Retinoic acid-induced CHD5 upregulation and neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma

KLF7 promotes neuroblastoma differentiation through the GTPase signaling pathway by upregulating neuroblast differentiation-associated protein AHNAKs and glycerophosphodiesterase GDPD5

The arrest of neural crest-derived sympathoadrenal neuroblast differentiation contributes to neuroblastoma formation, and overriding this blocked differentiation is a clear strategy for treating high-risk neuroblastoma. A better understanding of neuroblast or neuroblastoma differentiation is essential for developing new therapeutic approaches. It has been proposed that Krueppel-like factor 7 (KLF7) is a neuroblastoma super-enhancer-associated transcription factor gene. Moreover, KLF7 was found to be intensely active in postmitotic neuroblasts of the developing nervous system during embryogenesis. However, the role of KLF7 in the differentiation of neuroblast or neuroblastoma is unknown. Here, we find a strong association between high KLF7 expression and favorable clinical outcomes in neuroblastoma. KLF7 induces differentiation of neuroblastoma cells independently of the retinoic acid (RA) pathway and acts cooperatively with RA to induce neuroblastoma differentiation. KLF7 alters the GTPase activity and multiple differentiation-related genes by binding directly to the promoters of neuroblast differentiation-associated protein (AHNAK and AHNAK2) and glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase domain-containing protein 5 (GDPD5) and regulating their expression. Furthermore, we also observe that silencing KLF7 in neuroblastoma cells promotes the adrenergic-to-mesenchymal transition accompanied by changes in enhancer-mediated gene expression. Our results reveal that KLF7 is an inducer of neuroblast or neuroblastoma differentiation with prognostic significance and potential therapeutic value.

Metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells by JMJD6-mediated pre-mRNA splicing associated with therapeutic response to splicing inhibitor

Dysregulated pre-mRNA splicing and metabolism are two hallmarks of MYC-driven cancers. Pharmacological inhibition of both processes has been extensively investigated as potential therapeutic avenues in preclinical and clinical studies. However, how pre-mRNA splicing and metabolism are orchestrated in response to oncogenic stress and therapies is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that jumonji domain containing 6, arginine demethylase, and lysine hydroxylase, JMJD6, acts as a hub connecting splicing and metabolism in MYC-driven human neuroblastoma. JMJD6 cooperates with MYC in cellular transformation of murine neural crest cells by physically interacting with RNA binding proteins involved in pre-mRNA splicing and protein homeostasis. Notably, JMJD6 controls the alternative splicing of two isoforms of glutaminase (GLS), namely kidney-type glutaminase (KGA) and glutaminase C (GAC), which are rate-limiting enzymes of glutaminolysis in the central carbon metabolism in neuroblastoma. Further, we show that JMJD6 is correlated with the anti-cancer activity of indisulam, a 'molecular glue' that degrades splicing factor RBM39, which complexes with JMJD6. The indisulam-mediated cancer cell killing is at least partly dependent on the glutamine-related metabolic pathway mediated by JMJD6. Our findings reveal a cancer-promoting metabolic program is associated with alternative pre-mRNA splicing through JMJD6, providing a rationale to target JMJD6 as a therapeutic avenue for treating MYC-driven cancers.

Pimecrolimus protects neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells against anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of both microglial secretome and hydrogen peroxide

Calcineurin inhibitors have been found to exhibit a preventive role against neuroinflammation, which represents a crucial underlying mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases (ND). Additionally, they possess suppressive effects on the activation of apoptotic pathways, which constitute another mechanism underlying such diseases. Given that pimecrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor, impedes the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-10, and influences apoptotic processes, it is noteworthy to test its potential neuroprotective properties. Thus, the objective of this investigation was to assess the potential protective effects of pimecrolimus against the degenerative consequences of both microglial secretomes and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), an oxidant agent. The survival rates of HMC3 microglia cells, neuron-like differentiated SH-SY5Y (d-SH-SY5Y) cells, and their co-culture were determined using the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) method. Furthermore, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6, and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were measured using ELISA kits, besides total antioxidant and oxidant capacities in conditioned media of cells. Additionally, the effect of pimecrolimus on neurite length in these cell groups was evaluated through morphological observations. This study revealed, for the first time, that pimecrolimus exerts preventive effects on neurodegenerative processes by virtue of its anti-inflammatory and -antioxidant activities. It holds promise as a potential treatment option for ND.

Metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells by JMJD6-mediated pre-mRNA splicing is associated with therapeutic response to splicing inhibitor

Dysregulated pre-mRNA splicing and metabolism are two hallmarks of MYC-driven cancers. Pharmacological inhibition of both processes has been extensively investigated as potential therapeutic avenues in preclinical and clinical studies. However, how pre-mRNA splicing and metabolism are orchestrated in response to oncogenic stress and therapies is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that Jumonji Domain Containing 6, Arginine Demethylase and Lysine Hydroxylase, JMJD6, acts as a hub connecting splicing and metabolism in MYC-driven neuroblastoma. JMJD6 cooperates with MYC in cellular transformation by physically interacting with RNA binding proteins involved in pre-mRNA splicing and protein homeostasis. Notably, JMJD6 controls the alternative splicing of two isoforms of glutaminase (GLS), namely kidney-type glutaminase (KGA) and glutaminase C (GAC), which are rate-limiting enzymes of glutaminolysis in the central carbon metabolism in neuroblastoma. Further, we show that JMJD6 is correlated with the anti-cancer activity of indisulam, a "molecular glue" that degrades splicing factor RBM39, which complexes with JMJD6. The indisulam-mediated cancer cell killing is at least partly dependent on the glutamine-related metabolic pathway mediated by JMJD6. Our findings reveal a cancer-promoting metabolic program is associated with alternative pre-mRNA splicing through JMJD6, providing a rationale to target JMJD6 as a therapeutic avenue for treating MYC-driven cancers.

Exploring the Role of Metabolites in Cancer and the Associated Nerve Crosstalk

Since Otto Warburg's first report on the increased uptake of glucose and lactate release by cancer cells, dysregulated metabolism has been acknowledged as a hallmark of cancer that promotes proliferation and metastasis. Over the last century, studies have shown that cancer metabolism is complex, and by-products of glucose and glutamine catabolism induce a cascade of both pro- and antitumorigenic processes. Some vitamins, which have traditionally been praised for preventing and inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells, have also been proven to cause cancer progression in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, recent findings have shown that the nervous system is a key player in tumor growth and metastasis via perineural invasion and tumor innervation. However, the link between cancer-nerve crosstalk and tumor metabolism remains unclear. Here, we discuss the roles of relatively underappreciated metabolites in cancer-nerve crosstalk, including lactate, vitamins, and amino acids, and propose the investigation of nutrients in cancer-nerve crosstalk based on their tumorigenicity and neuroregulatory capabilities. Continued research into the metabolic regulation of cancer-nerve crosstalk will provide a more comprehensive understanding of tumor mechanisms and may lead to the identification of potential targets for future cancer therapies.

In silico assessment of DNA damage response gene variants associated with head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC), the sixth most common cancer globally, stands first in India, especially Northeast India, where tobacco usage is predominant, which introduces various carcinogens leading to malignancies by accumulating DNA damages. Consequently, the present work aimed to predict the impact of significant germline variants in DNA repair and Tumour Suppressor genes on HNC development. WES in Ion Proton^TM platform on 'discovery set' (n = 15), followed by recurrence assessment of the observed variants on 'confirmation set' (n = 40) using Sanger Sequencing was performed on the HNC-prevalent NE Indian populations. Initially, 53 variants were identified, of which seven HNC-linked DNA damage response gene variants were frequent in the studied populations. Different tools ascertained the biological consequences of these variants, of which the non-coding variants viz. EXO1_rs4150018, RAD52_rs6413436, CHD5_rs2746066, HACE1_rs6918700 showed risk, while FLT3_rs2491227 and BMPR1A_rs7074064 conferred protection against HNC by affecting transcriptional regulation and splicing mechanism. Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the full-length p53 model predicted that the observed coding TP53_rs1042522 variant conferred HNC-risk by altering the structural dynamics of the protein, which displayed difficulty in the transition between active and inactive conformations due to high-energy barrier. Subsequent pathway and gene ontology analysis revealed that EXO1, RAD52 and TP53 variants affected the Double-Strand Break Repair pathway, whereas CHD5 and HACE1 variants inactivated DNA repair cascade, facilitating uncontrolled cell proliferation, impaired apoptosis and malignant transformation. Conversely, FLT3 and BMPR1A variants protected against HNC by controlling tumorigenesis, which requires experimental validation. These findings may serve as prognostic markers for developing preventive measures against HNC.

