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Fang B, Lai Y, Yan H, Ma Y, Ni Z, Zhu Q, Zhang J, Ye Y, Wang M, Wang P, Wang Y, Zhang S, Hui M, Wang D, Zhao Y, Li X, Wang K, Liu Z. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 1,6-naphthyridine-2-one derivatives as novel FGFR4 inhibitors for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115703. [PMID: 37556948 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant FGFR4 signaling has been implicated in the development of several cancers, making FGFR4 a promising target for cancer therapy. Several FGFR4-selective inhibitors have been developed, yet none of them have been approved. Herein, we report a novel series of 1,6-naphthyridine-2-one derivatives as potent and selective inhibitors targeting FGFR4 kinase. Preliminary structure-activity relationship analysis was conducted. The screening cascades revealed that 19g was the preferred compound among the prepared series. 19g demonstrated excellent kinase selectivity and substantial cytotoxic effect against all tested colorectal cancer cell lines. 19g induced significant tumor inhibition in a HCT116 xenograft mouse model without any apparent toxicity. Notably, 19g exhibited excellent potency in disrupting the phosphorylation of FGFR4 and downstream signaling proteins mediated by FGF18 and FGF19. Compound 19g might be a potential antitumor drug candidate for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Fang
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Yinshuang Lai
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Hao Yan
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Yue Ma
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Zefeng Ni
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Qianqian Zhu
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Jianxia Zhang
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Yanfei Ye
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Mengying Wang
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Peipei Wang
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Shuyuan Zhang
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Min Hui
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Dalong Wang
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Yunjie Zhao
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China
| | - Xiaokun Li
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China.
| | - Kun Wang
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China.
| | - Zhiguo Liu
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 1210 University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China; Oujiang Laboratory, Zhejiang Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China.
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Zhang F, Guo C, Cao X, Yan Y, Zhang J, Lv S. Gastric cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicles elevate E2F7 expression and activate the MAPK/ERK signaling to promote peritoneal metastasis through the delivery of SNHG12. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:164. [PMID: 35383161 PMCID: PMC8983762 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00925-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have extensive application in the formation of their environment, including metastasis. This study explored the ability of gastric cancer (GC) cell-derived EVs-mediated microRNA-129-5p/E2F transcription factor 7/mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular regulated protein kinase (miR-129-5p/E2F7/MAPK/ERK) axis to affect the peritoneal metastasis of GC by delivering lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12). EV-derived lncRNA and SNHG12/miR-129-5p/E2F7 network were determined by bioinformatics analysis. The regulatory relationship among SNHG12, miR-129-5p, and E2F7 was verified using a combination of dual-luciferase reporter gene, RNA immunoprecipitation, and RNA pull-down assays. The SNHG12, miR-129-5p, and E2F7 expression was measured by RT-qPCR. After GC cell-derived EVs were isolated and co-cultured with human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs), the uptake of EVs by HPMCs was observed under laser scanning confocal microscopy. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined using cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry, respectively. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the mesothelial–mesenchymal transition (MMT)-related protein expression. The pathological and morphological characteristics of metastatic tumors in nude mice were observed by hematoxylin–eosin staining. A high SNHG12 expression was correlated with the poor prognosis of patients with GC. GC-derived EVs led to increased HPMC apoptosis and MMT by transferring SNHG12, whereas the knockdown of SNHG12 annulled the aforementioned results. SNHG12 sponged miR-129-5p to boost E2F7 expression and activate the MAPK/ERK signaling, thus inducing HPMC apoptosis and MMT. In vivo experiments further verified that EVs derived from GC cells promoted peritoneal metastasis in nude mice. GC cell-derived EVs elevated the E2F7 expression and activated the MAPK/ERK signaling to promote peritoneal metastasis through the delivery of SNHG12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangbin Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, P.R. China.
