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Luo Y, Lu J, Lei Z, Zhu H, Rao D, Wang T, Fu C, Zhang Z, Xia L, Huang W. Lysine methylation modifications in tumor immunomodulation and immunotherapy: regulatory mechanisms and perspectives. Biomark Res 2024; 12:74. [PMID: 39080807 PMCID: PMC11289998 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00621-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Lysine methylation is a crucial post-translational modification (PTM) that significantly impacts gene expression regulation. This modification not only influences cancer development directly but also has significant implications for the immune system. Lysine methylation modulates immune cell functions and shapes the anti-tumor immune response, highlighting its dual role in both tumor progression and immune regulation. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the intrinsic role of lysine methylation in the activation and function of immune cells, detailing how these modifications affect cellular processes and signaling pathways. We delve into the mechanisms by which lysine methylation contributes to tumor immune evasion, allowing cancer cells to escape immune surveillance and thrive. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting lysine methylation in cancer immunotherapy. Emerging strategies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, are being explored for their efficacy in modulating lysine methylation to enhance anti-tumor immune responses. By targeting these modifications, we can potentially improve the effectiveness of existing treatments and develop novel therapeutic approaches to combat cancer more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Luo
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Junli Lu
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhen Lei
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - He Zhu
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Dean Rao
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Tiantian Wang
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Chenan Fu
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Zhiwei Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Limin Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Wenjie Huang
- Hepatic Surgery Centre, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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Ni Y, Shi M, Liu L, Lin D, Zeng H, Ong C, Wang Y. G9a in Cancer: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Advancements, and Clinical Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2175. [PMID: 38927881 PMCID: PMC11201431 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
G9a, also named EHMT2, is a histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methyltransferase responsible for catalyzing H3K9 mono- and dimethylation (H3K9me1 and H3K9me2). G9a contributes to various aspects of embryonic development and tissue differentiation through epigenetic regulation. Furthermore, the aberrant expression of G9a is frequently observed in various tumors, particularly in prostate cancer, where it contributes to cancer pathogenesis and progression. This review highlights the critical role of G9a in multiple cancer-related processes, such as epigenetic dysregulation, tumor suppressor gene silencing, cancer lineage plasticity, hypoxia adaption, and cancer progression. Despite the increased research on G9a in prostate cancer, there are still significant gaps, particularly in understanding its interactions within the tumor microenvironment and its broader epigenetic effects. Furthermore, this review discusses the recent advancements in G9a inhibitors, including the development of dual-target inhibitors that target G9a along with other epigenetic factors such as EZH2 and HDAC. It aims to bring together the existing knowledge, identify gaps in the current research, and suggest future directions for research and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchao Ni
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (M.S.); (L.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Mingchen Shi
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (M.S.); (L.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Liangliang Liu
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (M.S.); (L.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Dong Lin
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (M.S.); (L.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Hao Zeng
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
| | - Christopher Ong
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (M.S.); (L.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (M.S.); (L.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.)
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
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Zhou H, Gui J, Zhu L, Mi Y. The Role and Mechanism of the Histone Methyltransferase G9a in Tumors: Update. Onco Targets Ther 2024; 17:449-462. [PMID: 38832355 PMCID: PMC11146345 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s451108] [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: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Methylation-mediated gene silencing is closely related to the occurrence and development of human tumors. The euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2, also known as G9a) is highly expressed in many tumors and is generally considered to be an oncogene, which is associated with the poor outcome of many tumors. Combined immunotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade therapy also have good efficacy and certain safety. However, there are still many difficulties in the drugs targeting G9a, and the combined effect and safety of G9a with many drugs is still under study. This article aims to summarize the role and mechanism of G9a and its inhibitors in tumors in the past two years, and to understand the application prospect of G9a from the perspective of diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangsheng Zhou
- Wuxi Medical College, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, 214122, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, 214122, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiandong Gui
- Wuxi Medical College, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, 214122, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, 214122, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lijie Zhu
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, 214122, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Mi
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, 214122, People’s Republic of China
