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Antonello P, Pizzagalli DU, Foglierini M, Melgrati S, Radice E, Thelen S, Thelen M. ACKR3 promotes CXCL12/CXCR4-mediated cell-to-cell-induced lymphoma migration through LTB4 production. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1067885. [PMID: 36713377 PMCID: PMC9878562 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1067885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotaxis is an essential physiological process, often harnessed by tumors for metastasis. CXCR4, its ligand CXCL12 and the atypical receptor ACKR3 are overexpressed in many human cancers. Interfering with this axis by ACKR3 deletion impairs lymphoma cell migration towards CXCL12. Here, we propose a model of how ACKR3 controls the migration of the diffused large B-cell lymphoma VAL cells in vitro and in vivo in response to CXCL12. VAL cells expressing full-length ACKR3, but not a truncated version missing the C-terminus, can support the migration of VAL cells lacking ACKR3 (VAL-ko) when allowed to migrate together. This migration of VAL-ko cells is pertussis toxin-sensitive suggesting the involvement of a Gi-protein coupled receptor. RNAseq analysis indicate the expression of chemotaxis-mediating LTB4 receptors in VAL cells. We found that LTB4 acts synergistically with CXCL12 in stimulating the migration of VAL cells. Pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of BLT1R markedly reduces chemotaxis towards CXCL12 suggesting that LTB4 enhances in a contact-independent manner the migration of lymphoma cells. The results unveil a novel mechanism of cell-to-cell-induced migration of lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Antonello
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Graduate School of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Diego U. Pizzagalli
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera italiana, Euler Institute, Lugano-Viganello, Switzerland
| | - Mathilde Foglierini
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Serena Melgrati
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Graduate School of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Egle Radice
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Sylvia Thelen
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Thelen
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Yan Q. The Yin-Yang Dynamics in Cancer Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2547:141-163. [PMID: 36068463 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2573-6_6] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The enormous heterogeneity of cancer systems has made it very challenging to overcome drug resistance and adverse reactions to achieve personalized therapies. Recent developments in systems biology, especially the perception of cancer as the complex adaptive system (CAS), may help meet the challenges by deciphering the interactions at various levels from the molecular, cellular, tissue-organ, to the whole organism. The ubiquitous Yin-Yang interactions among the coevolving components, including the genes and proteins, decide their spatiotemporal features at various stages from cancer initiation to metastasis. The Yin-Yang imbalances across different systems levels, from genetic mutations to tumor cells adaptation, have been related to the intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity in the micro- and macro-environments. At the molecular and cellular levels, dysfunctional Yin-Yang dynamics in the cytokine networks, mitochondrial activities, redox systems, apoptosis, and metabolism can contribute to tumor cell growth and escape of immune surveillance. Up to the organism and system levels, the Yin-Yang imbalances in the cancer microenvironments can lead to different phenotypes from breast cancer to leukemia. These factors may be considered the systems-based biomarkers and treatment targets. The features of adaptation and nonlinearity in Yin-Yang dynamical interactions should be addressed by individualized drug combinations, dosages, intensities, timing, and frequencies at different cancer stages. The comprehensive "Yin-Yang dynamics" framework would enable powerful approaches for personalized and systems medicine strategies.
