and SOX2, and named U-251MGSC1. The sphere forming ability of U-251MGSC1 cell was significantly higher than the parental U-251MG cells. Tumorigenicity of U-251MG-SC1 cells were higher than that of U-251MG cells. U-251MGSC1 cells exhibited higher expression of CD44, SOX2, Nestin and A2B5 than U-251MG cells in vitro and in vivo. The expression of GFAP and NF-M was enhanced when the cells were treated with the conditioned medium of U-251MG cells indicating the potential of differentiation. Sphere forming ability was more efficient than that of U-251MG cells and was enhanced in the presence of hyaluronic acid, which enhanced the cell growth as well. U-251MGSC1 cells exhibited rapid growth tumor in nude mice and efficient metastatic ability in transmembrane assay when compared with U-251MG cells. As the result, we concluded U-251MGSC1 cell was a glioblastoma CSC line derived from the parental U-251MG cells. U-251MGSC1 cells will be a good tool to develop effective therapeutic agents against CSCs and to elucidate the properties of glioma derived CSCs and the mechanism of tumor development in brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Ishii
- GSP Enterprise, Inc.1-4-38 12F Minato-machi, Naniwaku, Osaka 556-0017, Japan
| | - Yuki Mimura
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama UniversityOkayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Maram H Zahra
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama UniversityOkayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Shota Katayama
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama UniversityOkayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Ghmkin Hassan
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama UniversityOkayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Said M Afify
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama UniversityOkayama 700-8530, Japan
- Division of Biochemistry, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Menoufia UniversityShebin ElKoum Menoufia, 32511, Egypt
| | - Masaharu Seno
- Laboratory of Nano-Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama UniversityOkayama 700-8530, Japan
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Sun Y, Wang Z, Na L, Dong D, Wang W, Zhao C. FZD5 contributes to TNBC proliferation, DNA damage repair and stemness. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:1060. [PMID: 33311446 PMCID: PMC7733599 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03282-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy currently remains the standard treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, TNBC frequently develop chemoresistance, which is responsible for cancer recurrence and distal metastasis. Both DNA damage repair and stemness are related to chemoresistance. FZD5, a member in Frizzled family, was identified to be preferentially expressed in TNBC, and associated with unfavorable prognosis. Loss and gain of function studies revealed that FZD5 contributed to TNBC cell G1/S transition, DNA replication, DNA damage repair, survival, and stemness. Mechanistically, transcription factor FOXM1, which promoted BRCA1 and BIRC5 transcription, acted as a downstream effecter of FZD5 signaling. FOXM1 overexpression in FZD5-deficient/low TNBC cells induced FZD5-associated phenotype. Finally, Wnt7B, a specific ligand for FZD5, was shown to be involved in cell proliferation, DNA damage repair, and stemness. Taken together, FZD5 is a novel target for the development of therapeutic strategies to overcome chemoresistance and prevent recurrence in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Sun
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lei Na
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Chenghai Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts Promote Growth of Sox2-Expressing Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113435. [PMID: 33228022 PMCID: PMC7699386 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The tumor microenvironment has a strong impact on the behavior of tumor cells. One major cell type residing in the tumor microenvironment is the carcinoma-associated fibroblast (CAF). We were interested in the effect of CAFs on Sox2 (sex determining region Y (SRY)-box 2), which not only is an essential embryonal stem cell transcription factor, but also plays a role in cancer stem cell activity. We found that long-term exposure of ERα-positive breast cancer cells to the cocktail of CAF-secreted factors strongly increased Sox2 expression involving tumor-related proteins and signaling pathways. However, Sox2 was not only present in those tumor cells that express stem cell markers, but was equally abundant in other tumor cells. By being widely expressed, Sox2 may have functions in non-stem cells. In fact, Sox2 was found to regulate ERα expression, to act anti-apoptotically, to promote cellular growth and to protect cells against the anti-estrogen fulvestrant. Abstract CAFs (Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts) play an important role in cancer progression. For instance, they promote resistance to anti-estrogens, such as fulvestrant. Here, we show that, in ERα-positive breast cancer cell lines, the cocktail of factors secreted by CAFs (CAF-CM) induce the expression of the embryonal stem cell transcription factor Sox2 (sex determining region Y (SRY)-box 2). Long-term exposure to CAF-CM was able to give rise to very high Sox2 levels both in the absence and presence of fulvestrant. IL-6 (interleukin-6), a major component of CAF-CM, failed to raise Sox2 expression. In MCF-7 sublines established in the presence of CAF-CM, almost all cells showed Sox2 expression, whereas long-term treatment of T47D cells with CAF-CM resulted in a ~60-fold increase in the proportions of two distinct populations of Sox2 high and low expresser cells. Exposure of BT474 cells to CAF-CM raised the fraction of Sox2 high expresser cells by ~3-fold. Cell sorting based on CD44 and CD24 expression or ALDH (aldehyde dehydrogenase) activity revealed that most Sox2 high expresser cells were not CD44hi/CD24lo- or ALDH-positive cells suggesting that they were not CSCs (cancer stem cells), though CD44 played a role in Sox2 expression. Functionally, Sox2 was found to protect CAF-CM-treated cells against apoptosis and to allow higher growth activity in the presence of fulvestrant. Mechanistically, the key drivers of Sox2 expression was found to be STAT3 (Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), Bcl-3 (B-cell lymphoma 3) and the PI3K (Phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/AKT pathway, whose activities/expression can all be upregulated by CAF-CM. These data suggest that CAF-CM induces Sox2 expression in non-CSCs by activating proteins involved in growth control and drug resistance, leading to higher protection against apoptosis.
