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Wang J, Yin H, Li G, Wu D, Xu Y, Chen Y, Wang X, Xing Y, Zhang T, Fei D, Yang P, Fang F, Tao Y, Li X, Yu J, Yang Y, Li Z, Shi L, Zhang Z, Pan J. METTL14 promotes neuroblastoma formation by inhibiting YWHAH via an m6A-YTHDF1-dependent mechanism. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:186. [PMID: 38649363 PMCID: PMC11035551 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01959-8] [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: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common childhood tumor with a high incidence worldwide. The regulatory role of RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in gene expression has attracted significant attention, and the impact of methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14) on tumor progression has been extensively studied in various types of cancer. However, the specific influence of METTL14 on NB remains unexplored. Using data from the Target database, our study revealed significant upregulation of METTL14 expression in high-risk NB patients, with strong correlation with poor prognosis. Furthermore, we identified ETS1 and YY1 as upstream regulators that control the expression of METTL14. In vitro experiments involving the knockdown of METTL14 in NB cells demonstrated significant inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, suppressing METTL14 inhibited NB tumorigenesis in nude mouse models. Through MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq analyses, we further discovered that YWHAH is a downstream target gene of METTL14. Mechanistically, we observed that methylated YWHAH transcripts, particularly those in the 5' UTR, were specifically recognized by the m6A "reader" protein YTHDF1, leading to the degradation of YWHAH mRNA. Moreover, the downregulation of YWHAH expression activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, promoting NB cell activity. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the oncogenic effects of METTL14 in NB cells, highlighting its role in inhibiting YWHAH expression through an m6A-YTHDF1-dependent mechanism. These findings also suggest the potential utility of a biomarker panel for prognostic prediction in NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Wang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hongli Yin
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Gen Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Di Wu
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yunyun Xu
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanling Chen
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yujiao Xing
- Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- School of Medical Technology and Information Engineering, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Danhong Fei
- Department of Pediatrics, Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Pengcheng Yang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanfang Tao
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaolu Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Juanjuan Yu
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhiheng Li
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zimu Zhang
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Jian Pan
- Institute of Pediatric Research, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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Sun Z, Wang J, Zhang Q, Meng X, Ma Z, Niu J, Guo R, Tran LJ, Zhang J, Liu Y, Ye F, Ma B. Coordinating single-cell and bulk RNA-seq in deciphering the intratumoral immune landscape and prognostic stratification of prostate cancer patients. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:657-668. [PMID: 37565774 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prostate cancer is a common cancer among male population. The aberrant expression of histone modifiers has been identified as a potential driving force in numerous cancer types. However, the mechanism of histone modifiers in the development of prostate cancer remains unknown. METHODS Expression profiles and clinical data were obtained from GSE70769, GSE46602, and GSE67980. Seruat R package was utilized to calculate the gene set enrichment of the histone modification pathway and obtain the Histone score. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Cox regression analyses were employed to identify marker genes with prognostic value. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted to assess the efficacy of the prognostic model. In addition, microenvironment cell populations counter (MCPcounter), single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), and xCell algorithms were employed for immune infiltration analysis. Drug sensitivity prediction was performed using oncoPredict R package. RESULTS We screened differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between Histone-high score (Histone-H) and Histone-low score (Histone-L) groups, which were enriched in RNA splicing and DNA-binding transcription factor binding pathways. We retained four prognostic marker genes, including TACC3, YWHAH, TAF1C and TTLL5. The risk model showed significant efficacy in stratification of the prognosis of prostate cancer patients in both internal and external cohorts (p < .0001 and p = .032, respectively). In addition, prognostic gene YWHAH was infiltrated in abundance of fibroblasts and highly correlated with Entinostat_1593 drug sensitivity score and the value of risk score. CONCLUSION We innovatively developed a histone modification-related prognostic model with high prognostic potency and identified YWHAH as possible diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for prostate cancer. It provides novel insights to address prostate cancer and enhance clinical outcomes, thereby opening up a new avenue for customized treatment alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Sun
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
- Department of Urology, The Second People's Hospital of Meishan City, Meishan, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Second People's Hospital of Meishan City, Meishan, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiangdi Meng
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Zhaosen Ma
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Jiqiang Niu
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Lisa Jia Tran
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jing Zhang
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Vermillion, South Dakota, USA
| | - Yunfei Liu
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Fangdie Ye
- Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Baoluo Ma
- Department of Urology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, China
- Department of Urology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, China
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Zhang Y, Liu P, Wen D, Xiong H, Zhou Z, Yan L. Regulation of Cervical Cancer Development by a Novel Circ_0000212/miR-1236-3p/GREM1 ceRNA Crosstalk. Mol Biotechnol 2023; 65:2086-2098. [PMID: 36952219 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00721-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) possess important functions in cervical carcinogenesis by operating as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). Our preliminary bioinformatics predicted the potential circ_0000212/microRNA (miR)-1236-3p/gremlin 1 (GREM1) ceRNA crosstalk. Thus, we further elucidated whether the novel ceRNA crosstalk can participate in cervical cancer development. Circ_0000212, miR-1236-3p and GREM1 were quantified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunoblotting. 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, flow cytometry, and tube formation assay were performed to assess cell proliferation, apoptosis and tube formation, respectively. Transwell assay was used to detect cell migration and invasion. Mouse xenografts were established to evaluate the role of circ_0000212 in vivo. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the direct relationship between miR-1236-3p and circ_0000212 or GREM1. Circ_0000212 expression was elevated in human cervical cancer. Silencing of endogenous circ_0000212 hindered cancer cell proliferation, motility and invasion and induced apoptosis, as well as diminished the tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. Circ_0000212 silencing also weakened tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, circ_0000212 directly bound to miR-1236-3p, and downregulation of miR-1236-3p reversed these effects of circ_0000212 silencing on cell malignant phenotypes and HUVEC tube formation. GREM1 was a direct miR-1236-3p target, and its expression was regulated by circ_0000212 through miR-1236-3p. Moreover, miR-1236-3p upregulation impeded cancer cell malignant phenotypes and HUVEC tube formation by targeting GREM1. Our findings identify a novel ceRNA regulatory network, circ_0000212/miR-1236-3p/GREM1 axis, in cervical carcinogenesis, and provide potential targets that can be explored for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Lianyungang, 222000, China
| | - Peili Liu
- Department of Gynaecology, Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, No.669 Qindongmen Road, Haizhou, Lianyungang, 222000, China.
| | - Daoqing Wen
- Department of Gynaecology, Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, No.669 Qindongmen Road, Haizhou, Lianyungang, 222000, China
| | - Haizhen Xiong
- Department of Gynaecology, Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, No.669 Qindongmen Road, Haizhou, Lianyungang, 222000, China
| | - Zhe Zhou
- Department of Gynaecology, Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, No.669 Qindongmen Road, Haizhou, Lianyungang, 222000, China
| | - Li Yan
- Department of Pathology, Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Lianyungang, 222000, China
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Zhu D, Zhao D, Wang N, Cai F, Jiang M, Zheng Z. Current status and prospects of GREM1 research in cancer (Review). Mol Clin Oncol 2023; 19:69. [PMID: 37614374 PMCID: PMC10442762 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2023.2665] [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: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
GREM1 is a secreted protein that antagonizes bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and participates in critical biological processes, including embryonic development, organogenesis and tissue differentiation. Gremlin 1 (GREM1) is also an inhibitor of TGF-β and a ligand for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. In addition, GREM1 can induce cells, participate in the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and then participate in tumor development. GREM1 has a variety of biological functions and can participate in the malignant progression of a variety of tumors through the BMP signaling pathway. GREM1 also can inhibit TGF-β in some tumors, thereby inhibiting tumors, and its involvement in tumor development varies in different types of cancer. The present review examines the role and function of GREM1 in tumors. GREM1 is expressed in a variety of tumor types. GREM1 expression can affect the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of tumor cells. GREM1 has been studied in breast and colon cancer, and its potential role is to promote cancer. However, in pancreatic cancer, which was found to act differently from other cancer types, overexpression of GREM1 inhibits tumor metastasis. The present review suggests that GREM1 can be a diagnostic and prognostic indicator. In future studies, the study of GREM1 based on single-cell sequencing technology will further clarify its role and function in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dantong Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Dong Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Naixue Wang
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Jinzhou Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 121017, P.R. China
| | - Fei Cai
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Mingzhe Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Zhendong Zheng
- Department of Medical Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
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5
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Gao Z, Houthuijzen JM, Ten Dijke P, Brazil DP. GREM1 signaling in cancer: tumor promotor and suppressor? J Cell Commun Signal 2023:10.1007/s12079-023-00777-4. [PMID: 37615860 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-023-00777-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
GREMLIN1 (GREM1) is member of a family of structurally and functionally related secreted cysteine knot proteins, which act to sequester and inhibit the action of multifunctional bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). GREM1 binds directly to BMP dimers, thereby preventing BMP-mediated activation of BMP type I and type II receptors. Multiple reports identify the overexpression of GREM1 as a contributing factor in a broad range of cancers. Additionally, the GREM1 gene is amplified in a rare autosomal dominant inherited form of colorectal cancer. The inhibitory effects of GREM1 on BMP signaling have been linked to these tumor-promoting effects, including facilitating cancer cell stemness and the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts. Moreover, GREM1 has been described to bind and signal to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and stimulate angiogenesis, as well as epidermal and fibroblast growth factor receptor (EGFR and FGFR) to elicit tumor-promoting effects in breast and prostate cancer, respectively. In contrast, a 2022 report revealed that GREM1 can promote an epithelial state in pancreatic cancers, thereby inhibiting pancreatic tumor growth and metastasis. In this commentary, we will review these disparate findings and attempt to provide clarity around the role of GREM1 signaling in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichun Gao
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Julia M Houthuijzen
- Oncode Institute, Division of Molecular Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, Amsterdam, 1066 CX, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Oncode Institute, Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Derek P Brazil
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, UK.
