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Cavalu S, Saber S, Amer AE, Hamad RS, Abdel-Reheim MA, Elmorsy EA, Abdelhamid AM. The multifaceted role of beta-blockers in overcoming cancer progression and drug resistance: Extending beyond cardiovascular disorders. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23813. [PMID: 38976162 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400725rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Beta-blockers are commonly used medications that antagonize β-adrenoceptors, reducing sympathetic nervous system activity. Emerging evidence suggests that beta-blockers may also have anticancer effects and help overcome drug resistance in cancer treatment. This review summarizes the contribution of different isoforms of beta-adrenoceptors in cancer progression, the current preclinical and clinical data on associations between beta-blockers use and cancer outcomes, as well as their ability to enhance responses to chemotherapy and other standard therapies. We discuss proposed mechanisms, including effects on angiogenesis, metastasis, cancer stem cells, and apoptotic pathways. Overall, results from epidemiological studies and small clinical trials largely indicate the beneficial effects of beta-blockers on cancer progression and drug resistance. However, larger randomized controlled trials are needed to firmly establish their clinical efficacy and optimal utilization as adjuvant agents in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Cavalu
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
| | - Sameh Saber
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt
| | - Ahmed E Amer
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt
| | - Rabab S Hamad
- Biological Sciences Department, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Central Laboratory, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt
| | - Elsayed A Elmorsy
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Amir Mohamed Abdelhamid
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt
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2
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Naponelli V, Rocchetti MT, Mangieri D. Apigenin: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential against Cancer Spreading. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5569. [PMID: 38791608 PMCID: PMC11122459 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105569] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to its propensity to metastasize, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Thanks in part to their intrinsic low cytotoxicity, the effects of the flavonoid family in the prevention and treatment of various human cancers, both in vitro and in vivo, have received increasing attention in recent years. It is well documented that Apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone), among other flavonoids, is able to modulate key signaling molecules involved in the initiation of cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, including JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, as well as the oncogenic non-coding RNA network. Based on these premises, the aim of this review is to emphasize some of the key events through which Apigenin suppresses cancer proliferation, focusing specifically on its ability to target key molecular pathways involved in angiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs), cell cycle arrest, and cancer cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Naponelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Plesso Biotecnologico Integrato, Via Volturno 39, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Rocchetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Pinto 1, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Domenica Mangieri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Pinto 1, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
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3
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Karimifard SA, Salehzadeh-Yazdi A, Taghizadeh-Tabarsi R, Akbari-Birgani S. Mechanical effects modulate drug resistance in MCF-7-derived organoids: Insights into the wnt/β-catenin pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 695:149420. [PMID: 38154263 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149420] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Addressing drug resistance poses a significant challenge in cancer treatment, as cancer cells develop diverse mechanisms to evade chemotherapy drugs, leading to treatment failure and disease relapse. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture has emerged as a valuable model for studying drug resistance, although the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. By obtaining a better understanding of drug resistance within the 3D culture environment, we can develop more effective strategies to overcome it and improve the success of cancer treatments. Notably, the physical structure undergoes notable changes in 3D culture, with mechanical effects believed to play a pivotal role in drug resistance. Hence, our study aimed to explore the influence of mechanical effects on drug resistance by analyzing data related to "drug resistance" and "mechanobiology". Through this analysis, we identified β-catenin and JNK1 as potential factors, which were further examined in MCF-7 cells cultivated under both 2D and 3D culture conditions. Our findings demonstrate that β-catenin is activated through canonical and non-canonical pathways and associated with the drug resistance, particularly in organoids obtained under 3D culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Ali Karimifard
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, 45137-66731, Iran
| | | | - Reza Taghizadeh-Tabarsi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, 45137-66731, Iran
| | - Shiva Akbari-Birgani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, 45137-66731, Iran; Research Center for Basic Sciences and Modern Technologies (RBST), Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, 45137-66731, Iran.
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4
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Bhat Y, Thrishna MR, Banerjee S. Molecular targets and therapeutic strategies for triple-negative breast cancer. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:10535-10577. [PMID: 37924450 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08868-6] [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: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known for its heterogeneous complexity and is often difficult to treat. TNBC lacks the expression of major hormonal receptors like estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 and is further subdivided into androgen receptor (AR) positive and AR negative. In contrast, AR negative is also known as quadruple-negative breast cancer (QNBC). Compared to AR-positive TNBC, QNBC has a great scarcity of prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. QNBC shows excessive cellular growth and proliferation of tumor cells due to increased expression of growth factors like EGF and various surface proteins. This study briefly reviews the limited data available as protein biomarkers that can be used as molecular targets in treating TNBC as well as QNBC. Targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently changed cancer treatment. Many studies in medicinal chemistry continue to focus on the synthesis of novel compounds to discover new antiproliferative medicines capable of treating TNBC despite the abundance of treatments currently on the market. Drug repurposing is one of the therapeutic methods for TNBC that has been examined. Moreover, some additional micronutrients, nutraceuticals, and functional foods may be able to lower cancer risk or slow the spread of malignant diseases that have already been diagnosed with cancer. Finally, nanomedicines, or applications of nanotechnology in medicine, introduce nanoparticles with variable chemistry and architecture for the treatment of cancer. This review emphasizes the most recent research on nutraceuticals, medication repositioning, and novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashasvi Bhat
- School of Bio Science and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - M R Thrishna
- School of Bio Science and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Satarupa Banerjee
- School of Bio Science and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
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5
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Vallini G, Calabrese L, Canino C, Trovato E, Gentileschi S, Rubegni P, Tognetti L. Signaling Pathways and Therapeutic Strategies in Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma. Cells 2023; 12:2534. [PMID: 37947611 PMCID: PMC10647618 DOI: 10.3390/cells12212534] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common human neoplasms world-wide. In detail, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent malignancy in the fair-skinned population. The incidence of BCC remains difficult to assess due to the poor registration practice; however, it has been increasing in the last few years. Approximately, 85% of sporadic BCCs carry mutations in Hedgehog pathway genes, especially in PTCH, SUFU and SMO genes, which lead to the aberrant activation of GLI transcriptional factors, typically silent in cells of adult individuals. The management of advanced BCC (aBCC), both metastatic (mBCC) and locally advanced BCC (laBCC), not candidates for surgical excision or radiotherapy, remains challenging. The discovery of mutations in the Hh signaling pathway has paved the way for the development of Hh pathway inhibiting agents, such as vismodegib and sonidegib, which have represented a breakthrough in the aBCC management. However, the use of these agents is limited by the frequent occurrence of adverse events or the development of drug resistance. In this review, we thoroughly describe the current knowledge regarding the available options for the pharmacological management of aBCCs and provide a forward-looking update on novel therapeutic strategies that could enrich the therapeutic armamentarium of BCC in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Vallini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Calabrese
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, Division of Dermatology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.C.); (E.T.); (P.R.); (L.T.)
- Institute of Dermatology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Costanza Canino
- Department of Haematology, Oncology and Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy;
| | - Emanuele Trovato
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, Division of Dermatology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.C.); (E.T.); (P.R.); (L.T.)
| | - Stefano Gentileschi
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, Division of Rheumatology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Pietro Rubegni
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, Division of Dermatology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.C.); (E.T.); (P.R.); (L.T.)
| | - Linda Tognetti
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, Division of Dermatology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (L.C.); (E.T.); (P.R.); (L.T.)
