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Sahoo S, Ramu S, Nair MG, Pillai M, San Juan BP, Milioli HZ, Mandal S, Naidu CM, Mavatkar AD, Subramaniam H, Neogi AG, Chaffer CL, Prabhu JS, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. Increased prevalence of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state and enhanced phenotypic heterogeneity in basal breast cancer. iScience 2024; 27:110116. [PMID: 38974967 PMCID: PMC11225361 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110116] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Intra-tumoral phenotypic heterogeneity promotes tumor relapse and therapeutic resistance and remains an unsolved clinical challenge. Decoding the interconnections among different biological axes of plasticity is crucial to understand the molecular origins of phenotypic heterogeneity. Here, we use multi-modal transcriptomic data-bulk, single-cell, and spatial transcriptomics-from breast cancer cell lines and primary tumor samples, to identify associations between epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and luminal-basal plasticity-two key processes that enable heterogeneity. We show that luminal breast cancer strongly associates with an epithelial cell state, but basal breast cancer is associated with hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype(s) and higher phenotypic heterogeneity. Mathematical modeling of core underlying gene regulatory networks representative of the crosstalk between the luminal-basal and epithelial-mesenchymal axes elucidate mechanistic underpinnings of the observed associations from transcriptomic data. Our systems-based approach integrating multi-modal data analysis with mechanism-based modeling offers a predictive framework to characterize intra-tumor heterogeneity and identify interventions to restrict it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarthak Sahoo
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Soundharya Ramu
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Madhumathy G. Nair
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Maalavika Pillai
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | | | | | - Susmita Mandal
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Chandrakala M. Naidu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Apoorva D. Mavatkar
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Harini Subramaniam
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Arpita G. Neogi
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Christine L. Chaffer
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- University of New South Wales, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Jyothi S. Prabhu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore 560012, India
| | | | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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2
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Ma Q, Hao S, Hong W, Tergaonkar V, Sethi G, Tian Y, Duan C. Versatile function of NF-ĸB in inflammation and cancer. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:68. [PMID: 39014491 PMCID: PMC11251119 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00529-z] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-ĸB) plays a crucial role in both innate and adaptive immune systems, significantly influencing various physiological processes such as cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, survival, and stemness. The function of NF-ĸB in cancer progression and response to chemotherapy has gained increasing attention. This review highlights the role of NF-ĸB in inflammation control, biological mechanisms, and therapeutic implications in cancer treatment. NF-ĸB is instrumental in altering the release of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, which are key in the regulation of carcinogenesis. Specifically, in conditions including colitis, NF-ĸB upregulation can intensify inflammation, potentially leading to the development of colorectal cancer. Its pivotal role extends to regulating the tumor microenvironment, impacting components such as macrophages, fibroblasts, T cells, and natural killer cells. This regulation influences tumorigenesis and can dampen anti-tumor immune responses. Additionally, NF-ĸB modulates cell death mechanisms, notably by inhibiting apoptosis and ferroptosis. It also has a dual role in stimulating or suppressing autophagy in various cancers. Beyond these functions, NF-ĸB plays a role in controlling cancer stem cells, fostering angiogenesis, increasing metastatic potential through EMT induction, and reducing tumor cell sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Given its oncogenic capabilities, research has focused on natural products and small molecule compounds that can suppress NF-ĸB, offering promising avenues for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Ma
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, P.R. China
| | - Shuai Hao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, P.R. China
- Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, P.R. China
| | - Weilong Hong
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, P.R. China
| | - Vinay Tergaonkar
- Laboratory of NF-κB Signalling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology and NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.
| | - Yu Tian
- School of Public Health, Benedictine University, Lisle, 60532, USA.
| | - Chenyang Duan
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, P.R. China.
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3
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Kakkat S, Suman P, Turbat- Herrera EA, Singh S, Chakroborty D, Sarkar C. Exploring the multifaceted role of obesity in breast cancer progression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1408844. [PMID: 39040042 PMCID: PMC11260727 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1408844] [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: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a multifaceted metabolic disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue. It is a well-established risk factor for the development and progression of breast cancer. Adipose tissue, which was once regarded solely as a passive energy storage depot, is now acknowledged as an active endocrine organ producing a plethora of bioactive molecules known as adipokines that contribute to the elevation of proinflammatory cytokines and estrogen production due to enhanced aromatase activity. In the context of breast cancer, the crosstalk between adipocytes and cancer cells within the adipose microenvironment exerts profound effects on tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. Moreover, adipocytes can engage in direct interactions with breast cancer cells through physical contact and paracrine signaling, thereby facilitating cancer cell survival and invasion. This review endeavors to summarize the current understanding of the intricate interplay between adipocyte-associated factors and breast cancer progression. Furthermore, by discussing the different aspects of breast cancer that can be adversely affected by obesity, this review aims to shed light on potential avenues for new and novel therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sooraj Kakkat
- Department of Pathology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
- Cancer Biology Program, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Prabhat Suman
- Department of Pathology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
- Cancer Biology Program, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Elba A. Turbat- Herrera
- Department of Pathology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
- Cancer Biology Program, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Seema Singh
- Department of Pathology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
- Cancer Biology Program, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Debanjan Chakroborty
- Department of Pathology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
- Cancer Biology Program, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
| | - Chandrani Sarkar
- Department of Pathology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
- Cancer Biology Program, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States
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4
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Guo Q, Jin Y, Lin M, Zeng C, Zhang J. NF-κB signaling in therapy resistance of breast cancer: Mechanisms, approaches, and challenges. Life Sci 2024; 348:122684. [PMID: 38710275 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122684] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, endocrine therapy, and radiotherapy are all effective in destroying tumor cells, but they also activate the defense and protection systems of cancer cells, leading to treatment resistance. Breast cancer is characterized by a highly inflammatory tumor microenvironment. The NF-κB pathway is essential for connecting inflammation and cancer, as well as for tumor growth and therapy resistance. An increase in NF-κB signaling boosts the growth potential of breast cancer cells and facilitates the spread of tumors to bone, lymph nodes, lungs, and liver. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which chemotherapy, targeted therapy, endocrine therapy, and radiotherapy induce breast cancer resistance through NF-κB signaling. Additionally, we investigate therapeutic regimens, including single agents or in combination with target inhibitors, plant extracts, nanomedicines, and miRNAs, that have been reported in clinical trials, in vivo, and in vitro to reverse resistance. In particular, NF-κB inhibitors combined with tamoxifen were shown to significantly increase the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to tamoxifen. Combination therapy of miRNA-34a with doxorubicin was also found to synergistically inhibit the progression of doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer by inhibiting Notch/NF-κB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yizi Jin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingxi Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Zeng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270, Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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5
