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Pervaiz A, Naseem N, Saleem T, Raza SM, Shaukat I, Kanwal K, Sajjad O, Iqbal S, Shams F, Ijaz B, Berger MR. Anticancer genes (NOXA, PAR-4, TRAIL) are de-regulated in breast cancer patients and can be targeted by using a ribosomal inactivating plant protein (riproximin). Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:5209-5221. [PMID: 37127809 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08477-3] [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: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anticancer genes are an endogenous defense against transformed cells as they impose antineoplastic effects upon ectopic expression. Profiling the expression of these genes is fundamental for exploring their prognostic and therapeutic relevance in cancers. Natural compounds can upregulate anticancer genes in malignant cells and thus be useful for therapeutic purposes. In this study, we identified the expression levels of anticancer genes in breast cancer clinical isolates. In addition, the purified and sequenced plant protein (riproximin) was evaluated for its potential to induce anticancer genes in two breast cancer cell lines. METHODOLOGY Expression profiles of three anticancer genes (NOXA, PAR-4, TRAIL) were identified by immunohistochemistry in 45 breast cancer clinical isolates. Breast cancer cells were exposed to riproximin and expression of the anticancer genes was determined by microarray, real-time PCR and western blot methodologies. Lastly, a bioinformatic approach was adopted to highlight the molecular/functional significance of the anticancer genes. RESULTS NOXA expression was evenly de-regulated among the clinical isolates, while PAR-4 was significantly down-regulated in majority of the breast cancer tissues. In contrast, TRAIL expression was increased in most of the clinical samples. Expression levels of the anticancer genes followed a distinct trend in accordance with the disease severity. Riproximin showed a substantial potential of inducing expression of the anticancer genes in breast cancer cells at transcriptomic and protein levels. The bioinformatic approach revealed involvement of anticancer genes in multiple cellular functions and signaling cascades. CONCLUSION Anticancer genes were de-regulated and showed discrete expression patterns in breast cancer patient samples. Riproximin effectively induced the expression of selected anticancer genes in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asim Pervaiz
- Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Nadia Naseem
- Morbid Anatomy and Histopathology Department, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Talha Saleem
- Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Syed Mohsin Raza
- Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Iqra Shaukat
- Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Kinzah Kanwal
- Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Osheen Sajjad
- Institute of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sana Iqbal
- Human Genetics and Molecular Biology Department, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Faiza Shams
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Bushra Ijaz
- Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Martin R Berger
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Immundiagnostik Comp, Bensheim, Germany
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Jinesh GG, Brohl AS. Classical epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and alternative cell death process-driven blebbishield metastatic-witch (BMW) pathways to cancer metastasis. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:296. [PMID: 35999218 PMCID: PMC9399134 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01132-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is a pivotal event that accelerates the prognosis of cancer patients towards mortality. Therapies that aim to induce cell death in metastatic cells require a more detailed understanding of the metastasis for better mitigation. Towards this goal, we discuss the details of two distinct but overlapping pathways of metastasis: a classical reversible epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (hybrid-EMT)-driven transport pathway and an alternative cell death process-driven blebbishield metastatic-witch (BMW) transport pathway involving reversible cell death process. The knowledge about the EMT and BMW pathways is important for the therapy of metastatic cancers as these pathways confer drug resistance coupled to immune evasion/suppression. We initially discuss the EMT pathway and compare it with the BMW pathway in the contexts of coordinated oncogenic, metabolic, immunologic, and cell biological events that drive metastasis. In particular, we discuss how the cell death environment involving apoptosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and NETosis in BMW or EMT pathways recruits immune cells, fuses with it, migrates, permeabilizes vasculature, and settles at distant sites to establish metastasis. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic targets that are common to both EMT and BMW pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goodwin G Jinesh
- Department of Molecular Oncology, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, 33612, FL, USA. .,Sarcoma Department, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, 33612, FL, USA.
| | - Andrew S Brohl
- Department of Molecular Oncology, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, 33612, FL, USA. .,Sarcoma Department, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, 33612, FL, USA.
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3
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Zhu Q, Schultz E, Long J, Roh JM, Valice E, Laurent CA, Radimer KH, Yan L, Ergas IJ, Davis W, Ranatunga D, Gandhi S, Kwan ML, Bao PP, Zheng W, Shu XO, Ambrosone C, Yao S, Kushi LH. UACA locus is associated with breast cancer chemoresistance and survival. NPJ Breast Cancer 2022; 8:39. [PMID: 35322040 PMCID: PMC8943134 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-022-00401-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Few germline genetic variants have been robustly linked with breast cancer outcomes. We conducted trans-ethnic meta genome-wide association study (GWAS) of overall survival (OS) in 3973 breast cancer patients from the Pathways Study, one of the largest prospective breast cancer survivor cohorts. A locus spanning the UACA gene, a key regulator of tumor suppressor Par-4, was associated with OS in patients taking Par-4 dependent chemotherapies, including anthracyclines and anti-HER2 therapy, at a genome-wide significance level (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$P = 1.27 \times 10^{ - 9}$$\end{document}P=1.27×10−9). This association was confirmed in meta-analysis across four independent prospective breast cancer cohorts (combined hazard ratio = 1.84, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$P = 1.28 \times 10^{ - 11}$$\end{document}P=1.28×10−11). Transcriptome-wide association study revealed higher UACA gene expression was significantly associated with worse OS (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$P = 4.68 \times 10^{ - 7}$$\end{document}P=4.68×10−7). Our study identified the UACA locus as a genetic predictor of patient outcome following treatment with anthracyclines and/or anti-HER2 therapy, which may have clinical utility in formulating appropriate treatment strategies for breast cancer patients based on their genetic makeup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Zhu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Emily Schultz
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jirong Long
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Janise M Roh
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Emily Valice
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Cecile A Laurent
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Kelly H Radimer
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Li Yan
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Isaac J Ergas
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Warren Davis
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Dilrini Ranatunga
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Shipra Gandhi
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Marilyn L Kwan
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Ping-Ping Bao
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Xiao-Ou Shu
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Christine Ambrosone
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Song Yao
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Lawrence H Kushi
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA.