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Sun L, Liu R, Wu ZJ, Liu ZY, Wan AH, Yan S, Liu C, Liang H, Xiao M, You N, Lou Y, Deng Y, Bu X, Chen D, Huang J, Zhang X, Kuang DM, Wan G. Galectin-7 Induction by EHMT2 Inhibition Enhances Immunity in Microsatellite Stability Colorectal Cancer. Gastroenterology 2024; 166:466-482. [PMID: 38065340 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.11.294] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Although immunotherapy shows substantial advancement in colorectal cancer (CRC) with microsatellite instability high, it has limited efficacy for CRC with microsatellite stability (MSS). Identifying combinations that reverse immune suppression and prime MSS tumors for current immunotherapy approaches remains an urgent need. METHODS An in vitro CRISPR screen was performed using coculture models of primary tumor cells and autologous immune cells from MSS CRC patients to identify epigenetic targets that could enhance immunotherapy efficacy in MSS tumors. RESULTS We revealed EHMT2, a histone methyltransferase, as a potential target for MSS CRC. EHMT2 inhibition transformed the immunosuppressive microenvironment of MSS tumors into an immunomodulatory one by altering cytokine expression, leading to T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity activation and improved responsiveness to anti-PD1 treatment. We observed galectin-7 up-regulation upon EHMT2 inhibition, which converted a "cold" MSS tumor environment into a T-cell-inflamed one. Mechanistically, CHD4 repressed galectin-7 expression by recruiting EHMT2 to form a cotranscriptional silencing complex. Galectin-7 administration enhanced anti-PD1 efficacy in MSS CRC, serving as a potent adjunct cytokine therapy. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that targeting the EHMT2/galectin-7 axis could provide a novel combination strategy for immunotherapy in MSS CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Sun
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruonian Liu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zong-Jian Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zheng-Yu Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Arabella H Wan
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shijia Yan
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuwei Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Heng Liang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Xiao
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nan You
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yawen Lou
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Deng
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianzhang Bu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongshi Chen
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jun Huang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolei Zhang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dong-Ming Kuang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guohui Wan
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, National Engineering Research Center for New Drug and Druggability (cultivation), Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Bergin CJ, Zouggar A, Mendes da Silva A, Fenouil T, Haebe JR, Masibag AN, Agrawal G, Shah MS, Sandouka T, Tiberi M, Auer RC, Ardolino M, Benoit YD. The dopamine transporter antagonist vanoxerine inhibits G9a and suppresses cancer stem cell functions in colon tumors. NATURE CANCER 2024; 5:463-480. [PMID: 38351181 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-024-00727-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), functionally characterized by self-renewal and tumor-initiating activity, contribute to decreased tumor immunogenicity, while fostering tumor growth and metastasis. Targeting G9a histone methyltransferase (HMTase) effectively blocks CSC functions in colorectal tumors by altering pluripotent-like molecular networks; however, existing molecules directly targeting G9a HMTase activity failed to reach clinical stages due to safety concerns. Using a stem cell-based phenotypic drug-screening pipeline, we identified the dopamine transporter (DAT) antagonist vanoxerine, a compound with previously demonstrated clinical safety, as a cancer-specific downregulator of G9a expression. Here we show that gene silencing and chemical antagonism of DAT impede colorectal CSC functions by repressing G9a expression. Antagonizing DAT also enhanced tumor lymphocytic infiltration by activating endogenous transposable elements and type-I interferon response. Our study unveils the direct implication of the DAT-G9a axis in the maintenance of CSC populations and an approach to improve antitumor immune response in colon tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Bergin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aïcha Zouggar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda Mendes da Silva
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tanguy Fenouil
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Inserm U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
- Institut de Pathologie Multisite des Hospices Civils de Lyon, Site Est, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Bron, France
| | - Joshua R Haebe
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angelique N Masibag
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gautam Agrawal
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Muhammad S Shah
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tamara Sandouka
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mario Tiberi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Neuroscience Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rebecca C Auer
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Center for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michele Ardolino
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Center for Cancer Therapeutics, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yannick D Benoit
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Liu R, Li Y, Zheng Q, Ding M, Zhou H, Li X. Epigenetic modification in liver fibrosis: Promising therapeutic direction with significant challenges ahead. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:1009-1029. [PMID: 38486982 PMCID: PMC10935124 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, characterized by scar tissue formation, can ultimately result in liver failure. It's a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally, often associated with chronic liver diseases like hepatitis or alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. However, current treatment options are limited, highlighting the urgent need for the development of new therapies. As a reversible regulatory mechanism, epigenetic modification is implicated in many biological processes, including liver fibrosis. Exploring the epigenetic mechanisms involved in liver fibrosis could provide valuable insights into developing new treatments for chronic liver diseases, although the current evidence is still controversial. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the regulatory mechanisms and critical targets of epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA modification, in liver fibrotic diseases. The potential cooperation of different epigenetic modifications in promoting fibrogenesis was also highlighted. Finally, available agonists or inhibitors regulating these epigenetic mechanisms and their potential application in preventing liver fibrosis were discussed. In summary, elucidating specific druggable epigenetic targets and developing more selective and specific candidate medicines may represent a promising approach with bright prospects for the treatment of chronic liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runping Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102400, China