Advances in Chromodomain Helicase DNA-Binding (CHD) Proteins Regulating Stem Cell Differentiation and Human Diseases

Background: Regulation of gene expression is critical for stem cell differentiation, tissue development, and human health maintenance. Recently, epigenetic modifications of histone and chromatin remodeling have been verified as key controllers of gene expression and human diseases.

Objective: In this study, we review the role of chromodomain helicase DNA-binding (CHD) proteins in stem cell differentiation, cell fate decision, and several known human developmental disorders and cancers.

Conclusion: CHD proteins play a crucial role in stem cell differentiation and human diseases.

Neuroprotective Effect of Epalrestat on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Neurodegeneration in SH-SY5Y Cellular Model

Epalrestat (EPS) is a brain penetrant aldose reductase inhibitor, an approved drug currently used for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. At near-plasma concentration, EPS induces glutathione biosynthesis, which in turn reduces oxidative stress in the neuronal cells. In this study, we found that EPS reduces neurodegeneration by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative injury, mitochondrial membrane damage, apoptosis and tauopathy. EPS treatment up to 50 μM did not show any toxic effect on SH-SY5Y cell line (neuroblastoma cells). However, we observed toxic effect at a concentration of 100 μM and above. At 50 μM concentration, EPS showed better antioxidant activity against H₂O₂ (100 μM)-induced cytotoxicity, ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane damage in retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y cell line. Furthermore, our study revealed that 50 μM of EPS concentration reduced the glycogen synthase kinase-3 β (GSK3-β) expression and total tau protein level in H₂O₂ (100 μM)-treated cells. Findings from this study confirms the therapeutic efficacy of EPS on regulating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by regulating GSK3-β and total tau proteins phosphorylation, which helped to restore the cellular viability. This process could also reduce toxic fibrillary tangle formation and disease progression of AD. Therefore, it is our view that an optimal concentration of EPS therapy could decrease AD pathology by reducing tau phosphorylation through regulating the expression level of GSK3-β.

Clinical and Pathological Evidence of Anti-GD2 Immunotherapy Induced Differentiation in Relapsed/Refractory High-Risk Neuroblastoma

Simple Summary

The anti-tumor activity of anti-GD2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been demonstrated by the capacity to mediate immunological cytotoxicity but also through direct cell death induction. Recently, studies with anti-GD2 mAbs for high-risk (HR)-neuroblastoma (NB) patients with measurable disease, with or without chemotherapy, have reported significant objective responses. In this subgroup of patients, we observed that, while being treated with the mAb naxitamab, some chemorefractory lesions showed long periods of stable disease. Here, we report a comprehensive imaging evaluation of those lesions correlating with histopathological demonstration of naxitamab-induced tissue differentiation. Our results suggest an undescribed mechanism of action for anti-GD2 mAbs.