| | - Changqing Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xinguang Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yan Yan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jinping Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, P.R. China
| | - Shuai Lv
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, P.R. China
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Schack LMH, Naderi E, Fachal L, Dorling L, Luccarini C, Dunning AM, Ong EHW, Chua MLK, Langendijk JA, Alizadeh BZ, Overgaard J, Eriksen JG, Andreassen CN, Alsner J. A genome-wide association study of radiotherapy induced toxicity in head and neck cancer patients identifies a susceptibility locus associated with mucositis. Br J Cancer 2022; 126:1082-1090. [PMID: 35039627 PMCID: PMC8980077 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-021-01670-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE A two-stage genome-wide association study was carried out in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients aiming to identify genetic variants associated with either specific radiotherapy-induced (RT) toxicity endpoints or a general proneness to develop toxicity after RT. MATERIALS AND METHODS The analysis included 1780 HNC patients treated with primary RT for laryngeal or oro/hypopharyngeal cancers. In a non-hypothesis-driven explorative discovery study, associations were tested in 1183 patients treated within The Danish Head and Neck Cancer Group. Significant associations were later tested in an independent Dutch cohort of 597 HNC patients and if replicated, summary data obtained from discovery and replication studies were meta-analysed. Further validation of significantly replicated findings was pursued in an Asian cohort of 235 HNC patients with nasopharynx as the primary tumour site. RESULTS We found and replicated a significant association between a locus on chromosome 5 and mucositis with a pooled OR for rs1131769*C in meta-analysis = 1.95 (95% CI 1.48-2.41; ppooled = 4.34 × 10-16). CONCLUSION This first exploratory GWAS in European cohorts of HNC patients identified and replicated a risk locus for mucositis. A larger Meta-GWAS to identify further risk variants for RT-induced toxicity in HNC patients is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line M H Schack
- Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Elnaz Naderi
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Radiation Oncology, Groningen, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Epidemiology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Fachal
- Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Leila Dorling
- Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Craig Luccarini
- Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alison M Dunning
- Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Enya H W Ong
- Division of Medical Sciences, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Melvin L K Chua
- Division of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Oncology Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Johannes A Langendijk
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Radiation Oncology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Behrooz Z Alizadeh
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Radiation Oncology, Groningen, The Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Epidemiology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jens Overgaard
- Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jesper Grau Eriksen
- Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Christian Nicolaj Andreassen
- Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jan Alsner
- Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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4
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Görtler F, Schön M, Simeth J, Solbrig S, Wettig T, Oefner PJ, Spang R, Altenbuchinger M. Loss-Function Learning for Digital Tissue Deconvolution. J Comput Biol 2020; 27:342-355. [DOI: 10.1089/cmb.2019.0462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Görtler
- Department of Statistical Bioinformatics, Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Marian Schön
- Department of Statistical Bioinformatics, Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jakob Simeth
- Department of Statistical Bioinformatics, Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Solbrig
- Department of Physics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tilo Wettig
- Department of Physics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter J. Oefner
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Spang
- Department of Statistical Bioinformatics, Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Altenbuchinger
- Department of Statistical Bioinformatics, Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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5
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Hui R, Pearson A, Cortes J, Campbell C, Poirot C, Azim HA, Fumagalli D, Lambertini M, Daly F, Arahmani A, Perez-Garcia J, Aftimos P, Bedard PL, Xuereb L, Scheepers ED, Vicente M, Goulioti T, Loibl S, Loi S, Pierrat MJ, Turner NC, Andre F, Curigliano G. Lucitanib for the Treatment of HR+/HER2− Metastatic Breast Cancer: Results from the Multicohort Phase II FINESSE Study. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 26:354-363. [DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-1164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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ECSM2, an endothelial specific VE-cadherin binding protein, has a tyrosine phosphorylation site essential to cell migration. Gene 2018; 662:131-138. [PMID: 29653231 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial cell-specific molecule 2 (ECSM2) is a transmembrane protein located in cell-cell junction of endothelial cells (EC). ECSM2 was determined to play an important role in vascular development, EC migration, apoptosis and proliferation, however, no functional domains were determined in intracellular and extracellular region of ECSM2. In current work, functional domains of ECSM2, the relationship of ECSM2 with other endothelial specific protein such as VE-cadherin and the role of ECSM2 in neovascular diseases were determined. It was shown that the 54th amino acid residue of ECSM2 extracellular domain was a tyrosine phosphorylation site, whose mutation led to the loss of EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation and inhibition of cell migration. In primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells, ECSM2 bound with VE-cadherin and VEGF stimulation enhanced their binding. In hepatocellular carcinoma, ECSM2 expression was increased, as compared with para-cancerous tissue. This data firstly revealed the functional sites of ECSM2, the crosstalk between ECSM2 and other endothelial cell specific molecules, the expression of ECSM2 in tissues of angiogenesis diseases, thus providing understanding about ECSM2 in depth.
