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Wu S, Pan X, Cai Y, Li C. Interfering with the Expression of Ubiquitin-Like with PHD and Ring Finger Domains 1 Can Inhibit the Invasion of Human Renal Cell Carcinoma. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:6971131. [PMID: 37671388 PMCID: PMC10477023 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6971131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Objective The ubiquitin-like with PHD and ring finger domains 1 (UHRF1) is a protein coding gene which is associated with colorectal cancer and other diseases. Therefore, the present study was aimed at investigating the effect and mechanism of UHRF1 protein on invasion and metastasis in human renal carcinoma cells. Methods After UHRF1 was interfered with or overexpressed in renal carcinoma cell lines A498 and 769-P, the relative mRNA and protein level of UHRF1 was detected by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. The colony formation assay and MTT were performed to observe the proliferation and cell viability in each group. In addition, the invasion and metastasis of the cells in each group were detected by Transwell and wound healing assay. Finally, Western blot was utilized to measure protein expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and the level of protein in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Results The cell ability, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in A498 and 769-P cells were inhibited after interfering with UHRF1. In addition, the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, c-myc, and β-catenin was significantly decreased, while the expression of GSK-3β was significantly increased. However, contrasting results were demonstrated when UHRF1 was overexpressed. Conclusions Interference with the expression of UHRF1 was able to inhibit the invasion and metastasis of human renal carcinoma cell lines A498 and 769-P, which may be related to mediating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and regulating the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susu Wu
- Department of Laboratory, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, No. 381-1, Zhongshan East Road, Jiaojiang District, Taizhou City 318000, China
| | - Xiao Pan
- Department of Laboratory, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, No. 381-1, Zhongshan East Road, Jiaojiang District, Taizhou City 318000, China
| | - Yanqun Cai
- Department of Laboratory, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, No. 381-1, Zhongshan East Road, Jiaojiang District, Taizhou City 318000, China
| | - Caiqin Li
- Department of Laboratory, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, No. 381-1, Zhongshan East Road, Jiaojiang District, Taizhou City 318000, China
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2
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The Mammary Gland: Basic Structure and Molecular Signaling during Development. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073883. [PMID: 35409243 PMCID: PMC8998991 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammary gland is a compound, branched tubuloalveolar structure and a major characteristic of mammals. The mammary gland has evolved from epidermal apocrine glands, the skin glands as an accessory reproductive organ to support postnatal survival of offspring by producing milk as a source of nutrition. The mammary gland development begins during embryogenesis as a rudimentary structure that grows into an elementary branched ductal tree and is embedded in one end of a larger mammary fat pad at birth. At the onset of ovarian function at puberty, the rudimentary ductal system undergoes dramatic morphogenetic change with ductal elongation and branching. During pregnancy, the alveolar differentiation and tertiary branching are completed, and during lactation, the mature milk-producing glands eventually develop. The early stages of mammary development are hormonal independent, whereas during puberty and pregnancy, mammary gland development is hormonal dependent. We highlight the current understanding of molecular regulators involved during different stages of mammary gland development.
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3
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Lloyd-Lewis B, Gobbo F, Perkins M, Jacquemin G, Huyghe M, Faraldo MM, Fre S. In vivo imaging of mammary epithelial cell dynamics in response to lineage-biased Wnt/β-catenin activation. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110461. [PMID: 35263603 PMCID: PMC7615182 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Real-time in vivo imaging provides an essential window into the spatiotemporal cellular events contributing to tissue development and pathology. By coupling longitudinal intravital imaging with genetic lineage tracing, here we capture the earliest cellular events arising in response to active Wnt/β-catenin signaling and the ensuing impact on the organization and differentiation of the mammary epithelium. This enables us to interrogate how Wnt/β-catenin regulates the dynamics of distinct subpopulations of mammary epithelial cells in vivo and in real time. We show that β-catenin stabilization, when targeted to either the mammary luminal or basal epithelial lineage, leads to cellular rearrangements that precipitate the formation of hyperplastic lesions that undergo squamous transdifferentiation. These results enhance our understanding of the earliest stages of hyperplastic lesion formation in vivo and reveal that, in mammary neoplastic development, β-catenin activation dictates a hair follicle/epidermal differentiation program independently of the targeted cell of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethan Lloyd-Lewis
- Institut Curie, Laboratory of Genetics and Developmental Biology, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, 75248 Paris, France; School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Francesca Gobbo
- Institut Curie, Laboratory of Genetics and Developmental Biology, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Meghan Perkins
- Institut Curie, Laboratory of Genetics and Developmental Biology, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Jacquemin
- Institut Curie, Laboratory of Genetics and Developmental Biology, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Huyghe
- Institut Curie, Laboratory of Genetics and Developmental Biology, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Marisa M Faraldo
- Institut Curie, Laboratory of Genetics and Developmental Biology, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Silvia Fre
- Institut Curie, Laboratory of Genetics and Developmental Biology, PSL Research University, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, 75248 Paris, France.
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4
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Peng F, Yang C, Kong Y, Huang X, Chen Y, Zhou Y, Xie X, Liu P. CDK12 Promotes Breast Cancer Progression and Maintains Stemness by Activating c-myc/β -catenin Signaling. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2021; 20:156-165. [PMID: 31744448 DOI: 10.2174/1568009619666191118113220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CDK12 is a promising therapeutic target in breast cancer with an effective ability of maintaining cancer cell stemness. OBJECTIVE We aim to investigate the mechanism of CDK12 in maintaining breast cancer stemness. METHODS CDK12 expression level was accessed by using RT-qPCR and IHC. CDK12-altered breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231-shCDK12 and SkBr-3-CDK12 were then established. CCK8, colony formation assays, and xenograft model were used to value the effect of CDK12 on tumorigenicity. Transwell assay, mammosphere formation, FACS, and lung metastasis model in vivo were determined. Western blot further characterized the mechanism of CDK12 in breast cancer stemness through the c-myc/β-catenin pathway. RESULTS Our results showed a higher level of CDK12 exhibited in breast cancer samples. Tumor formation, cancer cell mobility, spheroid forming, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition will be enhanced in the CDK12high group. In addition, CDK12 was associated with lung metastasis and maintained breast cancer cell stemness. CDK12high cancer cells presented higher tumorigenicity and a population of CD44+ subset compared with CDK12low cells. Our study demonstrated c-myc positively expressed with CDK12. The c-myc/β-catenin signaling was activated by CDK12, which is a potential mechanism to initiate breast cancer stem cell renewal and may serve as a potential biomarker of breast cancer prognosis. CONCLUSION CDK12 overexpression promotes breast cancer tumorigenesis and maintains the stemness of breast cancer by activating c-myc/β-catenin signaling. Inhibiting CDK12 expression may become a potential therapy for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Peng
- Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuansheng Yang
- Department of Head-Neck and Breast Surgery, Yuebei People's Hospital of Shantou University, Shaoguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanan Kong
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaojia Huang
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanyu Chen
- Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yangfan Zhou
- Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinhua Xie
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Breast Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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5
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Wallace J, Narasipura SD, Sha BE, French AL, Al-Harthi L. Canonical Wnts Mediate CD8 + T Cell Noncytolytic Anti-HIV-1 Activity and Correlate with HIV-1 Clinical Status. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 205:2046-2055. [PMID: 32887752 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CD8+ T cells do not rely solely on cytotoxic functions for significant HIV control. Moreover, the noncytotoxic CD8+ T cell antiviral response is a primary mediator of natural HIV control such as that seen in HIV elite controllers and long-term nonprogressors that does not require combined antiretroviral therapy. In this study, we investigated the biological factors contributing to the noncytotoxic control of HIV replication mediated by primary human CD8+ T cells. We report that canonical Wnt signaling inhibits HIV transcription in an MHC-independent, noncytotoxic manner and that mediators of this pathway correlate with HIV controller clinical status. We show that CD8+ T cells express all 19 Wnts and CD8+ T cell-conditioned medium (CM) induced canonical Wnt signaling in infected recipient cells while simultaneously inhibiting HIV transcription. Antagonizing canonical Wnt activity in CD8+ T cell CM resulted in increased HIV transcription in infected cells. Further, Wnt2b expression was upregulated in HIV controllers versus viremic patients, and in vitro depletion of Wnt2b and/or Wnt9b from CD8+ CM reversed HIV inhibitory activity. Finally, plasma concentration of Dkk-1, an antagonist of canonical Wnt signaling, was higher in viremic patients with lower CD4 counts. This study demonstrates that canonical Wnt signaling inhibits HIV and significantly correlates with HIV controller status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennillee Wallace
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Srinivas D Narasipura
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Beverly E Sha
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Audrey L French
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612.,Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Cook County Health and Hospitals System, Chicago, IL 60612; and.,Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center, Cook County Health and Hospitals System, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Lena Al-Harthi
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612;
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6
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Li H, Li J, Han R, Deng X, Shi J, Huang H, Hamad N, McCaughley A, Liu J, Wang C, Chen K, Wei D, Qiang J, Thatcher S, Wu Y, Liu C, Thibault O, Wei X, Chen S, Qian H, Zhou BP, Xu P, Yang XH. Deletion of tetraspanin CD151 alters the Wnt oncogene-induced mammary tumorigenesis: A cell type-linked function and signaling. Neoplasia 2019; 21:1151-1163. [PMID: 31783316 PMCID: PMC6888732 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2019.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetraspanin CD151 is increasingly implicated as a multifaceted mediator of cancer development and progression. Here we investigated the role of CD151 in breast cancer in the context of the Wnt oncogenic activation. Our data showed that removal of one or both of CD151 alleles in the MMTV-Wnt1 model significantly decreased the tumor-free survival of mice from 34 weeks on average to 22 weeks and 18 weeks, respectively. This effect coincided with an accelerated tumor growth and an increased number of Ki-67+ proliferative cells. Mechanistically, the CD151-deficient tumors were largely ER+, and exhibited hyperactivation of the Wnt pathway as reflected by a marked upregulation in β-catenin and Cyclin D1, and their target genes. In addition, E-cadherin displayed a cytosolic distribution and transcription factor Snail was markedly upregulated. Collectively, this data implies that CD151 suppresses the Wnt1-driven tumorigenesis, at least in part, via counteracting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like program in luminal epithelial cells. Meanwhile, the proportion of tumor cells expressing CK5 or p63, the biomarkers of myoepithelial/basal cells, markedly decreased in the absence of CD151. This change was accompanied by a decreased invasiveness of tumors and their incompetence to form a long-term cell culture. Consistent with this basal cell-linked role, the CD151 downregulation impairs mammosphere formation in MCF-10A cells and the defect was rescued by re-expression of intact CD151 ORF, but not its integrin binding-defective mutant. Overall, our study suggests that CD151 is a key player in the Wnt oncogene-driven tumorigenesis and impacts breast cancer malignancy in a cell type-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Li
