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Qu S, Jia W, Nie Y, Shi W, Chen C, Zhao Z, Song W. AGR2: The Covert Driver and New Dawn of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer Treatment. Biomolecules 2024; 14:743. [PMID: 39062458 PMCID: PMC11275012 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070743] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The anterior gradient protein 2 (AGR2) plays a crucial role in facilitating the formation of protein disulfide bonds within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Research suggests that AGR2 can function as an oncogene, with its heightened expression linked to the advancement of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers through invasion and metastasis. Notably, AGR2 not only serves as a pro-oncogenic agent but also as a downstream targeting protein, indirectly fostering cancer progression. This comprehensive review delves into the established functions and expression patterns of AGR2, emphasizing its pivotal role in cancer progression, particularly in hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies. Furthermore, AGR2 emerges as a potential cancer prognostic marker and a promising target for immunotherapy, offering novel avenues for the treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers and enhancing patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Qu
- Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (S.Q.); (W.J.); (W.S.); (C.C.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Weili Jia
- Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (S.Q.); (W.J.); (W.S.); (C.C.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Ye Nie
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Wen Shi
- Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (S.Q.); (W.J.); (W.S.); (C.C.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Chao Chen
- Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China; (S.Q.); (W.J.); (W.S.); (C.C.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zihao Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Wenjie Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China; (Y.N.); (Z.Z.)
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Li E, Wen B, Gao D, Kalin TR, Wang G, Kalin TV, Kalinichenko VV. The bone marrow of mouse-rat chimeras contains progenitors of multiple pulmonary cell lineages. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1394098. [PMID: 38694819 PMCID: PMC11061410 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1394098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is a common complication of anti-cancer treatments for thoracic and hematologic malignancies. Bone marrow (BM) transplantation restores hematopoietic cell lineages in cancer patients. However, it is ineffective in improving lung repair after RILI due to the paucity of respiratory progenitors in BM transplants. In the present study, we used blastocyst injection to create mouse-rat chimeras, these are artificial animals in which BM is enriched with mouse-derived progenitor cells. FACS-sorted mouse BM cells from mouse-rat chimeras were transplanted into lethally irradiated syngeneic mice, and the contribution of donor cells to the lung tissue was examined using immunostaining and flow cytometry. Donor BM cells provided long-term contributions to all lung-resident hematopoietic cells which includes alveolar macrophages and dendritic cells. Surprisingly, donor BM cells also contributed up to 8% in pulmonary endothelial cells and stromal cells after RILI. To identify respiratory progenitors in donor BM, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq). Compared to normal mouse BM, increased numbers of hematopoietic progenitors were found in the BM of mouse-rat chimeras. We also identified unique populations of hemangioblast-like progenitor cells expressing Hes1, Dntt and Ebf1, along with mesenchymal stromal cells expressing Cpox, Blvrb and Ermap that were absent or ultra-rare in the normal mouse BM. In summary, by using rats as "bioreactors", we created a unique mouse BM cell transplant that contributes to multiple respiratory cell types after RILI. Interspecies chimeras have promise for future generations of BM transplants enriched in respiratory progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enhong Li
- Phoenix Children’s Research Institute, Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Bingqiang Wen
- Phoenix Children’s Research Institute, Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Dengfeng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Timothy R. Kalin
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Guolun Wang
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Tanya V. Kalin
- Phoenix Children’s Research Institute, Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Vladimir V. Kalinichenko
- Phoenix Children’s Research Institute, Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- Division of Neonatology, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, United States
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Zhang Y, Jia Q, Li F, Luo X, Wang Z, Wang X, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Li M, Bian L. Identification of molecular subtypes and a prognostic signature based on m6A/m5C/m1A-related genes in lung adenocarcinoma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7543. [PMID: 38555384 PMCID: PMC10981664 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57910-5] [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: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer, specifically the histological subtype lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), has the highest global occurrence and fatality rate. Extensive research has indicated that RNA alterations encompassing m6A, m5C, and m1A contribute actively to tumorigenesis, drug resistance, and immunotherapy responses in LUAD. Nevertheless, the absence of a dependable predictive model based on m6A/m5C/m1A-associated genes hinders accurately predicting the prognosis of patients diagnosed with LUAD. In this study, we collected patient data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and identified genes related to m6A/m5C/m1A modifications using the GeneCards database. The "ConsensusClusterPlus" R package was used to produce molecular subtypes by utilizing genes relevant to m6A/m5C/m1A identified through differential expression and univariate Cox analyses. An independent prognostic factor was identified by constructing a prognostic signature comprising six genes (SNHG12, PABPC1, IGF2BP1, FOXM1, CBFA2T3, and CASC8). Poor overall survival and elevated expression of human leukocyte antigens and immune checkpoints were correlated with higher risk scores. We examined the associations between the sets of genes regulated by m6A/m5C/m1A and the risk model, as well as the immune cell infiltration, using algorithms such as ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT, TIMER, ssGSEA, and exclusion (TIDE). Moreover, we compared tumor stemness indices (TSIs) by considering the molecular subtypes related to m6A/m5C/m1A and risk signatures. Analyses were performed based on the risk signature, including stratification, somatic mutation analysis, nomogram construction, chemotherapeutic response prediction, and small-molecule drug prediction. In summary, we developed a prognostic signature consisting of six genes that have the potential for prognostication in patients with LUAD and the design of personalized treatments that could provide new versions of personalized management for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650302, Yunnan, China
| | - Qiuye Jia
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650302, Yunnan, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650302, Yunnan, China
| | - Xuan Luo
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650302, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhiyuan Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650302, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaofang Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yanghao Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650302, Yunnan, China
| | - Yinglin Zhang
- Wenshan People's Hospital, Yunnan, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Muye Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650302, Yunnan, China
| | - Li Bian
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650302, Yunnan, China.
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Karlow JA, Pehrsson EC, Xing X, Watson M, Devarakonda S, Govindan R, Wang T. Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Epigenomes Exhibit Altered DNA Methylation in Smokers and Never-smokers. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:991-1013. [PMID: 37742993 PMCID: PMC10928376 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations are widespread in cancer and can complement genetic alterations to influence cancer progression and treatment outcome. To determine the potential contribution of DNAmethylation alterations to tumor phenotype in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in both smoker and never-smoker patients, we performed genome-wide profiling of DNA methylation in 17 primary NSCLC tumors and 10 matched normal lung samples using the complementary assays, methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeDIP-seq) and methylation sensitive restriction enzyme sequencing (MRE-seq). We reported recurrent methylation changes in the promoters of several genes, many previously implicated in cancer, including FAM83A and SEPT9 (hypomethylation), as well as PCDH7, NKX2-1, and SOX17 (hypermethylation). Although many methylation changes between tumors and their paired normal samples were shared across patients, several were specific to a particular smoking status. For example, never-smokers displayed a greater proportion of hypomethylated differentially methylated regions (hypoDMRs) and a greater number of recurrently hypomethylated promoters, including those of ASPSCR1, TOP2A, DPP9, and USP39, all previously linked to cancer. Changes outside of promoters were also widespread and often recurrent, particularly methylation loss over repetitive elements, highly enriched for ERV1 subfamilies. Recurrent hypoDMRs were enriched for several transcription factor binding motifs, often for genes involved in signaling and cell proliferation. For example, 71% of recurrent promoter hypoDMRs contained a motif for NKX2-1. Finally, the majority of DMRs were located within an active chromatin state in tissues profiled using the Roadmap Epigenomics data, suggesting that methylation changes may contribute to altered regulatory programs through the adaptation of cell type-specific expression programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Karlow
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Erica C Pehrsson
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Xing
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Mark Watson
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Siddhartha Devarakonda
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ramaswamy Govindan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA.
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5
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Shukla S, Saha T, Rama N, Acharya A, Le T, Bian F, Donovan J, Tan LA, Vatner R, Kalinichenko V, Mascia A, Perentesis JP, Kalin TV. Ultra-high dose-rate proton FLASH improves tumor control. Radiother Oncol 2023; 186:109741. [PMID: 37315577 PMCID: PMC10527231 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Proton radiotherapy (PRT) offers potential benefits over other radiation modalities, including photon and electron radiotherapy. Increasing the rate at which proton radiation is delivered may provide a therapeutic advantage. Here, we compared the efficacy of conventional proton therapy (CONVpr) to ultrahigh dose-rate proton therapy, FLASHpr, in a mouse model of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Mice bearing orthotopic lung tumors received thoracic radiation therapy using CONVpr (<0.05 Gy/s) and FLASHpr (>60 Gy/s) dose rates. RESULTS Compared to CONVpr, FLASHpr was more effective in reducing tumor burden and decreasing tumor cell proliferation. Furthermore, FLASHpr was more efficient in increasing the infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+ T-lymphocytes inside the tumor while simultaneously reducing the percentage of immunosuppressive regulatory T-cells (Tregs) among T-lymphocytes. Also, compared to CONVpr, FLASHpr was more effective in decreasing pro-tumorigenic M2-like macrophages in lung tumors, while increasing infiltration of anti-tumor M1-like macrophages. Finally, FLASHpr treatment reduced expression of checkpoint inhibitors in lung tumors, indicating reduced immune tolerance. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that FLASH dose-rate proton delivery modulates the immune system to improve tumor control and might thus be a promising new alternative to conventional dose rates for NSCLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samriddhi Shukla
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Taniya Saha
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Nihar Rama
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Anusha Acharya
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Tien Le
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Fenghua Bian
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Johnny Donovan
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Lin Abigail Tan
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Ralph Vatner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Vladimir Kalinichenko
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States; Neonatology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States; Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Anthony Mascia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - John P Perentesis
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Oncology, Division of Experimental Hematology, Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Tanya V Kalin
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States; Neonatology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States.