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Shi H, Lin B, Huang Y, Wu J, Zhang H, Lin C, Wang Z, Zhu J, Zhao Y, Fu X, Lou Z, Li X, Xiao J. Basic fibroblast growth factor promotes melanocyte migration via activating PI3K/Akt-Rac1-FAK-JNK and ERK signaling pathways. IUBMB Life 2016; 68:735-47. [DOI: 10.1002/iub.1531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hongxue Shi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering; Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Beibei Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering; Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Yan Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering; Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Jiang Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering; Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Hongyu Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering; Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Cai Lin
- Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory; Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese PLA General Hospital; Beijing China
| | - Zhouguang Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering; Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Jingjing Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering; Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Yingzhen Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering; Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Xiaobing Fu
- Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory; Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese PLA General Hospital; Beijing China
| | - Zhencai Lou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology; The Affiliated YiWu Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University; Yiwu China
| | - Xiaokun Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering; Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Jian Xiao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering; Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
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Inhibition of the Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway Restores Cultured Spinal Cord-Injured Neuronal Migration, Adhesion, and Dendritic Spine Development. Neurochem Res 2016; 41:2086-96. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-016-1921-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Kilari S, Cossette S, Pooya S, Bordas M, Huang YW, Ramchandran R, Wilkinson GA. Endothelial Cell Surface Expressed Chemotaxis and Apoptosis Regulator (ECSCR) Regulates Lipolysis in White Adipocytes via the PTEN/AKT Signaling Pathway. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144185. [PMID: 26692198 PMCID: PMC4686900 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated plasma triglycerides are associated with increased susceptibility to heart disease and stroke, but the mechanisms behind this relationship are unclear. A clearer understanding of gene products which influence plasma triglycerides might help identify new therapeutic targets for these diseases. The Endothelial Cell Surface expressed Chemotaxis and apoptosis Regulator (ECSCR) was initially studied as an endothelial cell marker, but has recently been identified in white adipocytes, the primary storage cell type for triglycerides. Here we confirm ECSCR expression in white adipocytes and show that Ecscr knockout mice show elevated fasting plasma triglycerides. At a cellular level, cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes silenced for Ecscr show a blunted Akt phosphorylation response. Additionally we show that the phosphatase and tensin homology containing (PTEN) lipid phosphatase association with ECSCR is increased by insulin stimulation. These data suggest a scenario by which ECSCR contributes to control of white adipocyte lipolysis. In this scenario, white adipocytes lacking Ecscr display elevated PTEN activity, thereby reducing AKT activation and impairing insulin-mediated suppression of lipolysis. Collectively, these results suggest that ECSCR plays a critical function in regulating lipolysis in white adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreenivasulu Kilari
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Vascular Biology Program, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Research Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Stephanie Cossette
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Vascular Biology Program, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Research Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Shabnam Pooya
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Vascular Biology Program, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Research Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Michelle Bordas
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Vascular Biology Program, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Research Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Yi-Wen Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Research Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ramani Ramchandran
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Vascular Biology Program, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Research Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Research Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GAW); (RR)
