1
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Bhattacharya A, Wang K, Penailillo J, Chan CN, Fushimi A, Yamashita N, Daimon T, Haratake N, Ozawa H, Nakashoji A, Shigeta K, Morimoto Y, Miyo M, Kufe DW. MUC1-C regulates NEAT1 lncRNA expression and paraspeckle formation in cancer progression. Oncogene 2024; 43:2199-2214. [PMID: 38802648 PMCID: PMC11226401 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03068-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The MUC1 gene evolved in mammals for adaptation of barrier tissues in response to infections and damage. Paraspeckles are nuclear bodies formed on the NEAT1 lncRNA in response to loss of homeostasis. There is no known intersection of MUC1 with NEAT1 or paraspeckles. Here, we demonstrate that the MUC1-C subunit plays an essential role in regulating NEAT1 expression. MUC1-C activates the NEAT1 gene with induction of the NEAT1_1 and NEAT1_2 isoforms by NF-κB- and MYC-mediated mechanisms. MUC1-C/MYC signaling also induces expression of the SFPQ, NONO and FUS RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that associate with NEAT1_2 and are necessary for paraspeckle formation. MUC1-C integrates activation of NEAT1 and RBP-encoding genes by recruiting the PBAF chromatin remodeling complex and increasing chromatin accessibility of their respective regulatory regions. We further demonstrate that MUC1-C and NEAT1 form an auto-inductive pathway that drives common sets of genes conferring responses to inflammation and loss of homeostasis. Of functional significance, we find that the MUC1-C/NEAT1 pathway is of importance for the cancer stem cell (CSC) state and anti-cancer drug resistance. These findings identify a previously unrecognized role for MUC1-C in the regulation of NEAT1, RBPs, and paraspeckles that has been co-opted in promoting cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Keyi Wang
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Johany Penailillo
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chi Ngai Chan
- Tissue Technologies Unit, Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Atsushi Fushimi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nami Yamashita
- Breast Surgical Oncology, Breast Oncology Center, The Cancer Institute Hospital of the JFCR, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuaki Daimon
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Naoki Haratake
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hiroki Ozawa
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ayako Nakashoji
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keisuke Shigeta
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yoshihiro Morimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masaaki Miyo
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Donald W Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Zou Z, Luo T, Wang X, Wang B, Li Q. Exploring the interplay between triple-negative breast cancer stem cells and tumor microenvironment for effective therapeutic strategies. J Cell Physiol 2024. [PMID: 38807378 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31278] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive and metastatic malignancy with poor treatment outcomes. The interaction between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) plays an important role in the development of TNBC. Owing to their ability of self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation, BCSCs maintain tumor growth, drive metastatic colonization, and facilitate the development of drug resistance. TME is the main factor regulating the phenotype and metastasis of BCSCs. Immune cells, cancer-related fibroblasts (CAFs), cytokines, mesenchymal cells, endothelial cells, and extracellular matrix within the TME form a complex communication network, exert highly selective pressure on the tumor, and provide a conducive environment for the formation of BCSC niches. Tumor growth and metastasis can be controlled by targeting the TME to eliminate BCSC niches or targeting BCSCs to modify the TME. These approaches may improve the treatment outcomes and possess great application potential in clinical settings. In this review, we summarized the relationship between BCSCs and the progression and drug resistance of TNBC, especially focusing on the interaction between BCSCs and TME. In addition, we discussed therapeutic strategies that target the TME to inhibit or eliminate BCSCs, providing valuable insights into the clinical treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoling Zou
- Queen Mary College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Tinglan Luo
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh People's Hospital of Chongqing (Affiliated Central Hospital of Chongqing University of Technology), Chongqing, China
| | - Xinyuan Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Chongqing Medicine University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh People's Hospital of Chongqing (Affiliated Central Hospital of Chongqing University of Technology), Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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3
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Wang K, Bhattacharya A, Haratake N, Daimon T, Nakashoji A, Ozawa H, Peng B, Li W, Kufe D. XIST and MUC1-C form an auto-regulatory pathway in driving cancer progression. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:330. [PMID: 38740827 PMCID: PMC11091074 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06684-9] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The long non-coding RNA X-inactive specific transcript (lncRNA XIST) and MUC1 gene are dysregulated in chronic inflammation and cancer; however, there is no known interaction of their functions. The present studies demonstrate that MUC1-C regulates XIST lncRNA levels by suppressing the RBM15/B, WTAP and METTL3/14 components of the m6A methylation complex that associate with XIST A repeats. MUC1-C also suppresses the YTHDF2-CNOT1 deadenylase complex that recognizes m6A sites and contributes to XIST decay with increases in XIST stability and expression. In support of an auto-regulatory pathway, we show that XIST regulates MUC1-C expression by promoting NF-κB-mediated activation of the MUC1 gene. Of significance, MUC1-C and XIST regulate common genes associated with inflammation and stemness, including (i) miR-21 which is upregulated across pan-cancers, and (ii) TDP-43 which associates with the XIST E repeats. Our results further demonstrate that the MUC1-C/XIST pathway (i) is regulated by TDP-43, (ii) drives stemness-associated genes, and (iii) is necessary for self-renewal capacity. These findings indicate that the MUC1-C/XIST auto-regulatory axis is of importance in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keyi Wang
