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Li Z, Guo Z, Xiao H, Chen X, Liu W, Zhou H. Simulating neuronal development: exploring potential mechanisms for central nervous system metastasis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Front Oncol 2024; 13:1331802. [PMID: 38239636 PMCID: PMC10794646 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1331802] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is prone to metastasize to the central nervous system (CNS), which is an important cause of poor treatment outcomes and unfavorable prognosis. However, the pathogenesis of CNS metastasis of ALL cells has not been fully illuminated. Recent reports have shed some light on the correlation between neural mechanisms and ALL CNS metastasis. These progressions prompt us to study the relationship between ALL central nervous system metastasis and neuronal development, exploring potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets of CNS metastasis. Materials and methods ALL central nervous system metastasis- and neuronal development-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by analyzing gene expression datasets GSE60926 and GSE13715. Target prediction and network analysis methods were applied to assess protein-protein interaction networks. Gene Ontology (GO) terms and pathway enrichment for DEGs were assessed. Co-expressed differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) coupled with corresponding predicted microRNAs (miRNAs) were studied as well. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry were employed for the validation of key co-DEGs in primary ALL cells. Furthermore, ALL cells were treated with a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor to block neuronal development and assess changes in the co-DEGs. Results We identified 216, 208, and 204 DEGs in ALL CNS metastasis specimens and neuronal development samples (GSE60926 and GSE13715). CD2, CD3G, CD3D, and LCK may be implicated in ALL CNS metastasis. LAMB1, MATN3, IGFBP3, LGALS1, and NEUROD1 may be associated with neuronal development. Specifically, four co-DEGs (LGALS1, TMEM71, SHISA2, and S100A11) may link ALL central nervous system metastasis and neuronal development process. The miRNAs for each co-DEG could be potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for ALL central nervous system metastasis, especially hsa-miR-22-3p, hsa-miR-548t-5p, and hsa-miR-6134. Additionally, four co-DEGs (LGALS1, TMEM71, SHISA2, and S100A11) were validated in CNS-infiltrated ALL cells. The VEGF inhibitor demonstrated a suppressive effect on mRNA and protein expression of key co-DEGs. Conclusion The bioinformatic survey and key gene validation suggest a possible correlation between ALL CNS metastasis and the neuronal development process. Simulating the neuronal development process might be a possible strategy for CNS metastasis in ALL. LGALS1, TMEM71, SHISA2, and S100A11 genes are promising and novel biomarkers and targets in ALL CNS metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziping Li
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi Guo
- Department of Hematology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haitao Xiao
- Department of Anatomy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Neurological Diseases of Ministry of Education, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuexing Chen
- Institute of Hematology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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2
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Stergiou IE, Papadakos SP, Karyda A, Tsitsilonis OE, Dimopoulos MA, Theocharis S. EPH/Ephrin Signaling in Normal Hematopoiesis and Hematologic Malignancies: Deciphering Their Intricate Role and Unraveling Possible New Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3963. [PMID: 37568780 PMCID: PMC10417178 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153963] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptors (EPHs) represent the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). EPH interaction with ephrins, their membrane-bound ligands, holds a pivotal role in embryonic development, while, though less active, it is also implicated in various physiological functions during adult life. In normal hematopoiesis, different patterns of EPH/ephrin expression have been correlated with hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance and lineage-committed hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) differentiation, as well as with the functional properties of their mature offspring. Research in the field of hematologic malignancies has unveiled a rather complex involvement of the EPH/ephrinsignaling pathway in the pathophysiology of these neoplasms. Aberrations in genetic, epigenetic, and protein levels have been identified as possible players implicated both in tumor progression and suppression, while correlations have also been highlighted regarding prognosis and response to treatment. Initial efforts to therapeutically target the EPH/ephrin axis have been undertaken in the setting of hematologic neoplasia but are mainly confined to the preclinical level. To this end, deciphering the complexity of this signaling pathway both in normal and malignant hematopoiesis is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna E. Stergiou
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Stavros P. Papadakos
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Anna Karyda
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (A.K.)
| | - Ourania E. Tsitsilonis
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece;
| | - Meletios-Athanasios Dimopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (A.K.)
