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Eng JWL, Kato Y, Adachi Y, Swaminathan B, Naiche L, Vadakath R, Sakamoto Y, Nakazawa Y, Tachino S, Ito K, Abe T, Minoshima Y, Hoshino-Negishi K, Ogasawara H, Kawakatsu T, Nishimura M, Katayama M, Shimizu M, Tahara K, Sato T, Suzuki K, Agarwala K, Iwata M, Nomoto K, Ozawa Y, Imai T, Funahashi Y, Matsui J, Kitajewski J. Inhibition of Notch4 Using Novel Neutralizing Antibodies Reduces Tumor Growth in Murine Cancer Models by Targeting the Tumor Endothelium. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:1881-1893. [PMID: 38984877 PMCID: PMC11289863 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-24-0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Endothelial Notch signaling is critical for tumor angiogenesis. Notch1 blockade can interfere with tumor vessel function but causes tissue hypoxia and gastrointestinal toxicity. Notch4 is primarily expressed in endothelial cells, where it may promote angiogenesis; however, effective therapeutic targeting of Notch4 has not been successful. We developed highly specific Notch4-blocking antibodies, 6-3-A6 and humanized E7011, allowing therapeutic targeting of Notch4 to be assessed in tumor models. Notch4 was expressed in tumor endothelial cells in multiple cancer models, and endothelial expression was associated with response to E7011/6-3-A6. Anti-Notch4 treatment significantly delayed tumor growth in mouse models of breast, skin, and lung cancers. Enhanced tumor inhibition occurred when anti-Notch4 treatment was used in combination with chemotherapeutics. Endothelial transcriptomic analysis of murine breast tumors treated with 6-3-A6 identified significant changes in pathways of vascular function but caused only modest change in canonical Notch signaling. Analysis of early and late treatment timepoints revealed significant differences in vessel area and perfusion in response to anti-Notch4 treatment. We conclude that targeting Notch4 improves tumor growth control through endothelial intrinsic mechanisms. SIGNIFICANCE A first-in-class anti-Notch4 agent, E7011, demonstrates strong antitumor effects in murine tumor models including breast carcinoma. Endothelial Notch4 blockade reduces perfusion and vessel area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason W.-L. Eng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Yu Kato
- Eisai Co., Ltd, Tsukuba, Japan.
| | | | - Bhairavi Swaminathan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - L.A. Naiche
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Rahul Vadakath
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | | | | | | | - Ken Ito
- Eisai Co., Ltd, Tsukuba, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jan Kitajewski
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois.
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2
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Sargis T, Youn SW, Thakkar K, Naiche LA, Paik NY, Pajcini KV, Kitajewski JK. Notch1 and Notch4 core binding domain peptibodies exhibit distinct ligand-binding and anti-angiogenic properties. Angiogenesis 2023; 26:249-263. [PMID: 36376768 PMCID: PMC10119233 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-022-09861-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Notch signaling pathway is an important therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer. We previously created ligand-specific inhibitors of Notch signaling comprised of Fc fusions to specific EGF-like repeats of the Notch1 extracellular domain, called Notch decoys, which bound ligands, blocked Notch signaling, and showed anti-tumor activity with low toxicity. However, the study of their function depended on virally mediated expression, which precluded dosage control and limited clinical applicability. We have refined the decoy design to create peptibody-based Notch inhibitors comprising the core binding domains, EGF-like repeats 10-14, of either Notch1 or Notch4. These Notch peptibodies showed high secretion properties and production yields that were improved by nearly 100-fold compared to previous Notch decoys. Using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy coupled with co-immunoprecipitation assays, we observed that Notch1 and Notch4 peptibodies demonstrate strong but distinct binding properties to Notch ligands DLL4 and JAG1. Both Notch1 and Notch4 peptibodies interfere with Notch signaling in endothelial cells and reduce expression of canonical Notch targets after treatment. While prior DLL4 inhibitors cause hyper-sprouting, the Notch1 peptibody reduced angiogenesis in a 3-dimensional in vitro sprouting assay. Administration of Notch1 peptibodies to neonate mice resulted in reduced radial outgrowth of retinal vasculature, confirming anti-angiogenic properties. We conclude that purified Notch peptibodies comprising EGF-like repeats 10-14 bind to both DLL4 and JAG1 ligands and exhibit anti-angiogenic properties. Based on their secretion profile, unique Notch inhibitory activities, and anti-angiogenic properties, Notch peptibodies present new opportunities for therapeutic Notch inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Sargis
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Seock-Won Youn
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Krishna Thakkar
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - L A Naiche
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Na Yoon Paik
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Kostandin V Pajcini
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Jan K Kitajewski
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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3
