1
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Kuchroo M, DiStasio M, Song E, Calapkulu E, Zhang L, Ige M, Sheth AH, Majdoubi A, Menon M, Tong A, Godavarthi A, Xing Y, Gigante S, Steach H, Huang J, Huguet G, Narain J, You K, Mourgkos G, Dhodapkar RM, Hirn MJ, Rieck B, Wolf G, Krishnaswamy S, Hafler BP. Single-cell analysis reveals inflammatory interactions driving macular degeneration. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2589. [PMID: 37147305 PMCID: PMC10162998 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37025-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to commonalities in pathophysiology, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) represents a uniquely accessible model to investigate therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, leading us to examine whether pathways of disease progression are shared across neurodegenerative conditions. Here we use single-nucleus RNA sequencing to profile lesions from 11 postmortem human retinas with age-related macular degeneration and 6 control retinas with no history of retinal disease. We create a machine-learning pipeline based on recent advances in data geometry and topology and identify activated glial populations enriched in the early phase of disease. Examining single-cell data from Alzheimer's disease and progressive multiple sclerosis with our pipeline, we find a similar glial activation profile enriched in the early phase of these neurodegenerative diseases. In late-stage age-related macular degeneration, we identify a microglia-to-astrocyte signaling axis mediated by interleukin-1β which drives angiogenesis characteristic of disease pathogenesis. We validated this mechanism using in vitro and in vivo assays in mouse, identifying a possible new therapeutic target for AMD and possibly other neurodegenerative conditions. Thus, due to shared glial states, the retina provides a potential system for investigating therapeutic approaches in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manik Kuchroo
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Eric Song
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Eda Calapkulu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Le Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Maryam Ige
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Abdelilah Majdoubi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Madhvi Menon
- Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Alexander Tong
- Department of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Yu Xing
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Scott Gigante
- Computational Biology, Bioinformatics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Holly Steach
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jessie Huang
- Department of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Guillaume Huguet
- Mila-Quebec AI institute, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Janhavi Narain
- Department of Computer Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Kisung You
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - George Mourgkos
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Matthew J Hirn
- Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Mathematics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Bastian Rieck
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Guy Wolf
- Mila-Quebec AI institute, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Smita Krishnaswamy
- Department of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Brian P Hafler
- Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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2
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Duan LJ, Jiang Y, Shi Y, Fong GH. Tailless and hypoxia inducible factor-2α cooperate to sustain proangiogenic states of retinal astrocytes in neonatal mice. Biol Open 2023; 12:286421. [PMID: 36625299 PMCID: PMC9867894 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Tailless (TLX, an orphan nuclear receptor) and hypoxia inducible factor-2α (HIF2α) are both essential for retinal astrocyte and vascular development. Tlx-/- mutation and astrocyte specific Hif2α disruption in Hif2αf/f/GFAPCre mice are known to cause defective astrocyte development and block vascular development in neonatal retinas. Here we report that TLX and HIF2α support retinal angiogenesis by cooperatively maintaining retinal astrocytes in their proangiogenic states. While Tlx+/- and Hif2αf/+/GFAPCre mice are phenotypically normal, Tlx+/-/Hif2αf/+/GFAPCre mice display precocious retinal astrocyte differentiation towards non-angiogenic states, along with significantly reduced retinal angiogenesis. In wild-type mice, TLX and HIF2α coexist in the same protein complex, suggesting a cooperative function under physiological conditions. Furthermore, astrocyte specific disruption of Phd2 (prolyl hydroxylase domain protein 2), a manipulation previously shown to cause HIF2α accumulation, did not rescue retinal angiogenesis in Tlx-/- background, which suggests functional dependence of HIF2α on TLX. Finally, the expression of fibronectin and VEGF-A is significantly reduced in retinal astrocytes of neonatal Tlx+/-/Hif2αf/+/GFAPCre mice. Overall, these data indicate that TLX and HIF2α cooperatively support retinal angiogenesis by maintaining angiogenic potential of retinal astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Duan
- Center for Vascular Biology, Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA
| | - Yida Jiang
- Center for Vascular Biology, Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA,Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, City of Hope, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Guo-Hua Fong
- Center for Vascular Biology, Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA,Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA,Author for correspondence ()
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3
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Nelson AT, Wang Y, Nelson ER. TLX, an Orphan Nuclear Receptor With Emerging Roles in Physiology and Disease. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6360449. [PMID: 34463725 PMCID: PMC8462384 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