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Zhang J, Liu J, Yue Y, Wang L, He Q, Xu S, Li J, Liao Y, Chen Y, Wang S, Xie Y, Zhang B, Bian Y, Dimitrov DS, Yuan Y, Zhu J. The immunotoxin targeting PRLR increases tamoxifen sensitivity and enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy in breast cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:173. [PMID: 38898487 PMCID: PMC11188579 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03099-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Though tamoxifen achieves success in treating estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive breast cancer, the followed development of tamoxifen resistance is a common challenge in clinic. Signals downstream of prolactin receptor (PRLR) could synergize with ERα in breast cancer progression. However, the potential effect of targeting PRL-PRLR axis combined with tamoxifen has not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS High-throughput RNA-seq data obtained from TCGA, Metabric and GEO datasets were analyzed to explore PRLR expression in breast cancer cell and the association of PRLR expression with tamoxifen treatment. Exogenous or PRL overexpression cell models were employed to investigate the role of activated PRLR pathway in mediating tamoxifen insensitivity. Immunotoxin targeting PRLR (N8-PE24) was constructed with splicing-intein technique, and the efficacy of N8-PE24 against breast cancer was evaluated using in vitro and in vivo methods, including analysis of cells growth or apoptosis, 3D spheroids culture, and animal xenografts. RESULTS PRLR pathway activated by PRL could significantly decrease sensitivity of ERα-positive breast cancer cells to tamoxifen. Tamoxifen treatment upregulated transcription of PRLR and could induce significant accumulation of PRLR protein in breast cancer cells by alkalizing lysosomes. Meanwhile, tamoxifen-resistant MCF7 achieved by long-term tamoxifen pressure exhibited both upregulated transcription and protein level of PRLR. Immunotoxin N8-PE24 enhanced sensitivity of breast cancer cells to tamoxifen both in vitro and in vivo. In xenograft models, N8-PE24 significantly enhanced the efficacy of tamoxifen and paclitaxel when treating PRLR-positive triple-negative breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS PRL-PRLR axis potentially associates with tamoxifen insensitivity in ERα-positive breast cancer cells. N8-PE24 could inhibit cell growth of the breast cancers and promote drug sensitivity of PRLR-positive breast cancer cells to tamoxifen and paclitaxel. Our study provides a new perspective for targeting PRLR to treat breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Junjun Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yali Yue
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Qunye He
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Shuyi Xu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Junyan Li
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yunji Liao
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | | | - Yueqing Xie
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc, Frederick, MD, 21704, USA
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Tianjin, 300467, China
| | - Baohong Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yanlin Bian
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Dimiter S Dimitrov
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Yunsheng Yuan
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, MOE, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Building 6, Room 208, 800 Dongchuan road, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc, Frederick, MD, 21704, USA.
- Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Tianjin, 300467, China.
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6
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Joosten SEP, Gregoricchio S, Stelloo S, Yapıcı E, Huang CCF, Yavuz K, Donaldson Collier M, Morova T, Altintaş UB, Kim Y, Canisius S, Moelans CB, van Diest PJ, Korkmaz G, Lack NA, Vermeulen M, Linn SC, Zwart W. Estrogen receptor 1 chromatin profiling in human breast tumors reveals high inter-patient heterogeneity with enrichment of risk SNPs and enhancer activity at most-conserved regions. Genome Res 2024; 34:539-555. [PMID: 38719469 PMCID: PMC11146591 DOI: 10.1101/gr.278680.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Estrogen Receptor 1 (ESR1; also known as ERα, encoded by ESR1 gene) is the main driver and prime drug target in luminal breast cancer. ESR1 chromatin binding is extensively studied in cell lines and a limited number of human tumors, using consensi of peaks shared among samples. However, little is known about inter-tumor heterogeneity of ESR1 chromatin action, along with its biological implications. Here, we use a large set of ESR1 ChIP-seq data from 70 ESR1+ breast cancers to explore inter-patient heterogeneity in ESR1 DNA binding to reveal a striking inter-tumor heterogeneity of ESR1 action. Of note, commonly shared ESR1 sites show the highest estrogen-driven enhancer activity and are most engaged in long-range chromatin interactions. In addition, the most commonly shared ESR1-occupied enhancers are enriched for breast cancer risk SNP loci. We experimentally confirm SNVs to impact chromatin binding potential for ESR1 and its pioneer factor FOXA1. Finally, in the TCGA breast cancer cohort, we can confirm these variations to associate with differences in expression for the target gene. Cumulatively, we reveal a natural hierarchy of ESR1-chromatin interactions in breast cancers within a highly heterogeneous inter-tumor ESR1 landscape, with the most common shared regions being most active and affected by germline functional risk SNPs for breast cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey E P Joosten
- Division of Oncogenomics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Gregoricchio
- Division of Oncogenomics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, The Netherlands
| | - Suzan Stelloo
- Oncode Institute, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elif Yapıcı
- Koç University School of Medicine, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Chia-Chi Flora Huang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3Z6 Canada
| | - Kerim Yavuz
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3Z6 Canada
| | - Maria Donaldson Collier
- Division of Oncogenomics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, The Netherlands
| | - Tunç Morova
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3Z6 Canada
| | - Umut Berkay Altintaş
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3Z6 Canada
| | - Yongsoo Kim
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Canisius
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cathy B Moelans
- Department of Pathology, Utrecht University Medical Centre, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J van Diest
- Department of Pathology, Utrecht University Medical Centre, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gozde Korkmaz
- Koç University School of Medicine, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nathan A Lack
- Koç University School of Medicine, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3Z6 Canada
| | - Michiel Vermeulen
- Oncode Institute, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine C Linn
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Utrecht University Medical Centre, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wilbert Zwart
- Division of Oncogenomics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
- Oncode Institute, The Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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7
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Sahoo S, Ramu S, Nair MG, Pillai M, San Juan BP, Milioli HZ, Mandal S, Naidu CM, Mavatkar AD, Subramaniam H, Neogi AG, Chaffer CL, Prabhu JS, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. Multi-modal transcriptomic analysis unravels enrichment of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state and enhanced phenotypic heterogeneity in basal breast cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.30.558960. [PMID: 37873432 PMCID: PMC10592858 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.30.558960] [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
Intra-tumoral phenotypic heterogeneity promotes tumor relapse and therapeutic resistance and remains an unsolved clinical challenge. It manifests along multiple phenotypic axes and decoding the interconnections among these different axes is crucial to understand its molecular origins and to develop novel therapeutic strategies to control it. Here, we use multi-modal transcriptomic data analysis - bulk, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics - from breast cancer cell lines and primary tumor samples, to identify associations between epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and luminal-basal plasticity - two key processes that enable heterogeneity. We show that luminal breast cancer strongly associates with an epithelial cell state, but basal breast cancer is associated with hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype(s) and higher phenotypic heterogeneity. These patterns were inherent in methylation profiles, suggesting an epigenetic crosstalk between EMT and lineage plasticity in breast cancer. Mathematical modelling of core underlying gene regulatory networks representative of the crosstalk between the luminal-basal and epithelial-mesenchymal axes recapitulate and thus elucidate mechanistic underpinnings of the observed associations from transcriptomic data. Our systems-based approach integrating multi-modal data analysis with mechanism-based modeling offers a predictive framework to characterize intra-tumor heterogeneity and to identify possible interventions to restrict it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarthak Sahoo