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Naoki Haratake
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tatsuaki Daimon
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ayako Nakashoji
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hiroki Ozawa
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bo Peng
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Donald Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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4
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Nakashoji A, Haratake N, Bhattacharya A, Mao W, Xu K, Wang K, Daimon T, Ozawa H, Shigeta K, Fushimi A, Yamashita N, Morimoto Y, Shimokawa M, Saito S, Egloff AM, Uppaluri R, Long MD, Kufe D. IDENTIFICATION OF MUC1-C AS A TARGET FOR SUPPRESSING PROGRESSION OF HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMAS. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024:743032. [PMID: 38619287 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-24-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The MUC1-C protein is aberrantly expressed in adenocarcinomas of epithelial barrier tissues and contributes to their progression. Less is known about involvement of MUC1-C in the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Here, we report that the MUC1 gene is upregulated in advanced head and neck SCCs (HNSCCs). Studies of HNSCC cell lines demonstrate that the MUC1-C subunit regulates expression of (i) RIG-I and MDA5 pattern recognition receptors, (ii) STAT1 and interferon (IFN) regulatory factors, and (iii) downstream IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). MUC1-C integrates chronic activation of the STAT1 inflammatory pathway with induction of the ∆Np63 and SOX2 genes that are aberrantly expressed in HNSCCs. In extending those dependencies, we demonstrate that MUC1-C is necessary for NOTCH3 expression, self-renewal capacity and tumorigenicity. The findings that MUC1 associates with ∆Np63, SOX2 and NOTCH3 expression by scRNA-seq analysis further indicate that MUC1-C drives the HNSCC stem cell state and is a target for suppressing HNSCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Naoki Haratake
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Weipu Mao
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kangjie Xu
- Binhai County People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - Keyi Wang
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tatsuaki Daimon
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hiroki Ozawa
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Keisuke Shigeta
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Atsushi Fushimi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nami Yamashita
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | | | - Shin Saito
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Ravindra Uppaluri
- Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mark D Long
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, United States
| | - Donald Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Zhang Z, Zhang Y. Transcriptional regulation of cancer stem cell: regulatory factors elucidation and cancer treatment strategies. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:99. [PMID: 38561775 PMCID: PMC10986082 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03021-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) were first discovered in the 1990s, revealing the mysteries of cancer origin, migration, recurrence and drug-resistance from a new perspective. The expression of pluripotent genes and complex signal regulatory networks are significant features of CSC, also act as core factors to affect the characteristics of CSC. Transcription is a necessary link to regulate the phenotype and potential of CSC, involving chromatin environment, nucleosome occupancy, histone modification, transcription factor (TF) availability and cis-regulatory elements, which suffer from ambient pressure. Especially, the expression and activity of pluripotent TFs are deeply affected by both internal and external factors, which is the foundation of CSC transcriptional regulation in the current research framework. Growing evidence indicates that regulating epigenetic modifications to alter cancer stemness is effective, and some special promoters and enhancers can serve as targets to influence the properties of CSC. Clarifying the factors that regulate CSC transcription will assist us directly target key stem genes and TFs, or hinder CSC transcription through environmental and other related factors, in order to achieve the goal of inhibiting CSC and tumors. This paper comprehensively reviews the traditional aspects of transcriptional regulation, and explores the progress and insights of the impact on CSC transcription and status through tumor microenvironment (TME), hypoxia, metabolism and new meaningful regulatory factors in conjunction with the latest research. Finally, we present opinions on omnidirectional targeting CSCs transcription to eliminate CSCs and address tumor resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyue Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201900, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanjie Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201900, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200125, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Haratake N, Ozawa H, Morimoto Y, Yamashita N, Daimon T, Bhattacharya A, Wang K, Nakashoji A, Isozaki H, Shimokawa M, Kikutake C, Suyama M, Hashinokuchi A, Takada K, Takenaka T, Yoshizumi T, Mitsudomi T, Hata AN, Kufe D. MUC1-C Is a Common Driver of Acquired Osimertinib Resistance in NSCLC. J Thorac Oncol 2024; 19:434-450. [PMID: 37924972 PMCID: PMC10939926 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2023.10.017] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Osimertinib is an irreversible EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC harboring EGFR exon 19 deletions or L858R mutations. Patients treated with osimertinib invariably develop acquired resistance by mechanisms involving additional EGFR mutations, MET amplification, and other pathways. There is no known involvement of the oncogenic MUC1-C protein in acquired osimertinib resistance. METHODS H1975/EGFR (L858R/T790M) and patient-derived NSCLC cells with acquired osimertinib resistance were investigated for MUC1-C dependence in studies of EGFR pathway