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Li G, Lei X, Zhang Y, Liu Z, Zhu K. LncRNA PPM1A-AS Regulate Tumor Development Through Multiple Signal Pathways in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Front Oncol 2021; 11:761205. [PMID: 34746000 PMCID: PMC8567141 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.761205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
ALL (Acute lymphoblastic leukemia) is the most common pediatric malignancy and T-ALL (T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia) comprises about 15% cases. Compared with B-ALL (B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia), the prognosis of T-ALL is poorer, the chemotherapy is easier to fail and the relapse rate is higher. Previous studies mainly focused in Notch1-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in T-ALL. Here, we intend to investigate lncRNAs involved in T-ALL covering different subtypes. The lncRNA PPM1A-AS was screened out for its significant up-regulation in 10 T-ALL samples of different subtypes than healthy human thymus extracts. Besides, the PPM1A-AS expression levels in 3 T-ALL cell lines are markedly higher than that in CD45+ T cells of healthy human. We further demonstrate that PPM1A-AS can promote cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis in vitro and can influence T-ALL growth in vivo. Finally, we verified that PPM1A-AS can regulate core proteins, Notch4, STAT3 and Akt, of 3 important signaling pathways related to T-ALL. These results confirm that lncRNA PPM1A-AS can act as an oncogene in T-ALL and maybe a potential clinical target of patients resistant to current chemotherapy or relapsed cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoli Li
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinyue Lei
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yingchi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhe Liu
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Kegan Zhu
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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4
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Muley A, Kim Uh M, Salazar-De Simone G, Swaminathan B, James JM, Murtomaki A, Youn SW, McCarron JD, Kitajewski C, Gnarra Buethe M, Riitano G, Mukouyama YS, Kitajewski J, Shawber CJ. Unique functions for Notch4 in murine embryonic lymphangiogenesis. Angiogenesis 2021; 25:205-224. [PMID: 34665379 PMCID: PMC9054879 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-021-09822-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In mice, embryonic dermal lymphatic development is well understood and used to study gene functions in lymphangiogenesis. Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that modulates cell fate decisions, which has been shown to both inhibit and promote dermal lymphangiogenesis. Here, we demonstrate distinct roles for Notch4 signaling versus canonical Notch signaling in embryonic dermal lymphangiogenesis. Actively growing embryonic dermal lymphatics expressed NOTCH1, NOTCH4, and DLL4 which correlated with Notch activity. In lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), DLL4 activation of Notch induced a subset of Notch effectors and lymphatic genes, which were distinctly regulated by Notch1 and Notch4 activation. Treatment of LECs with VEGF-A or VEGF-C upregulated Dll4 transcripts and differentially and temporally regulated the expression of Notch1 and Hes/Hey genes. Mice nullizygous for Notch4 had an increase in the closure of the lymphangiogenic fronts which correlated with reduced vessel caliber in the maturing lymphatic plexus at E14.5 and reduced branching at E16.5. Activation of Notch4 suppressed LEC migration in a wounding assay significantly more than Notch1, suggesting a dominant role for Notch4 in regulating LEC migration. Unlike Notch4 nulls, inhibition of canonical Notch signaling by expressing a dominant negative form of MAML1 (DNMAML) in Prox1+ LECs led to increased lymphatic density consistent with an increase in LEC proliferation, described for the loss of LEC Notch1. Moreover, loss of Notch4 did not affect LEC canonical Notch signaling. Thus, we propose that Notch4 signaling and canonical Notch signaling have distinct functions in the coordination of embryonic dermal lymphangiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajit Muley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Minji Kim Uh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | | | - Bhairavi Swaminathan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Jennifer M James
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Neuro-Vascular Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Aino Murtomaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu, 8, 00290, Helsinki, Finland.,Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Faculty of Medicine, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Seock Won Youn
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Joseph D McCarron
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Chris Kitajewski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Maria Gnarra Buethe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Gloria Riitano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Departments of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Yoh-Suke Mukouyama
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Neuro-Vascular Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jan Kitajewski
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Carrie J Shawber
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA. .,Department of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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5