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Stehn JR, Floyd SR, Wilker EW, Reinhardt HC, Clarke SM, Huang Q, Polakiewicz RD, Sonenberg N, Kong YW, Yaffe MB. MAPKAP Kinase-2 phosphorylation of PABPC1 controls its interaction with 14-3-3 proteins after DNA damage: A combined kinase and protein array approach. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1148933. [PMID: 37091863 PMCID: PMC10117672 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1148933] [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: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
14-3-3 proteins play critical roles in controlling multiple aspects of the cellular response to stress and DNA damage including regulation of metabolism, cell cycle progression, cell migration, and apoptotic cell death by binding to protein substrates of basophilic protein kinases following their phosphorylation on specific serine/threonine residues. Although over 200 mammalian proteins that bind to 14-3-3 have been identified, largely through proteomic studies, in many cases the relevant protein kinase responsible for conferring 14-3-3-binding to these proteins is not known. To facilitate the identification of kinase-specific 14-3-3 clients, we developed a biochemical approach using high-density protein filter arrays and identified the translational regulatory molecule PABPC1 as a substrate for Chk1 and MAPKAP Kinase-2 (MK2) in vitro, and for MK2 in vivo, whose phosphorylation results in 14-3-3-binding. We identify Ser-470 on PABPC1 within the linker region connecting the RRM domains to the PABC domain as the critical 14-3-3-binding site, and demonstrate that loss of PABPC1 binding to 14-3-3 results in increased cell proliferation and decreased cell death in response to UV-induced DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine R. Stehn
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Scott R. Floyd
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Erik W. Wilker
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - H. Christian Reinhardt
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Scott M. Clarke
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Qiuying Huang
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Nahum Sonenberg
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Centre, Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yi Wen Kong
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Michael B. Yaffe
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Divisions of Surgical Oncology, Trauma, and Surgical Critical Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Surgical Oncology Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Fukuda T, Suzuki E, Fukuda R. Bone morphogenetic protein signaling is a possible therapeutic target in gynecologic cancer. Cancer Sci 2023; 114:722-729. [PMID: 36468782 PMCID: PMC9986083 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15682] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily. BMPs play crucial roles in embryogenesis and bone remodeling. Recently, BMP signaling has been found to have diverse effects on different types of tumors. In this review, we summarized the effects of BMP signaling on gynecologic cancer. BMP signaling has tumor-promoting effects on ovarian cancer (OC) and endometrial cancer (EC), whereas it has tumor-suppressing effects on uterine cervical cancer (UCC). Interestingly, EC has frequent gain-of-function mutations in ACVR1, encoding one of the type I BMP receptors, which are also observed in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Little is known about the relationship between BMP signaling and other gynecologic cancers. Tumor-promoting effects of BMP signaling in OC and EC are dependent on the promotion of cancer stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In accordance, BMP receptor kinase inhibitors suppress the cell growth and migration of OC and EC. Since both cancer stemness and EMT are associated with chemoresistance, BMP signaling activation might also be an important mechanism by which OC and EC patients acquire chemoresistance. Therefore, BMP inhibitors are promising for OC and EC patients even if they become resistant to standard chemotherapy. In contrast, BMP signaling inhibits UCC growth in vitro. However, the in vivo effects of BMP signaling have not been elucidated in UCC. In conclusion, BMP signaling has a variety of functions, depending on the types of gynecologic cancer. Therefore, targeting BMP signaling should improve the treatment of patients with gynecologic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiko Fukuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eri Suzuki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Risa Fukuda
- Division of Dermatology, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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Grillo E, Ravelli C, Colleluori G, D'Agostino F, Domenichini M, Giordano A, Mitola S. Role of gremlin-1 in the pathophysiology of the adipose tissues. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2023; 69:51-60. [PMID: 36155165 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gremlin-1 is a secreted bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist playing a pivotal role in the regulation of tissue formation and embryonic development. Since its first identification in 1997, gremlin-1 has been shown to be a multifunctional factor involved in wound healing, inflammation, cancer and tissue fibrosis. Among others, the activity of gremlin-1 is mediated by its interaction with BMPs or with membrane receptors such as the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) or heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). Growing evidence has highlighted a central role of gremlin-1 in the homeostasis of the adipose tissue (AT). Of note, gremlin-1 is involved in AT dysfunction during type 2 diabetes, obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) metabolic disorders. In this review we discuss recent findings on gremlin-1 involvement in AT biology, with particular attention to its role in metabolic diseases, to highlight its potential as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Grillo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Cosetta Ravelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Georgia Colleluori
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Tronto 10/A, 60020 Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco D'Agostino
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mattia Domenichini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Tronto 10/A, 60020 Ancona, Italy
| | - Stefania Mitola
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Interactions between 14-3-3 Proteins and Actin Cytoskeleton and Its Regulation by microRNAs and Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer. ENDOCRINES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/endocrines3040057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
14-3-3s are a family of structurally similar proteins that bind to phosphoserine or phosphothreonine residues, forming the central signaling hub that coordinates or integrates various cellular functions, thereby controlling many pathways important in cancer, cell motility, cell death, cytoskeletal remodeling, neuro-degenerative disorders and many more. Their targets are present in all cellular compartments, and when they bind to proteins they alter their subcellular localization, stability, and molecular interactions with other proteins. Changes in environmental conditions that result in altered homeostasis trigger the interaction between 14-3-3 and other proteins to retrieve or rescue homeostasis. In circumstances where these regulatory proteins are dysregulated, it leads to pathological conditions. Therefore, deeper understanding is needed on how 14-3-3 proteins bind, and how these proteins are regulated or modified. This will help to detect disease in early stages or design inhibitors to block certain pathways. Recently, more research has been devoted to identifying the role of MicroRNAs, and long non-coding RNAs, which play an important role in regulating gene expression. Although there are many reviews on the role of 14-3-3 proteins in cancer, they do not provide a holistic view of the changes in the cell, which is the focus of this review. The unique feature of the review is that it not only focuses on how the 14-3-3 subunits associate and dissociate with their binding and regulatory proteins, but also includes the role of micro-RNAs and long non-coding RNAs and how they regulate 14-3-3 isoforms. The highlight of the review is that it focuses on the role of 14-3-3, actin, actin binding proteins and Rho GTPases in cancer, and how this complex is important for cell migration and invasion. Finally, the reader is provided with super-resolution high-clarity images of each subunit of the 14-3-3 protein family, further depicting their distribution in HeLa cells to illustrate their interactions in a cancer cell.
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Ma Y, Yang D, Guo P. Circ_0000144 acts as a miR-1178-3p decoy to promote cell malignancy and angiogenesis by increasing YWHAH expression in papillary thyroid cancer. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2022; 51:28. [PMID: 35902926 PMCID: PMC9330660 DOI: 10.1186/s40463-022-00574-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common subtype of thyroid cancer. Circular RNA hsa_circ_0000144 (circ_0000144) is related to the progression of thyroid cancer. However, the mechanism by which circ_0000144 accelerates PTC progression is still unclear. Circ_0000144 and YWHAH were upregulated in PTC tissues and cells, while miR-1178-3p had an opposite result. Circ_0000144 silencing constrained PTC cell growth in vitro and in vivo and induced apoptosis and repressed migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of PTC cells in vitro. Circ_0000144 acted as a molecular sponge for miR-1178-3p, which targeted YWHAH. MiR-1178-3p inhibitor reversed circ_0000144 silencing-mediated influence on PTC cell malignancy and angiogenesis. Furthermore, YWHAH overexpression overturned miR-1178-3p mimic-mediated influence on malignant behaviors and angiogenesis of PTC cells. Notably, circ_0000144 regulated YWHAH expression by adsorbing miR-1178-3p. Circ_0000144 promoted cell malignancy and angiogenesis by regulating the miR-1178-3p/YWHAH axis in PTC, offering a novel mechanism for the malignancy and angiogenesis of PTC cells. Inhibition of circ_0000144 repressed malignant behaviors and angiogenesis of PTC cells in vitro. Knockdown of circ_0000144 constrained PTC cell proliferation in vivo. Circ_0000144 acted as a miR-1178-3p sponge. YWHAH acted as a downstream target for miR-1178-3p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinli Ma
- Department of Inspection, The First People's Hospital of Fuyang District, No.429, Beihuan Road, Fuyang District, Hangzhou, 311400, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Dan Yang
- Department of Inspection, The First People's Hospital of Fuyang District, No.429, Beihuan Road, Fuyang District, Hangzhou, 311400, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pingan Guo
- Department of Inspection, The First People's Hospital of Fuyang District, No.429, Beihuan Road, Fuyang District, Hangzhou, 311400, Zhejiang, China
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Gremlin-1 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Cell Metastasis by Activating ATF6 and Inhibiting ATF4 Pathways. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142136. [PMID: 35883579 PMCID: PMC9324664 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142136] [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: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell survival, function and fate strongly depend on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteostasis. Although previous studies have implicated the ER stress signaling network in all stages of cancer development, its role in cancer metastasis remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the role of Gremlin-1 (GREM1), a secreted protein, in the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in vitro and in vivo. Firstly, public datasets showed a positive correlation between high expression of GREM1 and a poor prognosis for CRC. Secondly, GREM1 enhanced motility and invasion of CRC cells by epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Thirdly, GREM1 upregulated expression of activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) and downregulated that of ATF4, and modulation of the two key players of the unfolded protein response (UPR) was possibly through activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and antagonization of BMP2 signaling pathways, respectively. Taken together, our results demonstrate that GREM1 is an invasion-promoting factor via regulation of ATF6 and ATF4 expression in CRC cells, suggesting GREM1 may be a potential pharmacological target for colorectal cancer treatment.
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12
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Kamali Zonouzi S, Pezeshki PS, Razi S, Rezaei N. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in colorectal cancer. Clin Transl Oncol 2021; 24:757-769. [PMID: 34839457 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-021-02734-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of mortality among cancers. Many aspects of this cancer are under investigation to find established markers of diagnosis, prognosis, and also potential drug targets. In this review article, we are going to discuss the possible solution to all these aims by investigating the literature about cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) involved in CRC. Moreover, we are going to review their interaction with the tumor microenvironment (TME) and vitamin D and their role in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Moreover, we are going to expand more on some markers produced by them or related to them including FAP, a-SMA, CXCL12, TGF- β, POSTN, and β1-Integrin. Some signaling pathways related to CAFs are as follows: FAK, AKT, activin A, and YAP/TAZ. Some genes related to the CAFs which are found to be possible therapeutic targets include COL3A1, JAM3, AEBP1 and, CAF-derived TGFB3, WNT2, and WNT54.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kamali Zonouzi
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - P S Pezeshki
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - S Razi
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - N Rezaei
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd, 14194, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Stockholm, Sweden.
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13
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Correns A, Zimmermann LMA, Baldock C, Sengle G. BMP antagonists in tissue development and disease. Matrix Biol Plus 2021; 11:100071. [PMID: 34435185 PMCID: PMC8377005 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2021.100071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) are important growth regulators in embryogenesis and postnatal homeostasis. Their tight regulation is crucial for successful embryonic development as well as tissue homeostasis in the adult organism. BMP inhibition by natural extracellular biologic antagonists represents the most intensively studied mechanistic concept of BMP growth factor regulation. It was shown to be critical for numerous developmental programs, including germ layer specification and spatiotemporal gradients required for the establishment of the dorsal-ventral axis and organ formation. The importance of BMP antagonists for extracellular matrix homeostasis is illustrated by the numerous human connective tissue disorders caused by their mutational inactivation. Here, we will focus on the known functional interactions targeting BMP antagonists to the ECM and discuss how these interactions influence BMP antagonist activity. Moreover, we will provide an overview about the current concepts and investigated molecular mechanisms modulating BMP inhibitor function in the context of development and disease.