activation, clonogenicity, and self-renewal capacity. RESULTS We reveal that MUC1-C is up-regulated in H1975 osimertinib drug-tolerant persister cells and is necessary for activation of the EGFR pathway. H1975 cells selected for stable osimertinib resistance (H1975-OR) and MGH700-2D cells isolated from a patient with acquired osimertinib resistance are found to be dependent on MUC1-C for induction of (1) phospho (p)-EGFR, p-ERK, and p-AKT, (2) EMT, and (3) the resistant phenotype. We report that MUC1-C is also required for p-EGFR, p-ERK, and p-AKT activation and self-renewal capacity in acquired osimertinib-resistant (1) MET-amplified MGH170-1D #2 cells and (2) MGH121 Res#2/EGFR (T790M/C797S) cells. Importantly, targeting MUC1-C in these diverse models reverses osimertinib resistance. In support of these results, high MUC1 mRNA and MUC1-C protein expression is associated with a poor prognosis for patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLCs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal that MUC1-C is a common effector of osimertinib resistance and is a potential target for the treatment of osimertinib-resistant NSCLCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Haratake
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hiroki Ozawa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yoshihiro Morimoto
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nami Yamashita
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tatsuaki Daimon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Atrayee Bhattacharya
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Keyi Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ayako Nakashoji
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hideko Isozaki
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mototsugu Shimokawa
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Chie Kikutake
- Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mikita Suyama
- Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Asato Hashinokuchi
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Tomoyoshi Takenaka
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Yoshizumi
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Mitsudomi
- Department of Surgery, Kindai University Hospital, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Aaron N Hata
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Donald Kufe
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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7
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Daimon T, Bhattacharya A, Wang K, Haratake N, Nakashoji A, Ozawa H, Morimoto Y, Yamashita N, Kosaka T, Oya M, Kufe DW. MUC1-C is a target of salinomycin in inducing ferroptosis of cancer stem cells. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:9. [PMID: 38182558 PMCID: PMC10770371 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01772-9] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The oncogenic MUC1-C transmembrane protein is a critical effector of the cancer stem cell (CSC) state. Addiction to MUC1-C for self-renewal in the progression of human cancers has emphasized the need for development of anti-MUC1-C agents. However, there are presently no approved small molecules for targeting MUC1-C-dependent CSCs. In screening for small molecules, we identified salinomycin (SAL), an inducer of ferroptosis, as a potent inhibitor of MUC1-C signaling. We demonstrate that SAL suppresses MUC1-C expression by disrupting a NF-κB/MUC1-C auto-inductive circuit that is necessary for ferroptosis resistance. Our results show that SAL-induced MUC1-C suppression downregulates a MUC1-C→MYC pathway that activates genes encoding (i) glutathione-disulfide reductase (GSR), and (ii) the LDL receptor related protein 8 (LRP8), which inhibit ferroptosis by generating GSH and regulating selenium levels, respectively. GSR and LRP8 contribute to the function of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), an essential negative regulator of ferroptotic cell death. We demonstrate that targeting MUC1-C genetically or with the GO-203 peptide inhibitor suppresses GPX4 expression and GPX activity in association with the induction of ferroptosis. Studies of CSCs enriched by serial passage as tumorspheres further demonstrate that the effects of SAL are mediated by downregulation of MUC1-C and thereby overcoming resistance to ferroptosis. As confirmation of these results, rescue of MUC1-C downregulation with the MUC1-C cytoplasmic domain (i) reversed the suppression of GSR, LRP8 and GPX4 expression, and (ii) attenuated the induction of ferroptosis. These findings identify SAL as a unique small molecule inhibitor of MUC1-C signaling and demonstrate that MUC1-C is an important effector of resistance to ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuaki Daimon
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Keyi Wang
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Naoki Haratake
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ayako Nakashoji
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hiroki Ozawa
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yoshihiro Morimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kinan Hospital, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Nami Yamashita
- Breast Surgical Oncology, Breast Oncology Center, The Cancer Institute Hospital of the JFCR, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeo Kosaka
- Department of Urology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mototsugu Oya
- Department of Urology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Donald W Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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8
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Yamashita N, Withers H, Morimoto Y, Bhattacharya A, Haratake N, Daimon T, Fushimi A, Nakashoji A, Thorner AR, Isenhart E, Rosario S, Long MD, Kufe D. MUC1-C integrates aerobic glycolysis with suppression of oxidative phosphorylation in triple-negative breast cancer stem cells. iScience 2023; 26:108168. [PMID: 37915591 PMCID: PMC10616323 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of the MUC1-C protein promotes lineage plasticity, epigenetic reprogramming, and the cancer stem cell (CSC) state. The present studies performed on enriched populations of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) CSCs demonstrate that MUC1-C is essential for integrating activation of glycolytic pathway genes with self-renewal and tumorigenicity. MUC1-C further integrates the glycolytic pathway with suppression of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes encoding components of mitochondrial Complexes I-V. The repression of mtDNA genes is explained by MUC1-C-mediated (i) downregulation of the mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) required for mtDNA transcription and (ii) induction of the mitochondrial transcription termination factor 3 (mTERF3). In support of pathogenesis that suppresses mitochondrial ROS production, targeting MUC1-C increases (i) mtDNA gene transcription, (ii) superoxide levels, and (iii) loss of self-renewal capacity. These findings and scRNA-seq analysis of CSC subpopulations indicate that MUC1-C regulates self-renewal and redox balance by integrating activation of glycolysis with suppression of oxidative phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nami Yamashita