Abstract

Background: Neuroblastic tumors (NBTs) originate from a block in the process of differentiation. Histologically, NBTs are classified in neuroblastoma (NB), ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB), and ganglioneuroma (GN). Current therapy for high-risk (HR) NB includes chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and anti-GD2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Anti-GD2 mAbs induce immunological cytoxicity but also direct cell death. Methods: We report on patients treated with naxitamab for chemorefractory NB showing lesions with long periods of stable disease. Target lesions with persisting ¹²³I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake after 4 cycles of immunotherapy were further evaluated by functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and/or Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET). MIBG avid lesions that became non-restrictive on MRI (apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) > 1) and/or FDG-PET negative (SUV < 2) were biopsied. Results: Twenty-seven relapse/refractory (R/R) HR-NB patients were enrolled on protocol Ymabs 201. Two (7.5%) of the 27 showed persistent bone lesions on MIBG, ADC high, and/or FDG-PET negative. Forty-four R/R HR-NB patients received chemo-immunotherapy. Twelve (27%) of the 44 developed persistent MIBG+ but FDG-PET- and/or high ADC lesions. Twelve (86%) of the 14 cases identified were successfully biopsied producing 16 evaluable samples. Histology showed ganglioneuroma maturing subtype in 6 (37.5%); ganglioneuroma mature subtype with no neuroblastic component in 4 (25%); differentiating NB with no Schwannian stroma in 5 (31%); and undifferentiated NB without Schwannian stroma in one (6%). Overall, 10 (62.5%) of the 16 specimens were histopathologically fully mature NBTs. Conclusions: Our results disclose an undescribed mechanism of action for naxitamab and highlight the limitations of conventional imaging in the evaluation of anti-GD2 immunotherapy clinical efficacy for HR-NB.

An overview of neuroblastoma cell lineage phenotypes and in vitro models

This review was conducted to present the main neuroblastoma (NB) clinical characteristics and the most common genetic alterations present in these pediatric tumors, highlighting their impact in tumor cell aggressiveness behavior, including metastatic development and treatment resistance, and patients' prognosis. The distinct three NB cell lineage phenotypes, S-type, N-type, and I-type, which are characterized by unique cell surface markers and gene expression patterns, are also reviewed. Finally, an overview of the most used NB cell lines currently available for in vitro studies and their unique cellular and molecular characteristics, which should be taken into account for the selection of the most appropriate model for NB pre-clinical studies, is presented. These valuable models can be complemented by the generation of NB reprogrammed tumor cells or organoids, derived directly from patients' tumor specimens, in the direction toward personalized medicine.

A rare CHD5 haplotype and its interactions with environmental factors predicting hepatocellular carcinoma risk

Background

CHD5 is a conventional tumour-suppressing gene in many tumours. The aim of this study was to determine whether CHD5 variants contribute to the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Gene variants were identified using next-generation sequencing targeted on referenced mutations followed by TaqMan genotyping in two case-control studies.

Results

We discovered a rare variant (haplotype AG) in CHD5 (rs12564469-rs9434711) that was markedly associated with the risk of HCC in a Chinese population. A logistical regression model and permutation test confirmed the association. Indeed, the association quality increased in a gene dose-dependent manner as the number of samples increased. In the stratified analysis, this haplotype risk effect was statistically significant in a subgroup of alcohol drinkers. The false-positive report probability and multifactor dimensionality reduction further supported the finding.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the rare CHD5 gene haplotype and alcohol intake contribute to the risk of HCC. Our findings can be valuable to researchers of cancer precision medicine looking to improve diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4551-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Arsenic trioxide induces cell cycle arrest and affects Trk receptor expression in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells

BACKGROUND

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3), a drug that has been used in China for approximately two thousand years, induces cell death in a variety of cancer cell types, including neuroblastoma (NB). The tyrosine kinase receptor (Trk) family comprises three members, namely TrkA, TrkB and TrkC. Various studies have confirmed that TrkA and TrkC expression is associated with a good prognosis in NB, while TrkB overexpression can lead to tumor cell growth and invasive metastasis. Previous studies have shown that As2O3 can inhibit the growth and proliferation of a human NB cell line and can also affect the N-Myc mRNA expression. It remains unclear whether As2O3 regulates Trks for the purposes of treating NB.