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6
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Zhang W, Yu L, Xu C, Tang T, Cao J, Chen L, Pang X, Ren W. MRPL51 is a downstream target of FOXM1 in promoting the malignant behaviors of lung adenocarcinoma. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:298. [PMID: 37323822 PMCID: PMC10265367 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial ribosome protein L51 (MRPL51) is a 39S subunit protein of the mitochondrial ribosome. Its dysregulation may be involved in non-small cell lung cancer. The present study aimed to explore MRPL51 expression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and normal lung tissues, as well as its regulatory effects on malignant LUAD behaviors. In addition, the role of forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) in MRPL51 transcription was studied. Bioinformatics analysis and subsequent in vitro experiments, including western blotting, immunofluorescent staining, Transwell invasion assay, dual-luciferase assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR were conducted. The results demonstrated that MRPL51 expression was upregulated at both the mRNA and protein levels in LUAD tissues compared with normal lung tissues. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis demonstrated that LUAD tissues with higher MRPL51 expression also had higher expression levels of genes enriched in multiple gene sets, including 'DNA_REPAIR', 'UNFOLDED_PROTEIN_RESPONSE', 'MYC_TARGETS_V1', 'OXIDATIVE_ PHOSPHORYLATION', 'MTORC1_SIGNALING', 'REACTIVE_OXYGEN_SPECIES_PATHWAY', 'MYC_ TARGETS_V2', 'E2F_TARGETS' and 'G2M_ CHECKPOINT'. MRPL51 expression was positively correlated with 'cell cycle', 'DNA damage', 'DNA repair', epithelial-mesenchymal transition ('EMT'), 'invasion' and 'proliferation' of LUAD cells at the single-cell level. Compared to the negative control, MRPL51 knockdown decreased N-cadherin and vimentin expression but increased E-cadherin expression in A549 and Calu-3 cells. MRPL51 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation, induced G1 phase arrest and decreased cell invasion. Patients with LUAD and higher MRPL51 expression had a significantly shorter overall survival (OS). FOXM1 could bind to the MRPL51 gene promoter and activate its transcription. In conclusion, MRPL51 was transcriptionally activated by FOXM1 in LUAD and contributed to the malignant behaviors of tumor cells, including EMT, cell cycle progression and invasion. High MRPL51 expression may be a prognostic biomarker indicating poor OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqian Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing 100144, P.R. China
| | - Lei Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing 100144, P.R. China
| | - Cong Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing 100144, P.R. China
| | - Tian Tang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing 100144, P.R. China
| | - Jianguang Cao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing 100144, P.R. China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing 100144, P.R. China
| | - Xinya Pang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing 100144, P.R. China
| | - Weihao Ren
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing 100144, P.R. China
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Bian F, Lan YW, Zhao S, Deng Z, Shukla S, Acharya A, Donovan J, Le T, Milewski D, Bacchetta M, Hozain AE, Tipograf Y, Chen YW, Xu Y, Shi D, Kalinichenko VV, Kalin TV. Lung endothelial cells regulate pulmonary fibrosis through FOXF1/R-Ras signaling. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2560. [PMID: 37137915 PMCID: PMC10156846 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38177-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis results from dysregulated lung repair and involves multiple cell types. The role of endothelial cells (EC) in lung fibrosis is poorly understood. Using single cell RNA-sequencing we identified endothelial transcription factors involved in lung fibrogenesis, including FOXF1, SMAD6, ETV6 and LEF1. Focusing on FOXF1, we found that FOXF1 is decreased in EC within human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and mouse bleomycin-injured lungs. Endothelial-specific Foxf1 inhibition in mice increased collagen depositions, promoted lung inflammation, and impaired R-Ras signaling. In vitro, FOXF1-deficient EC increased proliferation, invasion and activation of human lung fibroblasts, and stimulated macrophage migration by secreting IL-6, TNFα, CCL2 and CXCL1. FOXF1 inhibited TNFα and CCL2 through direct transcriptional activation of Rras gene promoter. Transgenic overexpression or endothelial-specific nanoparticle delivery of Foxf1 cDNA decreased pulmonary fibrosis in bleomycin-injured mice. Nanoparticle delivery of FOXF1 cDNA can be considered for future therapies in IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenghua Bian
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ying-Wei Lan
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Shuyang Zhao
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Zicheng Deng
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- The Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Samriddhi Shukla
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Anusha Acharya
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Johnny Donovan
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Tien Le
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - David Milewski
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Matthew Bacchetta
- Departments of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ahmed Emad Hozain
- Department of Surgery, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Yuliya Tipograf
- Department of Surgery, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Ya-Wen Chen
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Department of Otolaryngology, Institute for Airway Sciences, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yan Xu
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Donglu Shi
- The Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Vladimir V Kalinichenko
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Tanya V Kalin
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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8
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Pradhan A, Che L, Ustiyan V, Reza AA, Pek NM, Zhang Y, Alber AB, Kalin TR, Wambach JA, Gu M, Kotton DN, Siefert ME, Ziady AG, Kalin TV, Kalinichenko VV. Novel FOXF1-Stabilizing Compound TanFe Stimulates Lung Angiogenesis in Alveolar Capillary Dysplasia. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2023; 207:1042-1054. [PMID: 36480964 PMCID: PMC10112450 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202207-1332oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACDMPV) is linked to heterozygous mutations in the FOXF1 (Forkhead Box F1) gene, a key transcriptional regulator of pulmonary vascular development. There are no effective treatments for ACDMPV other than lung transplant, and new pharmacological agents activating FOXF1 signaling are urgently needed. Objectives: Identify-small molecule compounds that stimulate FOXF1 signaling. Methods: We used mass spectrometry, immunoprecipitation, and the in vitro ubiquitination assay to identify TanFe (transcellular activator of nuclear FOXF1 expression), a small-molecule compound from the nitrile group, which stabilizes the FOXF1 protein in the cell. The efficacy of TanFe was tested in mouse models of ACDMPV and acute lung injury and in human vascular organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of a patient with ACDMPV. Measurements and Main Results: We identified HECTD1 as an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in ubiquitination and degradation of the FOXF1 protein. The TanFe compound disrupted FOXF1-HECTD1 protein-protein interactions and decreased ubiquitination of the FOXF1 protein in pulmonary endothelial cells in vitro. TanFe increased protein concentrations of FOXF1 and its target genes Flk1, Flt1, and Cdh5 in LPS-injured mouse lungs, decreasing endothelial permeability and inhibiting lung inflammation. Treatment of pregnant mice with TanFe increased FOXF1 protein concentrations in lungs of Foxf1+/- embryos, stimulated neonatal lung angiogenesis, and completely prevented the mortality of Foxf1+/- mice after birth. TanFe increased angiogenesis in human vascular organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of a patient with ACDMPV with FOXF1 deletion. Conclusions: TanFe is a novel activator of FOXF1, providing a new therapeutic candidate for treatment of ACDMPV and other neonatal pulmonary vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nicole M. Pek
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine
| | | | - Andrea B. Alber
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Timothy R. Kalin
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - Jennifer A. Wambach
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Mingxia Gu
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine
| | - Darrell N. Kotton
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Assem G. Ziady
- Division of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Immune Deficiency, and
| | | | - Vladimir V. Kalinichenko
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology
- Center for Stem Cells and Organoid Medicine
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
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9
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Reza AA, Kohram F, Reza HA, Kalin TR, Kannan PS, Zacharias WJ, Kalinichenko VV. FOXF1 Regulates Alveolar Epithelial Morphogenesis through Transcriptional Activation of Mesenchymal WNT5A. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2023; 68:430-443. [PMID: 36542853 PMCID: PMC10112422 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2022-0191oc] [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: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the FOXF1 (forkhead box F1) gene, encoding the mesenchymal FOX (forkhead box) transcription factor, are linked to alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACDMPV), a severe congenital disorder associated with the loss of alveolar capillaries and lung hypoplasia. Although proangiogenic functions of FOXF1 have been extensively studied, the role of FOXF1 in mesenchymal-epithelial signaling during lung development remains uncharacterized. Herein, we used murine lung organoids to demonstrate that the S52F FOXF1 mutation (found in patients with ACDMPV) stimulates canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling in type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AEC2s), leading to increased proliferation of AEC2s and decreased differentiation of AEC2s into type 1 alveolar epithelial cells (AEC1s). Alveolar organoids containing Foxf1WT/S52F lung fibroblasts and wild-type epithelial cells grew faster on Matrigel and exhibited AEC2 hyperplasia. AEC2 hyperplasia and loss of AEC1s were found in the lungs of Foxf1WT/S52F embryos, a mouse model of ACDMPV. Activation of canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling in AEC2s of lung organoids and Foxf1WT/S52F mice was associated with decreased expression of noncanonical WNT5A (Wnt family member 5A) ligand in lung fibroblasts. Mechanistically, FOXF1 directly activates the Wnt5a gene transcription through an evolutionarily conserved +6320/+6326 region located in the first intron of the Wnt5a gene. Site-directed mutagenesis of the +6320/+6326 region prevented the transcriptional activation of the Wnt5a enhancer by FOXF1. Treatment with exogenous WNT5A ligand inhibited the effects of the S52F FOXF1 mutation on canonical WNT/β-catenin signaling in alveolar organoids, preventing aberrant AEC2 expansion and restoring differentiation of AEC1s. Activation of either FOXF1 or WNT5A may provide an attractive strategy to improve lung function in patients with ACDMPV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Paranthaman S. Kannan
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - William J. Zacharias
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - Vladimir V. Kalinichenko
- Center for Lung Regeneration Medicine
- Division of Developmental Biology, and
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
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10
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Donovan J, Deng Z, Bian F, Shukla S, Gomez-Arroyo J, Shi D, Kalinichenko VV, Kalin TV. Improving anti-tumor efficacy of low-dose Vincristine in rhabdomyosarcoma via the combination therapy with FOXM1 inhibitor RCM1. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1112859. [PMID: 36816948 PMCID: PMC9933126 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1112859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma that often develops resistance to current therapies, including vincristine. Since the existing treatments have not significantly improved survival, there is a critical need for new therapeutic approaches for RMS patients. FOXM1, a known oncogene, is highly expressed in RMS, and is associated with the worst prognosis in RMS patients. In the present study, we found that the combination treatment with specific FOXM1 inhibitor RCM1 and low doses of vincristine is more effective in increasing apoptosis and decreasing RMS cell proliferation in vitro compared to single drugs alone. Since RCM1 is highly hydrophobic, we developed innovative nanoparticle delivery system containing poly-beta-amino-esters and folic acid (NPFA), which efficiently delivers RCM1 to mouse RMS tumors in vivo. The combination of low doses of vincristine together with intravenous administration of NPFA nanoparticles containing RCM1 effectively reduced RMS tumor volumes, increased tumor cell death and decreased tumor cell proliferation in RMS tumors compared to RCM1 or vincristine alone. The combination therapy was non-toxic as demonstrated by liver metabolic panels using peripheral blood serum. Using RNA-seq of dissected RMS tumors, we identified Chac1 as a uniquely downregulated gene after the combination treatment. Knockdown of Chac1 in RMS cells in vitro recapitulated the effects of the combination therapy. Altogether, combination treatment with low doses of vincristine and nanoparticle delivery of FOXM1 inhibitor RCM1 in a pre-clinical model of RMS has superior anti-tumor effects and decreases CHAC1 while reducing vincristine toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Donovan
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Zicheng Deng
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States,The Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States,Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Fenghua Bian
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Samriddhi Shukla
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Jose Gomez-Arroyo
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Donglu Shi
- The Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Vladimir V. Kalinichenko
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States,Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Tanya V. Kalin
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States,*Correspondence: Tanya V. Kalin,
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11
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Du K, Sun S, Jiang T, Liu T, Zuo X, Xia X, Liu X, Wang Y, Bu Y. E2F2 promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression through B-Myb- and FOXM1-facilitated core transcription regulatory circuitry. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18:4151-4170. [PMID: 35844795 PMCID: PMC9274503 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.72386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) causes severe cancer death worldwide. E2F2 is a canonical transcription factor implicated in transcription regulation, cell cycle and tumorigenesis. The role of E2F2 as well as its transcription regulatory network in LUAD remains obscure. In this study, we constructed a weighted gene co-expression network and identified several key modules and networks overrepresented in LUAD, including the E2F2-centered transcription regulatory network. Function analysis revealed that E2F2 overexpression accelerated cell growth, cell cycle progression and cell motility in LUAD cells whereas E2F2 knockdown inhibited these malignant phenotypes. Mechanistic investigations uncovered various E2F2-regulated downstream genes and oncogenic signaling pathways. Notably, three core transcription factors of E2F2, B-Myb and FOXM1 from the LUAD transcription regulatory network exhibited positive expression correlation, associated with each other, mutually transactivated each other, and regulated similar downstream gene cascades, hence constituting a consolidated core transcription regulatory circuitry. Moreover, E2F2 could promote and was essentially required for LUAD growth in orthotopic mouse models. Prognosis modeling revealed that a two-gene signature of E2F2 and PLK1 from the transcription regulatory circuitry remarkably stratified patients into low- and high-risk groups. Collectively, our results clarified the critical roles of E2F2 and the exquisite core transcription regulatory circuitry of E2F2/B-Myb/FOXM1 in LUAD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailong Du
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.,Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Shijie Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.,Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Tinghui Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.,Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.,Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zuo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.,Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xing Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.,Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xianjun Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.,Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.,Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Youquan Bu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.,Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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12
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Li YP, Liu Y, Xiao LM, Chen LK, Tao EX, Zeng EM, Xu CH. Induction of cancer cell stemness in glioma through glycolysis and the long noncoding RNA HULC-activated FOXM1/AGR2/HIF-1α axis. J Transl Med 2022; 102:691-701. [PMID: 35013529 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-021-00664-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the most common primary intracranial tumor, accounting for more than 70% of brain malignancies. Studies indicate that highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC), a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), functions as an oncogene in gliomas. However, the underlying mechanism of HULC in gliomas remains under-studied and was subsequently investigated in the current study. Brain tissues were clinically collected from 50 patients with glioblastoma (GBM) and 35 patients with acute craniocerebral injury, followed by immunohistochemical detection of the expression patterns of Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1), anterior gradient 2 (AGR2), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). After flow cytometry-based sorting of the CD133+ glioma stem cells (GSCs) from the U251 cell line, the obtained cells were subjected to lentivirus infection. Afterwards, the proliferation, stemness, and apoptosis of GSCs were evaluated using sphere formation, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. In addition, the interactions among HULC, FOXM1, AGR2, and HIF-1α were identified using RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull-down, Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), IP, and dual luciferase reporter assays. Last, the specific effects were validated in vivo. HULC was upregulated in GBM tissues and GSCs, which may promote the progression of glioma. On the other hand, silencing of HULC reduced the stemness, inhibited the proliferation, and promoted the apoptosis and differentiation of GSCs. In addition, HULC further stabilized FOXM1 expression in GSCs through ubiquitination, while FOXM1 activated AGR2 transcription to promote HIF-1α expression. Moreover, HULC promoted the glycolysis and stemness of GSCs through its regulation of the FOXM1/AGR2/HIF-1α axis, consequently exacerbating the occurrence and development of glioma. The findings obtained in our study indicate that HULC stabilizes the FOXM1 protein by ubiquitination to upregulate the expression of AGR2 and HIF-1α, which further promote the glycolysis of and maintain the stemness of GSCs, to enhance the tumorigenicity of GSCs, highlighting a novel therapeutic target for glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Ping Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, P.R. China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, P.R. China
| | - Li-Min Xiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, P.R. China
| | - Li-Ke Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, P.R. China
| | - Er-Xing Tao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, P.R. China
| | - Er-Ming Zeng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Hua Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, P.R. China.