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Henry Withers
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Naoki Haratake
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tatsuaki Daimon
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Atsushi Fushimi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ayako Nakashoji
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aaron R. Thorner
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily Isenhart
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Spencer Rosario
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Mark D. Long
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Donald Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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9
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Bhattacharya A, Fushimi A, Wang K, Yamashita N, Morimoto Y, Ishikawa S, Daimon T, Liu T, Liu S, Long MD, Kufe D. MUC1-C intersects chronic inflammation with epigenetic reprogramming by regulating the set1a compass complex in cancer progression. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1030. [PMID: 37821650 PMCID: PMC10567710 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05395-9] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation promotes epigenetic reprogramming in cancer progression by pathways that remain unclear. The oncogenic MUC1-C protein is activated by the inflammatory NF-κB pathway in cancer cells. There is no known involvement of MUC1-C in regulation of the COMPASS family of H3K4 methyltransferases. We find that MUC1-C regulates (i) bulk H3K4 methylation levels, and (ii) the COMPASS SET1A/SETD1A and WDR5 genes by an NF-κB-mediated mechanism. The importance of MUC1-C in regulating the SET1A COMPASS complex is supported by the demonstration that MUC1-C and WDR5 drive expression of FOS, ATF3 and other AP-1 family members. In a feedforward loop, MUC1-C, WDR5 and AP-1 contribute to activation of genes encoding TRAF1, RELB and other effectors in the chronic NF-κB inflammatory response. We also show that MUC1-C, NF-κB, WDR5 and AP-1 are necessary for expression of the (i) KLF4 master regulator of the pluripotency network and (ii) NOTCH1 effector of stemness. In this way, MUC1-C/NF-κB complexes recruit SET1A/WDR5 and AP-1 to enhancer-like signatures in the KLF4 and NOTCH1 genes with increases in H3K4me3 levels, chromatin accessibility and transcription. These findings indicate that MUC1-C regulates the SET1A COMPASS complex and the induction of genes that integrate NF-κB-mediated chronic inflammation with cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Atsushi Fushimi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keyi Wang
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nami Yamashita
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Satoshi Ishikawa
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tatsuaki Daimon
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Mark D Long
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Donald Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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10
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Li Z, Guo T, Zhao S, Lin M. The Therapeutic Effects of MUC1-C shRNA@Fe 3O 4 Magnetic Nanoparticles in Alternating Magnetic Fields on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:5651-5670. [PMID: 37822991 PMCID: PMC10563812 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s426849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Improving the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a serious challenge today. The primary objective of this study was to construct MUC1-C shRNA@ Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and investigate their potential therapeutic benefits in alternating magnetic fields (AMF) on TNBC. Methods Firstly, we verified the high expression of MUC1 in TNBC and synthesized specific MUC1-C shRNA plasmids (MUC1-C shRNA). Then, we prepared and characterized MUC1-C shRNA@Fe3O4 MNPs and confirmed their MUC1-C gene silencing effect and magneto-thermal conversion ability in AMF. Moreover, the inhibitory effects on TNBC in vitro and in vivo were observed as well as biosafety. Finally, the protein levels of BCL-2-associated X protein (Bax), cleaved-caspase3, glutathione peroxidase inhibitor 4 (GPX4), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) in TNBC cells and tissues were examined, and it was speculated that apoptosis and ferroptosis were involved in the synergistic treatment. Results MUC1-C shRNA@ Fe3O4 MNPs have a size of ~75 nm, with an encapsulation rate of (29.78±0.63) %, showing excellent gene therapy and magnetic hyperthermia functions. Under a constant AMF (3Kw) and a set concentration (200µg mL-1), the nanoparticles could be rapidly warmed up within 20 minutes and stabilized at about 43 °C. It could be uptaken by TNBC cells through endocytosis and significantly inhibit their proliferation and migration, with a growth inhibition rate of 79.22% for TNBC tumors. After treatment, GPX4, NRF2, and FTH1 expression levels in TNBC cells and tumor tissues were suppressed, while Bax and cleaved-caspase3 were increased. As key therapeutic measures, gene therapy, and magnetic hyperthermia have shown a synergistic effect in this treatment strategy, with a combined index (q index) of 1.23. Conclusion In conclusion, we developed MUC1-C shRNA@Fe3O4 MNPs with magnetic hyperthermia and gene therapy functions, which have shown satisfactory therapeutic effects on TNBC without significant side effects. This study provides a potential option for the precision treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifeng Li
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
- Clinical Laboratory, Taizhou People’s Hospital (Affiliated Hospital 5 of Nantong University), Taizhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ting Guo