TLX (NR2E1), an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a transcription factor that has been described to be generally repressive in nature. It has been implicated in several aspects of physiology and disease. TLX is best known for its ability to regulate the proliferation of neural stem cells and retinal progenitor cells. Dysregulation, overexpression, or loss of TLX expression has been characterized in numerous studies focused on a diverse range of pathological conditions, including abnormal brain development, psychiatric disorders, retinopathies, metabolic disease, and malignant neoplasm. Despite the lack of an identified endogenous ligand, several studies have described putative synthetic and natural TLX ligands, suggesting that this receptor may serve as a therapeutic target. Therefore, this article aims to briefly review what is known about TLX structure and function in normal physiology, and provide an overview of TLX in regard to pathological conditions. Particular emphasis is placed on TLX and cancer, and the potential utility of this receptor as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam T Nelson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Erik R Nelson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Anticancer Discovery from Pets to People Theme, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Correspondence: Erik R. Nelson, PhD, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 407 S Goodwin Ave (MC-114), Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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4
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Parris TZ, Vizlin-Hodzic D, Salmela S, Funa K. Tumorigenic effects of TLX overexpression in HEK 293T cells. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2020; 2:e1204. [PMID: 32721119 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human orphan receptor TLX (NR2E1) is a key regulator of neurogenesis, adult stem cell maintenance, and tumorigenesis. However, little is known about the genetic and transcriptomic events that occur following TLX overexpression in human cell lines. AIMS Here, we used cytogenetics and RNA sequencing to investigate the effect of TLX overexpression with an inducible vector system in the HEK 293T cell line. METHODS AND RESULTS Conventional spectral karyotyping was used to identify chromosomal abnormalities, followed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on chromosome spreads to assess TLX DNA copy number. Illumina paired-end whole transcriptome sequencing was then performed to characterize recurrent genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and indels), expressed gene fusions, and gene expression profiles. Lastly, flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle distribution. Intriguingly, we show that upon transfection with a vector containing the human TLX gene (eGFP-hTLX), an isochromosome forms on the long arm of chromosome 6, thereby resulting in DNA gain of the TLX locus (6q21) and upregulation of TLX. Induction of the eGFP-hTLX vector further increased TLX expression levels, leading to G0-G1 cell cycle arrest, genetic aberrations, modulation of gene expression patterns, and crosstalk with other nuclear receptors (AR, ESR1, ESR2, NR1H4, and NR3C2). We identified a 49-gene signature associated with central nervous system (CNS) development and carcinogenesis, in addition to potentially cancer-driving gene fusions (LARP1-CNOT8 and NSL1-ZDBF2) and deleterious genetic variants (frameshift insertions in the CTSH, DBF4, POSTN, and WDR78 genes). CONCLUSION Taken together, these findings illustrate that TLX may play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis via genomic instability and perturbation of cancer-related processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshima Z Parris
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dzeneta Vizlin-Hodzic
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Physiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanne Salmela
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Keiko Funa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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5
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Dueva E, Singh K, Kalyta A, LeBlanc E, Rennie PS, Cherkasov A. Computer-Aided Discovery of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Transcriptional Activity of TLX (NR2E1) Nuclear Receptor. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23112967. [PMID: 30441799 PMCID: PMC6278398 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23112967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Orphan nuclear receptor TLX (NR2E1) plays a critical role in the regulation of neural stem cells (NSC) as well as in the development of NSC-derived brain tumors. In the last years, new data have emerged implicating TLX in prostate and breast cancer. Therefore, inhibitors of TLX transcriptional activity may have a significant impact on the treatment of several critical malignancies. However, the TLX protein possesses a non-canonical ligand-binding domain (LBD), which lacks a ligand-binding pocket (conventionally targeted in case of nuclear receptors) that complicates the development of small molecule inhibitors of TLX. Herein, we utilized a rational structure-based design approach to identify small molecules targeting the Atro-box binding site of human TLX LBD. As a result of virtual screening of ~7 million molecular structures, 97 compounds were identified and evaluated in the TLX-responsive luciferase reporter assay. Among those, three chemicals demonstrated 40–50% inhibition of luciferase-detected transcriptional activity of the TLX orphan nuclear receptor at a dose of 35 µM. The identified compounds represent the first class of small molecule inhibitors of TLX transcriptional activity identified via methods of computer-aided drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Dueva
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada.
