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Zhu Y, Meng X, Zhu X, Zhang J, Lv H, Wang F, Wang J, Chen C, Chen M, Wang D, Jin W, Tian R, Wang R. Circular RNA MKLN1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the miR-26a/b-5p/CDK8 axis in human alveolar epithelial cells and mice models. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1399-1413. [PMID: 38460002 PMCID: PMC10965569 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03700-x] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis involves destruction of the lung parenchyma and extracellular matrix deposition. Effective treatments for pulmonary fibrosis are lacking and its pathogenesis is still unclear. Studies have found that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) plays an important role in progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, an in-depth exploration of its mechanism might identify new therapeutic targets. In this study, we revealed that a novel circular RNA, MKLN1 (circMKLN1), was significantly elevated in two pulmonary fibrosis models (intraperitoneally with PQ, 50 mg/kg for 7 days, and intratracheally with BLM, 5 mg/kg for 28 days). Additionally, circMKLN1 was positively correlated with the severity of pulmonary fibrosis. Inhibition of circMKLN1 expression significantly reduced collagen deposition and inhibited EMT in AECs. EMT was aggravated after circMKLN1 overexpression in AECs. MiR-26a-5p/miR-26b-5p (miR-26a/b), the targets of circMKLN1, were confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. CircMKLN1 inhibition elevated miR-26a/b expression. Significantly decreased expression of CDK8 (one of the miR-26a/b targets) was observed after inhibition of circMKLN1. EMT was exacerbated again, and CDK8 expression was significantly increased after circMKLN1 inhibition and cotransfection of miR-26a/b inhibitors in AECs. Our research indicated that circMKLN1 promoted CDK8 expression through sponge adsorption of miR-26a/b, which regulates EMT and pulmonary fibrosis. This study provides a theoretical basis for finding new targets or biomarkers in pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Meng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Xian Zhu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Jiaxiang Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Hui Lv
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Feiyao Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Jinfeng Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Mengting Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Dapeng Wang
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Wuxi People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214021, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Jin
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Shanghai, 201620, China.
| | - Rui Tian
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Shanghai, 201620, China.
| | - Ruilan Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 650 Xinsongjiang Road, Shanghai, 201620, China.
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2
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Yin X, He Z, Chen K, Ouyang K, Yang C, Li J, Tang H, Cai M. Unveiling the impact of CDK8 on tumor progression: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1386929. [PMID: 38606172 PMCID: PMC11006979 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1386929] [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: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
CDK8 is an important member of the cyclin-dependent kinase family associated with transcription and acts as a key "molecular switch" in the Mediator complex. CDK8 regulates gene expression by phosphorylating transcription factors and can control the transcription process through Mediator complex. Previous studies confirmed that CDK8 is an important oncogenic factor, making it a potential tumor biomarker and a promising target for tumor therapy. However, CDK8 has also been confirmed to be a tumor suppressor, indicating that it not only promotes the development of tumors but may also be involved in tumor suppression. Therefore, the dual role of CDK8 in the process of tumor development is worth further exploration and summary. This comprehensive review delves into the intricate involvement of CDK8 in transcription-related processes, as well as its role in signaling pathways related to tumorigenesis, with a focus on its critical part in driving cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Yin
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Zhilong He
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Kun Chen
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Kai Ouyang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Changxuan Yang
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Jianjun Li
- Department of Urological Surgical, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Hailin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Manbo Cai
- Department of Radiotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
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3
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Ji H, Yuan L, Jiang W, Jiang Y, Jiang M, Sun X, Chen J. Bioinformatics analysis of immune cell infiltration patterns and potential diagnostic markers in atherosclerosis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19821. [PMID: 37963970 PMCID: PMC10645850 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47257-8] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate efficient diagnostic markers and molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis and to analyze the role of immune infiltration through bioinformatics analysis. Expression profile datasets (GSE28829 and GSE43292) of patients with atherosclerosis and healthy controls were downloaded from the GEO database. Glutamine (GLN) metabolism-associated genes were obtained from the Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB). The limma package in R was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Significant modules were filtered using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). MSigDB sets were subjected to Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and Gene Set Variation Analysis. The biological functions of DEGs were examined using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. STRING and Cytoscape software were used to identify hub genes and functional modules through protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. The xCell software was adopted to assess the composition patterns of immune and stromal cells. Correlation analyses were performed for key genes and immune cell subtypes. We identified 308 DEGs and GLN-associated genes. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these genes were strongly enriched in muscle contract, muscle tissue development, cutile fiber, mycobacterial, and actin binding. Enriched KEGG pathways comprised dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and the cAMP signaling pathway. In the PPI network analysis, 27 genes were identified as hub genes. The area under the curve (AUC) values of 27 biomarkers were relatively high, indicating high diagnostic values. The atherosclerosis group exhibited a markedly higher degree of infiltration than the control group. This study identified 27 GLN-associated genes as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis. It provides a new perspective on immune responses that facilitates exploration of the molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haigang Ji
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Changzhou Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Ling Yuan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Changzhou Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Wenbo Jiang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Suqian Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Suqian, 223800, China
| | - Yinke Jiang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Changzhou Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Mengke Jiang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Changzhou Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Xuemei Sun
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Changzhou Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310012, China.