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13
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Wang G, Wen B, Deng Z, Zhang Y, Kolesnichenko OA, Ustiyan V, Pradhan A, Kalin TV, Kalinichenko VV. Endothelial progenitor cells stimulate neonatal lung angiogenesis through FOXF1-mediated activation of BMP9/ACVRL1 signaling. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2080. [PMID: 35440116 PMCID: PMC9019054 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29746-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are critical for neonatal lung angiogenesis and represent a subset of general capillary cells (gCAPs). Molecular mechanisms through which EPCs stimulate lung angiogenesis are unknown. Herein, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to identify the BMP9/ACVRL1/SMAD1 pathway signature in pulmonary EPCs. BMP9 receptor, ACVRL1, and its downstream target genes were inhibited in EPCs from Foxf1WT/S52F mutant mice, a model of alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACDMPV). Expression of ACVRL1 and its targets were reduced in lungs of ACDMPV subjects. Inhibition of FOXF1 transcription factor reduced BMP9/ACVRL1 signaling and decreased angiogenesis in vitro. FOXF1 synergized with ETS transcription factor FLI1 to activate ACVRL1 promoter. Nanoparticle-mediated silencing of ACVRL1 in newborn mice decreased neonatal lung angiogenesis and alveolarization. Treatment with BMP9 restored lung angiogenesis and alveolarization in ACVRL1-deficient and Foxf1WT/S52F mice. Altogether, EPCs promote neonatal lung angiogenesis and alveolarization through FOXF1-mediated activation of BMP9/ACVRL1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guolun Wang
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Bingqiang Wen
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Zicheng Deng
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- The Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yufang Zhang
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Olena A Kolesnichenko
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Vladimir Ustiyan
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Arun Pradhan
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Tanya V Kalin
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Vladimir V Kalinichenko
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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14
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Wang YW, Chen SC, Gu DL, Yeh YC, Tsai JJ, Yang KT, Jou YS, Chou TY, Tang TK. A novel HIF1α-STIL-FOXM1 axis regulates tumor metastasis. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:24. [PMID: 35365182 PMCID: PMC8973879 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00807-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastasis is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer that involves in multiple steps including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Centrosome is an organelle that functions as the major microtubule organizing center (MTOC), and centrosome abnormalities are commonly correlated with tumor aggressiveness. However, the conclusive mechanisms indicating specific centrosomal proteins participated in tumor progression and metastasis remain largely unknown. METHODS The expression levels of centriolar/centrosomal genes in various types of cancers were first examined by in silico analysis of the data derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) datasets. The expression of STIL (SCL/TAL1-interrupting locus) protein in clinical specimens was further assessed by Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis and the oncogenic roles of STIL in tumorigenesis were analyzed using in vitro and in vivo assays, including cell migration, invasion, xenograft tumor formation, and metastasis assays. The transcriptome differences between low- and high-STIL expression cells were analyzed by RNA-seq to uncover candidate genes involved in oncogenic pathways. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and reporter assays were performed to confirm the results. The chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR assay was applied to demonstrate the binding of transcriptional factors to the promoter. RESULTS The expression of STIL shows the most significant increase in lung and various other types of cancers, and is highly associated with patients' survival rate. Depletion of STIL inhibits tumor growth and metastasis. Interestingly, excess STIL activates the EMT pathway, and subsequently enhances cancer cell migration and invasion. Importantly, we reveal an unexpected role of STIL in tumor metastasis. A subset of STIL translocate into nucleus and associate with FOXM1 (Forkhead box protein M1) to promote tumor metastasis and stemness via FOXM1-mediated downstream target genes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) directly binds to the STIL promoter and upregulates STIL expression under hypoxic condition. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that STIL promotes tumor metastasis through the HIF1α-STIL-FOXM1 axis, and highlight the importance of STIL as a promising therapeutic target for lung cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wei Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Chuan Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - De-Leung Gu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Yeh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jhih-Jie Tsai
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Tai Yang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
- Dept. of Animal Science, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Shan Jou
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Teh-Ying Chou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tang K Tang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
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15
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Xu Q, Cha Q, Qin H, Liu B, Wu X, Shi J. Identification of Master Regulators Driving Disease Progression, Relapse, and Drug Resistance in Lung Adenocarcinoma. FRONTIERS IN BIOINFORMATICS 2022; 2:813960. [PMID: 36304306 PMCID: PMC9580914 DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2022.813960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death worldwide. Current treatment strategies primarily involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, determined by TNM stages, histologic types, and genetic profiles. Plenty of studies have been trying to identify robust prognostic gene expression signatures. Even for high performance signatures, they usually have few shared genes. This is not totally unexpected, since a prognostic signature is associated with patient survival and may contain no upstream regulators. Identification of master regulators driving disease progression is a vital step to understand underlying molecular mechanisms and develop new treatments. Methods: In this study, we have utilized a robust workflow to identify potential master regulators that drive poor prognosis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. This workflow takes gene expression signatures that are associated with poor survival of early-stage lung adenocarcinoma, EGFR-TKI resistance, and responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors, respectively, and identifies recurrent master regulators from seven public gene expression datasets by a regulatory network-based approach. Results: We have found that majority of the master regulators driving poor prognosis in early stage LUAD are cell-cycle related according to Gene Ontology annotation. However, they were demonstrated experimentally to promote a spectrum of processes such as tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Master regulators predicted from EGFR-TKI resistance signature and the EMT pathway signature are largely shared, which suggests that EMT pathway functions as a hub and interact with other pathways such as hypoxia, angiogenesis, TNF-α signaling, inflammation, TNF-β signaling, Wnt, and Notch signaling pathways. Master regulators that repress immunotherapy are enriched with MYC targets, E2F targets, oxidative phosphorylation, and mTOR signaling. Conclusion: Our study uncovered possible mechanisms underlying recurrence, resistance to targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. The predicted master regulators may serve as potential therapeutic targets in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Xu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiongfang Cha
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Qin
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueling Wu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xueling Wu, ; Jiantao Shi,
| | - Jiantao Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xueling Wu, ; Jiantao Shi,
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16
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Wen B, Wang G, Li E, Kolesnichenko OA, Tu Z, Divanovic S, Kalin TV, Kalinichenko VV. In vivo generation of bone marrow from embryonic stem cells in interspecies chimeras. eLife 2022; 11:74018. [PMID: 36178184 PMCID: PMC9578712 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Generation of bone marrow (BM) from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) promises to accelerate the development of future cell therapies for life-threatening disorders. However, such approach is limited by technical challenges to produce a mixture of functional BM progenitor cells able to replace all hematopoietic cell lineages. Herein, we used blastocyst complementation to simultaneously produce BM cell lineages from mouse ESCs in a rat. Based on fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing, mouse ESCs differentiated into multiple hematopoietic and stromal cell types that were indistinguishable from normal mouse BM cells based on gene expression signatures and cell surface markers. Receptor-ligand interactions identified Cxcl12-Cxcr4, Lama2-Itga6, App-Itga6, Comp-Cd47, Col1a1-Cd44, and App-Il18rap as major signaling pathways between hematopoietic progenitors and stromal cells. Multiple hematopoietic progenitors, including hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in mouse-rat chimeras derived more efficiently from mouse ESCs, whereas chondrocytes predominantly derived from rat cells. In the dorsal aorta and fetal liver of mouse-rat chimeras, mouse HSCs emerged and expanded faster compared to endogenous rat cells. Sequential BM transplantation of ESC-derived cells from mouse-rat chimeras rescued lethally irradiated syngeneic mice and demonstrated long-term reconstitution potential of donor HSCs. Altogether, a fully functional BM was generated from mouse ESCs using rat embryos as 'bioreactors'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqiang Wen
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Guolun Wang
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Enhong Li
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Olena A Kolesnichenko
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Zhaowei Tu
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Senad Divanovic
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine of the University of CincinnatiCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Tanya V Kalin
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine of the University of CincinnatiCincinnatiUnited States,Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States
| | - Vladimir V Kalinichenko
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine of the University of CincinnatiCincinnatiUnited States,Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States,Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiUnited States
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17
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Nandi D, Cheema PS, Singal A, Bharti H, Nag A. Artemisinin Mediates Its Tumor-Suppressive Activity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Targeted Inhibition of FoxM1. Front Oncol 2021; 11:751271. [PMID: 34900697 PMCID: PMC8652299 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.751271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The aberrant up-regulation of the oncogenic transcription factor Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) is associated with tumor development, progression and metastasis in a myriad of carcinomas, thus establishing it as an attractive target for anticancer drug development. FoxM1 overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma is reflective of tumor aggressiveness and recurrence, poor prognosis and low survival in patients. In our study, we have identified the antimalarial natural product, Artemisinin, to efficiently curb FoxM1 expression and activity in hepatic cancer cells, thereby exhibiting potential anticancer efficacy. Here, we demonstrated that Artemisinin considerably mitigates FoxM1 transcriptional activity by disrupting its interaction with the promoter region of its downstream targets, thereby suppressing the expression of numerous oncogenic drivers. Augmented level of FoxM1 is implicated in drug resistance of cancer cells, including hepatic tumor cells. Notably, FoxM1 overexpression rendered HCC cells poorly responsive to Artemisinin-mediated cytotoxicity while FoxM1 depletion in resistant liver cancer cells sensitized them to Artemisinin treatment, manifested in lower proliferative and growth index, drop in invasive potential and repressed expression of EMT markers with a concomitantly increased apoptosis. Moreover, Artemisinin, when used in combination with Thiostrepton, an established FoxM1 inhibitor, markedly reduced anchorage-independent growth and displayed more pronounced death in liver cancer cells. We found this effect to be evident even in the resistant HCC cells, thereby putting forth a novel combination therapy for resistant cancer patients. Altogether, our findings provide insight into the pivotal involvement of FoxM1 in the tumor suppressive activities of Artemisinin and shed light on the potential application of Artemisinin for improved therapeutic response, especially in resistant hepatic malignancies. Considering that Artemisinin compounds are in current clinical use with favorable safety profiles, the results from our study will potentiate its utility in juxtaposition with established FoxM1 inhibitors, promoting maximal therapeutic efficacy with minimal adverse effects in liver cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aakriti Singal