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Puddinu V, Casella S, Radice E, Thelen S, Dirnhofer S, Bertoni F, Thelen M. ACKR3 expression on diffuse large B cell lymphoma is required for tumor spreading and tissue infiltration. Oncotarget 2017; 8:85068-85084. [PMID: 29156704 PMCID: PMC5689594 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most frequent lymphoma accounting for more than the 30% of the cases. Involvement of extranodal sites, such as bone marrow and central nervous system, is associated with poor prognosis. A contribution of the chemokine system in these processes is assumed as it is known as a critical regulator of the metastatic process in cancer. The atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3), which does not couple to G-proteins and does not mediate cell migration, acts as a scavenger for CXCL11 and CXCL12, interfering with the tumor homing CXCL12/CXCR4 axis. Here, functional expression of ACKR3 in DLBCL cells was necessary for colonization of the draining lymph node in an in vivo subcutaneous lymphoma model. Moreover, in a disseminated in vivo lymphoma model, ACKR3 expression was required for bone marrow and brain invasion and local tumor growth. The present data unveil ACKR3 as potential therapeutic target for the control of tumor dissemination in DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Puddinu
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Casella
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Egle Radice
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sylvia Thelen
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Dirnhofer
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Marcus Thelen
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Li RH, Huang WH, Wu JD, Du CW, Zhang GJ. EGFR expression is associated with cytoplasmic staining of CXCR4 and predicts poor prognosis in triple-negative breast carcinomas. Oncol Lett 2017; 13:695-703. [PMID: 28356948 PMCID: PMC5351258 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.5489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the significance of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). CXCR4 and EGFR expression levels were immunohistochemically determined in 207 primary breast cancer specimens. The associations between receptor expression and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed, and receptor expression was also assessed as a prognostic factor. In the human MDA-MB-231 TNBC cell line, CXCR4 or EGFR was stably knocked down by short hairpin RNA, and the biological behavior of the cells, including migration, invasion and tumorigenesis, was investigated. The results revealed that TNBC was associated with younger age, higher histological grade and an aggressive phenotype. CXCR4 and EGFR were highly expressed in patients with TNBC, and those with high CXCR4 or EGFR expression exhibited an unfavorable prognosis in terms of disease-free survival and overall survival. In MDA-MB-231 cells, the expression of CXCR4 protein was decreased following EGFR silencing, while CXCR4 knockdown also caused a decrease in EGFR protein levels. The migratory and invasive capabilities of MDA-MB-231 cells were decreased following the knockdown of CXCR4 or EGFR expression. A strong correlation between CXCR4 and EGFR expression was identified in patients with TNBC. The results suggest that elevated expression levels of these two receptors may serve as predictive factors for poor prognosis in patients with TNBC. In addition, tumor proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenesis are weakened in MDA-MB-231 cells following suppression of CXCR4 or EGFR expression. Therefore, EGFR and CXCR4 may be potential therapeutic targets for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Hui Li
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
- Chang Jiang Scholar's Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
| | - Wen-He Huang
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
| | - Jun-Dong Wu
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
| | - Cai-Wen Du
- Chang Jiang Scholar's Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
| | - Guo-Jun Zhang
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
- Chang Jiang Scholar's Laboratory, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China
- Correspondence to: Professor Guo-Jun Zhang, The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, 7 Raoping Road, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, P.R. China, E-mail:
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Wyse MM, Goicoechea S, Garcia-Mata R, Nestor-Kalinoski AL, Eisenmann KM. mDia2 and CXCL12/CXCR4 chemokine signaling intersect to drive tumor cell amoeboid morphological transitions. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 484:255-261. [PMID: 28115158 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.01.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Morphological plasticity in response to environmental cues in migrating cancer cells requires F-actin cytoskeletal rearrangements. Conserved formin family proteins play critical roles in cell shape, tumor cell motility, invasion and metastasis, in part, through assembly of non-branched actin filaments. Diaphanous-related formin-2 (mDia2/Diaph3/Drf3/Dia) regulates mesenchymal-to-amoeboid morphological conversions and non-apoptotic blebbing in tumor cells by interacting with its inhibitor diaphanous-interacting protein (DIP), and disrupting cortical F-actin assembly and bundling. F-actin disruption is initiated by a CXCL12-dependent mechanism. Downstream CXCL12 signaling partners inducing mDia2-dependent amoeboid conversions remain enigmatic. We found in MDA-MB-231 tumor cells CXCL12 induces DIP and mDia2 interaction in blebs, and engages its receptor CXCR4 to induce RhoA-dependent blebbing. mDia2 and CXCR4 associate in blebs upon CXCL12 stimulation. Both CXCR4 and RhoA are required for CXCL12-induced blebbing. Neither CXCR7 nor other Rho GTPases that activate mDia2 are required for CXCL12-induced blebbing. The Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor (GEF) Net1 is required for CXCL12-driven RhoA activation and subsequent blebbing. These results reveal CXCL12 signaling, through CXCR4, directs a Net1/RhoA/mDia-dependent signaling hub to drive cytoskeleton rearrangements to regulate morphological plasticity in tumor cells. These signaling hubs may be conserved during normal and cancer cells responding to chemotactic cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan M Wyse
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Silvia Goicoechea
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Rafael Garcia-Mata
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | | | - Kathryn M Eisenmann
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
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Wang H, Tao L, Qi KE, Zhang H, Feng D, Wei W, Kong H, Chen T, Lin Q, Chen D. CXCR7 functions in colon cancer cell survival and migration. Exp Ther Med 2015; 10:1720-1724. [PMID: 26640542 PMCID: PMC4665345 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2015.2748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
C-X-C chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) is a known promoter of tumor progression and metastasis; however, little is known about its role in colon cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the function of CXCR7 in human colon cancer cells. CXCR7 mRNA levels were examined in HT-29 and SW-480 human colon cancer cell lines using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. CXCR7-knockdown was performed with small interfering RNA and lentiviral-mediated gene delivery. Immunofluorescence (IF) was conducted to examine CXCR7 expression and localization in colon cancer cells. Cell survival and migration were evaluated using MTT and migration assays, respectively. HT-29 cells expressed higher levels of CXCR7 mRNA and were therefore used in subsequent experiments. IF staining revealed that the CXCR7 protein was expressed on the cell membrane, and its expression decreased following CXCR7-short hairpin RNA lentiviral transfection. Lentiviral CXCR7-knockdown resulted in decreased cell survival and migration; however, MTT assays revealed that the lentiviral vector itself was cytotoxic. This cytotoxicity was indicated as the cell survival of the negative control group cells was significantly decreased compared with that of the blank control group cells (P<0.05). In conclusion, it is becoming increasingly evident that CXCR7 plays a role in colon cancer promotion, suggesting that CXCR7 is a promising biomarker for chemokine receptor-based drug development. Furthermore, the fact that CXCR7 is expressed on the membrane and not intracellularly makes it a prime target for drug-based intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxian Wang
- Department of Surgery, Affiliated Nanshan Hospital, Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - Linyu Tao
- Department of Surgery, Affiliated Nanshan Hospital, Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - K E Qi
- Department of Surgery, Affiliated Nanshan Hospital, Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - Haoyun Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Affiliated Nanshan Hospital, Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - Duo Feng
- Department of Surgery, Affiliated Nanshan Hospital, Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - Wenjun Wei
- Department of Surgery, Affiliated Nanshan Hospital, Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - Heng Kong
- Department of Surgery, Affiliated Nanshan Hospital, Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - Tianwen Chen
- Department of Surgery, Affiliated Nanshan Hospital, Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - Qiusheng Lin
- Department of Surgery, Affiliated Nanshan Hospital, Guangdong Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518052, P.R. China
| | - Daojin Chen
- Department of Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, P.R. China
