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Naser AN, Xing T, Tatum R, Lu Q, Boyer PJ, Chen YH. Colonic crypt stem cell functions are controlled by tight junction protein claudin-7 through Notch/Hippo signaling. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2024; 1535:92-108. [PMID: 38598500 PMCID: PMC11111361 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The tight junction protein claudin-7 is essential for tight junction function and intestinal homeostasis. Cldn7 deletion in mice leads to an inflammatory bowel disease-like phenotype exhibiting severe intestinal epithelial damage, weight loss, inflammation, mucosal ulcerations, and epithelial hyperplasia. Claudin-7 has also been shown to be involved in cancer metastasis and invasion. Here, we test our hypothesis that claudin-7 plays an important role in regulating colonic intestinal stem cell function. Conditional knockout of Cldn7 in the colon led to impaired epithelial cell differentiation, hyperproliferative epithelium, a decrease in active stem cells, and dramatically altered gene expression profiles. In 3D colonoid culture, claudin-7-deficient crypts were unable to survive and form spheroids, emphasizing the importance of claudin-7 in stem cell survival. Inhibition of the Hippo pathway or activation of Notch signaling partially rescued the defective stem cell behavior. Concurrent Notch activation and Hippo inhibition resulted in restored colonoid survival, growth, and differentiation to the level comparable to those of wild-type derived crypts. In this study, we highlight the essential role of claudin-7 in regulating Notch and Hippo signaling-dependent colonic stem cell functions, including survival, self-renewal, and differentiation. These new findings may shed light on potential avenues to explore for drug development in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amna N. Naser
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Tiaosi Xing
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- Neural and Behavioral Science Department, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rodney Tatum
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Qun Lu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Philip J. Boyer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yan-Hua Chen
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
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Mukherjee A, Ha P, Wai KC, Naara S. The Role of ECM Remodeling, EMT, and Adhesion Molecules in Cancerous Neural Invasion: Changing Perspectives. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2200039. [PMID: 35798312 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Perineural invasion (PNI) refers to the cancerous invasion of nerves. It provides an alternative route for metastatic invasion and can exist independently in the absence of lymphatic or vascular invasion. It is a prominent characteristic of specific aggressive malignancies where it correlates with poor prognosis. The clinical significance of PNI is widely recognized despite a lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis. The interaction between the nerve and the cancer cells is the most pivotal PNI step which is mediated by the activation or inhibition of multiple signaling pathways that include chemokines, interleukins, nerve growth factors, and matrix metalloproteinases, to name a few. The nerve-cancer cell interaction brings about specific changes in the perineural niche, which not only affects the regular nerve functions, but also enhances the migratory, invasive, and adherent properties of the tumor cells. This review aims to elucidate the vital role of adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix, and epithelial-mesenchymal proteins that promote PNI, which may serve as therapeutic targets in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Mukherjee
- Department of Genetics and Developmental BiologyRappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3525422, Israel
| | - Patrick Ha
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Katherine C Wai
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Shorook Naara
- Department of Genetics and Developmental BiologyRappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3525422, Israel.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
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Li J. Targeting claudins in cancer: diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:3406-3424. [PMID: 34354852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has linked claudins to signal transduction and tumorigenesis. The expression of claudins is frequently dysregulated in the context of neoplastic transformation, suggesting their promise as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis or targets for treatment. Claudin binders (Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin and monoclonal antibody) have been tested in preclinical experiments, and some of them have progressed into clinical trials involving patients with certain cancers. However, the clinical development of many of these agents has not advanced to clinical applications. Herein, I review the current status of preclinical and clinical investigations of agents targeting claudins for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. I also discuss the potential of combining claudin binders with other currently approved therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Hospital of Mianyang, Sichuan Mental Health Center Mianyang 621000, Sichuan, China
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Wang K, Ding Y, Xu C, Hao M, Li H, Ding L. Cldn-7 deficiency promotes experimental colitis and associated carcinogenesis by regulating intestinal epithelial integrity. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1923910. [PMID: 34026335 PMCID: PMC8118418 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1923910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal epithelial barrier protects intestine from infection and injury, while chronic inflammation is a trigger for tumorigenesis. As a member of tight junctions (TJs) family, Claudin-7 (Cldn-7) is dedicated to maintaining cell polarity and TJs barrier integrity, and closely related to the development of inflammation and tumors. However, potential roles of Cldn-7 in intestinal inflammation and colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) have not been well characterized in vivo. Here, we analyzed the expression profile of Cldn-7 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and CAC. Colitis and colitis-cancer transformation models were established based on inducible intestinal conditional Cldn-7 gene knockout mice (Cldn7fl/fl;villin-CreERT2), by intraperitoneal injection of azomethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) feeding. Cldn-7 knockout promoted susceptibility to colitis and CAC, aggravated clinical symptoms, severely damaged intestinal epithelium, increased mucosal inflammation accompanied dysregulated cell proliferation-apoptosis. Epithelial barrier integrity was destroyed, and intercellular permeability was increased. After AOM/DSS induction, tumor burden and volume were increased, characterized by enhanced proliferation and activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Mechanistically, Cldn-7 deficiency promoted colitis and subsequently malignant transformation by destroying TJs integrity and increasing inflammatory cascade. Overall, based on Cldn-7 knockout mouse model, we have first demonstrated the key roles of Cldn-7 in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and preventing IBD and consequent CAC. Abbreviations: AJs: adherens junctions; AOM: azomethane; Cldn-7: Claudin-7; CRC: colorectal cancer; CAC: colitis-associated colorectal cancer; CD: Crohn's disease; DSS: dextran sodium sulfate; DAI: disease activity index; EMT: epithelial-mesenchymal transition; FITC: fluorescence isothiocyanate; HB: hemoglobin; IBD: inflammatory bowel disease; IECs: intestinal epithelial cells; ISCs: intestinal stem cells; PLT: platelet; RBC: red blood cell; ROS: reactive oxygen species; TAM: tamoxifen; TJs: tight junctions; TCF/LEF: T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor; UC: ulcerative colitis; WBC: white blood cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Wang
- Department of Oncology Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology Surgery, Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhan Ding
- Department of Oncology Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology Surgery, Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chang Xu
- Department of Oncology Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Mengdi Hao
- Department of Oncology Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology Surgery, Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Huimin Li
- Department of Oncology Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology Surgery, Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Ding
- Department of Oncology Surgery, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology Surgery, Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China
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