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Hina Bharti
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Alo Nag
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
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18
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Jach D, Cheng Y, Prica F, Dumartin L, Crnogorac-Jurcevic T. From development to cancer - an ever-increasing role of AGR2. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:5249-5262. [PMID: 34873459 PMCID: PMC8640830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Anterior gradient 2, AGR2, is a small, 20 kDa protein that plays a vital role in oxidative protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. AGR2 is involved in several signal transduction pathways that are essential for cell survival. It was initially discovered in the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, where it plays an important function in embryonic development. Akin to several other developmental genes, it is also frequently deregulated in cancer, where it plays a decisive role in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. In this review, we have summarized currently known AGR2 functions, its expression and function in embryonic and cancer development, as well as its potential as a candidate tumor biomarker and promising new target for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Jach
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of LondonLondon, UK
| | - Yuzhu Cheng
- Institute of Human Genetics, International Centre for Life, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Filip Prica
- Medical Clinic and Polyclinic I, Basic and Translational Research, Department of Cardiology Basic and Translational ResearchMunich, Germany
| | - Laurent Dumartin
- Advanced Accelerator Applications, Novartis CompanyBoulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Tatjana Crnogorac-Jurcevic
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of LondonLondon, UK
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19
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Zhang S, Long F, Lin H, Wang X, Jiang G, Wang T. Regulatory roles of phytochemicals on circular RNAs in cancer and other chronic diseases. Pharmacol Res 2021; 174:105936. [PMID: 34653635 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
As novel non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an essential role in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases, and the regulation of these functional molecules has become a research hotspot gradually. Within the past decade, phytochemicals were reported to regulate the expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in various chronic diseases, and more recently, most studies focus on the regulatory roles of phytochemicals on circRNAs. Abnormal expression of circRNAs has been identified in chronic diseases like cancer, heart failure, depression and atherosclerosis, and numerous studies have revealed the modulation of circRNAs by phytochemicals including berberine, celastrol, cinnamaldehyde, curcumin, et al. The expression of circRNAs, such as circSATB2 and circFOXM1, were modulated by phytochemicals, and these regulations further affected cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, autophagy, chemosensitivity, radiosensitivity and other biological processes. Mechanismly, the circRNAs mainly functioned as miRNA sponge, subsequently affecting miRNA-mediated regulation of target genes and related cell signaling pathways. In this review, we summarized the impact of phytochemicals on circRNAs expression and biological function, and discussed the mechanisms underlying phytochemicals regulating circRNAs in cancer and other chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institution, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Fangyi Long
- Laboratory Medicine Center, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Affiliated Women's and Children's Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institution, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institution, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Gang Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institution, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institution, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
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20
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Wang G, Wen B, Ren X, Li E, Zhang Y, Guo M, Xu Y, Whitsett JA, Kalin TV, Kalinichenko VV. Generation of Pulmonary Endothelial Progenitor Cells for Cell-based Therapy Using Interspecies Mouse-Rat Chimeras. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2021; 204:326-338. [PMID: 33705684 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202003-0758oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Although pulmonary endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) hold promise for cell-based therapies for neonatal pulmonary disorders, whether EPCs can be derived from pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells remains unknown.Objectives: To investigate the heterogeneity of pulmonary EPCs and derive functional EPCs from pluripotent ESCs.Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing of neonatal human and mouse lung was used to identify the heterogeneity of pulmonary EPCs. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing was used to genetically label and purify mouse pulmonary EPCs. Functional properties of the EPCs were assessed after cell transplantation into neonatal mice with S52F Foxf1 mutation, a mouse model of alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACDMPV). Interspecies mouse-rat chimeras were produced through blastocyst complementation to generate EPCs from pluripotent ESCs for cell therapy in ACDMPV mice.Measurements and Main Results: We identified a unique population of EPCs, FOXF1+cKIT+ EPCs, as a subset of recently described general capillary cells (gCAPs) expressing SMAD7, ZBTB20, NFIA, and DLL4 but lacking mature arterial, venous, and lymphatic markers. FOXF1+cKIT+ gCAPs are reduced in ACDMPV, and their transcriptomic signature is conserved in mouse and human lungs. After cell transplantation into the neonatal circulation of ACDMPV mice, FOXF1+cKIT+ gCAPs engraft into the pulmonary vasculature, stimulate angiogenesis, improve oxygenation, and prevent alveolar simplification. FOXF1+cKIT+ gCAPs, produced from ESCs in interspecies chimeras, are fully competent to stimulate neonatal lung angiogenesis and alveolarization in ACDMPV mice.Conclusions: Cell-based therapy using donor or ESC/induced pluripotent stem cell-derived FOXF1+cKIT+ endothelial progenitors may be considered for treatment of human ACDMPV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Enhong Li
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
| | | | | | - Yan Xu
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, and
| | | | | | - Vladimir V Kalinichenko
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine.,Division of Pulmonary Biology, and.,Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio
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21
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Kolesnichenko OA, Whitsett JA, Kalin TV, Kalinichenko VV. Therapeutic Potential of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Pulmonary Diseases. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2021; 65:473-488. [PMID: 34293272 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2021-0152tr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Compromised alveolar development and pulmonary vascular remodeling are hallmarks of pediatric lung diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACDMPV). Although advances in surfactant therapy, corticosteroids, and anti-inflammatory drugs have improved clinical management of preterm infants, still those who suffer with severe vascular complications lack viable treatment options. Paucity of the alveolar capillary network in ACDMPV causes respiratory distress and leads to mortality in a vast majority of ACDMPV infants. The discovery of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in 1997 brought forth the paradigm of postnatal vasculogenesis and hope for promoting vascularization in fragile patient populations, such as those with BPD and ACDMPV. The identification of diverse EPC populations, both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic in origin, provided a need to identify progenitor cell selective markers which are linked to progenitor properties needed to develop cell-based therapies. Focusing to the future potential of EPCs for regenerative medicine, this review will discuss various aspects of EPC biology, beginning with the identification of hematopoietic, nonhematopoietic, and tissue-resident EPC populations. We will review knowledge related to cell surface markers, signature gene expression, key transcriptional regulators, and will explore the translational potential of EPCs for cell-based therapy for BPD and ACDMPV. The ability to produce pulmonary EPCs from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in vitro, holds promise for restoring vascular growth and function in the lungs of patients with pediatric pulmonary disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olena A Kolesnichenko
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 2518, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Jeffrey A Whitsett
- The Perinatal Institute and Section of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Tanya V Kalin
- Cincinnati Children\'s Hospital Medical Center, 2518, Pediatrics, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Vladimir V Kalinichenko
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States;
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22
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Li E, Ustiyan V, Wen B, Kalin GT, Whitsett JA, Kalin TV, Kalinichenko VV. Blastocyst complementation reveals that NKX2-1 establishes the proximal-peripheral boundary of the airway epithelium. Dev Dyn 2021; 250:1001-1020. [PMID: 33428297 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Distinct boundaries between the proximal conducting airways and more peripheral-bronchial regions of the lung are established early in foregut embryogenesis, demarcated in part by the distribution of SOX family and NKX2-1 transcription factors along the cephalo-caudal axis of the lung. We used blastocyst complementation to identify the role of NKX2-1 in the formation of the proximal-peripheral boundary of the airways in mouse chimeric embryos. RESULTS While Nkx2-1-/- mouse embryos form primordial tracheal cysts, peripheral pulmonary structures are entirely lacking in Nkx2-1-/- mice. Complementation of Nkx2-1-/- embryos with NKX2-1-sufficient embryonic stem cells (ESCs) enabled the formation of all tissue components of the peripheral lung but did not enhance ESC colonization of the most proximal regions of the airways. In chimeric mice, a precise boundary was formed between NKX2-1-deficient basal cells co-expressing SOX2 and SOX9 in large airways and ESC-derived NKX2-1+ SOX9+ epithelial cells of smaller airways. NKX2-1-sufficient ESCs were able to selectively complement peripheral, rather than most proximal regions of the airways. ESC complementation did not prevent ectopic expression of SOX9 but restored β-catenin signaling in Nkx2-1-/- basal cells of large airways. CONCLUSIONS NKX2-1 and β-catenin function in an epithelial cell-autonomous manner to establish the proximal-peripheral boundary along developing airways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enhong Li
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Vladimir Ustiyan
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Bingqiang Wen
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Gregory T Kalin
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Whitsett
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Tanya V Kalin
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Vladimir V Kalinichenko
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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23
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Liu C, Barger CJ, Karpf AR. FOXM1: A Multifunctional Oncoprotein and Emerging Therapeutic Target in Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3065. [PMID: 34205406 PMCID: PMC8235333 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) is a member of the conserved forkhead box (FOX) transcription factor family. Over the last two decades, FOXM1 has emerged as a multifunctional oncoprotein and a robust biomarker of poor prognosis in many human malignancies. In this review article, we address the current knowledge regarding the mechanisms of regulation and oncogenic functions of FOXM1, particularly in the context of ovarian cancer. FOXM1 and its associated oncogenic transcriptional signature are enriched in >85% of ovarian cancer cases and FOXM1 expression and activity can be enhanced by a plethora of genomic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational mechanisms. As a master transcriptional regulator, FOXM1 promotes critical oncogenic phenotypes in ovarian cancer, including: (1) cell proliferation, (2) invasion and metastasis, (3) chemotherapy resistance, (4) cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, (5) genomic instability, and (6) altered cellular metabolism. We additionally discuss the evidence for FOXM1 as a cancer biomarker, describe the rationale for FOXM1 as a cancer therapeutic target, and provide an overview of therapeutic strategies used to target FOXM1 for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adam R. Karpf
- Eppley Institute and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68918-6805, USA; (C.L.); (C.J.B.)