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Soundharya Ramu
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Madhumathy G Nair
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Maalavika Pillai
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
- Current affiliation: Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, 60611, USA
| | - Beatriz P San Juan
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | | | - Susmita Mandal
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Chandrakala M Naidu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Apoorva D Mavatkar
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Harini Subramaniam
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Arpita G Neogi
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Christine L Chaffer
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
- University of New South Wales, UNSW Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jyothi S Prabhu
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | | | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
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8
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Sharma T, Zhang Y, Zigrossi A, Cravatt BF, Kastrati I. Dimethyl fumarate inhibits ZNF217 and can be beneficial in a subset of estrogen receptor positive breast cancers. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023; 201:561-570. [PMID: 37477798 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-07037-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The oncogenic factor ZNF217 promotes aggressive estrogen receptor (ER)+breast cancer disease suggesting that its inhibition may be useful in the clinic. Unfortunately, no direct pharmacological inhibitor is available. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) exhibits anti-breast cancer activities, in vitro and in pre-clinical in vivo models. Its therapeutic benefits stem from covalent modification of cellular thiols such as protein cysteines, but the full profile of molecular targets mediating its anti-breast cancer effects remains to be determined. METHODS ER+breast cancer cells were treated with DMF followed by cysteine-directed proteomics. Cells with modulated ZNF217 levels were used to probe the efficacy of DMF. RESULTS Covalent modification of ZNF217 by DMF identified by proteomics was confirmed by using a DMF-chemical probe. Inhibition of ZNF217's transcriptional activity by DMF was evident on reported ZNF217-target genes. ZNF217 as an oncogene has been shown to enhance stem-like properties, survival, proliferation, and invasion. Consistent with ZNF217 inhibition, DMF was more effective at blocking these ZNF217-driven phenotypes in cells with elevated ZNF217 expression. Furthermore, partial knockdown of ZNF217 led to a reduction in DMF's efficacy. DMF's in vivo activity was evaluated in a xenograft model of MCF-7 HER2 cells that have elevated expression of ZNF217 and DMF treatment resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth. CONCLUSION These data indicate that DMF's anti-breast cancer activities in the ER+HER2+models, at least in part, are due to inhibition of ZNF217. DMF is identified as a new covalent inhibitor of ZNF217.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanu Sharma
- The Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S 1St Avenue, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Yuanjin Zhang
- The Department of Chemistry and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Alexandra Zigrossi
- The Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S 1St Avenue, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- The Department of Chemistry and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Irida Kastrati
- The Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S 1St Avenue, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.
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9
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Anderle N, Schäfer-Ruoff F, Staebler A, Kersten N, Koch A, Önder C, Keller AL, Liebscher S, Hartkopf A, Hahn M, Templin M, Brucker SY, Schenke-Layland K, Schmees C. Breast cancer patient-derived microtumors resemble tumor heterogeneity and enable protein-based stratification and functional validation of individualized drug treatment. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:210. [PMID: 37596623 PMCID: PMC10436441 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02782-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite tremendous progress in deciphering breast cancer at the genomic level, the pronounced intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity remains a major obstacle to the advancement of novel and more effective treatment approaches. Frequent treatment failure and the development of treatment resistance highlight the need for patient-derived tumor models that reflect the individual tumors of breast cancer patients and allow a comprehensive analyses and parallel functional validation of individualized and therapeutically targetable vulnerabilities in protein signal transduction pathways. Here, we introduce the generation and application of breast cancer patient-derived 3D microtumors (BC-PDMs). Residual fresh tumor tissue specimens were collected from n = 102 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and subjected to BC-PDM isolation. BC-PDMs retained histopathological characteristics, and extracellular matrix (ECM) components together with key protein signaling pathway signatures of the corresponding primary tumor tissue. Accordingly, BC-PDMs reflect the inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity of breast cancer and its key signal transduction properties. DigiWest®-based protein expression profiling of identified treatment responder and non-responder BC-PDMs enabled the identification of potential resistance and sensitivity markers of individual drug treatments, including markers previously associated with treatment response and yet undescribed proteins. The combination of individualized drug testing with comprehensive protein profiling analyses of BC-PDMs may provide a valuable complement for personalized treatment stratification and response prediction for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Anderle
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany.
| | - Felix Schäfer-Ruoff
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Annette Staebler
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Kersten
- Interfaculty Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics (IBMI), Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, 72076, Germany
- FZI Research Center for Information Technology, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - André Koch
- Department of Women's Health, University Women's Hospital, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Cansu Önder
- Department of Women's Health, University Women's Hospital, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Keller
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Simone Liebscher
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department for Medical Technologies and Regenerative Medicine, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Hartkopf
- Department of Women's Health, University Women's Hospital, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Ulm, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Markus Hahn
- Department of Women's Health, University Women's Hospital, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Markus Templin
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Sara Y Brucker
- Department of Women's Health, University Women's Hospital, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Katja Schenke-Layland
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department for Medical Technologies and Regenerative Medicine, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Christian Schmees
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany.
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Zhou J, Zhu M, Wang Q, Deng Y, Liu N, Liu Y, Liu Q. SERPINA3-ANKRD11-HDAC3 pathway induced aromatase inhibitor resistance in breast cancer can be reversed by HDAC3 inhibition. Commun Biol 2023; 6:695. [PMID: 37414914 PMCID: PMC10326080 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05065-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine resistance is a major challenge for breast cancer therapy. To identify the genes pivotal for endocrine-resistance progression, we screened five datasets and found 7 commonly dysregulated genes in endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells. Here we show that downregulation of serine protease inhibitor clade A member 3 (SERPINA3) which is a direct target gene of estrogen receptor α contributes to aromatase inhibitor resistance. Ankyrin repeat domain containing 11 (ANKRD11) works as a downstream effector of SERPINA3 in mediating endocrine-resistance. It induces aromatase inhibitor insensitivity by interacting with histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) and upregulating its activity. Our study suggests that aromatase inhibitor therapy downregulates SERPINA3 and leads to the ensuing upregulation of ANKRD11, which in turn promotes aromatase inhibitor resistance via binding to and activating HDAC3. HDAC3 inhibition may reverse the aromatase inhibitor resistance in ER-positive breast cancer with decreased SERPINA3 and increased ANKRD11 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhou
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang West Road 107#, 510120, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengdi Zhu
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang West Road 107#, 510120, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang West Road 107#, 510120, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiyuan Deng
- The China-Japan Union Hospital of Ji Lin University, Changchun, China
| | - Nianqiu Liu
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yujie Liu
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang West Road 107#, 510120, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Yanjiang West Road 107#, 510120, Guangzhou, China.