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4
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Ilchuk LA, Kubekina MV, Okulova YD, Silaeva YY, Tatarskiy VV, Filatov MA, Bruter AV. Genetically Engineered Mice Unveil In Vivo Roles of the Mediator Complex. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119330. [PMID: 37298278 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119330] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mediator complex is a multi-subunit protein complex which plays a significant role in the regulation of eukaryotic gene transcription. It provides a platform for the interaction of transcriptional factors and RNA polymerase II, thus coupling external and internal stimuli with transcriptional programs. Molecular mechanisms underlying Mediator functioning are intensively studied, although most often using simple models such as tumor cell lines and yeast. Transgenic mouse models are required to study the role of Mediator components in physiological processes, disease, and development. As constitutive knockouts of most of the Mediator protein coding genes are embryonically lethal, conditional knockouts and corresponding activator strains are needed for these studies. Recently, they have become more easily available with the development of modern genetic engineering techniques. Here, we review existing mouse models for studying the Mediator, and data obtained in corresponding experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid A Ilchuk
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina V Kubekina
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia D Okulova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia Yu Silaeva
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor V Tatarskiy
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maxim A Filatov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexandra V Bruter
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
- Federal State Budgetary Institution "N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology", Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Kashirskoe Sh. 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia
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5
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Wong DP, Fritz CE, Feinberg D, Huang AY, Parameswaran R. p35 is a Crucial Player in NK-cell Cytotoxicity and TGFβ-mediated NK-cell Dysfunction. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:793-806. [PMID: 37377891 PMCID: PMC10162136 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes with cytotoxic activity. Understanding the factors regulating cytotoxicity is crucial for improving NK-cell adoptive therapies. Here, we studied a previously unknown role of p35 (CDK5R1), a coactivator of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) in NK-cell function. p35 expression was thought to be neuronal-specific and the majority of studies are still focused on neuronal cells. Here, we show that CDK5 and p35 are expressed in NK cells and are kinase-active. NK cells from p35 knockout mice were analyzed and showed significantly increased cytotoxicity against murine cancer cells, while they did not show any differences in cell numbers or maturation stages. We confirmed this using human NK cells transduced with p35 short hairpin RNA (shRNA), showing similar increase in cytotoxicity against human cancer cells. Overexpression of p35 in NK cells resulted in moderate decrease in cytotoxicity, while expressing a kinase-dead mutant of CDK5 displayed increased cytotoxicity. Together, these data suggest that p35 negatively regulates NK-cell cytotoxicity. Surprisingly, we found that TGFβ, a known negative regulator of NK-cell cytotoxicity, induces p35 expression in NK cells. NK cells cultured with TGFβ exhibit reduced cytotoxicity, while NK cells transduced with p35 shRNA or mutant CDK5 expression exhibited partial reversal of this inhibitory effect pointing to an interesting hypothesis that p35 plays an important role in TGFβ-mediated NK-cell exhaustion. Significance This study reports a role for p35 in NK-cell cytotoxicity and this might help to improve NK-cell adoptive therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek P. Wong
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Claire E. Fritz
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Daniel Feinberg
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Alex Y. Huang
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, The Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
- The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Reshmi Parameswaran
- The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
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6
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Wang M, Lin R, Li J, Suo Y, Gao J, Liu L, Zhou L, Ni Y, Yang Z, Zheng J, Lin J, Zhou H, Luo C, Lin H. Discovery of LL-K8-22: A Selective, Durable, and Small-Molecule Degrader of the CDK8-Cyclin C Complex. J Med Chem 2023; 66:4932-4951. [PMID: 36930701 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c02045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
The CDK8-cyclin C complex is an important anti-tumor target, but unlike CDK8, cyclin C remains undruggable. Modulators regulating cyclin C activity directly are still under development. Here, a series of hydrophobic tagging-based degraders of the CDK8-cyclin C complex were designed, synthesized, and evaluated to identify the first dual degrader, LL-K8-22, which induced selective and synchronous degradation of CDK8 and cyclin C. Proteomic and immunoblot studies exhibited that LL-K8-22 significantly degraded CDK8 without reducing CDK19 and did not degrade other cyclin proteins except cyclin C. Moreover, LL-K8-22 showed enhanced anti-proliferative effects over its parental molecule, BI-1347, with potency increased by 5-fold in MDA-MB-468 cells. LL-K8-22 exhibited more pronounced effects on CDK8-cyclin C downstream signaling than BI-1347, suppressing STAT1 phosphorylation more persistently. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that LL-K8-22 inhibited E2F- and MYC-driven carcinogenic transcriptional programs. Overall, LL-K8-22 is the first-in-class degrader of cyclin C and would be useful for studying the unknown functions of cyclin C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rongkun Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Jiacheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuying Suo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Liping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liyuan Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Yicheng Ni
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Ziqun Yang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Center of Immunological Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Center of Immunological Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jin Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Cheng Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528437, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Hua Lin
- Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
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7
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Malone CF, Kim M, Alexe G, Engel K, Forman AB, Robichaud A, Conway AS, Goodale A, Meyer A, Khalid D, Thayakumar A, Hatcher JM, Gray NS, Piccioni F, Stegmaier K. Transcriptional Antagonism by CDK8 Inhibition Improves Therapeutic Efficacy of MEK Inhibitors. Cancer Res 2023; 83:285-300. [PMID: 36398965 PMCID: PMC9938728 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-4309] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant RAS/MAPK signaling is a common driver of oncogenesis that can be therapeutically targeted with clinically approved MEK inhibitors. Disease progression on single-agent MEK inhibitors is common, however, and combination therapies are typically required to achieve significant clinical benefit in advanced cancers. Here we focused on identifying MEK inhibitor-based combination therapies in neuroblastoma with mutations that activate the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway, which are rare at diagnosis but frequent in relapsed neuroblastoma. A genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 functional genomic screen was deployed to identify genes that when knocked out sensitize RAS-mutant neuroblastoma to MEK inhibition. Loss of either CCNC or CDK8, two members of the mediator kinase module, sensitized neuroblastoma to MEK inhibition. Furthermore, small-molecule kinase inhibitors of CDK8 improved response to MEK inhibitors in vitro and in vivo in RAS-mutant neuroblastoma and other adult solid tumors. Transcriptional profiling revealed that loss of CDK8 or CCNC antagonized the transcriptional signature induced by MEK inhibition. When combined, loss of CDK8 or CCNC prevented the compensatory upregulation of progrowth gene expression induced by MEK inhibition. These findings propose a new therapeutic combination for RAS-mutant neuroblastoma and may have clinical relevance for other RAS-driven malignancies. SIGNIFICANCE Transcriptional adaptation to MEK inhibition is mediated by CDK8 and can be blocked by the addition of CDK8 inhibitors to improve response to MEK inhibitors in RAS-mutant neuroblastoma, a clinically challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare F. Malone
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Minjee Kim
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriela Alexe
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen Engel
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra B. Forman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amanda Robichaud
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy Saur Conway
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy Goodale
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ashleigh Meyer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Delan Khalid
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allen Thayakumar
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John M. Hatcher
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Biological Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Corresponding author. Mailing address: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 360 Longwood Ave, LC6102, Boston, MA, 02215. Phone: (617) 632-4438
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8
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Lee JC, Liu S, Wang Y, Liang Y, Jablons DM. MK256 is a novel CDK8 inhibitor with potent antitumor activity in AML through downregulation of the STAT pathway. Oncotarget 2022; 13:1217-1236. [PMCID: PMC9629815 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most lethal form of AML due to disease relapse. Cyclin dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) is a serine/threonine kinase that belongs to the family of Cyclin-dependent kinases and is an emerging target for the treatment of AML. MK256, a potent, selective, and orally available CDK8 inhibitor was developed to target AML. We sought to examine the anticancer effect of MK256 on AML. In CD34+/CD38- leukemia stem cells, we found that MK256 induced differentiation and maturation. Treatment of MK256 inhibited proliferation of AML cell lines. Further studies of the inhibitory effect suggested that MK256 not only downregulated phosphorylated STAT1(S727) and STAT5(S726), but also lowered mRNA expressions of MCL-1 and CCL2 in AML cell lines. Efficacy of MK256 was shown in MOLM-14 xenograft models, and the inhibitory effect on phosphorylated STAT1(S727) and STAT5(S726) with treatment of MK256 was observed in vivo. Pharmacologic dynamics study of MK256 in MOLM-14 xenograft models showed dose-dependent inhibition of the STAT pathway. Both in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that MK256 could effectively downregulate the STAT pathway. In vitro ADME, pharmacological kinetics, and toxicity of MK256 were profiled to evaluate the drug properties of MK256. Our results show that MK256 is a novel CDK8 inhibitor with a desirable efficacy and safety profile and has great potential to be a promising drug candidate for AML through regulating the STAT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Chieh Lee