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24
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Sun F, Wang G, Pradhan A, Xu K, Gomez-Arroyo J, Zhang Y, Kalin GT, Deng Z, Vagnozzi RJ, He H, Dunn AW, Wang Y, York AJ, Hegde RS, Woods JC, Kalin TV, Molkentin JD, Kalinichenko VV. Nanoparticle Delivery of STAT3 Alleviates Pulmonary Hypertension in a Mouse Model of Alveolar Capillary Dysplasia. Circulation 2021; 144:539-555. [PMID: 34111939 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.053980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication in patients with alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACDMPV), a severe congenital disorder associated with mutations in the FOXF1 gene. Although the loss of alveolar microvasculature causes PH in patients with ACDMPV, it is unknown whether increasing neonatal lung angiogenesis could prevent PH and right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy. METHODS We used echocardiography, RV catheterization, immunostaining, and biochemical methods to examine lung and heart remodeling and RV output in Foxf1WT/S52F mice carrying the S52F Foxf1 mutation (identified in patients with ACDMPV). The ability of Foxf1WT/S52F mutant embryonic stem cells to differentiate into respiratory cell lineages in vivo was examined using blastocyst complementation. Intravascular delivery of nanoparticles with a nonintegrating Stat3 expression vector was used to improve neonatal pulmonary angiogenesis in Foxf1WT/S52F mice and determine its effects on PH and RV hypertrophy. RESULTS Foxf1WT/S52F mice developed PH and RV hypertrophy after birth. The severity of PH in Foxf1WT/S52F mice directly correlated with mortality, low body weight, pulmonary artery muscularization, and increased collagen deposition in the lung tissue. Increased fibrotic remodeling was found in human ACDMPV lungs. Mouse embryonic stem cells carrying the S52F Foxf1 mutation were used to produce chimeras through blastocyst complementation and to demonstrate that Foxf1WT/S52F embryonic stem cells have a propensity to differentiate into pulmonary myofibroblasts. Intravascular delivery of nanoparticles carrying Stat3 cDNA protected Foxf1WT/S52F mice from RV hypertrophy and PH, improved survival, and decreased fibrotic lung remodeling. CONCLUSIONS Nanoparticle therapies increasing neonatal pulmonary angiogenesis may be considered to prevent PH in ACDMPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Sun
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute (F.S., G.W., A.P., K.X., J.G.-A., Y.Z., G.T.K., Z.D., A.W.D., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Guolun Wang
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute (F.S., G.W., A.P., K.X., J.G.-A., Y.Z., G.T.K., Z.D., A.W.D., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Arun Pradhan
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute (F.S., G.W., A.P., K.X., J.G.-A., Y.Z., G.T.K., Z.D., A.W.D., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Kui Xu
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute (F.S., G.W., A.P., K.X., J.G.-A., Y.Z., G.T.K., Z.D., A.W.D., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Jose Gomez-Arroyo
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute (F.S., G.W., A.P., K.X., J.G.-A., Y.Z., G.T.K., Z.D., A.W.D., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care (J.G.-A.), University of Cincinnati, OH
| | - Yufang Zhang
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute (F.S., G.W., A.P., K.X., J.G.-A., Y.Z., G.T.K., Z.D., A.W.D., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Gregory T Kalin
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute (F.S., G.W., A.P., K.X., J.G.-A., Y.Z., G.T.K., Z.D., A.W.D., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- Division of Pulmonary Biology (G.T.K., H.H., T.V.K., J.D.M., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Zicheng Deng
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute (F.S., G.W., A.P., K.X., J.G.-A., Y.Z., G.T.K., Z.D., A.W.D., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- The Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science (Z.D., A.W.D.), University of Cincinnati, OH
| | - Ronald J Vagnozzi
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Heart Institute (R.J.V., A.J.Y., J.D.M.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Hua He
- Division of Pulmonary Biology (G.T.K., H.H., T.V.K., J.D.M., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Andrew W Dunn
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute (F.S., G.W., A.P., K.X., J.G.-A., Y.Z., G.T.K., Z.D., A.W.D., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- The Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science (Z.D., A.W.D.), University of Cincinnati, OH
| | - Yuhua Wang
- Division of Developmental Biology (Y.W., R.S.H., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Allen J York
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Heart Institute (R.J.V., A.J.Y., J.D.M.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Rashmi S Hegde
- Division of Developmental Biology (Y.W., R.S.H., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- Department of Pediatrics (R.S.H., J.C.W., T.V.K., J.S.M., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Jason C Woods
- Department of Pediatrics (R.S.H., J.C.W., T.V.K., J.S.M., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- Center for Pulmonary Imaging Research, Division of Pulmonary Medicine (J.C.W.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Tanya V Kalin
- Division of Pulmonary Biology (G.T.K., H.H., T.V.K., J.D.M., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- Department of Pediatrics (R.S.H., J.C.W., T.V.K., J.S.M., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Jeffery D Molkentin
- Division of Pulmonary Biology (G.T.K., H.H., T.V.K., J.D.M., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Heart Institute (R.J.V., A.J.Y., J.D.M.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- Department of Pediatrics (R.S.H., J.C.W., T.V.K., J.S.M., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute (J.D.M.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
| | - Vladimir V Kalinichenko
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute (F.S., G.W., A.P., K.X., J.G.-A., Y.Z., G.T.K., Z.D., A.W.D., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- Division of Pulmonary Biology (G.T.K., H.H., T.V.K., J.D.M., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- Division of Developmental Biology (Y.W., R.S.H., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- Department of Pediatrics (R.S.H., J.C.W., T.V.K., J.S.M., V.V.K.), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
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25
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Wen B, Li E, Ustiyan V, Wang G, Guo M, Na CL, Kalin GT, Galvan V, Xu Y, Weaver TE, Kalin TV, Whitsett JA, Kalinichenko VV. In Vivo Generation of Lung and Thyroid Tissues from Embryonic Stem Cells Using Blastocyst Complementation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2021; 203:471-483. [PMID: 32877203 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201909-1836oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The regeneration and replacement of lung cells or tissues from induced pluripotent stem cell- or embryonic stem cell-derived cells represent future therapies for life-threatening pulmonary disorders but are limited by technical challenges to produce highly differentiated cells able to maintain lung function. Functional lung tissue-containing airways, alveoli, vasculature, and stroma have never been produced via directed differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells. We sought to produce all tissue components of the lung from bronchi to alveoli by embryo complementation.Objectives: To determine whether ESCs are capable of generating lung tissue in Nkx2-1-/- mouse embryos with lung agenesis.Methods: Blastocyst complementation was used to produce chimeras from normal mouse ESCs and Nkx2-1-/- embryos, which lack pulmonary tissues. Nkx2-1-/- chimeras were examined using immunostaining, transmission electronic microscopy, fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis, and single-cell RNA sequencing.Measurements and Main Results: Although peripheral pulmonary and thyroid tissues are entirely lacking in Nkx2-1 gene-deleted embryos, pulmonary and thyroid structures in Nkx2-1-/- chimeras were restored after ESC complementation. Respiratory epithelial cell lineages in restored lungs of Nkx2-1-/- chimeras were derived almost entirely from ESCs, whereas endothelial, immune, and stromal cells were mosaic. ESC-derived cells from multiple respiratory cell lineages were highly differentiated and indistinguishable from endogenous cells based on morphology, ultrastructure, gene expression signatures, and cell surface proteins used to identify cell types by fluorescence-activated cell sorter.Conclusions: Lung and thyroid tissues were generated in vivo from ESCs by blastocyst complementation. Nkx2-1-/- chimeras can be used as "bioreactors" for in vivo differentiation and functional studies of ESC-derived progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqiang Wen
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute
| | - Enhong Li
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute
| | | | - Guolun Wang
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute
| | - Minzhe Guo
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, and.,Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | | | - Veronica Galvan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - Yan Xu
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, and.,Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Timothy E Weaver
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, and.,Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Tanya V Kalin
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, and.,Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Jeffrey A Whitsett
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, and.,Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology and The Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Vladimir V Kalinichenko
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Perinatal Institute.,Division of Pulmonary Biology, and.,Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology and The Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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FOXF1 is required for the oncogenic properties of PAX3-FOXO1 in rhabdomyosarcoma. Oncogene 2021; 40:2182-2199. [PMID: 33627785 PMCID: PMC8005492 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01694-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The PAX3-FOXO1 fusion protein is the key oncogenic driver in fusion positive rhabdomyosarcoma (FP-RMS), an aggressive soft tissue malignancy with a particularly poor prognosis. Identifying key downstream targets of PAX3-FOXO1 will provide new therapeutic opportunities for treatment of FP-RMS. Herein, we demonstrate that Forkhead Box F1 (FOXF1) transcription factor is uniquely expressed in FP-RMS and is required for FP-RMS tumorigenesis. The PAX3-FOXO1 directly binds to FOXF1 enhancers and induces FOXF1 gene expression. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated inactivation of either FOXF1 coding sequence or FOXF1 enhancers suppresses FP-RMS tumorigenesis even in the presence of PAX3-FOXO1 oncogene. Knockdown or genetic knockout of FOXF1 induces myogenic differentiation in PAX3-FOXO1-positive FP-RMS. Over-expression of FOXF1 decreases myogenic differentiation in primary human myoblasts. In FP-RMS tumor cells, FOXF1 protein binds chromatin near enhancers associated with FP-RMS gene signature. FOXF1 cooperates with PAX3-FOXO1 and E-box transcription factors MYOD1 and MYOG to regulate FP-RMS-specific gene expression. Altogether, FOXF1 functions downstream of PAX3-FOXO1 to promote FP-RMS tumorigenesis.
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Rosmarinic Acid Methyl Ester Regulates Ovarian Cancer Cell Migration and Reverses Cisplatin Resistance by Inhibiting the Expression of Forkhead Box M1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13100302. [PMID: 33053721 PMCID: PMC7601071 DOI: 10.3390/ph13100302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rosmarinic acid methyl ester (RAME), a derivative of rosmarinic acid (RA), is reported to have several therapeutic effects, including anti-tumor effects against cervical cancer. However, its anti-tumor effects in ovarian cancer is unclear. In this study, we studied the molecular pathways associated with the anti-tumor effects of RAME in ovarian cancer. To identify the effects of RAME in ovarian cancer, RNA sequencing was performed in RAME-treated ovarian cancer cells; we found that RAME treatment downregulated the genes closely involved with the target genes of the transcription factor Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1). It was reported that FOXM1 is overexpressed in a variety of cancer cells and is associated with cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Therefore, we hypothesized that FOXM1 is a key target of RAME; this could result in its anti-tumor effects. Treatment of ovarian cancer cells with RAME-inhibited cell migration and invasion, as shown by wound healing and transwell migration assays. To examine whether RAME represses the action of FOXM1, we performed quantitative RT-PCR and ChIP-qPCR. Treatment of ovarian cancer cells with RAME decreased the mRNA expression of FOXM1 target genes and the binding of FOXM1 to its target genes. Moreover, FOXM1 expression was increased in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells, and combination treatment with RAME and cisplatin sensitized the cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells, which was likely due to FOXM1 inhibition. Our research suggests that RAME is a promising option in treating ovarian cancer patients, as it revealed a novel molecular pathway underlying its anti-tumor effects.