METHODS

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of As2O3 on Trk expression in NB cell lines and its potential therapeutic efficacy. SK-N-SH cells were grown with increasing doses of As2O3 at different time points. We cultured SK-N-SH cells, which were treated with increasing doses of As2O3 at different time points. Trk expression in the NB samples was quantified by immunohistochemistry, and the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. TrkA, TrkB and TrkC mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR analysis.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemical and real-time PCR analyses indicated that TrkA and TrkC were over-expressed in NB, and specifically during stages 1, 2 and 4S of the disease progression. TrkB expression was increased in stage 3 and 4 NB. As2O3 significantly arrested SK-N-SH cells in the G2/M phase. In addition, TrkA, TrkB and TrkC expression levels were significantly upregulated by higher concentrations of As2O3 treatment, notably in the 48-h treatment period. Our findings suggested that to achieve the maximum effect and appropriate regulation of Trk expression in NB stages 1, 2 and 4S, As2O3 treatment should be at relatively higher concentrations for longer delivery times;however, for NB stages 3 and 4, an appropriate concentration and infusion time for As2O3 must be carefully determined.

CONCLUSION

The present findings suggested that As2O3 induced Trk expression in SK-N-SH cells to varying degrees and may be a promising adjuvant to current treatments for NB due to its apoptotic effects.

Targeted inhibition of histone H3K27 demethylation is effective in high-risk neuroblastoma

High-risk neuroblastoma is often distinguished by amplification of MYCN and loss of differentiation potential. We performed high-throughput drug screening of epigenetic-targeted therapies across a large and diverse tumor cell line panel and uncovered the hypersensitivity of neuroblastoma cells to GSK-J4, a small-molecule dual inhibitor of lysine 27 of histone 3 (H3K27) demethylases ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat, X chromosome (UTX), and histone demethylase Jumonji D3 (JMJD3). Mechanistically, GSK-J4 induced neuroblastoma differentiation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, with accompanying up-regulation of p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) and induction of cell death. Retinoic acid (RA)-resistant neuroblastoma cells were sensitive to GSK-J4. In addition, GSK-J4 was effective at blocking the growth of chemorefractory and patient-derived xenograft models of high-risk neuroblastoma in vivo. Furthermore, GSK-J4 and RA combination increased differentiation and ER stress over GSK-J4 effects and limited the growth of neuroblastomas resistant to either drug alone. In MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma, PUMA induction by GSK-J4 sensitized tumors to the B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) inhibitor venetoclax, demonstrating that epigenetic-targeted therapies and BCL-2 homology domain 3 mimetics can be rationally combined to treat this high-risk subset of neuroblastoma. Therefore, H3K27 demethylation inhibition is a promising therapeutic target to treat high-risk neuroblastoma, and H3K27 demethylation can be part of rational combination therapies to induce robust antineuroblastoma activity.

Nervous system development and disease: A focus on trithorax related proteins and chromatin remodelers

The nervous system comprises many different cell types including neurons, glia, macrophages, and immune cells, each of which is defined by specific patterns of gene expression, morphology, function, and anatomical location. Establishment of these complex and highly regulated cell fates requires spatial and temporal coordination of gene transcription. Open chromatin (euchromatin) allows transcription factors to interact with gene promoters and activate lineage specific genes, whereas closed chromatin (heterochromatin) remains inaccessible to transcriptional activation. Changes in the genome-wide distribution of euchromatin accompany transcriptional plasticity that allows the diversity of mature cell fates to be generated during development. In the past 20years, many new genes and gene families have been identified to participate in regulation of chromatin accessibility. These genes include chromatin remodelers that interact with Trithorax group (TrxG) and Polycomb group (PcG) proteins to activate or repress transcription, respectively. Here we review the role of TrxG proteins in neurodevelopment and disease.