| | - George A. Wilkinson
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Vascular Biology Program, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Research Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GAW); (RR)
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Tanaka M, Yamaguchi M, Shiota M, Kawamoto Y, Takahashi K, Inagaki A, Osada-Oka M, Harada A, Wanibuchi H, Izumi Y, Miura K, Iwao H, Ohkawa Y. Establishment of neutralizing rat monoclonal antibodies for fibroblast growth factor-2. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 2015; 33:261-9. [PMID: 25171006 DOI: 10.1089/mab.2013.0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) plays a critical role in endothelial survival, proliferation, and angiogenesis and is localized on the cell membrane by binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Here we established a neutralizing monoclonal antibody, 1B9B9, against FGF-2 using the rat medial iliac lymph node method. 1B9B9 blocked the binding of FGF-2 to its receptor, inhibiting FGF-2-induced proliferation and corresponding downstream signaling in endothelial cells. Treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with 1B9B9 reduced the basal phosphorylation levels of Akt and MAPK. Furthermore, continued treatment with 1B9B9 induced cell death by apoptosis. Compared with FGF-2 knockdown, 1B9B9 significantly reduced cell survival. In addition, the combination of FGF-2 siRNA and 1B9B9 showed a synergistic effect. The data indicate that 1B9B9 established by the rat iliac lymph node method is a fully compatible neutralizing antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masako Tanaka
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, Osaka City University Medical School , Osaka, Japan
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11
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Semaan S, Wu J, Gan Y, Jin Y, Li GH, Kerrigan JF, Chang YC, Huang Y. Hyperactivation of BDNF-TrkB signaling cascades in human hypothalamic hamartoma (HH): a potential mechanism contributing to epileptogenesis. CNS Neurosci Ther 2015; 21:164-72. [PMID: 25307426 PMCID: PMC6495156 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Revised: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Although compelling evidence suggests that human hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is intrinsically epileptogenic for gelastic seizures, the molecular mechanisms responsible for epileptogenesis within HH remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that hyperactivation of BDNF-TrkB signaling pathways in surgically resected HH tissue is a possible mechanism for downregulation of KCC2 expression, which in turn underlies GABA-mediated excitation within HH. METHODS Activation of three major BDNF-TrkB signaling pathways including MAPKs, Akt, and PLCγ1 were evaluated in surgically resected HH tissue (n = 14) versus human hypothalamic control tissue (n = 8) using combined methodologies of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and electrophysiology. RESULTS Our data show that compared with hypothalamic control tissue, in HH tissue, (i) activation of TrkB and expression of mature BDNF are elevated; (ii) MAPKs (including ERK1/2, p38, and JNK), Akt, and PLCγ1 are highly activated; (iii) KCC2 expression is downregulated; and (iv) pharmacological manipulation of TrkB signaling alters HH neuronal firing rate. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that multiple BDNF-TrkB signaling pathways are activated in HH. They act independently or collaboratively to downregulate KCC2 expression, which is the key component for GABA-mediated excitation associated with gelastic seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzan Semaan
- St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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12
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Kim N, Kim JM, Lee M, Kim CY, Chang KY, Heo WD. Spatiotemporal control of fibroblast growth factor receptor signals by blue light. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 21:903-12. [PMID: 24981772 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2014.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Revised: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) regulate diverse cellular behaviors that should be exquisitely controlled in space and time. We engineered an optically controlled FGFR (optoFGFR1) by exploiting cryptochrome 2, which homointeracts upon blue light irradiation. OptoFGFR1 can rapidly and reversibly control intracellular FGFR1 signaling within seconds by illumination with blue light. At the subcellular level, localized activation of optoFGFR1 induced cytoskeletal reorganization. Utilizing the high spatiotemporal precision of optoFGFR1, we efficiently controlled cell polarity and induced directed cell migration. OptoFGFR1 provides an effective means to precisely control FGFR signaling and is an important optogenetic tool that can be used to study diverse biological processes both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nury Kim
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Man Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Minji Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Cha Yeon Kim
- Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Young Chang
