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Kent MR, Silvius K, Kucinski J, Calderon D, Kendall GC. Functional Genomics of Novel Rhabdomyosarcoma Fusion-Oncogenes Using Zebrafish. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2707:23-41. [PMID: 37668903 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3401-1_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Clinical sequencing efforts continue to identify novel putative oncogenes with limited strategies to perform functional validation in vivo and study their role in tumorigenesis. Here, we present a pipeline for fusion-driven rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) in vivo modeling using transgenic zebrafish systems. This strategy originates with novel fusion-oncogenes identified from patient samples that require functional validation in vertebrate systems, integrating these genes into the zebrafish genome, and then characterizing that they indeed drive rhabdomyosarcoma tumor formation. In this scenario, the human form of the fusion-oncogene is inserted into the zebrafish genome to understand if it is an oncogene, and if so, the underlying mechanisms of tumorigenesis. This approach has been successful in our models of infantile rhabdomyosarcoma and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, both driven by respective fusion-oncogenes, VGLL2-NCOA2 and PAX3-FOXO1. Our described zebrafish platform is a rapid method to understand the impact of fusion-oncogene activity, divergent and shared fusion-oncogene biology, and whether any analyzed pathways converge for potential clinically actionable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Kent
- Center for Childhood Cancer & Blood Diseases, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Katherine Silvius
- Center for Childhood Cancer & Blood Diseases, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jack Kucinski
- Center for Childhood Cancer & Blood Diseases, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Ph.D. Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Delia Calderon
- Center for Childhood Cancer & Blood Diseases, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Ph.D. Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Genevieve C Kendall
- Center for Childhood Cancer & Blood Diseases, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
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2
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Patel P, Nandi A, Verma SK, Kaushik N, Suar M, Choi EH, Kaushik NK. Zebrafish-based platform for emerging bio-contaminants and virus inactivation research. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 872:162197. [PMID: 36781138 PMCID: PMC9922160 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Emerging bio-contaminants such as viruses have affected health and environment settings of every country. Viruses are the minuscule entities resulting in severe contagious diseases like SARS, MERS, Ebola, and avian influenza. Recent epidemic like the SARS-CoV-2, the virus has undergone mutations strengthen them and allowing to escape from the remedies. Comprehensive knowledge of viruses is essential for the development of targeted therapeutic and vaccination treatments. Animal models mimicking human biology like non-human primates, rats, mice, and rabbits offer competitive advantage to assess risk of viral infections, chemical toxins, nanoparticles, and microbes. However, their economic maintenance has always been an issue. Furthermore, the redundancy of experimental results due to aforementioned aspects is also in examine. Hence, exploration for the alternative animal models is crucial for risk assessments. The current review examines zebrafish traits and explores the possibilities to monitor emerging bio-contaminants. Additionally, a comprehensive picture of the bio contaminant and virus particle invasion and abatement mechanisms in zebrafish and human cells is presented. Moreover, a zebrafish model to investigate the emerging viruses such as coronaviridae and poxviridae has been suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paritosh Patel
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897 Seoul, South Korea
| | - Aditya Nandi
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Suresh K Verma
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India; Condensed Matter Theory Group, Materials Theory Division, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Box 516, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Neha Kaushik
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Engineering, The University of Suwon, 18323 Hwaseong, Republic of Korea
| | - Mrutyunjay Suar
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Eun Ha Choi
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897 Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Nagendra Kumar Kaushik
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 01897 Seoul, South Korea.
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3
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Dasgupta A, Kurenbekova L, Patel TD, Rajapakshe K, Ghosal G, Nirala B, Coarfa C, Yustein J. Modeling Ewing Sarcoma Lung Metastasis. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e670. [PMID: 36799651 PMCID: PMC9942121 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Ewing Sarcoma (EwS) is the second most common malignant bone tumor in adolescents and young adults. The single-most powerful predictor of outcome in EwS is presence of metastatic burden at the time of diagnosis. Patients with metastatic Ewing Sarcoma have an abysmal 5-year survival rate of 10%-25%, which has not changed over the past 30-40 years. Thus, unraveling underlying mechanisms of EwS metastasis are imperative for developing effective therapeutic measures. Investigations towards this goal are limited by the lack of reliable genetically engineered mouse models and specialized metastatic models. Using two established cell lines, A673 and TC71, we generated lung specific metastatic cell lines by serial orthotopic intra-tibial injection followed by isolation of cells from lung metastases. The lung metastatic lines generated exhibit distinct differential molecular signatures from the parental cells when analyzed using a multi-omics approach. These signatures overlapped with EwS patient primary bone and metastatic lung specimens supporting the clinical relevance of these preclinical models of EwS. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Intra-Tibial injection in NSG mice Basic Protocol 2: Development and characterization of lung metastatic cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atreyi Dasgupta
- Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers and The Faris D. Virani Ewing Sarcoma Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1070.07, Houston. TX
| | - Lyazat Kurenbekova
- Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers and The Faris D. Virani Ewing Sarcoma Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1070.07, Houston. TX
| | - Tajhal D. Patel
- Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers and The Faris D. Virani Ewing Sarcoma Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1070.07, Houston. TX
| | - Kimal Rajapakshe
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX: 77030
| | - Gargi Ghosal
- College of Medicine, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE: 68198
| | - Bikesh Nirala
- Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers and The Faris D. Virani Ewing Sarcoma Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1070.07, Houston. TX
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Comprehensive Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Jason Yustein
- Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers and The Faris D. Virani Ewing Sarcoma Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. 1102 Bates Street, Suite 1070.07, Houston. TX
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4
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Molnar C, Reina J, Herrero A, Heinen JP, Méndiz V, Bonnal S, Irimia M, Sánchez-Jiménez M, Sánchez-Molina S, Mora J, Gonzalez C. Human EWS-FLI protein recapitulates in Drosophila the neomorphic functions that induce Ewing sarcoma tumorigenesis. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 1:pgac222. [PMID: 36714878 PMCID: PMC9802468 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a human malignant tumor typically driven by the Ewing sarcoma-Friend leukemia integration (EWS-FLI) fusion protein. A paucity of genetically modified animal models, partially owed to the high toxicity of EWS-FLI, hinders research on EwS. Here, we report a spontaneous mutant variant, EWS-FLI1FS, that circumvents the toxicity issue in Drosophila. Through proteomic and genomic analyses, we show that human EWS-FLI1FS interacts with the Drosophila homologues of EWS-FLI human protein partners, including core subunits of chromatin remodeling complexes, the transcription machinery, and the spliceosome; brings about a massive dysregulation of transcription that affects a significant fraction of known targets of EWS-FLI in human cells; and modulates splicing. We also show that EWS-FLI1FS performs in Drosophila the two major neomorphic activities that it is known to have in human cells: activation of transcription from GGAA microsatellites and out competition of ETS transcription factors. We conclude that EWS-FLI1FS reproduces in Drosophila the known oncogenic activities of EWS-FLI that drive EwS tumorigenesis in humans. These results open up an unprecedented opportunity to investigate EWS-FLI's oncogenic pathways in vivo in a genetically tractable organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Molnar
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Reina
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anastasia Herrero
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain,Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat 08950 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jan Peter Heinen
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victoria Méndiz
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Carrer Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sophie Bonnal
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08002 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Irimia
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08002 Barcelona, Spain,Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Pg Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Sánchez-Jiménez
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat 08950 Barcelona, Spain,Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Sánchez-Molina
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat 08950 Barcelona, Spain,Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Mora
- To whom correspondence should be addressed:
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5
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Inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (ID2) regulates the expression of developmental genes and tumorigenesis in ewing sarcoma. Oncogene 2022; 41:2873-2884. [PMID: 35422476 PMCID: PMC9107507 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02310-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Sarcomas are difficult to treat and the therapy, even when effective, is associated with long-term and life-threatening side effects. In addition, the treatment regimens for many sarcomas, including Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and osteosarcoma, are relatively unchanged over the past two decades, indicating a critical lack of progress. Although differentiation-based therapies are used for the treatment of some cancers, the application of this approach to sarcomas has proven challenging. Here, using a CRISPR-mediated gene knockout approach, we show that Inhibitor of DNA Binding 2 (ID2) is a critical regulator of developmental-related genes and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo in Ewing sarcoma tumors. We also identified that homoharringtonine, which is an inhibitor of protein translation and FDA-approved for the treatment of leukemia, decreases the level of the ID2 protein and significantly reduces tumor growth and prolongs mouse survival in an Ewing sarcoma xenograft model. Furthermore, in addition to targeting ID2, homoharringtonine also reduces the protein levels of ID1 and ID3, which are additional members of the ID family of proteins with well-described roles in tumorigenesis, in multiple types of cancer. Overall, these results provide insight into developmental regulation in Ewing sarcoma tumors and identify a novel, therapeutic approach to target the ID family of proteins using an FDA-approved drug.