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Borlongan MC, Wang H. Profiling and targeting cancer stem cell signaling pathways for cancer therapeutics. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1125174. [PMID: 37305676 PMCID: PMC10247984 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1125174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenic cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation of cells within the tumor that express genetic and phenotypic profiles and signaling pathways distinct from the other tumor cells. CSCs have eluded many conventional anti-oncogenic treatments, resulting in metastases and relapses of cancers. Effectively targeting CSCs' unique self-renewal and differentiation properties would be a breakthrough in cancer therapy. A better characterization of the CSCs' unique signaling mechanisms will improve our understanding of the pathology and treatment of cancer. In this paper, we will discuss CSC origin, followed by an in-depth review of CSC-associated signaling pathways. Particular emphasis is given on CSC signaling pathways' ligand-receptor engagement, upstream and downstream mechanisms, and associated genes, and molecules. Signaling pathways associated with regulation of CSC development stand as potential targets of CSC therapy, which include Wnt, TGFβ (transforming growth factor-β)/SMAD, Notch, JAK-STAT (Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription), Hedgehog (Hh), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Lastly, we will also discuss milestone discoveries in CSC-based therapies, including pre-clinical and clinical studies featuring novel CSC signaling pathway cancer therapeutics. This review aims at generating innovative views on CSCs toward a better understanding of cancer pathology and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia C. Borlongan
- Master Program of Pharmaceutical Science College of Graduate Studies, Elk Grove, CA, United States
| | - Hongbin Wang
- Master Program of Pharmaceutical Science College of Graduate Studies, Elk Grove, CA, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences College of Pharmacy, Elk Grove, CA, United States
- Department of Basic Science College of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA, United States
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Eptaminitaki GC, Zaravinos A, Stellas D, Panagopoulou M, Karaliota S, Baltsavia I, Iliopoulos I, Chatzaki E, Iliopoulos D, Baritaki S. Genome-Wide Analysis of lncRNA-mRNA Co-Expression Networks in CD133+/CD44+ Stem-like PDAC Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041053. [PMID: 36831395 PMCID: PMC9954787 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the second most prevalent gastrointestinal malignancy and the most common type of pancreatic cancer is linked with poor prognosis and, eventually, with high mortality rates. Early detection is seldom, while tumor heterogeneity and microarchitectural alterations benefit PDAC resistance to conventional therapeutics. Although emerging evidence suggest the core role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in PDAC aggressiveness, unique stem signatures are poorly available, thus limiting the efforts of anti-CSC-targeted therapy. Herein, we report the findings of the first genome-wide analyses of mRNA/lncRNA transcriptome profiling and co-expression networks in PDAC cell line-derived CD133+/CD44+ cells, which were shown to bear a CSC-like phenotype in vitro and in vivo. Compared to CD133-/CD44- cells, the CD133+/CD44+ population demonstrated significant expression differences in both transcript pools. Using emerging bioinformatic tools, we performed lncRNA target coding gene prediction analysis, which revealed significant Gene Ontology (GO), pathway, and network enrichments in many dyregulated lncRNA nearby (cis or trans) mRNAs, with reported involvement in the regulation of CSC phenotype and functions. In this context, the construction of lncRNA/mRNA networks by ingenuity platforms identified the lncRNAs ATF2, CHEK1, DCAF8, and PAX8 to interact with "hub" SC-associated mRNAs. In addition, the expressions of the above lncRNAs retrieved by TCGA-normalized RNAseq gene expression data of PAAD were significantly correlated with clinicopathological features of PDAC, including tumor grade and stage, nodal metastasis, and overall survival. Overall, our findings shed light on the identification of CSC-specific lncRNA signatures with potential prognostic and therapeutic significance in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giasemi C. Eptaminitaki
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Division of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Apostolos Zaravinos
- Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center (BTCRC), Genomics and Systems Biology Laboratory, Cancer Genetics, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Dimitris Stellas
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Panagopoulou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Institute of Agri-Food and Life Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University Research Centre, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Sevasti Karaliota
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Division of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ismini Baltsavia
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, Division of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ioannis Iliopoulos
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, Division of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ekaterini Chatzaki
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Institute of Agri-Food and Life Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University Research Centre, 71410 Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Stavroula Baritaki
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Division of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-281-039-4727
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Firnau MB, Brieger A. CK2 and the Hallmarks of Cancer. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1987. [PMID: 36009534 PMCID: PMC9405757 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is commonly dysregulated in cancer, impacting diverse molecular pathways. CK2 is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase, constitutively active and ubiquitously expressed in eukaryotes. With over 500 known substrates and being estimated to be responsible for up to 10% of the human phosphoproteome, it is of significant importance. A broad spectrum of diverse types of cancer cells has been already shown to rely on disturbed CK2 levels for their survival. The hallmarks of cancer provide a rationale for understanding cancer's common traits. They constitute the maintenance of proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppressors, resisting cell death, enabling of replicative immortality, induction of angiogenesis, the activation of invasion and metastasis, as well as avoidance of immune destruction and dysregulation of cellular energetics. In this work, we have compiled evidence from the literature suggesting that CK2 modulates all hallmarks of cancer, thereby promoting oncogenesis and operating as a cancer driver by creating a cellular environment favorable to neoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angela Brieger
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Biomedical Research Laboratory, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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Advances in Management and Therapeutics of Cutaneous Basal Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153720. [PMID: 35954384 PMCID: PMC9367462 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignancy in humans with a range of treatment options available. Tumor and patient characteristics aid in risk-stratification, which influences treatment considerations. Here, we review the advancements in surgical, topical, field, immunotherapeutic, molecular-targeted, and experimental treatment modalities that can be employed in the correct clinical setting for the treatment of BCC. Abstract Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common cancer in humans, is a malignant neoplasm of cells derived from the basal layer of the epidermis. Tumor characteristics such as histologic subtype, primary versus recurrent tumor, anatomic location, size, and patient attributes determine the risk level and acceptable treatment options. Surgical options offer histologic confirmation of tumor clearance. Standard excision provides post-treatment histologic assessment, while Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) provides complete margin assessment intraoperatively. Additional treatment options may be employed in the correct clinical context. Small and low-risk BCCs, broad field cancerization, locally-advanced disease, metastatic disease, cosmetic concerns, or morbidity with surgical approaches raise consideration of other treatment modalities. We review herein a range of treatment approaches and advances in treatments for BCC, including standard excision, MMS, electrodesiccation and curettage, ablative laser treatment, radiation therapy, targeted molecular therapies, topical therapies, field therapies, immunotherapy, and experimental therapies.
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Targeting protein kinases in cancer stem cells. Essays Biochem 2022; 66:399-412. [PMID: 35607921 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are subpopulations of cancer cells within the tumor bulk that have emerged as an attractive therapeutic target for cancer therapy. Accumulating evidence has shown the critical involvement of protein kinase signaling pathways in driving tumor development, cancer relapse, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Given that protein kinases are druggable targets for cancer therapy, tremendous efforts are being made to target CSCs with kinase inhibitors. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge and overview of the roles of protein kinases in various signaling pathways in CSC regulation and drug resistance. Furthermore, we provide an update on the preclinical and clinical studies for the use of kinase inhibitors alone or in combination with current therapies for effective cancer therapy. Despite great premises for the use of kinase inhibitors against CSCs, further investigations are needed to evaluate their efficiencies without any adverse effects on normal stem cells.