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Mehta A, Ratre YK, Soni VK, Shukla D, Sonkar SC, Kumar A, Vishvakarma NK. Orchestral role of lipid metabolic reprogramming in T-cell malignancy. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1122789. [PMID: 37256177 PMCID: PMC10226149 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1122789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune function of normal T cells partially depends on the maneuvering of lipid metabolism through various stages and subsets. Interestingly, T-cell malignancies also reprogram their lipid metabolism to fulfill bioenergetic demand for rapid division. The rewiring of lipid metabolism in T-cell malignancies not only provides survival benefits but also contributes to their stemness, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Owing to distinctive lipid metabolic programming in T-cell cancer, quantitative, qualitative, and spatial enrichment of specific lipid molecules occur. The formation of lipid rafts rich in cholesterol confers physical strength and sustains survival signals. The accumulation of lipids through de novo synthesis and uptake of free lipids contribute to the bioenergetic reserve required for robust demand during migration and metastasis. Lipid storage in cells leads to the formation of specialized structures known as lipid droplets. The inimitable changes in fatty acid synthesis (FAS) and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) are in dynamic balance in T-cell malignancies. FAO fuels the molecular pumps causing chemoresistance, while FAS offers structural and signaling lipids for rapid division. Lipid metabolism in T-cell cancer provides molecules having immunosuppressive abilities. Moreover, the distinctive composition of membrane lipids has implications for immune evasion by malignant cells of T-cell origin. Lipid droplets and lipid rafts are contributors to maintaining hallmarks of cancer in malignancies of T cells. In preclinical settings, molecular targeting of lipid metabolism in T-cell cancer potentiates the antitumor immunity and chemotherapeutic response. Thus, the direct and adjunct benefit of lipid metabolic targeting is expected to improve the clinical management of T-cell malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arundhati Mehta
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Yashwant Kumar Ratre
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | | | - Dhananjay Shukla
- Department of Biotechnology, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Subhash C. Sonkar
- Multidisciplinary Research Unit, Maulana Azad Medical College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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4
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EphrinB2-EphB4 Signaling in Neurooncological Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031679. [PMID: 35163601 PMCID: PMC8836162 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
EphrinB2-EphB4 signaling is critical during embryogenesis for cardiovascular formation and neuronal guidance. Intriguingly, critical expression patterns have been discovered in cancer pathologies over the last two decades. Multiple connections to tumor migration, growth, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and metastasis have been identified in vitro and in vivo. However, the molecular signaling pathways are manifold and signaling of the EphB4 receptor or the ephrinB2 ligand is cancer type specific. Here we explore the impact of these signaling pathways in neurooncological disease, including glioma, brain metastasis, and spinal bone metastasis. We identify potential downstream pathways that mediate cancer suppression or progression and seek to understand it´s role in antiangiogenic therapy resistance in glioma. Despite the Janus-faced functions of ephrinB2-EphB4 signaling in cancer Eph signaling remains a promising clinical target.