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, and Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, PR China; Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Jieming Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Rongbo Han
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Department of Oncology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Xinyu Deng
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Junfong Shi
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Huanhuan Huang
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Nevean Hamad
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Abigail McCaughley
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Jinpeng Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Chi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Kuey Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Dongping Wei
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Jun Qiang
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, and Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Sean Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Yadi Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Chunming Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Olivier Thibault
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Xiaowei Wei
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Song Chen
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huaian, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
| | - Hai Qian
- Center of Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
| | - Binhua P Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
| | - Pao Xu
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, and Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
| | - Xiuwei H Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
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7
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Ashad-Bishop K, Garikapati K, Lindley LE, Jorda M, Briegel KJ. Loss of Limb-Bud-and-Heart (LBH) attenuates mammary hyperplasia and tumor development in MMTV-Wnt1 transgenic mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 508:536-542. [PMID: 30509497 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.11.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
WNT/β-catenin signaling plays pivotal roles in mammary development and tumorigenesis; and aberrant activation of this pathway is frequently observed in human breast cancer, correlating with poor outcome. However, the mechanisms underlying WNT-driven mammary tumorigenesis remain incompletely understood. Here, we used mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-Wnt1 transgenic mice, which develop aggressive mammary adenocarcinomas, to examine whether Limb-Bud-and-Heart (LBH) - a WNT/β-catenin target transcription co-factor overexpressed in human triple-negative breast cancers with WNT pathway hyperactivation, contributes to WNT-induced tumorigenesis. We found LBH is specifically overexpressed in basal epithelial tumor cells of MMTV-Wnt1 mammary tumors reminiscent of its basal cell-restricted expression in the normal postnatal mammary gland. To determine the role of LBH in mammary tumorigenesis, we crossed MMTV-Wnt1 mice with basal epithelial-specific Keratin 14/K14-Cre;LbhloxP knockout mice. Mammary glands from virgin LBH-deficient MMTV-Wnt1 mice exhibited reduced hyperplasia, cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. Importantly, LBH inactivation in mammary epithelium significantly delayed tumor onset in MMTV-Wnt1 transgenic mice, with a median tumor-free survival of 32.5 weeks compared to 22.5 weeks in control LBH wild type MMTV-Wnt1 mice (p < 0.05). This data provides the first evidence that LBH plays an essential role in WNT-induced mammary tumorigenesis by promoting hyperplastic growth and tumor formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kilan Ashad-Bishop
- Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA; Department of Surgery, Molecular Oncology Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA; Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Koteswararao Garikapati
- Department of Surgery, Molecular Oncology Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA; Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Linsey E Lindley
- Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Merce Jorda
- Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Karoline J Briegel
- Department of Surgery, Molecular Oncology Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA; Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
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8
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Hume RD, Pensa S, Brown EJ, Kreuzaler PA, Hitchcock J, Husmann A, Campbell JJ, Lloyd-Thomas AO, Cameron RE, Watson CJ. Tumour cell invasiveness and response to chemotherapeutics in adipocyte invested 3D engineered anisotropic collagen scaffolds. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12658. [PMID: 30139956 PMCID: PMC6107500 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30107-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancers are highly heterogeneous and their metastatic potential and response to therapeutic drugs is difficult to predict. A tool that could accurately gauge tumour invasiveness and drug response would provide a valuable addition to the oncologist’s arsenal. We have developed a 3-dimensional (3D) culture model that recapitulates the stromal environment of breast cancers by generating anisotropic (directional) collagen scaffolds seeded with adipocytes and culturing tumour fragments therein. Analysis of tumour cell invasion in the presence of various therapeutic drugs, by immunofluorescence microscopy coupled with an optical clearing technique, demonstrated the utility of this approach in determining both the rate and capacity of tumour cells to migrate through the stroma while shedding light also on the mode of migration. Furthermore, the response of different murine mammary tumour types to chemotherapeutic drugs could be readily quantified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Hume
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Sara Pensa
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Elizabeth J Brown
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Peter A Kreuzaler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Jessica Hitchcock
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Anke Husmann
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, UK
| | - Jonathan J Campbell
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, UK
| | - Annabel O Lloyd-Thomas
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Ruth E Cameron
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, UK
| | - Christine J Watson
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK.
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9
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Monkkonen T, Lewis MT. New paradigms for the Hedgehog signaling network in mammary gland development and breast Cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2017; 1868:315-332. [PMID: 28624497 PMCID: PMC5567999 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Hedgehog signaling network regulates organogenesis, cell fate, proliferation, survival, and stem cell self-renewal in many mammalian tissues. Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog signaling network is present in ~25% of all cancers, including breast. Altered expression of Hedgehog network genes in the mammary gland can elicit phenotypes at many stages of development. However, synthesizing a cohesive mechanistic model of signaling at different stages of development has been difficult. Emerging data suggest that this difficulty is due, in part, to non-canonical and tissue compartment-specific (i.e., epithelial, versus stromal, versus systemic) functions of Hedgehog network components. With respect to systemic functions, Hedgehog network genes regulate development of endocrine organs that impinge on mammary gland development extrinsically. These new observations offer insight into previously conflicting data, and have bearing on the potential for anti-Hedgehog therapeutics in the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Monkkonen
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; University of California, San Francisco, Dept. of Pathology, 513 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
| | - Michael T Lewis
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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10
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Dong T, Zhang Z, Zhou W, Zhou X, Geng C, Chang LK, Tian X, Liu S. WNT10A/β-catenin pathway in tumorigenesis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:1287-1294. [DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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11
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Wnt5a Signaling in Normal and Cancer Stem Cells. Stem Cells Int 2017; 2017:5295286. [PMID: 28491097 PMCID: PMC5405594 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5295286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt5a is involved in activating several noncanonical Wnt signaling pathways, which can inhibit or activate canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in a receptor context-dependent manner. Wnt5a signaling is critical for regulating normal developmental processes, including stem cell self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation, migration, adhesion, and polarity. Moreover, the aberrant activation or inhibition of Wnt5a signaling is emerging as an important event in cancer progression, exerting both oncogenic and tumor suppressive effects. Recent studies show the involvement of Wnt5a signaling in regulating normal and cancer stem cell self-renewal, cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In this article, we review recent findings regarding the molecular mechanisms and roles of Wnt5a signaling in stem cells in embryogenesis and in the normal or neoplastic breast or ovary, highlighting that Wnt5a may have different effects on target cells depending on the surface receptors expressed by the target cell.
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12
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Valenti G, Quinn HM, Heynen GJJE, Lan L, Holland JD, Vogel R, Wulf-Goldenberg A, Birchmeier W. Cancer Stem Cells Regulate Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts via Activation of Hedgehog Signaling in Mammary Gland Tumors. Cancer Res 2017; 77:2134-2147. [PMID: 28202523 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-3490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Revised: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Many tumors display intracellular heterogeneity with subsets of cancer stem cells (CSC) that sustain tumor growth, recurrence, and therapy resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) have been shown to support and regulate CSC function. Here, we investigate the interactions between CSCs and CAFs in mammary gland tumors driven by combined activation of Wnt/β-catenin and Hgf/Met signaling in mouse mammary epithelial cells. In this setting, CSCs secrete the Hedgehog ligand SHH, which regulate CAFs via paracrine activation of Hedgehog signaling. CAFs subsequently secrete factors that promote expansion and self-renewal of CSCs. In vivo treatment of tumors with the Hedgehog inhibitor vismodegib reduce CAF and CSC expansion, resulting in an overall delay of tumor formation. Our results identify a novel intracellular signaling module that synergistically regulates CAFs and CSCs. Targeting CAFs with Hedgehog inhibitors may offer a novel therapeutic strategy against breast cancer. Cancer Res; 77(8); 2134-47. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Valenti
- Cancer Research Program, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hazel M Quinn
- Cancer Research Program, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, Berlin, Germany
| | - Guus J J E Heynen
- Cancer Research Program, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, Berlin, Germany
| | - Linxiang Lan
- Cancer Research Program, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jane D Holland
- Cancer Research Program, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, Berlin, Germany
| | - Regina Vogel
- Cancer Research Program, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Walter Birchmeier
- Cancer Research Program, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) in the Helmholtz Society, Berlin, Germany.