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25
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SIX4 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through upregulating YAP1 and c-MET. Oncogene 2020; 39:7279-7295. [PMID: 33046796 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01500-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is the main reason for high mortality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the mechanism underlying HCC metastasis. Here, we report a novel role of SIX homeobox 4 (SIX4), one of the SIX gene family, in promoting HCC metastasis. The elevated expression of SIX4 was positively correlated with loss of tumor encapsulation, microvascular invasion, higher TNM stage, and poor prognosis in human HCC. SIX4 expression was an independent and significant risk factor for the recurrence and survival in HCC patients. Upregulation of SIX4 promoted HCC invasion and metastasis, whereas downregulation of SIX4 decreased HCC invasion and metastasis. SIX4 transactivated Yes1 associated transcriptional regulator (YAP1) and MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) expression through directly binding to their promoters. Knockdown of YAP1 and c-MET inhibited SIX4-medicated HCC metastasis, while the stable overexpression of YAP1 and c-MET reversed the decreased metastasis induced by SIX4 knockdown. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), the specific ligand of c-MET, upregulated SIX4 expression through ERK/NF-κB pathway. Knockdown of SIX4 significantly decreased HGF-enhanced HCC metastasis. In human HCC tissues, SIX4 expression was positively correlated with nuclear YAP1, c-MET and HGF expression. Patients with positive coexpression of SIX4/ nuclear YAP1, SIX4/c-MET or HGF/SIX4 had the poorest prognosis. Moreover, the combination treatment of YAP1 inhibitor Verteporfin and c-MET inhibitor Capmatinib significantly suppressed SIX4-mediated HCC metastasis. In conclusion, SIX4 is a prognostic biomarker in HCC patients and targeting the HGF-SIX4-c-MET positive feedback loop may provide a promising strategy for the treatment of SIX4-driven HCC metastasis.
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26
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Hu PS, Li T, Lin JF, Qiu MZ, Wang DS, Liu ZX, Chen ZH, Yang LP, Zhang XL, Zhao Q, Chen YX, Lu YX, Wu QN, Pu HY, Zeng ZL, Xie D, Ju HQ, Luo HY, Xu RH. VDR-SOX2 signaling promotes colorectal cancer stemness and malignancy in an acidic microenvironment. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:183. [PMID: 32900990 PMCID: PMC7479104 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00230-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The acidic tumor microenvironment provides an energy source driving malignant tumor progression. Adaptation of cells to an acidic environment leads to the emergence of cancer stem cells. The expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is closely related to the initiation and development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC), but its regulatory mechanism in CRC stem cells is still unclear. Our study revealed that acidosis reduced VDR expression by downregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARD) expression. Overexpression of VDR effectively suppressed the stemness and oxaliplatin resistance of cells in acidosis. The nuclear export signal in VDR was sensitive to acidosis, and VDR was exported from the nucleus. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) analyses showed that VDR transcriptionally repressed SRY-box 2 (SOX2) by binding to the vitamin D response elements in the promoter of SOX2, impairing tumor growth and drug resistance. We demonstrated that a change in the acidic microenvironment combined with overexpression of VDR substantially restricted the occurrence and development of CRC in vivo. These findings reveal a new mechanism by which acidosis could affect the stemness of CRC cells by regulating the expression of SOX2 and show that abnormal VDR expression leads to ineffective activation of vitamin D signaling, resulting in a lack of efficacy of vitamin D in antineoplastic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Shan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Li
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Fei Lin
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao-Zhen Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - De-Shen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Ze-Xian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhan-Hong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Department of Medical Oncology and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu-Ping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Long Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Xing Chen
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun-Xin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi-Nian Wu
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Heng-Ying Pu
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Lei Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Xie
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huai-Qiang Ju
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.,Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Yan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. .,Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Rui-Hua Xu
- Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. .,Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 510060, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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27