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5
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Beamish IV, Hinck L, Kennedy TE. Making Connections: Guidance Cues and Receptors at Nonneural Cell-Cell Junctions. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2018; 10:a029165. [PMID: 28847900 PMCID: PMC6211390 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a029165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The field of axon guidance was revolutionized over the past three decades by the identification of highly conserved families of guidance cues and receptors. These proteins are essential for normal neural development and function, directing cell and axon migration, neuron-glial interactions, and synapse formation and plasticity. Many of these genes are also expressed outside the nervous system in which they influence cell migration, adhesion and proliferation. Because the nervous system develops from neural epithelium, it is perhaps not surprising that these guidance cues have significant nonneural roles in governing the specialized junctional connections between cells in polarized epithelia. The following review addresses roles for ephrins, semaphorins, netrins, slits and their receptors in regulating adherens, tight, and gap junctions in nonneural epithelia and endothelia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian V Beamish
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montréal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Lindsay Hinck
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064
| | - Timothy E Kennedy
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montréal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
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6
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Kong L, Zhang X, Li C, Zhou L. Potential therapeutic targets and small molecular drugs for pediatric B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment based on microarray data. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:1543-1549. [PMID: 28789378 PMCID: PMC5529867 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The current study investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and screened for small molecular drugs as supplementary drugs to aid current therapy. Gene expression data of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) DataSet GSE42221, which consists of 7 primary human B-precursor samples and 4 control B-cell progenitor lymphoblast samples from patients with pediatric ALL, were downloaded from the public GEO database. Linear Models for Microarray Analysis package for R statistical software was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Subsequently, biclustering analysis of DEGs was performed using pheatmap package for R. Functional enrichment analysis of DEGs was conducted using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery tool. Additionally, Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes software was used to screen protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of the DEGs, and Connectivity Map database was employed to obtain small-molecule drugs that were significantly associated with DEGs. In total, 116 genes were identified as DEGs in pediatric ALL, including 56 downregulated and 60 upregulated genes. Functional enrichment analysis identified that upregulated DEGs, including marker of proliferation Ki-67, cyclin F and nucleolar and spindle associated protein 1, were significantly enriched in mesenchymal cell differentiation and development processes, whilst downregulated DEGs, including bone marrow morphogenetic protein 2, semaphoring 3F and ephrin B1 were enriched in cell cycle process. Amongst the DEGs, 169 PPIs were identified. Notably, carbimazole and quinostatin were associated with DEGs. Additionally, a number of DEGs were targeted by the two drugs, including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, nucleolar and spindle associated protein 1 and cell division cycle 20. Mesenchymal cell differentiation and development as well as cell cycle processes may be important for pediatric ALL. Quinostatin may be used as a potent supplementary drug for treating pediatric ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limei Kong
- Department of Pediatrics, The No. 6 People's Hospital of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong 250200, P.R. China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The No. 6 People's Hospital of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong 250200, P.R. China
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The No. 6 People's Hospital of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong 250200, P.R. China
| | - Liping Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, The No. 6 People's Hospital of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong 250200, P.R. China
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7
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Murai T. Cholesterol lowering: role in cancer prevention and treatment. Biol Chem 2015; 396:1-11. [PMID: 25205720 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2014-0194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The accumulation of cholesterol is a general feature of cancer tissue, and recent evidence suggests that cholesterol plays critical roles in the progression of cancers, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. The dysregulation of metabolic pathways, including those involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, is implicated in tumor development and cancer progression. Lipid rafts are highly dynamic cholesterol-enriched domains of the cell membrane, involved in various cellular functions, including the regulation of transmembrane signaling at the cell surface. It was recently demonstrated that lipid rafts also play critical roles in cancer cell adhesion and migration. This review focuses on our current understanding of how cholesterol regulation, lipid rafts, and dysregulated cholesterol biosynthesis contribute to cancer development and progression, and the therapeutic potential of cholesterol lowering for cancer prevention and treatment.