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13
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p53 deficiency induces cancer stem cell pool expansion in a mouse model of triple-negative breast tumors. Oncogene 2016; 36:2355-2365. [PMID: 27775073 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease characterized by the expression of basal cell markers, no estrogen or progesterone receptor expression and a lack of HER2 overexpression. Triple-negative tumors often display activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling and most have impaired p53 function. We studied the interplay between p53 loss and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in stem cell function and tumorigenesis, by deleting p53 from the mammary epithelium of K5ΔNβcat mice displaying a constitutive activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in basal cells. K5ΔNβcat transgenic mice present amplification of the basal stem cell pool and develop triple-negative mammary carcinomas. The loss of p53 in K5ΔNβcat mice led to an early expansion of mammary stem/progenitor cells and accelerated the formation of triple-negative tumors. In particular, p53-deficient tumors expressed high levels of integrins and extracellular matrix components and were enriched in cancer stem cells. They also overexpressed the tyrosine kinase receptor Met, a feature characteristic of human triple-negative breast tumors. The inhibition of Met kinase activity impaired tumorsphere formation, demonstrating the requirement of Met signaling for cancer stem cell growth in this model. Human basal-like breast cancers with predicted mutated p53 status had higher levels of MET expression than tumors with wild-type p53. These results connect p53 loss and β-catenin activation to stem cell regulation and tumorigenesis in triple-negative cancer and highlight the role of Met signaling in maintaining cancer stem cell properties, revealing new cues for targeted therapies.
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14
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Shin DH, Park JH, Lee JY, Won HY, Jang KS, Min KW, Jang SH, Woo JK, Oh SH, Kong G. Overexpression of Id1 in transgenic mice promotes mammary basal stem cell activity and breast tumorigenesis. Oncotarget 2016; 6:17276-90. [PMID: 25938540 PMCID: PMC4627307 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitor of differentiation/DNA binding (Id)1 is a crucial regulator of mammary development and breast cancer progression. However, its effect on stemness and tumorigenesis in mammary epithelial cells remains undefined. Herein, we demonstrate that Id1 induces mammary tumorigenesis by increasing normal and malignant mammary stem cell (MaSC) activities in transgenic mice. MaSC-enriched basal cell expansion and increased self-renewal and in vivo regenerative capacity of MaSCs are observed in the mammary glands of MMTV-Id1 transgenic mice. Furthermore, MMTV-Id1 mice develop ductal hyperplasia and mammary tumors with highly expressed basal markers. Id1 also increases breast cancer stem cell (CSC) population and activity in human breast cancer lines. Moreover, the effects of Id1 on normal and malignant stem cell activities are mediated by the Wnt/c-Myc pathway. Collectively, these findings provide in vivo genetic evidence of Id1 functions as an oncogene in breast cancer and indicate that Id1 regulates mammary basal stem cells by activating the Wnt/c-Myc pathway, thereby contributing to breast tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Hui Shin
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Park
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical Research (IBBR), Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Yeon Lee
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical Research (IBBR), Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Young Won
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Seok Jang
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyueng-Whan Min
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Si-Hyong Jang
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Kyu Woo
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hyun Oh
- College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gu Kong
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Institute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical Research (IBBR), Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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15
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Ma X, Yan W, Dai Z, Gao X, Ma Y, Xu Q, Jiang J, Zhang S. Baicalein suppresses metastasis of breast cancer cells by inhibiting EMT via downregulation of SATB1 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2016; 10:1419-41. [PMID: 27143851 PMCID: PMC4841441 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s102541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The flavonoid baicalein, a historically used Chinese herbal medicine, shows a wide range of biological and pharmaceutical effects, among which its potent antitumor activity has raised great interest in recent years. However, the molecular mechanism involved in the antimetastatic effect of baicalein remains poorly understood. This study aimed to verify the inhibitory effects of baicalein on metastasis of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, as well as to investigate the related mechanisms. METHODS MTT assay was used to examine the inhibition of baicalein on proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells. Wound healing assay and the in vitro invasion assay was carried out to investigate the effects of baicalein on migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. In order to explore the effects of baicalein on tumor metastasis in vivo, xenograft nude mouse model of MDA-MB-231 cells was established. Animals were randomly divided into four groups (control, therapy group, and low-dose and high-dose prevention group, n=6), and treated with baicalein as designed. Following sacrifice, their lungs and livers were collected to examine the presence of metastases. qRT-PCR and Western blot were performed to study the effects of baicalein on expression of SATB1, EMT-related molecules, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling components of MDA-MB-231 cells as well as the metastatic tissue. Effects of baicalein on the expression of target proteins in vivo were also analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Our results indicated that baicalein suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Based on assays carried out in xenograft nude mouse model, we found that baicalein inhibited tumor metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, baicalein significantly decreased the expression of SATB1 in MDA-MB-231 cells. It suppressed the expression of vimentin and SNAIL while enhancing the expression of E-cadherin. Baicalein also downregulated the expression of Wnt1 and β-catenin proteins and transcription level of Wnt/β-catenin-targeted genes. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that baicalein has the potential to suppress breast cancer metastasis, possibly by inhibition of EMT, which may be attributed to downregulation of both SATB1 and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Taken together, baicalein may serve as a promising drug for metastasis treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingcong Ma
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanjun Yan
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhijun Dai
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Gao
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinan Ma
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Quntao Xu
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Health, China North Industries Group Corporation, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiantao Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuqun Zhang
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
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16
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Chimge NO, Little GH, Baniwal SK, Adisetiyo H, Xie Y, Zhang T, O'Laughlin A, Liu ZY, Ulrich P, Martin A, Mhawech-Fauceglia P, Ellis MJ, Tripathy D, Groshen S, Liang C, Li Z, Schones DE, Frenkel B. RUNX1 prevents oestrogen-mediated AXIN1 suppression and β-catenin activation in ER-positive breast cancer. Nat Commun 2016; 7:10751. [PMID: 26916619 PMCID: PMC4773428 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent high-throughput studies revealed recurrent RUNX1 mutations in breast cancer, specifically in oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) tumours. However, mechanisms underlying the implied RUNX1-mediated tumour suppression remain elusive. Here, by depleting mammary epithelial cells of RUNX1 in vivo and in vitro, we demonstrate combinatorial regulation of AXIN1 by RUNX1 and oestrogen. RUNX1 and ER occupy adjacent elements in AXIN1's second intron, and RUNX1 antagonizes oestrogen-mediated AXIN1 suppression. Accordingly, RNA-seq and immunohistochemical analyses demonstrate an ER-dependent correlation between RUNX1 and AXIN1 in tumour biopsies. RUNX1 loss in ER+ mammary epithelial cells increases β-catenin, deregulates mitosis and stimulates cell proliferation and expression of stem cell markers. However, it does not stimulate LEF/TCF, c-Myc or CCND1, and it does not accelerate G1/S cell cycle phase transition. Finally, RUNX1 loss-mediated deregulation of β-catenin and mitosis is ameliorated by AXIN1 stabilization in vitro, highlighting AXIN1 as a potential target for the management of ER+ breast cancer. The tumour suppressor RUNX1 is often lost or mutated in oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. In this study, the authors demonstrate that the loss of RUNX1 unleashes oestrogen-mediated inhibition of AXIN1, a negative regulator of β-catenin, resulting in β-catenin signalling-mediated cancer cell proliferation and mitosis deregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nyam-Osor Chimge
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.,Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Gillian H Little
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Sanjeev K Baniwal
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Helty Adisetiyo
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Ying Xie
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Tian Zhang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Andie O'Laughlin
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Zhi Y Liu
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Peaches Ulrich
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Anthony Martin
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Paulette Mhawech-Fauceglia
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Matthew J Ellis
- Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Debu Tripathy
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Susan Groshen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.,USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Chengyu Liang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Zhe Li
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Dustin E Schones
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Baruch Frenkel
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.,USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
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17
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Easter SL, Mitchell EH, Baxley SE, Desmond R, Frost AR, Serra R. Wnt5a suppresses tumor formation and redirects tumor phenotype in MMTV-Wnt1 tumors. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113247. [PMID: 25401739 PMCID: PMC4234660 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt5a is a non-canonical signaling Wnt that has been implicated in tumor suppression. We previously showed that loss of Wnt5a in MMTV-PyVmT tumors resulted in a switch in tumor phenotype resulting in tumors with increased basal phenotype and high Wnt/β-catenin signaling. The object of this study was to test the hypothesis that Wnt5a can act to inhibit tumors formed by activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. To this end, we characterized tumor and non-tumor mammary tissue from MMTV-Wnt1 and double transgenic MMTV-Wnt1;MMTV-Wnt5a mice. Wnt5a containing mice demonstrated fewer tumors with increased latency when compared to MMTV-Wnt1 controls. Expression of markers for basal-like tumors was down-regulated in the tumors that formed in the presence of Wnt5a indicating a phenotypic switch. Reduced canonical Wnt signaling was detected in double transgenic tumors as a decrease in active β-catenin protein and a decrease in Axin2 mRNA transcript levels. In non-tumor tissues, over-expression of Wnt5a in MMTV-Wnt1 mammary glands resulted in attenuation of phenotypes normally observed in MMTV-Wnt1 glands including hyperbranching and increased progenitor and basal cell populations. Even though Wnt5a could antagonize Wnt/β-catenin signaling in primary mammary epithelial cells in culture, reduced Wnt/β-catenin signaling was not detected in non-tumor MMTV-Wnt1;Wnt5a tissue in vivo. The data demonstrate that Wnt5a suppresses tumor formation and promotes a phenotypic shift in MMTV-Wnt1 tumors.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Cells, Cultured
- Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Epithelial Cells/pathology
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique
- Immunoenzyme Techniques
- Male
- Mammary Glands, Animal/metabolism
- Mammary Glands, Animal/pathology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse/genetics
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Phenotype
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Wnt Proteins/genetics
- Wnt Proteins/metabolism
- Wnt-5a Protein
- Wnt1 Protein/physiology
- beta Catenin
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L. Easter
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth H. Mitchell
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
| | - Sarah E. Baxley
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
| | - Renee Desmond
- Department of Medicine, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
| | - Andra R. Frost
- Department of Pathology, Division of Anatomic Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
| | - Rosa Serra
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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18
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Rota LM, Albanito L, Shin ME, Goyeneche CL, Shushanov S, Gallagher EJ, LeRoith D, Lazzarino DA, Wood TL. IGF1R inhibition in mammary epithelia promotes canonical Wnt signaling and Wnt1-driven tumors. Cancer Res 2014; 74:5668-79. [PMID: 25092896 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-0970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease subtype that, unlike other subtypes, lacks an effective targeted therapy. Inhibitors of the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) have been considered for use in treating TNBC. Here, we provide genetic evidence that IGF1R inhibition promotes development of Wnt1-mediated murine mammary tumors that offer a model of TNBC. We found that in a double transgenic mouse model carrying activated Wnt1 and mutant Igf1r, a reduction in IGF1R signaling reduced tumor latency and promoted more aggressive phenotypes. These tumors displayed a squamous phenotype with increased expression of keratins 5/6 and β-catenin. Notably, cell lineage analyses revealed an increase in basal (CD29(hi)/CD24(+)) and luminal (CD24(+)/CD61+/CD29(lo)) progenitor cell populations, along with increased Nanog expression and decreased Elf5 expression. In these doubly transgenic mice, lung metastases developed with characteristics of the primary tumors, unlike MMTV-Wnt1 mice. Mechanistic investigations showed that pharmacologic inhibition of the IGF1R in vitro was sufficient to increase the tumorsphere-forming efficiency ofMMTV-Wnt1 tumor cells. Tumors from doubly transgenic mice also exhibited an increase in the expression ratio of the IGF-II-sensitive, A isoform of the insulin receptor versus the IR-B isoform, which when stimulated in vitro resulted in enhanced expression of β-catenin. Overall, our results revealed that in Wnt-driven tumors, an attenuation of IGF1R signaling accelerates tumorigenesis and promotes more aggressive phenotypes with potential implications for understanding TNBC pathobiology and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Rota
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Lidia Albanito
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Marcus E Shin
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Corey L Goyeneche
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Sain Shushanov
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Emily J Gallagher
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, The Samuel Bronfman Department of Medicine, Icahn Sinai School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Derek LeRoith
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Diseases, The Samuel Bronfman Department of Medicine, Icahn Sinai School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Deborah A Lazzarino
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Teresa L Wood
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School Cancer Center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, New Jersey.