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11
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Ulreich K, Firnau MB, Tagscherer N, Beyer S, Ackermann A, Plotz G, Brieger A. High Expression of Casein Kinase 2 Alpha Is Responsible for Enhanced Phosphorylation of DNA Mismatch Repair Protein MLH1 and Increased Tumor Mutation Rates in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061553. [PMID: 35326704 PMCID: PMC8946085 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with DNA mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency. The serine/threonine casein kinase 2 alpha (CK2α) is able to phosphorylate and inhibit MMR protein MLH1 in vitro. This study aimed to analyze the relevance of CK2α for MLH1 phosphorylation in vivo. Around 50% of CRCs were identified to express significantly increased nuclear/cytoplasmic CK2α. High nuclear/cytoplasmic CK2α level could be significantly correlated with reduced 5-year survival outcome of patients, increased MLH1 phosphorylation, and enriched somatic tumor mutation rates. Overall, our study demonstrated, in vivo, that enhanced CK2α leads to an increase of MLH1 phosphorylation, higher tumor mutation rates, and is an unfavorable prognosis for patients. Abstract DNA mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency plays an essential role in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). We recently demonstrated in vitro that the serine/threonine casein kinase 2 alpha (CK2α) causes phosphorylation of the MMR protein MLH1 at position serine 477, which significantly inhibits the MMR. In the present study, CK2α-dependent MLH1 phosphorylation was analyzed in vivo. Using a cohort of 165 patients, we identified 88 CRCs showing significantly increased nuclear/cytoplasmic CK2α expression, 28 tumors with high nuclear CK2α expression and 49 cases showing a general low CK2α expression. Patients with high nuclear/cytoplasmic CK2α expression demonstrated significantly reduced 5-year survival outcome. By immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis, we showed that high nuclear/cytoplasmic CK2α expression significantly correlates with increased MLH1 phosphorylation and enriched somatic tumor mutation rates. The CK2α mRNA levels tended to be enhanced in high nuclear/cytoplasmic and high nuclear CK2α-expressing tumors. Furthermore, we identified various SNPs in the promotor region of CK2α, which might cause differential CK2α expression. In summary, we demonstrated that high nuclear/cytoplasmic CK2α expression in CRCs correlates with enhanced MLH1 phosphorylation in vivo and seems to be causative for increased mutation rates, presumably induced by reduced MMR. These observations could provide important new therapeutic targets.
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Ramelyte E, Restivo G, Mannino M, Levesque MP, Dummer R. Advances in the drug management of basal cell carcinoma. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2022; 23:573-582. [PMID: 35081851 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2032646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer in humans. Recently, BCCs were suggested to be classified into 'easy to treat' and 'difficult to treat,' and different therapeutic options are suggested for their management. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors discuss treatment options that are approved, recommended for, or are still in development for treatment of BCC. The review covers approved local therapies, such as imiquimod and 5-fluorouracil, and systemic therapies, such as hedgehog inhibitors. New medical agents, investigated in clinical trials, are reviewed. These include: targeted therapies, such as GLI antagonists or anti-VEGFR agents, immunotherapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors, recombinant cytokines or silencing RNA, as well as intralesional virotherapies with modified adeno- or herpes viruses. EXPERT OPINION The progress made in recent years has improved the management of patients with advanced BCC; however, neither tumor targeting nor immune system engaging agents provide a cure. New treatment approaches directed not only to known targets but also the tumor microenvironment are in development and are anticipated to improve the management of difficult to treat BCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egle Ramelyte
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gaetana Restivo
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria Mannino
- Department of Dermatology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Mitchell P Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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13
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CK2α causes stemness and chemotherapy resistance in liver cancer through the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2021:S1499-3872(21)00173-9. [PMID: 34548224 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver cancer is one of the major causes of cancer-related deaths globally. Cancer cell stemness and chemotherapy resistance contribute to the high mortality. Although evidence indicates that the alpha subunit of protein kinase 2 (CK2α) is involved in several human cancers, its function in liver cancer remains unknown. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the role of CK2α in liver cancer. METHODS We examined the role of CK2α regulation in stemness and chemotherapy resistance capacity of liver cancer cells. MTT assays, tumor sphere formation assays, RT-PCR, flow cytometry, Western blotting assay, clonogenicity assay, matrigel invasion assay and bioinformatics were conducted in this study. RESULTS CK2α expression in the liver cancer tissues was notably upregulated compared with that in the corresponding non-tumorous tissues. The overexpression of CK2α promoted tumor sphere formation, increased the percentage of CD133(+) and side population cells, caused the resistance of liver cancer cells to 5-FU treatment, increased the expression levels of NANOG, OCT4, SOX2, Gli1 and Ptch1, and enhanced the ability of CD133(+) cell clone formation and invasion. Consistently, the downregulation of CK2α had the opposite effects. CK2α silencing inhibited the Hedgehog pathway by reducing the expression of Gli1 and Ptch1. Mechanistically, CK2α regulation on liver cancer cell stemness and chemotherapy resistance was found to be involved in the Hedgehog signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our study may bring some new insights into the occurrence of liver cancer. Furthermore, these findings suggest that targeting CK2α may be a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with liver cancer.
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Sato K, Padgaonkar AA, Baker SJ, Cosenza SC, Rechkoblit O, Subbaiah DRCV, Domingo-Domenech J, Bartkowski A, Port ER, Aggarwal AK, Ramana Reddy MV, Irie HY, Reddy EP. Simultaneous CK2/TNIK/DYRK1 inhibition by 108600 suppresses triple negative breast cancer stem cells and chemotherapy-resistant disease. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4671. [PMID: 34344863 PMCID: PMC8333338 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24878-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains challenging because of heterogeneous responses to chemotherapy. Incomplete response is associated with a greater risk of metastatic progression. Therefore, treatments that target chemotherapy-resistant TNBC and enhance chemosensitivity would improve outcomes for these high-risk patients. Breast cancer stem cell-like cells (BCSCs) have been proposed to represent a chemotherapy-resistant subpopulation responsible for tumor initiation, progression and metastases. Targeting this population could lead to improved TNBC disease control. Here, we describe a novel multi-kinase inhibitor, 108600, that targets the TNBC BCSC population. 108600 treatment suppresses growth, colony and mammosphere forming capacity of BCSCs and induces G2M arrest and apoptosis of TNBC cells. In vivo, 108600 treatment of mice bearing triple negative tumors results in the induction of apoptosis and overcomes chemotherapy resistance. Finally, treatment with 108600 and chemotherapy suppresses growth of pre-established TNBC metastases, providing additional support for the clinical translation of this agent to clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsutoshi Sato
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amol A Padgaonkar
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stacey J Baker
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen C Cosenza
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Olga Rechkoblit
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - D R C Venkata Subbaiah
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Alison Bartkowski
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elisa R Port
- Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aneel K Aggarwal
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - M V Ramana Reddy
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hanna Y Irie
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - E Premkumar Reddy
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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15
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Dai Y, Kyoyama H, Yang YL, Wang Y, Liu S, Wang Y, Mao JH, Xu Z, Uematsu K, Jablons DM, You L. A novel isoform of Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 promotes YAP/TEAD transcriptional activity in NSCLC cells. Oncotarget 2021; 12:173-184. [PMID: 33613845 PMCID: PMC7869571 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2) can either promote or inhibit transcription depending on cellular context. In this study, we show that a new HIPK2 isoform increases TEAD reporter activity in NSCLC cells. We detected HIPK2 copy number gain in 5/6 (83.3%) NSCLC cell lines. In NSCLC patients with high HIPK2 mRNA expression in the Human Protein Atlas, the five-year survival rate is significantly lower than in patients with low expression (38% vs 47%; p = 0.047). We also found that 70/78 (89.7%) of NSCLC tissues have moderate to strong expression of the N-terminal HIPK2 protein. We detected and cloned a novel HIPK2 isoform 3 and found that its forced overexpression promotes TEAD reporter activity in NSCLC cells. Expressing HIPK2 isoform 3_K228A kinase-dead plasmid failed to increase TEAD reporter activity in NSCLC cells. Next, we showed that two siRNAs targeting HIPK2 decreased HIPK2 isoform 3 and YAP protein levels in NSCLC cells. Degradation of the YAP protein was accelerated after HIPK2 knockdown in NSCLC cells. Inhibition of HIPK2 isoform 3 decreased the mRNA expression of YAP downstream gene CTGF. The specific HIPK2 kinase inhibitor TBID decreased TEAD reporter activity, reduced cancer side populations, and inhibited tumorsphere formation of NSCLC cells. In summary, this study indicates that HIPK2 isoform 3, the main HIPK2 isoform expressed in NSCLC, promotes YAP/TEAD transcriptional activity in NSCLC cells. Our results suggest that HIPK2 isoform 3 may be a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyuan Dai
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Hiroyuki Kyoyama
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Yi-Lin Yang
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Yucheng Wang
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shu Liu
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yinghao Wang
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jian-Hua Mao
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Zhidong Xu
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kazutsugu Uematsu
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan
| | - David M Jablons
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Liang You
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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16
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HEDGEHOG/GLI Modulates the PRR11-SKA2 Bidirectional Transcription Unit in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12010120. [PMID: 33477943 PMCID: PMC7833434 DOI: 10.3390/genes12010120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that proline-rich protein 11 (PRR11) and spindle and kinetochore associated 2 (SKA2) constituted a head-to-head gene pair driven by a prototypical bidirectional promoter. This gene pair synergistically promoted the development of non-small cell lung cancer. However, the signaling pathways leading to the ectopic expression of this gene pair remains obscure. In the present study, we first analyzed the lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) relevant RNA sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database using the correlation analysis of gene expression and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), which revealed that the PRR11-SKA2 correlated gene list highly resembled the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway activation-related gene set. Subsequently, GLI1/2 inhibitor GANT-61 or GLI1/2-siRNA inhibited the Hh pathway of LSCC cells, concomitantly decreasing the expression levels of PRR11 and SKA2. Furthermore, the mRNA expression profile of LSCC cells treated with GANT-61 was detected using RNA sequencing, displaying 397 differentially expressed genes (203 upregulated genes and 194 downregulated genes). Out of them, one gene set, including BIRC5, NCAPG, CCNB2, and BUB1, was involved in cell division and interacted with both PRR11 and SKA2. These genes were verified as the downregulated genes via RT-PCR and their high expression significantly correlated with the shorter overall survival of LSCC patients. Taken together, our results indicate that GLI1/2 mediates the expression of the PRR11-SKA2-centric gene set that serves as an unfavorable prognostic indicator for LSCC patients, potentializing new combinatorial diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in LSCC.