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8
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McKinney N, Yuan L, Zhang H, Liu J, Cho YJ, Rushing E, Schniederjan M, MacDonald TJ. EphrinB1 expression is dysregulated and promotes oncogenic signaling in medulloblastoma. J Neurooncol 2014; 121:109-18. [PMID: 25258252 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-014-1618-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/21/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Eph receptors and ephrin ligands are master regulators of oncogenic signaling required for proliferation, migration, and metastasis. Yet, Eph/ephrin expression and activity in medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood, remains poorly defined. We hypothesized that Eph/ephrins are differentially expressed by sonic hedgehog (SHH) and non-SHH MB and that specific members contribute to the aggressive phenotype. Affymetrix gene expression profiling of 29 childhood MB, separated into SHH (N = 11) and non-SHH (N = 18), was performed followed by protein validation of selected Eph/ephrins in another 60 MB and two MB cell lines (DAOY, D556). Functional assays were performed using MB cells overexpressing or deleted for selected ephrins. We found EPHB4 and EFNA4 almost exclusively expressed by SHH MB, whereas EPHA2, EPHA8, EFNA1 and EFNA3 are predominantly expressed by non-SHH MB. The remaining family members, except EFNB1, are ubiquitously expressed by over 70-90 % MB, irrespective of subgroup. EFNB1 is the only member differentially expressed by 28 % of SHH and non-SHH MB. Corresponding protein expression for EphB/ephrinB1 and B2 was validated in MB. Only ephrinB2 was also detected in fetal cerebellum, indicating that EphB/ephrinB1 expression is MB-specific. EphrinB1 immunopositivity localizes to tumor cells within MB with the highest proliferative index. EphrinB1 overexpression promotes EphB activation, alters F-actin distribution and morphology, decreases adhesion, and significantly promotes proliferation. Either silencing or overexpression of ephrinB1 impairs migration. These results indicate that EphrinB1 is uniquely dysregulated in MB and promotes oncogenic responses in MB cells, implicating ephrinB1 as a potential target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole McKinney
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory Children's Center, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Drive NE, 4th Floor, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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9
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Abstract
Cancer cells rely on intercellular communication throughout the different stages of their transformation and progression into metastasis. They do so by co-opting different processes such as cell-cell junctions, growth factors, receptors, and vesicular release. Initially characterized in neuronal and vascular tissues, Ephs and Ephrins, the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases, comprised of two classes (i.e., A and B types), is increasingly scrutinized by cancer researchers. These proteins possess the particular features of both the receptors and ligands being membrane-bound which, via mandatory direct cell-cell interactions, undergo a bidirectional signal transduction initiated from both the receptor and the ligand. Following cell-cell interactions, Ephs/Ephrins behave as guidance molecules which trigger both repulsive and attractive signals, so as to direct the movement of cells through their immediate microenvironment. They also direct processes which include sorting and positioning and cytoskeleton rearrangements, thus making them perfect candidates for the control of the metastatic process. In fact, the role of Ephs and Ephrins in cancer progression has been demonstrated for many of the family members and they, surprisingly, have both tumor promoter and suppressor functions in different cellular contexts. They are also able to coordinate between multiple processes including cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and invasion. This review is an attempt to summarize the data available on these Ephs/Ephrins' biological functions which contribute to the onset of aggressive cancers. I will also provide an overview of the factors which could explain the functional differences demonstrated by Ephs and Ephrins at different stages of tumor progression and whose elucidation is warranted for any future therapeutic targeting of this signaling pathway in cancer metastasis.
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10
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Nievergall E, Lackmann M, Janes PW. Eph-dependent cell-cell adhesion and segregation in development and cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012; 69:1813-42. [PMID: 22204021 PMCID: PMC11114713 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-011-0900-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2011] [Revised: 11/06/2011] [Accepted: 11/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies attest to essential roles for Eph receptors and their ephrin ligands in controlling cell positioning and tissue patterning during normal and oncogenic development. These studies suggest multiple, sometimes contradictory, functions of Eph-ephrin signalling, which under different conditions can promote either spreading and cell-cell adhesion or cytoskeletal collapse, cell rounding, de-adhesion and cell-cell segregation. A principle determinant of the balance between these two opposing responses is the degree of receptor/ligand clustering and activation. This equilibrium is likely altered in cancers and modulated by somatic mutations of key Eph family members that have emerged as candidate cancer markers in recent profiling studies. In addition, cross-talk amongst Ephs and with other signalling pathways significantly modulates cell-cell adhesion, both between and within Eph- and ephrin-expressing cell populations. This review summarises our current understanding of how Eph receptors control cell adhesion and morphology, and presents examples demonstrating the importance of these events in normal development and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Nievergall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