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19
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Both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling independently promote stem cell growth in mammospheres. PLoS One 2014; 9:e101800. [PMID: 25019931 PMCID: PMC4096729 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The characterization of mammary stem cells, and signals that regulate their behavior, is of central importance in understanding developmental changes in the mammary gland and possibly for targeting stem-like cells in breast cancer. The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a signaling mechanism associated with maintenance of self-renewing stem cells in many tissues, including mammary epithelium, and can be oncogenic when deregulated. Wnt1 and Wnt3a are examples of ligands that activate the canonical pathway. Other Wnt ligands, such as Wnt5a, typically signal via non-canonical, β-catenin-independent, pathways that in some cases can antagonize canonical signaling. Since the role of non-canonical Wnt signaling in stem cell regulation is not well characterized, we set out to investigate this using mammosphere formation assays that reflect and quantify stem cell properties. Ex vivo mammosphere cultures were established from both wild-type and Wnt1 transgenic mice and were analyzed in response to manipulation of both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling. An increased level of mammosphere formation was observed in cultures derived from MMTV-Wnt1 versus wild-type animals, and this was blocked by treatment with Dkk1, a selective inhibitor of canonical Wnt signaling. Consistent with this, we found that a single dose of recombinant Wnt3a was sufficient to increase mammosphere formation in wild-type cultures. Surprisingly, we found that Wnt5a also increased mammosphere formation in these assays. We confirmed that this was not caused by an increase in canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling but was instead mediated by non-canonical Wnt signals requiring the receptor tyrosine kinase Ror2 and activity of the Jun N-terminal kinase, JNK. We conclude that both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signals have positive effects promoting stem cell activity in mammosphere assays and that they do so via independent signaling mechanisms.
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20
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Barcellos-Hoff MH, Kleinberg DL. Breast cancer risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers: insight from mouse models. Ann Oncol 2014; 24 Suppl 8:viii8-viii12. [PMID: 24131977 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdt305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its identification 20 years ago, the biological basis for the high breast cancer risk in women who have germline BRCA1 mutations has been an area of intense study for three reasons. First, BRCA1 was the first gene shown to associate with breast cancer risk, and therefore serves as model for understanding genetic susceptibility. Second, the type of breast cancer that occurs in these women has specific features that have engendered new hypotheses about the cancer biology. Third, it is hoped that understanding the origins of this disease may provide the means to prevent disease. Resolving this question has proven extremely challenging because the biology controlled by BRCA1 is complex. Our working model is that the high frequency of basal-like breast cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers is the result of a self-perpetuating triad of cellular phenotypes consisting of: (i) intrinsic defects in DNA repair and centrosome regulation that lead to genomic instability and increases spontaneous transformation; (ii) aberrant lineage commitment; and (iii) increased proliferation due to in large part to increased IGF-1 activity. We propose that the last is key and is a potential entree for preventing breast cancer in BRCA1 mutation carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Barcellos-Hoff
- Department of Radiation Oncology, New York University School of Medicine, New York
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21
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Mitchell EH, Serra R. Normal mammary development and function in mice with Ift88 deleted in MMTV- and K14-Cre expressing cells. Cilia 2014; 3:4. [PMID: 24594320 PMCID: PMC3942223 DOI: 10.1186/2046-2530-3-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Primary cilia (PC) are non-motile microtubule based organelles present on almost every cell type and are known to serve as critical organizing centers for several signaling pathways crucial to embryonic and postnatal development. Alterations in the Hh pathway, the most studied signaling pathway regulated by PC, affect mammary gland development as well as maintenance of the stem and progenitor cell populations. Results We developed mouse models with deletion of PC in mammary luminal epithelial, basal epithelial, and stromal cells for evaluation of the function of PC in mammary development via MMTV-Cre, K14-Cre, and Prx1-Cre mediated deletion, respectively. The activity of Cre was confirmed using ROSA26 reporters. Mammary stem and progenitor cells were enriched through growth as mammospheres. Adenovirus-Cre mediated deletion of Ift88 was used to determine a role for PC in this population of cells. Disruption of Ift88 and PC were confirmed in using PCR and immunofluorescent methods. Prx1-Cre; Ift88Del mice demonstrated defects in terminal end buds during puberty. However, these Ift88Del glands exhibited typical terminal end bud formation as well as normal ductal histology when transplanted into wild type hosts, indicating that the phenotype observed was not intrinsic to the mammary gland. Furthermore, no discernable alterations to mammary development were observed in MMTV-Cre- or K14-Cre; Ift88Del lines. These mice were able to feed and support several litters of pups even though wide spread depletion of PC was confirmed. Cells grown in mammosphere culture were enriched for PC containing cells suggesting PC are preferentially expressed on mammary stem and progenitor cells. Deletion of Ift88 in mammary epithelial cells resulted in a significant reduction in the number of primary mammospheres established; however, there was no effect on outgrowth of secondary mammospheres in PC-depleted cells. Conclusions PC regulate systemic factors that can affect mammary development in early puberty. PC on MMTV- or K14-expressing epithelial cells are not required for normal mammary development or function. PC are expressed at high levels on cells in mammosphere cultures. PC may be required for cells to establish mammospheres in culture; however, PC are not required for renewal of the cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosa Serra
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1918 University Blvd,, 660 MCLM, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0005, USA.
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22
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Myc is required for β-catenin-mediated mammary stem cell amplification and tumorigenesis. Mol Cancer 2013; 12:132. [PMID: 24171719 PMCID: PMC4176121 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-12-132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Basal-like breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease characterized by the expression of basal cell markers, no estrogen or progesterone receptor expression and a lack of HER2 overexpression. Recent studies have linked activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and its downstream target, Myc, to basal-like breast cancer. Transgenic mice K5ΔNβcat previously generated by our team present a constitutive activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the basal myoepithelial cell layer, resulting in focal mammary hyperplasias that progress to invasive carcinomas. Mammary lesions developed by K5ΔNβcat mice consist essentially of basal epithelial cells that, in contrast to mammary myoepithelium, do not express smooth muscle markers. METHODS Microarray analysis was used to compare K5ΔNβcat mouse tumors to human breast tumors, mammary cancer cell lines and the tumors developed in other mouse models. Cre-Lox approach was employed to delete Myc from the mammary basal cell layer of K5ΔNβcat mice. Stem cell amplification in K5ΔNβcat mouse mammary epithelium was assessed with 3D-culture and transplantation assays. RESULTS Histological and microarray analyses of the mammary lesions of K5ΔNβcat females revealed their high similarity to a subset of basal-like human breast tumors with squamous differentiation. As in human basal-like carcinomas, the Myc pathway appeared to be activated in the mammary lesions of K5ΔNβcat mice. We found that a basal cell population with stem/progenitor characteristics was amplified in K5ΔNβcat mouse preneoplastic glands. Finally, the deletion of Myc from the mammary basal layer of K5ΔNβcat mice not only abolished the regenerative capacity of basal epithelial cells, but, in addition, completely prevented the tumorigenesis. CONCLUSIONS These results strongly indicate that β-catenin-induced stem cell amplification and tumorigenesis rely ultimately on the Myc pathway activation and reinforce the hypothesis that basal stem/progenitor cells may be at the origin of a subset of basal-like breast tumors.