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Ribas R, Ghazoui Z, Gao Q, Pancholi S, Rani A, Dunbier A, Dowsett M, Martin LA. Identification of chemokine receptors as potential modulators of endocrine resistance in oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. Breast Cancer Res 2014; 16:447. [PMID: 25358600 PMCID: PMC4303127 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-014-0447-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Endocrine therapies target oestrogenic stimulation of breast cancer (BC) growth, but resistance remains problematic. Our aims in this study were (1) to identify genes most strongly associated with resistance to endocrine therapy by intersecting global gene transcription data from patients treated presurgically with the aromatase inhibitor anastrazole with those from MCF7 cells adapted to long-term oestrogen deprivation (LTED) (2) to assess the clinical value of selected genes in public clinical data sets and (3) to determine the impact of targeting these genes with novel agents. Methods Gene expression and Ki67 data were available from 69 postmenopausal women with oestrogen receptor–positive (ER+) early BC, at baseline and 2 weeks after anastrazole treatment, and from cell lines adapted to LTED. The functional consequences of target genes on proliferation, ER-mediated transcription and downstream cell signalling were assessed. Results By intersecting genes predictive of a poor change in Ki67 with those upregulated in LTED cells, we identified 32 genes strongly correlated with poor antiproliferative response that were associated with inflammation and/or immunity. In a panel of LTED cell lines, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CXCR7) and CXCR4 were upregulated compared to their wild types (wt), and CXCR7, but not CXCR4, was associated with reduced relapse-free survival in patients with ER+ BC. The CXCR4 small interfering RNA variant (siCXCR4) had no specific effect on the proliferation of wt-SUM44, wt-MCF7 and their LTED derivatives. In contrast, siCXCR7, as well as CCX733, a CXCR7 antagonist, specifically suppressed the proliferation of MCF7-LTED cells. siCXCR7 suppressed proteins associated with G1/S transition and inhibited ER transactivation in MCF7-LTED, but not wt-MCF7, by impeding association between ER and proline-, glutamic acid– and leucine-rich protein 1, an ER coactivator. Conclusions These data highlight CXCR7 as a potential therapeutic target warranting clinical investigation in endocrine-resistant BC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13058-014-0447-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Wani N, Nasser MW, Ahirwar DK, Zhao H, Miao Z, Shilo K, Ganju RK. C-X-C motif chemokine 12/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 signaling regulates breast cancer growth and metastasis by modulating the tumor microenvironment. Breast Cancer Res 2014; 16:R54. [PMID: 24886617 PMCID: PMC4076630 DOI: 10.1186/bcr3665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12) has been shown to bind to C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CXCR7), the exact molecular mechanism regulations by CXCL12/CXCR7 axis in breast tumor growth and metastasis are not well understood. CXCR7 expression has been shown to be upregulated during pathological processes such as inflammation and cancer. Methods Breast cancer cell lines were genetically silenced or pharmacologically inhibited for CXCR7 and/or its downstream target signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). 4T1 or 4T1 downregulated for CXCR7 and 4T1.2 breast cancer cell lines were injected in mammary gland of BALB/c mice to form tumors, and the molecular pathways regulating tumor growth and metastasis were assessed. Results In this study, we observed that CXCL12 enhances CXCR7-mediated breast cancer migration. Furthermore, genetic silencing or pharmacologic inhibition of CXCR7 reduced breast tumor growth and metastasis. Further elucidation of mechanisms revealed that CXCR7 mediates tumor growth and metastasis by activating proinflammatory STAT3 signaling and angiogenic markers. Furthermore, enhanced breast tumorigenicity and invasiveness were associated with macrophage infiltration. CXCR7 recruits tumor-promoting macrophages (M2) to the tumor site through regulation of the macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)/macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (MCSF-R) signaling pathway. In addition, CXCR7 regulated breast cancer metastasis by enhancing expression of metalloproteinases (MMP-9, MMP-2) and vascular cell-adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). We also observed that CXCR7 is highly expressed in invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and metastatic breast tissue in human patient samples. In addition, high CXCR7 expression in tumors correlates with worse prognosis for both overall survival and lung metastasis-free survival in IDC patients. Conclusion These observations reveal that CXCR7 enhances breast cancer growth and metastasis via a novel pathway by modulating the tumor microenvironment. These findings identify CXCR7-mediated STAT3 activation and modulation of the tumor microenvironment as novel regulation of breast cancer growth and metastasis. These studies indicate that new strategies using CXCR7 inhibitors could be developed for antimetastatic therapy.