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11
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Wu X, Sun L, Xu F. NF-κB in Cell Deaths, Therapeutic Resistance and Nanotherapy of Tumors: Recent Advances. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:783. [PMID: 37375731 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060783] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays a complicated role in multiple tumors. Mounting evidence demonstrates that NF-κB activation supports tumorigenesis and development by enhancing cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, preventing cell death, facilitating angiogenesis, regulating tumor immune microenvironment and metabolism, and inducing therapeutic resistance. Notably, NF-κB functions as a double-edged sword exerting positive or negative influences on cancers. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent research on the regulation of NF-κB in cancer cell deaths, therapy resistance, and NF-κB-based nano delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Wu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Liang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fangying Xu
- Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310005, China
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12
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LeVee A, Mortimer J. The Challenges of Treating Patients with Breast Cancer and Obesity. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092526. [PMID: 37173991 PMCID: PMC10177120 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or more and is associated with worse outcomes in patients with breast cancer, resulting in an increased incidence of breast cancer, recurrence, and death. The incidence of obesity is increasing, with almost half of all individuals in the United States classified as obese. Patients with obesity present with unique pharmacokinetics and physiology and are at increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, which leads to specific challenges when treating these patients. The aim of this review is to summarize the impact of obesity on the efficacy and toxicity of systemic therapies used for breast cancer patients, describe the molecular mechanisms through which obesity can affect systemic therapies, outline the existing American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines for treating patients with cancer and obesity, and highlight additional clinical considerations for treating patients with obesity and breast cancer. We conclude that further research on the biological mechanisms underlying the obesity-breast cancer link may offer new treatment strategies, and clinicals trials that focus on the treatment and outcomes of patients with obesity and all stages of breast cancer are needed to inform future treatment guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis LeVee
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Joanne Mortimer
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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13
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Reinema FV, Sweep FCGJ, Adema GJ, Peeters WJM, Martens JWM, Bussink J, Span PN. Tamoxifen induces radioresistance through NRF2-mediated metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer. Cancer Metab 2023; 11:3. [PMID: 36755288 PMCID: PMC9909892 DOI: 10.1186/s40170-023-00304-4] [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: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, we reported that tamoxifen-resistant (TAM-R) breast cancer cells are cross-resistant to irradiation. Here, we investigated the mechanisms associated with tamoxifen-induced radioresistance, aiming to prevent or reverse resistance and improve breast cancer treatment. METHODS Wild-type ERα-positive MCF7 and ERα-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and their TAM-R counterparts were analyzed for cellular metabolism using the Seahorse metabolic analyzer. Real-time ROS production, toxicity, and antioxidant capacity in response to H2O2, tamoxifen, and irradiation were determined. Tumor material from 28 breast cancer patients before and after short-term presurgical tamoxifen (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00738777, August 19, 2008) and cellular material was analyzed for NRF2 gene expression and immunohistochemistry. Re-sensitization of TAM-R cells to irradiation was established using pharmacological inhibition. RESULTS TAM-R cells exhibited decreased oxygen consumption and increased glycolysis, suggesting mitochondrial dysfunction. However, this did not explain radioresistance, as cells without mitochondria (Rho-0) were actually more radiosensitive. Real-time measurement of ROS after tamoxifen and H2O2 exposure indicated lower ROS levels and toxicity in TAM-R cells. Consistently, higher antioxidant levels were found in TAM-R cells, providing protection from irradiation-induced ROS. NRF2, a main activator of the antioxidant response, was increased in TAM-R cells and in tumor tissue of patients treated with short-term presurgical tamoxifen. NRF2 inhibition re-sensitized TAM-R cells to irradiation. CONCLUSION Mechanisms underlying tamoxifen-induced radioresistance are linked to cellular adaptations to persistently increased ROS levels, leading to cells with chronically upregulated antioxidant capacity and glycolysis. Pharmacological inhibition of antioxidant responses re-sensitizes breast cancer cells to irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F V Reinema
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, the Netherlands
| | - F C G J Sweep
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - G J Adema
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, the Netherlands
| | - W J M Peeters
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, the Netherlands
| | - J W M Martens
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J Bussink
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, the Netherlands
| | - P N Span
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, the Netherlands.
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14
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Proteomic time course of breast cancer cells highlights enhanced sensitivity to Stat3 and Src inhibitors prior to endocrine resistance development. Cancer Gene Ther 2023; 30:324-334. [PMID: 36266450 PMCID: PMC9935392 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-022-00548-0] [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: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
To prevent the development of endocrine-resistant breast cancer, additional targeted therapies are increasingly being trialled in combination with endocrine therapy. The molecular mechanisms facilitating cancer cell survival during endocrine treatment remain unknown but could help direct selection of additional targeted therapies. We present a novel proteomic timecourse dataset, profiling potential drug targets in a population of MCF7 cells during 1 year of tamoxifen treatment. Reverse phase protein arrays profiled >70 proteins across 30 timepoints. A biphasic response to tamoxifen was evident, which coincided with changes in growth rate. Tamoxifen strongly impeded cell growth for the first 160 days, followed by gradual growth recovery and eventual resistance development. The growth-impeded phase was distinguished by the phosphorylation of Stat3 (y705) and Src (y527). Tumour tissue from patients treated with neo-adjuvant endocrine therapy (<4 months) also displayed increased Stat3 and Src signalling. Inhibitors of Stat3 (napabucasin) and Src (dasatinib), were effective at killing tamoxifen-treated MCF7 and T47D cells. Sensitivity to both drugs was significantly enhanced once tamoxifen had induced the growth-impeded phase. This novel proteomic resource identifies key mechanisms enabling cell survival during tamoxifen treatment. It provides valuable insight into potential drug combinations and timing that may prevent the development of endocrine resistance.
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15
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Tumor-promoting aftermath post-chemotherapy: A focus on breast cancer. Life Sci 2022; 310:121125. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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16
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Kumar S, Singh R, Dutta D, Chandel S, Bhattacharya A, Ravichandiran V, Sukla S. In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Methanolic Extract of Justicia adhatoda Leaves with Special Emphasis on Human Breast Cancer Cell Line. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27238222. [PMID: 36500313 PMCID: PMC9737760 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Natural products are being targeted as alternative anticancer agents due to their non-toxic and safe nature. The present study was conducted to explore the in vitro anticancer potential of Justicia adhatoda (J. adhatoda) leaf extract. The methanolic leaf extract was prepared, and the phytochemicals and antioxidant potential were determined by LCMS analysis and DPPH radical scavenging assay, respectively. A docking study performed with five major alkaloidal phytoconstituents showed that they had a good binding affinity towards the active site of NF-κB. Cell viability assay was carried out in five different cell lines, and the extract exhibited the highest cytotoxicity in MCF-7, a breast cancer cell line. Extract-treated cells showed a significant increase in nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production. Cell cycle analysis showed an arrest in cell growth at the Sub-G0 phase. The extract successfully inhibited cell migration and colony formation and altered mitochondrial membrane potential. The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione were also found to decrease in a dose-dependent manner. The percentage of apoptotic cells was found to increase in a dose-dependent manner in MCF-7 cells. The expressions of caspase-3, Bax, and cleaved-PARP were increased in extract-treated cells. An increase in the expression of NF-κB was found in the cytoplasm in extract-treated cells. J. adhatoda leaf extract showed a potential anticancer effect in MCF-7 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonu Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 168, Maniktala Main Road, Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Rajveer Singh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 168, Maniktala Main Road, Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Debrupa Dutta
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 168, Maniktala Main Road, Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Shivani Chandel
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 168, Maniktala Main Road, Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Arka Bhattacharya
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 168, Maniktala Main Road, Kolkata 700054, India
| | - Velayutham Ravichandiran
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 168, Maniktala Main Road, Kolkata 700054, India
- Correspondence: (V.R.); (S.S.); Tel.: +91-8697-508870 (S.S.)
| | - Soumi Sukla
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 168, Maniktala Main Road, Kolkata 700054, India
- Correspondence: (V.R.); (S.S.); Tel.: +91-8697-508870 (S.S.)