| | - Kriti Singh
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada.
| | - Anastasia Kalyta
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada.
| | - Eric LeBlanc
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada.
| | - Paul S Rennie
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada.
| | - Artem Cherkasov
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada.
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6
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Sobhan PK, Zhai Q, Green LC, Hansford LM, Funa K. ASK1 regulates the survival of neuroblastoma cells by interacting with TLX and stabilizing HIF-1α. Cell Signal 2016; 30:104-117. [PMID: 27890558 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Elevated expression of TLX (also called as NR2E1) in neuroblastoma (NB) correlates with unfavorable prognosis, and TLX is required for self-renewal of NB cells. Knockdown of TLX has been shown to reduce the NB sphere-forming ability. ASK1 (MAP3K5) and TLX expression are both enhanced in SP (side population) NB and patient-derived primary NB sphere cell lines, but the majority of non-SP NB lines express lower ASK1 expression. We found that ASK1 phosphorylated and stabilized TLX, which led induction of HIF-1α, and its downstream VEGF-A in an Akt dependent manner. In depleting ASK1 upon hypoxia, TLX decreased and the apoptosis ratio of NB cells was enhanced, while low-ASK1-expressing NB cell lines were refractory in TUNEL assay by using flow cytometry. Interestingly, primary NB spheres cell lines express only high levels of active pASK1Thr-838 but the established cell lines expressed inhibitory pASK1Ser-966, and both could be targeted by ASK1 depletion. We report a novel pro-survival role of ASK1 in the tumorigenic NB cell populations, which may be applied as a therapeutic target, inducing apoptosis specifically in cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen K Sobhan
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Qiwei Zhai
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Lydia C Green
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Loen M Hansford
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Keiko Funa
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden; Oncology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden.
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7
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Wu D, Cheung A, Wang Y, Yu S, Chan FL. The emerging roles of orphan nuclear receptors in prostate cancer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2016; 1866:23-36. [PMID: 27264242 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Orphan nuclear receptors are members of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily and are so named because their endogenous physiological ligands are either unknown or may not exist. Because of their important regulatory roles in many key physiological processes, dysregulation of signalings controlled by these receptors is associated with many diseases including cancer. Over years, studies of orphan NRs have become an area of great interest because their specific physiological and pathological roles have not been well-defined, and some of them are promising drug targets for diseases. The recently identified synthetic small molecule ligands, acting as agonists or antagonists, to these orphan NRs not only help to understand better their functional roles but also highlight that the signalings mediated by these ligand-independent NRs in diseases could be therapeutically intervened. This review is a summary of the recent advances in elucidating the emerging functional roles of orphan NRs in cancers, especially prostate cancer. In particular, some orphan NRs, RORγ, TR2, TR4, COUP-IFII, ERRα, DAX1 and SHP, exhibit crosstalk or interference with androgen receptor (AR) signaling in either normal or malignant prostatic cells, highlighting their involvement in prostate cancer progression as androgen and AR signaling pathway play critical roles in this process. We also propose that a better understanding of the mechanism of actions of these orphan NRs in prostate gland or prostate cancer could help to evaluate their potential value as therapeutic targets for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinglan Wu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alyson Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuliang Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shan Yu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Franky L Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
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8
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Lin ML, Patel H, Remenyi J, Banerji CRS, Lai CF, Periyasamy M, Lombardo Y, Busonero C, Ottaviani S, Passey A, Quinlan PR, Purdie CA, Jordan LB, Thompson AM, Finn RS, Rueda OM, Caldas C, Gil J, Coombes RC, Fuller-Pace FV, Teschendorff AE, Buluwela L, Ali S. Expression profiling of nuclear receptors in breast cancer identifies TLX as a mediator of growth and invasion in triple-negative breast cancer. Oncotarget 2016; 6:21685-703. [PMID: 26280373 PMCID: PMC4673296 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The Nuclear Receptor (NR) superfamily of transcription factors comprises 48 members, several of which have been implicated in breast cancer. Most important is estrogen receptor-α (ERα), which is a key therapeutic target. ERα action is facilitated by co-operativity with other NR and there is evidence that ERα function may be recapitulated by other NRs in ERα-negative breast cancer. In order to examine the inter-relationships between nuclear receptors, and to obtain evidence for previously unsuspected roles for any NRs, we undertook quantitative RT-PCR and bioinformatics analysis to examine their expression in breast cancer. While most NRs were expressed, bioinformatic analyses differentiated tumours into distinct prognostic groups that were validated by analyzing public microarray data sets. Although ERα and progesterone receptor were dominant in distinguishing prognostic groups, other NR strengthened these groups. Clustering analysis identified several family members with potential importance in breast cancer. Specifically, RORγ is identified as being co-expressed with ERα, whilst several NRs are preferentially expressed in ERα-negative disease, with TLX expression being prognostic in this subtype. Functional studies demonstrated the importance of TLX in regulating growth and invasion in ERα-negative breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Lay Lin