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Yin X, Liu J, Wang X, Yang T, Li G, Shang Y, Teng X, Yu H, Wang S, Huang W. Identification of Key Transcription Factors and Immune Infiltration Patterns Associated With Breast Cancer Prognosis Using WGCNA and Cox Regression Analysis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:742792. [PMID: 34993131 PMCID: PMC8724129 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.742792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Therefore, the need for effective breast cancer treatment is urgent. Transcription factors (TFs) directly participate in gene transcription, and their dysregulation plays a key role in breast cancer. Our study identified 459 differentially expressed TFs between tumor and normal samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Based on gene expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis, the co-expression yellow module was found to be integral for breast cancer progression. A total of 121 genes in the yellow module were used for function enrichment. To further confirm prognosis-related TFs, COX regression and LASSO analyses were performed; consequently, a prognostic risk model was constructed, and its validity was verified. Ten prognosis-related TFs were identified according to their expression profile, survival probability, and target genes. COPS5, HDAC2, and NONO were recognized as hub TFs in breast cancer. These TFs were highly expressed in human breast cancer cell lines and clinical breast cancer samples; this result was consistent with the information from multiple databases. Immune infiltration analysis revealed that the proportions of resting dendritic and mast cells were greater in the low-risk group than those in the high-risk group. Thus, in this study, we identified three hub biomarkers related to breast cancer prognosis. The results provide a framework for the co-expression of TF modules and immune infiltration in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaxiang Liu
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Tianshu Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Gen Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yaxin Shang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Teng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hefen Yu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Department of Cardio Surgery Center, Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Shuang Wang, ; Wei Huang,
| | - Wei Huang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Shuang Wang, ; Wei Huang,
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DiMarco AV, Qin X, McKinney BJ, Garcia NMG, Van Alsten SC, Mendes EA, Force J, Hanks BA, Troester MA, Owzar K, Xie J, Alvarez JV. APOBEC Mutagenesis Inhibits Breast Cancer Growth through Induction of T cell-Mediated Antitumor Immune Responses. Cancer Immunol Res 2021; 10:70-86. [PMID: 34795033 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The APOBEC family of cytidine deaminases is one of the most common endogenous sources of mutations in human cancer. Genomic studies of tumors have found that APOBEC mutational signatures are enriched in the HER2 subtype of breast cancer and are associated with immunotherapy response in diverse cancer types. However, the direct consequences of APOBEC mutagenesis on the tumor immune microenvironment have not been thoroughly investigated. To address this, we developed syngeneic murine mammary tumor models with inducible expression of APOBEC3B. We found that APOBEC activity induced antitumor adaptive immune responses and CD4+ T cell-mediated, antigen-specific tumor growth inhibition. Although polyclonal APOBEC tumors had a moderate growth defect, clonal APOBEC tumors were almost completely rejected, suggesting that APOBEC-mediated genetic heterogeneity limits antitumor adaptive immune responses. Consistent with the observed immune infiltration in APOBEC tumors, APOBEC activity sensitized HER2-driven breast tumors to anti-CTLA-4 checkpoint inhibition and led to a complete response to combination anti-CTLA-4 and anti-HER2 therapy. In human breast cancers, the relationship between APOBEC mutagenesis and immunogenicity varied by breast cancer subtype and the frequency of subclonal mutations. This work provides a mechanistic basis for the sensitivity of APOBEC tumors to checkpoint inhibitors and suggests a rationale for using APOBEC mutational signatures and clonality as biomarkers predicting immunotherapy response in HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley V DiMarco
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Xiaodi Qin
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Brock J McKinney
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Nina Marie G Garcia
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Sarah C Van Alsten
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Elizabeth A Mendes
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jeremy Force
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Brent A Hanks
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Melissa A Troester
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Kouros Owzar
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jichun Xie
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - James V Alvarez
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
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6
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Liu PF, Shu CW, Yang HC, Lee CH, Liou HH, Ger LP, Tzeng YDT, Wang WC. Combined Evaluation of MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 for Biological and Clinical Significance in Ductal Carcinoma of Breast Cancer. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111514. [PMID: 34829743 PMCID: PMC8615094 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. The microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (MAP1LC3B) and adaptor sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) are two major markers for autophagy. Increased protein levels of MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 are considered to be causes of autophagy inhibition or activation in various types of cancers. However, the roles of MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 in breast cancer are still not clear. Using a tissue microarray from 274 breast invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) patients, we found that tumor tissues showed higher protein levels of MAP1LC3B and cytoplasmic SQSTM1 in comparison to those in adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, high levels of MAP1LC3B were associated with better survival, including disease-specific survival and disease-free survival (DFS) in IDC patients. Furthermore, high co-expression of MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 was significantly associated with better DFS in IDC patients. Astonishingly, the autophagy inhibitor accumulated the protein levels of MAP1LC3B/SQSTM1 and enhanced the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin and paclitaxel in MCF7 and BT474 breast cancer cell lines, implying that autophagy inhibition might result in poor prognosis and chemosensitivity in IDC. Taken together, high co-expression of MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 might serve as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for IDC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Feng Liu
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (P.-F.L.); (C.-H.L.)
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wen Shu
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan;
| | - Hsiu-Chen Yang
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan; (H.-C.Y.); (H.-H.L.); (L.-P.G.)
| | - Cheng-Hsin Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (P.-F.L.); (C.-H.L.)
| | - Huei-Han Liou
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan; (H.-C.Y.); (H.-H.L.); (L.-P.G.)
| | - Luo-Ping Ger
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan; (H.-C.Y.); (H.-H.L.); (L.-P.G.)
| | - Yen-Dun Tony Tzeng
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-D.T.T.); (W.-C.W.); Tel.: +886-07-3422121-73008 (Y.-D.T.T.); +886-06-2812811-57112 (W.-C.W.)
| | - Wen-Ching Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 71004, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-D.T.T.); (W.-C.W.); Tel.: +886-07-3422121-73008 (Y.-D.T.T.); +886-06-2812811-57112 (W.-C.W.)