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA,2Touro University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA,*These authors contributed equally to this work,Correspondence to:Jen-Chieh Lee, email:
| | - Shu Liu
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA,*These authors contributed equally to this work,Shu Liu, email:
| | - Yucheng Wang
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA,*These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - You Liang
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - David M. Jablons
- 1Thoracic Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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9
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van der Noord VE, van de Water B, Le Dévédec SE. Targeting the Heterogeneous Genomic Landscape in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer through Inhibitors of the Transcriptional Machinery. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4353. [PMID: 36139513 PMCID: PMC9496798 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184353] [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: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer defined by lack of the estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Although TNBC tumors contain a wide variety of oncogenic mutations and copy number alterations, the direct targeting of these alterations has failed to substantially improve therapeutic efficacy. This efficacy is strongly limited by interpatient and intratumor heterogeneity, and thereby a lack in uniformity of targetable drivers. Most of these genetic abnormalities eventually drive specific transcriptional programs, which may be a general underlying vulnerability. Currently, there are multiple selective inhibitors, which target the transcriptional machinery through transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 and bromodomain extra-terminal motif (BET) proteins, including BRD4. In this review, we discuss how inhibitors of the transcriptional machinery can effectively target genetic abnormalities in TNBC, and how these abnormalities can influence sensitivity to these inhibitors. These inhibitors target the genomic landscape in TNBC by specifically suppressing MYC-driven transcription, inducing further DNA damage, improving anti-cancer immunity, and preventing drug resistance against MAPK and PI3K-targeted therapies. Because the transcriptional machinery enables transcription and propagation of multiple cancer drivers, it may be a promising target for (combination) treatment, especially of heterogeneous malignancies, including TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sylvia E. Le Dévédec
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
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10
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Zhang T, Zhang C, Fu Z, Gao Q. Immune Modulatory Effects of Molecularly Targeted Therapy and Its Repurposed Usage in Cancer Immunotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091768. [PMID: 36145516 PMCID: PMC9505720 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091768] [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: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The fast evolution of anti-tumor agents embodies a deeper understanding of cancer pathogenesis. To date, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are three pillars of the paradigm for cancer treatment. The success of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) implies that reinstatement of immunity can efficiently control tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. However, only a fraction of patients benefit from ICI therapy, which turns the spotlight on developing safe therapeutic strategies to overcome the problem of an unsatisfactory response. Molecular-targeted agents were designed to eliminate cancer cells with oncogenic mutations or transcriptional targets. Intriguingly, accumulating shreds of evidence demonstrate the immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive capacity of targeted agents. By virtue of the high attrition rate and cost of new immunotherapy exploration, drug repurposing may be a promising approach to discovering combination strategies to improve response to immunotherapy. Indeed, many clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of the combination of targeted agents and immunotherapy have been completed. Here, we review and discuss the effects of targeted anticancer agents on the tumor immune microenvironment and explore their potential repurposed usage in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiancheng Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chenhao Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zile Fu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-21-6403-7181
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11
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Chen X, Jiang L, Liu X. Natural killer cells: the next wave in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:954804. [PMID: 35967421 PMCID: PMC9364606 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.954804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies focusing on rejuvenating T cell activities, like PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 blockade, have unprecedentedly revolutionized the landscape of cancer treatment. Yet a previously underexplored component of the immune system - natural killer (NK) cell, is coming to the forefront of immunotherapeutic attempts. In this review, we discuss the contributions of NK cells in the success of current immunotherapies, provide an overview of the current preclinical and clinical strategies at harnessing NK cells for cancer treatment, and highlight that NK cell-mediated therapies emerge as a major target in the next wave of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Department of Biology, BeiGene (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
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12
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Knab VM, Gotthardt D, Klein K, Grausenburger R, Heller G, Menzl I, Prinz D, Trifinopoulos J, List J, Fux D, Witalisz-Siepracka A, Sexl V. Triple-negative breast cancer cells rely on kinase-independent functions of CDK8 to evade NK-cell-mediated tumor surveillance. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:991. [PMID: 34689158 PMCID: PMC8542046 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04279-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive malignant disease that is responsible for approximately 15% of breast cancers. The standard of care relies on surgery and chemotherapy but the prognosis is poor and there is an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Recent in silico studies have revealed an inverse correlation between recurrence-free survival and the level of cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) in breast cancer patients. CDK8 is known to have a role in natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, but its function in TNBC progression and immune cell recognition or escape has not been investigated. We have used a murine model of orthotopic breast cancer to study the tumor-intrinsic role of CDK8 in TNBC. Knockdown of CDK8 in TNBC cells impairs tumor regrowth upon surgical removal and prevents metastasis. In the absence of CDK8, the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is impaired and immune-mediated tumor-cell clearance is facilitated. CDK8 drives EMT in TNBC cells in a kinase-independent manner. In vivo experiments have confirmed that CDK8 is a crucial regulator of NK-cell-mediated immune evasion in TNBC. The studies also show that CDK8 is involved in regulating the checkpoint inhibitor programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). The CDK8-PD-L1 axis is found in mouse and human TNBC cells, underlining the importance of CDK8-driven immune cell evasion in these highly aggressive breast cancer cells. Our data link CDK8 to PD-L1 expression and provide a rationale for investigating the possibility of CDK8-directed therapy for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Maria Knab
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dagmar Gotthardt
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klara Klein
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Reinhard Grausenburger
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerwin Heller
- Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingeborg Menzl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Prinz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jana Trifinopoulos
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia List
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Fux
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Veronika Sexl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
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13
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Arnett A, Moo KG, Flynn KJ, Sundberg TB, Johannessen L, Shamji AF, Gray NS, Decker T, Zheng Y, Gersuk VH, Rahman ZS, Levy DE, Marié IJ, Linsley PS, Xavier RJ, Khor B. The Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 8 (CDK8) Inhibitor DCA Promotes a Tolerogenic Chemical Immunophenotype in CD4 + T Cells via a Novel CDK8-GATA3-FOXP3 Pathway. Mol Cell Biol 2021; 41:e0008521. [PMID: 34124936 PMCID: PMC8384069 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00085-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune health requires innate and adaptive immune cells to engage precisely balanced pro- and anti-inflammatory forces. We employ the concept of chemical immunophenotypes to classify small molecules functionally or mechanistically according to their patterns of effects on primary innate and adaptive immune cells. The high-specificity, low-toxicity cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) inhibitor 16-didehydro-cortistatin A (DCA) exerts a distinct tolerogenic profile in both innate and adaptive immune cells. DCA promotes regulatory T cells (Treg) and Th2 differentiation while inhibiting Th1 and Th17 differentiation in both murine and human cells. This unique chemical immunophenotype led to mechanistic studies showing that DCA promotes Treg differentiation in part by regulating a previously undescribed CDK8-GATA3-FOXP3 pathway that regulates early pathways of Foxp3 expression. These results highlight previously unappreciated links between Treg and Th2 differentiation and extend our understanding of the transcription factors that regulate Treg differentiation and their temporal sequencing. These findings have significant implications for future mechanistic and translational studies of CDK8 and CDK8 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azlann Arnett
- Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Keagan G. Moo
- Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Thomas B. Sundberg
- Center for the Science of Therapeutics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Liv Johannessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alykhan F. Shamji
- Center for the Science of Therapeutics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas Decker
- Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ye Zheng