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17
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Flavones and flavonols may have clinical potential as CK2 inhibitors in cancer therapy. Med Hypotheses 2020; 141:109723. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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18
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Scheidt T, Alka O, Gonczarowska-Jorge H, Gruber W, Rathje F, Dell’Aica M, Rurik M, Kohlbacher O, Zahedi RP, Aberger F, Huber CG. Phosphoproteomics of short-term hedgehog signaling in human medulloblastoma cells. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:99. [PMID: 32576205 PMCID: PMC7310537 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00591-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant hedgehog (HH) signaling is implicated in the development of various cancer entities such as medulloblastoma. Activation of GLI transcription factors was revealed as the driving force upon pathway activation. Increased phosphorylation of essential effectors such as Smoothened (SMO) and GLI proteins by kinases including Protein Kinase A, Casein Kinase 1, and Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 β controls effector activity, stability and processing. However, a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of phosphorylation in the signal transduction remains unclear, particularly during early response processes involved in SMO activation and preceding GLI target gene regulation. METHODS We applied temporal quantitative phosphoproteomics to reveal phosphorylation dynamics underlying the short-term chemical activation and inhibition of early hedgehog signaling in HH responsive human medulloblastoma cells. Medulloblastoma cells were treated for 5.0 and 15 min with Smoothened Agonist (SAG) to induce and with vismodegib to inhibit the HH pathway. RESULTS Our phosphoproteomic profiling resulted in the quantification of 7700 and 10,000 phosphosites after 5.0 and 15 min treatment, respectively. The data suggest a central role of phosphorylation in the regulation of ciliary assembly, trafficking, and signal transduction already after 5.0 min treatment. ERK/MAPK signaling, besides Protein Kinase A signaling and mTOR signaling, were differentially regulated after short-term treatment. Activation of Polo-like Kinase 1 and inhibition of Casein Kinase 2A1 were characteristic for vismodegib treatment, while SAG treatment induced Aurora Kinase A activity. Distinctive phosphorylation of central players of HH signaling such as SMO, SUFU, GLI2 and GLI3 was observed only after 15 min treatment. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that phosphorylation triggered in response to SMO modulation dictates the localization of hedgehog pathway components within the primary cilium and affects the regulation of the SMO-SUFU-GLI axis. The data are relevant for the development of targeted therapies of HH-associated cancers including sonic HH-type medulloblastoma. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action of SMO inhibitors such as vismodegib may lead to the development of compounds causing fewer adverse effects and lower frequencies of drug resistance. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Scheidt
- Department of Biosciences, Bioanalytical Research Laboratories and Molecular Cancer Research and Tumor Immunology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Oliver Alka
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Humberto Gonczarowska-Jorge
- Leibniz-Institute of Analytical Sciences- ISAS - e.V, Dortmund, Germany
- Present address: CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, DF 70040-020 Brazil
| | - Wolfgang Gruber
- Department of Biosciences, Bioanalytical Research Laboratories and Molecular Cancer Research and Tumor Immunology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Present address: EVER Valinject GmbH, 4866 Unterach am Attersee, Austria
| | - Florian Rathje
- Department of Biosciences, Bioanalytical Research Laboratories and Molecular Cancer Research and Tumor Immunology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Marc Rurik
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Kohlbacher
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Biomolecular Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Max-Planck-Ring 5, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Institute for Translational Bioinformatics, University Hospital Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 9, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Applied Bioinformatics, Center for Bioinformatics, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - René P. Zahedi
- Leibniz-Institute of Analytical Sciences- ISAS - e.V, Dortmund, Germany
- Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Segal Cancer Proteomics Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Fritz Aberger
- Department of Biosciences, Bioanalytical Research Laboratories and Molecular Cancer Research and Tumor Immunology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christian G. Huber
- Department of Biosciences, Bioanalytical Research Laboratories and Molecular Cancer Research and Tumor Immunology, Cancer Cluster Salzburg, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
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19
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Hsu PC, Yang CT, Jablons DM, You L. The Crosstalk between Src and Hippo/YAP Signaling Pathways in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061361. [PMID: 32466572 PMCID: PMC7352956 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The advancement of new therapies, including targeted therapies and immunotherapies, has improved the survival of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in the last decade. Some NSCLC patients still do not benefit from therapies or encounter progressive disease during the course of treatment because they have intrinsic resistance, acquired resistance, or lack a targetable driver mutation. More investigations on the molecular biology of NSCLC are needed to find useful biomarkers for current therapies and to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Src is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase protein that interacts with cell surface growth factor receptors and the intracellular signaling pathway to maintain cell survival tumorigenesis in NSCLC. The Yes-associated protein (YAP) is one of the main effectors of the Hippo pathway and has been identified as a promoter of drug resistance, cancer progression, and metastasis in NSCLC. Here, we review studies that have investigated the activation of YAP as mediated by Src kinases and demonstrate that Src regulates YAP through three main mechanisms: (1) direct phosphorylation; (2) the activation of pathways repressing Hippo kinases; and (3) Hippo-independent mechanisms. Further work should focus on the efficacy of Src inhibitors in inhibiting YAP activity in NSCLC. In addition, future efforts toward developing potentially reasonable combinations of therapy targeting the Src–YAP axis using other therapies, including targeted therapies and/or immunotherapies, are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Chih Hsu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA; (P.-C.H.); (D.M.J.)