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Do Heo
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea; Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and MAPK co-regulate activation of hepatic stellate cells upon hypoxia stimulation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74051. [PMID: 24040163 PMCID: PMC3769364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) plays a key role in pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. During liver injury, hypoxia in local micro-environment is inevitable. Hif-1α is the key transcriptional regulation factor that induces cell’s adaptive responses to hypoxia. Recently, it was reported that MAPK is involved in regulation of Hif-1α activity. Aims To explore whether Hif-1α regulates HSC activation upon hypoxia, and whether MAPK affects Hif-1α-regulated signaling cascades, thus providing new targets for preventing liver fibrosis. Methods Hif-1α expression in livers of Schistosomajaponicum infected BALB/c mice was detected with western blot and immunohistochemistry. A rat cell line of HSC, HSC-T6, was cultured in 1% oxygen. HSC activation, including F-actin reorganization, increase of vimentin and α-SMA, was detected with western blot or immunocytochemistry. Cells were transfected with specific siRNA to Hif-1α, expression of activation markers, transcription of fibrosis-promoting cytokines, secretion of collagen I were detected with western blot, Real Time PCR and ELISA. Lysate from HSC-T6 cells pretreated with PD98059, a specific MEK1 pharmacological inhibitor, was subjected to detect Hif-1α ubiquitination and nuclear translocation with western blot and immunoprecipitation. Results and Conclusions Hif-1α apparently increased in liver tissues of Schistosomajaponicum infected mice. 1% O2 induced F-actin reorganization, increase of Hif-1α, vimentin and α-SMA in HSC-T6 cells. Hif-1α Knockdown inhibited HSC-T6 activation, transcription of IL-6, TGF-β and CTGF and secretion of collagen I from HSC-T6 cells upon hypoxia. Inhibition of MAPK phosphorylation enhanced Hif-1α ubiquitination, and inhibited Hif-1α translocation into nucleus. Conclusively, Hif-1α and MAPK participate in HSC activation upon hypoxia.
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Sáinz-Jaspeado M, Huertas-Martinez J, Lagares-Tena L, Martin Liberal J, Mateo-Lozano S, de Alava E, de Torres C, Mora J, del Muro XG, Tirado OM. EphA2-induced angiogenesis in ewing sarcoma cells works through bFGF production and is dependent on caveolin-1. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71449. [PMID: 23951165 PMCID: PMC3741133 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is the result of the combined activity of the tumor microenvironment and signaling molecules. The angiogenic switch is represented as an imbalance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors and is a rate-limiting step in the development of tumors. Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their membrane-anchored ligands, known as ephrins, constitute the largest receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) subfamily and are considered a major family of pro-angiogenic RTKs. Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is a highly aggressive bone and soft tissue tumor affecting children and young adults. As other solid tumors, EWS are reliant on a functional vascular network for the delivery of nutrients and oxygen and for the removal of waste. Based on the biological roles of EphA2 in promoting angiogenesis, we explored the functional role of this receptor and its relationship with caveolin-1 (CAV1) in EWS angiogenesis. We demonstrated that lack of CAV1 results in a significant reduction in micro vascular density (MVD) on 3 different in vivo models. In vitro, this phenomenon correlated with inactivation of EphA2 receptor, lack of AKT response and downregulation of bFGF. We also demonstrated that secreted bFGF from EWS cells acted as chemoattractant for endothelial cells. Furthermore, interaction between EphA2 and CAV1 was necessary for the right localization and signaling of the receptor to produce bFGF through AKT and promote migration of endothelial cells. Finally, introduction of a dominant-negative form of EphA2 into EWS cells mostly reproduced the effects occurred by CAV1 silencing, strongly suggesting that the axis EphA2-CAV1 participates in the promotion of endothelial cell migration toward the tumors favoring EWS angiogenesis.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Bone Neoplasms/genetics
- Bone Neoplasms/metabolism
- Bone Neoplasms/pathology
- Caveolin 1/genetics
- Caveolin 1/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Endothelial Cells/metabolism
- Female
- Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/biosynthesis
- Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/genetics
- Gene Silencing
- Heterografts
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism
- Protein Binding
- Protein Transport
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- Receptor, EphA2/genetics
- Receptor, EphA2/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Ewing/genetics
- Sarcoma, Ewing/metabolism
- Sarcoma, Ewing/pathology
- Signal Transduction
- Transcription, Genetic
- Tumor Burden/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Sáinz-Jaspeado
- Sarcoma Research Group, Laboratori d’Oncología Molecular, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Huertas-Martinez