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Key Words
- ALK3, anaplastic lymphoma kinase 3
- ATF2, activating transcription factor 2
- ActR, activin receptor
- BDB2, brachydactyly type B2
- BISC, BMP-induced signalling complex
- BMP antagonists
- BMPER, BMP binding endothelial regulator
- BMPs, bone morphogenetic proteins
- Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)
- CAN, cerberus and DAN
- CDD, craniodiaphyseal dysplasia
- CHRD domain, chordin specific domain
- CUB domain, for complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, Bmp1 domain
- Connective tissue disorder
- Cv2, crossveinless-2
- DAN, differential screening selected gene aberrative in neuroblastoma
- DSD, diaphanospondylodysostosis
- Dpp, decapentaplegic
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- ERK, extracellular signal-regulated kinases
- Extracellular matrix (ECM)
- FMF, fibrillin microfibrils
- HS, heparan sulphate
- HSPGs, heparan sulphate proteoglycans
- MAPKs, mitogen-activated protein kinases
- MGC1, megalocornea 1
- PI3K, phosphoinositide 3-kinase
- PRDC, protein related to DAN and Cerberus
- SOST, sclerostin
- SYNS1, multiple synostoses syndrome 1
- Scw, screw
- Sog, short gastrulation
- TCC, tarsal-carpal coalition syndrome
- TGF-β, transforming growth factor- β
- Tld, tolloid
- Tsg, twisted gastrulation
- VBCH, Van Buchem disease
- Xlr/Tll, xolloid-related metalloprotease
- vWC, von Willebrand factor type C
- vWD, von Willebrand factor type D
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Affiliation(s)
- Annkatrin Correns
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 52, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Laura-Marie A. Zimmermann
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 52, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Clair Baldock
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, University of Manchester, B.3016 Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, M13 9PT, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, M13 9PT, Manchester, UK
| | - Gerhard Sengle
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 52, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Str. 21, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Centre for Musculoskeletal Biomechanics (CCMB), Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9, 50931 Cologne, Germany
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Liu H, Han X, Yang H, Cao Y, Zhang C, Du J, Diao S, Fan Z. GREM1 inhibits osteogenic differentiation, senescence and BMP transcription of adipose-derived stem cells. Connect Tissue Res 2021; 62:325-336. [PMID: 32151168 DOI: 10.1080/03008207.2020.1736054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are ideal for cell-based therapies to support bone regeneration. It is vital to understand the critical genes and molecular mechanisms involved in the functional regulation of ADSCs for enhancing bone regeneration. In the present study, we investigated the Gremlin 1 (GREM1) effect on ADSCs osteogenic differentiation and senescence.Materials and methods: The in vitro ADSCs osteogenic differentiation potential was evaluated by determining alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization ability, and the expression of osteogenic markers. Cell senescence is determined by SA-β-gal staining, telomerase assay, and the expression of aging markers.Results: GREM1 overexpression in ADSCs reduced ALP activity and mineralization, inhibited the expression of osteogenic related genes OCN, OPN, DSPP, DMP1, and BSP, and key transcription factors, RUNX2 and OSX. GREM1 knockdown in ADSCs enhanced ALP activity and mineralization, promoted the expression of OCN, OPN, DSPP, DMP1, BSP, RUNX2, and OSX. GREM1 overexpression in ADSCs reduced the percent SA-β-Gal positive cells, P16 and P53 expressions, and increased telomerase activity. GREM1 knockdown in ADSCs increased the percentage of SA-β-Gal positive cells, P16 and P53 expressions, and reduced telomerase activity. Furthermore, GREM1 reduced the mRNA expression levels of BMP2, BMP6, and BMP7.Conclusions: In summary, our findings suggested that GREM1 inhibited ADSCs senescence and osteogenic differentiation and antagonized BMP transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huina Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Haoqing Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yangyang Cao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Du
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shu Diao
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhipeng Fan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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15
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Sun Q, Qi X, Zhang W, Li X. Knockdown of circRNA_0007534 suppresses the tumorigenesis of cervical cancer via miR-206/GREM1 axis. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:54. [PMID: 33446214 PMCID: PMC7809877 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01749-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence manifested that circular RNAs (circRNAs) acted as crucial regulators in human cancers by targeting the miRNA/mRNA axis, including cervical cancer (CC). Circ_0007534 was reported to promote CC cell proliferation and invasion by the miR-498/BMI-1 axis. The aim of this study was to explore a novel miRNA/mRNA network underlying circ_0007534 in CC regulation. METHODS The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was implemented to examine the levels of circ_0007534, miR-206 and Gremlin1 (GREM1). Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. BrdU and colony formation assays were performed for analyzing cell proliferation. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of GREM1 and apoptotic markers (Bcl-2, Bax, C-Caspase3) were measured via western blot. Cell invasion was detected by transwell assay. The target relationship was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The impact of circ_0007534 on CC growth in vivo was ascertained by xenograft assay. RESULTS Circ_0007534 expression was aberrantly increased in CC tissues and cells. Functionally, knockdown of circ_0007534 reduced CC cell growth and invasion but motivated apoptosis. In the mechanism, circ_0007534 targeted miR-206 and its regulatory function was associated with sponging miR-206. Moreover, circ_0007534 was found to regulate GREM1 level by targeting miR-206. The inhibitory effect of si-circ_0007534 on the malignant progression of CC was reversed after GREM1 was overexpressed. Furthermore, circ_0007534 inhibition also reduced tumor growth of CC in vivo partially by regulating miR-206/GREM1 axis. CONCLUSION These results suggested that knockdown of circ_0007534 promoted the level of miR-206 to induce the expression downregulation of GREM1, consequently inhibiting the progression of CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zaozhuang Municipal Hospital, No. 41, Longtou Road, Zaozhuang, 277100, Shandong, China
| | - Xiangying Qi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zaozhuang Municipal Hospital, No. 41, Longtou Road, Zaozhuang, 277100, Shandong, China
| | - Wenyan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zaozhuang Municipal Hospital, No. 41, Longtou Road, Zaozhuang, 277100, Shandong, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Shandong Academy of Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
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16
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Yin K, Liu X. Circ_0020397 regulates the viability of vascular smooth muscle cells by up-regulating GREM1 expression via miR-502-5p in intracranial aneurysm. Life Sci 2020; 265:118800. [PMID: 33242525 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Circ_0020397 has been found to be down-regulated in intracranial aneurysm (IA), and deregulation of circ_0020397 involved in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation. However, the mechanism by which circ_0020397 implicates in VSMC dysfunction in IA remains vague. MATERIALS AND METHODS The expression of circ_0020397, miR-502-5p and Gremlin 1 (GREM1) was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability was analyzed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and GREM1 were measured using western blot. The interaction between miR-502-5p and circ_0020397 or GREM1 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter, RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. KEY FINDINGS Circ_0020397 or GREM1 expression was decreased in VSMCs isolated from IA patients, and overexpression of circ_0020397 or GREM1 promoted VSMC viability and elevated PCNA expression level, while inhibition of them showed opposite effects. MiR-502-5p was confirmed to directly bind to circ_0020397 or GREM1, and miR-502-5p reversed the effects of circ_0020397 on VSMC viability and PCNA level. Besides, miR-502-5p overexpression suppressed VSMC viability and reduced PCNA level, while these effects were attenuated by GREM1 up-regulation. Importantly, circ_0020397 could regulate GREM1 expression via miR-502-5p in VSMCs. SIGNIFICANCE Circ_0020397 played an important role in phenotypic modulation in IA by promoting VSMC viability via miR-502-5p/GREM1 axis, suggesting a novel insight into IA pathogenesis and new targets for IA molecular therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Yin
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Xianzhi Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
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17
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Kim NH, Sung NJ, Youn HS, Park SA. Gremlin-1 activates Akt/STAT3 signaling, which increases the glycolysis rate in breast cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 533:1378-1384. [PMID: 33097188 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Gremlin-1 (GREM1), one of the antagonists of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), has recently been reported to be overexpressed in a variety of cancers including breast cancer. GREM1 is involved in tumor promotion, but little is known about its role in the glycolysis of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the role of GREM1 in glycolysis of breast cancer cells and its underlying molecular mechanisms. We first observed that glucose uptake and lactate production were increased in GREM1-overexpressing breast cancer cells. GREM1 increased the expression of hexokinase-2 (HK2), which catalyzes the phosphorylation of glucose, the first step in glycolysis. In addition, GREM1 activated STAT3 transcription factor through the ROS-Akt signaling pathway. The ROS-Akt-STAT3 axis activated by GREM1 was involved in promoting glucose uptake by increasing the expression of HK2 in breast cancer cells. Therefore, our study suggested a new mechanism by which GREM1 is involved in breast cancer promotion by increasing glycolysis in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Hui Kim
- Department of ICT Environmental Health System, Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam Ji Sung
- Department of ICT Environmental Health System, Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Sun Youn
- Department of ICT Environmental Health System, Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Sin-Aye Park
- Department of ICT Environmental Health System, Graduate School, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, 31538, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Characterization of the expression and prognostic value of 14-3-3 isoforms in breast cancer. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:19597-19617. [PMID: 33052135 PMCID: PMC7732302 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation proteins (14-3-3) participate in the tumorigenesis and progression of numerous malignances, but their precise prognostic values in breast cancer (BrCa) remain unknown. Here, we investigated the expression profiles and prognostic roles of 14-3-3 isoforms by employing multiple online databases. The transcriptional levels of most 14-3-3 isoforms in BrCa tissues were significantly higher than those in normal tissues. High mRNA expression of 14-3-3 beta/sigma/theta/zeta was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) in BrCa patients, while high mRNA expression of 14-3-3 epsilon was notably related to favorable OS. High mRNA expression of 14-3-3 beta/gamma/sigma/theta/zeta was significantly associated with poor relapse-free survival (RFS) in BrCa patients. A high mutation rate of 14-3-3 was determined to be associated with poor clinical outcomes. In addition, 14-3-3 expression was correlated with the infiltration of specific immune cells types. Analysis of the breast-specific protein-protein interaction (PPI) network suggested that 14-3-3 proteins were involved in several potential oncogenic mechanisms in BrCa. Finally, we performed experimentally validated their oncogenic roles in BrCa. Overall, our findings systematically elucidate the expression and distinct prognostic value of 14-3-3 isoforms in BrCa, which may provide potential therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers for BrCa.
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19
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Targeted Disruption of Bone Marrow Stromal Cell-Derived Gremlin1 Limits Multiple Myeloma Disease Progression In Vivo. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082149. [PMID: 32756430 PMCID: PMC7464474 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In most instances, multiple myeloma (MM) plasma cells (PCs) are reliant on factors made by cells of the bone marrow (BM) stroma for their survival and growth. To date, the nature and cellular composition of the BM tumor microenvironment and the critical factors which drive tumor progression remain imprecisely defined. Our studies show that Gremlin1 (Grem1), a highly conserved protein, which is abundantly secreted by a subset of BM mesenchymal stromal cells, plays a critical role in MM disease development. Analysis of human and mouse BM stromal samples by quantitative PCR showed that GREM1/Grem1 expression was significantly higher in the MM tumor-bearing cohorts compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05, Mann–Whitney test). Additionally, BM-stromal cells cultured with 5TGM1 MM PC line expressed significantly higher levels of Grem1, compared to stromal cells alone (p < 0.01, t-test), suggesting that MM PCs promote increased Grem1 expression in stromal cells. Furthermore, the proliferation of 5TGM1 MM PCs was found to be significantly increased when co-cultured with Grem1-overexpressing stromal cells (p < 0.01, t-test). To examine the role of Grem1 in MM disease in vivo, we utilized the 5TGM1/KaLwRij mouse model of MM. Our studies showed that, compared to immunoglobulin G (IgG) control antibody-treated mice, mice treated with an anti-Grem1 neutralizing antibody had a decrease in MM tumor burden of up to 81.2% (p < 0.05, two-way ANOVA). The studies presented here demonstrate, for the first time, a novel positive feedback loop between MM PCs and BM stroma, and that inhibiting this vicious cycle with a neutralizing antibody can dramatically reduce tumor burden in a preclinical mouse model of MM.