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Unwith S, Zhao H, Hennah L, Ma D. The potential role of HIF on tumour progression and dissemination. Int J Cancer 2014; 136:2491-503. [PMID: 24729302 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Revised: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second cause of mortality worldwide, primarily owing to failure to cure metastatic disease. The need to target the metastatic process to reduce mortality is clear and research over the past decade has shown hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) to be one of the promising targets. In order for metastatic disease to be established, multiple steps need to be taken whereby the tumour cells escape into the bloodstream and survive, disseminate and then establish at a premetastatic niche. HIF-1 mediates hypoxia-induced proangiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), which promote extravasation and chemotaxis. The migration of tumour cells is mediated by loss of E-cadherin, which results in a more invasive phenotype; dissemination of the tumour cells by increased vascular permeability and survival in the bloodstream through resistance to apoptosis as well as adhesion at the premetastatic niche are all controlled by factors under the influence of HIF-1. The overexpression of HIF in many aggressive cancer types as well as its role in the establishment of metastatic disease and treatment resistance demonstrate its potential target in therapeutics. Taken together, the role of HIF-1 in cancer and metastatic disease is clear and the need for better treatment targeting metastases is paramount; more aggressive phenotypes with less response to treatment are associated with HIF-1 expression. Our research has shown promise but many questions still remain to be answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Unwith
- Section of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery and, Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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Yang Q, Zhang F, Ding Y, Huang J, Chen S, Wu Q, Wang Z, Wang Z, Chen C. Antitumour activity of the recombination polypeptide GST-NT21MP is mediated by inhibition of CXCR4 pathway in breast cancer. Br J Cancer 2014; 110:1288-97. [PMID: 24448360 PMCID: PMC3950870 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and its ligand stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α, also known as CXCL12) have important roles in promoting tumour growth and metastasis. Therefore, targeting CXCR4 could be a promising strategy for treatment of human cancer. METHODS To achieve this goal, we developed a highly purified recombination polypeptide (GST-NT21MP), which is a synthetic 21-mer peptide antagonist of CXCR4 (NT21MP) derived from the viral macrophage inflammatory protein II by fermentation technology, affinity chromatography and fast protein liquid chromatography. In this study, we used multiple methods such as MTT assay, FACS, invasion assay, RT-PCR and western blot to explore the efficacy and mechanism by which GST-NT21MP inhibits cell growth, migration and invasion of breast cancer in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS We found that blockade of CXCR4 pathway by GST-NT21MP decreased SDF-1-induced cell growth, adhesion and migration capacities in breast cancer cells. Moreover, GST-NT21MP significantly retarded pulmonary metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, GST-NT21MP-mediated antitumour activity was found to be associated with reduced phosphorylated Src, Akt, FAK and ERK1/2 as well as decreased Bcl-2. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that GST-NT21MP could be a potential anticancer agent for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China
| | - F Zhang
- Clinical Testing and Diagnose Experimental Center of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233000, China
| | - Y Ding
- Branch of Tumour of the Center Hospital of Bengbu, Anhui 233000, China
| | - J Huang
- Clinical Testing and Diagnose Experimental Center of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233000, China
| | - S Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China
| | - Q Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233004, China
| | - Z Wang
- Clinical Testing and Diagnose Experimental Center of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233000, China
| | - Z Wang
- 1] Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA [2] Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - C Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China
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The chemokine system, and its CCR5 and CXCR4 receptors, as potential targets for personalized therapy in cancer. Cancer Lett 2013; 352:36-53. [PMID: 24141062 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2013.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Revised: 10/07/2013] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chemokines and their receptors regulate the trafficking of leukocytes in hematopoiesis and inflammation, and thus are fundamental to the immune integrity of the host. In parallel, members of the chemokine system exert a large variety of functions that dictate processes of cancer development and progression. Chemokines can act as pro-tumoral or anti-tumoral regulators of malignancy by affecting cells of the tumor microenvironment (leukocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts) and the tumor cells themselves (migration, invasion, proliferation, resistance to chemotherapy). Several of the chemokines are generally skewed towards the cancer-promoting direction, including primarily the CCR5-CCL5 (RANTES) and the CXCR4-CXCL12 (SDF-1) axes. This review provides a general view of chemokines and chemokine receptors as regulators of malignancy, describing their multi-faceted activities in cancer. The tumor-promoting activities of the CCR5-CCL5 and CXCR4-CXCL12 pathways are enlightened, emphasizing their potential use as targets for personalized therapy. Indeed, novel blockers of chemokines and their receptors are constantly emerging, and two chemokine receptor inhibitors were recently approved for clinical use: Maraviroc for CCR5 and Plerixafor for CXCR4. The review addresses ongoing pre-clinical and clinical trials using these modalities and others in cancer. Then, challenges and opportunities of personalized therapy directed against chemokines and their receptors in malignancy are discussed, demonstrating that such novel personalized cancer therapies hold many challenges, but also offer hope for cancer patients.