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Xiu M, Zeng X, Shan R, Wen W, Li J, Wan R. Targeting Notch4 in Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:7033-7045. [PMID: 34526819 PMCID: PMC8436177 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s315511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The dysregulation of Notch signaling is found in many cancers and is closely related to cancer progression. As an important Notch receptor, abnormal Notch4 expression affects several tumor-cell behaviors, including stemness, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, radio/chemoresistance and angiogenesis. In order to inhibit the oncogenic effects of Notch4 activation, several methods for targeting Notch4 signaling have been proposed. In this review, we summarize the known molecular mechanisms through which Notch4 affects cancer progression. Finally, we discuss potential Notch4-targeting therapeutic strategies as a reference for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Xiu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China.,Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohong Zeng
- Imaging Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Renfeng Shan
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wu Wen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Renhua Wan
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
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6
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Xu Q, Lin D, Li X, Xiao R, Liu Z, Xiong W, Cai L, He F. Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of NOTCH signaling pathway-related genes and the prognosis of NSCLC. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:6895-6905. [PMID: 31413635 PMCID: PMC6662170 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s197747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective In this study, we analyzed the association between genetic variants of genes in the NOTCH signaling pathway and the prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the Chinese population. We also explored the interaction between genetic and epidemiological factors for the test group. Methods We performed genotyping of 987 NSCLC patients. Then, we used Cox proportional hazard models to analyze the associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the prognosis of NSCLC. We employed Stata software to test the heterogeneity of associations between subgroups, and we analyzed the additive and multiplicative interactions between SNPs and epidemiologic factors. Results This work revealed the important prognostic and predictive value of rs915894 in the NOTCH4 gene, which may be regarded as a promising prognosis biomarker of NSCLC. Cox regression analysis indicated that the C allele of rs915894 is associated with longer survival and decreased risk of death in NSCLC (codominant model: adjusted HR =0.83, 95% CI =0.70-0.99; dominant model: adjusted HR =0.83, 95% CI =0.71-0.98). Additional stepwise regression analysis suggested that this SNP is an independently favorable factor for the prognosis of NSCLC (dominant model: adjusted HR =0.85, 95% CI =0.72-0.99). This protective effect is more pronounced for patients who are not smokers, have a history of other lung diseases, or have a family history of cancer. We also detected statistically significant additive and multiplicative interactions between rs915894 and smoking, rs915894 and history of lung diseases, and rs915894 and family history of cancer, which all affect NSCLC survival. Conclusion This study demonstrated that rs915894 in NOTCH 4 may be a genetic marker for NSCLC prognosis in the Chinese population and that rs915894 may have an interactive relationship with epidemiologic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuping Xu
- Medical Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Danhua Lin
- Medical Department, The Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Rendong Xiao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Weimin Xiong
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Cai
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei He
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
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7
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Wang Y, Yang R, Wang X, Ci H, Zhou L, Zhu B, Wu S, Wang D. Evaluation of the correlation of vasculogenic mimicry, Notch4, DLL4, and KAI1/CD82 in the prediction of metastasis and prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e13817. [PMID: 30593175 PMCID: PMC6314709 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000013817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a new blood supply style in tumors and has long been treated as a useful factor in malignant tumor metastasis and prognosis. Notch4 (a marker of Notch signaling pathway receptors), DLL4 (a marker of Notch signaling pathway ligands) and KAI1/CD82 (a suppressor gene of tumor metastasis) are all effective predictive factors for tumor metastasis. In this study, we analyzed correlations among VM, Notch4, DLL4, and KAI1/CD82 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and their respective associations with patients' clinicopathological parameters and survival rate in NSCLC.Positive rates of VM, Notch4, DLL4, and KAI1/CD82 in 189 whole NSCLC specimens were detected by histochemical and immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, patients' clinicopathological information was also collected.Positive rates of VM, Notch4, and DLL4 were significantly higher, and levels of KAI1/CD82 were significantly lower in NSCLC than in normal lung tissues. Positive