- Sarcoma Research Group, Laboratori d’Oncología Molecular, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Lagares-Tena
- Sarcoma Research Group, Laboratori d’Oncología Molecular, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Martin Liberal
- Sarcoma Research Group, Laboratori d’Oncología Molecular, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Mateo-Lozano
- Nanomedicine Research Program, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Research Center, CIBBIM-Nanomedicine, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enrique de Alava
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer-IBMCC (University of Salamanca-CSIC), and University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carmen de Torres
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Mora
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Garcia del Muro
- Sarcoma Research Group, Laboratori d’Oncología Molecular, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar M. Tirado
- Sarcoma Research Group, Laboratori d’Oncología Molecular, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail:
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15
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Pircher A, Fiegl M, Untergasser G, Heidegger I, Medinger M, Kern J, Hilbe W. Favorable prognosis of operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring an increased expression of tumor endothelial markers (TEMs). Lung Cancer 2013; 81:252-8. [PMID: 23664449 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2013.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2012] [Revised: 04/07/2013] [Accepted: 04/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Genome analyses of endothelial cells identified genes specifically expressed by tumor endothelial cells, called tumor endothelial markers (TEMs). Currently there are no data available concerning the role of TEMs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of TEMs in NSCLC in vitro and in vivo. First we evaluated the expression of various TEMs (Robo4, Clec14 and ECSCR) by qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses in three NSCLC cell lines (A549, Calu1, Colo699) and compared them to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) and human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEpCs). Next the expression of TEMs was measured in resected tumor tissue of NSCLC patients (n = 63) by qRT-PCR and compared to adjacent non-cancerous lung tissue (n = 52). Further, immunohistochemical analysis of Robo4 expression in tumor tissue (n = 33) and adjacent non-cancerous tissue (n = 27) was performed. We found that NSCLC cell lines and HBEpC did not express TEMs on the mRNA level compared to HUVECs (p = 0.001). In the contrary, a significant up-regulation of Robo4 and Clec14 was found in tumor samples (Robo4 p = 0.03, Clec14 p = 0.002). Both facts clearly indicate that these proteins are allocated to the tumor stromal department. Correlation with clinical data showed that increased TEM expression correlated with prolonged overall survival of operated NSCLC patients (Robo4 high 120.5 vs. Robo4 low 47.6 months, Clec14 high 108.1 vs. Clec14 low 54.5 months and ECSCR high 120.5 vs. ECSCR low 42.2 months). In summary, we found that TEMs are overexpressed in NSCLC stromal tissue and that an increased TEM expression correlated with an increased overall survival in early stage NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Pircher
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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16
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Kilari S, Remadevi I, Zhao B, Pan J, Miao R, Ramchandran R, North PE, You M, Rahimi N, Wilkinson GA. Endothelial cell-specific chemotaxis receptor (ECSCR) enhances vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2/kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) activation and promotes proteolysis of internalized KDR. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:10265-74. [PMID: 23393131 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.413542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelial cell-specific chemotaxis receptor (ECSCR) is a cell-surface protein selectively expressed by endothelial cells (ECs), with roles in EC migration, apoptosis and proliferation. Our previous study (Verma, A., Bhattacharya, R., Remadevi, I., Li, K., Pramanik, K., Samant, G. V., Horswill, M., Chun, C. Z., Zhao, B., Wang, E., Miao, R. Q., Mukhopadhyay, D., Ramchandran, R., and Wilkinson, G. A. (2010) Blood 115, 4614-4622) showed that loss of ECSCR in primary ECs reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2/kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) but not VEGF receptor 1/FLT1. Here, we show that ECSCR biochemically associates with KDR but not FLT1 and that the predicted ECSCR cytoplasmic and transmembrane regions can each confer association with KDR. Stimulation with VEGF165 rapidly and transiently increases ECSCR-KDR complex formation, a process blocked by the KDR tyrosine kinase inhibitor compound SU5416 or inhibitors of endosomal acidification. Triple labeling experiments show VEGF-stimulated KDR(+)/ECSCR(+) intracellular co-localization. Silencing of ECSCR disrupts VEGF-induced KDR activation and AKT and ERK phosphorylation and impairs VEGF-stimulated KDR degradation. In zebrafish, ecscr interacts with kdrl during intersomitic vessel sprouting. Human placenta and infantile hemangioma samples highly express ECSCR protein, suggesting a role for ECSCR-KDR interaction in these tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreenivasulu Kilari