| | - Yajing Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102400, China
| | - Qi Zheng
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102400, China
| | - Mingning Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102400, China
| | - Huiping Zhou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 22460, USA
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102400, China
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Zhang Q, Shi Y, Liu S, Yang W, Chen H, Guo N, Sun W, Zhao Y, Ren Y, Ren Y, Jia L, Yang J, Yun Y, Chen G, Wang L, Wu C. EZH2/G9a interact to mediate drug resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer by regulating the SMAD4/ERK/c-Myc signaling axis. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113714. [PMID: 38306271 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113714] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is the leading problem in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy. The contribution of histone methylation in mediating malignant phenotypes of NSCLC is well known. However, the role of histone methylation in NSCLC drug-resistance mechanisms remains unclear. Here, our data show that EZH2 and G9a, two histone methyltransferases, are involved in the drug resistance of NSCLC. Gene manipulation results indicate that the combination of EZH2 and G9a promotes tumor growth and mediates drug resistance in a complementary manner. Importantly, clinical study demonstrates that co-expression of both enzymes predicts a poor outcome in patients with NSCLC. Mechanistically, G9a and EZH2 interact and promote the silencing of the tumor-suppressor gene SMAD4, activating the ERK/c-Myc signaling pathway. Finally, SU08, a compound targeting both EZH2 and G9a, is demonstrated to sensitize resistant cells to therapeutic drugs by regulating the SMAD4/ERK/c-Myc signaling axis. These findings uncover the resistance mechanism and a strategy for reversing NSCLC drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyue Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yajie Shi
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Sen Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Weiming Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Huiping Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Ning Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Wanyu Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yongshan Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yuxiang Ren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yong Ren
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People's Liberation Army, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lina Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yi Yun
- Biobank Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Guoliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Chunfu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
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8
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Roccuzzo G, Bongiovanni E, Tonella L, Pala V, Marchisio S, Ricci A, Senetta R, Bertero L, Ribero S, Berrino E, Marchiò C, Sapino A, Quaglino P, Cassoni P. Emerging prognostic biomarkers in advanced cutaneous melanoma: a literature update. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2024; 24:49-66. [PMID: 38334382 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2024.2314574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the past two years, the scientific community has witnessed an exponential growth in research focused on identifying prognostic biomarkers for melanoma, both in pre-clinical and clinical settings. This surge in studies reflects the need of developing effective prognostic indicators in the field of melanoma. AREAS COVERED The aim of this work is to review the scientific literature on the most recent findings on the development or validation of prognostic biomarkers in melanoma, in the attempt of providing both clinicians and researchers with an updated broad synopsis of prognostic biomarkers in cutaneous melanoma. EXPERT OPINION While the field of prognostic biomarkers in melanoma appears promising, there are several complexities and limitations to address. The interdependence of clinical, histological, and molecular features requires accurate classification of different biomarker families. Correlation does not imply causation, and adjustments for confounding factors are often overlooked. In this scenario, large-scale studies based on high-quality clinical trial data can provide more reliable evidence. It is essential to avoid oversimplification by focusing on a single biomarker, as the interactions among multiple factors contribute to define the disease course and patient's outcome. Furthermore, implementing well-supported evidence in real-life settings can help advance prognostic biomarker research in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Roccuzzo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Eleonora Bongiovanni
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Tonella
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Pala
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Sara Marchisio
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessia Ricci
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Rebecca Senetta
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Bertero
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Simone Ribero
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrico Berrino
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Caterina Marchiò
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Anna Sapino
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Pietro Quaglino
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Dermatology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Cassoni
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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9