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Ziaur S. Rahman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David E. Levy
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Isabelle J. Marié
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Ramnik J. Xavier
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- The Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bernard Khor
- Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
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14
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Islam R, Pupovac A, Evtimov V, Boyd N, Shu R, Boyd R, Trounson A. Enhancing a Natural Killer: Modification of NK Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051058. [PMID: 33946954 PMCID: PMC8146003 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are potent innate immune system effector lymphocytes armed with multiple mechanisms for killing cancer cells. Given the dynamic roles of NK cells in tumor surveillance, they are fast becoming a next-generation tool for adoptive immunotherapy. Many strategies are being employed to increase their number and improve their ability to overcome cancer resistance and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. These include the use of cytokines and synthetic compounds to bolster propagation and killing capacity, targeting immune-function checkpoints, addition of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to provide cancer specificity and genetic ablation of inhibitory molecules. The next generation of NK cell products will ideally be readily available as an “off-the-shelf” product and stem cell derived to enable potentially unlimited supply. However, several considerations regarding NK cell source, genetic modification and scale up first need addressing. Understanding NK cell biology and interaction within specific tumor contexts will help identify necessary NK cell modifications and relevant choice of NK cell source. Further enhancement of manufacturing processes will allow for off-the-shelf NK cell immunotherapies to become key components of multifaceted therapeutic strategies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasa Islam
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia
| | - Aleta Pupovac
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Vera Evtimov
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Nicholas Boyd
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Runzhe Shu
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Richard Boyd
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
| | - Alan Trounson
- Cartherics Pty Ltd., Clayton 3168, Australia; (R.I.); (A.P.); (V.E.); (N.B.); (R.S.); (R.B.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton 3168, Australia
- Correspondence:
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15
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Fukasawa K, Kadota T, Horie T, Tokumura K, Terada R, Kitaguchi Y, Park G, Ochiai S, Iwahashi S, Okayama Y, Hiraiwa M, Yamada T, Iezaki T, Kaneda K, Yamamoto M, Kitao T, Shirahase H, Hazawa M, Wong RW, Todo T, Hirao A, Hinoi E. CDK8 maintains stemness and tumorigenicity of glioma stem cells by regulating the c-MYC pathway. Oncogene 2021; 40:2803-2815. [PMID: 33727660 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01745-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant form of glioma. Glioma stem cells (GSCs) contribute to the initiation, progression, and recurrence of GBM as a result of their self-renewal potential and tumorigenicity. Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) belongs to the transcription-related CDK family. Although CDK8 has been shown to be implicated in the malignancy of several types of cancer, its functional role and mechanism in gliomagenesis remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate how CDK8 plays an essential role in maintaining stemness and tumorigenicity in GSCs. The genetic inhibition of CDK8 by shRNA or CRISPR interference resulted in an abrogation of the self-renewal potential and tumorigenicity of patient-derived GSCs, which could be significantly rescued by the ectopic expression of c-MYC, a stem cell transcription factor. Moreover, we demonstrated that the pharmacological inhibition of CDK8 significantly attenuated the self-renewal potential and tumorigenicity of GSCs. CDK8 expression was significantly higher in human GBM tissues than in normal brain tissues, and its expression was positively correlated with stem cell markers including c-MYC and SOX2 in human GBM specimens. Additionally, CDK8 expression is associated with poor survival in GBM patients. Collectively, these findings highlight the importance of the CDK8-c-MYC axis in maintaining stemness and tumorigenicity in GSCs; these findings also identify the CDK8-c-MYC axis as a potential target for GSC-directed therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Fukasawa
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takuya Kadota
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan.,Drug Discovery Research Department, Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tetsuhiro Horie
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Kazuya Tokumura
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Terada
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yuka Kitaguchi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan.,Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kanazawa University Graduate School, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Gyujin Park
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Ochiai
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Sayuki Iwahashi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yasuka Okayama
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Manami Hiraiwa
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takanori Yamada
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takashi Iezaki
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Kaneda
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kanazawa University Graduate School, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Megumi Yamamoto
- Drug Discovery Research Department, Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kitao
- Drug Discovery Research Department, Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Shirahase
- Drug Discovery Research Department, Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masaharu Hazawa
- Cell-Bionomics Research Unit, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Richard W Wong
- Cell-Bionomics Research Unit, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.,WPI Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-Nano LSI), Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tomoki Todo
- Division of Innovative Cancer Therapy, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hirao
- WPI Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-Nano LSI), Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.,Cancer and Stem Cell Research Program, Division of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Eiichi Hinoi
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Bioactive Molecules, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan. .,United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.
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16
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Petroni G, Buqué A, Zitvogel L, Kroemer G, Galluzzi L. Immunomodulation by targeted anticancer agents. Cancer Cell 2021; 39:310-345. [PMID: 33338426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2020.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
At odds with conventional chemotherapeutics, targeted anticancer agents are designed to inhibit precise molecular alterations that support oncogenesis or tumor progression. Despite such an elevated degree of molecular specificity, many clinically employed and experimental targeted anticancer agents also mediate immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive effects that (at least in some settings) influence therapeutic efficacy. Here, we discuss the main immunomodulatory effects of targeted anticancer agents and explore potential avenues to harness them in support of superior clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Petroni
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aitziber Buqué
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laurence Zitvogel
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Center, Villejuif, France; INSERM U1015, Villejuif, France; Center of Clinical Investigations in Biotherapies of Cancer (CICBT) 1428, Villejuif, France; Faculty of Medicine, Paris-Saclay University, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Equipe Labellisée Par La Ligue Contre le Cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM U1138, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France; Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France; Suzhou Institute for Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Suzhou, China; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Université de Paris, Paris, France.
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17
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Yu M, Teo T, Yang Y, Li M, Long Y, Philip S, Noll B, Heinemann GK, Diab S, Eldi P, Mekonnen L, Anshabo AT, Rahaman MH, Milne R, Hayball JD, Wang S. Potent and orally bioavailable CDK8 inhibitors: Design, synthesis, structure-activity relationship analysis and biological evaluation. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 214:113248. [PMID: 33571827 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
CDK8 regulates transcription either by phosphorylation of transcription factors or, as part of a four-subunit kinase module, through a reversible association of the kinase module with the Mediator complex, a highly conserved transcriptional coactivator. Deregulation of CDK8 has been found in various types of human cancer, while the role of CDK8 in supressing anti-cancer response of natural killer cells is being understood. Currently, CDK8-targeting cancer drugs are highly sought-after. Herein we detail the discovery of a series of novel pyridine-derived CDK8 inhibitors. Medicinal chemistry optimisation gave rise to 38 (AU1-100), a potent CDK8 inhibitor with oral bioavailability. The compound inhibited the proliferation of MV4-11 acute myeloid leukaemia cells with the kinase activity of cellular CDK8 dampened. No systemic toxicology was observed in the mice treated with 38. These results warrant further pre-clinical studies of 38 as an anti-cancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfeng Yu
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Theodosia Teo
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Yuchao Yang
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Manjun Li
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Yi Long
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Stephen Philip
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Benjamin Noll
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Gary K Heinemann
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Sarah Diab
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Preethi Eldi
- Experimental Therapeutics, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Laychiluh Mekonnen
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Abel T Anshabo
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Muhammed H Rahaman
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Robert Milne
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - John D Hayball
- Experimental Therapeutics, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Shudong Wang
- Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.