- Division of Thoracic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan;
| | - Cheng-Ta Yang
- Division of Thoracic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan;
- Department of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - David M. Jablons
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA; (P.-C.H.); (D.M.J.)
| | - Liang You
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA; (P.-C.H.); (D.M.J.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-415-476-6906
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20
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Matissek SJ, Elsawa SF. GLI3: a mediator of genetic diseases, development and cancer. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:54. [PMID: 32245491 PMCID: PMC7119169 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00540-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor GLI3 is a member of the Hedgehog (Hh/HH) signaling pathway that can exist as a full length (Gli3-FL/GLI3-FL) or repressor (Gli3-R/GLI3-R) form. In response to HH activation, GLI3-FL regulates HH genes by targeting the GLI1 promoter. In the absence of HH signaling, GLI3 is phosphorylated leading to its partial degradation and the generation of GLI3-R which represses HH functions. GLI3 is also involved in tissue development, immune cell development and cancer. The absence of Gli3 in mice impaired brain and lung development and GLI3 mutations in humans are the cause of Greig cephalopolysyndactyly (GCPS) and Pallister Hall syndromes (PHS). In the immune system GLI3 regulates B, T and NK-cells and may be involved in LPS-TLR4 signaling. In addition, GLI3 was found to be upregulated in multiple cancers and was found to positively regulate cancerous behavior such as anchorage-independent growth, angiogenesis, proliferation and migration with the exception in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and medulloblastoma where GLI plays an anti-cancerous role. Finally, GLI3 is a target of microRNA. Here, we will review the biological significance of GLI3 and discuss gaps in our understanding of this molecule. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan J. Matissek
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, 46 College Rd Rudman 291, Durham, NH 03824 USA
| | - Sherine F. Elsawa
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, 46 College Rd Rudman 291, Durham, NH 03824 USA
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21
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Yang L, Shi P, Zhao G, Xu J, Peng W, Zhang J, Zhang G, Wang X, Dong Z, Chen F, Cui H. Targeting cancer stem cell pathways for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:8. [PMID: 32296030 PMCID: PMC7005297 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-0110-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 978] [Impact Index Per Article: 244.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since cancer stem cells (CSCs) were first identified in leukemia in 1994, they have been considered promising therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. These cells have self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential and contribute to multiple tumor malignancies, such as recurrence, metastasis, heterogeneity, multidrug resistance, and radiation resistance. The biological activities of CSCs are regulated by several pluripotent transcription factors, such as OCT4, Sox2, Nanog, KLF4, and MYC. In addition, many intracellular signaling pathways, such as Wnt, NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB), Notch, Hedgehog, JAK-STAT (Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription), PI3K/AKT/mTOR (phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin), TGF (transforming growth factor)/SMAD, and PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor), as well as extracellular factors, such as vascular niches, hypoxia, tumor-associated macrophages, cancer-associated fibroblasts, cancer-associated mesenchymal stem cells, extracellular matrix, and exosomes, have been shown to be very important regulators of CSCs. Molecules, vaccines, antibodies, and CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T cell) cells have been developed to specifically target CSCs, and some of these factors are already undergoing clinical trials. This review summarizes the characterization and identification of CSCs, depicts major factors and pathways that regulate CSC development, and discusses potential targeted therapy for CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Pengfei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Gaichao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Wen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiayi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Guanghui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaowen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China.
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, 400716, Chongqing, China.
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22
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Penas-Prado M, Theeler BJ, Cordeiro B, Dunkel IJ, Hau P, Mahajan A, Robinson GW, Willmarth N, Aboud O, Aldape K, Butman JA, Gajjar A, Kelly W, Rao G, Raygada M, Siegel C, Romo CG, Armstrong TS, Gilbert MR. Proceedings of the Comprehensive Oncology Network Evaluating Rare CNS Tumors (NCI-CONNECT) Adult Medulloblastoma Workshop. Neurooncol Adv 2020; 2:vdaa097. [PMID: 33005896 PMCID: PMC7518566 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medulloblastoma (MB) is a rare brain tumor occurring more frequently in children in whom research has been primarily focused. Treatment recommendations in adults are mainly based on retrospective data and pediatric experience; however, molecular features and treatment tolerance differ between the 2 age groups. In adults, prognostic tools are suboptimal, late recurrences are typical, and long-term sequelae remain understudied. Treatment has not adapted to molecular classification advances; thus, the survival rate of adult MB has not improved. METHODS In 2017, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) received support from the Cancer Moonshot℠ to address the challenges and unmet needs of adults with rare central nervous system tumors through NCI-CONNECT, a program that creates partnerships among patients, health care professionals, researchers, and advocacy organizations. On November 25, 2019, NCI-CONNECT convened leading clinicians and scientists in a workshop to review advances in research, share scientific insights, and discuss clinical challenges in adult MB. RESULTS Working groups identified unmet needs in clinical trial design, tissue acquisition and testing, tumor modeling, and measurement of clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Participants identified opportunities for collaboration; discussed plans to create a working group of clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates; and developed specific action items to expedite progress in adult MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Penas-Prado
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Brett J Theeler
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Department of Neurology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Brittany Cordeiro
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ira J Dunkel
- Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Peter Hau
- Wilhelm Sander NeuroOncology Unit and Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anita Mahajan
- Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Giles W Robinson
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Orwa Aboud
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Brain Tumor Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kenneth Aldape
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - John A Butman
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Amar Gajjar
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - William Kelly
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ganesh Rao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Margarita Raygada
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Christine Siegel
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Carlos G Romo
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Brain Tumor Program, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Terri S Armstrong
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark R Gilbert
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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23
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β-Adrenergic Signaling in Lung Cancer: A Potential Role for Beta-Blockers. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2019; 15:27-36. [PMID: 31828732 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-019-09891-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Lung cancer results in more patient deaths each year than any other cancer type. Additional treatment strategies are needed to improve clinical responses to approved treatment modalities and prevent the emergence of resistant disease. Catecholamines including norepinephrine and epinephrine are elevated as a result of chronic stress and mediate their physiological effects through activation of adrenergic receptors on target tissues. Lung cancer cells express β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs), and numerous preclinical studies indicate that β2-AR signaling on lung cancer cells facilities cellular programs including proliferation, motility, apoptosis resistance, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and the acquisition of an angiogenic and immunosuppressive phenotype. Here, we review the preclinical and clinical evidence supporting a potential role for beta-blockers in improving the clinical outcome of lung cancer patients. Graphical Abstract Catecholamines including norepinephrine and epinephrine act of β-ARs expressed on NSCLC tumor cells and activate pathways regulating tumor progression.