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Todd GM, Gao Z, Hyvönen M, Brazil DP, Ten Dijke P. Secreted BMP antagonists and their role in cancer and bone metastases. Bone 2020; 137:115455. [PMID: 32473315 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2020.115455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multifunctional secreted cytokines that act in a highly context-dependent manner. BMP action extends beyond the induction of cartilage and bone formation, to encompass pivotal roles in controlling tissue and organ homeostasis during development and adulthood. BMPs signal via plasma membrane type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors and intracellular SMAD transcriptional effectors. Exquisite temporospatial control of BMP/SMAD signalling and crosstalk with other cellular cues is achieved by a series of positive and negative regulators at each step in the BMP/SMAD pathway. The interaction of BMP ligand with its receptors is carefully controlled by a diverse set of secreted antagonists that bind BMPs and block their interaction with their cognate BMP receptors. Perturbations in this BMP/BMP antagonist balance are implicated in a range of developmental disorders and diseases, including cancer. Here, we provide an overview of the structure and function of secreted BMP antagonists, and summarize recent novel insights into their role in cancer progression and bone metastasis. Gremlin1 (GREM1) is a highly studied BMP antagonist, and we will focus on this molecule in particular and its role in cancer. The therapeutic potential of pharmacological inhibitors for secreted BMP antagonists for cancer and other human diseases will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace M Todd
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Zhichun Gao
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Marko Hyvönen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK.
| | - Derek P Brazil
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Oncode Institute, Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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21
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Meng L, Teng X, Liu Y, Yang C, Wang S, Yuan W, Meng J, Chi H, Duan L, Liu X. Vital Roles of Gremlin-1 in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Induced by Systemic-to-Pulmonary Shunts. J Am Heart Assoc 2020; 9:e016586. [PMID: 32750294 PMCID: PMC7792280 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.016586] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Heterozygous mutation in BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) receptor 2 is rare, but BMP cascade suppression is common in congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CHD-PAH); however, the underling mechanism of BMP cascade suppression independent of BMP receptor 2 mutation is unknown. Methods and Results Pulmonary hypertensive status observed in CHD-PAH was surgically reproduced in rats. Gremlin-1 expression was increased, but BMP cascade was suppressed, in lungs from CHD-PAH patients and shunted rats, whereas shunt correction retarded these trends in rats. Immunostaining demonstrated increased gremlin-1 was mainly in the endothelium and media of remodeled pulmonary arteries. However, mechanical stretch time- and amplitude-dependently stimulated gremlin-1 secretion and suppressed BMP cascade in distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from healthy rats. Under static condition, gremlin-1 significantly promoted the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from healthy rats via BMP cascade. Furthermore, plasma gremlin-1 closely correlated with hemodynamic parameters in CHD-PAH patients and shunted rats. Conclusions Serving as an endogenous antagonist of BMP cascade, the increase of gremlin-1 in CHD-PAH may present a reasonable mechanism explanation for BMP cascade suppression independent of BMP receptor 2 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liukun Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Fuwai Hospital National Center for Cardiovascular Disease Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
| | - Xiao Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Fuwai Hospital National Center for Cardiovascular Disease Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
| | - Yao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Fuwai Hospital National Center for Cardiovascular Disease Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
| | - Chao Yang
- Department of Organ Transplantation and Thoracic Surgery The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Shengwei Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Center Beijing Anzhen HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Diseases Beijing China
| | - Wen Yuan
- Medical Research Center Beijing Chao-Yang HospitalCapital Medical University Beijing China
| | - Jian Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Fuwai Hospital National Center for Cardiovascular Disease Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
| | - Hongjie Chi
- Heart Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension Research Beijing Chao-Yang HospitalCapital Medical University Beijing China
| | - Lihua Duan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang University Nanchang Jiangxi China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Medical Research Center Beijing Chao-Yang HospitalCapital Medical University Beijing China.,Heart Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension Research Beijing Chao-Yang HospitalCapital Medical University Beijing China
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22
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Qin N, Tyasi TL, Sun X, Chen X, Zhu H, Zhao J, Xu R. Determination of the roles of GREM1 gene in granulosa cell proliferation and steroidogenesis of hen ovarian prehierarchical follicles. Theriogenology 2020; 151:28-40. [PMID: 32251937 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Gremlin genes are known members of the DAN family of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonists, but their functions and regulatory mechanisms in ovarian follicular development of chicken remain unknown. The current study was designed to investigate the mRNA expression patterns of gremlin1 gene (GREM1) and its protein location in the follicles sampled, and to explore the biological effect of GREM1 on the prehierarchical follicular development. This work revealed that chicken GREM1 mRNA exhibits a constant expression level across all the prehierarchical follicles (PFs) from 1-4 mm to 7-8 mm in diameter, and the preovulatory follicles (from F6 to F1) by using RT-qPCR (P > 0.05). The GREM1 protein is predominantly expressed in the oocytes and granulosa cells (GCs) of the PFs by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that siRNA-mediated knockdown of GREM1 in the GCs resulted in a significant reduction in cell proliferation (P < 0.001); conversely, overexpression of GREM1 in the GCs led to a remarkable increase in cell proliferation (P < 0.001). Interestingly, the expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclin D2 (CCND2) mRNA and proteins were notably increased when GREM1 expression was upregulated in the GCs (P < 0.01), however, the expression levels of CYP11A1 and StAR were markedly downregulated (P < 0.01). The current results showed that GREM1 gene plays a stimulatory role in GC proliferation during growth and development of the prehierarchical follicles in vitro but an inhibitory role in GC differentiation and steroidogenesis of the hen ovary follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Qin
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China; Joint Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - Thobela Louis Tyasi
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - Xue Sun
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China; Joint Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - Xiaoxia Chen
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - Hongyan Zhu
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - Jinghua Zhao
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China
| | - Rifu Xu
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China; Joint Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Technology International Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118, China.
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23
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Ouahoud S, Hardwick JC, Hawinkels LJ. Extracellular BMP Antagonists, Multifaceted Orchestrators in the Tumor and Its Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113888. [PMID: 32486027 PMCID: PMC7313454 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), a subgroup of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, are involved in multiple biological processes such as embryonic development and maintenance of adult tissue homeostasis. The importance of a functional BMP pathway is underlined by various diseases, including cancer, which can arise as a consequence of dysregulated BMP signaling. Mutations in crucial elements of this signaling pathway, such as receptors, have been reported to disrupt BMP signaling. Next to that, aberrant expression of BMP antagonists could also contribute to abrogated signaling. In this review we set out to highlight how BMP antagonists affect not only the cancer cells, but also the other cells present in the microenvironment to influence cancer progression.
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24
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Wu Z, Liu R, Miao X, Li D, Zou Q, Yuan Y, Yang Z. Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of Hapto and Gremlin1 expression in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. J Cancer 2020; 11:199-207. [PMID: 31892986 PMCID: PMC6930392 DOI: 10.7150/jca.36886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Some studies have demonstrated that Hapto and Gremlin1 play an important biological role in many neoplasms. However, the role of Hapto and Gremlin1 in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC) remains to be revealed. Thus, this study investigated the prognostic and clinicopathological significance of Hapto and Gremlin1 expression in ECC. Methods: We examined Hapto and Gremlin1 expression in 100 ECC, 30 peritumoral tissues, 10 adenoma and 15 normal biliary tract tissues using EnVision immunohistochemistry. The relationship between Hapto and Gremlin 1 expression and clinicopathological parameters was evaluated using the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. The overall survival of patients was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier univariate survival analysis and log-rank tests. Results: Hapto and Gremlin1 proteins were overexpressed in ECC compared to peritumoral tissues, adenoma, and normal biliary tract (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The positive rate of Hapto and Gremlin1 expression was significantly higher in cases with poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, invasion of surrounding tissues and organs, a tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage of III or IV and no resection. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that ECC patients with positive Hapto and/or Gremlin1 expression survived significantly shorter than patients with negative Hapto and/or Gremlin1 expression. Cox multivariate analysis revealed that positive Hapto and Gremlin1 expression were independent poor prognostic factors in ECC patients. Conclusion: The present study indicated that positive Hapto and/or Gremlin1 expression are closely associated with the pathogenesis, clinical, pathological and biological behaviors, and poor prognosis in ECC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengchun Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Rushi Liu
- School of Medicine. Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Xiongying Miao
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Daiqiang Li
- Department of Pathology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Qiong Zou
- Department of Pathology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Department of Pathology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Zhulin Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
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25
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Marquez-Exposito L, Cantero-Navarro E, R Rodrigues-Diez R, Orejudo M, Tejera-Muñoz A, Tejedor L, Rayego-Mateos S, Rández-Carbayo J, Santos-Sanchez L, Mezzano S, Lavoz C, Ruiz-Ortega M. Molecular Regulation of Notch Signaling by Gremlin. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1227:81-94. [PMID: 32072500 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-36422-9_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Gremlin is a member of the TGF-β superfamily that can act as a BMP antagonist, and recently, has been described as a ligand of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Gremlin shares properties with the Notch signaling pathway. Both participate in embryonic development and are reactivated in pathological conditions. Gremlin is emerging as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker of renal diseases. Here we review the role of the Gremlin-VEGFR2 axis in renal damage and downstream signaling mechanisms, such as Notch pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Marquez-Exposito
- Cellular and Molecular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Cantero-Navarro
- Cellular and Molecular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl R Rodrigues-Diez
- Cellular and Molecular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Macarena Orejudo
- Cellular and Molecular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Tejera-Muñoz
- Cellular and Molecular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucia Tejedor
- Cellular and Molecular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Rayego-Mateos
- Cellular and Molecular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Vascular and Renal Translational Research Group, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida IRBLleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Javier Rández-Carbayo
- Cellular and Molecular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Santos-Sanchez
- Cellular and Molecular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Mezzano
- Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Universidad Austral, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Carolina Lavoz
- Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Universidad Austral, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Marta Ruiz-Ortega
- Cellular and Molecular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. .,Red de Investigación Renal (REDINREN), Madrid, Spain.
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26
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Dutton LR, Hoare OP, McCorry AMB, Redmond KL, Adam NE, Canamara S, Bingham V, Mullan PB, Lawler M, Dunne PD, Brazil DP. Fibroblast-derived Gremlin1 localises to epithelial cells at the base of the intestinal crypt. Oncotarget 2019; 10:4630-4639. [PMID: 31384391 PMCID: PMC6659803 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gremlin1 (GREM1) is a secreted glycoprotein member of the differential screening-selected gene in aberrant neuroblastoma (DAN) family of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonists, which binds to BMPs preventing their receptor engagement. Previous studies have identified that stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with high levels of GREM1 gene expression in their tumour tissue have a poorer prognosis. Using a series of in silico and in situ methodologies, we demonstrate that GREM1 gene expression is significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in CRC consensus molecular subtype 4 (CMS4), compared to the other CMS subtypes and correlates (p < 0.0001) with levels of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the CRC tumour microenvironment (TME). Our optimised immunohistochemistry protocol identified endogenous GREM1 protein expression in both the muscularis mucosa and adjacent colonic crypt bases in mouse intestine, in contrast to RNA expression which was shown to localise specifically to the muscularis mucosa, as determined by in situ hybridisation. Importantly, we demonstrate that cells with high levels of GREM1 expression display low levels of phospho-Smad1/5, consistent with reduced BMP signalling. Taken together, these data highlight a novel paracrine signalling circuit, which involves uptake of mature GREM1 protein by colonic crypt cells following secretion from neighbouring fibroblasts in the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise R Dutton
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Owen P Hoare
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Amy M B McCorry
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Keara L Redmond
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Noor Eisa Adam
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.,Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Healthcare City, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shannon Canamara
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.,Indonesia International Institute for Life-Sciences, University of East Jakarta, Jakarta Timur, Indonesia
| | - Victoria Bingham
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Paul B Mullan
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Mark Lawler
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Philip D Dunne
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.,Co-senior authors
| | - Derek P Brazil
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.,Co-senior authors
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27
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Expression Signatures of Cisplatin- and Trametinib-Treated Early-Stage Medaka Melanomas. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2019; 9:2267-2276. [PMID: 31101653 PMCID: PMC6643878 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Small aquarium fish models provide useful systems not only for a better understanding of the molecular basis of many human diseases, but also for first-line screening to identify new drug candidates. For testing new chemical substances, current strategies mostly rely on easy to perform and efficient embryonic screens. Cancer, however, is a disease that develops mainly during juvenile and adult stage. Long-term treatment and the challenge to monitor changes in tumor phenotype make testing of large chemical libraries in juvenile and adult animals cost prohibitive. We hypothesized that changes in the gene expression profile should occur early during anti-tumor treatment, and the disease-associated transcriptional change should provide a reliable readout that can be utilized to evaluate drug-induced effects. For the current study, we used a previously established medaka melanoma model. As proof of principle, we showed that exposure of melanoma developing fish to the drugs cisplatin or trametinib, known cancer therapies, for a period of seven days is sufficient to detect treatment-induced changes in gene expression. By examining whole body transcriptome responses we provide a novel route toward gene panels that recapitulate anti-tumor outcomes thus allowing a screening of thousands of drugs using a whole-body vertebrate model. Our results suggest that using disease-associated transcriptional change to screen therapeutic molecules in small fish model is viable and may be applied to pre-clinical research and development stages in new drug discovery.