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23
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Kim H, Seo EM, Sharma AR, Ganbold B, Park J, Sharma G, Kang YH, Song DK, Lee SS, Nam JS. Regulation of Wnt signaling activity for growth suppression induced by quercetin in 4T1 murine mammary cancer cells. Int J Oncol 2013; 43:1319-25. [PMID: 23900432 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2013.2036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Quercetin is a promising chemopreventive agent against cancer that inhibits tumor progression by inducing cell cycle arrest and promoting apoptotic cell death. Recently, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has been implicated in mammary tumorigenesis, where its abnormal activation is associated with the development of breast cancer. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the biological activities of quercetin against mammary cancer cells, and to determine whether quercetin could regulate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Quercetin showed dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth and induced apoptosis in 4T1 cells. Treatment of 20 µM quercetin suppressed ~50% of basal TopFlash luciferase activity. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of quercetin on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was confirmed by the reduced stabilization of the β-catenin protein. Among various antagonists screened for the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the expression of DKK1, 2 and 3 was induced after treatment with 20 µM of quercetin. Stimulation with recombinant DKK1 protein, showed suppressive cell growth of mammary cancer cells instead of quercetin. When 4T1 cells were treated with recombinant Wnt3a or LiCl along with quercetin, both stimulators for the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were able to restore the suppressed cell viability by quercetin. Thus, our data suggest that quercetin exerts its anticancer activity through the downregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity. These results indicate for the first time that quercetin decreases cell viability and induces apoptosis in murine mammary cancer cells, which is possibly mediated by DKK-dependent inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In conclusion, our findings suggest that quercetin has great potential value as chemotherapeutic agent for cancer treatment, especially in breast cancer controlled by Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haesung Kim
- Department of Surgery, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
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24
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Watanabe K, Fallahi M, Dai X. Chromatin effector Pygo2 regulates mammary tumor initiation and heterogeneity in MMTV-Wnt1 mice. Oncogene 2013; 33:632-42. [PMID: 23334328 PMCID: PMC3913260 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2012] [Revised: 11/20/2012] [Accepted: 11/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about chromatin mechanisms that regulate tumor-initiating cells that are proposed to be responsible for tumor recurrence and relapse. We have previously shown that Pygopus 2 (Pygo2), a chromatin effector and context-dependent Wnt signaling co-activator, regulates mammary gland development by expanding epithelial stem/progenitor cells. However, the role of Pygo2 in mammary tumorigenesis in vivo remains to be addressed. In this study, we show that epithelia-specific ablation of Pygo2 in MMTV-Wnt1 transgenic mice results in delayed mammary ductal elongation, but the hyperbranching phenotype, aberrant accumulation of stem/progenitor-like cells, and canonical Wnt signaling output are largely unaffected. Chronic loss of Pygo2 significantly delays mammary tumor onset in MMTV-Wnt1 females, whereas acute deletion of Pygo2 in MMTV-Wnt1 tumor cells leads to a significant decrease in their tumor initiating capability upon transplantation. Finally, we provide evidence supporting a role for Pygo2 in modulating the lineage potential of MMTV-Wnt1 tumor initiating cells. Collectively, our results suggest that Pygo2 acts at a step downstream of mammary stem cell accumulation to facilitate transformation, and that it regulates the tumor initiating capacity and lineage preference of the already transformed mammary cells, in MMTV-Wnt1 mice. These findings offer valuable insights into our understanding of the molecular basis of heterogeneity within breast tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Watanabe
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - M Fallahi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - X Dai
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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25
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Valkenburg KC, Steensma MR, Williams BO, Zhong Z. Skeletal metastasis: treatments, mouse models, and the Wnt signaling. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CANCER 2013; 32:380-96. [PMID: 23327798 PMCID: PMC3845601 DOI: 10.5732/cjc.012.10218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Skeletal metastases result in significant morbidity and mortality. This is particularly true of cancers with a strong predilection for the bone, such as breast, prostate, and lung cancers. There is currently no reliable cure for skeletal metastasis, and palliative therapy options are limited. The Wnt signaling pathway has been found to play an integral role in the process of skeletal metastasis and may be an important clinical target. Several experimental models of skeletal metastasis have been used to find new biomarkers and test new treatments. In this review, we discuss pathologic process of bone metastasis, the roles of the Wnt signaling, and the available experimental models and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth C Valkenburg
- Center for Skeletal Disease Research, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
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26
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Barcellos-Hoff MH. Does microenvironment contribute to the etiology of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer? Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:541-8. [PMID: 23325583 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-12-2241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
What dictates the prevalence of certain types of breast cancer, which are classified by markers, particularly estrogen receptor (ER), expression profiles such as basal or luminal, and genetic alterations such as HER2 amplification, in particular populations is not well understood. It is increasingly evident that microenvironment disruption is highly intertwined with cancer progression. Here, the idea that microenvironment shapes the course of carcinogenesis, and hence breast cancer subtype, is discussed. Aggressive, basal-like, ER-negative breast tumors occur in younger women, African-American women, women who carry BRCA1 mutation, and women exposed to ionizing radiation. Recent experimental studies using ionizing radiation, a well-documented environmental exposure, suggest that certain processes in the microenvironment strongly favor the development of ER-negative tumors. Understanding the contribution of tissue microenvironment during carcinogenesis could lead to prevention strategies that are personalized to age, agent, and exposure to reduce the risk of aggressive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Helen Barcellos-Hoff
- Author's Affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology and Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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27
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Wend P, Runke S, Wend K, Anchondo B, Yesayan M, Jardon M, Hardie N, Loddenkemper C, Ulasov I, Lesniak MS, Wolsky R, Bentolila LA, Grant SG, Elashoff D, Lehr S, Latimer JJ, Bose S, Sattar H, Krum SA, Miranda-Carboni GA. WNT10B/β-catenin signalling induces HMGA2 and proliferation in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. EMBO Mol Med 2013; 5:264-79. [PMID: 23307470 PMCID: PMC3569642 DOI: 10.1002/emmm.201201320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2012] [Revised: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 11/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signalling has been suggested to be active in basal-like breast cancer. However, in highly aggressive metastatic triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) the role of β-catenin and the underlying mechanism(s) for the aggressiveness of TNBC remain unknown. We illustrate that WNT10B induces transcriptionally active β-catenin in human TNBC and predicts survival-outcome of patients with both TNBC and basal-like tumours. We provide evidence that transgenic murine Wnt10b-driven tumours are devoid of ERα, PR and HER2 expression and can model human TNBC. Importantly, HMGA2 is specifically expressed during early stages of embryonic mammogenesis and absent when WNT10B expression is lost, suggesting a developmentally conserved mode of action. Mechanistically, ChIP analysis uncovered that WNT10B activates canonical β-catenin signalling leading to up-regulation of HMGA2. Treatment of mouse and human triple-negative tumour cells with two Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulators or siRNA to HMGA2 decreases HMGA2 levels and proliferation. We demonstrate that WNT10B has epistatic activity on HMGA2, which is necessary and sufficient for proliferation of TNBC cells. Furthermore, HMGA2 expression predicts relapse-free-survival and metastasis in TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Wend
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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28
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Abstract
Since the initial discovery of the oncogenic activity of WNT1 in mouse mammary glands, our appreciation for the complex roles for WNT signalling pathways in cancer has increased dramatically. WNTs and their downstream effectors regulate various processes that are important for cancer progression, including tumour initiation, tumour growth, cell senescence, cell death, differentiation and metastasis. Although WNT signalling pathways have been difficult to target, improved drug-discovery platforms and new technologies have facilitated the discovery of agents that can alter WNT signalling in preclinical models, thus setting the stage for clinical trials in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie N Anastas
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
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29
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Hsu RJ, Ho JY, Cha TL, Yu DS, Wu CL, Huang WP, Chu P, Chen YH, Chen JT, Yu CP. WNT10A plays an oncogenic role in renal cell carcinoma by activating WNT/β-catenin pathway. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47649. [PMID: 23094073 PMCID: PMC3477117 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 09/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignancy with poor prognosis. WNT/β-catenin signaling dysregulation, especially β-catenin overactivation and WNT antagonist silencing, is associated with RCC carcinogenesis and progression. However, the role of WNT ligands in RCC has not yet been determined. We screened 19 WNT ligands from normal kidney and RCC cell lines and tissues and found that WNT10A was significantly increased in RCC cell lines and tissues as compared to that in normal controls. The clinical significance of increase in WNT10A was evaluated by performing an immunohistochemical association study in a 19-year follow-up cohort comprising 284 RCC and 267 benign renal disease (BRD) patients. The results of this study showed that WNT10A was dramatically upregulated in RCC tissues as compared to that in BRD tissues. This result suggests that WNT10A, nuclear β-catenin, and nuclear cyclin D1 act as independent risk factors for RCC carcinogenesis and progression, with accumulative risk effects. Molecular validation of cell line models with gain- or loss-of-function designs showed that forced WNT10A expression induced RCC cell proliferation and aggressiveness, including higher chemoresistance, cell migration, invasiveness, and cell transformation, due to the activation of β-catenin-dependent signaling. Conversely, WNT10A siRNA knockdown decreased cell proliferation and aggressiveness of RCC cells. In conclusion, we showed that WNT10A acts as an autocrine oncogene both in RCC carcinogenesis and progression by activating WNT/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Jun Hsu
- Biobank Management Center of Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Pathology and Parasitology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jar-Yi Ho
- Graduate Institute of Pathology and Parasitology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institutes of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Lung Cha
- Graduate Institutes of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Divisions of Urology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Dah-Shyong Yu
- Graduate Institutes of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Divisions of Urology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Lin Wu
- Graduate Institute of Pathology and Parasitology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ping Huang
- Graduate Institute of Pathology and Parasitology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pauling Chu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Hsin Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiann-Torng Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ping Yu
- Biobank Management Center of Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Pathology and Parasitology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institutes of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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30
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Alexander CM, Goel S, Fakhraldeen SA, Kim S. Wnt signaling in mammary glands: plastic cell fates and combinatorial signaling. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2012; 4:cshperspect.a008037. [PMID: 22661590 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a008037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The mouse mammary gland is an outstanding developmental model that exemplifies the activities of many of the effector pathways known to organize mammalian morphogenesis; furthermore, there are well-characterized methods for the specific genetic manipulation of various mammary epithelial cell components. Among these signaling pathways, Wnt signaling has been shown to generate plasticity of fate determination, expanding the genetic programs available to cells in the mammary lineage. It is responsible first for the appearance of the mammary fate in embryonic ectoderm and then for maintaining bi-potential basal stem cells in adult mammary ductal trees. Recent technical developments have led to the separate analysis of various mammary epithelial cell subpopulations, spurring the investigation of Wnt-dependent interactions. Although Wnt signaling was shown to be oncogenic for mouse mammary epithelium even before being identified as the principle oncogenic driver for gut epithelium, conclusive data implicating this pathway as a tumor driver for breast cancer lag behind, and we examine potential reasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M Alexander
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1599, USA.