rates of VM, Notch4, and DLL4 were positively associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis (LNM), distant metastasis (DM) and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and inversely with patients, overall survival (OS) time and positive rate of DLL4 were positively associated with tumor grade. Levels of KAI1/CD82 were negatively associated with tumor size, LNM, DM, and TNM stage. The KAI1/CD82+ subgroup had significantly longer OS time than did the KAI1/CD82- subgroup. In multivariate analysis, high VM, Notch4, DLL4 levels, tumor size, LNM, DM, TNM stage, and low KAI1/CD82 levels were potential to be independent prognostic factors for overall survival time (OST) in NSCLC patients.VM and the expression of Notch4, DLL4, and KAI1/CD82 represent promising markers for tumor metastasis and prognosis, and maybe potential therapeutic targets for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Ruixue Yang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Hongfei Ci
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Bo Zhu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Shiwu Wu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Danna Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College
- Department of Pathology, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
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8
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The Notch Pathway in Breast Cancer Progression. ScientificWorldJournal 2018; 2018:2415489. [PMID: 30111989 PMCID: PMC6077551 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2415489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Notch signaling pathway is a vital parameter of the mammalian vascular system. In this review, the authors summarize the current knowledge about the impact of the Notch signaling pathway in breast cancer progression and the therapeutic role of Notch's inhibition. Methods The available literature in MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus, regarding the role of the Notch pathway in breast cancer progression was searched for related articles from about 1973 to 2017 including terms such as “Notch,” “Breast Cancer,” and “Angiogenesis.” Results. Notch signaling controls the differentiation of breast epithelial cells during normal development. Studies confirm that the Notch pathway has a major participation in breast cancer progression through overexpression and/or abnormal genetic type expression of the notch receptors and ligands that determine angiogenesis. The cross-talk of Notch and estrogens, the effect of Notch in breast cancer stem cells formation, and the dependable Notch overexpression during breast tumorigenesis have been studied enough and undoubtedly linked to breast cancer development. The already applied therapeutic inhibition of Notch for breast cancer can drastically change the course of the disease. Conclusion Current data prove that Notch pathway has a major participation and multiple roles during breast tumor progression. Inhibition of Notch receptors and ligands provides innovative therapeutic results and could become the therapy of choice in the next few years, even though further research is needed to reach safe conclusions.
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9
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Ramakrishnan G, Davaakhuu G, Chung WC, Zhu H, Rana A, Filipovic A, Green AR, Atfi A, Pannuti A, Miele L, Tzivion G. AKT and 14-3-3 regulate Notch4 nuclear localization. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8782. [PMID: 25740432 PMCID: PMC4350099 DOI: 10.1038/srep08782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the Notch family of transmembrane receptors, Notch1-4 in mammals, are involved in the regulation of cell fate decisions and cell proliferation in various organisms. The Notch4 isoform, which is specific to mammals, was originally identified as a viral oncogene in mice, Int3, able to initiate mammary tumors. In humans, Notch4 expression appears to be associated with breast cancer stem cells and endocrine resistance. Following ligand binding, the Notch4 receptor undergoes cleavage at the membrane and the Notch4-intracellular domain (ICD), translocates to the nucleus and regulates gene transcription. Little is known on the mechanisms regulating Notch4-ICD and its nuclear localization. Here, we describe the identification of four distinct AKT phosphorylation sites in human Notch4-ICD and demonstrate that AKT binds Notch4-ICD and phosphorylates all four sites in vitro and in vivo. The phosphorylation in cells is regulated by growth factors and is sensitive to phosphatidyl inositol-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitors. This phosphorylation generates binding sites to the 14-3-3 regulatory proteins, which are involved in the regulation of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of target proteins, restricting phosphorylated Notch4-ICD to the cytoplasm. Our findings provide a novel mechanism for Notch4-ICD regulation, suggesting a negative regulatory role for the PI3K-AKT pathway in Notch4 nuclear signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gantulga Davaakhuu
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
| | - Wen Cheng Chung
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
| | - He Zhu
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
| | - Ajay Rana
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153
| | - Aleksandra Filipovic
- Imperial College London, Division of Surgery and Cancer, Department of Oncology, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Andrew R Green
- Department of Histopathology and School of Molecular Medical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK
| | - Azeddine Atfi
- 1] Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216 [2] Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
| | - Antonio Pannuti
- 1] Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216 [2] Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
| | - Lucio Miele
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
| | - Guri Tzivion
- 1] Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216 [2] Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216
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10
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Lacko LA, Massimiani M, Sones JL, Hurtado R, Salvi S, Ferrazzani S, Davisson RL, Campagnolo L, Stuhlmann H. Novel expression of EGFL7 in placental trophoblast and endothelial cells and its implication in preeclampsia. Mech Dev 2014; 133:163-76. [PMID: 24751645 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2014.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian placenta is the site of nutrient and gas exchange between the mother and fetus, and is comprised of two principal cell types, trophoblasts and endothelial cells. Proper placental development requires invasion and differentiation of trophoblast cells, together with coordinated fetal vasculogenesis and maternal vascular remodeling. Disruption in these processes can result in placental pathologies such as preeclampsia (PE), a disease characterized by late gestational hypertension and proteinuria. Epidermal Growth Factor Like Domain 7 (EGFL7) is a largely endothelial-restricted secreted factor that is critical for embryonic vascular development, and functions by modulating the Notch signaling pathway. However, the role of EGFL7 in placental development remains unknown. In this study, we use mouse models and human placentas to begin to understand the role of EGFL7 during normal and pathological placentation. We show that Egfl7 is expressed by the endothelium of both the maternal and fetal vasculature throughout placental development. Importantly, we uncovered a previously unknown site of EGFL7 expression in the trophoblast cell lineage, including the trophectoderm, trophoblast stem cells, and placental trophoblasts. Our results demonstrate significantly reduced Egfl7 expression in human PE placentas, concurrent with a downregulation of Notch target genes. Moreover, using the BPH/5 mouse model of PE, we show that the downregulation of Egfl7 in compromised placentas occurs prior to the onset of characteristic maternal signs of PE. Together, our results implicate Egfl7 as a possible factor in normal placental development and in the etiology of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauretta A Lacko
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States.
| | - Micol Massimiani
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Jenny L Sones
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, T9-014 Veterinary Research Tower, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
| | - Romulo Hurtado
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States.
| | - Silvia Salvi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Sergio Ferrazzani
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Robin L Davisson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, T9-014 Veterinary Research Tower, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
| | - Luisa Campagnolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Heidi Stuhlmann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States.
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11
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Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) in the plasma and neoplastic tissues from breast cancer patients: correlation with metastasis. Med Oncol 2014; 31:945. [PMID: 24696220 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-014-0945-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) is a ligand of the notch pathway. In tumor angiogenesis, DLL4 switches to vascular maturation by providing a negative feedback on VEGFR2 activity. We investigated the expression of DLL4 in the plasma and cancer tissues from breast cancer patients. Plasma samples were collected from 18 women with localized breast cancer, six women with benign breast disease and from six patients with widespread metastatic disease. DLL4 was assessed using ELISA and in cancer tissues using immunohistochemistry. Patients with metastatic breast cancer had significantly higher levels (median 6.7 ± 0.81 ng/ml) compared to patients with localized tumors (median 5.4 ± 0.70 ng/ml) (p = 0.005) and to patients with benign breast disease (median 4.3 ± 0.28) (p = 0.0003). High histology grade was significantly linked with higher plasma DLL4 levels (median 5.59 ± 0.62 vs. 5.12 ± 0.44 ng/ml; p = 0.01). Surgical removal of high-grade breast cancer resulted in significant reduction in DLL4 plasma levels (p = 0.003). DLL4 was expressed in tumor-associated vessels and in cancer cells. The ratio of DLL4+/CD31+ vascular density (VD) ranged from 23 to 88% (median 49 %). High DLL4 cancer cell expression and high DLL4+ VD were significantly linked with nodal involvement (p = 0.004 and 0.01, respectively). Linear regression analysis showed a significant association of DLL4 plasma levels with the percentage of DLL4+ cancer cells (p = 0.03, r = 0.50) and with DLL4+ VD (p = 0.0007, r = 0.60). It is concluded that DLL4 is overexpressed in breast cancer cells and breast cancer vasculature and is linked with nodal and distant metastasis. DLL4 plasma levels measurement can reliably estimate the total DLL4 breast cancer/vasculature activity.