CHD7 represses the retinoic acid synthesis enzyme ALDH1A3 during inner ear development

CHD7, an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler, is disrupted in CHARGE syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by variably penetrant abnormalities in craniofacial, cardiac, and nervous system tissues. The inner ear is uniquely sensitive to CHD7 levels and is the most commonly affected organ in individuals with CHARGE. Interestingly, upregulation or downregulation of retinoic acid (RA) signaling during embryogenesis also leads to developmental defects similar to those in CHARGE syndrome, suggesting that CHD7 and RA may have common target genes or signaling pathways. Here, we tested three separate potential mechanisms for CHD7 and RA interaction: (a) direct binding of CHD7 with RA receptors, (b) regulation of CHD7 levels by RA, and (c) CHD7 binding and regulation of RA-related genes. We show that CHD7 directly regulates expression of Aldh1a3, the gene encoding the RA synthetic enzyme ALDH1A3 and that loss of Aldh1a3 partially rescues Chd7 mutant mouse inner ear defects. Together, these studies indicate that ALDH1A3 acts with CHD7 in a common genetic pathway to regulate inner ear development, providing insights into how CHD7 and RA regulate gene expression and morphogenesis in the developing embryo.

Cell death-based treatment of neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid childhood tumor outside the brain and causes 15% of childhood cancer-related mortality. The main drivers of NB formation are neural crest cell-derived sympathoadrenal cells that undergo abnormal genetic arrangements. Moreover, NB is a complex disease that has high heterogeneity and is therefore difficult to target for successful therapy. Thus, a better understanding of NB development helps to improve treatment and increase the survival rate. One of the major causes of sporadic NB is known to be MYCN amplification and mutations in ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) are responsible for familial NB. Many other genetic abnormalities can be found; however, they are not considered as driver mutations, rather they support tumor aggressiveness. Tumor cell elimination via cell death is widely accepted as a successful technique. Therefore, in this review, we provide a thorough overview of how different modes of cell death and treatment strategies, such as immunotherapy or spontaneous regression, are or can be applied for NB elimination. In addition, several currently used and innovative approaches and their suitability for clinical testing and usage will be discussed. Moreover, significant attention will be given to combined therapies that show more effective results with fewer side effects than drugs targeting only one specific protein or pathway.

Epigenetic regulation of neuroblastoma development

In recent years, technological advances have enabled a detailed landscaping of the epigenome and the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation that drive normal cell function, development and cancer. Rather than merely a structural entity to support genome compaction, we now look at chromatin as a very dynamic and essential constellation that is actively participating in the tight orchestration of transcriptional regulation as well as DNA replication and repair. The unique feature of chromatin flexibility enabling fast switches towards more or less restricted epigenetic cellular states is, not surprisingly, intimately connected to cancer development and treatment resistance, and the central role of epigenetic alterations in cancer is illustrated by the finding that up to 50% of all mutations across cancer entities affect proteins controlling the chromatin status. We summarize recent insights into epigenetic rewiring underlying neuroblastoma (NB) tumor formation ranging from changes in DNA methylation patterns and mutations in epigenetic regulators to global effects on transcriptional regulatory circuits that involve key players in NB oncogenesis. Insights into the disruption of the homeostatic epigenetic balance contributing to developmental arrest of sympathetic progenitor cells and subsequent NB oncogenesis are rapidly growing and will be exploited towards the development of novel therapeutic strategies to increase current survival rates of patients with high-risk NB.