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6
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Vasileva E, Warren M, Triche TJ, Amatruda JF. Dysregulated heparan sulfate proteoglycan metabolism promotes Ewing sarcoma tumor growth. eLife 2022; 11:69734. [PMID: 35285802 PMCID: PMC8942468 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ewing sarcoma family of tumors is a group of malignant small round blue cell tumors (SRBCTs) that affects children, adolescents, and young adults. The tumors are characterized by reciprocal chromosomal translocations that generate chimeric fusion oncogenes, the most common of which is EWSR1-FLI1. Survival is extremely poor for patients with metastatic or relapsed disease, and no molecularly-targeted therapy for this disease currently exists. The absence of a reliable genetic animal model of Ewing sarcoma has impaired investigation of tumor cell/microenvironmental interactions in vivo. We have developed a new genetic model of Ewing sarcoma based on Cre-inducible expression of human EWSR1-FLI1 in wild type zebrafish, which causes rapid onset of SRBCTs at high penetrance. The tumors express canonical EWSR1-FLI1 target genes and stain for known Ewing sarcoma markers including CD99. Growth of tumors is associated with activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway, which we link to dysregulated extracellular matrix metabolism in general and heparan sulfate catabolism in particular. Targeting heparan sulfate proteoglycans with the specific heparan sulfate antagonist Surfen reduces ERK1/2 signaling and decreases tumorigenicity of Ewing sarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo. These results highlight the important role of the extracellular matrix in Ewing sarcoma tumor growth and the potential of agents targeting proteoglycan metabolism as novel therapies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Vasileva
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Mikako Warren
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Timothy J Triche
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - James F Amatruda
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
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7
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Ramachandran B, Rajkumar T, Gopisetty G. Challenges in modeling EWS-FLI1-driven transgenic mouse model for Ewing sarcoma. Am J Transl Res 2021; 13:12181-12194. [PMID: 34956445 PMCID: PMC8661172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
EWS-FLI1 is a master regulator of Ewing sarcoma (ES) oncogenesis. Although EWS-FLI1 represents a clear therapeutic target, targeted therapeutic inhibitors are lacking. Scientific literature has indicated accumulating information pertaining to EWS-FLI1 translocation, pathogenesis, function, oncogenic partnerships, and potential clinical relevance. However, attempts to develop EWS-FLI1-driven human-like ES mouse models or in vivo systems ended up with limited success. Establishing such models as preclinical screening tools may accelerate the development of EWS-FLI1 targeted therapeutic inhibitors. This review summarizes the current scenario, which focuses on the limitations, challenges, and possible reasons for past failures in model development and also plausible interim alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balaji Ramachandran
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Institute (W.I.A) No. 38, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Thangarajan Rajkumar
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Institute (W.I.A) No. 38, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Gopal Gopisetty
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Institute (W.I.A) No. 38, Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, Chennai 600036, India
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8
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Kawasaki T, Shimizu Y. Carcinogenesis Models Using Small Fish. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2021; 69:962-969. [PMID: 34602577 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c21-00295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Experimental animals are indispensable in life science-related research, including cancer studies. After rats and mice, small fishes, such as zebrafish and medaka, are the second most frequently used model species. Fish models have some advantageous physical characteristics that make them suitable for research, including their small size, some transparency, genetic manipulability, ease of handling, and highly ortholog correspondence with humans. This review introduces technological advances in carcinogenesis model production using small fish. Carcinogenesis model production begins with chemical carcinogenesis, followed by mutagenesis. Gene transfer technology has made it possible to incorporate various mechanisms that act on cancer-related genes in individuals. For example, scientists may now spatiotemporally control gene expression in a single fish through methods including the localization of an expression site via a tissue-specific promoter and expression control using light, heat, or a chemical substance. In addition, genome editing technology is realizing more specific and more efficient gene disruption than conventional mutagenesis, in which the disruption of the gene of interest depends on chance. These technological advances have improved animal models and will soon create carcinogenesis models that better mimic human pathology. We conclude by discussing future expectations for cancer research using small fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kawasaki
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
| | - Yuki Shimizu
- Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
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9
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Zöllner SK, Amatruda JF, Bauer S, Collaud S, de Álava E, DuBois SG, Hardes J, Hartmann W, Kovar H, Metzler M, Shulman DS, Streitbürger A, Timmermann B, Toretsky JA, Uhlenbruch Y, Vieth V, Grünewald TGP, Dirksen U. Ewing Sarcoma-Diagnosis, Treatment, Clinical Challenges and Future Perspectives. J Clin Med 2021; 10:1685. [PMID: 33919988 PMCID: PMC8071040 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10081685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma, a highly aggressive bone and soft-tissue cancer, is considered a prime example of the paradigms of a translocation-positive sarcoma: a genetically rather simple disease with a specific and neomorphic-potential therapeutic target, whose oncogenic role was irrefutably defined decades ago. This is a disease that by definition has micrometastatic disease at diagnosis and a dismal prognosis for patients with macrometastatic or recurrent disease. International collaborations have defined the current standard of care in prospective studies, delivering multiple cycles of systemic therapy combined with local treatment; both are associated with significant morbidity that may result in strong psychological and physical burden for survivors. Nevertheless, the combination of non-directed chemotherapeutics and ever-evolving local modalities nowadays achieve a realistic chance of cure for the majority of patients with Ewing sarcoma. In this review, we focus on the current standard of diagnosis and treatment while attempting to answer some of the most pressing questions in clinical practice. In addition, this review provides scientific answers to clinical phenomena and occasionally defines the resulting translational studies needed to overcome the hurdle of treatment-associated morbidities and, most importantly, non-survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan K. Zöllner
- Pediatrics III, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - James F. Amatruda
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA;
| | - Sebastian Bauer
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sarcoma Center, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Stéphane Collaud
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruhrlandklinik, University of Essen-Duisburg, 45239 Essen, Germany
| | - Enrique de Álava
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IbiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, CSIC, University of Sevilla, CIBERONC, 41013 Seville, Spain;
- Department of Normal and Pathological Cytology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Steven G. DuBois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (S.G.D.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Jendrik Hardes
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Sarcoma Center, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hartmann
- Division of Translational Pathology, Gerhard-Domagk Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), Network Partner Site, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Heinrich Kovar
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute and Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Markus Metzler
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - David S. Shulman
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (S.G.D.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Arne Streitbürger
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Sarcoma Center, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Beate Timmermann
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, West German Proton Therapy Centre, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Jeffrey A. Toretsky
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA;
| | - Yasmin Uhlenbruch
- St. Josefs Hospital Bochum, University Hospital, 44791 Bochum, Germany;
| | - Volker Vieth
- Department of Radiology, Klinikum Ibbenbüren, 49477 Ibbenbühren, Germany;
| | - Thomas G. P. Grünewald
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, Hopp-Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Core Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uta Dirksen
- Pediatrics III, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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10
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Kannan S, Lock I, Ozenberger BB, Jones KB. Genetic drivers and cells of origin in sarcomagenesis. J Pathol 2021; 254:474-493. [DOI: 10.1002/path.5617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarmishta Kannan
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Ian Lock
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Benjamin B Ozenberger
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Kevin B Jones
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
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11
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Abstract
Zebrafish are rapidly becoming a leading model organism for cancer research. The genetic pathways driving cancer are highly conserved between zebrafish and humans, and the ability to easily manipulate the zebrafish genome to rapidly generate transgenic animals makes zebrafish an excellent model organism. Transgenic zebrafish containing complex, patient-relevant genotypes have been used to model many cancer types. Here we present a comprehensive review of transgenic zebrafish cancer models as a resource to the field and highlight important areas of cancer biology that have yet to be studied in the fish. The ability to image cancer cells and niche biology in an endogenous tumor makes zebrafish an indispensable model organism in which we can further understand the mechanisms that drive tumorigenesis and screen for potential new cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia M. McConnell
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Haley R. Noonan
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Leonard I. Zon
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02138, USA
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12
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Grünewald TGP, Alonso M, Avnet S, Banito A, Burdach S, Cidre‐Aranaz F, Di Pompo G, Distel M, Dorado‐Garcia H, Garcia‐Castro J, González‐González L, Grigoriadis AE, Kasan M, Koelsche C, Krumbholz M, Lecanda F, Lemma S, Longo DL, Madrigal‐Esquivel C, Morales‐Molina Á, Musa J, Ohmura S, Ory B, Pereira‐Silva M, Perut F, Rodriguez R, Seeling C, Al Shaaili N, Shaabani S, Shiavone K, Sinha S, Tomazou EM, Trautmann M, Vela M, Versleijen‐Jonkers YMH, Visgauss J, Zalacain M, Schober SJ, Lissat A, English WR, Baldini N, Heymann D. Sarcoma treatment in the era of molecular medicine. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e11131. [PMID: 33047515 PMCID: PMC7645378 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201911131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are heterogeneous and clinically challenging soft tissue and bone cancers. Although constituting only 1% of all human malignancies, sarcomas represent the second most common type of solid tumors in children and adolescents and comprise an important group of secondary malignancies. More than 100 histological subtypes have been characterized to date, and many more are being discovered due to molecular profiling. Owing to their mostly aggressive biological behavior, relative rarity, and occurrence at virtually every anatomical site, many sarcoma subtypes are in particular difficult-to-treat categories. Current multimodal treatment concepts combine surgery, polychemotherapy (with/without local hyperthermia), irradiation, immunotherapy, and/or targeted therapeutics. Recent scientific advancements have enabled a more precise molecular characterization of sarcoma subtypes and revealed novel therapeutic targets and prognostic/predictive biomarkers. This review aims at providing a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in the molecular biology of sarcomas and their effects on clinical oncology; it is meant for a broad readership ranging from novices to experts in the field of sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas GP Grünewald
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma ResearchGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)HeidelbergGermany
- Institute of PathologyHeidelberg University HospitalHeidelbergGermany
| | - Marta Alonso
- Program in Solid Tumors and BiomarkersFoundation for the Applied Medical ResearchUniversity of Navarra PamplonaPamplonaSpain
| | - Sofia Avnet
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | - Ana Banito
- Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Research GroupGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Stefan Burdach
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Cancer Research Center (CCRC)Technische Universität MünchenMunichGermany
| | - Florencia Cidre‐Aranaz
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | - Gemma Di Pompo
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Merve Kasan
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | | | | | - Fernando Lecanda
- Division of OncologyAdhesion and Metastasis LaboratoryCenter for Applied Medical ResearchUniversity of NavarraPamplonaSpain
| | - Silvia Lemma
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | - Dario L Longo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)Italian National Research Council (CNR)TurinItaly
| | | | | | - Julian Musa
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation SurgeryUniversity of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | - Shunya Ohmura
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | | | - Miguel Pereira‐Silva
- Department of Pharmaceutical TechnologyFaculty of PharmacyUniversity of CoimbraCoimbraPortugal
| | - Francesca Perut
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | - Rene Rodriguez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de AsturiasOviedoSpain
- CIBER en oncología (CIBERONC)MadridSpain
| | | | - Nada Al Shaaili
- Department of Oncology and MetabolismUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Shabnam Shaabani
- Department of Drug DesignUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Kristina Shiavone
- Department of Oncology and MetabolismUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Snehadri Sinha
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial DiseasesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | | | - Marcel Trautmann
- Division of Translational PathologyGerhard‐Domagk‐Institute of PathologyMünster University HospitalMünsterGermany
| | - Maria Vela
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ)MadridSpain
| | | | | | - Marta Zalacain
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)Italian National Research Council (CNR)TurinItaly
| | - Sebastian J Schober
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Cancer Research Center (CCRC)Technische Universität MünchenMunichGermany
| | - Andrej Lissat
- University Children′s Hospital Zurich – Eleonoren FoundationKanton ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - William R English
- Department of Oncology and MetabolismUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Nicola Baldini
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor SciencesUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Dominique Heymann
- Department of Oncology and MetabolismUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
- Université de NantesInstitut de Cancérologie de l'OuestTumor Heterogeneity and Precision MedicineSaint‐HerblainFrance
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13
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Raby L, Völkel P, Le Bourhis X, Angrand PO. Genetic Engineering of Zebrafish in Cancer Research. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082168. [PMID: 32759814 PMCID: PMC7464884 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an excellent model to study a wide diversity of human cancers. In this review, we provide an overview of the genetic and reverse genetic toolbox allowing the generation of zebrafish lines that develop tumors. The large spectrum of genetic tools enables the engineering of zebrafish lines harboring precise genetic alterations found in human patients, the generation of zebrafish carrying somatic or germline inheritable mutations or zebrafish showing conditional expression of the oncogenic mutations. Comparative transcriptomics demonstrate that many of the zebrafish tumors share molecular signatures similar to those found in human cancers. Thus, zebrafish cancer models provide a unique in vivo platform to investigate cancer initiation and progression at the molecular and cellular levels, to identify novel genes involved in tumorigenesis as well as to contemplate new therapeutic strategies.