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28
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Viena CS, Machado RA, Persuhn DC, Martelli-Júnior H, Medrado AP, Coletta RD, Reis SRA. Understanding the participation of GREM1 polymorphisms in nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in the Brazilian population. Birth Defects Res 2018; 111:16-25. [PMID: 30402937 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND GREM1, which encodes Gremlin 1, an antagonist of bone morphogenic proteins with effects on proliferation and apoptosis, has been considered a candidate gene for nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL±P). In this study, we investigated potential associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in GREM1 and NSCL±P risk in the Brazilian population. Additionally, SNP-SNP interactions of GREM1 with previously reported rs1880646 variant in NTN1 (netrin 1), a gene also responsible for apoptotic phenotypes were verified. METHODS Applying Taqman allelic discrimination assays, we evaluated the variants rs16969681, rs16969816, rs16969862, and rs1258763 in 325 case-parent trios and in 1,588 isolated samples in a case-control study. Allelic and genotypic analyses, as well as interaction tests assessing gene-environmental factor (GxE) and SNP-SNP interaction with rs1880646 variant in NTN1, were performed based on logistic regression analysis adjusted for the effects of gender and genomic ancestry proportions. RESULTS The risk alleles of all SNP were undertransmitted in NSCL±P trios, though the case-control analysis confirmed only the association with rs16969862 alleles (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.63-0.96, p = .02). The GxE interaction analysis revealed a significant interaction between maternal environmental contact with agrotoxics and rs16969816 (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08-0.74, p = .01), and pairwise interaction test with NTN1 rs1880646 yielded significant p values in the 1,000 permutation test for rs16969681, rs16969816, and rs16969862. CONCLUSION The GREM1 is involved in the etiology of NSCL±P in the Brazilian population and reveal that the interaction between GREM1 and NTN1 may be related with the pathogenesis of this common craniofacial malformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Sane Viena
- Basic Science Department, Area of Oral Pathology, Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Renato Assis Machado
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Darlene Camati Persuhn
- Molecular Biology Department, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Hercílio Martelli-Júnior
- Stomatology Clinic, Dental School, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.,Center for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, Dental School, University of José Rosário Vellano, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alena Peixoto Medrado
- Basic Science Department, Area of Oral Pathology, Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Ricardo D Coletta
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvia R A Reis
- Basic Science Department, Area of Oral Pathology, Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
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29
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Yu Y, Cheng L, Yan B, Zhou C, Qian W, Xiao Y, Qin T, Cao J, Han L, Ma Q, Ma J. Overexpression of Gremlin 1 by sonic hedgehog signaling promotes pancreatic cancer progression. Int J Oncol 2018; 53:2445-2457. [PMID: 30272371 PMCID: PMC6203161 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling is an important promotor of desmoplasia, a critical feature in pancreatic cancer stromal reactions involving the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Gremlin 1 is widely overexpressed in cancer-associated stromal cells, including activated PSCs. In embryonic development, SHH is a potent regulator of Gremlin 1 through an interaction network. This subtle mechanism in the cancer microenvironment remains to be fully elucidated. The present study investigated the association between Gremlin 1 and SHH, and the effect of Gremlin 1 in pancreatic cancer. The expression of Gremlin 1 in different specimens was measured using immunohistochemistry. The correlations among clinico-pathological features and levels of Gremlin 1 were evaluated. Primary human PSCs and pancreatic cancer cell lines were exposed to SHH, cyclopamine, GLI family zinc finger-1 (Gli-1) small interfering RNA (siRNA), and Gremlin 1 siRNA to examine their associations and effects using an MTT assay, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, western blot analysis, and migration or invasion assays. The results revealed the overexpression of Gremlin 1 in pancreatic cancer tissues, mainly in the stroma. The levels of Gremlin 1 were significantly correlated with survival rate and pT status. In addition, following activation of the PSCs, the expression levels of Gremlin 1 increased substantially. SHH acts as a potent promoter of the expression of Gremlin 1, and cyclopamine and Gli-1 siRNA modulated this effect. In a screen of pancreatic cancer cell lines, AsPC-1 and BxPC-3 cells expressed high levels of Gremlin 1, but only AsPC-1 cells exhibited a high expression level of SHH. The results of the indirect co-culture experiment suggested that paracrine SHH from the AsPC-1 cells induced the expression of Gremlin 1 in the PSCs. Furthermore, Gremlin 1 siRNA negatively regulated the proliferation and migration of PSCs, and the proliferation, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of AsPC-1 and BxPC-3 cells. Based on the data from the present study, it was concluded that an abnormal expression level of Gremlin 1 in pancreatic cancer was induced by SHH signaling, and that the overexpression of Gremlin 1 enabled pancreatic cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongtian Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Bin Yan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Cancan Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Weikun Qian
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Ying Xiao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Tao Qin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Junyu Cao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Liang Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Qingyong Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Jiguang Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
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30
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Yamasaki Y, Ishigami S, Arigami T, Kita Y, Uchikado Y, Kurahara H, Kijima Y, Maemura K, Natsugoe S. Expression of gremlin1 in gastric cancer and its clinical significance. Med Oncol 2018; 35:30. [PMID: 29396725 PMCID: PMC5797189 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-017-1073-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
As an antagonist of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), 2, 4 and 7, gremlin1 plays a role in regulating organogenesis, tissue differentiation and angiogenesis. However, there is little information regarding gremlin1 in gastrointestinal cancer. We attempted to clarify how gremlin1 expression affects the clinical features and biological properties of gastric cancer. A total of 232 gastric cancer patients who received R0 gastrectomy at Kagoshima University Hospital were enrolled. Gremlin1 expression in gastric cancer was detected by immunohistochemical and western blotting methods. Correlations between clinicopathological parameters and gremlin1 expression were analyzed. Gremlin1 was identified in the cytoplasm and nucleus of all gastric cancer cell lines and some regions of surgical specimens of gastric cancer. One hundred and seventeen of the 232 patients (50.4%) were classified as gremlin1-positive based on gremlin1 expression. Gremlin1 positivity was correlated with shallower tumor depth, smaller tumor size, less nodal involvement and vessel invasion (p < 0.05). The 5-year survival rate of the gremlin1-positive group was 81%, which was significantly higher than the gremlin1-negative group (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that gremlin1 was not selected as an independent prognostic marker. Gremlin1 expression in gastric cancer may be a useful prognostic marker that is involved with the BMP signaling pathway. Furthermore, gremlin1 may have clinical use as a diagnostic and treatment tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoichi Yamasaki
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University School of Medicine, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8520, Japan
| | - Sumiya Ishigami
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University School of Medicine, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8520, Japan.
| | - Takaaki Arigami
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University School of Medicine, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8520, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Kita
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University School of Medicine, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8520, Japan
| | - Yasuto Uchikado
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University School of Medicine, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8520, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kurahara
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University School of Medicine, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8520, Japan
| | - Yuko Kijima
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University School of Medicine, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8520, Japan
| | - Kosei Maemura
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University School of Medicine, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8520, Japan
| | - Shoji Natsugoe
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University School of Medicine, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8520, Japan
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31
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Ribeiro JR, Gaudet HM, Khan M, Schorl C, James NE, Oliver MT, DiSilvestro PA, Moore RG, Yano N. Human Epididymis Protein 4 Promotes Events Associated with Metastatic Ovarian Cancer via Regulation of the Extracelluar Matrix. Front Oncol 2018; 7:332. [PMID: 29404274 PMCID: PMC5786890 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) has received much attention recently due to its diagnostic and prognostic abilities for epithelial ovarian cancer. Since its inclusion in the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA), studies have focused on its functional effects in ovarian cancer. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of HE4 in invasion, haptotaxis, and adhesion of ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, we sought to gain an understanding of relevant transcriptional profiles and protein kinase signaling pathways mediated by this multifunctional protein. Exposure of OVCAR8 ovarian cancer cells to recombinant HE4 (rHE4) promoted invasion, haptotaxis toward a fibronectin substrate, and adhesion onto fibronectin. Overexpression of HE4 or treatment with rHE4 led to upregulation of several transcripts coding for extracellular matrix proteins, including SERPINB2, GREM1, LAMC2, and LAMB3. Gene ontology indicated an enrichment of terms related to extracellular matrix, cell migration, adhesion, growth, and kinase phosphorylation. LAMC2 and LAMB3 protein levels were constitutively elevated in cells overexpressing HE4 and were upregulated in a time-dependent manner in cells exposed to rHE4 in the media. Deposition of laminin-332, the heterotrimer comprising LAMC2 and LAMB3 proteins, was increased in OVCAR8 cells treated with rHE4 or conditioned media from HE4-overexpressing cells. Enzymatic activity of matriptase, a serine protease that cleaves laminin-332 and contributes to its pro-migratory functional activity, was enhanced by rHE4 treatment in vitro. Proteomic analysis revealed activation of focal adhesion kinase signaling in OVCAR8 cells treated with conditioned media from HE4-overexpressing cells. Focal adhesions were increased in cells treated with rHE4 in the presence of fibronectin. These results indicate a direct role for HE4 in mediating malignant properties of ovarian cancer cells and validate the need for HE4-targeted therapies that will suppress activation of oncogenic transcriptional activation and signaling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R. Ribeiro
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Program in Women’s Oncology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Hilary M. Gaudet
- Department of Chemistry, Wheaton College, Norton, MA, United States
| | - Mehreen Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Wheaton College, Norton, MA, United States
| | - Christoph Schorl
- Center for Genomics and Proteomics, Genomics Core Facility, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Nicole E. James
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Program in Women’s Oncology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, United States
| | - Matthew T. Oliver
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Program in Women’s Oncology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Paul A. DiSilvestro
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Program in Women’s Oncology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Richard G. Moore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wilmot Cancer Institute, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Naohiro Yano
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Program in Women’s Oncology, Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
- Roger Williams Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Boston University Medical School, Providence, RI, United States