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de Oliveira Filho RS, de Oliveira DA, Nisimoto MM, Marti LC. A Review of Advanced Cutaneous Melanoma Therapies and Their Mechanisms, from Immunotherapies to Lysine Histone Methyl Transferase Inhibitors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5751. [PMID: 38136297 PMCID: PMC10741407 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced cutaneous melanoma is considered to be the most aggressive type of skin cancer and has variable rates of treatment response. Currently, there are some classes of immunotherapy and target therapies for its treatment. Immunotherapy can inhibit tumor growth and its recurrence by triggering the host's immune system, whereas targeted therapy inhibits specific molecules or signaling pathways. However, melanoma responses to these treatments are highly heterogeneous, and patients can develop resistance. Epigenomics (DNA/histone modifications) contribute to cancer initiation and progression. Epigenetic alterations are divided into four levels of gene expression regulation: DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNA regulation. Deregulation of lysine methyltransferase enzymes is associated with tumor initiation, invasion, development of metastases, changes in the immune microenvironment, and drug resistance. The study of lysine histone methyltransferase (KMT) and nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) inhibitors is important for understanding cancer epigenetic mechanisms and biological processes. In addition to immunotherapy and target therapy, the research and development of KMT and NNMT inhibitors is ongoing. Many studies are exploring the therapeutic implications and possible side effects of these compounds, in addition to their adjuvant potential to the approved current therapies. Importantly, as with any drug development, safety, efficacy, and specificity are crucial considerations when developing methyltransferase inhibitors for clinical applications. Thus, this review article presents the recently available therapies and those in development for advanced cutaneous melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Santos de Oliveira Filho
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina–Universidade Federal de São Paulo–EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel Arcuschin de Oliveira
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo–UNIFESP-Skin Cancer and Melanoma Fellow, São Paulo 04023-900, SP, Brazil;
| | | | - Luciana Cavalheiro Marti
- Experimental Research Department, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05652-900, SP, Brazil
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10
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Kang Z, Fu P, Ma H, Li T, Lu K, Liu J, Ginjala V, Romanienko P, Feng Z, Guan M, Ganesan S, Xia B. Distinct functions of EHMT1 and EHMT2 in cancer chemotherapy and immunotherapy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.03.560719. [PMID: 37873068 PMCID: PMC10592889 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.03.560719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
EHTM1 (GLP) and EHMT2 (G9a) are closely related protein lysine methyltransferases often thought to function together as a heterodimer to methylate histone H3 and non-histone substrates in diverse cellular processes including transcriptional regulation, genome methylation, and DNA repair. Here we show that EHMT1/2 inhibitors cause ATM-mediated slowdown of replication fork progression, accumulation of single-stranded replication gaps, emergence of cytosolic DNA, and increased expression of STING. EHMT1/2 inhibition strongly potentiates the efficacy of alkylating chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in mouse models of tripe negative breast cancer. The effects on DNA replication and alkylating agent sensitivity are largely caused by the loss of EHMT1-mediated methylation of LIG1, whereas the elevated STING expression and remarkable response to immunotherapy appear mainly elicited by the loss of EHMT2 activity. Depletion of UHRF1, a protein known to be associated with EHMT1/2 and LIG1, also induces STING expression, and depletion of either EHMT2 or UHRF1 leads to demethylation of specific CpG sites in the STING1 promoter, suggestive of a distinct EHMT2-UHRF1 axis that regulates DNA methylation and gene transcription. These results highlight distinct functions of the two EHMT paralogs and provide enlightening paradigms and corresponding molecular basis for combination therapies involving alkylating agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Kang
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Pan Fu
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Ma
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Li
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Kevin Lu
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Juan Liu
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Vasudeva Ginjala
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - Zhaohui Feng
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Ming Guan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shridar Ganesan
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Bing Xia
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Lead contact
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11
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Musella M, Manduca N, Maccafeo E, Sistigu A. Epigenetics behind tumor immunology: a mini review. Oncogene 2023; 42:2932-2938. [PMID: 37604925 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02791-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Immunogenic- and immune-therapies have become hot spots in the treatment of cancer. Although promising, these strategies are frequently associated with innate or acquired resistance, calling for combined targeting of immune inhibitory signals. Epigenetic therapy is attracting considerable attention as a combination partner for immune-based therapies due to its role in molding the state and fate of cancer and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we describe epigenetic dysregulations in cancer, with a particular focus on those related to innate immune signaling and Type I interferons, and emphasize opportunities and current efforts to translate this knowledge into treatment regimens with improved clinical benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Musella
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Manduca
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Ester Maccafeo
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Sistigu
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy.
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario 'A. Gemelli' - Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00168, Rome, Italy.