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Vascular Biology Program, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Research Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA
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17
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Lu Z, Bast RC. The tumor suppressor gene ARHI (DIRAS3) inhibits ovarian cancer cell migration through multiple mechanisms. Cell Adh Migr 2013; 7:232-6. [PMID: 23357870 DOI: 10.4161/cam.23648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ARHI is an imprinted tumor suppressor gene that is downregulated in > 60% of ovarian cancers, associated with decreased progression-free survival. ARHI encodes a 26 kDa GTPase with homology to Ras. Re-expression of ARHI inhibits ovarian cancer growth, initiates autophagy and induces tumor dormancy. Recent studies have demonstrated that ARHI also plays a particularly important role in ovarian cancer cell migration. Re-expression of ARHI decreases motility of IL-6- and EGF-stimulated SKOv3 and Hey ovarian cancer cells, inhibiting both chemotaxis and haptotaxis. ARHI inhibits cell migration by binding and sequestering STAT3 in the cytoplasm, and preventing STAT3 translocation to the nucleus and localization in focal adhesion complexes. Re-expression of ARHI inhibits FAK (Y397) phosphorylation, disrupts focal adhesions and blocks FAK-mediated RhoA signaling, resulting in decreased levels of GTP-RhoA. Re-expression of ARHI disrupts formation of actin stress fibers in a FAK- and RhoA-dependent manner. Recent studies indicate that re-expression of ARHI inhibits expression of β-1 integrin which may also contribute to inhibition of migration, adhesion and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Lu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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18
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Lu J, Li C, Shi C, Balducci J, Huang H, Ji HL, Chang Y, Huang Y. Identification of novel splice variants and exons of human endothelial cell-specific chemotaxic regulator (ECSCR) by bioinformatics analysis. Comput Biol Chem 2012; 41:41-50. [PMID: 23147565 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2012.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2012] [Revised: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Recent discovery of biological function of endothelial cell-specific chemotaxic regulator (ECSCR), previously known as endothelial cell-specific molecule 2 (ECSM2), in modulating endothelial cell migration, apoptosis, and angiogenesis, has made it an attractive molecule in vascular research. Thus, identification of splice variants of ECSCR could provide new strategies for better understanding its roles in health and disease. In this study, we performed a series of blast searches on the human EST database with known ECSCR cDNA sequence (Variant 1), and identified additional three splice variants (Variants 2-4). When examining the ECSCR gene in the human genome assemblies, we found a large unknown region between Exons 9 and 11. By PCR amplification and sequencing, we partially mapped Exon 10 within this previously unknown region of the ECSCR gene. Taken together, in addition to previously reported human ECSCR, we identified three novel full-length splice variants potentially encoding different protein isoforms. We further defined a total of twelve exons and nearly all exon-intron boundaries of the gene, of which only eight are annotated in current public databases. Our work provides new information on gene structure and alternative splicing of the human ECSCR, which may imply its functional complexity. This undoubtedly opens new opportunities for future investigation of the biological and pathological significance of these ECSCR splice variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
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Yang K, Cao F, Sheikh AM, Malik M, Wen G, Wei H, Ted Brown W, Li X. Up-regulation of Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling impairs cultured neuronal cell migration, neurogenesis, synapse formation, and dendritic spine development. Brain Struct Funct 2012; 218:669-82. [PMID: 22555958 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-012-0420-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2011] [Accepted: 04/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling pathway controls many cellular responses such as cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and death. In the nervous system, emerging evidence also points to a death-promoting role for ERK1/2 in both in vitro and in vivo models of neuronal death. Recent studies have suggested that abnormal apoptosis in the central nervous system may be involved in the pathogenesis of autism. Two studies reported that both a microdeletion and microduplication on chromosome 16, which includes the MAPK3 gene that encodes ERK1, are associated with autism. In addition, our recent work showed that Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling activities were significantly