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31
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Wagh PK, Zinser GM, Gray JK, Shrestha A, Waltz SE. Conditional deletion of β-catenin in mammary epithelial cells of Ron receptor, Mst1r, overexpressing mice alters mammary tumorigenesis. Endocrinology 2012; 153:2735-46. [PMID: 22474186 PMCID: PMC3359604 DOI: 10.1210/en.2011-1543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Ron receptor tyrosine kinase (macrophage stimulating 1 receptor) is overexpressed in approximately 50% of human breast cancers. Transgenic mice overexpressing Ron in the mammary epithelium [mouse mammary tumor virus driven (MMTV)-Ron expressing mice] develop mammary tumors that exhibit up-regulation of β-catenin and β-catenin target genes. β-Catenin has been shown to be a mediator of mammary tumorigenesis in various breast cancer models, including downstream of Ron. However, the in vivo impact of a conditional loss of β-catenin downstream of Ron receptor overexpression on the onset, growth, turnover, and metastasis of mammary tumors has not been addressed. To determine the significance of β-catenin in the context of Ron overexpression, we conditionally deleted β-catenin in mammary epithelial cells of MMTV-Ron mice. Conditional deletion of β-catenin in the mammary epithelium, through the use of whey acidic protein (WAP)-Cre transgenic mice, significantly delayed the onset of mammary hyperplastic nodules, the presence of palpable mammary tumors, and ultimately decreased liver metastasis. β-Catenin loss in this model was also associated with decreased expression of cyclin D1. In total, these studies support an important role for β-catenin downstream of Ron receptor signaling during the development of mammary tumorigenesis.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cyclin D1/genetics
- Cyclin D1/metabolism
- Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Hyperplasia
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/secondary
- Male
- Mammary Glands, Animal/metabolism
- Mammary Glands, Animal/pathology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/genetics
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Transgenic
- Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics
- Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Time Factors
- beta Catenin/deficiency
- beta Catenin/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Purnima K Wagh
- Department of Cancer and Cell Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0521, USA
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32
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Expression of dickkopf-1 and beta-catenin related to the prognosis of breast cancer patients with triple negative phenotype. PLoS One 2012; 7:e37624. [PMID: 22649545 PMCID: PMC3359298 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 04/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim We investigated the prognostic importance of dickkopf-1(DKK1) and beta-catenin expression in triple negative breast cancers. Methods The expression of DKK1 and beta-catenin was evaluated in breast cell lines using RT-PCR and western blot. Immunohistochemistry was used to characterize the expression pattern of DKK1 and beta-catenin in 85 triple negative breast cancers and prognostic significance was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. Results The expression of DKK1 was confirmed in hormone-resistant breast cell lines MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-231-HM and MDA-MB-435. Expression of DKK1 in triple negative breast cancers correlated with cytoplasmic/nuclear beta-catenin (p = 0.000). Elevated expression of DKK1 and cytoplasmic/nuclear beta-catenin in triple negative cancers indicate poor outcome of patients. DKK1 was also a prognostic factor for patients with earlier stage or no lymph node metastasis. Conclusion DKK1 together with beta-catenin might be important prognostic factors in triple negative breast carcinoma. DKK1 might be a valuable biomarker in predicting the prognosis of patients with earlier stage or no lymph node metastasis. It is possible that through further understanding of the role of Wnt/beta-catenin pathway activation, beta-catenin would be a potential therapeutic target for the triple negative breast cancer.
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33
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Khalil S, Tan GA, Giri DD, Zhou XK, Howe LR. Activation status of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in normal and neoplastic breast tissues: relationship to HER2/neu expression in human and mouse. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33421. [PMID: 22457761 PMCID: PMC3311643 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [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: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt/ß-catenin signaling is strongly implicated in neoplasia, but the role of this pathway in human breast cancer has been controversial. Here, we examined Wnt/ß-catenin pathway activation as a function of breast cancer progression, and tested for a relationship with HER2/neu expression, using a human tissue microarray comprising benign breast tissues, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and invasive carcinomas. Cores were scored for membranous ß-catenin, a key functional component of adherens junctions, and for nucleocytoplasmic ß-catenin, a hallmark of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway activation. Only 82% of benign samples exhibited membrane-associated ß-catenin, indicating a finite frequency of false-negative staining. The frequency of membrane positivity was similar in DCIS samples, but was significantly reduced in carcinomas (45%, P<0.001), consistent with loss of adherens junctions during acquisition of invasiveness. Negative membrane status in cancers correlated with higher grade (P = 0.04) and estrogen receptor-negative status (P = 0.03), both indices of poor prognosis. Unexpectedly, a substantial frequency of nucleocytoplasmic ß-catenin was observed in benign breast tissues (36%), similar to that in carcinomas (35%). Positive-staining basal nuclei observed in benign breast may identify putative stem cells. An increased frequency of nucleocytoplasmic ß-catenin was observed in DCIS tumors (56%), suggesting that pathway activation may be an early event in human breast neoplasia. A correlation was observed between HER2/neu expression and nucleocytoplasmic ß-catenin in node-positive carcinomas (P = 0.02). Furthermore, cytoplasmic ß-catenin was detected in HER2/neu-induced mouse mammary tumors. The Axin2NLSlacZ mouse strain, a previously validated reporter of mammary Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, was utilized to define in vivo transcriptional consequences of HER2/neu-induced ß-catenin accumulation. Discrete hyperplastic foci observed in mammary glands from bigenic MMTV/neu, Axin2NLSlacZ mice, highlighted by robust ß-catenin/TCF signaling, likely represent the earliest stage of mammary intraepithelial neoplasia in MMTV/neu mice. Our study thus provides provocative evidence for Wnt/ß-catenin signaling as an early, HER2/neu-inducible event in breast neoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Khalil
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Grace A. Tan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Dilip D. Giri
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Xi Kathy Zhou
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Louise R. Howe
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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34
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Liu BY, Soloviev I, Huang X, Chang P, Ernst JA, Polakis P, Sakanaka C. Mammary tumor regression elicited by Wnt signaling inhibitor requires IGFBP5. Cancer Res 2012; 72:1568-78. [PMID: 22307840 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-11-3668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Wnt ligand-driven tumor growth is inhibited by the soluble Wnt inhibitor Fzd8CRD, but the mechanism through which this effect is mediated is unknown. In the MMTV-Wnt1 mouse model, regression of mammary tumors by Fzd8CRD treatment coincides with an acute and strong induction of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein IGFBP5, an antagonist of IGF signaling that mediates involution of mammary gland in females after offspring are weaned. In this study, we show that repression of this IGF inhibitory pathway is crucial for Wnt-driven growth of mammary tumors. We found that IGFBP5 regulation was mediated by the β-catenin-dependent Wnt pathway. Wnt, in addition to IGF ligands, facilitated tumor growth by paracrine communication among tumor cells. In addition, Fzd8CRD caused precocious induction of IGFBP5 in normal mammary glands undergoing involution, implying an acceleration of the involution process by inhibition of Wnt signaling. The molecular and phenotypic parallel between tumor regression and mammary gland involution suggests that Wnt-driven mammary tumors use the same growth mechanism as proliferating normal mammary glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob Y Liu
- Department of Cancer Targets, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California 94080, USA
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35
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King TD, Suto MJ, Li Y. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway: a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of triple negative breast cancer. J Cell Biochem 2012; 113:13-8. [PMID: 21898546 PMCID: PMC10924801 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.23350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer continues to be a serious health problem particularly in developed countries. Of particular concern is triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) which does not respond well to standard hormone therapy and is associated with poor overall patient prognosis. Recent studies indicate that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is particularly activated in TNBC, such that the Wnt receptor frizzled-7 (FZD7) and the Wnt co-receptor LRP6 were found to be up regulated in TNBC. In addition, it has been demonstrated that transcriptional knockdown of LRP6 or FZD7 in TNBC cells suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, salinomycin, a selective breast cancer stem cell killer, was recently demonstrated to be an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by inducing LRP6 degradation. Therefore, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and particularly the Wnt receptors on the cell surface may serve as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taj D. King
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drug Discovery Division, Southern Research Institute, 2000 Ninth Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA
| | - Mark J. Suto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drug Discovery Division, Southern Research Institute, 2000 Ninth Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA
| | - Yonghe Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drug Discovery Division, Southern Research Institute, 2000 Ninth Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA
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36
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Anton R, Chatterjee SS, Simundza J, Cowin P, DasGupta R. A systematic screen for micro-RNAs regulating the canonical Wnt pathway. PLoS One 2011; 6:e26257. [PMID: 22043311 PMCID: PMC3197157 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRs) and the canonical Wnt pathway are known to be dysregulated in human cancers and play key roles during cancer initiation and progression. To identify miRs that can modulate the activity of the Wnt pathway we performed a cell-based overexpression screen of 470 miRs in human HEK293 cells. We identified 38 candidate miRs that either activate or repress the canonical Wnt pathway. A literature survey of all verified candidate miRs revealed that the Wnt-repressing miRs tend to be anti-oncomiRs and down-regulated in cancers while Wnt-activating miRs tend to be oncomiRs and upregulated during tumorigenesis. Epistasis-based functional validation of three candidate miRs, miR-1, miR-25 and miR-613, confirmed their inhibitory role in repressing the Wnt pathway and suggest that while miR-25 may function at the level of â-catenin (β-cat), miR-1 and miR-613 act upstream of β-cat. Both miR-25 and miR-1 inhibit cell proliferation and viability during selection of human colon cancer cell lines that exhibit dysregulated Wnt signaling. Finally, transduction of miR-1 expressing lentiviruses into primary mammary organoids derived from Conductin-lacZ mice significantly reduced the expression of the Wnt-sensitive β-gal reporter. In summary, these findings suggest the potential use of Wnt-modulating miRs as diagnostic and therapeutic tools in Wnt-dependent diseases, such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Anton
- Cancer Institute/Department of Pharmacology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Sujash S. Chatterjee
- Cancer Institute/Department of Pharmacology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Julia Simundza
- Departments of Cell Biology and Dermatology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Pamela Cowin
- Departments of Cell Biology and Dermatology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ramanuj DasGupta
- Cancer Institute/Department of Pharmacology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
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37
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Serra R, Easter SL, Jiang W, Baxley SE. Wnt5a as an effector of TGFβ in mammary development and cancer. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2011; 16:157-67. [PMID: 21416313 PMCID: PMC3107509 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-011-9205-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2011] [Accepted: 03/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt5a is a member of the Wingless-related/MMTV-integration family of secreted growth factors, which are involved in a wide range of cellular processes. Wnt signaling can be broadly divided into two categories the canonical, ß-catenin-dependent pathway and the non-canonical ß-catenin-independent pathway. Wnt5a is a non-canonical signaling member of the Wnt family. Loss of Wnt5a is associated with early relapse of invasive breast cancer, increased metastasis, and poor survival in humans. It has been shown that TGF-ß directly regulates expression of Wnt5a in mammary gland and that Wnt5a mediates the effects of TGF-ß on branching during mammary gland development. Here we review the evidence suggesting Wnt5a acts as an effector of TGF-ß actions in breast cancer. It is suggested that the tumor suppressive functions of TGF-ß involve Wnt5a-mediated antagonism of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling and limiting the stem cell population. Interactions between TGF-ß and Wnt5a in metastasis appear to be more complex, and may depend on specific cues from the microenvironment as well as activation of specific intracellular signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Serra
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0005, USA.