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Hetal Patel
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Judit Remenyi
- Division of Cancer Research, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, UK
| | - Christopher R S Banerji
- Statistical Genomics Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK.,Centre of Mathematics and Physics in Life & Experimental Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Chun-Fui Lai
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Ylenia Lombardo
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Claudia Busonero
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Silvia Ottaviani
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alun Passey
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Philip R Quinlan
- Dundee Cancer Centre, Clinical Research Centre, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, UK
| | - Colin A Purdie
- Dundee Cancer Centre, Clinical Research Centre, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, UK
| | - Lee B Jordan
- Dundee Cancer Centre, Clinical Research Centre, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, UK
| | - Alastair M Thompson
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Oscar M Rueda
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Carlos Caldas
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jesus Gil
- Cell Proliferation Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, UK
| | | | - Frances V Fuller-Pace
- Division of Cancer Research, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, UK
| | - Andrew E Teschendorff
- Statistical Genomics Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, UK.,Centre of Mathematics and Physics in Life & Experimental Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Laki Buluwela
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Simak Ali
- Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
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9
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Benod C, Villagomez R, Webb P. TLX: An elusive receptor. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 157:41-7. [PMID: 26554934 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
TLX (tailless receptor) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and belongs to a class of nuclear receptors for which no endogenous or synthetic ligands have yet been identified. TLX is a promising therapeutic target in neurological disorders and brain tumors. Thus, regulatory ligands for TLX need to be identified to complete the validation of TLX as a useful target and would serve as chemical probes to pursue the study of this receptor in disease models. It has recently been proved that TLX is druggable. However, to identify potent and specific TLX ligands with desirable biological activity, a deeper understanding of where ligands bind, how they alter TLX conformation and of the mechanism by which TLX mediates the transcription of its target genes is needed. While TLX is in the process of escaping from orphanhood, future ligand design needs to progress in parallel with improved understanding of (i) the binding cavity or surfaces to target with small molecules on the TLX ligand binding domain and (ii) the nature of the TLX coregulators in particular cell and disease contexts. Both of these topics are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Benod
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Rosa Villagomez
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Paul Webb
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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10
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Wang T, Xiong JQ. The Orphan Nuclear Receptor TLX/NR2E1 in Neural Stem Cells and Diseases. Neurosci Bull 2016; 32:108-14. [PMID: 26769490 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-015-0004-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The human TLX gene encodes an orphan nuclear receptor predominantly expressed in the central nervous system. Tailess and Tlx, the TLX homologues in Drosophila and mouse, play essential roles in body-pattern formation and neurogenesis during early embryogenesis and perform crucial functions in maintaining stemness and controlling the differentiation of adult neural stem cells in the central nervous system, especially the visual system. Multiple target genes and signaling pathways are regulated by TLX and its homologues in specific tissues during various developmental stages. This review aims to summarize previous studies including many recent updates from different aspects concerning TLX and its homologues in Drosophila and mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Department of Intensive Care, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jian-Qiong Xiong
- Department of Intensive Care, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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11
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TLX-Its Emerging Role for Neurogenesis in Health and Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:272-280. [PMID: 26738856 PMCID: PMC5219886 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9608-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The orphan nuclear receptor TLX, also called NR2E1, is a factor important in the regulation of neural stem cell (NSC) self-renewal, neurogenesis, and maintenance. As a transcription factor, TLX is vital for the expression of genes implicated in neurogenesis, such as DNA replication, cell cycle, adhesion and migration. It acts by way of repressing or activating target genes, as well as controlling protein-protein interactions. Growing evidence suggests that dysregulated TLX acts in the initiation and progression of human disorders of the nervous system. This review describes recent knowledge about TLX expression, structure, targets, and biological functions, relevant to maintaining adult neural stem cells related to both neuropsychiatric conditions and certain nervous system tumours.