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12
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Zhang M, Liu HX, Teng XD, Wang HB, Cui J, Jia SS, Gu XY, Li ZG. The differences in CXCR4 protein expression are significant for the five molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Ultrastruct Pathol 2013; 36:381-6. [PMID: 23216236 DOI: 10.3109/01913123.2012.728687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The aim was to investigate the expression of the CXCR4 protein in five molecular subtypes of breast cancer. The authors randomly selected the breast cancer paraffin-embedded specimens of the Affiliated Third Hospital of Harbin Medical University between 2007 and 2009. Details are as follows: basal-like subtype-ER (-), PR (-), C-erbB-2 (-), CK5/6 (+), n = 36; normal breast subtype-ER (-), PR (-), C-erbB-2 (-), CK5/6(-), n = 40; luminal A subtype-ER/PR (+), C-erbB-2 (-), n = 38; luminal B subtype-ER/PR (+), C-erbB-2 (+), n = 60; C-erbB-2 (+) subtype-ER (-), PR (-), C-erbB-2 (+), n = 58. Using the immunohistochemistry method, the authors detected the expression of the CXCR4 protein in the five subtypes. The CXCR4 protein expression in the basal-like subtype was the highest, and that in the luminal A subtype was the lowest. In terms of five molecular subtypes of breast cancer, the differences in CXCR4 protein expression were significant (p < .001). In terms of C-erbB-2 expression, tumor stage, and lymph node metastasis of breast cancer, the differences in CXCR4 protein expression were significant (p < .01).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Third Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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13
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Kumar P, Bolshette NB, Jamdade VS, Mundhe NA, Thakur KK, Saikia KK, Lahkar M. Breast cancer status in India: An overview. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bionut.2013.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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14
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Singh AK, Arya RK, Trivedi AK, Sanyal S, Baral R, Dormond O, Briscoe DM, Datta D. Chemokine receptor trio: CXCR3, CXCR4 and CXCR7 crosstalk via CXCL11 and CXCL12. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2012; 24:41-9. [PMID: 22989616 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2012.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 08/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although chemokines are well established to function in immunity and endothelial cell activation and proliferation, a rapidly growing literature suggests that CXC Chemokine receptors CXCR3, CXCR4 and CXCR7 are critical in the development and progression of solid tumors. The effect of these chemokine receptors in tumorigenesis is mediated via interactions with shared ligands I-TAC (CXCL11) and SDF-1 (CXCL12). Over the last decade, CXCR4 has been extensively reported to be overexpressed in most human solid tumors and has earned considerable attention toward elucidating its role in cancer metastasis. To enrich the existing armamentarium of anti-cancerous agents, many inhibitors of CXCL12-CXCR4 axis have emerged as additional or alternative agents for neo-adjuvant treatments and even many of them are in preclinical and clinical stages of their development. However, the discovery of CXCR7 as another receptor for CXCL12 with rather high binding affinity and recent reports about its involvement in cancer progression, has questioned the potential of "selective blockade" of CXCR4 as cancer chemotherapeutics. Interestingly, CXCR7 can also bind another chemokine CXCL11, which is an established ligand for CXCR3. Recent reports have documented that CXCR3 and their ligands are overexpressed in different solid tumors and regulate tumor growth and metastasis. Therefore, it is important to consider the interactions and crosstalk between these three chemokine receptors and their ligand mediated signaling cascades for the development of effective anti-cancer therapies. Emerging evidence also indicates that these receptors are differentially expressed in tumor endothelial cells as well as in cancer stem cells, suggesting their direct role in regulating tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. In this review, we will focus on the signals mediated by this receptor trio via their shared ligands and their role in tumor growth and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup Kumar Singh