- Present Address: Haematology Department, SA Pathology, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA 5000 Australia
| | - Martin Lackmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Peter W. Janes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
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11
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Maddigan A, Truitt L, Arsenault R, Freywald T, Allonby O, Dean J, Narendran A, Xiang J, Weng A, Napper S, Freywald A. EphB receptors trigger Akt activation and suppress Fas receptor-induced apoptosis in malignant T lymphocytes. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 187:5983-94. [PMID: 22039307 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1003482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of hematopoietic malignancies often requires allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, and the subsequent graft-versus-leukemia response is crucial for the elimination of malignant cells. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and NK cells responsible for the immunoelimination express Fas ligand and strongly rely on the induction of Fas receptor-mediated apoptosis for their action. Although cancer cells are removed successfully by graft-versus-leukemia reactions in myeloid malignancies, their efficiency is low in T cell leukemias. This may be partially because of the ability of malignant T cells to escape apoptosis. Our work shows that Eph family receptor EphB3 is consistently expressed by malignant T lymphocytes, most frequently in combination with EphB6, and that stimulation with their common ligands, ephrin-B1 and ephrin-B2, strongly suppresses Fas-induced apoptosis in these cells. This effect is associated with Akt activation and with the inhibition of the Fas receptor-initiated caspase proteolytic cascade. Akt proved to be crucial for the prosurvival response, because inhibition of Akt, but not of other molecules central to T cell biology, including Src kinases, MEK1 and MEK2, blocked the antiapoptotic effect. Overall, this demonstrates a new role for EphB receptors in the protection of malignant T cells from Fas-induced apoptosis through Akt engagement and prevention of caspase activation. Because Fas-triggered apoptosis is actively involved in the graft-versus-leukemia response and cytotoxic T cells express ephrin-Bs, our observations suggest that EphB receptors are likely to support immunoevasivenes of T cell malignancies and may represent promising targets for therapies, aiming to enhance immunoelimination of cancerous T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Maddigan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
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12
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Holen HL, Zernichow L, Fjelland KE, Evenroed IM, Tveit H, Aasheim HC. Ephrin-B3 binds specifically to B lymphocytes in blood and induces migration. Scand J Immunol 2011; 74:144-54. [PMID: 21447033 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2011.02563.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Eph receptors and ephrin ligands have been shown to be differentially expressed on leucocytes. Here, we show that one member of the ephrin-B subfamily of ephrins, ephrin-B3, specifically binds to B lymphocytes in blood. No binding was observed to T lymphocytes or monocytes. The ephrin-B3 binding receptor on B lymphocytes is so far not identified, but our results here indicate that ephrin-B3 binds to a protein not belonging to the Eph receptor family. Recently, we have shown that ephrin-B3 binds to a sulphated cell surface receptor on HEK293T cells and that this binding can be blocked with heparin. Ephrin-B3 binding to B lymphocytes is partially affected by heparin, and a basic amino acid in the extracellular juxtamembrane region, Arg-188, is here shown to be involved in this binding. The functional consequence of ephrin-B3 binding to B lymphocytes is induced migration, in particular of the memory cells. To conclude, ephrin-B3 binds to B lymphocytes, most likely via a non-classical receptor, and induces migration of the memory B cell subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- H L Holen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevaal, Oslo, Norway
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13