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14
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Abstract
Metastasis, the dispersal of cancer cells from a primary tumor to secondary sites within the body, is the leading cause of cancer-related death. Animal models have been an indispensable tool to investigate the complex interactions between the cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment during the metastatic cascade. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a powerful vertebrate model for studying metastatic events in vivo. The zebrafish has many attributes including ex-utero development, which facilitates embryonic manipulation, as well as optically transparent tissues, which enables in vivo imaging of fluorescently labeled cells in real time. Here, we summarize the techniques which have been used to study cancer biology and metastasis in the zebrafish model organism, including genetic manipulation and transgenesis, cell transplantation, live imaging, and high-throughput compound screening. Finally, we discuss studies using the zebrafish, which have complemented and benefited metastasis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy R Astell
- The Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Sieger
- The Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
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15
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Oncogenic hijacking of a developmental transcription factor evokes vulnerability toward oxidative stress in Ewing sarcoma. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2423. [PMID: 32415069 PMCID: PMC7228971 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16244-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is an aggressive childhood cancer likely originating from mesenchymal stem cells or osteo-chondrogenic progenitors. It is characterized by fusion oncoproteins involving EWSR1 and variable members of the ETS-family of transcription factors (in 85% FLI1). EWSR1-FLI1 can induce target genes by using GGAA-microsatellites as enhancers. Here, we show that EWSR1-FLI1 hijacks the developmental transcription factor SOX6 – a physiological driver of proliferation of osteo-chondrogenic progenitors – by binding to an intronic GGAA-microsatellite, which promotes EwS growth in vitro and in vivo. Through integration of transcriptome-profiling, published drug-screening data, and functional in vitro and in vivo experiments including 3D and PDX models, we discover that constitutively high SOX6 expression promotes elevated levels of oxidative stress that create a therapeutic vulnerability toward the oxidative stress-inducing drug Elesclomol. Collectively, our results exemplify how aberrant activation of a developmental transcription factor by a dominant oncogene can promote malignancy, but provide opportunities for targeted therapy. Ewing sarcoma is characterized by the fusion of EWSR1 and FLI1. Here, the authors show that EWSR1-FLI1 increases the activity of the developmental transcription factor SOX6, which promotes tumor growth but also increases sensitivity to oxidative stress.
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16
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How Surrogate and Chemical Genetics in Model Organisms Can Suggest Therapies for Human Genetic Diseases. Genetics 2018; 208:833-851. [PMID: 29487144 PMCID: PMC5844338 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.117.300124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic diseases are both inherited and acquired. Many genetic diseases fall under the paradigm of orphan diseases, a disease found in < 1 in 2000 persons. With rapid and cost-effective genome sequencing becoming the norm, many causal mutations for genetic diseases are being rapidly determined. In this regard, model organisms are playing an important role in validating if specific mutations identified in patients drive the observed phenotype. An emerging challenge for model organism researchers is the application of genetic and chemical genetic platforms to discover drug targets and drugs/drug-like molecules for potential treatment options for patients with genetic disease. This review provides an overview of how model organisms have contributed to our understanding of genetic disease, with a focus on the roles of yeast and zebrafish in gene discovery and the identification of compounds that could potentially treat human genetic diseases.
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17
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Grünewald TGP, Cidre-Aranaz F, Surdez D, Tomazou EM, de Álava E, Kovar H, Sorensen PH, Delattre O, Dirksen U. Ewing sarcoma. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2018; 4:5. [PMID: 29977059 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-018-0003-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 419] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is the second most frequent bone tumour of childhood and adolescence that can also arise in soft tissue. Ewing sarcoma is a highly aggressive cancer, with a survival of 70-80% for patients with standard-risk and localized disease and ~30% for those with metastatic disease. Treatment comprises local surgery, radiotherapy and polychemotherapy, which are associated with acute and chronic adverse effects that may compromise quality of life in survivors. Histologically, Ewing sarcomas are composed of small round cells expressing high levels of CD99. Genetically, they are characterized by balanced chromosomal translocations in which a member of the FET gene family is fused with an ETS transcription factor, with the most common fusion being EWSR1-FLI1 (85% of cases). Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 protein (EWSR1)-Friend leukaemia integration 1 transcription factor (FLI1) is a tumour-specific chimeric transcription factor (EWSR1-FLI1) with neomorphic effects that massively rewires the transcriptome. Additionally, EWSR1-FLI1 reprogrammes the epigenome by inducing de novo enhancers at GGAA microsatellites and by altering the state of gene regulatory elements, creating a unique epigenetic signature. Additional mutations at diagnosis are rare and mainly involve STAG2, TP53 and CDKN2A deletions. Emerging studies on the molecular mechanisms of Ewing sarcoma hold promise for improvements in early detection, disease monitoring, lower treatment-related toxicity, overall survival and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G P Grünewald
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany. .,Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium, partner site Munich, Munich, Germany. .,German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Florencia Cidre-Aranaz
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany. .,Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium, partner site Munich, Munich, Germany. .,German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Didier Surdez
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisé LNCC, PSL Université, SIREDO Oncology Centre, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Eleni M Tomazou
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Enrique de Álava
- Institute of Biomedicine of Seville, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital/CSIC/University of Seville/CIBERONC, Seville, Spain
| | - Heinrich Kovar
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Poul H Sorensen
- British Columbia Cancer Research Centre and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Olivier Delattre
- INSERM U830, Équipe Labellisé LNCC, PSL Université, SIREDO Oncology Centre, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Uta Dirksen
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Cooperative Ewing Sarcoma Study group, Essen University Hospital, Essen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, partner site Essen, Essen, Germany
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18
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Kendall GC, Watson S, Xu L, LaVigne CA, Murchison W, Rakheja D, Skapek SX, Tirode F, Delattre O, Amatruda JF. PAX3-FOXO1 transgenic zebrafish models identify HES3 as a mediator of rhabdomyosarcoma tumorigenesis. eLife 2018; 7:33800. [PMID: 29869612 PMCID: PMC5988421 DOI: 10.7554/elife.33800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is a pediatric soft-tissue sarcoma caused by PAX3/7-FOXO1 fusion oncogenes and is characterized by impaired skeletal muscle development. We developed human PAX3-FOXO1 -driven zebrafish models of tumorigenesis and found that PAX3-FOXO1 exhibits discrete cell lineage susceptibility and transformation. Tumors developed by 1.6–19 months and were primitive neuroectodermal tumors or rhabdomyosarcoma. We applied this PAX3-FOXO1 transgenic zebrafish model to study how PAX3-FOXO1 leverages early developmental pathways for oncogenesis and found that her3 is a unique target. Ectopic expression of the her3 human ortholog, HES3, inhibits myogenesis in zebrafish and mammalian cells, recapitulating the arrested muscle development characteristic of rhabdomyosarcoma. In patients, HES3 is overexpressed in fusion-positive versus fusion-negative tumors. Finally, HES3 overexpression is associated with reduced survival in patients in the context of the fusion. Our novel zebrafish rhabdomyosarcoma model identifies a new PAX3-FOXO1 target, her3/HES3, that contributes to impaired myogenic differentiation and has prognostic significance in human disease. One of the most common cancers in children and adolescents is rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of soft tissue such as muscle, tendon or cartilage. The fusion of DNA on two different chromosomes causes the most aggressive form of rhabdomyosarcoma. The fused DNA produces an abnormal protein called PAX3-FOXO1. During normal muscle development, a subset of rapidly growing cells eventually slow down and form mature, working muscle cells. It is still unclear how exactly rhabdomyosarcoma develops, but it is thought that PAX3-FOXO1 stops muscle cells from maturing and the cells that grow out of control result in a tumor. Learning how PAX3-FOXO1 hijacks normal muscle development could lead to new treatments for rhabdomyosarcoma. One treatment approach is to slow the growth of a tumor and force the cells to mature. Then, young patients might avoid chemotherapy or radiation treatments and their side effects. Efforts to improve treatment for this type of cancer face several obstacles. Currently, only one vertebrate animal model of the disease is available to test drugs, and it is still not known how PAX3-FOXO1 causes healthy cells to become cancerous. It is also hard to turn off PAX3-FOXO1 itself, so scientists must find additional proteins that collaborate with it to target with drugs. Now, Kendall et al. show that genetically engineered zebrafish with human PAX3-FOXO1 develop rhabdomyosarcoma-like tumors. Experiments on these zebrafish showed that the protein turns on a gene called her3. Humans have a similar gene called HES3. In zebrafish or mouse cells, human HES3 interferes with muscle-cell maturation and allows cells that acquire PAX3-FOXO1 to persist during development instead of dying. It also increases the cell growth and cancerous behavior in human tumor cells. Kendall et al. further looked at HES3 levels in tumors collected from patients with rhabdomyosarcoma and found that having higher levels of HES3 increased the risk of death from the cancer. Human rhabdomyosarcoma tumors with high HES3 levels were also more likely to have certain cell-growth and cell-differentiation related proteins. Drugs that turn off or modify the activity of these proteins already exist. Testing these drugs that target processes such as cell growth in the zebrafish with rhabdomyosarcoma-like tumors may help scientists determine if they reduce tumor growth. If they do, additional trials could determine if they would help patients with rhabdomyosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve C Kendall