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7
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Epithelial plasticity, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and the TGF-β family. Dev Cell 2021; 56:726-746. [PMID: 33756119 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial cells repress epithelial characteristics and elaborate mesenchymal characteristics to migrate to other locations and acquire new properties. Epithelial plasticity responses are directed through cooperation of signaling pathways, with TGF-β and TGF-β-related proteins playing prominent instructive roles. Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) directed by activin-like molecules, bone morphogenetic proteins, or TGF-β regulate metazoan development and wound healing and drive fibrosis and cancer progression. In carcinomas, diverse EMTs enable stem cell generation, anti-cancer drug resistance, genomic instability, and localized immunosuppression. This review discusses roles of TGF-β and TGF-β-related proteins, and underlying molecular mechanisms, in epithelial plasticity in development and wound healing, fibrosis, and cancer.
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8
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Matos B, Howl J, Jerónimo C, Fardilha M. Modulation of serine/threonine-protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) complexes: A promising approach in cancer treatment. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:2680-2698. [PMID: 34390863 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Despite the availability of numerous therapeutic options, tumor heterogeneity and chemoresistance have limited the success of these treatments, and the development of effective anticancer therapies remains a major focus in oncology research. The serine/threonine-protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and its complexes have been recognized as potential drug targets. Research on the modulation of PP1 complexes is currently at an early stage, but has immense potential. Chemically diverse compounds have been developed to disrupt or stabilize different PP1 complexes in various cancer types, with the objective of inhibiting disease progression. Beneficial results obtained in vitro now require further pre-clinical and clinical validation. In conclusion, the modulation of PP1 complexes seems to be a promising, albeit challenging, therapeutic strategy for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Matos
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine-iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - John Howl
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Research Institute in Healthcare Science, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-513 Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Fardilha
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine-iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Liu PF, Shu CW, Lee CH, Sie HC, Liou HH, Cheng JT, Ger LP, Chen CL, Chen CC, Chen CF. Clinical Significance and the Role of Guanylate-Binding Protein 5 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13164043. [PMID: 34439200 PMCID: PMC8394330 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanylate binding protein 5 (GBP5) is the interferon (IFN)-inducible subfamily of guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) and is involved in pathogen defense. However, the role played by GBP5 in cancer development, especially in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is still unknown. Herein, next-generation sequencing analysis showed that the gene expression levels of GBP5 were significantly higher in OSCC tissues compared with those found in corresponding tumor adjacent normal tissues (CTAN) from two pairs of OSCC patients. Higher gene expression levels of GBP5 were also found in tumor tissues of 23 buccal mucosal squamous cell carcinoma (BMSCC)/14 tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) patients and 30 oral cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database compared with those in CTAN tissues. Immunohistochemical results showed that protein expression levels of GBP5 were also higher in the tumor tissues of 353 OSCC patients including 117 BMSCC, 187 TSCC, and 49 lip squamous cell carcinoma patients. Moreover, TCGA database analysis indicated that high gene expression levels of GBP5 were associated with poor overall survival in oral cancer patients with moderate/poor cell differentiation, and associated with poor disease-free survival in oral cancer patients with moderate/poor cell differentiation and lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, GBP5-knockdowned cells exhibited decreased cell growth, arrest at G1 phase, and decreased invasion/migration. The gene expression of markers for epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stemness was also reduced in GBP5-silenced oral cancer cells. Taken together, GBP5 might be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for OSCC patients, especially for those with poor cell differentiation and lymph node metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Feng Liu
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (P.-F.L.); or (C.-H.L.)
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wen Shu
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan;
| | - Cheng-Hsin Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, College of Life Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (P.-F.L.); or (C.-H.L.)
| | - Huei-Cin Sie
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan;
| | - Huei-Han Liou
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan or (H.-H.L.); (L.-P.G.)
| | - Jiin-Tsuey Cheng
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan; (J.-T.C.); (C.-L.C.)
| | - Luo-Ping Ger
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan or (H.-H.L.); (L.-P.G.)
| | - Chun-Lin Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan; (J.-T.C.); (C.-L.C.)
| | - Chien-Chou Chen
- Family Medicine Division, Zuoying Branch of Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81342, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-C.C.); or (C.-F.C.); Tel.: +886-07-581-7121 (C.-C.C.); +886-07-346-8080 (C.-F.C.)
| | - Chun-Feng Chen
- Department of Stomatology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan
- Department of Dental Technology, Shu-Zen Junior College of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung 82144, Taiwan
- School of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-C.C.); or (C.-F.C.); Tel.: +886-07-581-7121 (C.-C.C.); +886-07-346-8080 (C.-F.C.)