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Shaik S, Kennis B, Maegawa S, Schadler K, Yanwen Y, Callegari K, Lulla RR, Goldman S, Nazarian J, Rajaram V, Fangusaro J, Gopalakrishnan V. REST upregulates gremlin to modulate diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma vasculature. Oncotarget 2018; 9:5233-5250. [PMID: 29435175 PMCID: PMC5797046 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a highly aggressive glial tumor that occurs in children. The extremely poor median and 5-year survival in children afflicted with DIPG highlights the need for novel biology-driven therapeutics. Here, we have implicated the chromatin remodeler and regulator of brain development called RE1 Silencing Transcription Factor (REST), in DIPG pathology. We show that REST protein is aberrantly elevated in at least 21% of DIPG tumors compared to normal controls. Its knockdown in DIPG cell lines diminished cell growth and decreased their tumorigenicity in mouse intracranial models. DIPGs are vascularized tumors and interestingly, REST loss in DIPG cells also caused a substantial decline in tumor vasculature as measured by a decrease in CD31 and VEGFR2 staining. These observations were validated in vitro, where a significant decline in tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was seen following REST-loss in DIPG cells. Mechanistically, REST controlled the secretion of a pro-angiogenic molecule and ligand for VEGFR2 called Gremlin-1 (GREM-1), and was associated with enhanced AKT activation. Importantly, the decline in tube formation caused by REST loss could be rescued by addition of recombinant GREM-1, which also caused AKT activation in HUVECs and human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs). In summary, our study is the first to demonstrate autocrine and paracrine functions for REST in DIPG development. It also provides the foundation for future investigations on anti-angiogenic therapies targeting GREM-1 in combination with drugs that target REST-associated chromatin remodeling activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shavali Shaik
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bridget Kennis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Shinji Maegawa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Keri Schadler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yang Yanwen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Keri Callegari
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rishi R. Lulla
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Stewart Goldman
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Javad Nazarian
- Department of Integrative Systems Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Veena Rajaram
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jason Fangusaro
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Vidya Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Brain Tumor Center, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Grillo E, Ravelli C, Corsini M, Ballmer-Hofer K, Zammataro L, Oreste P, Zoppetti G, Tobia C, Ronca R, Presta M, Mitola S. Monomeric gremlin is a novel vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 antagonist. Oncotarget 2018; 7:35353-68. [PMID: 27174917 PMCID: PMC5085234 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays a key role in various physiological and pathological conditions, including inflammation and tumor growth. The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist gremlin has been identified as a novel pro-angiogenic factor. Gremlin promotes neovascular responses via a BMP-independent activation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2 (VEGFR2). BMP antagonists may act as covalent or non-covalent homodimers or in a monomeric form, while VEGFRs ligands are usually dimeric. However, the oligomeric state of gremlin and its role in modulating the biological activity of the protein remain to be elucidated. Here we show that gremlin is expressed in vitro and in vivo both as a monomer and as a covalently linked homodimer. Mutagenesis of amino acid residue Cys141 prevents gremlin dimerization leading to the formation of gremlinC141A monomers. GremlinC141A monomer retains a BMP antagonist activity similar to the wild-type dimer, but is devoid of a significant angiogenic capacity. Notably, we found that gremlinC141A mutant engages VEGFR2 in a non-productive manner, thus acting as receptor antagonist. Accordingly, both gremlinC141A and wild-type monomers inhibit angiogenesis driven by dimeric gremlin or VEGF-A165. Moreover, by acting as a VEGFR2 antagonist, gremlinC141A inhibits the angiogenic and tumorigenic potential of murine breast and prostate cancer cells in vivo. In conclusion, our data show that gremlin exists in multiple forms endowed with specific bioactivities and provide new insights into the molecular bases of gremlin dimerization. Furthermore, we propose gremlin monomer as a new inhibitor of VEGFR2 signalling during tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Grillo
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Cosetta Ravelli
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Michela Corsini
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Kurt Ballmer-Hofer
- Biomolecular Research, Molecular Cell Biology, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Luca Zammataro
- Center of Genomics Science of IIT@SEMM, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | | | | | - Chiara Tobia
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Roberto Ronca
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Marco Presta
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy.,Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Stefania Mitola
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
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Chatterjee M, Behrendt A, Schmid M, Beck S, Schneider M, Mack A, Müller I, Geisler T, Gawaz M. Platelets as a novel source of Gremlin-1: Implications for thromboinflammation. Thromb Haemost 2017; 117:311-324. [DOI: 10.1160/th16-08-0665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
SummaryPlatelets mediating haemostasis-thrombosis are central players in coronary artery disease (CAD). We characterised platelets as a novel source of Gremlin-1. Platelets express Gremlin-1 like inflammatory and endothelial cells. Gremlin-1 co-localised with P-selectin containing randomly distributed α–granules under resting state, which were peripheralised following platelet activation or adhesion over fibrinogen-coated surface. Gremlin-1 release upon activation with ADP, CRP, and TRAP was detected as enhanced surface expression; also in activated platelet supernatant as detected by Western Blot following CRP activation and by ELISA upon activation with ADP, CRP, PAR-1, and PAR4 agonist. Recombinant (rh)Gremlin-1 synergistically enhanced CRP-triggered intracellular calcium mobilisation, ADP-TRAP induced platelet activation, aggregation, and thrombin-activation triggered apoptosis; also thrombus formation ex vivo. Intracellular localisation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and Gremlin-1 a high-affinity binding partner and functional antagonist of MIF were found in intracoronary thrombus sections from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and showed moderate overlap in α-granules of platelets. Intra-platelet Gremlin-1 levels were significantly decreased in ACS patients as compared to stable CAD (n=235). rhGremlin-1 also counteracted the anti-apoptotic and anti-thrombotic effects of rhMIF on platelets. Platelet-derived-Gremlin-1 prompted monocyte migration, facilitated adhesion under static and dynamic arterial flow conditions to collagen-adherent activated platelets; supported monocyte survival against BH-3-mimetic–induced apoptosis and macrophage differentiation in monocyte-platelet co-culture system, which were counteracted upon Gremlin-1 neutralisation. Thus platelet derived Gremlin-1 might contribute to the elevated circulating levels of Gremlin-1 in ACS and serve as a thrombo-inflammatory mediator in cardiovascular pathophysiologies.
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Gremlin-1 is a key regulator of the invasive cell phenotype in mesothelioma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:98280-98297. [PMID: 29228689 PMCID: PMC5716729 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma originates from mesothelial cells and is a cancer type that aggressively invades into the surrounding tissue, has poor prognosis and no effective treatment. Gremlin-1 is a cysteine knot protein that functions by inhibiting BMP-pathway activity during development. BMP-independent functions have also been described for gremlin-1. We have previously shown high gremlin-1 expression in mesothelioma tumor tissue. Here, we investigated the functions of gremlin-1 in mesothelioma cell migration and invasive growth. Gremlin-1 promoted mesothelioma cell sprouting and invasion into three dimensional collagen and Matrigel matrices. The expression level of gremlin-1 was linked to changes in the expression of SNAI2, integrins, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and TGF-β family signaling - all previously associated with a mesenchymal invasive phenotype. Small molecule inhibitors of MMPs completely blocked mesothelioma cell invasive growth. In addition, inhibitors of TGF-β receptors significantly reduced invasive growth. This was associated with reduced expression of MMP2 but not SNAI2, indicating that gremlin-1 has both TGF-β pathway dependent and independent mechanisms of action. Results of in vivo mesothelioma xenograft experiments indicated that gremlin-1 overexpressing tumors were more vascular and had a tendency to send metastases. This suggests that by inducing a mesenchymal invasive cell phenotype together with enhanced tumor vascularization, gremlin-1 drives mesothelioma invasion and metastasis. These data identify gremlin-1 as a potential therapeutic target in mesothelioma.
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36
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Zhou R, Yang Y, Park SY, Nguyen TT, Seo YW, Lee KH, Lee JH, Kim KK, Hur JS, Kim H. The lichen secondary metabolite atranorin suppresses lung cancer cell motility and tumorigenesis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8136. [PMID: 28811522 PMCID: PMC5557893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08225-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lichens are symbiotic organisms that produce various secondary metabolites. Here, different lichen extracts were examined to identify secondary metabolites with anti-migratory activity against human lung cancer cells. Everniastrum vexans had the most potent inhibitory activity, and atranorin was identified as an active subcomponent of this extract. Atranorin suppressed β-catenin-mediated TOPFLASH activity by inhibiting the nuclear import of β-catenin and downregulating β-catenin/LEF and c-jun/AP-1 downstream target genes such as CD44, cyclin-D1 and c-myc. Atranorin decreased KAI1 C-terminal interacting tetraspanin (KITENIN)-mediated AP-1 activity and the activity of the KITENIN 3′-untranslated region. The nuclear distribution of the AP-1 transcriptional factor, including c-jun and c-fos, was suppressed in atranorin-treated cells, and atranorin inhibited the activity of Rho GTPases including Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA, whereas it had no effect on epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers. STAT-luciferase activity and nuclear STAT levels were decreased, whereas total STAT levels were moderately reduced. The human cell motility and lung cancer RT² Profiler PCR Arrays identified additional atranorin target genes. Atranorin significantly inhibited tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our results indicated that E. vexans and its subcomponent atranorin may inhibit lung cancer cell motility and tumorigenesis by affecting AP-1, Wnt, and STAT signaling and suppressing RhoGTPase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhou
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yi Yang
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea.,Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Yeon Park
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea
| | - Thanh Thi Nguyen
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea.,Faculty of Natural Science and Technology, Tay Nguyen University, Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnam
| | - Young-Woo Seo
- Korea Basic Science Institute, Gwangju Center, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hwa Lee
- Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hyuk Lee
- Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Keun Kim
- Medical Research Center for Gene Regulation, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Seoun Hur
- Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hangun Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of Korea.
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37
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Generation and Applications of a DNA Aptamer against Gremlin-1. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22050706. [PMID: 28452949 PMCID: PMC6154100 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22050706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gremlin-1, a highly conserved glycosylated and phosphorylated secretory protein, plays important roles in diverse biological processes including early embryonic development, fibrosis, tumorigenesis, and renal pathophysiology. Aptamers, which are RNA or DNA single-stranded oligonucleotides capable of binding specifically to different targets ranging from small organics to whole cells, have potential applications in targeted imaging, diagnosis and therapy. In this study, we obtained a DNA aptamer against Gremlin-1 (G-ap49) using in vitro Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX). Binding assay and dot-blot showed that G-ap49 had high affinity for Gremlin-1. Further experiments indicated that G-ap49 was quite stable in a cell culture system and could be used in South-Western blot analysis, enzyme-linked aptamer sorbent assay (ELASA), and aptamer-based cytochemistry and histochemistry staining to detect Gremlin-1. Moreover, our study demonstrated that G-ap49 is capable of revealing the subcellular localization of Gremlin-1. These data indicate that G-ap49 can be used as an alternative to antibodies in detecting Gremlin-1.