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Sarah Watson
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, Inserm U830, Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, Paris, France
| | - Lin Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Collette A LaVigne
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Whitney Murchison
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Dinesh Rakheja
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Stephen X Skapek
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Franck Tirode
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre LéonBérard, Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Delattre
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, Inserm U830, Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) Research University, Paris, France.,INSERM U80, Institute Curie Research Center, Paris, France.,Institut Curie Hospital Group, Unité de Génétique Somatique, Paris, France
| | - James F Amatruda
- Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
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19
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Völkel P, Dupret B, Le Bourhis X, Angrand PO. [The zebrafish model in oncology]. Med Sci (Paris) 2018; 34:345-353. [PMID: 29658479 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20183404016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although cell culture and mouse models will remain a cornerstone of cancer research, the unique capabilities of the zebrafish outline the potential of this model for shedding light on cancer biology in vivo. Zebrafish develops cancers spontaneously, after chemical mutagenesis or through genetic manipulations. Furthermore, zebrafish cancers are similar to human tumors at the histological and molecular levels allowing the study of tumor initiation, progression and heterogeneity. Xenotransplantation of human cancer cells in embryos or adult zebrafish presents the advantage of following cancer cell behavior in vivo. Finally, zebrafish embryos are used in molecule screens and contribute to the identification of novel anti-cancer therapeutic strategies. Here, we review different involvements of the zebrafish model in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Völkel
- CNRS Lille, Inserm U908, Université de Lille, Bâtiment SN3, Cité Scientifique, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Babara Dupret
- Inserm U908, Université de Lille, Bâtiment SN3, Cité Scientifique, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Xuefen Le Bourhis
- Inserm U908, Université de Lille, Bâtiment SN3, Cité Scientifique, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Pierre-Olivier Angrand
- Inserm U908, Université de Lille, Bâtiment SN3, Cité Scientifique, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
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20
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Minas TZ, Surdez D, Javaheri T, Tanaka M, Howarth M, Kang HJ, Han J, Han ZY, Sax B, Kream BE, Hong SH, Çelik H, Tirode F, Tuckermann J, Toretsky JA, Kenner L, Kovar H, Lee S, Sweet-Cordero EA, Nakamura T, Moriggl R, Delattre O, Üren A. Combined experience of six independent laboratories attempting to create an Ewing sarcoma mouse model. Oncotarget 2018; 8:34141-34163. [PMID: 27191748 PMCID: PMC5470957 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) involves a tumor-specific chromosomal translocation that produces the EWS-FLI1 protein, which is required for the growth of ES cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, an EWS-FLI1-driven transgenic mouse model is not currently available. Here, we present data from six independent laboratories seeking an alternative approach to express EWS-FLI1 in different murine tissues. We used the Runx2, Col1a2.3, Col1a3.6, Prx1, CAG, Nse, NEFL, Dermo1, P0, Sox9 and Osterix promoters to target EWS-FLI1 or Cre expression. Additional approaches included the induction of an endogenous chromosomal translocation, in utero knock-in, and the injection of Cre-expressing adenovirus to induce EWS-FLI1 expression locally in multiple lineages. Most models resulted in embryonic lethality or developmental defects. EWS-FLI1-induced apoptosis, promoter leakiness, the lack of potential cofactors, and the difficulty of expressing EWS-FLI1 in specific sites were considered the primary reasons for the failed attempts to create a transgenic mouse model of ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsion Zewdu Minas
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Didier Surdez
- Genetics and Biology of Cancers Unit, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Île-de-France, Paris, France.,INSERM U830, Institut Curie Research Center, Île-de-France, Paris, France
| | | | - Miwa Tanaka
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michelle Howarth
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - Hong-Jun Kang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Jenny Han
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Zhi-Yan Han
- Genetics and Biology of Cancers Unit, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Île-de-France, Paris, France.,INSERM U830, Institut Curie Research Center, Île-de-France, Paris, France
| | - Barbara Sax
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara E Kream
- Department of Medicine, and Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Science Center, Farmington, CT, United States of America
| | - Sung-Hyeok Hong
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Haydar Çelik
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Franck Tirode
- Genetics and Biology of Cancers Unit, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Île-de-France, Paris, France.,INSERM U830, Institut Curie Research Center, Île-de-France, Paris, France
| | - Jan Tuckermann
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology (CME), University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jeffrey A Toretsky
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria.,Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Pathology of Laboratory Animals (UPLA), University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinrich Kovar
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Children´s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sean Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - E Alejandro Sweet-Cordero
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - Takuro Nakamura
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Richard Moriggl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Olivier Delattre
- Genetics and Biology of Cancers Unit, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Île-de-France, Paris, France.,INSERM U830, Institut Curie Research Center, Île-de-France, Paris, France.,Unité de génétique somatique, Institut Curie, Île-de-France, Paris, France
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
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21
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Tanabe Y, Suehara Y, Kohsaka S, Hayashi T, Akaike K, Mukaihara K, Kurihara T, Kim Y, Okubo T, Ishii M, Kazuno S, Kaneko K, Saito T. IRE1α-XBP1 inhibitors exerted anti-tumor activities in Ewing's sarcoma. Oncotarget 2018; 9:14428-14443. [PMID: 29581854 PMCID: PMC5865680 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is the second-most frequent pediatric bone tumor. Chromosomal translocation t(11;22)(q24:q12) results in the formation of EWS/FLI1 gene fusion, which is detected in approximately 90% of tumors of the Ewing family. Several transcriptome studies have provided lists of genes associated with EWS/FLI1 expression. However, the protein expression profiles associated with EWS/FLI1 have yet to be elucidated. In this study, to identify the regulated proteins associated with EWS/FLI1 and therapeutic targets in ES, we conducted proteomic studies using EWS/FLI1 knockdown in four Ewing's sarcoma cell lines and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) expressing EWS/FLI1. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (i-TRAQ) analyses identified more than 2,000 proteins regulated by the EWS/FLI1 fusion. In addition, the network analyses identified several critical pathways, including XBP1, which was ranked the highest. XBP1 is a protein well known to play an important role in the unfolded protein response (UPR) to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress through the IRE1α-XBP1 pathway. We confirmed the high mRNA expression of XBP1 (spliced XBP1 and unspliced XBPl) in surgical samples and cell lines in ES. The silencing of XBP1 significantly suppressed the cell viabilities in ES cell lines. In the inhibitor assays using IRE1α-XBP1 inhibitors, including toyocamycin, we confirmed that these agents significantly suppressed the cell viabilities, leading to apoptosis in ES cells both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggested that IRE1α-XBP1 inhibitors might be useful for developing novel therapeutic strategies in ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tanabe
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Suehara
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Shinji Kohsaka
- Department of Medical Genomics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Takuo Hayashi
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Keisuke Akaike
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Kenta Mukaihara
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Taisei Kurihara
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Youngji Kim
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Taketo Okubo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Midori Ishii
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Saiko Kazuno
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Biomolecular Science, Research Support Center, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Kazuo Kaneko
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Saito
- Department of Human Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
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22
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Feng Z, Nam S, Hamouri F, Aujard I, Ducos B, Vriz S, Volovitch M, Jullien L, Lin S, Weiss S, Bensimon D. Optical Control of Tumor Induction in the Zebrafish. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9195. [PMID: 28835665 PMCID: PMC5569104 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09697-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish has become an increasingly popular and valuable cancer model over the past few decades. While most zebrafish cancer models are generated by expressing mammalian oncogenes under tissue-specific promoters, here we describe a method that allows for the precise optical control of oncogene expression in live zebrafish. We utilize this technique to transiently or constitutively activate a typical human oncogene, kRASG12V, in zebrafish embryos and investigate the developmental and tumorigenic phenotypes. We demonstrate the spatiotemporal control of oncogene expression in live zebrafish, and characterize the different tumorigenic probabilities when kRASG12V is expressed transiently or constitutively at different developmental stages. Moreover, we show that light can be used to activate oncogene expression in selected tissues and single cells without tissue-specific promoters. Our work presents a novel approach to initiate and study cancer in zebrafish, and the high spatiotemporal resolution of this method makes it a valuable tool for studying cancer initiation from single cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiping Feng
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.