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Taizhou People’s Hospital (Affiliated Hospital 5 of Nantong University), Taizhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Susu Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mei Lin
- Clinical Laboratory, Taizhou People’s Hospital (Affiliated Hospital 5 of Nantong University), Taizhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
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11
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Jia Q, Tan Y, Li Y, Wu Y, Wang J, Tang F. JUN-induced super-enhancer RNA forms R-loop to promote nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:459. [PMID: 37479693 PMCID: PMC10361959 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05985-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Oncogenic super-enhancers (SEs) generate noncoding enhancer/SE RNAs (eRNAs/seRNAs) that exert a critical function in malignancy through powerful regulation of target gene expression. Herein, we show that a JUN-mediated seRNA can form R-loop to regulate target genes to promote metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A combination of global run-on sequencing, chromatin-immunoprecipitation sequencing, and RNA sequencing was used to screen seRNAs. A specific seRNA associated with NPC metastasis (seRNA-NPCM) was identified as a transcriptional regulator for N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1). JUN was found to regulate seRNA-NPCM through motif binding. seRNA-NPCM was elevated in NPC cancer tissues and highly metastatic cell lines, and promoted the metastasis of NPC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the 3' end of seRNA-NPCM hybridizes with the SE region to form an R-loop, and the middle segment of seRNA-NPCM binds to heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein R (hnRNPR) at the promoter of distal gene NDRG1 and neighboring gene tribbles pseudokinase 1 (TRIB1). These structures promote chromatin looping and long-distance chromatin interactions between SEs and promoters, thus facilitating NDRG1 and TRIB1 transcription. Furthermore, the clinical analyses showed that seRNA-NPCM and NDRG1 were independent prognostic factors for NPC patients. seRNA-NPCM plays a critical role in orchestrating target gene transcription to promote NPC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunying Jia
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene and Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University/Hunan Cancer Hospital, 410013, Changsha, China
| | - Yuan Tan
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene and Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University/Hunan Cancer Hospital, 410013, Changsha, China
| | - Yuejin Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene and Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University/Hunan Cancer Hospital, 410013, Changsha, China
| | - Yao Wu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene and Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University/Hunan Cancer Hospital, 410013, Changsha, China
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 410208, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene and Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University/Hunan Cancer Hospital, 410013, Changsha, China
| | - Faqin Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene and Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University/Hunan Cancer Hospital, 410013, Changsha, China.
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12
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Morimoto Y, Yamashita N, Hirose H, Fushimi A, Haratake N, Daimon T, Bhattacharya A, Ahmad R, Suzuki Y, Takahashi H, Kufe DW. MUC1-C is necessary for SHP2 activation and BRAF inhibitor resistance in BRAF(V600E) mutant colorectal cancer. Cancer Lett 2023; 559:216116. [PMID: 36878307 PMCID: PMC10408991 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancers (CRCs) harboring the BRAF(V600E) mutation are associated with aggressive disease and resistance to BRAF inhibitors by feedback activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)→RAS→MAPK pathway. The oncogenic MUC1-C protein promotes progression of colitis to CRC; whereas there is no known involvement of MUC1-C in BRAF(V600E) CRCs. The present work demonstrates that MUC1 expression is significantly upregulated in BRAF(V600E) vs wild-type CRCs. We show that BRAF(V600E) CRC cells are dependent on MUC1-C for proliferation and BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) resistance. Mechanistically, MUC1-C integrates induction of MYC in driving cell cycle progression with activation of the SHP2 phosphotyrosine phosphatase, which enhances RTK-mediated RAS→ERK signaling. We demonstrate that targeting MUC1-C genetically and pharmacologically suppresses (i) activation of MYC, (ii) induction of the NOTCH1 stemness factor, and (iii) the capacity for self-renewal. We also show that MUC1-C associates with SHP2 and is required for SHP2 activation in driving BRAFi-induced feedback of ERK signaling. In this way, targeting MUC1-C in BRAFi-resistant BRAF(V600E) CRC tumors inhibits growth and sensitizes to BRAF inhibition. These findings demonstrate that MUC1-C is a target for the treatment of BRAF(V600E) CRCs and for reversing their resistance to BRAF inhibitors by suppressing the feedback MAPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nami Yamashita
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Haruka Hirose
- Division of Systems Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Atsushi Fushimi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Naoki Haratake
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tatsuaki Daimon
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Rehan Ahmad
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yozo Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Donald W Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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13