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Targeting prolyl isomerase Pin1 as a promising strategy to overcome resistance to cancer therapies. Pharmacol Res 2022; 184:106456. [PMID: 36116709 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The development of tumor therapeutic resistance is one of the important reasons for the failure of antitumor therapy. Starting with multiple targets and multiple signaling pathways is helpful in understanding the mechanism of tumor resistance. The overexpression of prolyl isomerase Pin1 is highly correlated with the malignancy of cancer, since Pin1 controls many oncogenes and tumor suppressors, as well as a variety of cancer-driving signaling pathways. Strikingly, numerous studies have shown that Pin1 is directly involved in therapeutic resistance. In this review, we mainly summarize the functions and mechanisms of Pin1 in therapeutic resistance of multifarious cancers, such as breast, liver, and pancreatic carcinomas. Furtherly, from the perspective of Pin1-driven cancer signaling pathways including Raf/MEK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, NF-κB, as well as Pin1 inhibitors containing juglone, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO), it is better to demonstrate the important potential role and mechanism of Pin1 in resistance and sensitization to cancer therapies. It will provide new therapeutic approaches for clinical reversal and prevention of tumor resistance by employing synergistic administration of Pin1 inhibitors and chemotherapeutics, implementing combination therapy of Pin1-related cancer signaling pathway inhibitors and Pin1 inhibitors, and exploiting novel Pin1-specific inhibitors.
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18
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Wu Y, Li X, Li Q, Cheng C, Zheng L. Adipose tissue-to-breast cancer crosstalk: Comprehensive insights. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188800. [PMID: 36103907 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The review focuses on mechanistic evidence for the link between obesity and breast cancer. According to the IARC study, there is sufficient evidence that obesity is closely related to a variety of cancers. Among them, breast cancer is particularly disturbed by adipose tissue due to the unique histological structure of the breast. The review introduces the relationship between obesity and breast cancer from two aspects, including factors that promote tumorigenesis or metastasis. We summarize alterations in adipokines and metabolic pathways that contribute to breast cancer development. Breast cancer metastasis is closely related to obesity-induced pro-inflammatory microenvironment, adipose stem cells, and miRNAs. Based on the mechanism by which obesity causes breast cancer, we list possible therapeutic directions, including reducing the risk of breast cancer and inhibiting the progression of breast cancer. We also discussed the risk of autologous breast remodeling and fat transplantation. Finally, the causes of the obesity paradox and the function of enhancing immunity are discussed. Evaluating the balance between obesity-induced inflammation and enhanced immunity warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xu Li
- Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, PR China
| | - Qiong Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Chienshan Cheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Lan Zheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai 200025, China.
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Relationship of micro-RNA, mRNA and eIF Expression in Tamoxifen-Adapted MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells: Impact of miR-1972 on Gene Expression, Proliferation and Migration. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12070916. [PMID: 35883472 PMCID: PMC9312698 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Tamoxifen-adapted MCF-7-Tam cells represent an in-vitro model for acquired tamoxifen resistance, which is still a problem in clinics. We here investigated the correlation of microRNA-, mRNA- and eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) expression in this model. Methods: MicroRNA- and gene expression were analyzed by nCounter and qRT-PCR technology; eIFs by Western blotting. Protein translation mode was determined using a reporter gene assay. Cells were transfected with a miR-1972-mimic. Results: miR-181b-5p,-3p and miR-455-5p were up-, miR-375, and miR-1972 down-regulated and are significant in survival analysis. About 5% of the predicted target genes were significantly altered. Pathway enrichment analysis suggested a contribution of the FoxO1 pathway. The ratio of polio-IRES driven to cap-dependent protein translation shifted towards cap-dependent initiation. Protein expression of eIF2A, -4G, -4H and -6 decreased, whereas eIF3H was higher in MCF-7-Tam. Significant correlations between tamoxifen-regulated miRNAs and eIFs were found in representative breast cancer cell lines. Transfection with a miR-1972-mimic reverses tamoxifen-induced expression for a subset of genes and increased proliferation in MCF-7, but reduced proliferation in MCF-7-Tam, especially in the presence of 4OH-tamoxifen. Migration was inhibited in MCF-7-Tam cells. Translation mode remained unaffected. Conclusions: miR-1972 contributes to the orchestration of gene-expression and physiological consequences of tamoxifen adaption.
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20
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Semina SE, Pal P, Kansara NS, Huggins RJ, Alarid ET, Greene GL, Frasor J. Selective pressure of endocrine therapy activates the integrated stress response through NFκB signaling in a subpopulation of ER positive breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res 2022; 24:19. [PMID: 35264224 PMCID: PMC8908626 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-022-01515-1] [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: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast tumors generally respond well to endocrine therapy (ET), up to 40% of patients will experience relapse, either while on endocrine therapy or after ET is completed. We previously demonstrated that the selective pressure of tamoxifen activates the NFκB pathway in ER + patient tumors, breast cancer cell lines, and breast cancer xenograft tumors, and that this activation allows for survival of a subpopulation of NFκB + cells that contribute to cell regrowth and tumor relapse after ET withdrawal. However, the mechanisms contributing to the expansion of an NFκB + cell population on ET are unknown. Methods Here, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing and bioinformatics approaches to characterize the NFκB + cell population and its clinical relevance. Follow-up studies were conducted to validate our findings and assess the function of the integrated stress response pathway in breast cancer cell lines and patient-derived models. Results We found that the NFκB + population that arises in response to ET is a preexisting population is enriched under the selective pressure of ET. Based on the preexisting NFκB + cell population, we developed a gene signature and found that it is predictive of tumor relapse when expressed in primary ER + tumors and is retained in metastatic cell populations. Moreover, we identified that the integrated stress response (ISR), as indicated by increased phosphorylation of eIF2α, occurs in response to ET and contributes to clonogenic growth under the selective pressure of ET. Conclusions Taken together, our findings suggest that a cell population with active NFκB and ISR signaling can survive and expand under the selective pressure of ET and that targeting this population may be a viable therapeutic strategy to improve patient outcome by eliminating cells that survive ET. Understanding the mechanisms by which breast cancer cells survive the selective pressure of ET may improve relapse rates and overall outcome for patients with ER + breast tumors. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13058-022-01515-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana E Semina
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 S. Wolcott Ave, E202 MSB, MC901, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Purab Pal
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 S. Wolcott Ave, E202 MSB, MC901, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Nidhi S Kansara
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 S. Wolcott Ave, E202 MSB, MC901, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Rosemary J Huggins
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Elaine T Alarid
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Geoffrey L Greene
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Jonna Frasor
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 S. Wolcott Ave, E202 MSB, MC901, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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21
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Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) Upregulation through Promoter Hypomethylation Enhances Tamoxifen Resistance in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051232. [PMID: 35267540 PMCID: PMC8909089 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer recurrence caused by tamoxifen resistance hampers chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. The reasons behind the resistance were investigated by screening epigenetically regulated genes through analysis of methylation data from tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 cells. MMP1 locus was found to be hypomethylated at a promoter CpG site and its expression was upregulated in the cell line, which was verified by the drug-resistant tumor tissues from breast cancer patients (n = 28). Downregulating MMP1 using a short hairpin RNA inhibited the growth of resistant cells and increased sensitivity to tamoxifen in vitro as well as in a xenografted mouse model in vivo. This study suggests that MMP1 is potentially a target gene to control tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer. Abstract Background: Tamoxifen (tam) is widely used to treat estrogen-positive breast cancer. However, cancer recurrence after chemotherapy remains a major obstacle to achieve good patient prognoses. In this study, we aimed to identify genes responsible for epigenetic regulation of tam resistance in breast cancer. Methods: Methylation microarray data were analyzed to screen highly hypomethylated genes in tam resistant (tamR) breast cancer cells. Quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemical staining were used to quantify expression levels of genes in cultured cells and cancer tissues. Effects of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) expression on cancer cell growth and drug resistance were examined through colony formation assays and flow cytometry. Xenografted mice were generated to investigate the effects of MMP1 on drug resistance in vivo. Results: MMP1 was found to be hypomethylated and overexpressed in tamR MCF-7 (MCF-7/tamR) cells and in tamR breast cancer tissues. Methylation was found to be inversely associated with MMP1 expression level in breast cancer tissues, and patients with lower MMP1 expression exhibited a better prognosis for survival. Downregulating MMP1 using shRNA induced tam sensitivity in MCF-7/tamR cells along with increased apoptosis. The xenografted MCF-7/tamR cells that stably expressed short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against MMP1 exhibited retarded tumor growth compared to that in cells expressing the control shRNA, which was further suppressed by tam. Conclusions: MMP1 can be upregulated through promoter hypomethylation in tamR breast cancer, functioning as a resistance driver gene. MMP1 can be a potential target to suppress tamR to achieve better prognoses of breast cancer patients.