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Xu WF, Ma YC, Ma HS, Shi L, Mu H, Ou WB, Peng J, Li TT, Qin T, Zhou HM, Fu XQ, Li XH. Co-targeting CK2α and YBX1 suppresses tumor progression by coordinated inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Cell Cycle 2019; 18:3472-3490. [PMID: 31713447 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2019.1689474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase CK2 alpha (CK2α) is involved in the development of multiple malignancies. Overexpression of Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) is related to tumor proliferation, drug resistance, and poor prognosis. Studies have demonstrated that both CK2 and YBX1 could regulate the PI3K/AKT pathway. In addition, we predicted that CK2 might be the upstream kinase of YBX1 through the Human Protein Reference Database (HPRD). Herein, we hypothesize that CK2 may interact with YBX1 and they regulate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway together. Expressions of CK2α and YBX1 in cancer cell lines were evaluated by immunoblotting. The results showed that CK2α could regulate the expression of YBX1 at the transcriptional level, which is dependent on its enzymatic activity. Synergistic effects of PI3K/AKT pathway inactivation could be observed through combined inhibition of CK2α and YBX1, and YBX1 was required for CK2α-induced PI3K/AKT pathway activation. Further results demonstrated that CK2α could interact with YBX1 and PI3K/AKT antagonist decreased cell resistance to doxorubicin induced by co-activation of CK2α and YBX1. These results indicated that combined inhibition of CK2α and YBX1 showed synergistic effects in inactivating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and may be one of the mechanisms involved in tumor growth and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Fei Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi-Cong Ma
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hou-Shi Ma
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Long Shi
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hang Mu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wen-Bin Ou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Silkworm Bioreactor and Biomedicine, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Peng
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- Department of Geriatric Gastroenterology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyi Qin
- Department of Biology, Georgetown Preparatory School, North Bethesda, USA
| | - Hai-Meng Zhou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xue-Qi Fu
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xu-Hui Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Enzymology, Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang, China
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25
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Borgo C, Ruzzene M. Role of protein kinase CK2 in antitumor drug resistance. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:287. [PMID: 31277672 PMCID: PMC6612148 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1292-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance represents the major reason of pharmacological treatment failure. It is supported by a broad spectrum of mechanisms, whose molecular bases have been frequently correlated to aberrant protein phosphorylation. CK2 is a constitutively active protein kinase which phosphorylates hundreds of substrates; it is expressed in all cells, but its level is commonly found higher in cancer cells, where it plays anti-apoptotic, pro-migration and pro-proliferation functions. Several evidences support a role for CK2 in processes directly responsible of drug resistance, such as drug efflux and DNA repair; moreover, CK2 intervenes in signaling pathways which are crucial to evade drug response (as PI3K/AKT/PTEN, NF-κB, β-catenin, hedgehog signaling, p53), and controls the activity of chaperone machineries fundamental in resistant cells. Interestingly, a panel of specific and effective inhibitors of CK2 is available, and several examples are known of their efficacy in resistant cells, with synergistic effect when used in combination with conventional drugs, also in vivo. Here we analyze and discuss evidences supporting the hypothesis that CK2 targeting represents a valuable strategy to overcome drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Borgo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58b, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Ruzzene
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58b, 35131, Padova, Italy.
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26
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Schuller HM. Inhibitory role of G i-coupled receptors on cAMP-driven cancers with focus on opioid receptors in lung adenocarcinoma and its stem cells. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2019; 111:299-311. [PMID: 31421705 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2019.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The development, progression, metastasis and drug resistance of the most common human cancers are driven by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-signaling downstream of beta-adrenergic receptors (β-Ars) coupled to the stimulatory G-protein Gs. Receptors coupled to the inhibitory G-protein Gi inhibit this signaling cascade by blocking the activation of the enzyme adenylyl cyclase that catalyzes the formation of cAMP and function as the physiological inhibitors of this signaling cascade. Members of the Gi-coupled receptor family widely expressed in the mammalian organism are GABA B receptors (GABAB-Rs) for the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), opioid receptors for endogenous opioid peptides and cannabinoid receptors for endogenous cannabinoids. This review summarizes current evidence for the concept that the activation of Gi-receptor signaling by pharmacological and psychological means is a promising tool for the long-term management of cAMP-driven cancers with special emphasis on the inhibitory effects of opioids on lung adenocarcinoma and its stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hildegard M Schuller
- Department of Biomedical & Diagnostic Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States.
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27
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Russo DP, Strickland J, Karmaus AL, Wang W, Shende S, Hartung T, Aleksunes LM, Zhu H. Nonanimal Models for Acute Toxicity Evaluations: Applying Data-Driven Profiling and Read-Across. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:47001. [PMID: 30933541 PMCID: PMC6785238 DOI: 10.1289/ehp3614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-cost, high-throughput in vitro bioassays have potential as alternatives to animal models for toxicity testing. However, incorporating in vitro bioassays into chemical toxicity evaluations such as read-across requires significant data curation and analysis based on knowledge of relevant toxicity mechanisms, lowering the enthusiasm of using the massive amount of unstructured public data. OBJECTIVE We aimed to develop a computational method to automatically extract useful bioassay data from a public repository (i.e., PubChem) and assess its ability to predict animal toxicity using a novel bioprofile-based read-across approach. METHODS A training database containing 7,385 compounds with diverse rat acute oral toxicity data was searched against PubChem to establish in vitro bioprofiles. Using a novel subspace clustering algorithm, bioassay groups that may inform on relevant toxicity mechanisms underlying acute oral toxicity were identified. These bioassays groups were used to predict animal acute oral toxicity using read-across through a cross-validation process. Finally, an external test set of over 600 new compounds was used to validate the resulting model predictivity. RESULTS Several bioassay clusters showed high predictivity for acute oral toxicity (positive prediction rates range from 62-100%) through cross-validation. After incorporating individual clusters into an ensemble model, chemical toxicants in the external test set were evaluated for putative acute toxicity (positive prediction rate equal to 76%). Additionally, chemical fragment -in vitro-in vivo relationships were identified to illustrate new animal toxicity mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS The in vitro bioassay data-driven profiling strategy developed in this study meets the urgent needs of computational toxicology in the current big data era and can be extended to develop predictive models for other complex toxicity end points. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3614.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Russo
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey, USA
| | - Judy Strickland
- Integrated Laboratory Systems (ILS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Agnes L. Karmaus
- Integrated Laboratory Systems (ILS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Wenyi Wang
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sunil Shende
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey, USA
| | - Thomas Hartung
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- University of Konstanz, CAAT-Europe, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Lauren M. Aleksunes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Hao Zhu
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey, USA
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28
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Montagnani V, Stecca B. Role of Protein Kinases in Hedgehog Pathway Control and Implications for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040449. [PMID: 30934935 PMCID: PMC6520855 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (HH) signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that is crucial for growth and tissue patterning during embryonic development. It is mostly quiescent in the adult, where it regulates tissue homeostasis and stem cell behavior. Aberrant reactivation of HH signaling has been associated to several types of cancer, including those in the skin, brain, prostate, breast and hematological malignancies. Activation of the canonical HH signaling is triggered by binding of HH ligand to the twelve-transmembrane protein PATCHED. The binding releases the inhibition of the seven-transmembrane protein SMOOTHENED (SMO), leading to its phosphorylation and activation. Hence, SMO activates the transcriptional effectors of the HH signaling, that belong to the GLI family of transcription factors, acting through a not completely elucidated intracellular signaling cascade. Work from the last few years has shown that protein kinases phosphorylate several core components of the HH signaling, including SMO and the three GLI proteins, acting as powerful regulatory mechanisms to fine tune HH signaling activities. In this review, we will focus on the mechanistic influence of protein kinases on HH signaling transduction. We will also discuss the functional consequences of this regulation and the possible implications for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Montagnani
- Core Research Laboratory⁻Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy.
| | - Barbara Stecca
- Core Research Laboratory⁻Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy.
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29
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A candidate for lung cancer treatment: arsenic trioxide. Clin Transl Oncol 2019; 21:1115-1126. [PMID: 30756240 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-019-02054-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic trioxide (ATO), a highly effective drug in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia with low toxicity, demonstrates a significant effect on lung cancer. The anti-cancer mechanisms of ATO include inhibition of cancer stem-like cells, induction of apoptosis, anti-angiogenesis, sensitization of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, anti-cancer effects of hypoxia, and immunoregulation properties. In addition, some studies have reported that different lung cancers respond differently to ATO. It was concluded on numerous studies that the rational combination of administration and encapsulation of ATO have promising potentials in increasing drug efficacy and decreasing adverse drug effects. We reviewed the efficacy of ATO in the treatment of lung cancer in recent years to provide some views for further study.