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10
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Newcomb R, Dean E, McKinney BJ, Alvarez JV. Context-dependent effects of whole-genome duplication during mammary tumor recurrence. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14932. [PMID: 34294755 PMCID: PMC8298634 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94332-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-genome duplication (WGD) generates polyploid cells possessing more than two copies of the genome and is among the most common genetic abnormalities in cancer. The frequency of WGD increases in advanced and metastatic tumors, and WGD is associated with poor prognosis in diverse tumor types, suggesting a functional role for polyploidy in tumor progression. Experimental evidence suggests that polyploidy has both tumor-promoting and suppressing effects, but how polyploidy regulates tumor progression remains unclear. Using a genetically engineered mouse model of Her2-driven breast cancer, we explored the prevalence and consequences of whole-genome duplication during tumor growth and recurrence. While primary tumors in this model are invariably diploid, nearly 40% of recurrent tumors undergo WGD. WGD in recurrent tumors was associated with increased chromosomal instability, decreased proliferation and increased survival in stress conditions. The effects of WGD on tumor growth were dependent on tumor stage. Surprisingly, in recurrent tumor cells WGD slowed tumor formation, growth rate and opposed the process of recurrence, while WGD promoted the growth of primary tumors. These findings highlight the importance of identifying conditions that promote the growth of polyploid tumors, including the cooperating genetic mutations that allow cells to overcome the barriers to WGD tumor cell growth and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Newcomb
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Emily Dean
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Brock J McKinney
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - James V Alvarez
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
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11
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Pacheco MB, Camilo V, Henrique R, Jerónimo C. Epigenetic Editing in Prostate Cancer: Challenges and Opportunities. Epigenetics 2021; 17:564-588. [PMID: 34130596 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2021.1939477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenome editing consists of fusing a predesigned DNA recognition unit to the catalytic domain of a chromatin modifying enzyme leading to the introduction or removal of an epigenetic mark at a specific locus. These platforms enabled the study of the mechanisms and roles of epigenetic changes in several research domains such as those addressing pathogenesis and progression of cancer. Despite the continued efforts required to overcome some limitations, which include specificity, off-target effects, efficacy, and longevity, these tools have been rapidly progressing and improving.Since prostate cancer is characterized by multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations that affect different signalling pathways, epigenetic editing constitutes a promising strategy to hamper cancer progression. Therefore, by modulating chromatin structure through epigenome editing, its conformation might be better understood and events that drive prostate carcinogenesis might be further unveiled.This review describes the different epigenome engineering tools, their mechanisms concerning gene's expression and regulation, highlighting the challenges and opportunities concerning prostate cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Brütt Pacheco
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vânia Camilo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. DR. António Bernardino De Almeida, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, Portugal
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12
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miR-217-5p Inhibits Invasion and Metastasis of Prostate Cancer by Targeting Clusterin. Mamm Genome 2021; 32:371-380. [PMID: 33993322 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-021-09874-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is not easy to metastasize because it is difficult to diagnose at an early stage, and there is no effective treatment currently. miRNA-217-5p has been reported to be a regulator in the process of prostate cancer. This study aimed to investigate how miRNA-217-5p affects the invasion and migration of prostate cancer. Luciferase assay was used to clarify whether the target gene Clusterin (CLU) was interacted directly with miR-217-5p. miR-217-5p and CLU were knocked down by transfecting respective siRNA into DU145 cells. The expression level of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins was detected by Western blotting. Invasion and migration of DU145 cell were examined by wound healing assay. The results showed that miR-217-5p directly interacted with its target gene CLU, and the transfection of si-CLU and si-miR-217-5p had similar ability to regulate the expression level of EMT-related proteins, which in turn affected the migration and invasion of prostate cancer cell line DU145. In addition, miR-217-5p inhibited the expression of EMT-related proteins by regulating the expression of the target gene CLU, and further inhibited the invasion and migration of prostate cancer cells. Our findings provide a theoretical target basis for the treatment of prostate cancer.
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13
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Mabe NW, Garcia NMG, Wolery SE, Newcomb R, Meingasner RC, Vilona BA, Lupo R, Lin CC, Chi JT, Alvarez JV. G9a Promotes Breast Cancer Recurrence through Repression of a Pro-inflammatory Program. Cell Rep 2021; 33:108341. [PMID: 33147463 PMCID: PMC7656293 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated gene expression is a common feature of cancer and may underlie some aspects of tumor progression, including tumor relapse. Here, we show that recurrent mammary tumors exhibit global changes in gene expression and histone modifications and acquire dependence on the G9a histone methyltransferase. Genetic ablation of G9a delays tumor recurrence, and pharmacologic inhibition of G9a slows the growth of recurrent tumors. Mechanistically, G9a activity is required to silence pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), through H3K9 methylation at gene promoters. G9a inhibition induces re-expression of these cytokines, leading to p53 activation and necroptosis. Recurrent tumors upregulate receptor interacting protein kinase-3 (RIPK3) expression and are dependent upon RIPK3 activity. High RIPK3 expression renders recurrent tumors sensitive to necroptosis following G9a inhibition. These findings demonstrate that G9a-mediated silencing of pro-necroptotic proteins is a critical step in tumor recurrence and suggest that G9a is a targetable dependency in recurrent breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel W Mabe
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Nina Marie G Garcia
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Shayna E Wolery
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Rachel Newcomb
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ryan C Meingasner
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Brittany A Vilona
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ryan Lupo
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Chao-Chieh Lin
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jen-Tsan Chi
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - James V Alvarez
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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14
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Chaudhari R, Patel P, Meghani N, Nasra S, Kumar A. Fabrication of methotrexate-loaded gold nanoconjugates and its enhanced anticancer activity in breast cancer. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:175. [PMID: 33927966 PMCID: PMC7973353 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-02718-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is known antagonist of folic acid and widely used as an anti-cancer drug. The folate receptor (FR) and reduced folate carrier are mostly responsible for internalization of methotrexate in tumor cells. Mutation in reduced folate carrier (RFC) leads to resistance against MTX in various tumor cell lines including MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. To overcome the resistance of MTX, folate receptor targeted nanoparticles have been commonly used for targeting breast tumors. The aim of the study is to determine the ability of methotrexate gold nanoparticles (MTX-GNPs) in the induction of apoptosis and to explore the molecular changes at genomics and proteomics level. Different assays like cell viability assay, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis, real-time PCR and western blot were carried out to evaluate the anti-cancer effect of MTX-Gold NPs on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Our observations demonstrated the decrease in the percent viable cells after the treatment of MTX-GNPs, with an arrest in cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and a significant increase in apoptotic cell population and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Folate receptor targeted MTX-GNPs showed significant cellular uptake in breast cancer cells along with significant down-regulation in expression of anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl-2) and up-regulation in expression of pro-apoptotic genes (Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, APAF-1, p53). These results unveil the increased anti-cancer effect of MTX-GNPs in cancer cells. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02718-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Chaudhari
- Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Central Campus, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 India
| | - Pal Patel
- Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Central Campus, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 India
| | - Nikita Meghani
- Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Central Campus, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 India
| | - Simran Nasra
- Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Central Campus, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 India
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Central Campus, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 India
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15
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Lin CC, Yang WH, Lin YT, Tang X, Chen PH, Ding CKC, Qu DC, Alvarez JV, Chi JT. DDR2 upregulation confers ferroptosis susceptibility of recurrent breast tumors through the Hippo pathway. Oncogene 2021; 40:2018-2034. [PMID: 33603168 PMCID: PMC7988308 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01676-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent breast cancer presents significant challenges with aggressive phenotypes and treatment resistance. Therefore, novel therapeutics are urgently needed. Here, we report that murine recurrent breast tumor cells, when compared with primary tumor cells, are highly sensitive to ferroptosis. Discoidin Domain Receptor Tyrosine Kinase 2 (DDR2), the receptor for collagen I, is highly expressed in ferroptosis-sensitive recurrent tumor cells and human mesenchymal breast cancer cells. EMT regulators, TWIST and SNAIL, significantly induce DDR2 expression and sensitize ferroptosis in a DDR2-dependent manner. Erastin treatment induces DDR2 upregulation and phosphorylation, independent of collagen I. Furthermore, DDR2 knockdown in recurrent tumor cells reduces clonogenic proliferation. Importantly, both the ferroptosis protection and reduced clonogenic growth may be compatible with the compromised YAP/TAZ upon DDR2 inhibition. Collectively, these findings identify the important role of EMT-driven DDR2 upregulation in recurrent tumors in maintaining growth advantage but activating YAP/TAZ-mediated ferroptosis susceptibility, providing potential strategies to eradicate recurrent breast cancer cells with mesenchymal features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Chieh Lin
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Wen-Hsuan Yang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yi-Tzu Lin
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Xiaohu Tang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA
| | - Po-Han Chen
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Chien-Kuang Cornelia Ding
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Dan Chen Qu
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - James V. Alvarez
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jen-Tsan Chi
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA;,Correspondence: Jen-Tsan Ashley Chi, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA. TEL: (919) 668-4759,
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16
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Akhand SS, Chen H, Purdy SC, Liu Z, Anderson JC, Willey CD, Wendt MK. Fibroblast growth factor receptor facilitates recurrence of minimal residual disease following trastuzumab emtansine therapy. NPJ Breast Cancer 2021; 7:5. [PMID: 33479246 PMCID: PMC7820437 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-020-00213-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that efficiently delivers a highly potent microtubule inhibitor to HER2 overexpressing cells. Herein, we utilize HER2 transformed human mammary epithelial cells (HME2) to demonstrate in vitro and in vivo response and recurrence upon T-DM1 treatment. Continuous in vitro dosing of HME2 cells with T-DM1 failed to produce a spontaneously resistant cell line. However, induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via pretreatment with TGF-β1 was capable of promoting emergence of T-DM1-resistant (TDM1R) cells. Flow cytometric analyses indicated that induction of EMT decreased trastuzumab binding, prior to overt loss of HER2 expression in TDM1R cells. Kinome analyses of TDM1R cells indicated increased phosphorylation of ErbB1, ErbB4, and FGFR1. TDM1R cells failed to respond to the ErbB kinase inhibitors lapatinib and afatinib, but they acquired sensitivity to FIIN4, a covalent FGFR kinase inhibitor. In vivo, minimal residual disease (MRD) remained detectable via bioluminescent imaging following T-DM1-induced tumor regression. Upon cessation of the ADC, relapse occurred and secondary tumors were resistant to additional rounds of T-DM1. These recurrent tumors could be inhibited by FIIN4. Moreover, ectopic overexpression of FGFR1 was sufficient to enhance tumor growth, diminish trastuzumab binding, and promote recurrence following T-DM1-induced MRD. Finally, patient-derived xenografts from a HER2+ breast cancer patient who had progressed on trastuzumab failed to respond to T-DM1, but tumor growth was significantly inhibited by FIIN4. Overall, our studies strongly support therapeutic combination of TDM1 with FGFR-targeted agents in HER2+ breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed S Akhand
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Hao Chen
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Stephen Connor Purdy
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Zian Liu
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Joshua C Anderson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35244, USA
| | - Christopher D Willey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35244, USA
| | - Michael K Wendt
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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17
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Ahmad SM, Nayak D, Mir KB, Faheem MM, Nawaz S, Yadav G, Goswami A. Par-4 activation restrains EMT-induced chemoresistance in PDAC by attenuating MDM-2. Pancreatology 2020; 20:1698-1710. [PMID: 33039292 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2020.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We recently reported prostate apoptosis response 4 (Par-4), a potential tumor suppressor protein restrains epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) properties and promotes mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) in invasive cancer cells by repressing Twist-1 promoter activity. Here, we demonstrate that genetic as well as pharmacological modulation of Par-4 by NGD16 (a small molecule antimetastatic agent), limits EMT-induced chemoresistance in aggressive cancer cells by suppressing MDM-2, a downstream effector of Twist-1. METHODS Matrigel invasion assay, gelatin degradation assay, cell scattering assay, MTT assay and colony formation assay were used to study the proliferation and migration abilities of invasive cancer cells. Immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, and immunoprecipitation analysis were utilized for determining protein expression and protein-protein interaction. 4T1 aggressive mouse carcinoma model was employed to evaluate tumor growth and lung metastasis. RESULTS Treatment of gemcitabine (nucleoside analogue anticancer agent) to pancreatic cancer (Panc-1, MiaPaca-2) and breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells amplified MDM-2 expression along with increase in EMT properties. Conversely, NGD16 boosted expression of tumor suppressor Par-4 and inhibited invasion and migration abilities of these cells. Moreover, induction of Par-4 effectively diminished MDM-2 along with pro-EMT markers, whereas, augmented the expression of epithelial markers. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated silencing of Par-4 divulged that NGD16 exerts its EMT inhibitory effects in a Par-4-dependent manner. Mechanistically, Par-4 activation provokes p53 by disrupting MDM-2-p53 interaction, which restored epithelial characteristics in cancer cells. Additionally, partial knockdown of MDM-2 through siRNA pronounced the anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects of NGD16. Finally, NGD16 efficiently inhibited tumor growth and lung metastasis in mouse mammary carcinoma model without showing any undesirable effects. CONCLUSION Our findings unveil Par-4 as a key therapeutic target and NGD16 (the pharmacological modulator of Par-4) are potential tools to suppress EMT and associated chemoresistance, which could be exploited clinically for the treatment of aggressive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Mudabir Ahmad
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India; Cancer Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India
| | - Debasis Nayak
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Khalid Bashir Mir
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India; Cancer Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India
| | - Mir Mohd Faheem
- Cancer Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India; School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu, Jammu, 180006, India
| | - Shah Nawaz
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India; Cancer Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India
| | - Govind Yadav
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India; Central Laboratory Animal Facility, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India
| | - Anindya Goswami
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India; Cancer Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, 180001, India.