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Moidu NA, A Rahman NS, Syafruddin SE, Low TY, Mohtar MA. Secretion of pro-oncogenic AGR2 protein in cancer. Heliyon 2020; 6:e05000. [PMID: 33005802 PMCID: PMC7519367 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anterior gradient-2 (AGR2) protein mediates the formation, breakage and isomerization of disulphide bonds during protein maturation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and contributes to the homoeostasis of the secretory pathway. AGR2 promotes tumour development and metastasis and its elevated expression is almost completely restricted to malignant tumours. Interestingly, this supposedly ER-resident protein can be localised to other compartments of cancer cells and can also be secreted into the extracellular milieu. There are emerging evidences that describe the gain-of-function activities of the extracellular AGR2, particularly in cancer development. Here, we reviewed studies detailing the expression, pathological and physiological roles associated with AGR2 and compared the duality of localization, intracellular and extracellular, with special emphasis on the later. We also discussed the possible mechanisms of AGR2 secretion as well as deliberating the functional impacts of AGR2 in cancer settings. Last, we deliberate the current therapeutic strategies and posit the potential use AGR2, as a prognosis and diagnosis marker in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurshahirah Ashikin Moidu
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nisa Syakila A Rahman
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Saiful Effendi Syafruddin
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Teck Yew Low
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - M Aiman Mohtar
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Bolte C, Ustiyan V, Ren X, Dunn AW, Pradhan A, Wang G, Kolesnichenko OA, Deng Z, Zhang Y, Shi D, Greenberg JM, Jobe AH, Kalin TV, Kalinichenko VV. Nanoparticle Delivery of Proangiogenic Transcription Factors into the Neonatal Circulation Inhibits Alveolar Simplification Caused by Hyperoxia. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2020; 202:100-111. [PMID: 32240596 PMCID: PMC7328311 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201906-1232oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Advances in neonatal critical care have greatly improved the survival of preterm infants, but the long-term complications of prematurity, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), cause mortality and morbidity later in life. Although VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) improves lung structure and function in rodent BPD models, severe side effects of VEGF therapy prevent its use in patients with BPD.Objectives: To test whether nanoparticle delivery of proangiogenic transcription factor FOXM1 (forkhead box M1) or FOXF1 (forkhead box F1), both downstream targets of VEGF, can improve lung structure and function after neonatal hyperoxic injury.Methods: Newborn mice were exposed to 75% O2 for the first 7 days of life before being returned to a room air environment. On Postnatal Day 2, polyethylenimine-(5) myristic acid/polyethylene glycol-oleic acid/cholesterol nanoparticles containing nonintegrating expression plasmids with Foxm1 or Foxf1 cDNAs were injected intravenously. The effects of the nanoparticles on lung structure and function were evaluated using confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and the flexiVent small-animal ventilator.Measurements and Main Results: The nanoparticles efficiently targeted endothelial cells and myofibroblasts in the alveolar region. Nanoparticle delivery of either FOXM1 or FOXF1 did not protect endothelial cells from apoptosis caused by hyperoxia but increased endothelial proliferation and lung angiogenesis after the injury. FOXM1 and FOXF1 improved elastin fiber organization, decreased alveolar simplification, and preserved lung function in mice reaching adulthood.Conclusions: Nanoparticle delivery of FOXM1 or FOXF1 stimulates lung angiogenesis and alveolarization during recovery from neonatal hyperoxic injury. Delivery of proangiogenic transcription factors has promise as a therapy for BPD in preterm infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig Bolte
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
| | - Vladimir Ustiyan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
| | - Xiaomeng Ren
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
| | - Andrew W. Dunn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Arun Pradhan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
| | - Guolun Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
| | - Olena A. Kolesnichenko
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
| | - Zicheng Deng
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Yufang Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
| | - Donglu Shi
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - James M. Greenberg
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, and
| | - Alan H. Jobe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, and
| | - Tanya V. Kalin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, and
| | - Vladimir V. Kalinichenko
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, and
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
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Pajdzik K, Wilamowski M, Żurawek D, Stopa KB, Nodzyński M, Kalita A, Jura J. Anterior gradient 2 promotes tumorigenesis through upregulation of CCAAT-enhancer binding protein beta and hypoxia-inducible factor-2α and subsequent secretion of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and vascular endothelial growth factor in the Caki-1 clear cell renal cell carcinoma cell line. IUBMB Life 2020; 72:1807-1818. [PMID: 32593213 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
It has been previously established that hypoxia leads to tumor development, treatment resistance, and a poor prognosis. Under oxygen deprivation, hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are stimulated to activate the genes necessary for tumor development in a low-oxygen environment. These genes encode regulators of angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and cellular metabolism. A disulfide isomerase, anterior gradient 2 (AGR2), has been shown to increase hypoxia-inducible factor 1, alpha subunit (HIF-1α) stability in breast cancer. Our goal was to determine if AGR2 affects the level of transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 2, alpha subunit (HIF-2α). As a model, we used the clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cell line Caki-1. The cells were transduced with lentiviral vector (Tet-On) encoding AGR2. After induction of AGR2 expression, cells were grown under either hypoxic (0.5% O2 ) or normoxic (21% O2 ) conditions. Our data showed that AGR2 upregulated both HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression in Caki-1 cells increasing the expression of HIF-activated genes (glucose transporter 1, phosphoglycerate kinase 1, vascular endothelial growth factor A, and transforming growth factor-alpha) under the hypoxic conditions. Under the normoxic conditions, AGR2 strongly activated CCAAT-enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ). Upregulation of C/EBPβ correlated with increased expression and secretion of the interleukin-6 and interleukin-8, inducing angiogenesis and inflammation in Caki-1 cells. In summary, our studies revealed that AGR2 has essential functions in ccRCC progression through upregulation of C/EBPβ and HIF-2α expressions, which affects cell signaling and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Pajdzik
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Mateusz Wilamowski
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Dariusz Żurawek
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Kinga B Stopa
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Michał Nodzyński
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agata Kalita
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jolanta Jura
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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Sommerova L, Ondrouskova E, Martisova A, Zoumpourlis V, Galtsidis S, Hrstka R. ZEB1/miR-200c/AGR2: A New Regulatory Loop Modulating the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Lung Adenocarcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061614. [PMID: 32570918 PMCID: PMC7352583 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process involved not only in morphogenesis and embryonic development, but also in cancer progression, whereby tumor cells obtain a more aggressive metastatic phenotype. Anterior gradient protein 2 (AGR2) maintains the epithelial phenotype and blocks the induction of EMT, thus playing an undeniable role in tumor progression. However, the mechanism through which AGR2 expression is regulated, not only during EMT, but also in the early stages of cancer development, remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we show an inverse correlation of AGR2 with ZEB1 (zinc finger enhancer binding protein, δEF1) that was verified by analysis of several independent clinical data sets of lung adenocarcinomas. We also identified the ZEB1 binding site within the AGR2 promoter region and confirmed AGR2 as a novel molecular target of ZEB1. The overexpression of ZEB1 decreased the promoter activity of the AGR2 gene, which resulted in reduced AGR2 protein level and the acquisition of a more invasive phenotype of these lung cancer cells. Conversely, silencing of ZEB1 led not only to increased levels of AGR2 protein, but also attenuated the invasiveness of tumor cells. The AGR2 knockout, vice versa, increased ZEB1 expression, indicating that the ZEB1/AGR2 regulatory axis may function in a double negative feedback loop. In conclusion, we revealed for the first time that ZEB1 regulates AGR2 at the transcriptional level, while AGR2 presence contributes to ZEB1 mRNA degradation. Thus, our data identify a new regulatory mechanism between AGR2 and ZEB1, two rivals in the EMT process, tightly associated with the development of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Sommerova
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic; (L.S.); (E.O.); (A.M.)
| | - Eva Ondrouskova
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic; (L.S.); (E.O.); (A.M.)
| | - Andrea Martisova
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic; (L.S.); (E.O.); (A.M.)
| | - Vassilis Zoumpourlis
- Biomedical Applications Unit, Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry & Biotechnology, NHRF 48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave., 11635 Athens, Greece;
| | - Sotirios Galtsidis
- Life Sciences Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, Campus Belval, Biotech 1, Avenue des Hauts Fourneaux, L-4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg;
| | - Roman Hrstka
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic; (L.S.); (E.O.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-543-133-306
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32
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Black M, Arumugam P, Shukla S, Pradhan A, Ustiyan V, Milewski D, Kalinichenko VV, Kalin TV. FOXM1 nuclear transcription factor translocates into mitochondria and inhibits oxidative phosphorylation. Mol Biol Cell 2020; 31:1411-1424. [PMID: 32348194 PMCID: PMC7353143 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e19-07-0413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1), a nuclear transcription factor that activates cell cycle regulatory genes, is highly expressed in a majority of human cancers. The function of FOXM1 independent of nuclear transcription is unknown. In the present study, we found the FOXM1 protein inside the mitochondria. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we generated FOXM1 mutant proteins that localized to distinct cellular compartments, uncoupling the nuclear and mitochondrial functions of FOXM1. Directing FOXM1 into the mitochondria decreased mitochondrial mass, membrane potential, respiration, and electron transport chain (ETC) activity. In mitochondria, the FOXM1 directly bound to and increased the pentatricopeptide repeat domain 1 (PTCD1) protein, a mitochondrial leucine-specific tRNA binding protein that inhibits leucine-rich ETC complexes. Mitochondrial FOXM1 did not change cellular proliferation. Thus, FOXM1 translocates into mitochondria and inhibits mitochondrial respiration by increasing PTCD1. We identify a new paradigm that FOXM1 regulates mitochondrial homeostasis in a process independent of nuclear transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markaisa Black
- Perinatal Institute and Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology
| | - Paritha Arumugam
- Translational Pulmonary Science Center and Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267
| | - Samriddhi Shukla
- Perinatal Institute and Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology
| | - Arun Pradhan
- Perinatal Institute and Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267
| | - Vladimir Ustiyan
- Perinatal Institute and Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267
| | - David Milewski
- Perinatal Institute and Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology
| | - Vladimir V. Kalinichenko
- Perinatal Institute and Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267
| | - Tanya V. Kalin
- Perinatal Institute and Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267
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AGR2-induced glucose metabolism facilitated the progression of endometrial carcinoma via enhancing the MUC1/HIF-1α pathway. Hum Cell 2020; 33:790-800. [PMID: 32304027 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-020-00356-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) was proved to modulate cancer progression. However, the role of AGR2 on endometrial cancer was not established. Here, we investigated the effects of AGR2 expression on endometrial cancer and explored the regulation mechanism. In the study, we found that AGR2 was overexpressed in tumor tissues of 30 endometrial cancer patients. A high level of AGR2 promoted endometrial cancer cells proliferation, migration and invasion. AGR2 induced the expression of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1), kallikrein 2 (HK2), and enolase 1-α (ENO1), glucose uptake and lactate production. AGR2 could bind to MUC1 and induce MUC1 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α). The inhibition effects of AGR2 knockdown on cells proliferation, migration and invasion ability were abolished by the overexpression of MUC1. Besides, the overexpression of MUC1 also reversed the inhibition effects of AGR2 knockdown on the expression of LDHA, HK2, PGK1 and ENO1, glucose uptake and lactate production. AGR2 knockdown inhibited tumor growth, the levels of Ki-67, MUC1, HIF-1α and glycolysis. In conclusion, AGR2 was overexpressed in endometrial cancer and AGR2-induced glucose metabolism facilitated the progression of endometrial carcinoma via the MUC1/HIF-1α pathway. AGR2 may be an effective therapeutic target for endometrial carcinoma.
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Goda C, Balli D, Black M, Milewski D, Le T, Ustiyan V, Ren X, Kalinichenko VV, Kalin TV. Loss of FOXM1 in macrophages promotes pulmonary fibrosis by activating p38 MAPK signaling pathway. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008692. [PMID: 32271749 PMCID: PMC7173935 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic disease with high mortality and is refractory to treatment. Pulmonary macrophages can both promote and repress fibrosis, however molecular mechanisms regulating macrophage functions during fibrosis remain poorly understood. FOXM1 is a transcription factor and is not expressed in quiescent lungs. Herein, we show that FOXM1 is highly expressed in pulmonary macrophages within fibrotic lungs of IPF patients and mouse fibrotic lungs. Macrophage-specific deletion of Foxm1 in mice (myFoxm1-/-) exacerbated pulmonary fibrosis. Inactivation of FOXM1 in vivo and in vitro increased p38 MAPK signaling in macrophages and decreased DUSP1, a negative regulator of p38 MAPK pathway. FOXM1 directly activated Dusp1 promoter. Overexpression of DUSP1 in FOXM1-deficient macrophages prevented activation of p38 MAPK pathway. Adoptive transfer of wild-type monocytes to myFoxm1-/- mice alleviated bleomycin-induced fibrosis. Altogether, contrary to known pro-fibrotic activities in lung epithelium and fibroblasts, FOXM1 has anti-fibrotic function in macrophages by regulating p38 MAPK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmayee Goda
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - David Balli
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Markaisa Black
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - David Milewski
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Tien Le
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Vladimir Ustiyan
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Xiaomeng Ren
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Vladimir V. Kalinichenko
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Tanya V. Kalin
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, the Perinatal Institute of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
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Abstract
Introduction: FOXM1 is one of the most frequently overexpressed proteins in human solid cancers. Here, we discuss novel direct targets of FOXM1 as well as new pathways involving FOXM1, through which this protein exerts its oncogenic activity.Areas covered: We give a detailed review of FOXM1 transcriptional targets involved in 16 different types of human cancer as published in the literature in the last 5 years. We also discuss a novel positive feedback loop between FOXM1 and AKT - both well-established master regulators of cancer.Expert opinion: Despite the discovery of several FOXM1 inhibitors over the years (by our team and others), their therapeutic use is limited by their adverse off-target effects.Newly-discovered proteins regulated by FOXM1 present a promising alternative approach to target its pro-cancer activity. In addition, targeting regulating proteins that take part in the positive feedback loop between FOXM1/AKT has the double advantage of suppressing both, and can lead to developing novel anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Borhani
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Andrei L Gartel
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Long noncoding RNA HOXC-AS3 facilitates the progression of invasive mucinous adenocarcinomas of the lung via modulating FUS/FOXM1. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2020; 56:15-23. [PMID: 31925650 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-019-00414-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung (IMA), a mucinous variant of lung adenocarcinoma, is strongly linked with a worse prognosis. Therefore, a deeper understanding about its molecular mechanism may conduce to a promising IMA therapy. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently caught great attention for their crucial roles in diverse diseases regarding tumor initiation and progression. However, the potential role of the lncRNA HOXC-AS3 IMA is not well established. Hence, the purpose of present study is to manifest HOXC-AS3-regulated inner mechanism in IMA development. It revealed that HOXC-AS3 was highly expressed in IMA cells. Additionally, it was identified that the significant down-regulation of HOXC-AS3 obstructed cell proliferation and migration in IMA. As far as mechanism is concerned, it found that HOXC-AS3 recruited FUS to stabilize FOXM1 mRNA, accelerating IMA progression. Taken together, these data suggested that HOXC-AS3 may be recognized as a novel therapeutic target for patients with IMA or at least offer new views for molecular therapy.