| | - Suzy Nam
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Fatima Hamouri
- Laboratoire de Physique Statistique, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
- IBENS, CNRS-UMR8197, INSERM-U1024, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Aujard
- École Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Département de Chimie, PASTEUR, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, ENS, CNRS, PASTEUR, Paris, France
| | - Bertrand Ducos
- Laboratoire de Physique Statistique, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
- IBENS, CNRS-UMR8197, INSERM-U1024, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Vriz
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), College de France, and CNRS UMR 7241, and INSERM U1050, Paris, France
- Department of Life Sciences, Paris-Diderot University, Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Michel Volovitch
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), College de France, and CNRS UMR 7241, and INSERM U1050, Paris, France
- Department of Biology, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Jullien
- École Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Département de Chimie, PASTEUR, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, ENS, CNRS, PASTEUR, Paris, France
| | - Shuo Lin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Shimon Weiss
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
| | - David Bensimon
- Laboratoire de Physique Statistique, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France.
- IBENS, CNRS-UMR8197, INSERM-U1024, PSL Research University, Paris, France.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
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23
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Pridgeon MG, Grohar PJ, Steensma MR, Williams BO. Wnt Signaling in Ewing Sarcoma, Osteosarcoma, and Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors. Curr Osteoporos Rep 2017. [PMID: 28647886 DOI: 10.1007/s11914-017-0377-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Wnt signaling plays a central role in development and homeostasis, and its dysregulation is a common event in many types of human cancer. Here we explore in detail the contributions of Wnt signaling to the initiation and maintenance of three types of saroma: Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. This review provides an overview of the Wnt signaling pathway and explores in detail the current knowledge about its role in the initiation or maintenance of three tumor types: Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. RECENT FINDINGS Recent work has assessed the role(s) of Wnt signaling within these cell types. This review provides an overview of the mechanistic insights that have been gained from a number of recent studies to set the foundation for potential therapeutic applications. Wnt signaling has emerged as a potentially critical pathway in maintaining the growth of these types of tumors. Given the fact that many new inhibitors of the pathway have recently or will soon enter Phase 1 clinical trials, it is likely that assessment of their activity in these tumor types will occur in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G Pridgeon
- Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Spectrum Health Cancer Center, Spectrum Health System, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Helen De Vos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Patrick J Grohar
- Spectrum Health Cancer Center, Spectrum Health System, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Helen De Vos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Matthew R Steensma
- Spectrum Health Cancer Center, Spectrum Health System, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Helen De Vos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Department of Surgery, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Bart O Williams
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
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24
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Theisen ER, Pishas KI, Saund RS, Lessnick SL. Therapeutic opportunities in Ewing sarcoma: EWS-FLI inhibition via LSD1 targeting. Oncotarget 2017; 7:17616-30. [PMID: 26848860 PMCID: PMC4951237 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive primary pediatric bone tumor, often diagnosed in adolescents and young adults. A pathognomonic reciprocal chromosomal translocation results in a fusion gene coding for a protein which derives its N-terminus from a FUS/EWS/TAF15 (FET) protein family member, commonly EWS, and C-terminus containing the DNA-binding domain of an ETS transcription factor, commonly FLI1. Nearly 85% of cases express the EWS-FLI protein which functions as a transcription factor and drives oncogenesis. As the primary genomic lesion and a protein which is not expressed in normal cells, disrupting EWS-FLI function is an attractive therapeutic strategy for Ewing sarcoma. However, transcription factors are notoriously difficult targets for the development of small molecules. Improved understanding of the oncogenic mechanisms employed by EWS-FLI to hijack normal cellular programming has uncovered potential novel approaches to pharmacologically block EWS-FLI function. In this review we examine targeting the chromatin regulatory enzymes recruited to conspire in oncogenesis with a focus on the histone lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1). LSD1 inhibitors are being aggressively investigated in acute myeloid leukemia and the results of early clinical trials will help inform the future use of LSD1 inhibitors in sarcoma. High LSD1 expression is observed in Ewing sarcoma patient samples and mechanistic and preclinical data suggest LSD1 inhibition globally disrupts the function of EWS-ETS proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Theisen
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kathleen I Pishas
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Cancer Therapeutics Laboratory, Centre for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ranajeet S Saund
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Stephen L Lessnick
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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25
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Hayes MN, Langenau DM. Discovering novel oncogenic pathways and new therapies using zebrafish models of sarcoma. Methods Cell Biol 2017; 138:525-561. [PMID: 28129857 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2016.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Sarcoma is a type of cancer affecting connective, supportive, or soft tissue of mesenchymal origin. Despite rare incidence in adults (<1%), over 15% of pediatric cancers are sarcoma. Sadly, both adults and children with relapsed or metastatic disease have devastatingly high rates of mortality. Current treatment options for sarcoma include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy; however, significant limitations exist with respect to the efficacy of these strategies. Strong impetus has been placed on the development of novel therapies and preclinical models for uncovering mechanisms involved in the development, progression, and therapy resistance of sarcoma. Over the past 15 years, the zebrafish has emerged as a powerful genetic model of human cancer. High genetic conservation when combined with a unique susceptibility to develop sarcoma has made the zebrafish an effective tool for studying these diseases. Transgenic and gene-activation strategies have been employed to develop zebrafish models of rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, Ewing's sarcoma, chordoma, hemangiosarcoma, and liposarcoma. These models all display remarkable molecular and histopathological conservation with their human cancer counterparts and have offered excellent platforms for understanding disease progression in vivo. Short tumor latency and the amenability of zebrafish for ex vivo manipulation, live imaging studies, and tumor cell transplantation have allowed for efficient study of sarcoma initiation, growth, self-renewal, and maintenance. When coupled with facile chemical genetic approaches, zebrafish models of sarcoma have provided a strong translational tool to uncover novel drug pathways and new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M N Hayes
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - D M Langenau
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, United States; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA, United States
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26
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Increased survival and cell cycle progression pathways are required for EWS/FLI1-induced malignant transformation. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2419. [PMID: 27735950 PMCID: PMC5133963 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2016.268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is the second most frequent childhood bone cancer driven by the EWS/FLI1 (EF) fusion protein. Genetically defined ES models are needed to understand how EF expression changes bone precursor cell differentiation, how ES arises and through which mechanisms of inhibition it can be targeted. We used mesenchymal Prx1-directed conditional EF expression in mice to study bone development and to establish a reliable sarcoma model. EF expression arrested early chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation due to changed signaling pathways such as hedgehog, WNT or growth factor signaling. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) expressing EF showed high self-renewal capacity and maintained an undifferentiated state despite high apoptosis. Blocking apoptosis through enforced BCL2 family member expression in MSCs promoted efficient and rapid sarcoma formation when transplanted to immunocompromised mice. Mechanistically, high BCL2 family member and CDK4, but low P53 and INK4A protein expression synergized in Ewing-like sarcoma development. Functionally, knockdown of Mcl1 or Cdk4 or their combined pharmacologic inhibition resulted in growth arrest and apoptosis in both established human ES cell lines and EF-transformed mouse MSCs. Combinatorial targeting of survival and cell cycle progression pathways could counteract this aggressive childhood cancer.
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27
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Park H, Galbraith R, Turner T, Mehojah J, Azuma M. Loss of Ewing sarcoma EWS allele promotes tumorigenesis by inducing chromosomal instability in zebrafish. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32297. [PMID: 27557633 PMCID: PMC4997631 DOI: 10.1038/srep32297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ewing sarcoma family of tumors expresses aberrant EWSR1- (EWS) fusion genes that are derived from chromosomal translocation. Although these fusion genes are well characterized as transcription factors, their formation leaves a single EWS allele in the sarcoma cells, and the contribution that the loss of EWS makes towards disease pathogenesis is unknown. To address this question, we utilized zebrafish mutants for ewsa and tp53. The zebrafish tp53(M214K)w/m line and the ewsaw/m, zygotic ewsam/m, and Maternal-Zygotic (MZ) ewsam/m lines all displayed zero to low incidence of tumorigenesis. However, when the ewsa and tp53 mutant lines were crossed with each other, the incidence of tumorigenesis drastically increased. Furthermore, 27 hour post fertilization (hpf) MZ ewsam/m mutant embryos displayed a higher incidence of aberrant chromosome numbers and mitotic dysfunction compared to wildtype zebrafish embryos. Consistent with this finding, tumor samples obtained from ewsam/m;tp53w/m zebrafish displayed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for the wildtype tp53 locus. These results suggest that wildtype Ewsa inhibits LOH induction, possibly by maintaining chromosomal stability. We propose that the loss of ewsa promotes tumorigenesis, and EWS deficiency may contribute to the pathogenesis of EWS-fusion-expressing sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyewon Park
- University of Kansas, Molecular Biosciences, Haworth Rm7031, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence KS 66045, USA
| | - Richard Galbraith
- Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Department of Pathology, 325 Maine St, Lawrence KS 66044, USA
| | - Thaddeus Turner
- Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Department of Pathology, 325 Maine St, Lawrence KS 66044, USA
| | - Justin Mehojah
- University of Kansas, Molecular Biosciences, Haworth Rm7031, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence KS 66045, USA
| | - Mizuki Azuma
- University of Kansas, Molecular Biosciences, Haworth Rm7031, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence KS 66045, USA
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28
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Caropreso V, Darvishi E, Turbyville TJ, Ratnayake R, Grohar PJ, McMahon JB, Woldemichael GM. Englerin A Inhibits EWS-FLI1 DNA Binding in Ewing Sarcoma Cells. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:10058-66. [PMID: 26961871 PMCID: PMC4858959 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.701375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput screening of extracts from plants, marine, and micro-organisms led to the identification of the extract from the plant Phyllanthus engleri as the most potent inhibitor of EWS-FLI1 induced luciferase reporter expression. Testing of compounds isolated from this extract in turn led to the identification of Englerin A (EA) as the active constituent of the extract. EA induced both necrosis and apoptosis in Ewing cells subsequent to a G2M accumulation of cells in the cell cycle. It also impacted clonogenic survival and anchorage-independent proliferation while also decreasing the proportion of chemotherapy-resistant cells identified by high ALDH activity. EA also caused a sustained increase in cytosolic calcium levels. EA appears to exert its effect on Ewing cells through a decrease in phosphorylation of EWS-FLI1 and its ability to bind DNA. This effect is mediated, at least in part, through a decrease in the levels of the calcium-dependent protein kinase PKC-βI after a transient up-regulation.