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18
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Adaptation and selection shape clonal evolution of tumors during residual disease and recurrence. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5017. [PMID: 33024122 PMCID: PMC7539014 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18730-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The survival and recurrence of residual tumor cells following therapy constitutes one of the biggest obstacles to obtaining cures in breast cancer, but it remains unclear how the clonal composition of tumors changes during relapse. We use cellular barcoding to monitor clonal dynamics during tumor recurrence in vivo. We find that clonal diversity decreases during tumor regression, residual disease, and recurrence. The recurrence of dormant residual cells follows several distinct routes. Approximately half of the recurrent tumors exhibit clonal dominance with a small number of subclones comprising the vast majority of the tumor; these clonal recurrences are frequently dependent upon Met gene amplification. A second group of recurrent tumors comprises thousands of subclones, has a clonal architecture similar to primary tumors, and is dependent upon the Jak/Stat pathway. Thus the regrowth of dormant tumors proceeds via multiple routes, producing recurrent tumors with distinct clonal composition, genetic alterations, and drug sensitivities. The cellular composition of recurrent tumors can provide insight into resistance to therapy and inform on second line therapies. Here, using a genetically modified mouse, the authors perform barcoding experiments of the primary tumors to allow them to study the clonal dynamics of tumor recurrence.
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19
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Pattarawat P, Hong T, Wallace S, Hu Y, Donnell R, Wang TH, Tsai CL, Wang J, Wang HCR. Compensatory combination of romidepsin with gemcitabine and cisplatin to effectively and safely control urothelial carcinoma. Br J Cancer 2020; 123:226-239. [PMID: 32390005 PMCID: PMC7374627 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-0877-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human urothelial carcinoma (UC) has a high tendency to recur and progress to life-threatening advanced diseases. Advanced therapeutic regimens are needed to control UC development and recurrence. METHODS We pursued in vitro and in vivo studies to understand the ability of a triple combination of gemcitabine, romidepsin, and cisplatin (Gem+Rom+Cis) to modulate signalling pathways, cell death, drug resistance, and tumour development. RESULTS Our studies verified the ability of Gem+Rom+Cis to synergistically induce apoptotic cell death and reduce drug resistance in various UC cells. The ERK pathway and reactive oxygen species (ROS) played essential roles in mediating Gem+Rom+Cis-induced caspase activation, DNA oxidation and damage, glutathione reduction, and unfolded protein response. Gem+Rom+Cis preferentially induced death and reduced drug resistance in oncogenic H-Ras-expressing UC vs. counterpart cells that was associated with transcriptomic profiles related to ROS, cell death, and drug resistance. Our studies also verified the efficacy and safety of the Gem plus Rom+Cis regimen in controlling UC cell-derived xenograft tumour development and resistance. CONCLUSIONS More than 80% of UCs are associated with aberrant Ras-ERK pathway. Thus the compensatory combination of Rom with Gem and Cis should be seriously considered as an advanced regimen for treating advanced UCs, especially Ras-ERK-activated UCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawat Pattarawat
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.,UT-ORNL Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Tian Hong
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Shelby Wallace
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Yanchun Hu
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Robert Donnell
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Tzu-Hao Wang
- Genomic Medicine Research Core Laboratory, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lung Tsai
- Genomic Medicine Research Core Laboratory, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jinquan Wang
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Hwa-Chain Robert Wang
- Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA. .,UT-ORNL Graduate School of Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
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20
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Xu Y, Zhang Z, Zhang L, Zhang C. Novel module and hub genes of distinctive breast cancer associated fibroblasts identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Breast Cancer 2020; 27:1017-1028. [PMID: 32383139 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-020-01101-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As abundant and heterogeneous stromal cells in tumor microenvironment, carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are critically involved in cancer progression. METHODS To identify co-expression module and hub genes of distinctive breast CAFs, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was conducted based on the expression array results of CAFs from seven chemo-sensitive breast cancer (BC) patients and seven chemo-resistant ones before neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS A total of 4916 genes were included in WGCNA, and 12 modules were determined. Module-trait assay showed that the blue module (cor = 0.97, P < 0.001) was associated with CAF-related chemo-resistance, which was enriched mainly as "inflammatory response", "interferon-gamma-mediated signaling" and "NIK/NF-kappaB signaling" pathways. Moreover, CXCL8, CXCL10, CXCL11, PLSCR1, RIPK2 and USP18 were found to be potentially associated with chemo-resistance related to CAFs and prognosis of BC. CONCLUSIONS Our current data offered valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of distinctive breast CAFs, which was beneficial for revealing how chemo-resistance of BC was initiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangguang Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Luoyan Zhang
- Key Lab of Plant Stress Research, College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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21
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RIPK3 upregulation confers robust proliferation and collateral cystine-dependence on breast cancer recurrence. Cell Death Differ 2020; 27:2234-2247. [PMID: 31988496 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-020-0499-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular and genetic basis of tumor recurrence is complex and poorly understood. RIPK3 is a key effector in programmed necrotic cell death and, therefore, its expression is frequently suppressed in primary tumors. In a transcriptome profiling between primary and recurrent breast tumor cells from a murine model of breast cancer recurrence, we found that RIPK3, while absent in primary tumor cells, is dramatically reexpressed in recurrent breast tumor cells by an epigenetic mechanism. Unexpectedly, we found that RIPK3 knockdown in recurrent tumor cells reduced clonogenic growth, causing cytokinesis failure, p53 stabilization, and repressed the activities of YAP/TAZ. These data uncover a surprising role of the pro-necroptotic RIPK3 kinase in enabling productive cell cycle during tumor recurrence. Remarkably, high RIPK3 expression also rendered recurrent tumor cells exquisitely dependent on extracellular cystine and undergo necroptosis upon cystine deprivation. The induction of RIPK3 in recurrent tumors unravels an unexpected mechanism that paradoxically confers on tumors both growth advantage and necrotic vulnerability, providing potential strategies to eradicate recurrent tumors.