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Chou LF, Chen CY, Yang WH, Chen CC, Chang JL, Leu YL, Liou MJ, Wang TH. Suppression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression through FOXM1 and EMT Inhibition via Hydroxygenkwanin-Induced miR-320a Expression. Biomolecules 2019; 10:biom10010020. [PMID: 31877715 PMCID: PMC7022487 DOI: 10.3390/biom10010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Daphne genkwa, a Chinese medicinal herb, is used frequently in Southeast Asian countries to treat diseases; the flavonoid hydroxygenkwanin (HGK) is extracted from its flower buds. The bioactivity of HGK, particularly as an anti-liver cancer agent, has not been explored. In this study, human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and an animal xenograft model were employed to investigate both the activity of HGK against liver cancer and its cellular signaling mechanisms. HCC cells treated with HGK were subjected to cell function assays. Whole transcriptome sequencing was used to identify genes whose expression was influenced by HGK, and the flavonoid’s cancer suppression mechanisms were further investigated through gain- and loss-of-function assays. Finally, in vitro findings were tested in a mouse xenograft model. The data showed that HGK induced the expression of the microRNA miR-320a, which in turn inhibited the expression of the transcription factor ‘forkhead box protein M1’ (FOXM1) and downstream FOXM1-regulated proteins related to epithelial–mesenchymal transition, thereby leading to the suppression of liver cancer cell growth and invasion. Significant inhibition of tumor growth was also observed in HGK-treated mice. Hence, the present study demonstrated the activity of HGK against liver cancer and validated its potential use as a therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Fang Chou
- Kidney Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan 33305, Taiwan;
| | - Chi-Yuan Chen
- Tissue Bank, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan 33305, Taiwan; (C.-Y.C.); (C.-C.C.)
- Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology and Research Center for Industry of Human Ecology, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Tao-Yuan 33303, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Hua Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Hsinchu Branch, Hsin-chu 31064, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsin-chu 30015, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Chuan Chen
- Tissue Bank, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan 33305, Taiwan; (C.-Y.C.); (C.-C.C.)
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan 33303, Taiwan;
| | - Junn-Liang Chang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Tao-Yuan 32551, Taiwan;
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Ming Chuan University, Tao-Yuan 33348, Taiwan
| | - Yann-Lii Leu
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan 33303, Taiwan;
- Chinese Herbal Medicine Research Team, Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan 33303, Taiwan
- Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Miaw-Jene Liou
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan 33305, Taiwan;
| | - Tong-Hong Wang
- Tissue Bank, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan 33305, Taiwan; (C.-Y.C.); (C.-C.C.)
- Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology and Research Center for Industry of Human Ecology, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Tao-Yuan 33303, Taiwan
- Liver Research Center, Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan 33305, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-3-3281200 (ext. 5412)
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Li J, Hu J, Luo Z, Zhou C, Huang L, Zhang H, Chi J, Chen Z, Li Q, Deng M, Chen J, Tao K, Wang G, Wang L, Wang Z. AGR2 is controlled by DNMT3a-centered signaling module and mediates tumor resistance to 5-Aza in colorectal cancer. Exp Cell Res 2019; 385:111644. [PMID: 31614132 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.111644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Human anterior gradient-2 (AGR2), a member of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family, is upregulated in various human cancers and reportedly has oncogenic activities. However, the functional roles of AGR2 and its regulation in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. Here, we showed that AGR2 promoted CRC tumorigenesis and progression in vitro and in vivo and acted as an independent prognostic factor of poor outcome. AGR2 was negatively regulated by DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a) through directly methylating AGR2 promoter and by a DNMT3a-SPRY2-miR-194 axis. Moreover, AGR2 mediated the resistance to 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza) treatment. Knockdown of AGR2 improved the therapeutic effect of 5-Aza in human CRC xenograft tumor model. Thus, our work supports AGR2's oncogenic role in CRC, reveals DNMT3a-mediated epigenetic modulation on AGR2 promoter, and uncovers a new DNMT3a signaling module controlling expression of AGR2. Upregulated AGR2 offset 5-Aza mediated epigenetic therapy. This work might provide potential targets for clinical anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Jia Hu
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Zhen Luo
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Caihong Zhou
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Lifeng Huang
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Hongyan Zhang
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Jiangyang Chi
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Zhenzhen Chen
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Qilin Li
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Meizhou Deng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Junhua Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Kaixiong Tao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Guobin Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Lin Wang
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Zheng Wang
- Research Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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FOXF1 Inhibits Pulmonary Fibrosis by Preventing CDH2-CDH11 Cadherin Switch in Myofibroblasts. Cell Rep 2019; 23:442-458. [PMID: 29642003 PMCID: PMC5947867 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.03.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by aberrant accumulation of collagen-secreting myofibroblasts. Development of effective therapies is limited due to incomplete understanding of molecular mechanisms regulating myofibroblast expansion. FOXF1 transcription factor is expressed in resident lung fibroblasts, but its role in lung fibrosis remains unknown due to the lack of genetic mouse models. Through comprehensive analysis of human IPF genomics data, lung biopsies, and transgenic mice with fibroblast-specific inactivation of FOXF1, we show that FOXF1 inhibits pulmonary fibrosis. FOXF1 deletion increases myofibroblast invasion and collagen secretion and promotes a switch from N-cadherin (CDH2) to Cadherin-11 (CDH11), which is a critical step in the acquisition of the pro-fibrotic phenotype. FOXF1 directly binds to Cdh2 and Cdh11 promoters and differentially regulates transcription of these genes. Re-expression of CDH2 or inhibition of CDH11 in FOXF1-deficient cells reduces myofibroblast invasion in vitro. FOXF1 inhibits pulmonary fibrosis by regulating a switch from CDH2 to CDH11 in lung myofibroblasts.
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Song Z, Li J, Zhang L, Deng J, Fang Z, Xiang X, Xiong J. UCHL3 promotes pancreatic cancer progression and chemo-resistance through FOXM1 stabilization. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:1970-1981. [PMID: 31598398 PMCID: PMC6780670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The dysregulation of deubiquitinating enzymes has been reported to be important in the development of many human cancers, including pancreatic cancer. However, the precise role and potential mechanism of action of the deubiquitinating enzyme UCHL3 in pancreatic cancer progression and chemo-resistance, are poorly elucidated. In the current study, the consequences of UCHL3 knockdown in pancreatic cancer cells were evaluated via cell viability and colony formation assays. In vivo experiments were also conducted to confirm the effect of UCHL3 and FOXM1 depletion on tumor growth in nude mouse xenograft models. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound-healing and transwell assays, respectively. Co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and in vitro deubiquitination assays were performed to investigate the interactions between UCHL3 and FOXM1. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was utilized to examine the expression of UCHL3 and FOXM1 in pancreatic cancer tissues. Our results demonstrate that UCHL3 deubiquitinated and stabilized FOXM1, thereby potentiating proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, knockdown of UCHL3 increased FOXM1 ubiquitination, which enhanced FOXM1 turnover and promoted pancreatic cancer cells' sensitivity to gemcitabine. High UCHL3 expression was positively associated with FOXM1 expression level in pancreatic cancer patient samples. Collectively, our study established the UCHL3-FOXM1 axis as a pivotal driver of pancreatic cancer progression and gemcitabine resistance and provided evidence for the potential therapeutic benefit of targeting the UCHL3-FOXM1 axis for pancreatic cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwang Song
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Junhe Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Deng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziling Fang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojun Xiang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianping Xiong
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Nanchang, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
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Wang H, Li H, Hu L, Wang J, Liu Q, Wang D, Sun X. Overexpression of FoxM1 in Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma and Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Am J Rhinol Allergy 2019; 33:706-715. [PMID: 31333047 DOI: 10.1177/1945892419863193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) is a rare tumor of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Its etiology and factors associated with tumor progression remains unclear. Forkhead Box M1 (FoxM1) has also been suggested to serve as an oncogene due to its pivotal roles in cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression pattern of FoxM1 in IP and IP with associated squamous cell carcinoma (IPwSCC). Methods The study included 8 subjects with IPwSCC, 17 subjects with sinonasal IP, and 8 normal uncinate tissue (UT) mucosa. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression and distribution of FoxM1, polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), cyclin B1, and cyclin D1 in IP tissues and normal control. The expression of FoxM1, PLK1, cyclin B1, and cyclin D1 in IPwSCC was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Results The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of FoxM1, PLK1, cyclin B1, and cyclin D1 was significantly upregulated in IP tissues versus normal UT by real-time PCR (all P values < .05). Using immunohistochemistry, the expression of FoxM1 was observed in the tumor cells of sinonasal IP and IPwSCC, but scarce positive cells in normal UT mucosa. The percentage of positive FoxM1-staining cells was statistically higher in IPwSCC than IP and normal UT mucosa (both P < .05). Both mRNA and protein expression of FoxM1 in IP with or without associated squamous cell carcinoma was correlated with tumor histological grades (both P < .05). Conclusion FoxM1, a proliferation specific transcription factor, was overexpressed in sinonasal IP and IPwSCC. FoxM1 might be a key molecule associated with growth of IP and malignant transformation of IP into IPwSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Experimental Center, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Quan Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dehui Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xicai Sun
- Department of Otolaryngology, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Shukla S, Milewski D, Pradhan A, Rama N, Rice K, Le T, Flick MJ, Vaz S, Zhao X, Setchell KD, Logarinho E, Kalinichenko VV, Kalin TV. The FOXM1 Inhibitor RCM-1 Decreases Carcinogenesis and Nuclear β-Catenin. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:1217-1229. [PMID: 31040162 PMCID: PMC7341442 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The oncogenic transcription factor FOXM1 has been previously shown to play a critical role in carcinogenesis by inducing cellular proliferation in multiple cancer types. A small-molecule compound, Robert Costa Memorial drug-1 (RCM-1), has been recently identified from high-throughput screen as an inhibitor of FOXM1 in vitro and in mouse model of allergen-mediated lung inflammation. In the present study, we examined antitumor activities of RCM-1 using tumor models. Treatment with RCM-1 inhibited tumor cell proliferation as evidenced by increased cell-cycle duration. Confocal imaging of RCM-1-treated tumor cells indicated that delay in cellular proliferation was concordant with inhibition of FOXM1 nuclear localization in these cells. RCM-1 reduced the formation and growth of tumor cell colonies in the colony formation assay. In animal models, RCM-1 treatment inhibited growth of mouse rhabdomyosarcoma Rd76-9, melanoma B16-F10, and human H2122 lung adenocarcinoma. RCM-1 decreased FOXM1 protein in the tumors, reduced tumor cell proliferation, and increased tumor cell apoptosis. RCM-1 decreased protein levels and nuclear localization of β-catenin, and inhibited protein-protein interaction between β-catenin and FOXM1 in cultured tumor cells and in vivo Altogether, our study provides important evidence of antitumor potential of the small-molecule compound RCM-1, suggesting that RCM-1 can be a promising candidate for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samriddhi Shukla
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - David Milewski
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Arun Pradhan
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Nihar Rama
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Kathryn Rice
- College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Tien Le
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Matthew J Flick
- Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Sara Vaz
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, Porto, Portugal
| | - Xueheng Zhao
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Kenneth D Setchell
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Elsa Logarinho
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vladimir V Kalinichenko
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Tanya V Kalin
- Perinatal Institute, Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Alsereihi R, Schulten HJ, Bakhashab S, Saini K, Al-Hejin AM, Hussein D. Leveraging the Role of the Metastatic Associated Protein Anterior Gradient Homologue 2 in Unfolded Protein Degradation: A Novel Therapeutic Biomarker for Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11070890. [PMID: 31247903 PMCID: PMC6678570 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11070890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers can help in tracking disease progress, predict patients’ survival, and considerably affect the drive for successful clinical management. The present review aims to determine how the metastatic-linked protein anterior gradient homologue 2 (AGR2) operates to affect cancer progression, and to identify associated potential diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers, particularly in central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Studies that show a high expression level of AGR2, and associate the protein expression with the resilience to chemotherapeutic treatments or with poor cancer survival, are reported. The primary protein structures of the seven variants of AGR2, including their functional domains, are summarized. Based on experiments in various biological models, this review shows an orchestra of multiple molecules that regulate AGR2 expression, including a feedback loop with p53. The AGR2-associated molecular functions and pathways including genomic integrity, proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, adhesion, migration, stemness, and inflammation, are detailed. In addition, the mechanisms that can enable the rampant oncogenic effects of AGR2 are clarified. The different strategies used to therapeutically target AGR2-positive cancer cells are evaluated in light of the current evidence. Moreover, novel associated pathways and clinically relevant deregulated genes in AGR2 high CNS tumors are identified using a meta-analysis approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Alsereihi
- Neurooncology Translational Group, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Hans-Juergen Schulten
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Sherin Bakhashab
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- Biochemistry Department, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80218, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Kulvinder Saini
- School of Biotechnology, Eternal University, Baru Sahib-173101, Himachal Pradesh, India.