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18
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Martinez-Fabregas J, Wang L, Pohler E, Cozzani A, Wilmes S, Kazemian M, Mitra S, Moraga I. CDK8 Fine-Tunes IL-6 Transcriptional Activities by Limiting STAT3 Resident Time at the Gene Loci. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108545. [PMID: 33357429 PMCID: PMC7773550 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are highly pleiotropic ligands that regulate the immune response. Here, using interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a model system, we perform detailed phosphoproteomic and transcriptomic studies in human CD4+ T helper 1 (Th-1) cells to address the molecular bases defining cytokine functional pleiotropy. We identify CDK8 as a negative regulator of STAT3 transcriptional activities, which interacts with STAT3 upon IL-6 stimulation. Inhibition of CDK8 activity, using specific small molecule inhibitors, reduces the IL-6-induced phosphoproteome by 23% in Th-1 cells, including STAT3 S727 phosphorylation. STAT3 binding to target DNA sites in the genome is increased upon CDK8 inhibition, which results in a concomitant increase in STAT3-mediated transcriptional activity. Importantly, inhibition of CDK8 activity under Th-17 polarizing conditions results in an enhancement of Th-17 differentiation. Our results support a model where CDK8 regulates STAT3 transcriptional processivity by modulation of its gene loci resident time, critically contributing to diversification of IL-6 responses. CDK8 regulates IL-6-mediated STAT3 S727 phosphorylation in primary human T cells CDK8 controls STAT3 activity by limiting its resident time at gene loci CDK8 inhibition increases IL-6-mediated Th17 differentiation
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luopin Wang
- Department of Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Elizabeth Pohler
- Division of Cell Signaling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Adeline Cozzani
- Université de Lille, INSERM UMR1277 CNRS UMR9020-CANTHER and Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Lille, France
| | - Stephan Wilmes
- Division of Cell Signaling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Majid Kazemian
- Department of Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - Suman Mitra
- Université de Lille, INSERM UMR1277 CNRS UMR9020-CANTHER and Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Lille, France.
| | - Ignacio Moraga
- Division of Cell Signaling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
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19
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Wu D, Zhang Z, Chen X, Yan Y, Liu X. Angel or Devil ? - CDK8 as the new drug target. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 213:113043. [PMID: 33257171 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) plays an momentous role in transcription regulation by forming kinase module or transcription factor phosphorylation. A large number of evidences have identified CDK8 as an important factor in cancer occurrence and development. In addition, CDK8 also participates in the regulation of cancer cell stress response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, assists tumor cell invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Therefore, CDK8 is regarded as a promising target for cancer therapy. Most studies in recent years supported the role of CDK8 as a carcinogen, however, under certain conditions, CDK8 exists as a tumor suppressor. The functional diversity of CDK8 and its exceptional role in different types of cancer have aroused great interest from scientists but even more controversy during the discovery of CDK8 inhibitors. In addition, CDK8 appears to be an effective target for inflammation diseases and immune system disorders. Therefore, we summarized the research results of CDK8, involving physiological/pathogenic mechanisms and the development status of compounds targeting CDK8, provide a reference for the feasibility evaluation of CDK8 as a therapeutic target, and guidance for researchers who are involved in this field for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- School of Biological Engineering, Hefei Technology College, Hefei, 238000, PR China
| | - Zhaoyan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, PR China
| | - Xing Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, PR China
| | - Yaoyao Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, PR China
| | - Xinhua Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, PR China.
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20
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Piao M, Zhang L. Knockdown of SNHG16 suppresses the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of leukemia cells via miR‑193a‑5p/CDK8. Int J Mol Med 2020; 46:1175-1185. [PMID: 32705162 PMCID: PMC7387099 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Although small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) is known to exhibit auxo‑action in certain types of tumor, its role in leukemia remains unclear. The present study analyzed the role and mechanisms of action of SNHG16 in leukemia cells in order to identify therapeutic targets for this disease. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR) was performed to determine SNHG16 expression in human leukemia cell lines. Using TargetScan 7.2 and dual‑luciferase reporter assay, the target genes of SNHG16 were verified. Following the downregulation of the expression of SNHG16 or its target genes, Cell Counting kit‑8 (CCK‑8) assay was performed to examine the viability of the leukemia cells. In addition, flow cytometry was performed to analyze the cell apoptotic rates, and colony formation assays were used to determine the cell proliferative ability. RT‑qPCR and western blot analysis were used to determine the association between SNHG16 and its target genes. SNHG16 was found to be abnormally highly expressed in acute myeloblastic leukemia cell lines, the knockdown of which weakened the viability of the leukemia cells, suppressed cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. miR‑193a‑5p could bind to SNHG16, and its target gene was CDK8. Moreover, the expression of miR‑193a‑5p increased with the decrease in SNHG16 expression, while the inhibition of miR‑193a‑5p promoted the expression of CDK8. The downregulation of miR‑193a‑5p enhanced the viability of the leukemia cells, accelerated cell cloning and reduced cell apoptosis, which was completely opposite to the effects observed with the silencing of CDK8. The knockdown of SNHG16 suppressed the viability of the leukemia cells, suppressed cell proliferation, and induced cell apoptosis by regulating miR‑193a‑5p/CDK8. Thus, SNHG16 may prove to be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meihua Piao
- Clinical Laboratory, Yanbian University Hospital (Yanbian Hospital), Yanji, Jilin 133000
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Neonatology, Weinan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Weinan, Shaanxi 714000, P.R. China
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21
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Yu C, Li S, Hu X. Circ_0005576 Promotes Malignant Progression Through miR-874/CDK8 Axis in Colorectal Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:7793-7805. [PMID: 32848415 PMCID: PMC7430768 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s249494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the function of circ_0005576 in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS Circ_0005576 expression in CRC patients was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH). CRC cells were transfected using Lipofectamine 2000 reagent. CRC cell proliferation was researched by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and 5-ethynyl-2-deoxy-uridine (EdU) incorporation experiment. Cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry analysis. Luciferase reporter assay was used to explore the relationship between circ_0005576 and miR-874 or between miR-874 and CDK8. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect circ_0005576, miR-874, and CDK8 expression. In vivo experiments were performed using nude mice. CDK8 and Ki67 expression in xenograft tumors was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Tunel assay was conducted to analyze the apoptosis of xenograft tumors. RESULTS Circ_0005576 expression was up-regulated in CRC, which was associated with tumor progression (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Circ_0005576 knockdown in CRC cells reduced proliferation, induced apoptosis, increased cells in the G1 phase, and decreased cells in the S phase (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001). Circ_0005576 promoted CDK8 expression via sponging miR-874. miR-874 knockdown and CDK8 overexpression significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of circ_0005576 knockdown on CRC cells malignant phenotype (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Circ_0005576 knockdown inhibited tumor growth in vivo (P < 0.01). Circ_0005576 knockdown reduced CDK8, Ki67 expression, and enhanced apoptosis in xenograft tumors. CONCLUSION Circ_0005576 promoted malignant progression through the miR-874/CDK8 axis in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yu
- Department of Anus & Intestine Surgery, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang261041, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shan Li
- Huashan Health Center, Qingdao266000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiumei Hu
- Department of Anus & Intestine Surgery, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang261041, People’s Republic of China
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22