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30
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Zhou W, Guo S, Liu M, Burow ME, Wang G. Targeting CXCL12/CXCR4 Axis in Tumor Immunotherapy. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:3026-3041. [PMID: 28875842 PMCID: PMC5949083 DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666170830111531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chemokines, which have chemotactic abilities, are comprised of a family of small cytokines with 8-10 kilodaltons. Chemokines work in immune cells by trafficking and regulating cell proliferation, migration, activation, differentiation, and homing. CXCR-4 is an alpha-chemokine receptor specific for stromal-derived-factor-1 (SDF-1, also known as CXCL12), which has been found to be expressed in more than 23 different types of cancers. Recently, the SDF-1/CXCR-4 signaling pathway has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for human tumor because of its critical role in tumor initiation and progression by activating multiple signaling pathways, such as ERK1/2, ras, p38 MAPK, PLC/ MAPK, and SAPK/ JNK, as well as regulating cancer stem cells. CXCL12/CXCR4 antagonists have been produced, which have shown encouraging results in anti-cancer activity. Here, we provide a brief overview of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis as a molecular target for cancer treatment. We also review the potential utility of targeting CXCL12/CXCR4 axis in combination of immunotherapy and/or chemotherapy based on up-to-date literature and ongoing research progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Microecology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang Medical College, No.146 North Huanghe St, Huanggu District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110034, P. R. China
| | - Shanchun Guo
- RCMI Cancer Research Center, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
| | - Mingli Liu
- Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | - Matthew E. Burow
- Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Guangdi Wang
- RCMI Cancer Research Center, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
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31
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Purzner T, Purzner J, Buckstaff T, Cozza G, Gholamin S, Rusert JM, Hartl TA, Sanders J, Conley N, Ge X, Langan M, Ramaswamy V, Ellis L, Litzenburger U, Bolin S, Theruvath J, Nitta R, Qi L, Li XN, Li G, Taylor MD, Wechsler-Reya RJ, Pinna LA, Cho YJ, Fuller MT, Elias JE, Scott MP. Developmental phosphoproteomics identifies the kinase CK2 as a driver of Hedgehog signaling and a therapeutic target in medulloblastoma. Sci Signal 2018; 11:11/547/eaau5147. [PMID: 30206138 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aau5147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A major limitation of targeted cancer therapy is the rapid emergence of drug resistance, which often arises through mutations at or downstream of the drug target or through intrinsic resistance of subpopulations of tumor cells. Medulloblastoma (MB), the most common pediatric brain tumor, is no exception, and MBs that are driven by sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling are particularly aggressive and drug-resistant. To find new drug targets and therapeutics for MB that may be less susceptible to common resistance mechanisms, we used a developmental phosphoproteomics approach in murine granule neuron precursors (GNPs), the developmental cell of origin of MB. The protein kinase CK2 emerged as a driver of hundreds of phosphorylation events during the proliferative, MB-like stage of GNP growth, including the phosphorylation of three of the eight proteins commonly amplified in MB. CK2 was critical to the stabilization and activity of the transcription factor GLI2, a late downstream effector in SHH signaling. CK2 inhibitors decreased the viability of primary SHH-type MB patient cells in culture and blocked the growth of murine MB tumors that were resistant to currently available Hh inhibitors, thereby extending the survival of tumor-bearing mice. Because of structural interactions, one CK2 inhibitor (CX-4945) inhibited both wild-type and mutant CK2, indicating that this drug may avoid at least one common mode of acquired resistance. These findings suggest that CK2 inhibitors may be effective for treating patients with MB and show how phosphoproteomics may be used to gain insight into developmental biology and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Purzner
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. .,Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S1A1, Canada
| | - James Purzner
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S1A1, Canada
| | - Taylor Buckstaff
- Department of Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Giorgio Cozza
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, PD 35122, Italy
| | - Sharareh Gholamin
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jessica M Rusert
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tom A Hartl
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - John Sanders
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nicholas Conley
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Xuecai Ge
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA 95340, USA
| | | | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.,Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Lauren Ellis
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ulrike Litzenburger
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sara Bolin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Johanna Theruvath
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ryan Nitta
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lin Qi
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiao-Nan Li
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gordon Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Robert J Wechsler-Reya
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.,Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Lorenzo A Pinna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padova, PD 35122, Italy.,National Research Council Neuroscience Institute, Padova, PD 35122, Italy
| | - Yoon-Jae Cho
- Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.,Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.,Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Margaret T Fuller
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Joshua E Elias
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Matthew P Scott
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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32
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Shao J, Zhou Y, Xiao Y. The regulatory roles of Notch in osteocyte differentiation via the crosstalk with canonical Wnt pathways during the transition of osteoblasts to osteocytes. Bone 2018; 108:165-178. [PMID: 29331299 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Osteocytes comprise more than 90% of the cells in bone and are differentiated from osteoblasts via an unknown mechanism. Recently, it was shown that Notch signaling plays an important role in osteocyte functions. To gain insights into the mechanisms underlying the functions of Notch in regulating the transition of osteoblasts to osteocytes, we performed a luciferase assay by cloning the proximal E11 and dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1 (DMP1) promotor regions into pGluc-Basic 2 vectors, which were subsequently transfected into the IDG-SW3 (osteocytes), MC3T3 (osteoblasts) and 293T (non-osteoblastic cells) cell lines. Two approaches were used to activate Notch signaling in vitro. One was a Notch1 extracellular antibody-coated cell culture plate, and the other was transfection of a Hairy/Enhancer of Split 1 (Hes1) overexpression vector. The interaction between the Notch and Wnt signaling pathways was probed by assessing the expression of a series of phosphorylated proteins involved in the cascade of both signaling pathways. Our data suggested that Notch signaling regulates E11 expression through Hes1 activity, while Hes1 solely did not initiate the expression of DMP1. The regulatory function of E11 by Hes1 was not observed in the 293T cell line, indicating a cell context-dependent manner of the Notch signaling pathway. Additionally, we found that Notch inhibited Wnt signaling at the late differentiation stage of osteocytes by both directly repressing phosphorylated Akt and preventing the nuclear aggregation of β-catenin. These findings provide profound understandings of Notch's regulatory function in osteocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Shao
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia; The Australia-China Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (ACCTERM), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Yinghong Zhou
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia; The Australia-China Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (ACCTERM), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Yin Xiao
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia; The Australia-China Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (ACCTERM), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia.