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MESH Headings
- Aldehyde Dehydrogenase/genetics
- Aldehyde Dehydrogenase/metabolism
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Apoptosis/genetics
- Bone Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Bone Neoplasms/genetics
- Bone Neoplasms/metabolism
- Bone Neoplasms/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- DNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- DNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Humans
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Phosphorylation/drug effects
- Phosphorylation/genetics
- Protein Binding/drug effects
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS/genetics
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Ewing/drug therapy
- Sarcoma, Ewing/genetics
- Sarcoma, Ewing/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Ewing/pathology
- Sesquiterpenes, Guaiane/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Caropreso
- From the Molecular Targets Laboratory, NCI, National Institutes of Health
| | - Emad Darvishi
- From the Molecular Targets Laboratory, NCI, National Institutes of Health
| | - Thomas J Turbyville
- Optical Microscopy and Analysis Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., and
| | - Ranjala Ratnayake
- From the Molecular Targets Laboratory, NCI, National Institutes of Health
| | - Patrick J Grohar
- Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
| | - James B McMahon
- From the Molecular Targets Laboratory, NCI, National Institutes of Health
| | - Girma M Woldemichael
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Molecular Targets Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, Maryland 21702,
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29
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Ceol CJ, Houvras Y. Uncharted Waters: Zebrafish Cancer Models Navigate a Course for Oncogene Discovery. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 916:3-19. [PMID: 27165347 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-30654-4_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Over a decade has elapsed since the first genetically-engineered zebrafish cancer model was described. During this time remarkable progress has been made. Sophisticated genetic tools have been built to generate oncogene expressing cancers and characterize multiple models of solid and blood tumors. These models have led to unique insights into mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression. New drug targets have been identified, particularly through the functional analysis of cancer genomes. Now in the second decade, zebrafish cancer models are poised for even faster growth as they are used in high-throughput genetic analyses to elucidate key mechanisms underlying critical cancer phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig J Ceol
- Program in Molecular Medicine and Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
| | - Yariv Houvras
- Departments of Surgery and Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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30
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Mayrhofer M, Mione M. The Toolbox for Conditional Zebrafish Cancer Models. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 916:21-59. [PMID: 27165348 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-30654-4_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Here we describe the conditional zebrafish cancer toolbox, which allows for fine control of the expression of oncogenes or downregulation of tumor suppressors at the spatial and temporal level. Methods such as the Gal4/UAS or the Cre/lox systems paved the way to the development of elegant tumor models, which are now being used to study cancer cell biology, clonal evolution, identification of cancer stem cells and anti-cancer drug screening. Combination of these tools, as well as novel developments such as the promising genome editing system through CRISPR/Cas9 and clever application of light reactive proteins will enable the development of even more sophisticated zebrafish cancer models. Here, we introduce this growing toolbox of conditional transgenic approaches, discuss its current application in zebrafish cancer models and provide an outlook on future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Mayrhofer
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Marina Mione
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
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31
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Zhu S, Thomas Look A. Neuroblastoma and Its Zebrafish Model. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 916:451-78. [PMID: 27165366 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-30654-4_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma, an important developmental tumor arising in the peripheral sympathetic nervous system (PSNS), accounts for approximately 10 % of all cancer-related deaths in children. Recent genomic analyses have identified a spectrum of genetic alterations in this tumor. Amplification of the MYCN oncogene is found in 20 % of cases and is often accompanied by mutational activation of the ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) gene, suggesting their cooperation in tumor initiation and spread. Understanding how complex genetic changes function together in oncogenesis has been a continuing and daunting task in cancer research. This challenge was addressed in neuroblastoma by generating a transgenic zebrafish model that overexpresses human MYCN and activated ALK in the PSNS, leading to tumors that closely resemble human neuroblastoma and new opportunities to probe the mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of this tumor. For example, coexpression of activated ALK with MYCN in this model triples the penetrance of neuroblastoma and markedly accelerates tumor onset, demonstrating the interaction of these modified genes in tumor development. Further, MYCN overexpression induces adrenal sympathetic neuroblast hyperplasia, blocks chromaffin cell differentiation, and ultimately triggers a developmentally-timed apoptotic response in the hyperplastic sympathoadrenal cells. In the context of MYCN overexpression, activated ALK provides prosurvival signals that block this apoptotic response, allowing continued expansion and oncogenic transformation of hyperplastic neuroblasts, thus promoting progression to neuroblastoma. This application of the zebrafish model illustrates its value in rational assessment of the multigenic changes that define neuroblastoma pathogenesis and points the way to future studies to identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhen Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cancer Center and Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55902, USA.
| | - A Thomas Look
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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32
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Abstract
Zebrafish embryos can be obtained for research purposes in large numbers at low cost and embryos develop externally in limited space, making them highly suitable for high-throughput cancer studies and drug screens. Non-invasive live imaging of various processes within the larvae is possible due to their transparency during development, and a multitude of available fluorescent transgenic reporter lines.To perform high-throughput studies, handling large amounts of embryos and larvae is required. With such high number of individuals, even minute tasks may become time-consuming and arduous. In this chapter, an overview is given of the developments in the automation of various steps of large scale zebrafish cancer research for discovering important cancer pathways and drugs for the treatment of human disease. The focus lies on various tools developed for cancer cell implantation, embryo handling and sorting, microfluidic systems for imaging and drug treatment, and image acquisition and analysis. Examples will be given of employment of these technologies within the fields of toxicology research and cancer research.
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33
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Abstract
Zebrafish cancer models have provided critical insight into understanding the link between aberrant developmental pathways and tumorigenesis. The unique strengths of zebrafish as compared to other vertebrate model systems include the combination of fecundity, readily available and efficient transgenesis techniques, transparency that facilitates in vivo cell lineage tracing, and amenability for high-throughput applications. In addition to early embryo readouts, zebrafish can develop tumors at ages ranging from 2 weeks old to adulthood. Tumorigenesis is driven by genetically introducing oncogenes using selected promoter/tissue-specific expression, with either mosaic expression or with the generation of a stable transgenic line. Here, we detail a research pipeline to facilitate the study of human oncogenes in zebrafish systems. The goals of this approach are to identify conserved developmental pathways that may be critical for tumor development and to create platforms for testing novel therapies.
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34
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Gordon DJ, Motwani M, Pellman D. Modeling the initiation of Ewing sarcoma tumorigenesis in differentiating human embryonic stem cells. Oncogene 2015; 35:3092-102. [PMID: 26455317 PMCID: PMC4829493 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Revised: 07/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Oncogenic transformation in Ewing sarcoma tumors is driven by the fusion oncogene EWS-FLI1. However, despite the well-established role of EWS-FLI1 in tumor initiation, the development of models of Ewing sarcoma in human cells with defined genetic elements has been challenging. Here, we report a novel approach to model the initiation of Ewing sarcoma tumorigenesis that exploits the developmental and pluripotent potential of human embryonic stem cells. The inducible expression of EWS-FLI1 in embryoid bodies, or collections of differentiating stem cells, generates cells with properties of Ewing sarcoma tumors, including characteristics of transformation. These cell lines exhibit anchorage-independent growth, a lack of contact inhibition and a strong Ewing sarcoma gene expression signature. Furthermore, these cells also demonstrate a requirement for the persistent expression of EWS-FLI1 for cell survival and growth, which is a hallmark Ewing sarcoma tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Gordon
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M Motwani
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - D Pellman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA
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35
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Zhao S, Huang J, Ye J. A fresh look at zebrafish from the perspective of cancer research. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2015; 34:80. [PMID: 26260237 PMCID: PMC4531851 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-015-0196-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish represent a vertebrate model organism that has been widely, and increasingly, employed over the last decade in the study of developmental processes, wound healing, microbe-host interactions, and drug screening. With the increase in the laboratory use of zebrafish, several advantages, such as a high genetic homology to humans and transparent embryos, which allow clear disease evaluation, have greatly widened its use as a model for studying tumor development in vivo. The use of zebrafish has been applied in several areas of cancer research, mainly in the following domains: (1) establishing cancer models by carcinogenic chemical, genetic technology, and xenotransplantation; (2) evaluating tumor angiogenesis; (3) studying tumor metastasis; and (4) anti-tumor drug screening and drug toxicity evaluation. In this study, we provide a comprehensive overview of the role of zebrafish in order to underline the advantages of using them as a model organism in cancer research. Several related successful events are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhao
- Department of Surgical oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Surgical oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Jun Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
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36
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The promise of zebrafish as a chemical screening tool in cancer therapy. Future Med Chem 2015; 7:1395-405. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc.15.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer progression in zebrafish recapitulates many aspects of human cancer and as a result, zebrafish have been gaining popularity for their potential use in basic and translational cancer research. Human cancer can be modeled in zebrafish by induction using chemical mutagens, xenotransplantation or by genetic manipulation. Chemical screens based on zebrafish cancer models offer a rapid, powerful and inexpensive means of evaluating the potential of suppression or prevention on cancer. The identification of small molecules through such screens will serve as ideal entry points for novel chemical therapies for cancer treatment. This article outlines advances that have been made within the growing field of zebrafish cancer models and presents their advantages for chemical drug screening.