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Oliphant MUJ, Kong D, Zhou H, Lewis MT, Ford HL. Two Sides of the Same Coin: The Role of Developmental pathways and pluripotency factors in normal mammary stem cells and breast cancer metastasis. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2020; 25:85-102. [PMID: 32323111 PMCID: PMC7395869 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-020-09449-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer initiation and progression are often observed as the result of dysregulation of normal developmental processes and pathways. Studies focused on normal mammary stem/progenitor cell activity have led to an understanding of how breast cancer cells acquire stemness-associated properties including tumor initiation, survival and multi-lineage differentiation into heterogeneous tumors that become difficult to target therapeutically. Importantly, more recent investigations have provided valuable insight into how key developmental regulators can impact multiple phases of metastasis, where they are repurposed to not only promote metastatic phenotypes such as migration, invasion and EMT at the primary site, but also to regulate the survival, initiation and maintenance of metastatic lesions at secondary organs. Herein, we discuss findings that have led to a better understanding of how embryonic and pluripotency factors contribute not only to normal mammary development, but also to metastatic progression. We further examine the therapeutic potential of targeting these developmental pathways, and discuss how a better understanding of compensatory mechanisms, crosstalk between pathways, and novel experimental models could provide critical insight into how we might exploit embryonic and pluripotency regulators to inhibit tumor progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M U J Oliphant
- Integrated Physiology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Ludwig Center at Harvard, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Building C1, Room 513B, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Deguang Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Hengbo Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - M T Lewis
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Radiology. Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine. One Baylor Plaza BCM600, Room N1210, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - H L Ford
- Integrated Physiology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, RC1-North, P18-6115, 12800 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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28
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Kong D, Hughes CJ, Ford HL. Cellular Plasticity in Breast Cancer Progression and Therapy. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:72. [PMID: 32391382 PMCID: PMC7194153 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
With the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignant disease among women, with the majority of mortality being attributable to metastatic disease. Thus, even with improved early screening and more targeted treatments which may enable better detection and control of early disease progression, metastatic disease remains a significant problem. While targeted therapies exist for breast cancer patients with particular subtypes of the disease (Her2+ and ER/PR+), even in these subtypes the therapies are often not efficacious once the patient's tumor metastasizes. Increases in stemness or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in primary breast cancer cells lead to enhanced plasticity, enabling tumor progression, therapeutic resistance, and distant metastatic spread. Numerous signaling pathways, including MAPK, PI3K, STAT3, Wnt, Hedgehog, and Notch, amongst others, play a critical role in maintaining cell plasticity in breast cancer. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate breast cancer cell plasticity is essential for understanding the biology of breast cancer progression and for developing novel and more effective therapeutic strategies for targeting metastatic disease. In this review we summarize relevant literature on mechanisms associated with breast cancer plasticity, tumor progression, and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deguang Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Connor J. Hughes
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Heide L. Ford
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Pharmacology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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29
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Mishra R, Haldar S, Suchanti S, Bhowmick NA. Epigenetic changes in fibroblasts drive cancer metabolism and differentiation. Endocr Relat Cancer 2019; 26:R673-R688. [PMID: 31627186 PMCID: PMC6859444 DOI: 10.1530/erc-19-0347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Genomic changes that drive cancer initiation and progression contribute to the co-evolution of the adjacent stroma. The nature of the stromal reprogramming involves differential DNA methylation patterns and levels that change in response to the tumor and systemic therapeutic intervention. Epigenetic reprogramming in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts are robust biomarkers for cancer progression and have a transcriptional impact that support cancer epithelial progression in a paracrine manner. For prostate cancer, promoter hypermethylation and silencing of the RasGAP, RASAL3 that resulted in the activation of Ras signaling in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts. Stromal Ras activity initiated a process of macropinocytosis that provided prostate cancer epithelia with abundant glutamine for metabolic conversion to fuel its proliferation and a signal to transdifferentiate into a neuroendocrine phenotype. This epigenetic oncogenic metabolic/signaling axis seemed to be further potentiated by androgen receptor signaling antagonists and contributed to therapeutic resistance. Intervention of stromal signaling may complement conventional therapies targeting the cancer cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Mishra
- Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Subhash Haldar
- Department of Biotechnology, Brainware University, Kolkata, India