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12
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Kato S, Maeda Y, Sugiyama D, Watanabe K, Nishikawa H, Hinohara K. The cancer epigenome: Non-cell autonomous player in tumor immunity. Cancer Sci 2023; 114:730-740. [PMID: 36468774 PMCID: PMC9986067 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15681] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the tumor-intrinsic epigenetic circuit is a key driver event for the development of cancer. Accumulating evidence suggests that epigenetic and/or genetic drivers stimulate intrinsic oncogenic pathways as well as extrinsic factors that modulate the immune system. These modulations indeed shape the tumor microenvironment (TME), allowing pro-oncogenic factors to become oncogenic, thereby contributing to cancer development and progression. Here we review the epigenetic dysregulation arising in cancer cells that disseminates throughout the TME and beyond. Recent CRISPR screening has elucidated key epigenetic drivers that play important roles in the proliferation of cancer cells (intrinsic) and inhibition of antitumor immunity (extrinsic), which lead to the development and progression of cancer. These epigenetic players can serve as promising targets for cancer therapy as a dual (two-in-one)-targeted approach. Considering the interplay between cancer and the immune system as a key determinant of immunotherapy, we discuss a novel lineage-tracing technology that enables longitudinal monitoring of cancer and immune phenotypic heterogeneity and fate paths during cancer development, progression, and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinichiro Kato
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Center for 5D Cell Dynamics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuka Maeda
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sugiyama
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Keisuke Watanabe
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Center for 5D Cell Dynamics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Division of Cancer Immunology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center, Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Institute for Advanced Study, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Hinohara
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Center for 5D Cell Dynamics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.,Institute for Advanced Study, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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13
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Liao Q, Yang J, Ge S, Chai P, Fan J, Jia R. Novel insights into histone lysine methyltransferases in cancer therapy: From epigenetic regulation to selective drugs. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:127-141. [PMID: 36908859 PMCID: PMC9999304 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2022.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The reversible and precise temporal and spatial regulation of histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) is essential for epigenome homeostasis. The dysregulation of KMTs is associated with tumor initiation, metastasis, chemoresistance, invasiveness, and the immune microenvironment. Therapeutically, their promising effects are being evaluated in diversified preclinical and clinical trials, demonstrating encouraging outcomes in multiple malignancies. In this review, we have updated recent understandings of KMTs' functions and the development of their targeted inhibitors. First, we provide an updated overview of the regulatory roles of several KMT activities in oncogenesis, tumor suppression, and immune regulation. In addition, we summarize the current targeting strategies in different cancer types and multiple ongoing clinical trials of combination therapies with KMT inhibitors. In summary, we endeavor to depict the regulation of KMT-mediated epigenetic landscape and provide potential epigenetic targets in the treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qili Liao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Peiwei Chai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Jiayan Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, 200001, China
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14
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Zhang Y, Chen J, Liu H, Mi R, Huang R, Li X, Fan F, Xie X, Ding J. The role of histone methylase and demethylase in antitumor immunity: A new direction for immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1099892. [PMID: 36713412 PMCID: PMC9874864 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1099892] [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: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications may alter the proliferation and differentiation of normal cells, leading to malignant transformation. They can also affect normal stimulation, activation, and abnormal function of immune cells in the tissue microenvironment. Histone methylation, coordinated by histone methylase and histone demethylase to stabilize transcription levels in the promoter area, is one of the most common types of epigenetic alteration, which gained increasing interest. It can modify gene transcription through chromatin structure and affect cell fate, at the transcriptome or protein level. According to recent research, histone methylation modification can regulate tumor and immune cells affecting anti-tumor immune response. Consequently, it is critical to have a thorough grasp of the role of methylation function in cancer treatment. In this review, we discussed recent data on the mechanisms of histone methylation on factors associated with immune resistance of tumor cells and regulation of immune cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanling Zhang
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Junhao Chen
- Graduate School of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Hang Liu
- Department of Medical Cosmetology, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Rui Mi
- Department of General Surgery, Zhijin County People’s Hospital, Bijie, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Xian Li
- Orthopedics Department, Dongguan Songshan Lake Tungwah Hospital, DongGuan, China
| | - Fei Fan
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Panzhihua University, Panzhihua, China
| | - Xueqing Xie
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jie Ding
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China,*Correspondence: Jie Ding,
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15