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Pelli A, Väyrynen JP, Klintrup K, Mäkelä J, Mäkinen MJ, Tuomisto A, Karttunen TJ. Gremlin1 expression associates with serrated pathway and favourable prognosis in colorectal cancer. Histopathology 2016; 69:831-838. [PMID: 27257976 DOI: 10.1111/his.13006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Gremlin1 is a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist with a suggested role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. We have analysed Gremlin1 protein expression in CRC and assessed its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics, including developmental pathway and prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS Material included a non-selected series of 148 surgically treated CRC cases. The tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, histological grade and inflammatory infiltrate at the invasive margin were assessed, and tumours were classified to serrated or non-serrated types. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to evaluate Gremlin1 expression. Prognosis (60-month follow-up) was analysed by Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression analysis. Gremlin1 expression was detected in epithelial cells both in normal mucosa and in carcinomas. Abundant expression in carcinomas associated with low TNM stage (P = 0.044), low histological grade (P = 0.044), serrated histology (P = 0.033 or P = 0.053 depending on the classification cut-off) and intensive inflammatory infiltrate at the invasive margin (P = 0.044), and was a stage independent indicator of extended survival (P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS Gremlin1 protein expression in CRC associates with low tumour stage and extended survival independently of tumour stage, suggesting that it represents a relevant prognostic indicator in CRC. High expression in carcinomas with serrated histology suggests a potential role for Gremlin1 in the serrated pathway of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari Pelli
- Department of Pathology, Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Pathology, Oulu University Hospital and Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Juha P Väyrynen
- Department of Pathology, Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Pathology, Oulu University Hospital and Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Kai Klintrup
- Research Unit of Surgery, Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Surgery, Oulu University Hospital and Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jyrki Mäkelä
- Research Unit of Surgery, Anesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Surgery, Oulu University Hospital and Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Markus J Mäkinen
- Department of Pathology, Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Pathology, Oulu University Hospital and Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Anne Tuomisto
- Department of Pathology, Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Pathology, Oulu University Hospital and Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tuomo J Karttunen
- Department of Pathology, Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. .,Department of Pathology, Oulu University Hospital and Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
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Koli K, Sutinen E, Rönty M, Rantakari P, Fortino V, Pulkkinen V, Greco D, Sipilä P, Myllärniemi M. Gremlin-1 Overexpression in Mouse Lung Reduces Silica-Induced Lymphocyte Recruitment - A Link to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis through Negative Correlation with CXCL10 Chemokine. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159010. [PMID: 27428020 PMCID: PMC4948891 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by activation and injury of epithelial cells, the accumulation of connective tissue and changes in the inflammatory microenvironment. The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) inhibitor protein gremlin-1 is associated with the progression of fibrosis both in human and mouse lung. We generated a transgenic mouse model expressing gremlin-1 in type II lung epithelial cells using the surfactant protein C (SPC) promoter and the Cre-LoxP system. Gremlin-1 protein expression was detected specifically in the lung after birth and did not result in any signs of respiratory insufficiency. Exposure to silicon dioxide resulted in reduced amounts of lymphocyte aggregates in transgenic lungs while no alteration in the fibrotic response was observed. Microarray gene expression profiling and analyses of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytokines indicated a reduced lymphocytic response and a downregulation of interferon-induced gene program. Consistent with reduced Th1 response, there was a downregulation of the mRNA and protein expression of the anti-fibrotic chemokine CXCL10, which has been linked to IPF. In human IPF patient samples we also established a strong negative correlation in the mRNA expression levels of gremlin-1 and CXCL10. Our results suggest that in addition to regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk during tissue injury, gremlin-1 modulates inflammatory cell recruitment and anti-fibrotic chemokine production in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katri Koli
- Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Transplantation Laboratory, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | - Eva Sutinen
- Transplantation Laboratory, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Heart and Lung Center, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko Rönty
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Fimlab laboratories, Pathology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Pia Rantakari
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Vittorio Fortino
- Unit of Systems Toxicology and Nanosafety Centre, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ville Pulkkinen
- University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Heart and Lung Center, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dario Greco
- Unit of Systems Toxicology and Nanosafety Centre, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petra Sipilä
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Marjukka Myllärniemi
- Transplantation Laboratory, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Heart and Lung Center, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
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Han EJ, Yoo SA, Kim GM, Hwang D, Cho CS, You S, Kim WU. GREM1 Is a Key Regulator of Synoviocyte Hyperplasia and Invasiveness. J Rheumatol 2016; 43:474-85. [PMID: 26834210 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.150523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of Gremlin 1 (GREM1), an antagonist of bone morphogenetic protein, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovia and its involvement in the hyperplasia and invasiveness of fibroblast-like synoviocytes of RA (RA-FLS). METHODS Computational analysis was introduced to identify FLS-predominant regulators. GREM1 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and ELISA. FLS proliferation and apoptosis were determined using tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay and APOPercentage assay, respectively. FLS migration and invasion were evaluated by wound migration and Matrigel invasion assay, respectively. Expressions of Bax, Bcl2, pErk1/2, and pAkt were detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS Through global transcriptome profiling, we identified a GREM1 gene predominantly expressed in RA-FLS. Indeed, the GREM1 expression was higher in synovia, synovial fluids, and FLS of patients with RA than in those of patients with osteoarthritis, and its levels correlated well with proinflammatory cytokine concentrations. Knockdown of GREM1 transcripts using short interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced the proliferation and survival of RA-FLS along with downregulation of pErk1/2, pAkt, and Bcl2 expressions, whereas it induced Bax expression. Conversely, the addition of recombinant GREM1 to RA-FLS showed the opposite results. Moreover, GREM1 siRNA decreased the migratory and invasive capacity of RA-FLS, whereas exogenous GREM1 increased it. The GREM1-induced FLS survival, migration, and invasion were completely blocked by neutralizing antibodies to ανβ3 integrin on RA-FLS, suggesting that ανβ3 integrin mediates the antiapoptotic and promigratory effects of GREM1. CONCLUSION GREM1 is highly expressed in RA joints, and functions as a regulator of survival, proliferation, migration, and invasion of RA-FLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jin Han
- From the POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul; Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Korea; Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.E.J. Han, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S.A. Yoo, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; G.M. Kim, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; D. Hwang, PhD, Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, DGIST; C.S. Cho, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S. You, PhD, Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; W.U. Kim, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea
| | - Seung-Ah Yoo
- From the POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul; Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Korea; Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.E.J. Han, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S.A. Yoo, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; G.M. Kim, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; D. Hwang, PhD, Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, DGIST; C.S. Cho, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S. You, PhD, Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; W.U. Kim, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea
| | - Gi-Myo Kim
- From the POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul; Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Korea; Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.E.J. Han, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S.A. Yoo, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; G.M. Kim, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; D. Hwang, PhD, Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, DGIST; C.S. Cho, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S. You, PhD, Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; W.U. Kim, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea
| | - Daehee Hwang
- From the POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul; Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Korea; Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.E.J. Han, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S.A. Yoo, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; G.M. Kim, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; D. Hwang, PhD, Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, DGIST; C.S. Cho, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S. You, PhD, Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; W.U. Kim, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea
| | - Chul-Soo Cho
- From the POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul; Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Korea; Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.E.J. Han, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S.A. Yoo, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; G.M. Kim, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; D. Hwang, PhD, Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, DGIST; C.S. Cho, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S. You, PhD, Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; W.U. Kim, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea
| | - Sungyong You
- From the POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul; Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Korea; Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.E.J. Han, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S.A. Yoo, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; G.M. Kim, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; D. Hwang, PhD, Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, DGIST; C.S. Cho, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S. You, PhD, Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; W.U. Kim, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea.
| | - Wan-Uk Kim
- From the POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul; Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Korea; Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.E.J. Han, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S.A. Yoo, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; G.M. Kim, PhD Candidate, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; D. Hwang, PhD, Center for Systems Biology of Plant Senescence and Life History, Institute for Basic Science, DGIST; C.S. Cho, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, Catholic University of Korea; S. You, PhD, Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; W.U. Kim, MD, PhD, POSTECH-CATHOLIC Biomedical Engineering Institute, and Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea.
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Sato M, Kawana K, Fujimoto A, Yoshida M, Nakamura H, Nishida H, Inoue T, Taguchi A, Takahashi J, Adachi K, Nagasaka K, Matsumoto Y, Wada-Hiraike O, Oda K, Osuga Y, Fujii T. Clinical significance of Gremlin 1 in cervical cancer and its effects on cancer stem cell maintenance. Oncol Rep 2015; 35:391-7. [PMID: 26530461 DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.4367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Gremlin 1 is one of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonists and is also related to differentiation in combination with BMPs and is associated with various types of diseases. Gremlin 1 is overexpressed in various types of human cancers and has been reported to play a role in cervical cancer oncogenesis. However, there is no report concerning the relationship between Gremlin 1 and cervical cancer stem cells (CSCs). The objective of the present study was to identify the clinical significance of Gremlin 1 in cervical cancer and its effects on CSC-like properties in vitro. Clinical samples were obtained. Gremlin 1 mRNA expression levels in the cervical cancer tissues were measured by RT-qPCR and assessed for correlation with their clinical prognosis [overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS)] and with other prognostic factors. In vitro, cervical cancer, CaSki cells, exposed to Gremlin 1 (1,000 ng/ml) for 24 h were evaluated for expression of undifferentiated-cell markers (Nanog, Oct3/4, Sox2) by RT-qPCR, the population of ALDH-positive cells by flow cytometry and sphere-forming ability on a ultra-low attachment culture dish. Cervical cancer tissues from 104 patients were collected. A high mRNA expression level of Gremlin 1 was an independent poor prognostic factor of PFS but not of OS. A high mRNA expression level of Gremlin 1 was correlated with bulky (>4 cm) tumors. The Nanog mRNA expression level was significantly increased in the CaSki cells exposed to Gremlin 1 (P=0.0008) but not Oct3/4 and Sox2 mRNA expression levels. The population of ALDH-positive cells in the Gremlin 1-exposed cells was 1.41-fold higher compared with the control (P=0.0184). Sphere-forming ability was increased when 1,000 Gremlin 1-exposed cells were seeded (P=0.0379). In cervical cancer, it is suggested that Gremlin 1 may have a role in clinical recurrence and maintaining CSC-like properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masakazu Sato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Kei Kawana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Asaha Fujimoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Mitsuyo Yoshida
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Hiroe Nakamura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Haruka Nishida
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Tomoko Inoue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Ayumi Taguchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Juri Takahashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Adachi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Kazunori Nagasaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Yoko Matsumoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Osamu Wada-Hiraike
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Oda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Yutaka Osuga
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Fujii
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo‑ku, Tokyo 1138655, Japan
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42
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Menheniott TR, Judd LM, Giraud AS. STAT3: a critical component in the response to Helicobacter pylori infection. Cell Microbiol 2015; 17:1570-82. [PMID: 26332850 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Revised: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
STAT3 imparts a profound influence on both the epithelial and immune components of the gastric mucosa, and through regulation of key intracellular signal transduction events, is well placed to control inflammatory and oncogenic outcomes in the context of Helicobacter (H.) pylori infection. Here we review the roles of STAT3 in the host immune response to H. pylori infection, from both gastric mucosal and systemic perspectives, as well as alluding more specifically to STAT3-dependent mechanisms that might be exploited as drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevelyan R Menheniott
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Louise M Judd
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew S Giraud
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Kalmár A, Wichmann B, Galamb O, Spisák S, Tóth K, Leiszter K, Nielsen BS, Barták BK, Tulassay Z, Molnár B. Gene-expression analysis of a colorectal cancer-specific discriminatory transcript set on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples. Diagn Pathol 2015. [PMID: 26208990 PMCID: PMC4515026 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-015-0363-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A recently published transcript set is suitable for gene expression-based discrimination of normal colonic and colorectal cancer (CRC) biopsy samples. Our aim was to test the discriminatory power of the CRC-specific transcript set on independent biopsies and on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples. METHODS Total RNA isolations were performed with the automated MagNA Pure 96 Cellular RNA Large Volume Kit (Roche) from fresh frozen biopsies stored in RNALater (CRC (n = 15) and healthy colonic (n = 15)), furthermore from FFPE specimens including CRC (n = 15) and normal adjacent tissue (NAT) (n = 15) specimens next to the tumor. After quality and quantity measurements, gene expression analysis of a colorectal cancer-specific marker set with 11 genes (CA7, COL12A1, CXCL1, CXCL2, CHI3L1, GREM1, IL1B, IL1RN, IL8, MMP3, SLC5A7) was performed with array real-time PCR using Transcriptor First Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (Roche) and RealTime ready assays on LightCycler480 System (Roche). In situ hybridization for two selected transcripts (CA7, CXCL1) was performed on NAT (n = 3), adenoma (n = 3) and CRC (n = 3) FFPE samples. RESULTS Although analytical parameters of automatically isolated RNA samples showed differences between fresh frozen biopsy and FFPE samples, both quantity and the quality enabled their application in gene expression analyses. CRC and normal fresh frozen biopsy samples could be distinguished with 93.3% sensitivity and 86.7% specificity and FFPE samples with 96.7 and 70.0%, respectively. In situ hybridization could confirm the upregulation of CXCL1 and downregulation of CA7 in colorectal adenomas and tumors compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSION According to our results, gene expression analysis of the analyzed colorectal cancer-specific marker set can also be performed from FFPE tissue material. With the addition of an automated workflow, this marker set may enhance the objective classification of colorectal neoplasias in the routine procedure in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kalmár
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. .,Molecular Medicine Research Unit, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary. .,2nd Department of Medicine Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi str. 46., 1088, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Barnabás Wichmann
- Molecular Medicine Research Unit, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Orsolya Galamb
- Molecular Medicine Research Unit, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Sándor Spisák
- Molecular Medicine Research Unit, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Kinga Tóth
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Katalin Leiszter
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | | | | | - Zsolt Tulassay
- Molecular Medicine Research Unit, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Béla Molnár
- Molecular Medicine Research Unit, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
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45
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Gremlin is a key pro-fibrogenic factor in chronic pancreatitis. J Mol Med (Berl) 2015; 93:1085-1093. [PMID: 26141517 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-015-1308-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The current study aims to identify the pro-fibrogenic role of Gremlin, an endogenous antagonist of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in chronic pancreatitis (CP). CP is a highly debilitating disease characterized by progressive pancreatic inflammation and fibrosis that ultimately leads to exocrine and endocrine dysfunction. While transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a known key pro-fibrogenic factor in CP, the TGF-β superfamily member BMPs exert an anti-fibrogenic function in CP as reported by our group recently. To investigate how BMP signaling is regulated in CP by BMP antagonists, the mouse CP model induced by cerulein was used. During CP induction, TGF-β1 messenger RNA (mRNA) increased 156-fold in 2 weeks, a BMP antagonist Gremlin 1 (Grem1) mRNA levels increased 145-fold at 3 weeks, and increases in Grem1 protein levels correlated with increases in collagen deposition. Increased Grem1 was also observed in human CP pancreata compared to normal. Grem1 knockout in Grem1 (+/-) mice revealed a 33.2 % reduction in pancreatic fibrosis in CP compared to wild-type littermates. In vitro in isolated pancreatic stellate cells, TGF-β induced Grem1 expression. Addition of the recombinant mouse Grem1 protein blocked BMP2-induced Smad1/5 phosphorylation and abolished BMP2's suppression effects on TGF-β-induced collagen expression. Evidences presented herein demonstrate that Grem1, induced by TGF-β, is pro-fibrogenic by antagonizing BMP activity in CP. KEY MESSAGES • Gremlin is upregulated in human chronic pancreatitis and a mouse CP model in vivo. • Deficiency of Grem1 in mice attenuates pancreatic fibrosis under CP induction in vivo. • TGF-β induces Gremlin mRNA and protein expression in pancreatic stellate cells in vitro. • Gremlin blocks BMP2 signaling and function in pancreatic stellate cells in vitro. • This study discloses a pro-fibrogenic role of Gremlin by antagonizing BMP activity in chronic pancreatitis.