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22
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Barone I, Caruso A, Gelsomino L, Giordano C, Bonofiglio D, Catalano S, Andò S. Obesity and endocrine therapy resistance in breast cancer: Mechanistic insights and perspectives. Obes Rev 2022; 23:e13358. [PMID: 34559450 PMCID: PMC9285685 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of obesity, a recognized risk factor for various metabolic and chronic diseases, including numerous types of cancers, has risen dramatically over the recent decades worldwide. To date, convincing research in this area has painted a complex picture about the adverse impact of high body adiposity on breast cancer onset and progression. However, an emerging but overlooked issue of clinical significance is the limited efficacy of the conventional endocrine therapies with selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) or degraders (SERDs) and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in patients affected by breast cancer and obesity. The mechanisms behind the interplay between obesity and endocrine therapy resistance are likely to be multifactorial. Therefore, what have we actually learned during these years and which are the main challenges in the field? In this review, we will critically discuss the epidemiological evidence linking obesity to endocrine therapeutic responses and we will outline the molecular players involved in this harmful connection. Given the escalating global epidemic of obesity, advances in understanding this critical node will offer new precision medicine-based therapeutic interventions and more appropriate dosing schedule for treating patients affected by obesity and with breast tumors resistant to endocrine therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Barone
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Amanda Caruso
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Luca Gelsomino
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Cinzia Giordano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Daniela Bonofiglio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Stefania Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Andò
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
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Nagy Z, Jeselsohn R. ESR1 fusions and therapeutic resistance in metastatic breast cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1037531. [PMID: 36686845 PMCID: PMC9848494 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1037531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequent female malignant tumor, and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. The most common subtype of breast cancer is hormone receptor positive that expresses the estrogen receptor (ER). Targeting ER with endocrine therapy (ET) is the current standard of care for ER positive (ER+) breast cancer, reducing mortality by up to 40% in early- stage disease. However, resistance to ET represents a major clinical challenge for ER+ breast cancer patients leading to disease recurrence or progression of metastatic disease. Salient drivers of ET resistance are missense mutations in the ER gene (ESR1) leading to constitutive transcriptional activity and reduced ET sensitivity. These mutations are particularly prominent and deleterious in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). In addition to activating ESR1 point mutations, emerging evidence imposes that chromosomal translocation involving the ESR1 gene can also drive ET resistance through the formation of chimeric transcription factors with constitutive transcriptional activity. Although these ESR1 gene fusions are relatively rare, they are enriched in ET resistant metastatic disease. This review discusses the characteristics of ER fusion proteins and their association with clinical outcomes in more aggressive and metastatic breast cancer. The structure and classification of ER fusion proteins based on function and clinical significance are also addressed. Finally, this review summarizes the metastatic phenotypes exhibited by the ER fusion proteins and their role in intrinsic ET resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Nagy
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Rinath Jeselsohn, ; Zsuzsanna Nagy,
| | - Rinath Jeselsohn
- Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Rinath Jeselsohn, ; Zsuzsanna Nagy,
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24
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Semina SE, Alejo LH, Chopra S, Kansara NS, Kastrati I, Sartorius CA, Frasor J. Identification of a novel ER-NFĸB-driven stem-like cell population associated with relapse of ER+ breast tumors. Breast Cancer Res 2022; 24:88. [PMID: 36482488 PMCID: PMC9733334 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-022-01585-1] [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: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Up to 40% of patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer experience relapse. This can be attributed to breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), which are known to be involved in therapy resistance, relapse, and metastasis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify genes/pathways that drive stem-like cell properties in ER+ breast tumors. METHODS Using single-cell RNA sequencing and various bioinformatics approaches, we identified a unique stem-like population and established its clinical relevance. With follow-up studies, we validated our bioinformatics findings and confirmed the role of ER and NFĸB in the promotion of stem-like properties in breast cancer cell lines and patient-derived models. RESULTS We identified a novel quiescent stem-like cell population that is driven by ER and NFĸB in multiple ER+ breast cancer models. Moreover, we found that a gene signature derived from this stem-like population is expressed in primary ER+ breast tumors, endocrine therapy-resistant and metastatic cell populations and predictive of poor patient outcome. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate a novel role for ER and NFĸB crosstalk in BCSCs biology and understanding the mechanism by which these pathways promote stem properties can be exploited to improve outcomes for ER+ breast cancer patients at risk of relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana E. Semina
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 909 S Wolcott Avenue (MC 901), 2040 COMRB, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Luis H. Alejo
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 909 S Wolcott Avenue (MC 901), 2040 COMRB, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Shivani Chopra
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 909 S Wolcott Avenue (MC 901), 2040 COMRB, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Nidhi S. Kansara
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 909 S Wolcott Avenue (MC 901), 2040 COMRB, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Irida Kastrati
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 909 S Wolcott Avenue (MC 901), 2040 COMRB, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.164971.c0000 0001 1089 6558Present Address: Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
| | - Carol A. Sartorius
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Jonna Frasor
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 909 S Wolcott Avenue (MC 901), 2040 COMRB, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
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25
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Transcription Regulation and Genome Rewiring Governing Sensitivity and Resistance to FOXM1 Inhibition in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246282. [PMID: 34944900 PMCID: PMC8699539 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1), an oncogenic transcription factor associated with aggressiveness and highly expressed in many cancers, is an emerging therapeutic target. Using novel 1,1-diarylethylene-diammonium small molecule FOXM1 inhibitors, we undertook transcriptomic, protein, and functional analyses to identify mechanisms by which these compounds impact breast cancer growth and survival, and the changes that occur in estrogen receptor (ERα)-positive and triple negative breast cancer cells that acquire resistance upon long-term treatment with the inhibitors. In sensitive cells, these compounds regulated FOXM1 gene networks controlling cell cycle progression, DNA damage repair, and apoptosis. Resistant cells showed transcriptional alterations that reversed the expression of many genes in the FOXM1 network and rewiring that enhanced inflammatory signaling and upregulated HER2 or EGFR growth factor pathways. ERα-positive breast cancer cells that developed resistance showed greatly reduced ERα levels and responsiveness to fulvestrant and a 10-fold increased sensitivity to lapatinib, suggesting that targeting rewired processes in the resistant state may provide benefits and prolong anticancer effectiveness. Improved understanding of how FOXM1 inhibitors suppress breast cancer and how cancer cells can defeat their effectiveness and acquire resistance should be helpful in directing further studies to move these agents towards translation into the clinic.