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22
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Kim K, Araujo P, Hebbar N, Zhou Z, Zheng X, Zheng F, Rangnekar VM, Zhan CG. Development of a novel prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) protein entity with an extended duration of action for therapeutic treatment of cancer. Protein Eng Des Sel 2019; 32:159-166. [PMID: 31711233 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzz034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) is a tumor suppressor which protects against neoplastic transformation. Remarkably, Par-4 is capable of inducing apoptosis selectively in cancer cells without affecting the normal cells. In this study, we found that recombinant Par-4 protein had limited serum persistence in mice that may diminish its anti-tumor activity in vivo. To improve the in vivo performance of the short-lived Par-4 protein, we aimed to develop a novel, long-lasting form of Par-4 with extended sequence, denoted as Par-4Ex, without affecting the desirable molecular function of the natural Par-4. We demonstrate that the Par-4Ex protein entity, produced by using the Escherichia coli expression system suitable for large-scale production, fully retains the desirable pro-apoptotic activity of Par-4 protein, but with ~7-fold improved biological half-life. Further in vivo tests confirmed that, due to the prolonged biological half-life, the Par-4Ex protein is indeed more potent in suppressing metastatic tumor growth in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungbo Kim
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40356, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Pereira Araujo
- Graduate Center for Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40356, USA
| | - Nikhil Hebbar
- Graduate Center for Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40356, USA
| | - Ziyuan Zhou
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40356, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Xirong Zheng
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40356, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Fang Zheng
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40356, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Vivek M Rangnekar
- Graduate Center for Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40356, USA.,Department of Radiation Medicine, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40356, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40356, USA.,Lucille Parker Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40356, USA
| | - Chang-Guo Zhan
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40356, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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23
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Watson ZL, Yamamoto TM, McMellen A, Kim H, Hughes CJ, Wheeler LJ, Post MD, Behbakht K, Bitler BG. Histone methyltransferases EHMT1 and EHMT2 (GLP/G9A) maintain PARP inhibitor resistance in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:165. [PMID: 31775874 PMCID: PMC6882350 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0758-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Euchromatic histone-lysine-N-methyltransferases 1 and 2 (EHMT1/2, aka GLP/G9A) catalyze dimethylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me2) and have roles in epigenetic silencing of gene expression. EHMT1/2 also have direct roles in DNA repair and are implicated in chemoresistance in several cancers. Resistance to chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors (PARPi) is a major cause of mortality in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), but the contribution of the epigenetic landscape is unknown. RESULTS To identify epigenetic mechanisms of PARPi resistance in HGSOC, we utilized unbiased exploratory techniques, including RNA-Seq and mass spectrometry profiling of histone modifications. Compared to sensitive cells, PARPi-resistant HGSOC cells display a global increase of H3K9me2 accompanied by overexpression of EHMT1/2. EHMT1/2 overexpression was also observed in a PARPi-resistant in vivo patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. Genetic or pharmacologic disruption of EHMT1/2 sensitizes HGSOC cells to PARPi. Cell death assays demonstrate that EHMT1/2 disruption does not increase PARPi-induced apoptosis. Functional DNA repair assays show that disruption of EHMT1/2 ablates homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), while immunofluorescent staining of phosphorylated histone H2AX shows large increases in DNA damage. Propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle show that PARPi treatment increases the proportion of PARPi-resistant cells in S and G2 phases, while cells treated with an EHMT1/2 inhibitor remain in G1. Co-treatment with PARPi and EHMT1/2 inhibitor produces an intermediate phenotype. Immunoblot of cell cycle regulators shows that combined EHMT1/2 and PARP inhibition reduces expression of specific cyclins and phosphorylation of mitotic markers. These data suggest DNA damage and altered cell cycle regulation as mechanisms of sensitization. RNA-Seq of PARPi-resistant cells treated with EHMT1/2 inhibitor showed significant gene expression changes enriched in pro-survival pathways that remain unexplored in the context of PARPi resistance, including PI3K, AKT, and mTOR. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that disrupting EHMT1/2 sensitizes HGSOC cells to PARPi, and suggests a potential mechanism through DNA damage and cell cycle dysregulation. RNA-Seq identifies several unexplored pathways that may alter PARPi resistance. Further study of EHMT1/2 and regulated genes will facilitate development of novel therapeutic strategies to successfully treat HGSOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary L Watson
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Tomomi M Yamamoto
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Alexandra McMellen
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Hyunmin Kim
- Translational Bioinformatics and Cancer Systems Biology Laboratory, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Connor J Hughes
- Medical Student Training Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Lindsay J Wheeler
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Miriam D Post
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Kian Behbakht
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Benjamin G Bitler
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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24