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Lavoz C, Alique M, Rodrigues-Diez R, Pato J, Keri G, Mezzano S, Egido J, Ruiz-Ortega M. Gremlin regulates renal inflammation via the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 pathway. J Pathol 2015; 236:407-20. [PMID: 25810250 DOI: 10.1002/path.4537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation is a main feature of progressive kidney disease. Gremlin binds to bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), acting as an antagonist and regulating nephrogenesis and fibrosis among other processes. Gremlin also binds to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) in endothelial cells to induce angiogenesis. In renal cells, gremlin regulates proliferation and fibrosis, but there are no data about inflammatory-related events. We have investigated the direct effects of gremlin in the kidney, evaluating whether VEGFR2 is a functional gremlin receptor. Administration of recombinant gremlin to murine kidneys induced rapid and sustained activation of VEGFR2 signalling, located in proximal tubular epithelial cells. Gremlin bound to VEGFR2 in these cells in vitro, activating this signalling pathway independently of its action as an antagonist of BMPs. In vivo, gremlin caused early renal damage, characterized by activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway linked to up-regulation of pro-inflammatory factors and infiltration of immune inflammatory cells. VEGFR2 blockade diminished gremlin-induced renal inflammatory responses. The link between gremlin/VEGFR2 and NF-κB/inflammation was confirmed in vitro. Gremlin overexpression was associated with VEGFR2 activation in human renal disease and in the unilateral ureteral obstruction experimental model, where VEGFR2 kinase inhibition diminished renal inflammation. Our data show that a gremlin/VEGFR2 axis participates in renal inflammation and could be a novel target for kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Lavoz
- Cellular Biology in Renal Diseases Laboratory, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma Madrid, REDINREN, Spain
| | - Matilde Alique
- Cellular Biology in Renal Diseases Laboratory, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma Madrid, REDINREN, Spain
| | - Raquel Rodrigues-Diez
- Cellular Biology in Renal Diseases Laboratory, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma Madrid, REDINREN, Spain
| | | | - Gyorgy Keri
- VichemChemie Ltd, Budapest, Hungary.,MTA-SE Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Department of Medical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sergio Mezzano
- Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Universidad Austral, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Jesús Egido
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension. IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma Madrid, CIBERDEM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Ruiz-Ortega
- Cellular Biology in Renal Diseases Laboratory, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma Madrid, REDINREN, Spain
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47
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Mori T, Yanagisawa Y, Kitani Y, Sugiyama M, Kishida O, Nishimura K. Gene expression profiles in Rana pirica tadpoles following exposure to a predation threat. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:258. [PMID: 25886855 PMCID: PMC4403775 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1389-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rana pirica tadpoles show morphological changes in response to a predation threat: larvae of the dragonfly Aeshna nigroflava induce heightened tail depth, whereas larval salamander Hynobius retardatus induce a bulgy morphology with heightened tail depth. Although both predators induce similar tail morphologies, it is possible that there are functional differences between these tail morphs. Results Here, we performed a discriminant microarray analysis using Xenopus laevis genome arrays to compare tail tissues of control and predator-exposed tadpoles. We identified 9 genes showing large-scale changes in their expression profile: ELAV-like1, methyltransferase like 7A, dolichyl-phosphate mannosyltransferase, laminin subunit beta-1, gremlin 1, BCL6 corepressor-like 1, and three genes of unknown identity. A further 80 genes showed greater than 5 fold differences in expression after exposure to dragonfly larvae and 81 genes showed altered expression after exposure to larval salamanders. Predation-threat responsive genes were identified by selecting genes that reverted to control levels of expression following removal of the predator. Thirteen genes were induced specifically by dragonfly larvae, nine others were salamander-specific, and sixteen were induced by both. Functional analyses indicated that some of the genes induced by dragonfly larvae caused an increase in laminins necessary for cell adhesion in the extracellular matrix. The higher expression of gremlin 1 and HIF1a genes after exposure to dragonfly larvae indicated an in vivo hypoxic reaction, while down-regulation of syndecan-2 may indicate impairment of angiogenesis. Exposure to larval salamanders caused down-regulation of XCIRP-1, which is known to inhibit expression of adhesion molecules; the tadpoles showed reduced expression of cα(E)-catenin, small muscle protein, dystrophin, and myosin light chain genes. Conclusion The connective tissue of tadpoles exposed to larval salamanders may be looser. The differences in gene expression profiles induced by the two predators suggest that there are functional differences between the altered tail tissues of the two groups of tadpoles. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1389-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsukasa Mori
- Department of Marine Science and Resources, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, Kameino 1866, Fujisawa, 252-0880, Japan.
| | - Yukio Yanagisawa
- Department of Liberal Art, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, Kameino 1866, Fujisawa, 252-0880, Japan.
| | - Yoichiro Kitani
- Department of Marine Science and Resources, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, Kameino 1866, Fujisawa, 252-0880, Japan.
| | - Manabu Sugiyama
- Department of Marine Science and Resources, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, Kameino 1866, Fujisawa, 252-0880, Japan.
| | - Osamu Kishida
- Teshio Experimental Forest, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Horonobe, Hokkaido, 098-2943, Japan.
| | - Kinya Nishimura
- Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Hakodate, 041-8611, Japan.
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48
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Gremlin-1 inhibits macrophage migration inhibitory factor-dependent monocyte function and survival. Int J Cardiol 2014; 176:923-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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49
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Yang CC, Chung A, Ku CY, Brill LM, Williams R, Wolf DA. Systems analysis of the prostate tumor suppressor NKX3.1 supports roles in DNA repair and luminal cell differentiation. F1000Res 2014; 3:115. [PMID: 25177484 PMCID: PMC4141641 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.3818.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
NKX3.1 is a homeobox transcription factor whose function as a prostate tumor suppressor remains insufficiently understood because neither the transcriptional program governed by NKX3.1, nor its interacting proteins have been fully revealed. Using affinity purification and mass spectrometry, we have established an extensive NKX3.1 interactome which contains the DNA repair proteins Ku70, Ku80, and PARP, thus providing a molecular underpinning to previous reports implicating NKX3.1 in DNA repair. Transcriptomic profiling of NKX3.1-negative prostate epithelial cells acutely expressing NKX3.1 revealed a rapid and complex response that is a near mirror image of the gene expression signature of human prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). Pathway and network analyses suggested that NKX3.1 actuates a cellular reprogramming toward luminal cell differentiation characterized by suppression of pro-oncogenic c-MYC and interferon-STAT signaling and activation of tumor suppressor pathways. Consistently, ectopic expression of NKX3.1 conferred a growth arrest depending on TNFα and JNK signaling. We propose that the tumor suppressor function of NKX3.1 entails a transcriptional program that maintains the differentiation state of secretory luminal cells and that disruption of NKX3.1 contributes to prostate tumorigenesis by permitting luminal cell de-differentiation potentially augmented by defects in DNA repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Cheng Yang
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Alicia Chung
- Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Chia-Yu Ku
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Laurence M Brill
- NCI-designated Cancer Center Proteomics Facility, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Roy Williams
- Informatics and Data Management Core, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Dieter A Wolf
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; NCI-designated Cancer Center Proteomics Facility, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; San Diego Center for Systems Biology, La Jolla, CA 92093-0375, USA
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Yan K, Wu Q, Yan DH, Lee CH, Rahim N, Tritschler I, DeVecchio J, Kalady MF, Hjelmeland AB, Rich JN. Glioma cancer stem cells secrete Gremlin1 to promote their maintenance within the tumor hierarchy. Genes Dev 2014; 28:1085-100. [PMID: 24788093 PMCID: PMC4035537 DOI: 10.1101/gad.235515.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In glioblastomas, cancer stem cells (CSCs) reside in functional niches that provide essential cues to maintain the cellular hierarchy. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are proposed as anti-CSC therapies to induce differentiation, but, paradoxically, tumors express high levels of BMPs. Yan et al. demonstrate that the BMP antagonist Gremlin1 is specifically expressed by CSCs as protection from endogenous BMPs. Gremlin1-overexpressing cells display increased growth and tumor formation, while targeting Gremlin1 in CSCs impairs growth and self-renewal associated with inhibition of p21WAF1/CIP1, a key CSC signaling node. Glioblastomas are the most prevalent and lethal primary brain tumor and are comprised of hierarchies with self-renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs) at the apex. Like neural stem cells (NSCs), CSCs reside in functional niches that provide essential cues to maintain the cellular hierarchy. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) instruct NSCs to adopt an astrocyte fate and are proposed as anti-CSC therapies to induce differentiation, but, paradoxically, tumors express high levels of BMPs. Here we demonstrate that the BMP antagonist Gremlin1 is specifically expressed by CSCs as protection from endogenous BMPs. Gremlin1 colocalizes with CSCs in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, Gremlin1 blocks prodifferentiation effects of BMPs, and overexpression of Gremlin1 in non-CSCs decreases their endogenous BMP signaling to promote stem-like features. Consequently, Gremlin1-overexpressing cells display increased growth and tumor formation abilities. Targeting Gremlin1 in CSCs results in impaired growth and self-renewal. Transcriptional profiling demonstrated that Gremlin1 effects were associated with inhibition of p21WAF1/CIP1, a key CSC signaling node. This study establishes CSC-derived Gremlin1 as a driving force in maintaining glioblastoma tumor proliferation and glioblastoma hierarchies through the modulation of endogenous prodifferentiation signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Yan
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA; Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Qiulian Wu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Diana H Yan
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Christine H Lee
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Nasiha Rahim
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Isabel Tritschler
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich 8091, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer DeVecchio
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Matthew F Kalady
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Anita B Hjelmeland
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
| | - Jeremy N Rich
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA
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