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26
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Joosten SEP, Wellenstein M, Koornstra R, van Rossum A, Sanders J, van der Noort V, Ferrandez MC, Harkes R, Mandjes IAM, Rosing H, Huitema A, Beijnen JH, Wesseling J, van Diest PJ, Horlings HM, Linn SC, Zwart W. IHC-based Ki67 as response biomarker to tamoxifen in breast cancer window trials enrolling premenopausal women. NPJ Breast Cancer 2021; 7:138. [PMID: 34671036 PMCID: PMC8528844 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-021-00344-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Window studies are gaining traction to assess (molecular) changes in short timeframes. Decreased tumor cell positivity for the proliferation marker Ki67 is often used as a proxy for treatment response. Immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based Ki67 on tissue from neo-adjuvant trials was previously reported to be predictive for long-term response to endocrine therapy for breast cancer in postmenopausal women, but none of these trials enrolled premenopausal women. Nonetheless, the marker is being used on this subpopulation. We compared pathologist assessed IHC-based Ki67 in samples from pre- and postmenopausal women in a neo-adjuvant, endocrine therapy focused trial (NCT00738777), randomized between tamoxifen, anastrozole, or fulvestrant. These results were compared with (1) IHC-based Ki67 scoring by AI, (2) mitotic figures, (3) mRNA-based Ki67, (4) five independent gene expression signatures capturing proliferation, and (5) blood levels for tamoxifen and its metabolites as well as estradiol. Upon tamoxifen, IHC-based Ki67 levels were decreased in both pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer patients, which was confirmed using mRNA-based cell proliferation markers. The magnitude of decrease of Ki67 IHC was smaller in pre- versus postmenopausal women. We found a direct relationship between post-treatment estradiol levels and the magnitude of the Ki67 decrease in tumors. These data suggest IHC-based Ki67 may be an appropriate biomarker for tamoxifen response in premenopausal breast cancer patients, but anti-proliferative effect size depends on estradiol levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey E P Joosten
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rutger Koornstra
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, Rijnstate hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Annelot van Rossum
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joyce Sanders
- Department of Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent van der Noort
- Department of Biometrics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria C Ferrandez
- Department of Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rolf Harkes
- Department of Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid A M Mandjes
- Department of Biometrics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hilde Rosing
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek-The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alwin Huitema
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek-The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Division of Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jos H Beijnen
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek-The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Division of Pharmacology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jelle Wesseling
- Department of Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J van Diest
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hugo M Horlings
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Sabine C Linn
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands. .,Department of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Wilbert Zwart
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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27
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Leonce C, Saintigny P, Ortiz-Cuaran S. Cell-intrinsic mechanisms of drug tolerance to systemic therapies in cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 20:11-29. [PMID: 34389691 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In cancer patients with metastatic disease, the rate of complete tumor response to systemic therapies is low, and residual lesions persist in the majority of patients due to early molecular adaptation in cancer cells. A growing body of evidence suggests that a subpopulation of drug-tolerant « persister » cells - a reversible phenotype characterized by reduced drug sensitivity and decreased cell proliferation - maintains residual disease and may serve as a reservoir for resistant phenotypes. The survival of these residual tumor cells can be caused by reactivation of specific signaling pathways, phenotypic plasticity (i.e., transdifferentiation), epigenetic or metabolic reprogramming, downregulation of apoptosis as well as transcriptional remodeling. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms that enable adaptive survival in drug-tolerant cells. We describe the main characteristics and dynamic nature of this persistent state, and highlight the current therapeutic strategies that may be used to interfere with the establishment of drug-tolerant cells, as an alternative to improve objective response to systemic therapies and delay the emergence of resistance to improve long-term survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Leonce
- Univ Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of Lyon
| | - Pierre Saintigny
- Department of Medical Oncology, Univ Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of Lyon. Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard
| | - Sandra Ortiz-Cuaran
- Univ Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of Lyon
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28
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Hamadneh L, Bahader M, Abuarqoub R, AlWahsh M, Alhusban A, Hikmat S. PI3K/AKT and MAPK1 molecular changes preceding matrix metallopeptidases overexpression during tamoxifen-resistance development are correlated to poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. Breast Cancer 2021; 28:1358-1366. [PMID: 34370280 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-021-01277-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastasis and drug resistance remain a persistent key clinical obstacle to the success of breast cancer treatments. Recent years have seen an increased focus on understanding the factors that influence metastasis and drug resistance. METHODS In this study, the changes in MMPs gene expression were investigated together with their regulatory pathways-PI3K, MAPK and NFKβ pathways-during the process of developing tamoxifen resistance in MCF7 cell line. Gene correlation maps and Kaplan-Meier survival plots among all breast cancer patients and patients treated with tamoxifen were evaluated. RESULTS MMPs gene expression was found to be up regulated in MCF7 cell line treated with tamoxifen during the development of tamoxifen resistance using two approaches. Up-regulation of gene expression of AKT1 and MAPK1 started in cells treated with 10 μM tamoxifen that was followed with up-regulation of other genes in these pathways and MMPs in cells treated with 35 μM tamoxifen. MMPs and genes from PI3K, MAPK and NFKβ pathways showed highly significant increase of expression at 50 μM or when cells were treated sequentially six times with 35 μM. Furthermore, increased genes expression was associated with aggressive pattern, clear morphological changes, higher growth rate, increased migration and adhesion potential and tamoxifen insensitivity. Breast cancer distant metastasis-free survival, and survival among tamoxifen treated patients had high expression levels of MAPK1, AKT1, TIMP2, MMP1, and MMP9 showed poor prognosis. CONCLUSION Early changes of MAPK1, AKT1 gene expression upon tamoxifen treatment could possibly be used as an early marker of resistance and future poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lama Hamadneh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, AL-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, 11733, Jordan.