| | - Surabhi Suchanti
- Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Neil A Bhowmick
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Research, Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to N A Bhowmick:
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30
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Cheng N, Li H, Han Y, Sun S. Transcription factor Six2 induces a stem cell-like phenotype in renal cell carcinoma cells. FEBS Open Bio 2019; 9:1808-1816. [PMID: 31420918 PMCID: PMC6768107 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 2-3% of adult malignant tumors, and the incidence of RCC worldwide has increased by about 2% over the past two decades. The homeobox protein Six2 has been shown to promote the stemness of breast cancer cells and play a role in kidney development, but its involvement in RCC progression has not previously been investigated. Here, we found that six2 expression was significantly increased in RCC tissues and negatively correlated with the overall survival of patients with RCC. In addition, six2 expression exhibited a remarkably higher level relative to that in normal renal cells. Functional experiments showed that six2 knockdown attenuated the stemness of RCC cells, which was evident by decreased spheroid formation ability and stemness marker (sox2 and nanog) expression. Mechanistic studies indicated that Six2 directly bound to the enhancer of sox2, promoting sox2 expression and downstream effector expression of nanog. Furthermore, overexpression of sox2 rescued the inhibitory effects of six2 on the stemness of RCC cells. Notably, six2 expression is positively correlated with sox2 and nanog expression in RCC tissues. Collectively, our results point toward a six2/sox2 axis responsible for RCC cell stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Cheng
- PediatricsShandong Provincial Qianfoshan HospitalJinanShandongChina
| | - Hongjuan Li
- PediatricsShandong Provincial Qianfoshan HospitalJinanShandongChina
| | - Yan Han
- PediatricsShandong Provincial Qianfoshan HospitalJinanShandongChina
| | - Shuzhen Sun
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology and Rheumatism and ImmunologyShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong UniversityJinanChina
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31
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Hou H, Yu X, Cong P, Zhou Y, Xu Y, Jiang Y. Six2 promotes non-small cell lung cancer cell stemness via transcriptionally and epigenetically regulating E-cadherin. Cell Prolif 2019; 52:e12617. [PMID: 31012173 PMCID: PMC6668977 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The roles and related mechanisms of six2 in regulating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells progression are unclear. This work aimed to explore the roles of six2 in NSCLC cell stemness. MATERIALS AND METHODS Kaplan-Meier plotter analysis was used to examine the correlation between six2 expression and the survival of NSCLC patients. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blot were performed to detect six2 expression in clinical samples. Moreover, transwell migration, tumour spheroid formation and in vivo tumour formation assays were used to examine the effects of six2 on NSCLC cell progression. Additionally, methylation analysis was carried out to measure E-cadherin methylation level in different cells. Finally, cell viability assay was performed to explore the effects of six2 on chemotherapeutic sensitivity of NSCLC cells. RESULTS Lung cancer patients with a higher six2 expression level displayed a shorter overall survival. Six2 expression was higher in lung cancer tissues than in normal adjacent tissues. Additionally, six2 knockdown suppressed NSCLC cell stemness. Mechanistically, six2 overexpression inhibited epithelial marker E-cadherin expression via stimulating its promoter methylation. And E-cadherin knockdown rescued six2 knockdown-induced decrease of NSCLC cancer cell stemness. Notably, six2 knockdown enhanced cisplatin sensitivity in parental NSCLC cells and attenuated cisplatin resistance in cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that six2 facilitates NSCLC cell stemness and attenuates chemotherapeutic sensitivity via suppressing E-cadherin expression.
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MESH Headings
- A549 Cells
- Animals
- Antigens, CD/genetics
- Cadherins/genetics
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement/drug effects
- Cell Movement/genetics
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Cell Proliferation/genetics
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Cell Survival/genetics
- Cisplatin/pharmacology
- Disease Progression
- Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects
- Epigenesis, Genetic/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics
- HEK293 Cells
- Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
- Humans
- Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Male
- Methylation/drug effects
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/drug effects
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- Transcription, Genetic/drug effects
- Transcription, Genetic/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaying Hou
- Cancer Prevention CenterThe Second Hospital of Shandong UniversityTianqiao District, JinanChina
| | - Xiaoming Yu
- Cancer Prevention CenterThe Second Hospital of Shandong UniversityTianqiao District, JinanChina
| | - Ping Cong
- Cancer Prevention CenterThe Second Hospital of Shandong UniversityTianqiao District, JinanChina
| | - Yong Zhou
- Cancer Prevention CenterThe Second Hospital of Shandong UniversityTianqiao District, JinanChina
| | - Ying Xu
- Cancer Prevention CenterThe Second Hospital of Shandong UniversityTianqiao District, JinanChina
| | - Yuhua Jiang
- Cancer Prevention CenterThe Second Hospital of Shandong UniversityTianqiao District, JinanChina
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