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12
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Wu D, Yu S, Jia L, Zou C, Xu Z, Xiao L, Wong KB, Ng CF, Chan FL. Orphan nuclear receptor TLX functions as a potent suppressor of oncogene-induced senescence in prostate cancer via its transcriptional co-regulation of the CDKN1A
(p21WAF1
/
CIP1
) and SIRT1
genes. J Pathol 2015; 236:103-15. [DOI: 10.1002/path.4505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Revised: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dinglan Wu
- School of Biomedical Sciences; Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Yu
- School of Biomedical Sciences; Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Jia
- School of Biomedical Sciences; Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; People's Republic of China
| | - Chang Zou
- School of Biomedical Sciences; Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Xu
- School of Biomedical Sciences; Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; People's Republic of China
| | - Lijia Xiao
- School of Biomedical Sciences; Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; People's Republic of China
| | - Kam-Bo Wong
- School of Life Sciences; Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; People's Republic of China
| | - Chi-Fai Ng
- Department of Surgery; Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; People's Republic of China
| | - Franky L Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences; Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; People's Republic of China
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13
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Chavali PL, Saini RKR, Zhai Q, Vizlin-Hodzic D, Venkatabalasubramanian S, Hayashi A, Johansson E, Zeng ZJ, Mohlin S, Påhlman S, Hansford L, Kaplan DR, Funa K. TLX activates MMP-2, promotes self-renewal of tumor spheres in neuroblastoma and correlates with poor patient survival. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1502. [PMID: 25356871 PMCID: PMC4237266 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2014] [Revised: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear orphan receptor TLX (Drosophilatailless homolog) is essential for the maintenance of neural stem/progenitor cell self-renewal, but its role in neuroblastoma (NB) is not well understood. Here, we show that TLX is essential for the formation of tumor spheres in three different NB cell lines, when grown in neural stem cell media. We demonstrate that the knock down of TLX in IMR-32 cells diminishes its tumor sphere-forming capacity. In tumor spheres, TLX is coexpressed with the neural progenitor markers Nestin, CD133 and Oct-4. In addition, TLX is coexpressed with the migratory neural progenitor markers CD15 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in xenografts of primary NB cells from patients. Subsequently, we show the effect of TLX on the proliferative, invasive and migratory properties of IMR-32 cells. We attribute this to the recruitment of TLX to both MMP-2 and Oct-4 gene promoters, which resulted in the respective gene activation. In support of our findings, we found that TLX expression was high in NB patient tissues when compared with normal peripheral nervous system tissues. Further, the Kaplan–Meier estimator indicated a negative correlation between TLX expression and survival in 88 NB patients. Therefore, our results point at TLX being a crucial player in progression of NB, by promoting self-renewal of NB tumor-initiating cells and altering their migratory and invasive properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- P L Chavali
- 1] Sahlgrenska Cancer Center at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 425, Gothenburg SE 40530, Sweden [2] Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - R K R Saini
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 425, Gothenburg SE 40530, Sweden
| | - Q Zhai
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 425, Gothenburg SE 40530, Sweden
| | - D Vizlin-Hodzic
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 425, Gothenburg SE 40530, Sweden
| | - S Venkatabalasubramanian
- 1] Sahlgrenska Cancer Center at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 425, Gothenburg SE 40530, Sweden [2] School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613401, India
| | - A Hayashi
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 425, Gothenburg SE 40530, Sweden
| | - E Johansson
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 425, Gothenburg SE 40530, Sweden
| | - Z-j Zeng
- 1] Sahlgrenska Cancer Center at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 425, Gothenburg SE 40530, Sweden [2] Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Biological Science and Technology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - S Mohlin