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Hu M, Lu Y, Qi Y, Zhang Z, Wang S, Xu Y, Chen F, Tang Y, Chen S, Chen M, Du C, Shen M, Wang F, Su Y, Deng Y, Wang J. SRC-3 Functions as a Coactivator of T-bet by Regulating the Maturation and Antitumor Activity of Natural Killer Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2020; 8:1150-1162. [PMID: 32561537 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-20-0181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK)-cell development and maturation is a well-organized process. The steroid receptor coactivator 3 (SRC-3) is a regulator of the hematopoietic and immune systems; however, its role in NK cells is poorly understood. Here, SRC-3 displayed increased nuclear translocation in NK cells during terminal differentiation and upon inflammatory cytokine stimulation. Targeted deletion of SRC-3 altered normal NK-cell distribution and compromised NK-cell maturation. SRC-3 deficiency led to significantly impaired NK-cell functions, especially their antitumor activity. The expression of several critical T-bet target genes, including Zeb2, Prdm1, and S1pr5, but not T-bet itself, was markedly decreased in NK cells in the absence of SRC-3. There was a physiologic interaction between SRC-3 and T-bet proteins, where SRC-3 was recruited by T-bet to regulate the transcription of the aforementioned genes. Collectively, our findings unmask a previously unrecognized role of SRC-3 as a coactivator of T-bet in NK-cell biology and indicate that targeting SRC-3 may be a promising strategy to increase the tumor surveillance function of NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjia Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yukai Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zihao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Song Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shilei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Changhong Du
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingqiang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fengchao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongping Su
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Youcai Deng
- Institute of Materia Medica, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Combined Injury, Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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23
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Han SI, Lim SC. Expression and Prognostic Significance of CDK8 and β-Catenin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. IN VIVO (ATHENS, GREECE) 2020. [PMID: 32354935 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11918.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) is known to play an important role in the early development and progression of various cancers, and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is also involved in cancer progression. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about the regulatory mechanisms of the β-catenin pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS The complete clinicopathological features of 122 pairs of HCC and adjacent non-tumor tissues were analyzed and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the aberrant expression of CDK8 and β-catenin. Overall survival rates (OSRs) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox multivariate analysis was used to assess the prognostic values. RESULTS Aberrant expression of nuclear β-catenin and CDK8 are independent prognostic variables that negatively affect the OSR. The aberrant expression of CDK8 was associated with the dysregulated expression of β-catenin and correlated with a poor prognosis. CONCLUSION Inhibition of CDK8 and/or nuclear β-catenin expression pattern could serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Iy Han
- Division of Premedical Science College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Chul Lim
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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24
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Han SI, Lim SC. Expression and Prognostic Significance of CDK8 and β-Catenin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. In Vivo 2020; 34:1387-1394. [PMID: 32354935 PMCID: PMC7279855 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) is known to play an important role in the early development and progression of various cancers, and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is also involved in cancer progression. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about the regulatory mechanisms of the β-catenin pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS The complete clinicopathological features of 122 pairs of HCC and adjacent non-tumor tissues were analyzed and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the aberrant expression of CDK8 and β-catenin. Overall survival rates (OSRs) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox multivariate analysis was used to assess the prognostic values. RESULTS Aberrant expression of nuclear β-catenin and CDK8 are independent prognostic variables that negatively affect the OSR. The aberrant expression of CDK8 was associated with the dysregulated expression of β-catenin and correlated with a poor prognosis. CONCLUSION Inhibition of CDK8 and/or nuclear β-catenin expression pattern could serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Iy Han
- Division of Premedical Science College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Chul Lim
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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25
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Petroni G, Formenti SC, Chen-Kiang S, Galluzzi L. Immunomodulation by anticancer cell cycle inhibitors. Nat Rev Immunol 2020; 20:669-679. [PMID: 32346095 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-020-0300-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cell cycle proteins that are often dysregulated in malignant cells, such as cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and CDK6, have attracted considerable interest as potential targets for cancer therapy. In this context, multiple inhibitors of CDK4 and CDK6 have been developed, including three small molecules (palbociclib, abemaciclib and ribociclib) that are currently approved for the treatment of patients with breast cancer and are being extensively tested in individuals with other solid and haematological malignancies. Accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence indicates that the anticancer activity of CDK4/CDK6 inhibitors results not only from their ability to block the cell cycle in malignant cells but also from a range of immunostimulatory effects. In this Review, we discuss the ability of anticancer cell cycle inhibitors to modulate various immune functions in support of effective antitumour immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Petroni
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Silvia C Formenti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Selina Chen-Kiang
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA. .,Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. .,Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. .,Université de Paris, Paris, France.
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26
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Ge Z, Wu S, Zhang Z, Ding S. Mechanism of tumor cells escaping from immune surveillance of NK cells. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2020; 42:187-198. [PMID: 32223464 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2020.1742733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in anti-tumor and anti-infection, and perform their immune surveillance function in various ways. However, no matter what kind of cancer, the functional activity of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is suppressed. Understanding the relationship between tumor cells and NK cells is very critical for tumor immunotherapy. This review discusses the mechanism of tumor cells escaping the immune surveillance of NK cells. These include a variety of factors that inhibit the activity of NK cells, an imbalance of activating receptors and inhibiting receptors on NK cells, abnormal binding of receptors and ligands, cross-talk of surrounding cell groups and NK cells in the TME, and other factors that affect NK cell activity. An understanding of these factors is necessary to provide new treatment strategies for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Ge
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Wu
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuzhe Ding
- School of Physical Education & Health Care, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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27
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Solum E, Hansen TV, Aesoy R, Herfindal L. New CDK8 inhibitors as potential anti-leukemic agents - Design, synthesis and biological evaluation. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115461. [PMID: 32245563 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) plays a vital role in regulating cell transcription either through its association with the mediator complex or by the phosphorylation of transcription factors. CDK8-mediated activation of oncogenes has proved to be important in a variety of cancer types including hematological malignancies. We have designed and synthesized a series of new synthetic steroids. The compounds were evaluated as CDK8 inhibitors in vitro. The three most potent compounds exhibit Kd-values towards CDK8 in the low nanomolar range (3.5-18 nM). Furthermore, the compounds displayed selectivity for CDK8 in a panel of 465 different kinases. The cell studies indicated a selectivity to kill AML-cancer cell lines compared to normal cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirik Solum
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Nord University, 7801 Namsos, Norway; University of Oslo, PO Box 1068 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway.