Inhibition of WNT signaling reduces differentiation and induces sensitivity to doxorubicin in human malignant neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common cancers in infancy, arising from the neuroblasts during embryonic development. This cancer is difficult to treat and resistance to chemotherapy is often found; therefore, clinical trials of novel therapeutic approaches, such as targeted-cancer signaling, could be an alternative for a better treatment. WNT signaling plays significant roles in the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of human neuroblastoma. In this report, WNT signaling of a malignant human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y cells, was inhibited by XAV939, a specific inhibitor of the Tankyrase enzyme. XAV939 treatment led to the reduction of β-catenin within the cells, confirming its inhibitory effect of WNT. The inhibition of WNT signaling by XAV939 did not affect cell morphology, survival, and proliferation; however, the differentiation and sensitivity to anticancer drugs of human neuroblastoma cells were altered. The treatment of XAV939 resulted in the downregulation of mature neuronal markers, including β-tubulin III, PHOX2A, and PHOX2B, whereas neural progenitor markers (PAX6, TFAP2α, and SLUG) were upregulated. In addition, the combination of XAV939 significantly enhanced the sensitivity of SH-SY5Y and IMR-32 cells to doxorubicin in both 2D and 3D culture systems. Microarray gene expression profiling suggested numbers of candidate target genes of WNT inhibition by XAV939, in particular, p21, p53, ubiquitin C, ZBED8, MDM2, CASP3, and FZD1, and this explained the enhanced sensitivity of SH-SY5Y cells to doxorubicin. Altogether, these results proposed that the altered differentiation of human malignant neuroblastoma cells by inhibiting WNT signaling sensitized the cells to anticancer drugs. This approach could thus serve as an effective treatment option for aggressive brain malignancy.

13cRA regulates the differentiation of antler chondrocytes through targeting Runx3

Although 13cRA is involved in the regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation, its physiological roles in chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation still remain unknown. Here, we showed that 13cRA could induce the proliferation of sika deer antler chondrocytes and expression of Ccnd3 and Cdk6. Administration of 13cRA to antler chondrocytes resulted in an obvious increase in the expression of chondrocyte marker Col II and hypertrophic chondrocyte marker Col X. Silencing of Crabp2 expression by specific siRNA could prevent the 13cRA-induced up-regulation of Col X, whereas overexpression of Crabp2 showed the opposite effects. Further study found that Crabp2 mediated the regulation of 13cRA on the expression of Runx3 which was highly expressed in the antler cartilage and inhibited the differentiation of antler chondrocytes. Moreover, attenuation of Runx3 expression greatly raised 13cRA-induced chondrocyte differentiation. Simultaneously, 13cRA could stimulate the expression of Cyp26a1 and Cyp26b1 in the antler chondrocytes. Inhibition of Cyp26a1 and/or Cyp26b1 reinforced the effects of 13cRA on the expression of Col X and Runx3, while overexpression of Cyp26b1 rendered the antler chondrocytes hyposensitive to 13cRA. Collectively, 13cRA may play an important role in the differentiation of antler chondrocytes through targeting Runx3. Crabp2 enhances the effects of 13cRA on chondrocyte differentiation, while Cyp26a1 and Cyp26b1 weaken the sensitivity of antler chondrocytes to 13cRA.

Neuroblastoma patient outcomes, tumor differentiation, and ERK activation are correlated with expression levels of the ubiquitin ligase UBE4B

BACKGROUND

UBE4B is an E3/E4 ubiquitin ligase whose gene is located in chromosome 1p36.22. We analyzed the associations of UBE4B gene and protein expression with neuroblastoma patient outcomes and with tumor prognostic features and histology.

METHODS

We evaluated the association of UBE4B gene expression with neuroblastoma patient outcomes using the R2 Platform. We screened neuroblastoma tumor samples for UBE4B protein expression using immunohistochemistry. FISH for UBE4B and 1p36 deletion was performed on tumor samples. We then evaluated UBE4B expression for associations with prognostic factors and with levels of phosphorylated ERK in neuroblastoma tumors and cell lines.

RESULTS

Low UBE4B gene expression is associated with poor outcomes in patients with neuroblastoma and with worse outcomes in all patient subgroups. UBE4B protein expression was associated with neuroblastoma tumor differentiation, and decreased UBE4B protein levels were associated with high-risk features. UBE4B protein levels were also associated with levels of phosphorylated ERK.

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated associations between UBE4B gene expression and neuroblastoma patient outcomes and prognostic features. Reduced UBE4B protein expression in neuroblastoma tumors was associated with high-risk features, a lack of differentiation, and with ERK activation. These results suggest UBE4B may contribute to the poor prognosis of neuroblastoma tumors with 1p36 deletions and that UBE4B expression may mediate neuroblastoma differentiation.