| | - Mohamad Bahader
- Faculty of Pharmacy, AL-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, 11733, Jordan
| | - Rama Abuarqoub
- Faculty of Pharmacy, AL-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, 11733, Jordan
| | - Mohammad AlWahsh
- Leibniz-Institut Für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS - e.v, Bunsen-Kirchhoff-Straße 11, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Research Center (ZMF), University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ala Alhusban
- Faculty of Pharmacy, AL-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, 11733, Jordan
| | - Suhair Hikmat
- Faculty of Pharmacy, AL-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, 11733, Jordan
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Schuler LA, Murdoch FE. Endogenous and Therapeutic Estrogens: Maestro Conductors of the Microenvironment of ER+ Breast Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153725. [PMID: 34359625 PMCID: PMC8345134 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) marks heterogeneous breast cancers which display a repertoire of somatic genomic mutations and an immune environment that differs from other breast cancer subtypes. These cancers also exhibit distinct biological behaviors; despite an overall better prognosis than HER2+ or triple negative breast cancers, disseminated dormant cells can lead to disease recurrence decades after the initial diagnosis and treatment. Estrogen is the best studied driver of these cancers, and antagonism or reduction of estrogen activity is the cornerstone of therapeutic approaches. In addition to reducing proliferation of ERα+ cancer cells, these treatments also alter signals to multiple other target cells in the environment, including immune cell subpopulations, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and endothelial cells via several distinct estrogen receptors. In this review, we update progress in our understanding of the stromal cells populating the microenvironments of primary and metastatic ER+ tumors, the effects of estrogen on tumor and stromal cells to modulate immune activity and the extracellular matrix, and net outcomes in experimental and clinical studies. We highlight new approaches that will illuminate the unique biology of these cancers, provide the foundation for developing new treatment and prevention strategies, and reduce mortality of this disease.
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30
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Cao J, Zhang M, Wang B, Zhang L, Fang M, Zhou F. Chemoresistance and Metastasis in Breast Cancer Molecular Mechanisms and Novel Clinical Strategies. Front Oncol 2021; 11:658552. [PMID: 34277408 PMCID: PMC8281885 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.658552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in females worldwide. Chemotherapy is the standard breast cancer treatment; however, chemoresistance is often seen in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Owing to high heterogeneity, the mechanisms of breast cancer chemoresistance and metastasis have not been fully investigated. The possible molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance in breast cancer include efflux transporters, signaling pathways, non-coding RNAs, and cancer stem cells. However, to overcome this hurdle, the use of novel clinical strategies such as drug carriers, immunotherapy, and autophagy regulation, are being investigated. The goal of this review is to summarize the current data about the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer chemoresistance and the novel clinical strategies; thus, providing a useful clinical tool to explore optimal treatment for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Cao
- Department of Rare and Head and Neck Oncology, Institute of Cancer Research and Basic Medical Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengdi Zhang
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Long Zhang
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meiyu Fang
- Department of Rare and Head and Neck Oncology, Institute of Cancer Research and Basic Medical Sciences of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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31
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Belachew EB, Sewasew DT. Molecular Mechanisms of Endocrine Resistance in Estrogen-Positive Breast Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:599586. [PMID: 33841325 PMCID: PMC8030661 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.599586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The estrogen receptor is a vital receptor for therapeutic targets in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The main strategy for the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers is blocking the estrogen action on estrogen receptors by endocrine therapy but this can be restricted via endocrine resistance. Endocrine resistance occurs due to both de novo and acquired resistance. This review focuses on the mechanisms of the ligand-dependent and ligand-independent pathways and other coregulators, which are responsible for endocrine resistance. It concludes that combinatorial drugs that target different signaling pathways and coregulatory proteins together with endocrine therapy could be a novel therapeutic modality to stop endocrine resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmael Besufikad Belachew
- Biology, Mizan Tepi University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Mukhopadhyay S, Bhutia SK. Trends in CRISPR-Cas9 technology application in cancer. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2021; 178:175-192. [PMID: 33685596 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of the CRISPR-Cas9 technology in cancer research has tremendous potential to shape the future of oncology. Although this gene-editing tool's pre-clinical progress is into its nascent stage, there are many unanswered questions regarding health benefits and therapy precision using CRISPR. The application of CRISPR is highly specific, economically sustainable, and is a high throughput technique, but on the other hand, its application involves measured risk of countering the toxic immune response of Cas protein, off-target effects, limitation of delivering the edited cells back into cancer patients. The current chapter highlights the possibilities and perils of the present-day CRISPR engineering in cancer that should highlight CRISPR translation to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhadip Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Medical School, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Sujit Kumar Bhutia
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India.
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Estrogen Receptor on the move: Cistromic plasticity and its implications in breast cancer. Mol Aspects Med 2020; 78:100939. [PMID: 33358533 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2020.100939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen Receptor (ERα) is a hormone-driven transcription factor, critically involved in driving tumor cell proliferation in the vast majority of breast cancers (BCas). ERα binds the genome at cis-regulatory elements, dictating the expression of a large spectrum of responsive genes in 3D genomic space. While initial reports described a rather static ERα chromatin binding repertoire, we now know that ERα DNA interactions are highly versatile, altered in breast tumor development and progression, and deviate between tumors from patients with differential outcome. Multiple cellular signaling cascades are known to impinge on ERα genomic function, changing its cistrome to retarget the receptor to other regions of the genome and reprogram its impact on breast cell biology. This review describes the current state-of-the-art on which factors manipulate the ERα cistrome and how this alters the response to both endogenous and exogenous hormonal stimuli, ultimately impacting BCa cell progression and response to commonly used therapeutic interventions. Novel insights in ERα cistrome dynamics may pave the way for better patient diagnostics and the development of novel therapeutic interventions, ultimately improving cancer care and patient outcome.
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Smart E, Semina SE, Frasor J. Update on the Role of NFκB in Promoting Aggressive Phenotypes of Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer. Endocrinology 2020; 161:bqaa152. [PMID: 32887995 PMCID: PMC7521126 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The majority of breast cancers are diagnosed as estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and respond well to ER-targeted endocrine therapy. Despite the initial treatability of ER+ breast cancer, this subtype still accounts for the majority of deaths. This is partly due to the changing molecular characteristics of tumors as they progress to aggressive, metastatic, and frequently therapy resistant disease. In these advanced tumors, targeting ER alone is often less effective, as other signaling pathways become active, and ER takes on a redundant or divergent role. One signaling pathway whose crosstalk with ER has been widely studied is the nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signaling pathway. NFκB is frequently implicated in ER+ tumor progression to an aggressive disease state. Although ER and NFκB frequently co-repress each other, it has emerged that the 2 pathways can positively converge to play a role in promoting endocrine resistance, metastasis, and disease relapse. This will be reviewed here, paying particular attention to new developments in the field. Ultimately, finding targeted therapies that remain effective as tumors progress remains one of the biggest challenges for the successful treatment of ER+ breast cancer. Although early attempts to therapeutically block NFκB activity frequently resulted in systemic toxicity, there are some effective options. The drugs parthenolide and dimethyl fumarate have both been shown to effectively inhibit NFκB, reducing tumor aggressiveness and reversing endocrine therapy resistance. This highlights the need to revisit targeting NFκB in the clinic to potentially improve outcome for patients with ER+ breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Smart
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Svetlana E Semina
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jonna Frasor
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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