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Motamedi M, Hashemzadeh Chaleshtori M, Ghasemi S, Mokarian F. Plasma Level Of miR-21 And miR-451 In Primary And Recurrent Breast Cancer Patients. BREAST CANCER (DOVE MEDICAL PRESS) 2019; 11:293-301. [PMID: 31749630 PMCID: PMC6818541 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s224333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE MiR-21 and miR-451 are closely associated with tumor initiation, drug resistance, and recurrence of breast cancer (BC). This study was conducted to evaluate the possible value of the plasma level of miR-21 and miR-451 as potential biomarkers for the detection of primary and recurrent BC. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this descriptive-analytical study, the plasma level of miR-21 and miR-451 was measured in 23 primary BC patients, 24 recurrent (local/distant metastasis) BC patients, and 24 aged-match women as healthy controls using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS software, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of miRNAs was measured. RESULTS The plasma level of miR-21 was significantly increased in both groups of primary (P<0.001) and recurrent (P<0.001) BC patients in comparison with healthy women. However, the plasma level of miR-451 was not significantly changed in primary (P=0.065) and recurrent (P=0.06) BC patients than healthy controls. The elevation of both miR-21 and miR-451 plasma level was not significantly changed in recurrent patients compared with non-recurrent (primary) patients (P=0.481, and P=1, respectively). Based on the ROC analyses, the areas under the curves (AUC) for miR-21 in discriminating primary BC and recurrent BC patients from healthy controls were 0.828 (95% CI: 0.712 to 0.944) and 0.865 (95% CI: 0.756 to 0.974), respectively. CONCLUSION These data indicating that plasma miR-21 may be useful as a biomarker for the detection of both primary and recurrent BC. However, plasma miR-451 lacks enough sensitivity in the detection of primary and recurrent BC, and more studies are needed in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Motamedi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Morteza Hashemzadeh Chaleshtori
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Sorayya Ghasemi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Fariborz Mokarian
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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25
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Rahman MM, Brane AC, Tollefsbol TO. MicroRNAs and Epigenetics Strategies to Reverse Breast Cancer. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101214. [PMID: 31597272 PMCID: PMC6829616 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a sporadic disease with genetic and epigenetic components. Genomic instability in breast cancer leads to mutations, copy number variations, and genetic rearrangements, while epigenetic remodeling involves alteration by DNA methylation, histone modification and microRNAs (miRNAs) of gene expression profiles. The accrued scientific findings strongly suggest epigenetic dysregulation in breast cancer pathogenesis though genomic instability is central to breast cancer hallmarks. Being reversible and plastic, epigenetic processes appear more amenable toward therapeutic intervention than the more unidirectional genetic alterations. In this review, we discuss the epigenetic reprogramming associated with breast cancer such as shuffling of DNA methylation, histone acetylation, histone methylation, and miRNAs expression profiles. As part of this, we illustrate how epigenetic instability orchestrates the attainment of cancer hallmarks which stimulate the neoplastic transformation-tumorigenesis-malignancy cascades. As reversibility of epigenetic controls is a promising feature to optimize for devising novel therapeutic approaches, we also focus on the strategies for restoring the epistate that favor improved disease outcome and therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mijanur Rahman
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Andrew C Brane
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Trygve O Tollefsbol
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
- Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1802 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
- Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1675 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
- Comprehensive Diabetes Center, University of Alabama Birmingham, 1825 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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26
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Clark AM, Ponniah K, Warden MS, Raitt EM, Smith BG, Pascal SM. Tetramer formation by the caspase-activated fragment of the Par-4 tumor suppressor. FEBS J 2019; 286:4060-4073. [PMID: 31177609 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) tumor suppressor can selectively kill cancer cells via apoptosis while leaving healthy cells unharmed. Full length Par-4 has been shown to be predominantly intrinsically disordered in vitro under neutral conditions. As part of the apoptotic process, cellular Par-4 is cleaved at D131 by caspase-3, which generates a 24 kDa C-terminal activated fragment (cl-Par-4) that enters the nucleus and inhibits pro-survival genes, thereby preventing cancer cell proliferation. Here, the structure of cl-Par-4 was investigated using CD spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, intrinsic tyrosine fluorescence, and size exclusion chromatography with mutli-angle light scattering. Biophysical characterization shows that cl-Par-4 aggregates and is disordered at low ionic strength. However, with increasing ionic strength, cl-Par-4 becomes progressively more helical and less aggregated, ultimately forming largely ordered tetramers at high NaCl concentration. These results, together with previous results showing induced folding at acidic pH, suggest that the in vivo structure and self-association state of cl-Par-4 may be strongly dependent upon cellular environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Clark
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Komala Ponniah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Meghan S Warden
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Emily M Raitt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Benjamin G Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Steven M Pascal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
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27
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Walens A, DiMarco AV, Lupo R, Kroger BR, Damrauer JS, Alvarez JV. CCL5 promotes breast cancer recurrence through macrophage recruitment in residual tumors. eLife 2019; 8:e43653. [PMID: 30990165 PMCID: PMC6478432 DOI: 10.7554/elife.43653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over half of breast-cancer-related deaths are due to recurrence 5 or more years after initial diagnosis and treatment. This latency suggests that a population of residual tumor cells can survive treatment and persist in a dormant state for many years. The role of the microenvironment in regulating the survival and proliferation of residual cells following therapy remains unexplored. Using a conditional mouse model for Her2-driven breast cancer, we identify interactions between residual tumor cells and their microenvironment as critical for promoting tumor recurrence. Her2 downregulation leads to an inflammatory program driven by TNFα/NFκB signaling, which promotes immune cell infiltration in regressing and residual tumors. The cytokine CCL5 is elevated following Her2 downregulation and remains high in residual tumors. CCL5 promotes tumor recurrence by recruiting CCR5-expressing macrophages, which may contribute to collagen deposition in residual tumors. Blocking this TNFα-CCL5-macrophage axis may be efficacious in preventing breast cancer recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Walens
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Ashley V DiMarco
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Ryan Lupo
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Benjamin R Kroger
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Jeffrey S Damrauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - James V Alvarez
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamUnited States
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