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Zhang L, Liang B, Xu H, Gong Y, Hu W, Jin Z, Wu X, Chen X, Li M, Shi L, Shi Y, Wang Y, Yang L. Cinobufagin induces FOXO1-regulated apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and invasion by inhibiting G9a in non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 291:115095. [PMID: 35176466 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Bufonis (VB), an animal drug called Chansu in China, is the product of the secretion of Bufo gargarizans Cantor or B. melanostictus Schneider. As a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for a long time, it has been widely used in the treatment of heart failure, ulcer, pain, and various cancers. Cinobufaginn (CNB), the cardiotonic steroid or bufalene lactone extracted from VB, has the effects of detoxification, detumescence, and analgesia. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study aimed to define the effects of CNB on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and identify the potential molecular mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS A549 cells were treated with cinobufagin and cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were then evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assays, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays, respectively. Moreover, the levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cytokeratin8 (CK8), poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), Caspase3, Caspase8, B-cell lymphoma/lewkmia-2(Bcl-2), Bcl2-Associated X(Bax), forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), and euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase2 (G9a, EHMT2) in A549 cells were evaluated using qRT-PCR and/or Western blot analysis (WB), Co-IP, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. An in vivo imaging system, TUNEL, Immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were also used to detect proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), Ki67, E-Cadherin(E-Cad), FOXO1, and G9a in mouse xenograft model experiments. RESULTS CNB suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion but promoted apoptosis in A549 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, while cinobufagin had no cytotoxic effect on BEAS-2B cells. In vivo, cinobufagin inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 cells and promoted their apoptosis. The occurrence of the above phenomena was accompanied by an increase in FOXO1 expression and a decrease in G9a expression. In A549 cells, CNB did not reverse the changes in the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of A549 cells after FOXO1 was successfully silenced. CONCLUSION Our study provides the first evidence that cinobufagin suppresses the malignant biological behaviours of NSCLC cells in vivo and in vitro and suggests that mechanistically, this effect may be achieved by inhibiting the expression of the histone methyltransferase G9a and activating the tumour suppressor gene FOXO1. Taken together, our findings provide important insights into the molecular mechanism underlying cinobufagin's anticancer activity, and suggest that cinobufagin could be a candidate for targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Zhang
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Bing Liang
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Huan Xu
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanju Gong
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Wangming Hu
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhong Jin
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiongbin Chen
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Li
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Liangqin Shi
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaping Shi
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Lan Yang
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
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16
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Wang H, Song Z, Xie E, Chen J, Tang B, Wang F, Min J. Targeting the LSD1-G9a-ER Stress Pathway as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. RESEARCH 2022; 2022:9814652. [PMID: 35707047 PMCID: PMC9185438 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9814652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in the management and treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the prognosis remains extremely poor, and current nonsurgical treatment options are limited. To identify new therapeutic targets, we screened a curated library of epigenetic compounds using a panel of cancer cell lines and found that coinhibiting the histone demethylase LSD1 and the histone methyltransferase G9a potently suppresses cell growth; similar results were obtained by knocking down both LSD1 and G9a expression. Importantly, we also found that inhibiting LSD1 and G9a significantly decreased tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model with ESCC cell lines. To examine the clinical relevance of these findings, we performed immunohistochemical analyses of microarray profiling data obtained from human esophageal squamous cancer tissues and found that both LSD1 and G9a are upregulated in cancer tissues compared to healthy tissues, and this increased expression was significantly correlated with poor prognosis. Mechanistically, we discovered that inhibiting LSD1 and G9a induces cell death via S-phase arrest and apoptosis, and cotargeting ER stress pathways increased this effect both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, these findings provide compelling evidence that targeting LSD1, G9a, and ER stress-related pathways may serve as a viable therapeutic strategy for ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxiao Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Basic Medical Sciences, School of Public Health, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Zijun Song
- The First Affiliated Hospital, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Enjun Xie
- The First Affiliated Hospital, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Junyi Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Biyao Tang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fudi Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Basic Medical Sciences, School of Public Health, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Junxia Min
- The First Affiliated Hospital, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
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17
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De Beck L, Awad RM, Basso V, Casares N, De Ridder K, De Vlaeminck Y, Gnata A, Goyvaerts C, Lecocq Q, San José-Enériz E, Verhulst S, Maes K, Vanderkerken K, Agirre X, Prosper F, Lasarte JJ, Mondino A, Breckpot K. Inhibiting Histone and DNA Methylation Improves Cancer Vaccination in an Experimental Model of Melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:799636. [PMID: 35634329 PMCID: PMC9134079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.799636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has improved the treatment of malignant skin cancer of the melanoma type, yet overall clinical response rates remain low. Combination therapies could be key to meet this cogent medical need. Because epigenetic hallmarks represent promising combination therapy targets, we studied the immunogenic potential of a dual inhibitor of histone methyltransferase G9a and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) in the preclinical B16-OVA melanoma model. Making use of tumor transcriptomic and functional analyses, methylation-targeted epigenetic reprogramming was shown to induce tumor cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro coinciding with transient tumor growth delay and an IFN-I response in immune-competent mice. In consideration of a potential impact on immune cells, the drug was shown not to interfere with dendritic cell maturation or T-cell activation in vitro. Notably, the drug promoted dendritic cell and, to a lesser extent, T-cell infiltration in vivo, yet failed to sensitize tumor cells to programmed cell death-1 inhibition. Instead, it increased therapeutic efficacy of TCR-redirected T cell and dendritic cell vaccination, jointly increasing overall survival of B16-OVA tumor-bearing mice. The reported data confirm the prospect of methylation-targeted epigenetic reprogramming in melanoma and sustain dual G9a and DNMT inhibition as a strategy to tip the cancer-immune set-point towards responsiveness to active and adoptive vaccination against melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien De Beck