- Drug Target Discovery and Development (DTDD) Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India
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15
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Involvement of the CXCR7/CXCR4/CXCL12 axis in the malignant progression of human neuroblastoma. PLoS One 2012; 7:e43665. [PMID: 22916293 PMCID: PMC3423387 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a typical childhood and heterogeneous neoplasm for which efficient targeted therapies for high-risk tumors are not yet identified. The chemokine CXCL12, and its receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7 have been involved in tumor progression and dissemination. While CXCR4 expression is associated to undifferentiated tumors and poor prognosis, the role of CXCR7, the recently identified second CXCL12 receptor, has not yet been elucidated in NB. In this report, CXCR7 and CXCL12 expressions were evaluated using a tissue micro-array including 156 primary and 56 metastatic NB tissues. CXCL12 was found to be highly associated to NB vascular and stromal structures. In contrast to CXCR4, CXCR7 expression was low in undifferentiated tumors, while its expression was stronger in matured tissues and specifically associated to differentiated neural tumor cells. As determined by RT-PCR, CXCR7 expression was mainly detected in N-and S-type NB cell lines, and was slightly induced upon NB cell differentiation in vitro. The relative roles of the two CXCL12 receptors were further assessed by overexpressing CXCR7 or CXCR4 receptor alone, or in combination, in the IGR-NB8 and the SH-SY5Y NB cell lines. In vitro functional analyses indicated that, in response to their common ligand, both receptors induced activation of ERK1/2 cascade, but not Akt pathway. CXCR7 strongly reduced in vitro growth, in contrast to CXCR4, and impaired CXCR4/CXCL12-mediated chemotaxis. Subcutaneous implantation of CXCR7-expressing NB cells showed that CXCR7 also significantly reduced in vivo growth. Moreover, CXCR7 affected CXCR4-mediated orthotopic growth in a CXCL12-producing environment. In such model, CXCR7, in association with CXCR4, did not induce NB cell metastatic dissemination. In conclusion, the CXCR7 and CXCR4 receptors revealed specific expression patterns and distinct functional roles in NB. Our data suggest that CXCR7 elicits anti-tumorigenic functions, and may act as a regulator of CXCR4/CXCL12-mediated signaling in NB.
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16
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Li M, Hale JS, Rich JN, Ransohoff RM, Lathia JD. Chemokine CXCL12 in neurodegenerative diseases: an SOS signal for stem cell-based repair. Trends Neurosci 2012; 35:619-28. [PMID: 22784557 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2012.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2012] [Revised: 06/12/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The dynamic relation between stem cells and their niche governs self-renewal and progenitor cell deployment. The chemokine CXCL12 (C-X-C motif ligand 12) and its signaling receptor CXCR4 (C-X-C motif receptor 4) represent an important pathway that regulates homing and maintenance of stem cells in neural niches. Neural stem cells (NSCs) reside in specific niches where communication with blood vessels is regulated by CXCL12. In neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors, reactive vasculature forms in response to diseased tissues to create new niches that secrete CXCL12, enhancing the recruitment of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) to lesion sites via long-range migration. These observations suggest that the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis maintains NSCs and serves as an emergent salvage signal for initiating endogenous stem cell-based tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meizhang Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
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