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12
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James AC, Szot JO, Iyer K, Major JA, Pursglove SE, Chapman G, Dunwoodie SL. Notch4 reveals a novel mechanism regulating Notch signal transduction. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2014; 1843:1272-84. [PMID: 24667410 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2014.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Revised: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Notch4 is a divergent member of the Notch family of receptors that is primarily expressed in the vasculature. Its expression implies an important role for Notch4 in the vasculature; however, mice homozygous for the Notch4(d1) knockout allele are viable. Since little is known about the role of Notch4 in the vasculature and how it functions, we further investigated Notch4 in mice and in cultured cells. We found that the Notch4(d1) allele is not null as it expresses a truncated transcript encoding most of the NOTCH4 extracellular domain. In cultured cells, NOTCH4 did not signal in response to ligand. Moreover, NOTCH4 inhibited signalling from the NOTCH1 receptor. This is the first report of cis-inhibition of signalling by another Notch receptor. The NOTCH4 extracellular domain also inhibits NOTCH1 signalling when expressed in cis, raising the possibility that reported Notch4 phenotypes may not be due to loss of NOTCH4 function. To better address the role of NOTCH4 in vivo, we generated a Notch4 null mouse in which the entire coding region was deleted. Notch4 null mice exhibited slightly delayed vessel growth in the retina, consistent with our novel finding that NOTCH4 protein is expressed in the newly formed vasculature. These findings indicate a role of NOTCH4 in fine-tuning the forming vascular plexus.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C James
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, Australia.
| | - J O Szot
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, Australia; School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
| | - K Iyer
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, Australia.
| | - J A Major
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, Australia.
| | - S E Pursglove
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, Australia.
| | - G Chapman
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
| | - S L Dunwoodie
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Sydney, Australia; School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.
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13
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Aktas B, Sun H, Yao H, Shi W, Hubbard R, Zhang Y, Jiang T, Ononye SN, Wali VB, Pusztai L, Symmans WF, Hatzis C. Global gene expression changes induced by prolonged cold ischemic stress and preservation method of breast cancer tissue. Mol Oncol 2014; 8:717-27. [PMID: 24602449 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tissue handling can alter global gene expression potentially affecting the analytical performance of genomic signatures, but such effects have not been systematically evaluated. METHODS Tissue samples from 11 previously untreated breast tumors were minced and aliquots were either snap frozen or placed in RNAlater immediately or after 20, 40, 60, 120 or 180 min at room temperature. RNA was profiled on Affymetrix HG-U133A arrays. We used probe-set-wise hierarchical models to evaluate the effect of preservation method on transcript expression and linear mixed effects models to assess the effect of cold ischemic delay on the expression of individual probe sets. Gene set enrichment analysis identified pathways overrepresented in the affected transcripts. We combined the levels of 41 most sensitive transcripts to develop an index of ischemic stress. RESULTS Concordance in global gene expression between the baseline and 40 min delay was higher for samples preserved in RNAlater (average concordance correlation coefficient CCC = 0.92 compared to 0.88 for snap frozen). Overall, 481 transcripts (3%) were significantly affected by the preservation method, most of them involved in processes important in cancer. Prolonged cold ischemic delay of up to 3 h induced marginal global gene expression changes (average CCC = 0.90 between baseline and 3 h delay). However 41 transcripts were significantly affected by cold ischemic delay. Among the induced transcripts were stress response genes, apoptotic response genes; among the downregulated were genes involved in metabolism, protein processing and cell cycle regulation. An index combining the expression levels of these genes was proportional to the cold ischemic delay. CONCLUSIONS Prolonged cold ischemia induces significant transcriptional changes in a small subset of transcripts in the tissue. Furthermore, the expression level of about 3% of the transcripts is affected by the preservation method. These sensitive transcripts should not be included in genomic signatures for more reliable analytical performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilge Aktas
- Section of Medical Oncology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Hongxia Sun
- Department of Pathology, UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 85, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hui Yao
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 301402, Houston, TX 77230, USA
| | - Weiwei Shi
- Section of Medical Oncology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Rebekah Hubbard
- Department of Pathology, UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 85, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ya Zhang
- Department of Pathology, UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 85, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Section of Medical Oncology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Sophia N Ononye
- Section of Medical Oncology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Vikram B Wali
- Section of Medical Oncology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Lajos Pusztai
- Section of Medical Oncology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - W Fraser Symmans
- Department of Pathology, UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 85, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Christos Hatzis
- Section of Medical Oncology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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