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Sand LGL, Szuhai K, Hogendoorn PCW. Sequencing Overview of Ewing Sarcoma: A Journey across Genomic, Epigenomic and Transcriptomic Landscapes. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:16176-215. [PMID: 26193259 PMCID: PMC4519945 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160716176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive neoplasm occurring predominantly in adolescent Caucasians. At the genome level, a pathognomonic EWSR1-ETS translocation is present. The resulting fusion protein acts as a molecular driver in the tumor development and interferes, amongst others, with endogenous transcription and splicing. The Ewing sarcoma cell shows a poorly differentiated, stem-cell like phenotype. Consequently, the cellular origin of Ewing sarcoma is still a hot discussed topic. To further characterize Ewing sarcoma and to further elucidate the role of EWSR1-ETS fusion protein multiple genome, epigenome and transcriptome level studies were performed. In this review, the data from these studies were combined into a comprehensive overview. Presently, classical morphological predictive markers are used in the clinic and the therapy is dominantly based on systemic chemotherapy in combination with surgical interventions. Using sequencing, novel predictive markers and candidates for immuno- and targeted therapy were identified which were summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurens G L Sand
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands.
| | - Karoly Szuhai
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands.
| | - Pancras C W Hogendoorn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands.
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38
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Cross-species oncogenomics using zebrafish models of cancer. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2015; 30:73-9. [PMID: 26070506 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2015.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish is a relatively recent addition to cancer modeling. These models have now been extensively used in cross-species oncogenomic analyses at both the DNA and RNA levels. The goal of such studies is to identify conserved events that occur in both human and fish tumors which may act as central drivers of tumor phenotypes. Numerous comparisons of somatic DNA changes, using array CGH and exome sequencing, have demonstrated a relatively small set of conserved changes across species. In contrast, striking conservation of RNA expression patterns have been observed between the two species in models such as melanoma, leukemia, and rhabdomyosarcoma. In the future, the zebrafish will increasingly be used to model epigenetic and noncoding aspects of cancer biology.
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39
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EWS/FLI utilizes NKX2-2 to repress mesenchymal features of Ewing sarcoma. Genes Cancer 2015; 6:129-43. [PMID: 26000096 PMCID: PMC4426950 DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In Ewing sarcoma, NKX2-2 is a critical activated target of the oncogenic transcription factor EWS/FLI that is required for transformation. However, its biological function in this malignancy is unknown. Here we provide evidence that NKX2-2 mediates the EWS/FLI-controlled block of mesenchymal features. Transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing revealed that NKX2-2 represses cell adhesion and extracellular matrix organization genes. NKX2-2-depleted cells form more focal adhesions and organized actin stress fibers, and spread over a wider area—hallmarks of mesenchymally derived cells. Furthermore, NKX2-2 represses the actin-stabilizing protein zyxin, suggesting that these morphological changes are attributable to zyxin de-repression. In addition, NKX2-2-knockdown cells display marked increases in migration and substrate adhesion. However, only part of the EWS/FLI phenotype is NKX2-2-dependent; consequently, NKX2-2 is insufficient to rescue EWS/FLI repression of mesenchymalization. Strikingly, we found that EWS/FLI-and NKX22-repressed genes are activated by ZEB2, which was previously shown to block Ewing sarcoma epithelialization. Together, these data support an emerging theme wherein Ewing sarcoma cells highly express transcription factors that maintain an undifferentiated state. Importantly, co-opting epithelial and mesenchymal traits by Ewing sarcoma cells may explain how the primary tumor grows rapidly while also “passively” metastasizing, without the need for transitions toward differentiated states, as in carcinomas.
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40
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Ung CY, Guo F, Zhang X, Zhu Z, Zhu S. Mosaic zebrafish transgenesis for functional genomic analysis of candidate cooperative genes in tumor pathogenesis. J Vis Exp 2015:52567. [PMID: 25867597 PMCID: PMC4401404 DOI: 10.3791/52567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive genomic analysis has uncovered surprisingly large numbers of genetic alterations in various types of cancers. To robustly and efficiently identify oncogenic "drivers" among these tumors and define their complex relationships with concurrent genetic alterations during tumor pathogenesis remains a daunting task. Recently, zebrafish have emerged as an important animal model for studying human diseases, largely because of their ease of maintenance, high fecundity, obvious advantages for in vivo imaging, high conservation of oncogenes and their molecular pathways, susceptibility to tumorigenesis and, most importantly, the availability of transgenic techniques suitable for use in the fish. Transgenic zebrafish models of cancer have been widely used to dissect oncogenic pathways in diverse tumor types. However, developing a stable transgenic fish model is both tedious and time-consuming, and it is even more difficult and more time-consuming to dissect the cooperation of multiple genes in disease pathogenesis using this approach, which requires the generation of multiple transgenic lines with overexpression of the individual genes of interest followed by complicated breeding of these stable transgenic lines. Hence, use of a mosaic transient transgenic approach in zebrafish offers unique advantages for functional genomic analysis in vivo. Briefly, candidate transgenes can be coinjected into one-cell-stage wild-type or transgenic zebrafish embryos and allowed to integrate together into each somatic cell in a mosaic pattern that leads to mixed genotypes in the same primarily injected animal. This permits one to investigate in a faster and less expensive manner whether and how the candidate genes can collaborate with each other to drive tumorigenesis. By transient overexpression of activated ALK in the transgenic fish overexpressing MYCN, we demonstrate here the cooperation of these two oncogenes in the pathogenesis of a pediatric cancer, neuroblastoma that has resisted most forms of contemporary treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choong Yong Ung
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Center for Individualized Medicine
| | - Feng Guo
- Tufts University School of Medicine
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic
| | - Zhihui Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic
| | - Shizhen Zhu
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Center for Individualized Medicine; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic;
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Kovar H. Blocking the road, stopping the engine or killing the driver? Advances in targeting EWS/FLI-1 fusion in Ewing sarcoma as novel therapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2014; 18:1315-28. [PMID: 25162919 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2014.947963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ewing sarcoma (ES) represents the paradigm of an aberrant E-twenty-six (ETS) oncogene-driven cancer. It is characterized by specific rearrangements of one of five alternative ETS family member genes with EWSR1. There is experimental evidence that the resulting fusion proteins act as aberrant transcription factors driving ES pathogenesis. The transcriptional gene regulatory network driven by EWS-ETS proteins provides the oncogenic engine to the tumor. Therefore, EWS-ETS and their downstream machinery are considered ideal tumor-specific therapeutic targets. AREAS COVERED This review critically discusses the literature on the development of EWS-ETS-directed ES targeting strategies considering current knowledge of EWS-ETS biology and cellular context. It focuses on determinants of EWS-FLI1 function with an emphasis on interactions with chromatin structure. We speculate about the relevance of poorly investigated aspects in ES research such as chromatin remodeling and DNA damage repair for the development of targeted therapies. EXPERT OPINION This review questions the specificity of signature-based screening approaches to the identification of EWS-FLI1-targeted compounds. It challenges the view that targeting the downstream gene regulatory network carries potential for therapeutic breakthroughs because of resistance-inducing network rewiring. Instead, we propose to combine targeting of the fusion protein with epigenetic therapy as a future treatment strategy in ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinrich Kovar
- Children´s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, and Medical University Vienna, Department of Pediatrics , Zimmermannplatz 10, A1090 Vienna , Austria +43 1 40470 4092 ; +43 1 40470 64092 ;
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42
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Veinotte CJ, Dellaire G, Berman JN. Hooking the big one: the potential of zebrafish xenotransplantation to reform cancer drug screening in the genomic era. Dis Model Mech 2014; 7:745-54. [PMID: 24973744 PMCID: PMC4073264 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.015784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The current preclinical pipeline for drug discovery can be cumbersome and costly, which limits the number of compounds that can effectively be transitioned to use as therapies. Chemical screens in zebrafish have uncovered new uses for existing drugs and identified promising new compounds from large libraries. Xenotransplantation of human cancer cells into zebrafish embryos builds on this work and enables direct evaluation of patient-derived tumor specimens in vivo in a rapid and cost-effective manner. The short time frame needed for xenotransplantation studies means that the zebrafish can serve as an early preclinical drug screening tool and can also help personalize cancer therapy by providing real-time data on the response of the human cells to treatment. In this Review, we summarize the use of zebrafish embryos in drug screening and highlight the potential for xenotransplantation approaches to be adopted as a preclinical tool to identify and prioritize therapies for further clinical evaluation. We also discuss some of the limitations of using zebrafish xenografts and the benefits of using them in concert with murine xenografts in drug optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chansey J Veinotte
- Department of Pediatrics, IWK Health Centre, PO Box 9700, 5850/5980 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, B3K 6R8, Canada. Life Sciences Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, 1348 Summer Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Graham Dellaire
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, 5850 College Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2
| | - Jason N Berman
- Department of Pediatrics, IWK Health Centre, PO Box 9700, 5850/5980 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, B3K 6R8, Canada. Life Sciences Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, 1348 Summer Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada. Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, 5850 College Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, 5850 College Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada.