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Yamashita N, Morimoto Y, Fushimi A, Ahmad R, Bhattacharya A, Daimon T, Haratake N, Inoue Y, Ishikawa S, Yamamoto M, Hata T, Akiyoshi S, Hu Q, Liu T, Withers H, Liu S, Shapiro GI, Yoshizumi T, Long MD, Kufe D. MUC1-C Dictates PBRM1-Mediated Chronic Induction of Interferon Signaling, DNA Damage Resistance, and Immunosuppression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2023; 21:274-289. [PMID: 36445328 PMCID: PMC9975675 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-22-0772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The polybromo-1 (PBRM1) chromatin-targeting subunit of the SWI/SNF PBAF chromatin remodeling complex drives DNA damage resistance and immune evasion in certain cancer cells through mechanisms that remain unclear. STAT1 and IRF1 are essential effectors of type I and II IFN pathways. Here, we report that MUC1-C is necessary for PBRM1 expression and that it forms a nuclear complex with PBRM1 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Analysis of global transcriptional (RNA-seq) and chromatin accessibility (ATAC-seq) profiles further demonstrated that MUC1-C and PBRM1 drive STAT1 and IRF1 expression by increasing chromatin accessibility of promoter-like signatures (PLS) on their respective genes. We also found that MUC1-C, PBRM1, and IRF1 increase the expression and chromatin accessibility on PLSs of the (i) type II IFN pathway IDO1 and WARS genes and (ii) type I IFN pathway RIG-I, MDA5, and ISG15 genes that collectively contribute to DNA damage resistance and immune evasion. In support of these results, targeting MUC1-C in wild-type BRCA TNBC cells enhanced carboplatin-induced DNA damage and the loss of self-renewal capacity. In addition, MUC1-C was necessary for DNA damage resistance, self-renewal, and tumorigenicity in olaparib-resistant BRCA1-mutant TNBC cells. Analysis of TNBC tumors corroborated that (i) MUC1 and PBRM1 are associated with decreased responsiveness to chemotherapy and (ii) MUC1-C expression is associated with the depletion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). These findings demonstrate that MUC1-C activates PBRM1, and thereby chromatin remodeling of IFN-stimulated genes that promote chronic inflammation, DNA damage resistance, and immune evasion. IMPLICATIONS MUC1-C is necessary for PBRM1-driven chromatin remodeling in chronic activation of IFN pathway genes that promote DNA damage resistance and immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nami Yamashita
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yoshihiro Morimoto
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Atsushi Fushimi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rehan Ahmad
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Atrayee Bhattacharya
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tatsuaki Daimon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Naoki Haratake
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yuka Inoue
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ishikawa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Masaaki Yamamoto
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tsuyoshi Hata
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sayuri Akiyoshi
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Qiang Hu
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Henry Withers
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Geoffrey I. Shapiro
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tomoharu Yoshizumi
- Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mark D. Long
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
- Corresponding Authors: Donald Kufe, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, D830, Boston, MA 02215. E-mail: ; and Mark D. Long,
| | - Donald Kufe
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Corresponding Authors: Donald Kufe, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, D830, Boston, MA 02215. E-mail: ; and Mark D. Long,
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14
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Kufe D. Dependence on MUC1-C in Progression of Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:3719. [PMID: 36835130 PMCID: PMC9967814 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is responsive to androgen receptor (AR) axis targeted agents; however, patients invariably relapse with resistant disease that often progresses to neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). Treatment-related NEPC (t-NEPC) is highly aggressive with limited therapeutic options and poor survival outcomes. The molecular basis for NEPC progression remains incompletely understood. The MUC1 gene evolved in mammals to protect barrier tissues from loss of homeostasis. MUC1 encodes the transmembrane MUC1-C subunit, which is activated by inflammation and contributes to wound repair. However, chronic activation of MUC1-C contributes to lineage plasticity and carcinogenesis. Studies in human NEPC cell models have demonstrated that MUC1-C suppresses the AR axis and induces the Yamanaka OSKM pluripotency factors. MUC1-C interacts directly with MYC and activates the expression of the BRN2 neural transcription factor (TF) and other effectors, such as ASCL1, of the NE phenotype. MUC1-C also induces the NOTCH1 stemness TF in promoting the NEPC cancer stem cell (CSC) state. These MUC1-C-driven pathways are coupled with activation of the SWI/SNF embryonic stem BAF (esBAF) and polybromo-BAF (PBAF) chromatin remodeling complexes and global changes in chromatin architecture. The effects of MUC1-C on chromatin accessibility integrate the CSC state with the control of redox balance and induction of self-renewal capacity. Importantly, targeting MUC1-C inhibits NEPC self-renewal, tumorigenicity and therapeutic resistance. This dependence on MUC1-C extends to other NE carcinomas, such as SCLC and MCC, and identify MUC1-C as a target for the treatment of these aggressive malignancies with the anti-MUC1 agents now under clinical and preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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15
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Morimoto Y, Yamashita N, Daimon T, Hirose H, Yamano S, Haratake N, Ishikawa S, Bhattacharya A, Fushimi A, Ahmad R, Takahashi H, Dashevsky O, Mitsiades C, Kufe D. MUC1-C is a master regulator of MICA/B NKG2D ligand and exosome secretion in human cancer cells. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006238. [PMID: 36754452 PMCID: PMC9923360 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The MUC1-C protein evolved in mammals to protect barrier tissues from loss of homeostasis; however, MUC1-C promotes oncogenesis in association with chronic inflammation. Aberrant expression of MUC1-C in cancers has been linked to depletion and dysfunction of T cells in the tumor microenvironment. In contrast, there is no known involvement of MUC1-C in the regulation of natural killer (NK) cell function. METHODS Targeting MUC1-C genetically and pharmacologically in cancer cells was performed to assess effects on intracellular and cell surface expression of the MHC class I chain-related polypeptide A (MICA) and MICB ligands. The MICA/B promoters were analyzed for H3K27 and DNA methylation. Shedding of MICA/B was determined by ELISA. MUC1-C interactions with ERp5 and RAB27A were assessed by coimmunoprecipitation and direct binding studies. Exosomes were isolated for analysis of secretion. Purified NK cells were assayed for killing of cancer cell targets. RESULTS Our studies demonstrate that MUC1-C represses expression of the MICA and MICB ligands that activate the NK group 2D receptor. We show that the inflammatory MUC1-C→NF-κB pathway drives enhancer of zeste homolog 2-mediated and DNMT-mediated methylation of the MICA and MICB promoter regions. Targeting MUC1-C genetically and pharmacologically with the GO-203 inhibitor induced intracellular and cell surface MICA/B expression but not MICA/B cleavage. Mechanistically, MUC1-C regulates the ERp5 thiol oxidoreductase that is necessary for MICA/B protease digestion and shedding. In addition, MUC1-C interacts with the RAB27A protein, which is required for exosome formation and secretion. As a result, targeting MUC1-C markedly inhibited secretion of exosomes expressing MICA/B. In concert with these results, we show that targeting MUC1-C promotes NK cell-mediated killing. CONCLUSIONS These findings uncover pleotropic mechanisms by which MUC1-C confers evasion of cancer cells to NK cell recognition and destruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiro Morimoto
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nami Yamashita
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tatsuaki Daimon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Haruka Hirose
- Division of Systems Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine Faculty of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shizuka Yamano
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Naoki Haratake
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Satoshi Ishikawa
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Atrayee Bhattacharya
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Atsushi Fushimi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rehan Ahmad
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hidekazu Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Olga Dashevsky
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Constantine Mitsiades
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Donald Kufe
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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16
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Ervin EH, French R, Chang CH, Pauklin S. Inside the stemness engine: Mechanistic links between deregulated transcription factors and stemness in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 87:48-83. [PMID: 36347438 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cell identity is largely determined by its transcriptional profile. In tumour, deregulation of transcription factor expression and/or activity enables cancer cell to acquire a stem-like state characterised by capacity to self-renew, differentiate and form tumours in vivo. These stem-like cancer cells are highly metastatic and therapy resistant, thus warranting a more complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms downstream of the transcription factors that mediate the establishment of stemness state. Here, we review recent research findings that provide a mechanistic link between the commonly deregulated transcription factors and stemness in cancer. In particular, we describe the role of master transcription factors (SOX, OCT4, NANOG, KLF, BRACHYURY, SALL, HOX, FOX and RUNX), signalling-regulated transcription factors (SMAD, β-catenin, YAP, TAZ, AP-1, NOTCH, STAT, GLI, ETS and NF-κB) and unclassified transcription factors (c-MYC, HIF, EMT transcription factors and P53) across diverse tumour types, thereby yielding a comprehensive overview identifying shared downstream targets, highlighting unique mechanisms and discussing complexities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egle-Helene Ervin
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, United Kingdom.
| | - Rhiannon French
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, United Kingdom.
| | - Chao-Hui Chang
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, United Kingdom.
| | - Siim Pauklin
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, United Kingdom.
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17
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Kufe DW. Emergence of MUC1 in Mammals for Adaptation of Barrier Epithelia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194805. [PMID: 36230728 PMCID: PMC9564314 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The mucin 1 (MUC1) gene was discovered based on its overexpression in human breast cancers. Subsequent work demonstrated that MUC1 is aberrantly expressed in cancers originating from other diverse organs, including skin and immune cells. These findings supported a role for MUC1 in the adaptation of barrier tissues to infection and environmental stress. Of fundamental importance for this evolutionary adaptation was inclusion of a SEA domain, which catalyzes autoproteolysis of the MUC1 protein and formation of a non-covalent heterodimeric complex. The resulting MUC1 heterodimer is poised at the apical cell membrane to respond to loss of homeostasis. Disruption of the complex releases the MUC1 N-terminal (MUC1-N) subunit into a protective mucous gel. Conversely, the transmembrane C-terminal (MUC1-C) subunit activates a program of lineage plasticity, epigenetic reprogramming and repair. This MUC1-C-activated program apparently evolved for barrier tissues to mount self-regulating proliferative, inflammatory and remodeling responses associated with wound healing. Emerging evidence indicates that MUC1-C underpins inflammatory adaptation of tissue stem cells and immune cells in the barrier niche. This review focuses on how prolonged activation of MUC1-C by chronic inflammation in these niches promotes the cancer stem cell (CSC) state by establishing auto-inductive nodes that drive self-renewal and tumorigenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald W Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Avenue, D830, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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18