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38
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Wnt and mammary stem cells: hormones cannot fly wingless. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2011; 10:643-9. [PMID: 20810315 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2010.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2010] [Accepted: 07/28/2010] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The mammary stem cell and its local microenvironment are central for the maintenance of proper tissue homeostasis during normal development. Defining the hierarchical organization of the epithelial subtypes in the mammary gland and the molecular pathways guiding their development has begun to provide a framework for understanding how cancer stem cells sustain the progression and heterogeneity of breast cancers. The Wnt pathway plays a fundamental role in multiple adult stem cells, as well as in orchestrating proper mammary gland development and maintenance. These processes are intricately guided by the influence of systemic hormones and local factors. Alterations in Wnt signaling can skew the homeostatic balance of the mammary epithelium to drive malignant progression; however, complexities of Wnt pathway components present a challenge in understanding their physiological function.
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39
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Kim S, Goel S, Alexander CM. Differentiation generates paracrine cell pairs that maintain basaloid mouse mammary tumors: proof of concept. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19310. [PMID: 21541292 PMCID: PMC3082567 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2011] [Accepted: 03/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a paradox offered up by the cancer stem cell hypothesis. How are the mixed populations that are characteristic of heterogeneous solid tumors maintained at constant proportion, given their high, and different, mitotic indices? In this study, we evaluate a well-characterized mouse model of human basaloid tumors (induced by the oncogene Wnt1), which comprise mixed populations of mammary epithelial cells resembling their normal basal and luminal counterparts. We show that these cell types are substantially inter-dependent, since the MMTV LTR drives expression of Wnt1 ligand in luminal cells, whereas the functional Wnt1-responsive receptor (Lrp5) is expressed by basal cells, and both molecules are necessary for tumor growth. There is a robust tumor initiating activity (tumor stem cell) in the basal cell population, which is associated with the ability to differentiate into luminal and basal cells, to regenerate the oncogenic paracrine signaling cell pair. However, we found an additional tumor stem cell activity in the luminal cell population. Knowing that tumors depend upon Wnt1-Lrp5, we hypothesized that this stem cell must express Lrp5, and found that indeed, all the stem cell activity could be retrieved from the Lrp5-positive cell population. Interestingly, this reflects post-transcriptional acquisition of Lrp5 protein expression in luminal cells. Furthermore, this plasticity of molecular expression is reflected in plasticity of cell fate determination. Thus, in vitro, Wnt1-expressing luminal cells retro-differentiate to basal cell types, and in vivo, tumors initiated with pure luminal cells reconstitute a robust basal cell subpopulation that is indistinguishable from the populations initiated by pure basal cells. We propose this is an important proof of concept, demonstrating that bipotential tumor stem cells are essential in tumors where oncogenic ligand-receptor pairs are separated into different cell types, and suggesting that Wnt-induced molecular and fate plasticity can close paracrine loops that are usually separated into distinct cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soyoung Kim
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Shruti Goel
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Caroline M. Alexander
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
- * E-mail:
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40
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Li Y, Yi H, Yao Y, Liao X, Xie Y, Yang J, Yan Z, Wang L, Lu S, Kuang Y, Gu M, Fei J, Wang Z, Huang L. The cytoplasmic domain of MUC1 induces hyperplasia in the mammary gland and correlates with nuclear accumulation of β-catenin. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19102. [PMID: 21533058 PMCID: PMC3080410 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
MUC1 is an oncoprotein that is overexpressed in up to 90% of breast carcinomas. A previous in vitro study by our group demonstrated that the cytoplasmic domain of MUC1 (MUC1-CD), the minimal functional unit of MUC1, contributes to the malignant phenotype in cells by binding directly to β-catenin and protecting β-catenin from GSK3β-induced degradation. To understand the in vivo role of MUC1-CD in breast development, we generated a MUC1-CD transgenic mouse model under the control of the MMTV promoter in a C57BL/6J background, which is more resistant to breast tumor. We show that the expression of MUC1-CD in luminal epithelial cells of the mammary gland induced a hyperplasia phenotype characterized by the development of hyper-branching and extensive lobuloalveoli in transgenic mice. In addition to this hyperplasia, there was a marked increase in cellular proliferation in the mouse mammary gland. We further show that MUC1-CD induces nuclear localization of β-catenin, which is associated with a significant increase of β-catenin activity, as shown by the elevated expression of cyclin D1 and c-Myc in MMTV-MUC1-CD mice. Consistent with this finding, we observed that overexpression of MUC1-C is associated with β-catenin nuclear localization in tumor tissues and increased expression of Cyclin D1 and c-Myc in breast carcinoma specimens. Collectively, our data indicate a critical role for MUC1-CD in the development of mammary gland preneoplasia and tumorigenesis, suggesting MUC1-CD as a potential target for the diagnosis and chemoprevention of human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Department of Medical Genetics, E-Institutes of Shanghai Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Haiying Yi
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Huangpu Center Hospital, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yixin Yao
- Department of Medical Genetics, E-Institutes of Shanghai Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaodong Liao
- Department of Medical Genetics, E-Institutes of Shanghai Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yiqun Xie
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Huangpu Center Hospital, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Medical Genetics, E-Institutes of Shanghai Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Yan
- Department of Medical Genetics, E-Institutes of Shanghai Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Long Wang
- Shanghai Research Centre for Model Organisms, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Shunyuan Lu
- Shanghai Research Centre for Model Organisms, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Ying Kuang
- Shanghai Research Centre for Model Organisms, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Mingmin Gu
- Department of Medical Genetics, E-Institutes of Shanghai Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jian Fei
- Shanghai Research Centre for Model Organisms, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Zhugang Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, E-Institutes of Shanghai Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Shanghai Research Centre for Model Organisms, Shanghai, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (ZW); (LH)
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Medical Genetics, E-Institutes of Shanghai Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (ZW); (LH)
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41
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Valkenburg KC, Graveel CR, Zylstra-Diegel CR, Zhong Z, Williams BO. Wnt/β-catenin Signaling in Normal and Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2011; 3:2050-79. [PMID: 24212796 PMCID: PMC3757404 DOI: 10.3390/cancers3022050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Revised: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 04/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of Wnt ligands to initiate a signaling cascade that results in cytoplasmic stabilization of, and nuclear localization of, β-catenin underlies their ability to regulate progenitor cell differentiation. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge of the mechanisms underlying Wnt/β-catenin signaling and how the pathway regulates normal differentiation of stem cells in the intestine, mammary gland, and prostate. We will also discuss how dysregulation of the pathway is associated with putative cancer stem cells and the potential therapeutic implications of regulating Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth C Valkenburg
- Van Andel Research Institute, 333 Bostwick Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
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42
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Mukherjee A, Soyal SM, Li J, Ying Y, Szwarc MM, He B, Kommagani R, Hodgson MC, Hiremath M, Cowin P, Lydon JP. A mouse transgenic approach to induce β-catenin signaling in a temporally controlled manner. Transgenic Res 2010; 20:827-40. [PMID: 21120693 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-010-9466-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Although constitutive murine transgenic models have provided important insights into β-catenin signaling in tissue morphogenesis and tumorigenesis, these models are unable to express activated β-catenin in a temporally controlled manner. Therefore, to enable the induction (and subsequent de-induction) of β-catenin signaling during a predetermined time-period or developmental stage, we have generated and characterized a TETO-ΔN89β-catenin responder transgenic mouse. Crossed with the MTB transgenic effector mouse, which targets the expression of the reverse tetracycline transactivator (rtTA) to the mammary epithelium, we demonstrate that the stabilized (and activated) form of β-catenin (ΔN89β-catenin) is expressed only in the presence doxycycline-activated rtTA in the mammary epithelial compartment. Furthermore, we show that transgene-derived ΔN89β-catenin elicits significant mammary epithelial proliferation and precocious alveologenesis in the virgin doxycycline-treated MTB/TETO-ΔN89β-catenin bitransgenic. Remarkably, deinduction of TETO-ΔN89β-catenin transgene expression (through doxycycline withdrawal) results in the reversal of these morphological changes. Importantly, continued activation of the TETO-ΔN89β-catenin transgene results in palpable mammary tumors (within 7-9 months) in the doxycycline-treated virgin MTB/TETO-ΔN89β-catenin bigenic but not in the same bitransgenic without doxycycline administration. Collectively, these mammary epithelial responses to ΔN89β-catenin expression agree with previous reports using conventional transgenesis and therefore confirm that ΔN89β-catenin functions as expected in this doxycycline-responsive bigenic system. In sum, our mammary gland studies demonstrate "proof-of-principle" for using the TETO-ΔN89β-catenin transgenic responder to activate (and then de-activate) β-catenin signaling in any tissue of interest in a spatiotemporal specific fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atish Mukherjee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Room M733A, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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43