| | | | - Reidun Aesoy
- Centre for Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, PO Box 7800, N-5007 Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars Herfindal
- Centre for Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, PO Box 7800, N-5007 Bergen, Norway
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28
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Hofmann MH, Mani R, Engelhardt H, Impagnatiello MA, Carotta S, Kerenyi M, Lorenzo-Herrero S, Böttcher J, Scharn D, Arnhof H, Zoephel A, Schnitzer R, Gerstberger T, Sanderson MP, Rajgolikar G, Goswami S, Vasu S, Ettmayer P, Gonzalez S, Pearson M, McConnell DB, Kraut N, Muthusamy N, Moll J. Selective and Potent CDK8/19 Inhibitors Enhance NK-Cell Activity and Promote Tumor Surveillance. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:1018-1030. [PMID: 32024684 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in controlling cancer. Multiple extracellular receptors and internal signaling nodes tightly regulate NK activation. Cyclin-dependent kinases of the mediator complex (CDK8 and CDK19) were described as a signaling intermediates in NK cells. Here, we report for the first time the development and use of CDK8/19 inhibitors to suppress phosphorylation of STAT1S727 in NK cells and to augment the production of the cytolytic molecules perforin and granzyme B (GZMB). Functionally, this resulted in enhanced NK-cell-mediated lysis of primary leukemia cells. Treatment with the CDK8/19 inhibitor BI-1347 increased the response rate and survival of mice bearing melanoma and breast cancer xenografts. In addition, CDK8/19 inhibition augmented the antitumoral activity of anti-PD-1 antibody and SMAC mimetic therapy, both agents that promote T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Treatment with the SMAC mimetic compound BI-8382 resulted in an increased number of NK cells infiltrating EMT6 tumors. Combination of the CDK8/19 inhibitor BI-1347, which augments the amount of degranulation enzymes, with the SMAC mimetic BI-8382 resulted in increased survival of mice carrying the EMT6 breast cancer model. The observed survival benefit was dependent on an intermittent treatment schedule of BI-1347, suggesting the importance of circumventing a hyporesponsive state of NK cells. These results suggest that CDK8/19 inhibitors can be combined with modulators of the adaptive immune system to inhibit the growth of solid tumors, independent of their activity on cancer cells, but rather through promoting NK-cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajeswaran Mani
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | | | | | - Marc Kerenyi
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Seila Lorenzo-Herrero
- Department of Functional Biology, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria del Principado de Asturias (IISPA), IUOPA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jark Böttcher
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dirk Scharn
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Girish Rajgolikar
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Swagata Goswami
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Sumithira Vasu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Segundo Gonzalez
- Department of Functional Biology, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria del Principado de Asturias (IISPA), IUOPA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Mark Pearson
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Norbert Kraut
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Natarajan Muthusamy
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jürgen Moll
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
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29
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Kim D, Wang CY, Hu R, Lee JY, Luu TTT, Park HJ, Lee SK. Antitumor Activity of Vanicoside B Isolated from Persicaria dissitiflora by Targeting CDK8 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2019; 82:3140-3149. [PMID: 31622095 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A flavonoid glycoside, quercitrin (1), and two phenylpropanoyl sucrose derivatives, vanicoside B (2) and lapathoside C (3), were isolated for the first time from the herb Persicaria dissitiflora. Vanicoside B (2) exhibited antiproliferative activity against a panel of cancer cell lines in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 cells. The underlying mechanisms of the antitumor activity of 2 were investigated in TNBC cells. Upregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) was observed in a claudin-low molecular subtype of TNBC cells. A molecular modeling study indicated that 2 showed a high affinity for CDK8. Further investigations revealed that 2 suppressed CDK8-mediated signaling pathways and the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition proteins and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 and HCC38 TNBC cells. Moreover, 2 inhibited tumor growth without overt toxicity in a nude mouse xenograft model implanted with MDA-MB-231 cells. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the significance of CDK8 activity in TNBC and suggest a potential use of 2 as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of aggressive human triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghwa Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute , Seoul National University , Seoul 08826 , Republic of Korea
| | - Cai Yi Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute , Seoul National University , Seoul 08826 , Republic of Korea
| | - Ruoci Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute , Seoul National University , Seoul 08826 , Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yun Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute , Seoul National University , Seoul 08826 , Republic of Korea
| | - Thi-Thu-Trang Luu
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute , Seoul National University , Seoul 08826 , Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Juhn Park
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering , Sangji University , Wonju 26339 , Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Kook Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research Institute , Seoul National University , Seoul 08826 , Republic of Korea
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30
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Menzl I, Zhang T, Berger-Becvar A, Grausenburger R, Heller G, Prchal-Murphy M, Edlinger L, Knab VM, Uras IZ, Grundschober E, Bauer K, Roth M, Skucha A, Liu Y, Hatcher JM, Liang Y, Kwiatkowski NP, Fux D, Hoelbl-Kovacic A, Kubicek S, Melo JV, Valent P, Weichhart T, Grebien F, Zuber J, Gray NS, Sexl V. A kinase-independent role for CDK8 in BCR-ABL1 + leukemia. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4741. [PMID: 31628323 PMCID: PMC6802219 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12656-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are frequently deregulated in cancer and represent promising drug targets. We provide evidence that CDK8 has a key role in B-ALL. Loss of CDK8 in leukemia mouse models significantly enhances disease latency and prevents disease maintenance. Loss of CDK8 is associated with pronounced transcriptional changes, whereas inhibiting CDK8 kinase activity has minimal effects. Gene set enrichment analysis suggests that the mTOR signaling pathway is deregulated in CDK8-deficient cells and, accordingly, these cells are highly sensitive to mTOR inhibitors. Analysis of large cohorts of human ALL and AML patients reveals a significant correlation between the level of CDK8 and of mTOR pathway members. We have synthesized a small molecule YKL-06-101 that combines mTOR inhibition and degradation of CDK8, and induces cell death in human leukemic cells. We propose that simultaneous CDK8 degradation and mTOR inhibition might represent a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ALL patients. Cyclin-dependent kinases are deregulated in blood cancers. Here, the authors show that CDK8, independent of its kinase activity, regulates mTOR signalling for the maintenance of BCR-ABL1+ leukemia, and that the dual inhibition of CDK8 and mTOR signalling induces apoptosis in these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingeborg Menzl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Angelika Berger-Becvar
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Reinhard Grausenburger
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerwin Heller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Prchal-Murphy
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Leo Edlinger
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vanessa M Knab
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Iris Z Uras
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Grundschober
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Bauer
- Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mareike Roth
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Skucha
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria.,Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yao Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John M Hatcher
- Department of Cancer Biology, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yanke Liang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicholas P Kwiatkowski
- Department of Cancer Biology, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniela Fux
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Hoelbl-Kovacic
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Kubicek
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Junia V Melo
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Department of Hematology, Imperial College London, Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Peter Valent
- Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Department of Internal Medicine I, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Weichhart
- Center of Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Grebien