| | - Ahmed M Al-Hejin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- Microbiology Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Deema Hussein
- Neurooncology Translational Group, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80216, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
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Xu X, Kong Z, Yi K, Wang B, Lei Q, Wang Y. Colonic mucinous adenocarcinoma causing intussusception and distant metastasis: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e15740. [PMID: 31124954 PMCID: PMC6571361 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000015740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Cases of intussusception caused by mucinous carcinoma have been rarely reported, and those caused by colonic mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) with distant metastasis were even fewer. PATIENT CONCERNS A 60-year-old woman who complained of severe pain around the navel with nausea and vomiting for a week was admitted on November 28, 2017. There were multiple watery stools and abdominal pain was worsened over the prior week. DIAGNOSIS She was diagnosed by abdominal computed tomography, current medical history, and abdominal signs. Her initial diagnosis was acute abdomen, intussusceptions, and intestinal obstruction. The final diagnosis was MAC, which was based on postoperative pathology. INTERVENTIONS The patient received emergency laparotomy, followed by 5 courses of chemotherapy with oxaliplatin plus capecitabine, and then 6 courses with 5-fluorouracil + oxaliplatin + calcium leucovorin. OUTCOMES The patient was in good nutritional condition, and no obvious tumor recurrence or metastasis was found until July 9, 2018. LESSONS Even though the prognosis of colonic MAC is poor, being able to receive timely surgical treatment, good nutritional status and reasonable postoperative chemotherapy are the key factors to prolonging patient's survival.
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Li Y, Wu F, Tan Q, Guo M, Ma P, Wang X, Zhang S, Xu J, Luo P, Jin Y. The multifaceted roles of FOXM1 in pulmonary disease. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:35. [PMID: 30992007 PMCID: PMC6469073 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0347-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1), a transcriptional regulator of G1/S and G2/M transition and M phase progression in the cell cycle, plays a principal role in many physiological and pathological processes. A growing number of studies have focused on the relationship between abnormal FOXM1 expression and pulmonary diseases, such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, acute lung injury (ALI), pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These studies indicate that the FOXM1 regulatory network is a major predictor of poor outcomes, especially in lung cancer, and provide novel insight into various pulmonary diseases. For the first time, this review summarizes the mechanistic relationship between FOXM1 dysregulation and pulmonary diseases, the benefits of targeting abnormal FOXM1 expression, and the questions that remain to be addressed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumei Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Qi Tan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Mengfei Guo
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Pei Ma
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Juanjuan Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Ping Luo
- Center for Translational Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yang Jin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Whitsett JA, Kalin TV, Xu Y, Kalinichenko VV. Building and Regenerating the Lung Cell by Cell. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:513-554. [PMID: 30427276 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00001.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique architecture of the mammalian lung is required for adaptation to air breathing at birth and thereafter. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling its morphogenesis provides the framework for understanding the pathogenesis of acute and chronic lung diseases. Recent single-cell RNA sequencing data and high-resolution imaging identify the remarkable heterogeneity of pulmonary cell types and provides cell selective gene expression underlying lung development. We will address fundamental issues related to the diversity of pulmonary cells, to the formation and function of the mammalian lung, and will review recent advances regarding the cellular and molecular pathways involved in lung organogenesis. What cells form the lung in the early embryo? How are cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation regulated during lung morphogenesis? How do cells interact during lung formation and repair? How do signaling and transcriptional programs determine cell-cell interactions necessary for lung morphogenesis and function?
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Whitsett
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Tanya V Kalin
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Yan Xu
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Vladimir V Kalinichenko
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati, Ohio
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47
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Coexpression of FOXK1 and vimentin promotes EMT, migration, and invasion in gastric cancer cells. J Mol Med (Berl) 2018; 97:163-176. [PMID: 30483822 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-018-1720-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In human gastric cancer (GC), the upregulation of FOXK1 and vimentin is frequently observed in cancer cells and correlates with increased malignancy. We report that FOXK1 synergizes with vimentin to promote GC invasion and metastasis via the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We showed that higher expression levels of FOXK1 were significantly associated with GC development. FOXK1 can physically interact with and stabilize vimentin. Moreover, a positive correlation between the expression of FOXK1 and vimentin was found in GC cells. Higher expression levels of these two proteins were significantly associated with differentiation, lymph node metastasis, AJCC stage, and poorer prognosis. Furthermore, the coexpression of FOXK1 and vimentin enhances cell metastasis through the induction of EMT in GC cells. However, the siRNA-mediated repression of vimentin in FOXK1-overexpressing cells reversed the EMT-like phenotype and reduced GC cell migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Altogether, our findings suggest that the vimentin-FOXK1 axis provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying EMT regulation during GC progression and metastasis.
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48
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Chen L, Luo Y, Wang G, Qian K, Qian G, Wu CL, Dan HC, Wang X, Xiao Y. Prognostic value of a gene signature in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:10324-10335. [PMID: 30417359 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Renal cancer is a common urogenital system malignance. Novel biomarkers could provide more and more critical information on tumor features and patients' prognosis. Here, we performed an integrated analysis on the discovery set and established a three-gene signature to predict the prognosis for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). By constructing a LASSO Cox regression model, a 3-messenger RNA (3-mRNA) signature was identified. Based on the 3-mRNA signature, we divided patients into high- and low-risk groups, and validated this by using three other data sets. In the discovery set, this signature could successfully distinguish between the high- and low-risk patients (hazard ratio (HR), 2.152; 95% confidence interval (CI),1.509-3.069; p < 0.0001). Analysis of internal and two external validation sets yielded consistent results (internal: HR, 2.824; 95% CI, 1.601-4.98; p < 0.001; GSE29609: HR, 3.002; 95% CI, 1.113-8.094; p = 0.031; E-MTAB-3267: HR, 2.357; 95% CI, 1.243-4.468; p = 0.006). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that the area under the ROC curve at 5 years was 0.66 both in the discovery and internal validation set, while the two external validation sets also suggested good performance of the 3-mRNA signature. Besides that, a nomogram was built and the calibration plots and decision curve analysis indicated the good performance and clinical utility of the nomogram. In conclusion, this 3-mRNA classifier proved to be a useful tool for prognostic evaluation and could facilitate personalized management of ccRCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Chen
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongwen Luo
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaiyu Qian
- Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Guofeng Qian
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chin-Lee Wu
- Department of Urology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Han C Dan
- Greenebaum Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Xinghuan Wang
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Xiao
- Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Biological Repositories, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Laboratory of Precision Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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49
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Ustiyan V, Bolte C, Zhang Y, Han L, Xu Y, Yutzey KE, Zorn AM, Kalin TV, Shannon JM, Kalinichenko VV. FOXF1 transcription factor promotes lung morphogenesis by inducing cellular proliferation in fetal lung mesenchyme. Dev Biol 2018; 443:50-63. [PMID: 30153454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Organogenesis is regulated by mesenchymal-epithelial signaling events that induce expression of cell-type specific transcription factors critical for cellular proliferation, differentiation and appropriate tissue patterning. While mesenchymal transcription factors play a key role in mesenchymal-epithelial interactions, transcriptional networks in septum transversum and splanchnic mesenchyme remain poorly characterized. Forkhead Box F1 (FOXF1) transcription factor is expressed in mesenchymal cell lineages; however, its role in organogenesis remains uncharacterized due to early embryonic lethality of Foxf1-/- mice. In the present study, we generated mesenchyme-specific Foxf1 knockout mice (Dermo1-Cre Foxf1-/-) and demonstrated that FOXF1 is required for development of respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal organ systems. Deletion of Foxf1 from mesenchyme caused embryonic lethality in the middle of gestation due to multiple developmental defects in the heart, lung, liver and esophagus. Deletion of Foxf1 inhibited mesenchyme proliferation and delayed branching lung morphogenesis. Gene expression profiling of micro-dissected distal lung mesenchyme and ChIP sequencing of fetal lung tissue identified multiple target genes activated by FOXF1, including Wnt2, Wnt11, Wnt5A and Hoxb7. FOXF1 decreased expression of the Wnt inhibitor Wif1 through direct transcriptional repression. Furthermore, using a global Foxf1 knockout mouse line (Foxf1-/-) we demonstrated that FOXF1-deficiency disrupts the formation of the lung bud in foregut tissue explants. Finally, deletion of Foxf1 from smooth muscle cell lineage (smMHC-Cre Foxf1-/-) caused hyper-extension of esophagus and trachea, loss of tracheal and esophageal muscle, mispatterning of esophageal epithelium and decreased proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Altogether, FOXF1 promotes lung morphogenesis by regulating mesenchymal-epithelial signaling and stimulating cellular proliferation in fetal lung mesenchyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Ustiyan
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Divisions of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Craig Bolte
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Divisions of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Yufang Zhang
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Divisions of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Lu Han
- Developmental Biology and Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Yan Xu
- Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Katherine E Yutzey
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Aaron M Zorn
- Developmental Biology and Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Tanya V Kalin
- Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - John M Shannon
- Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Vladimir V Kalinichenko
- Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Divisions of Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States; Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States; Developmental Biology and Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States.
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50
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Bauer AK, Umer M, Richardson VL, Cumpian AM, Harder AQ, Khosravi N, Azzegagh Z, Hara NM, Ehre C, Mohebnasab M, Caetano MS, Merrick DT, van Bokhoven A, Wistuba II, Kadara H, Dickey BF, Velmurugan K, Mann PR, Lu X, Barón AE, Evans CM, Moghaddam SJ. Requirement for MUC5AC in KRAS-dependent lung carcinogenesis. JCI Insight 2018; 3:120941. [PMID: 30089720 PMCID: PMC6129115 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.120941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
With more than 150,000 deaths per year in the US alone, lung cancer has the highest number of deaths for any cancer. These poor outcomes reflect a lack of treatment for the most common form of lung cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) is the most prevalent subtype of NSCLC, with the main oncogenic drivers being KRAS and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Whereas EGFR blockade has led to some success in lung ADC, effective KRAS inhibition is lacking. KRAS-mutant ADCs are characterized by high levels of gel-forming mucin expression, with the highest mucin levels corresponding to worse prognoses. Despite these well-recognized associations, little is known about roles for individual gel-forming mucins in ADC development causatively. We hypothesized that MUC5AC/Muc5ac, a mucin gene known to be commonly expressed in NSCLC, is crucial in KRAS/Kras-driven lung ADC. We found that MUC5AC was a significant determinant of poor prognosis, especially in patients with KRAS-mutant tumors. In addition, by using mice with lung ADC induced chemically with urethane or transgenically by mutant-Kras expression, we observed significantly reduced tumor development in animals lacking Muc5ac compared with controls. Collectively, these results provide strong support for MUC5AC as a potential therapeutic target for lung ADC, a disease with few effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison K. Bauer
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Misha Umer
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Vanessa L. Richardson
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Amber M. Cumpian
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anna Q. Harder
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Nasim Khosravi
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zoulikha Azzegagh
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Naoko M. Hara
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Camille Ehre
- Marsico Lung Institute/CF Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Maedeh Mohebnasab
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mauricio S. Caetano
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel T. Merrick
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Ignacio I. Wistuba
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Humam Kadara
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Burton F. Dickey
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kalpana Velmurugan
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Patrick R. Mann
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Xian Lu
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Anna E. Barón
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Christopher M. Evans
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Seyed Javad Moghaddam
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA
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