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robin Maximilian Awad
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Veronica Basso
- Lymphocyte Activation Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Noelia Casares
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Kirsten De Ridder
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yannick De Vlaeminck
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alessandra Gnata
- Lymphocyte Activation Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Cleo Goyvaerts
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Quentin Lecocq
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Edurne San José-Enériz
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Stefaan Verhulst
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ken Maes
- Laboratory of Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Laboratory of Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Xabier Agirre
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Felipe Prosper
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan José Lasarte
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Anna Mondino
- Lymphocyte Activation Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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18
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Huang JL, Chen SY, Lin CS. Targeting Cancer Stem Cells through Epigenetic Modulation of Interferon Response. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12040556. [PMID: 35455671 PMCID: PMC9027081 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12040556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cancer cells and are thought to play a critical role in the initiation and maintenance of tumor mass. CSCs exhibit similar hallmarks to normal stem cells, such as self-renewal, differentiation, and homeostasis. In addition, CSCs are equipped with several features so as to evade anticancer mechanisms. Therefore, it is hard to eliminate CSCs by conventional anticancer therapeutics that are effective at clearing bulk cancer cells. Interferons are innate cytokines and are the key players in immune surveillance to respond to invaded pathogens. Interferons are also crucial for adaptive immunity for the killing of specific aliens including cancer cells. However, CSCs usually evolve to escape from interferon-mediated immune surveillance and to shape the niche as a “cold” tumor microenvironment (TME). These CSC characteristics are related to their unique epigenetic regulations that are different from those of normal and bulk cancer cells. In this review, we introduce the roles of epigenetic modifiers, focusing on LSD1, BMI1, G9a, and SETDB1, in contributing to CSC characteristics and discussing the interplay between CSCs and interferon response. We also discuss the emerging strategy for eradicating CSCs by targeting these epigenetic modifiers, which can elevate cytosolic nuclei acids, trigger interferon response, and reshape a “hot” TME for improving cancer immunotherapy. The key epigenetic and immune genes involved in this crosstalk can be used as biomarkers for precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jau-Ling Huang
- Department of Bioscience Technology, College of Health Science, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan 711, Taiwan;
| | - Si-Yun Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Chang-Shen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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19
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Casciello F, Kelly GM, Ramarao-Milne P, Kamal N, Stewart TA, Mukhopadhyay P, Kazakoff SH, Miranda M, Kim D, Davis FM, Hayward NK, Vertino PM, Waddell N, Gannon F, Lee JS. Combined inhibition of G9a and EZH2 suppresses tumor growth via synergistic induction of IL24-mediated apoptosis. Cancer Res 2022; 82:1208-1221. [PMID: 35149587 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-2218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
G9a and EZH2 are two histone methyltransferases commonly upregulated in several cancer types, yet the precise roles that these enzymes play cooperatively in cancer is unclear. We demonstrate here that frequent concurrent upregulation of both G9a and EZH2 occurs in several human tumors. These methyltransferases cooperatively repressed molecular pathways responsible for tumor cell death. In genetically distinct tumor subtypes, concomitant inhibition of G9a and EZH2 potently induced tumor cell death, highlighting the existence of tumor cell survival dependency at the epigenetic level. G9a and EZH2 synergistically repressed expression of genes involved in the induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the production of reactive oxygen species. IL24 was essential for the induction of tumor cell death and was identified as a common target of G9a and EZH2. Loss-of-function of G9a and EZH2 activated the IL24-ER stress axis and increased apoptosis in cancer cells while not affecting normal cells. These results indicate that G9a and EZH2 promotes the evasion of ER stress-mediated apoptosis by repressing IL24 transcription, therefore suggesting that their inhibition may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Priya Ramarao-Milne
- Transformational Bioinformatics, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
| | - Nabilah Kamal
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | | | | | | | | | - Dorim Kim
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | - Felicity M Davis
- School of Medical Sciences, EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science
| | | | - Paula M Vertino
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center
| | - Nicola Waddell
- Medical Genomics Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | - Frank Gannon
- Cancer, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | - Jason S Lee
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
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20
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Santourlidis S, Schulz WA, Araúzo-Bravo MJ, Gerovska D, Ott P, Bendhack ML, Hassan M, Erichsen L. Epigenetics in the Diagnosis and Therapy of Malignant Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031531. [PMID: 35163453 PMCID: PMC8835790 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms are fundamentally important for cancer initiation and development. However, a survey of the literature reveals that, to date, they appear less comprehensively investigated in melanoma than in many other cancers, e.g., prostate, breast, and colon carcinoma. The aim of this review is to provide a short summary of epigenetic aspects of functional relevance for melanoma pathogenesis. In addition, some new perspectives from epigenetic research in other cancers with potential for melanoma diagnosis and therapy are introduced. For example, the PrimeEpiHit hypothesis in urothelial carcinoma, which, similarly to malignant melanoma, can also be triggered by a single exogenous noxa, states that one of the first steps for cancer initiation could be epigenetic changes in key genes of one-carbon metabolism. The application of such insights may contribute to further progress in the diagnosis and therapy of melanoma, a deadly type of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simeon Santourlidis
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany; (S.S.); (P.O.)