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria.,Institute for Medical Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Zuber
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Campus-Vienna-Biocenter 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Veronika Sexl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
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Choucair K, Duff JR, Cassidy CS, Albrethsen MT, Kelso JD, Lenhard A, Staats H, Patel R, Brunicardi FC, Dworkin L, Nemunaitis J. Natural killer cells: a review of biology, therapeutic potential and challenges in treatment of solid tumors. Future Oncol 2019; 15:3053-3069. [DOI: 10.2217/fon-2019-0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells lead immune surveillance against cancer and early elimination of small tumors. Owing to their ability to engage tumor targets without the need of specific antigen, the therapeutic potential of NK cells has been extensively explored in hematological malignancies. In solid tumors, however, their role in the clinical arena remains poorly exploited despite a broad accumulation of preclinical data. In this article, we review our current knowledge of NK cells’ biology, and highlight the challenges facing NK cell antitumor strategies in solid tumors. We further summarize the abundant preclinical attempts at overcoming these challenges, present past and ongoing clinical trial data and finally discuss the potential impact of novel insights on the development of NK cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Choucair
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Joseph R Duff
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Christine S Cassidy
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Mary T Albrethsen
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Jesse D Kelso
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Amanda Lenhard
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Hannah Staats
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Rayna Patel
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - F Charles Brunicardi
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Lance Dworkin
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - John Nemunaitis
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine & Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
- ProMedica Health System, Toledo, OH 43604, USA
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Menzl I, Witalisz-Siepracka A, Sexl V. CDK8-Novel Therapeutic Opportunities. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:E92. [PMID: 31248103 PMCID: PMC6630639 DOI: 10.3390/ph12020092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Improvements in cancer therapy frequently stem from the development of new small-molecule inhibitors, paralleled by the identification of biomarkers that can predict the treatment response. Recent evidence supports the idea that cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) may represent a potential drug target for breast and prostate cancer, although no CDK8 inhibitors have entered the clinics. As the available inhibitors have been recently reviewed, we focus on the biological functions of CDK8 and provide an overview of the complexity of CDK8-dependent signaling throughout evolution and CDK8-dependent effects that may open novel treatment avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingeborg Menzl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | | | - Veronika Sexl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
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Yin T, Liu MM, Jin RT, Kong J, Wang SH, Sun WB. miR-152-3p Modulates hepatic carcinogenesis by targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 8. Pathol Res Pract 2019; 215:152406. [PMID: 30967300 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2019.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) as a Mediator complex-associated transcriptional regulator has been shown to play important role in the initiation and progression of various cancers. The present study aimed to explore miR-152-3p-modulated post-transcriptional repression of CDK8 in hepatic carcinogenesis. METHODS Eighty-nine pairs of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected for molecular biological analysis. Cell viability and apoptosis assays were detected using CCK8 and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide (Annexinv-FITC) double staining, respectively. Bioinformatics algorithms and luciferase reporter assay were performed to validate CDK8 as a direct target of miR-152-3p. Gene and protein expression levels were monitored using RT-qPCR, western blotting or immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. RESULTS CDK8 expression levels were up-regulated and miR-152-3p was down-regulated in HCC tissues. The correlation analysis had documented a significant negative correlation between miR-152-3p and CDK8 in the HCC tissues. Both CDK8 and miR-152-3p could serve as the independent prognostic factors for predicting the OS and DFS in HCC patients. Bioinformatics and experimental measurement revealed that CDK8 was a direct target of miR-152-3p. After co-transfection with the miR-152-3p mimics and the CDK8 overexpressed plasmids, the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic roles of miR-152-3p were restricted by CDK8. CONCLUSION The present results obtained forcefully proved that miR-152-3p exhibited an antineoplastic activity via targeting CDK8 and might be served as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China; Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, Chifeng 024005, China
| | - Ming-Ming Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, Chifeng 024005, China
| | - Ruo-Tian Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, Chifeng 024005, China
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Shao-Hong Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Wen-Bing Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China.
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34
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Najafi M, Goradel NH, Farhood B, Salehi E, Solhjoo S, Toolee H, Kharazinejad E, Mortezaee K. Tumor microenvironment: Interactions and therapy. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:5700-5721. [PMID: 30378106 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) is a host for a complex network of heterogeneous stromal cells with overlapping or opposing functions depending on the dominant signals within this milieu. Reciprocal paracrine interactions between cancer cells with cells within the tumor stroma often reshape the TME in favor of the promotion of tumor. These complex interactions require more sophisticated approaches for cancer therapy, and, therefore, advancing knowledge about dominant drivers of cancer within the TME is critical for designing therapeutic schemes. This review will provide knowledge about TME architecture, multiple signaling, and cross communications between cells within this milieu, and its targeting for immunotherapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Najafi
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, School of Paramedical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Nasser Hashemi Goradel
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bagher Farhood
- Department of Radiology and Medical Physics, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Eniseh Salehi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somaye Solhjoo
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Heidar Toolee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
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35
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Castaneda DC, Dhommée C, Baranek T, Dalloneau E, Lajoie L, Valayer A, Arnoult C, Demattéi MV, Fouquenet D, Parent C, Heuzé-Vourc'h N, Gouilleux-Gruart V. Lack of FcRn Impairs Natural Killer Cell Development and Functions in the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2259. [PMID: 30323819 PMCID: PMC6172308 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is responsible for the recycling and transcytosis of IgG and albumin. FcRn level was found altered in cancer tissues and implicated in tumor immunosurveillance and neoplastic cell growth. However, the consequences of FcRn down-regulation in the anti-tumor immune response are not fully elucidated. By using the B16F10 experimental lung metastasis model in an FcRn-deficient microenvironment (FcRn-/- mice), we found lung metastasis associated with an abnormal natural killer (NK) cell phenotype. In FcRn-/- mice, NK cells were immature, as shown by their surface marker profile and their decreased ability to degranulate and synthesize interferon γ after chemical and IL-2 or IL-12, IL-15 and IL-18 activation. These new findings support the critical role of FcRn downregulation in the tumor microenvironment in anti-tumor immunity, via NK cell maturation and activation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christine Dhommée
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- CNRS, GICC UMR 7292, Tours, France
| | - Thomas Baranek
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires, U1100, Tours, France
| | - Emilie Dalloneau
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires, U1100, Tours, France
| | - Laurie Lajoie
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- CNRS, GICC UMR 7292, Tours, France
| | - Alexandre Valayer
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires, U1100, Tours, France
| | - Christophe Arnoult
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- CNRS, GICC UMR 7292, Tours, France
| | | | - Delphine Fouquenet
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires, U1100, Tours, France
| | - Christelle Parent
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires, U1100, Tours, France
| | - Nathalie Heuzé-Vourc'h
- Université François Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires, U1100, Tours, France
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