up-regulated in the frontal cortex of autistic individuals and in the BTBR murine model of autism. To further investigate how Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 up-regulation may lead to the development of autism, we developed a cellular model of Raf/ERK up-regulation by over-expressing c-Raf in cultured cortical neurons (CNs) and cerebellar granule cells (CGCs). We found that Raf/ERK up-regulation stimulates the migration of both CNs and CGCs, and impairs the formation of excitatory synapses in CNs. In addition, we found that Raf/ERK up-regulation inhibits the development of mature dendritic spines in CNs. Investigating the possible mechanisms through which Raf/ERK up-regulation affects excitatory synapse formation and dendritic spine development, we discovered that Raf/ERK up-regulation suppresses the development and maturation of CNs. Together, these results suggest that the up-regulation of the Raf/ERK signaling pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of autism through both its impairment of cortical neuron development and causing neural circuit imbalances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Yang
- Department of Neurochemistry, NY State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, New York, NY, 10314, USA
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Structural and functional characterization of two alternative splicing variants of mouse Endothelial Cell-Specific Chemotaxis Regulator (ECSCR). Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:4920-4936. [PMID: 22606020 PMCID: PMC3344256 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13044920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2012] [Revised: 03/19/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) that line the lumen of blood vessels are important players in blood vessel formation, and EC migration is a key component of the angiogenic process. Thus, identification of genes that are specifically or preferentially expressed in vascular ECs and in-depth understanding of their biological functions may lead to discovery of new therapeutic targets. We have previously reported molecular characterization of human endothelial cell-specific molecule 2 (ECSM2)/endothelial cell-specific chemotaxis regulator (ECSCR). In the present study, we cloned two mouse full-length cDNAs by RT-PCR, which encode two putative ECSCR isoform precursors with considerable homology to the human ECSCR. Nucleotide sequence and exon-intron junction analyses suggested that they are alternative splicing variants (ECSCR isoform-1 and -2), differing from each other in the first and second exons. Quantitative RT-PCR results revealed that isoform-2 is the predominant form, which was most abundant in heart, lung, and muscles, and moderately abundant in uterus and testis. In contrast, the expression of isoform-1 seemed to be more enriched in testis. To further explore their potential cellular functions, we expressed GFP- and FLAG-tagged ECSCR isoforms, respectively, in an ECSCR deficient cell line (HEK293). Interestingly, the actual sizes of either ECSCR-GFP or -FLAG fusion proteins detected by immunoblotting are much larger than their predicted sizes, suggesting that both isoforms are glycoproteins. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that both ECSCR isoforms are localized at the cell surface, which is consistent with the structural prediction. Finally, we performed cell migration assays using mouse endothelial MS1 cells overexpressing GFP alone, isoform-1-GFP, and isoform-2-GFP, respectively. Our results showed that both isoforms significantly inhibited vascular epidermal growth factor (VEGF)-induced cell migration. Taken together, we have provided several lines of experimental evidence that two mouse ECSCR splicing variants/isoform precursors exist. They are differentially expressed in a variety of tissue types and likely involved in modulation of vascular EC migration. We have also defined the gene structure of mouse ECSCR using bioinformatics tools, which provides new information towards a better understanding of alternative splicing of ECSCR.
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Abstract
We have in recent years described several endothelial-specific genes that mediate cell migration. These include Robo4 (roundabout 4), CLEC14A (C-type lectin 14A) and ECSCR (endothelial cell-specific chemotaxis regulator) [formerly known as ECSM2 (endothelial cell-specific molecule 2)]. Loss of laminar shear stress induces Robo4 and CLEC14A expression and an endothelial 'tip cell' phenotype. Low shear stress is found not only at sites of vascular occlusion such as thrombosis and embolism, but also in the poorly structured vessels that populate solid tumours. The latter probably accounts for strong expression of Robo4 and CLEC14A on tumour vessels. The function of Robo4 has, in the past, aroused controversy. However, the recent identification of Unc5B as a Robo4 ligand has increased our understanding and we hypothesize that Robo4 function is context-dependent. ECSCR is another endothelial-specific protein that promotes filopodia formation and migration, but, in this case, expression is independent of shear stress. We discuss recent papers describing ECSCR, including intracellular signalling pathways, and briefly contrast these with signalling by Robo4.
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