| | - Wolfgang A. Schulz
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany;
| | - Marcos J. Araúzo-Bravo
- Group of Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain; (M.J.A.-B.); (D.G.)
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Daniela Gerovska
- Group of Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 San Sebastián, Spain; (M.J.A.-B.); (D.G.)
| | - Pauline Ott
- Epigenetics Core Laboratory, Institute of Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany; (S.S.); (P.O.)
| | - Marcelo L. Bendhack
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, Positivo University, Curitiba 80030-200, Brazil;
| | - Mohamed Hassan
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherché Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Lars Erichsen
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-0211-81-16905
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21
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Nachiyappan A, Gupta N, Taneja R. EHMT1/EHMT2 in EMT, Cancer Stemness and Drug Resistance: Emerging Evidence and Mechanisms. FEBS J 2021; 289:1329-1351. [PMID: 34954891 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis, therapy failure and tumor recurrence are major clinical challenges in cancer. The interplay between tumor initiating cells (TICs) and Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) drives tumor progression and spread. Recent advances have highlighted the involvement of epigenetic deregulation in these processes. The Euchromatin Histone Lysine Methyltransferase 1 (EHMT1) and Euchromatin Histone Lysine Methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2) that primarily mediate histone 3 lysine 9 di-methylation (H3K9me2), as well as methylation of non-histone proteins, are now recognized to be aberrantly expressed in many cancers. Their deregulated expression is associated with EMT, cellular plasticity and therapy resistance. In this review, we summarize evidence of their myriad roles in cancer metastasis, stemness and drug resistance. We discuss cancer-type specific molecular targets, context-dependent mechanisms and future directions of research in targeting EHMT1/EHMT2 for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alamelu Nachiyappan
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117593
| | - Neelima Gupta
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117593
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117593.,Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117593
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22
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Emerging role of G9a in cancer stemness and promises as a therapeutic target. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:76. [PMID: 34775469 PMCID: PMC8590690 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-021-00370-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone methyltransferase G9a is well-documented for its implication in neoplastic growth. However, recent investigations have demonstrated a key involvement of this chromatin writer in maintaining the self-renewal and tumor-initiating capacities of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Direct inhibition of G9a’s catalytic activity was reported as a promising therapeutic target in multiple preclinical studies. Yet, none of the available pharmacological inhibitors of G9a activity have shown success at the early stages of clinical testing. Here, we discuss central findings of oncogenic expression and activation of G9a in CSCs from different origins, as well as the impact of the suppression of G9a histone methyltransferase activity in such contexts. We will explore the challenges posed by direct and systemic inhibition of G9a activity in the perspective of clinical translation of documented small molecules. Finally, we will discuss recent advances in drug discovery as viable strategies to develop context-specific drugs, selectively targeting G9a in CSC populations.
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23
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Abstract
Epigenetic regulation is a crucial component of DNA maintenance and cellular identity. As our understanding of the vast array of proteins that contribute to chromatin accessibility has advanced, the role of epigenetic remodelers in disease has become more apparent. G9a is a histone methyltransferase that contributes to immune cell differentiation and function, neuronal development, and has been implicated in diseases, including cancer. In melanoma, recurrent mutations and amplifications of G9a have led to its identification as a therapeutic target. The pathways that are regulated by G9a provide an insight into relevant biomarkers for patient stratification. Future work is aided by the breadth of literature on G9a function during normal differentiation and development, along with similarities to EZH2, another histone methyltransferase that forms a synthetic lethal relationship with members of the SWI/SNF complex in certain cancers. Here, we review the literature on G9a, its role in melanoma, and lessons from EZH2 inhibitor studies.
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