- Center for Molecular Pathology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö SE 20502, Sweden
| | - S Påhlman
- Center for Molecular Pathology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö SE 20502, Sweden
| | - L Hansford
- 1] Program in Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada M5G 1X8 [2] Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada M5S 1A8
| | - D R Kaplan
- 1] Program in Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada M5G 1X8 [2] Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada M5S 1A8
| | - K Funa
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 425, Gothenburg SE 40530, Sweden
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14
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Hawkins KE, Sharp TV, McKay TR. The role of hypoxia in stem cell potency and differentiation. Regen Med 2014; 8:771-82. [PMID: 24147532 DOI: 10.2217/rme.13.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Regenerative medicine relies on harnessing the capacity of stem cells to grow, divide and differentiate safely and predictably. This may be in the context of expanding stem cells in vitro or encouraging their expansion, mobilization and capacity to regenerate tissues either locally or remotely in vivo. In either case, understanding the stem cell niche is fundamental to recapitulating or manipulating conditions to enable therapy. It has become obvious that hypoxia plays a fundamental role in the maintenance of the stem cell niche. Low O2 benefits the self-renewal of human embryonic, hematopoietic, mesenchymal and neural stem cells, as well as improving the efficiency of genetic reprogramming to induced pluripotency. There is emerging evidence that harnessing or manipulating the hypoxic response can result in safer, more efficacious methodologies for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate E Hawkins
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, UK
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15
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Safe S, Jin UH, Hedrick E, Reeder A, Lee SO. Minireview: role of orphan nuclear receptors in cancer and potential as drug targets. Mol Endocrinol 2013; 28:157-72. [PMID: 24295738 DOI: 10.1210/me.2013-1291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear orphan receptors for which endogenous ligands have not been identified include nuclear receptor (NR)0B1 (adrenal hypoplasia congenita critical region on chromosome X gene), NR0B2 (small heterodimer partner), NR1D1/2 (Rev-Erbα/β), NR2C1 (testicular receptor 2), NR2C2 (testicular receptor 4), NR2E1 (tailless), NR2E3 (photoreceptor-specific NR [PNR]), NR2F1 chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor 1 (COUP-TFI), NR2F2 (COUP-TFII), NR2F6 (v-erbA-related protein), NR4A1 (Nur77), NR4A2 (Nurr1), NR4A3 (Nor1), and NR6A1 (GCNF). These receptors play essential roles in development, cellular homeostasis, and disease including cancer where over- or underexpression of some receptors has prognostic significance for patient survival. Results of receptor knockdown or overexpression in vivo and in cancer cell lines demonstrate that orphan receptors exhibit tumor-specific pro-oncogenic or tumor suppressor-like activity. For example, COUP-TFII expression is both a positive (ovarian) and negative (prostate and breast) prognostic factor for cancer patients; in contrast, the prognostic activity of adrenal hypoplasia congenita critical region on chromosome X gene for the same tumors is the inverse of COUP-TFII. Functional studies show that Nur77 is tumor suppressor like in acute leukemia, whereas silencing Nur77 in pancreatic, colon, lung, lymphoma, melanoma, cervical, ovarian, gastric, and some breast cancer cell lines induces one or more of several responses including growth inhibition and decreased survival, migration, and invasion. Although endogenous ligands for the orphan receptors have not been identified, there is increasing evidence that different structural classes of compounds activate, inactivate, and directly bind several orphan receptors. Thus, the screening and development of selective orphan receptor modulators will have important clinical applications as novel mechanism-based agents for treating cancer patients overexpressing one or more orphan receptors and also for combined drug therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Safe
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology (S.S., E.H., A.R.), Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77808; and Institute of Biosciences and Technology (S.S., U.-H.J., S.-O.L.), Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston, Texas 77030
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