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Truitt L, Freywald A. Dancing with the dead: Eph receptors and their kinase-null partners. Biochem Cell Biol 2011; 89:115-29. [PMID: 21455264 DOI: 10.1139/o10-145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ligands, ephrins, are membrane proteins coordinating a wide range of biological functions both in developing embryos and in adult multicellular organisms. Numerous studies have implicated Eph receptors in the induction of opposing responses, including cell adhesion or repulsion, support or inhibition of cell proliferation and cell migration, and progression or suppression of multiple malignancies. Similar to other receptor tyrosine kinases, Eph receptors rely on their ability to catalyze tyrosine phosphorylation for signal transduction. Interestingly, however, Eph receptors also actively utilize three kinase-deficient receptor tyrosine kinases, EphB6, EphA10, and Ryk, in their signaling network. The accumulating evidence suggests that the unusual flexibility of the Eph family, allowing it to initiate antagonistic responses, might be partially explained by the influence of the kinase-dead participants and that the exact outcome of an Eph-mediated action is likely to be defined by the balance between the signaling of catalytically potent and catalytically null receptors. We discuss in this minireview the emerging functions of the kinase-dead EphB6, EphA10, and Ryk receptors both in normal biological responses and in malignancy, and analyze currently available information related to the molecular mechanisms of their action in the context of the Eph family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Truitt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Regina, Sasketchewan, Canada
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14
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McCarron JK, Stringer BW, Day BW, Boyd AW. Ephrin expression and function in cancer. Future Oncol 2010; 6:165-76. [PMID: 20021216 DOI: 10.2217/fon.09.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ephrins are cell membrane-associated signaling proteins bound by transmembrane Eph receptors on juxtaposed cells. Eph-ephrin interactions result in bidirectional signaling within both receptor- and ligand-bearing cells, with diverse consequences for cell morphology and behavior. Such interactions are especially important during early vertebrate development, and growing evidence has revealed equally important roles in adult-tissue homeostasis. As for the Eph receptors, abnormal expression of ephrins is associated with disease, especially cancer. The ephrins have received less attention than the Ephs in the literature, owing, in part, to their later discovery and that they are fewer in number. Here, we attempt to redress this imbalance and provide an 'ephrin-centric' discussion of the expression and function of ephrins in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K McCarron
- Leukaemia Foundation Research Unit, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Royal Brisbane Hospital, Queensland, 4029, Brisbane, Australia.
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15
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Abstract
The Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands have intriguing expression patterns in cancer cells and tumour blood vessels, which suggest important roles for their bidirectional signals in many aspects of cancer development and progression. Eph gene mutations probably also contribute to cancer pathogenesis. Eph receptors and ephrins have been shown to affect the growth, migration and invasion of cancer cells in culture as well as tumour growth, invasiveness, angiogenesis and metastasis in vivo. However, Eph signalling activities in cancer seem to be complex, and are characterized by puzzling dichotomies. Nevertheless, the Eph receptors are promising new therapeutic targets in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena B Pasquale
- Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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16
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Baruthio F, Quadroni M, Rüegg C, Mariotti A. Proteomic analysis of membrane rafts of melanoma cells identifies protein patterns characteristic of the tumor progression stage. Proteomics 2009; 8:4733-47. [PMID: 18942674 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200800169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms controlling the progression of melanoma from a localized tumor to an invasive and metastatic disease are poorly understood. In the attempt to start defining a functional protein profile of melanoma progression, we have analyzed by LC-MS/MS the proteins associated with detergent resistant membranes (DRMs), which are enriched in cholesterol/sphingolipids-containing membrane rafts, of melanoma cell lines derived from tumors at different stages of progression. Since membrane rafts are involved in several biological processes, including signal transduction and protein trafficking, we hypothesized that the association of proteins with rafts can be regulated during melanoma development and affect protein function and disease progression. We have identified a total of 177 proteins in the DRMs of the cell lines examined. Among these, we have found groups of proteins preferentially associated with DRMs of either less malignant radial growth phase/vertical growth phase (VGP) cells, or aggressive VGP and metastatic cells suggesting that melanoma cells with different degrees of malignancy have different DRM profiles. Moreover, some proteins were found in DRMs of only some cell lines despite being expressed at similar levels in all the cell lines examined, suggesting the existence of mechanisms controlling their association with DRMs. We expect that understanding the mechanisms regulating DRM targeting and the activity of the proteins differentially associated with DRMs in relation to cell malignancy will help identify new molecular determinants of melanoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédérique Baruthio
- Division of Experimental Oncology, Centre Pluridisciplinaire d'Oncologie, Lausanne Cancer Center and Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Epalinges s/Lausanne, Switzerland
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