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So JY, Ohm J, Lipkowitz S, Yang L. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC): Non-genetic tumor heterogeneity and immune microenvironment: Emerging treatment options. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 237:108253. [PMID: 35872332 PMCID: PMC9378710 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype characterized by extensive intra-tumoral heterogeneity, and frequently develops resistance to therapies. Tumor heterogeneity and lack of biomarkers are thought to be some of the most difficult challenges driving therapeutic resistance and relapse. This review will summarize current therapy for TNBC, studies in treatment resistance and relapse, including data from recent single cell sequencing. We will discuss changes in both the transcriptome and epigenome of TNBC, and we will review mechanisms regulating the immune microenvironment. Lastly, we will provide new perspective in patient stratification, and treatment options targeting transcriptome dysregulation and the immune microenvironment of TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Young So
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Joyce Ohm
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Stan Lipkowitz
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Li Yang
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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19
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Addiction of Cancer Stem Cells to MUC1-C in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158219. [PMID: 35897789 PMCID: PMC9331006 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options. TNBC progression is associated with expansion of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Few insights are available regarding druggable targets that drive the TNBC CSC state. This review summarizes the literature on TNBC CSCs and the compelling evidence that they are addicted to the MUC1-C transmembrane protein. In normal epithelia, MUC1-C is activated by loss of homeostasis and induces reversible wound-healing responses of inflammation and repair. However, in settings of chronic inflammation, MUC1-C promotes carcinogenesis. MUC1-C induces EMT, epigenetic reprogramming and chromatin remodeling in TNBC CSCs, which are dependent on MUC1-C for self-renewal and tumorigenicity. MUC1-C-induced lineage plasticity in TNBC CSCs confers DNA damage resistance and immune evasion by chronic activation of inflammatory pathways and global changes in chromatin architecture. Of therapeutic significance, an antibody generated against the MUC1-C extracellular domain has been advanced in a clinical trial of anti-MUC1-C CAR T cells and in IND-enabling studies for development as an antibody–drug conjugate (ADC). Agents targeting the MUC1-C cytoplasmic domain have also entered the clinic and are undergoing further development as candidates for advancing TNBC treatment. Eliminating TNBC CSCs will be necessary for curing this recalcitrant cancer and MUC1-C represents a promising druggable target for achieving that goal.
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Addiction of Merkel cell carcinoma to MUC1-C identifies a potential new target for treatment. Oncogene 2022; 41:3511-3523. [PMID: 35688945 PMCID: PMC9249628 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02361-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive malignancy with neuroendocrine (NE) features, limited treatment options, and a lack of druggable targets. There is no reported involvement of the MUC1-C oncogenic protein in MCC progression. We show here that MUC1-C is broadly expressed in MCCs and at higher levels in Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV)-positive (MCCP) relative to MCPyV-negative (MCCN) tumors. Our results further demonstrate that MUC1-C is expressed in MCCP, as well as MCCN, cell lines and regulates common sets of signaling pathways related to RNA synthesis, processing, and transport in both subtypes. Mechanistically, MUC1-C (i) interacts with MYCL, which drives MCC progression, (ii) is necessary for expression of the OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, MYC, and NANOG pluripotency factors, and (iii) induces the NEUROD1, BRN2 and ATOH1 NE lineage dictating transcription factors. We show that MUC1-C is also necessary for MCCP and MCCN cell survival by suppressing DNA replication stress, the p53 pathway, and apoptosis. In concert with these results, targeting MUC1-C genetically and pharmacologically inhibits MCC self-renewal capacity and tumorigenicity. These findings demonstrate that MCCP and MCCN cells are addicted to MUC1-C and identify MUC1-C as a potential target for MCC treatment.
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Kufe DW. Chronic activation of MUC1-C in wound repair promotes progression to cancer stem cells. JOURNAL OF CANCER METASTASIS AND TREATMENT 2022; 8. [PMID: 35539431 PMCID: PMC9083497 DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2022.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The mucin 1 (MUC1) gene emerged in mammals to afford protection of barrier epithelial tissues from the external environment. MUC1 encodes a transmembrane C-terminal (MUC1-C) subunit that is activated by loss of homeostasis and induces inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling pathways associated with wound repair. As a consequence, chronic activation of MUC1-C promotes lineage plasticity, epigenetic reprogramming, and carcinogenesis. In driving cancer progression, MUC1-C is imported into the nucleus, where it induces NF-κB inflammatory signaling and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). MUC1-C represses gene expression by activating (i) DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and DNMT3b, (ii) Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2, and (iii) the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex. PRC1/2-mediated gene repression is counteracted by the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes. MUC1-C activates the SWI/SNF BAF and PBAF complexes in cancer stem cell (CSC) models with the induction of genome-wide differentially accessible regions and expressed genes. MUC1-C regulates chromatin accessibility of enhancer-like signatures in association with the induction of the Yamanaka pluripotency factors and recruitment of JUN and BAF, which promote increases in histone activation marks and opening of chromatin. These and other findings described in this review have uncovered a pivotal role for MUC1-C in integrating lineage plasticity and epigenetic reprogramming, which are transient in wound repair and sustained in promoting CSC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald W Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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