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Barcellos-Hoff MH. Stromal mediation of radiation carcinogenesis. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2010; 15:381-7. [PMID: 21181431 PMCID: PMC3068291 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-010-9197-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2010] [Accepted: 12/09/2010] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ionizing radiation is a well-established carcinogen in human breast and rodent mammary gland. This review addresses evidence that radiation elicits the critical stromal context for cancer, affecting not only frequency but the type of cancer. Recent data from the breast tumors of women treated with radiation therapy and the cellular mechanisms evident in experimental models suggest that radiation effects on stromal-epithelial interactions and tissue composition are a major determinant of cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Helen Barcellos-Hoff
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, 566 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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44
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Zeng YA, Nusse R. Wnt proteins are self-renewal factors for mammary stem cells and promote their long-term expansion in culture. Cell Stem Cell 2010; 6:568-77. [PMID: 20569694 PMCID: PMC2917779 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2010.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 317] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2009] [Revised: 02/19/2010] [Accepted: 03/05/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Adult stem cells have the ability to self-renew and to generate specialized cells. Self-renewal is dependent on extrinsic niche factors but few of those signals have been identified. In addition, stem cells tend to differentiate in the absence of the proper signals and are therefore difficult to maintain in cell culture. The mammary gland provides an excellent system to study self-renewal signals, because the organ develops postnatally, arises from stem cells, and is readily generated from transplanted cells. We show here that adult mammary glands contain a Wnt-responsive cell population that is enriched for stem cells. In addition, stem cells mutant for the negative-feedback regulator Axin2 and therefore sensitized to Wnt signals have a competitive advantage in mammary gland reconstitution assays. In cell culture experiments, exposure to purified Wnt protein clonally expands mammary stem cells for many generations and maintains their ability to generate functional glands in transplantation assays. We conclude that Wnt proteins serve as rate-limiting self-renewal signals acting directly on mammary stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Arial Zeng
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5323, USA
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45
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Incassati A, Chandramouli A, Eelkema R, Cowin P. Key signaling nodes in mammary gland development and cancer: β-catenin. Breast Cancer Res 2010; 12:213. [PMID: 21067528 PMCID: PMC3046427 DOI: 10.1186/bcr2723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
β-Catenin plays important roles in mammary development and tumorigenesis through its functions in cell adhesion, signal transduction and regulation of cell-context-specific gene expression. Studies in mice have highlighted the critical role of β-catenin signaling for stem cell biology at multiple stages of mammary development. Deregulated β-catenin signaling disturbs stem and progenitor cell dynamics and induces mammary tumors in mice. Recent data showing deregulated β-catenin signaling in metaplastic and basal-type tumors suggest a similar link to reactivated developmental pathways and human breast cancer. The present review will discuss β-catenin as a central transducer of numerous signaling pathways and its role in mammary development and breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Incassati
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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46
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Gu B, Watanabe K, Dai X. Epithelial stem cells: an epigenetic and Wnt-centric perspective. J Cell Biochem 2010; 110:1279-87. [PMID: 20564229 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.22650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial stem cells, such as those present in mammalian skin, intestine, or mammary gland, are tissue stem cells capable of both long-term self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation. Here we review studies implicating epigenetic control mechanisms in mammalian epithelial stem cell development and homeostasis. We also provide an update of recent progresses in the involvement of canonical Wnt signaling and note an interesting link between the Wnt pathway and chromatin regulation in epithelial stem cells. We anticipate that epigenetic and epigenomic studies of these cells will increase exponentially in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingnan Gu
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-1700, USA
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47
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Nguyen DX. Tracing the origins of metastasis. J Pathol 2010; 223:195-204. [PMID: 21125675 DOI: 10.1002/path.2801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2010] [Revised: 09/29/2010] [Accepted: 09/30/2010] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is often considered an orderly sequence of events leading to the colonization of distal organs by malignant cells. In fact, the evolution of metastatic disease is a dynamic process that is influenced by unique cellular lineages, altered microenvironments, distinct anatomical restrictions and multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations. These factors all contribute to variable clinical courses, likely requiring tailored therapy. As we inch closer towards personalized medicine, there is a renewed conceptual and technological focus on characterizing the cellular and genetic heterogeneity within tumours, to ultimately trace the origins of metastatic cells in different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don X Nguyen
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine and Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, USA.
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48
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Wend P, Holland JD, Ziebold U, Birchmeier W. Wnt signaling in stem and cancer stem cells. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2010; 21:855-63. [PMID: 20837152 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2010.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2010] [Accepted: 09/06/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Canonical Wnt signaling supports the formation and maintenance of stem and cancer stem cells. Recent studies have elucidated epigenetic mechanisms that control pluripotency and stemness, and allow a first assessment how embryonic and tissue stem cells are generated and maintained, and how Wnt signaling might be involved. The core of this review highlights the roles of Wnt signaling in stem and cancer stem cells of tissues such as skin, intestine and mammary gland. Lastly, we refer to the characterization of novel and powerful inhibitors of canonical Wnt signaling and describe attempts to bring these compounds into preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Wend
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
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49
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Pajic M, Kersbergen A, van Diepen F, Pfauth A, Jonkers J, Borst P, Rottenberg S. Tumor-initiating cells are not enriched in cisplatin-surviving BRCA1;p53-deficient mammary tumor cells in vivo. Cell Cycle 2010; 9:3780-91. [PMID: 20855963 DOI: 10.4161/cc.9.18.13002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although many breast cancers respond to chemotherapy or hormonal therapy, lack of tumor eradication is a central clinical problem preceding the development of drug resistant tumors. Using the K14cre;Brca1(F5-13/F5-13);p53(F2-10/F2-10) mouse model for hereditary breast cancer, we have previously studied responses of mammary tumors to clinically relevant anti-cancer drugs, including cisplatin. The BRCA1- and p53-deficient tumors generated in this model are hypersensitive to cisplatin and never become resistant to this agent due to the large, irreversible deletion in Brca1. We show here that even dose-dense treatment with a maximum tolerated dose of cisplatin does not result in complete tumor eradication. To explain this result we have addressed the hypothesis that the lack of eradication of drug-sensitive tumors is due to increased in vivo chemotherapy resistance of tumor-initiating cells (TICs). Using the CD24 and CD49f cell surface markers which detect normal mouse mammary stem cells, we have identified tumor-initiating cells in BRCA1- and p53-deficient tumors. In addition to the Lin⁻/CD24(+)/CD49f(+) subpopulation, we show that a larger population of Lin⁻/CD24(+)/CD49f-cells also has tumor-initiating capability in at least two serial orthotopic transplantations, suggesting that these are not more differentiated transit-amplifying cells. However, we did not find an enrichment of TICs in cisplatin-treated tumor remnants. We conclude that in this model the tolerance of the cisplatin-surviving cells cannot be attributed to special biochemical defense mechanisms of TICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Pajic
- Division of Molecular Biology of the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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50
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Beta-catenin signaling negatively regulates intermediate progenitor population numbers in the developing cortex. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12376. [PMID: 20811503 PMCID: PMC2928265 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intermediate progenitor cells constitute a second proliferative cell type in the developing mammalian cerebral cortex. Little is known about the factors that govern the production of intermediate progenitors. Although persistent expression of stabilized β-catenin was found to delay the maturation of radial glial progenitors into intermediate progenitors, the relationship between β-catenin signaling and intermediate progenitors remains poorly understood. Using a transgenic reporter mouse for Axin2, a direct target of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, we observed that β-catenin signaling is decreased in intermediate progenitor cells relative to radial glial progenitors. Conditional deletion of β-catenin from mouse cortical neural progenitors increased intermediate progenitor numbers, while conditional expression of stabilized β-catenin reduced the intermediate progenitor population. Together, these findings provide evidence that β-catenin signaling in radial progenitors negatively regulates intermediate progenitor cell number during cortical development.
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