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43
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Gutierrez A, Feng H, Stevenson K, Neuberg DS, Calzada O, Zhou Y, Langenau DM, Look AT. Loss of function tp53 mutations do not accelerate the onset of myc-induced T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in the zebrafish. Br J Haematol 2014; 166:84-90. [PMID: 24690081 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.12851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The TP53 tumour suppressor is activated in response to distinct stimuli, including an ARF-dependent response to oncogene stress and an ATM/ATR-dependent response to DNA damage. In human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), TP53-dependent tumour suppression is typically disabled via biallelic ARF deletions. In murine models, loss of Arf (Cdkn2a) or Tp53 markedly accelerates the onset of Myc-induced lymphoblastic malignancies. In zebrafish, no ARF ortholog has been identified, but the sequence of ARF is very poorly conserved evolutionarily, making it difficult to exclude the presence of a zebrafish ARF ortholog without functional studies. Here we show that tp53 mutations have no significant influence on the onset of myc-induced T-ALL in zebrafish, consistent with the lack of additional effects of Tp53 loss on lymphomagenesis in Arf-deficient mice. By contrast, irradiation leads to complete T-ALL regression in tp53 wild-type but not homozygous mutant zebrafish, indicating that the tp53-dependent DNA damage response is intact. We conclude that tp53 inactivation has no impact on the onset of myc-induced T-ALL in the zebrafish, consistent with the lack of a functional ARF ortholog linking myc-induced oncogene stress to tp53-dependent tumour suppression. Thus, the zebrafish model is well suited to the study of ARF-independent pathways in T-ALL pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Gutierrez
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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44
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Yen J, White RM, Stemple DL. Zebrafish models of cancer: progress and future challenges. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2014; 24:38-45. [PMID: 24657535 PMCID: PMC4003353 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2013.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The need for scalable strategies to probe the biological consequences of candidate cancer genes has never been more pressing. The zebrafish, with its capacity for high-throughput transgenesis, in vivo imaging and chemical/genetic screening, has ideal features for undertaking this task. Unique biological insights from zebrafish have already led to the identification of novel oncogenic drivers and small molecules being used to treat the human cancer. This review summarizes the recent main findings and describes pertinent areas where the zebrafish can greatly contribute to our understanding of cancer biology and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Yen
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Richard M White
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 11788, United States
| | - Derek L Stemple
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, United Kingdom.
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45
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Mohseny AB, Hogendoorn PCW. Zebrafish as a model for human osteosarcoma. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2014; 804:221-36. [PMID: 24924177 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-04843-7_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
For various reasons involving biological comparativeness, expansive technological possibilities, accelerated experimental speed, and competitive costs, zebrafish has become a comprehensive model for cancer research. Hence, zebrafish embryos and full-grown fish have been instrumental for studies of leukemia, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, bone tumors, and other malignancies. Although because of its similarities to human osteogenesis zebrafish appears to be an appealing model to investigate osteosarcoma, only a few osteosarcoma specific studies have been accomplished yet. Here, we review interesting related and unrelated reports of which the findings might be extrapolated to osteosarcoma. More importantly, rational but yet unexplored applications of zebrafish are debated to expand the window of opportunities for future establishment of osteosarcoma models. Accordingly technological advances of zebrafish based cancer research, such as robotic high-throughput multicolor injection systems and advanced imaging methods are discussed. Furthermore, various use of zebrafish embryos for screening drug regimens by combinations of chemotherapy, novel drug deliverers, and immune system modulators are suggested. Concerning the etiology, the high degree of genetic similarity between zebrafish and human cancers indicates that affected regions are evolutionarily conserved. Therefore, zebrafish as a swift model system that allows for the investigation of multiple candidate gene-defects is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- A B Mohseny
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 9600, H1-Q, Leiden, The Netherlands
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46
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Owens C, Abbott LS, Gupta AA. Optimal management of Ewing sarcoma family of tumors: recent developments in systemic therapy. Paediatr Drugs 2013; 15:473-92. [PMID: 23760780 DOI: 10.1007/s40272-013-0037-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) is defined by cell surface expression of CD99 and a translocation involving EWS and an ETS partner. Cytotoxic chemotherapy remains the benchmark of first- and second-line therapy, and although the majority of patients with localized disease are cured, almost one third of patients relapse or progress from their disease. Moreover, cure remains elusive in most patients who present with distant metastases. In recent years, the ESFT literature has been dominated by reports of attempts at modulating the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor (IGFR). Unfortunately, three phase II studies examining inhibiting antibodies to IGFR-1 published disappointing results. Whether these results were due to failure to modulate the pathway or other limitations in study design and/or patient selection remain unclear. Other novel strategies currently being investigated in ESFT include tyrosine kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cormac Owens
- The Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1N6, Canada,
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47
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Rainusso N, Wang LL, Yustein JT. The adolescent and young adult with cancer: state of the art -- bone tumors. Curr Oncol Rep 2013; 15:296-307. [PMID: 23690089 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-013-0321-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Primary malignant bone tumors in the pediatric to young adult populations are relatively uncommon and account for about 6 % of all cancers in those less than 20 years old [1] and 3 % of all cancers in adolescents and young adults (AYA) within the age range of 15 to 29 years [2]. Osteosarcoma (OS) and Ewing's sarcoma (ES) comprise the majority of malignant bone tumors. The approach to treatment for both tumors consists of local control measures (surgery or radiation) as well as systemic therapy with high-dose chemotherapy. Despite earlier advances, there have been no substantial improvements in outcomes over the past several decades, particularly for patients with metastatic disease. This review summarizes the major advances in the treatment of OS and ES and the standard therapies available today, current active clinical trials, and areas of investigation into molecularly targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nino Rainusso
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, 6701 Fannin Street, Suite 1510.00, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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48
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Abstract
The zebrafish is a recent addition to animal models of human cancer, and studies using this model are rapidly contributing major insights. Zebrafish develop cancer spontaneously, after mutagen exposure and through transgenesis. The tumours resemble human cancers at the histological, gene expression and genomic levels. The ability to carry out in vivo imaging, chemical and genetic screens, and high-throughput transgenesis offers a unique opportunity to functionally characterize the cancer genome. Moreover, increasingly sophisticated modelling of combinations of genetic and epigenetic alterations will allow the zebrafish to complement what can be achieved in other models, such as mouse and human cell culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard White
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA.
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49
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Abstract
Primary malignant bone tumors in the pediatric to young adult populations are relatively uncommon and account for about 6 % of all cancers in those less than 20 years old [1] and 3 % of all cancers in adolescents and young adults (AYA) within the age range of 15 to 29 years [2]. Osteosarcoma (OS) and Ewing's sarcoma (ES) comprise the majority of malignant bone tumors. The approach to treatment for both tumors consists of local control measures (surgery or radiation) as well as systemic therapy with high-dose chemotherapy. Despite earlier advances, there have been no substantial improvements in outcomes over the past several decades, particularly for patients with metastatic disease. This review summarizes the major advances in the treatment of OS and ES and the standard therapies available today, current active clinical trials, and areas of investigation into molecularly targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nino Rainusso
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, 6701 Fannin Street, Suite 1510.00, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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50
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Huttner IG, Trivedi G, Jacoby A, Mann SA, Vandenberg JI, Fatkin D. A transgenic zebrafish model of a human cardiac sodium channel mutation exhibits bradycardia, conduction-system abnormalities and early death. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2013; 61:123-32. [PMID: 23791817 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2013.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Revised: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The recent exponential increase in human genetic studies due to the advances of next generation sequencing has generated unprecedented numbers of new gene variants. Determining which of these are causative of human disease is a major challenge. In-vitro studies and murine models have been used to study inherited cardiac arrhythmias but have several limitations. Zebrafish models provide an attractive alternative for modeling human heart disease due to similarities in cardiac electrophysiology and contraction, together with ease of genetic manipulation, external development and optical transparency. Although zebrafish cardiac mutants and morphants have been widely used to study loss and knockdown of zebrafish gene function, the phenotypic effects of human dominant-negative gene mutations expressed in transgenic zebrafish have not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to generate and characterize a transgenic zebrafish arrhythmia model harboring the pathogenic human cardiac sodium channel mutation SCN5A-D1275N, that has been robustly associated with a range of cardiac phenotypes, including conduction disease, sinus node dysfunction, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and dilated cardiomyopathy in humans and in mice. Stable transgenic fish with cardiac expression of human SCN5A were generated using Tol2-mediated transgenesis and cardiac phenotypes were analyzed using video microscopy and ECG. Here we show that transgenic zebrafish expressing the SCN5A-D1275N mutation, but not wild-type SCN5A, exhibit bradycardia, conduction-system abnormalities and premature death. We furthermore show that SCN5A-WT, and to a lesser degree SCN5A-D1275N, are able to compensate the loss of endogenous zebrafish cardiac sodium channels, indicating that the basic pathways, through which SCN5A acts, are conserved in teleosts. This proof-of-principle study suggests that zebrafish may be highly useful in vivo models to differentiate functional from benign human genetic variants in cardiac ion channel genes in a time- and cost-efficient manner. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Na(+) Regulation in Cardiac Myocytes".
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Affiliation(s)
- Inken G Huttner
- Molecular Cardiology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
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