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33
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Zhang X, Yang X, Yang C, Li P, Yuan W, Deng X, Cheng Y, Li P, Yang H, Tao J, Lu Q. Targeting protein kinase CK2 suppresses bladder cancer cell survival via the glucose metabolic pathway. Oncotarget 2018; 7:87361-87372. [PMID: 27888634 PMCID: PMC5349994 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a constitutively active serine/threonine kinase that promotes cell proliferation and resists apoptosis. Elevated CK2 expression has been demonstrated in several solid tumors. The expression of CK2α in bladder cancer was elevated in tumor tissues compared with that in adjacent normal tissues. Amplified expression of CK2α was highly correlated with histological grade in bladder cancer(P = 0.024). Knockdown of CK2α in bladder cancer cell lines resulted in a reduction in tumor aerobic glycolysis, accompanied with lower phosphorylated AKT. Moreover, low CK2α levels suppressed cell growth, and similar results could be reproduced after treatment with CX-4945 with a dose-dependent response. CX-4945 inhibited migration and induced apoptosis. Furthermore, knockdown of CK2α decreased the tumorigenicity of bladder cancer cells in vivo. This study is the first to report that CK2 increases glucose metabolism in human bladder cancer. Blocking CK2 function may provide novel diagnostic and potential therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Chengdi Yang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Wenbo Yuan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xiaheng Deng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yidong Cheng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Pengchao Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Haiwei Yang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jun Tao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Qiang Lu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
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34
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Self-Assembled Supramolecular Nanoparticles Improve the Cytotoxic Efficacy of CK2 Inhibitor THN7. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2018; 11:ph11010010. [PMID: 29373552 PMCID: PMC5874706 DOI: 10.3390/ph11010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the approval of imatinib in 2001, kinase inhibitors have revolutionized cancer therapies. Inside this family of phosphotransferases, casein kinase 2 (CK2) is of great interest and numerous scaffolds have been investigated to design CK2 inhibitors. Recently, functionalized indeno[1,2-b]indoles have been revealed to have high potency against human cancer cell lines such as MCF-7 breast carcinoma and A-427 lung carcinoma. 4-Methoxy-5-isopropyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-b]indole-9,10-dione (THN7), identified as a potent inhibitor of CK2 (IC50 = 71 nM), was selected for an encapsulation study in order to evaluate its antiproliferative activity as THN7-loaded cyclodextrin nanoparticles. Four α-cyclodextrins (α-CDs) were selected to encapsulate THN7 and all experiments indicated that the nanoencapsulation of this CK2 inhibitor in α-CDs was successful. No additional surface-active agent was used during the nanoformulation process. Nanoparticles formed between THN7 and α-C6H13 amphiphilic derivative gave the best results in terms of encapsulation rate (% of associated drug = 35%), with a stability constant (K11) of 298 mol·L−1 and a size of 132 nm. Hemolytic activity of the four α-CDs was determined before the in cellulo evaluation and the α-C6H13 derivative gave the lowest value of hemolytic potency (HC50 = 1.93 mol·L−1). Only the THN7-loaded cyclodextrin nanoparticles showing less toxicity on human erythrocytes (α-C6H13, α-C8H17 and α-C4H9) were tested against A-427 cells. All drug-loaded nanoparticles caused more cytotoxicity against A-427 cells than THN7 alone. Based on these results, the use of amphiphilic CD nanoparticles could be considered as a drug delivery system for indeno[1,2-b]indoles, allowing an optimized bioavailability and offering perspectives for the in vivo development of CK2 inhibitors.
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Xie SY, Li G, Han C, Yu YY, Li N. RKIP reduction enhances radioresistance by activating the Shh signaling pathway in non-small-cell lung cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2017; 10:5605-5619. [PMID: 29200875 PMCID: PMC5703172 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s149200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is exceptionally deadly because the tumors lack sensitive early-stage diagnostic biomarkers and are resistant to radiation and chemotherapy. Here, we investigated the role and mechanism of Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) in NSCLC radioresistance. The clinical data showed that the RKIP expression level was generally lower in radioresistant NSCLC tissues than in radiosensitive tissues. Reduced RKIP expression was related to NSCLC radioresistance and poor prognosis. In vitro experiments showed that RKIP knockdown increased radioresistance and metastatic ability in NSCLC cell lines. Mechanistically, RKIP reduction activated the Shh signaling pathway by derepressing Smoothened (Smo) and initiating glioma-associated oncogene-1 (Gli1)-mediated transcription in NSCLC. In addition, the inappropriately activated Shh–Gli1 signaling pathway then enhanced cancer stem cell (CSC) expression in the cell lines. The increasing quantity of CSCs in the tumor ultimately promotes the radiation resistance of NSCLC. Together, these results suggest that RKIP plays a vital role in radiation response and metastasis in NSCLC. RKIP reduction enhances radioresistance by activating the Shh signaling pathway and initiating functional CSCs. This role makes it a promising therapeutic target for improving the efficacy of NSCLC radiation treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Yang Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chi Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guang Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chi Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chong Han
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chi Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yang-Yang Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chi Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chi Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Manni S, Carrino M, Piazza F. Role of protein kinases CK1α and CK2 in multiple myeloma: regulation of pivotal survival and stress-managing pathways. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:157. [PMID: 28969692 PMCID: PMC5625791 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0529-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant tumor of transformed plasma cells. MM pathogenesis is a multistep process. This cancer can occur de novo (rarely) or it can develop from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (most of the cases). MM can be asymptomatic (smoldering myeloma) or clinically active. Malignant plasma cells exploit intrinsic and extrinsic bone marrow microenvironment-derived growth signals. Upregulation of stress-coping pathways is also instrumental to maintain MM cell growth. The phylogenetically related Ser/Thr kinases CSNK1A1 (CK1α) and CSNK2 (CK2) have recently gained a growing importance in hematologic malignancies arising both from precursors and from mature blood cells. In multiple myeloma, CK1α or CK2 sustain oncogenic cascades, such as the PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT, and NF-κB, as well as propel stress-related signaling that help in coping with different noxae. Data also suggest that these kinases modulate the delivery of growth factors and cytokines from the bone marrow stroma. The “non-oncogene addiction” phenotype generated by the increased activity of CK1α and CK2 in multiple myeloma contributes to malignant plasma cell proliferation and survival and represents an Achilles’ heel for the activity of small ATP competitive CK1α or CK2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Manni
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Section, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy. .,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy.
| | - Marilena Carrino
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Section, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy.,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Piazza
- Department of Medicine, Hematology Section, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy. .,Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy.
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Armas-López L, Piña-Sánchez P, Arrieta O, de Alba EG, Ortiz-Quintero B, Santillán-Doherty P, Christiani DC, Zúñiga J, Ávila-Moreno F. Epigenomic study identifies a novel mesenchyme homeobox2-GLI1 transcription axis involved in cancer drug resistance, overall survival and therapy prognosis in lung cancer patients. Oncotarget 2017; 8:67056-67081. [PMID: 28978016 PMCID: PMC5620156 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Several homeobox-related gene (HOX) transcription factors such as mesenchyme HOX-2 (MEOX2) have previously been associated with cancer drug resistance, malignant progression and/or clinical prognostic responses in lung cancer patients; however, the mechanisms involved in these responses have yet to be elucidated. Here, an epigenomic strategy was implemented to identify novel MEOX2 gene promoter transcription targets and propose a new molecular mechanism underlying lung cancer drug resistance and poor clinical prognosis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays derived from non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) hybridized on gene promoter tiling arrays and bioinformatics analyses were performed, and quantitative, functional and clinical validation were also carried out. We statistically identified a common profile consisting of 78 gene promoter targets, including Hedgehog-GLI1 gene promoter sequences (FDR≤0.1 and FDR≤0.2). The GLI-1 gene promoter region from -2,192 to -109 was occupied by MEOX2, accompanied by transcriptionally active RNA Pol II and was epigenetically linked to the active histones H3K27Ac and H3K4me3; these associations were quantitatively validated. Moreover, siRNA genetic silencing assays identified a MEOX2-GLI1 axis involved in cellular cytotoxic resistance to cisplatinum in a dose-dependent manner, as well as cellular migration and proliferation. Finally, Kaplan-Maier survival analyses identified significant MEOX2-dependent GLI-1 protein expression associated with clinical progression and poorer overall survival using an independent cohort of NSCLC patients undergoing platinum-based oncological therapy with both epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-non-mutated and EGFR-mutated status. In conclusion, this is the first study to investigate epigenome-wide MEOX2-transcription factor occupation identifying a novel overexpressed MEOX2-GLI1 axis and its clinical association with platinum-based cancer drug resistance and EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-based therapy responses in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonel Armas-López
- National University Autonomous of México (UNAM), Facultad de Estudios Superiores (FES) Iztacala, Biomedicine Research Unit (UBIMED), Lung Diseases And Cancer Epigenomics Laboratory, Mexico State, Mexico
| | - Patricia Piña-Sánchez
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Centro Medico Nacional (CMN) Siglo XXI, Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Oncológicas (UIMEO), Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Oscar Arrieta
- National Cancer Institute (INCAN), Thoracic Oncology Clinic, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Enrique Guzman de Alba
- National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER) “Ismael Cosío Villegas”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Blanca Ortiz-Quintero
- National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER) “Ismael Cosío Villegas”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - David C. Christiani
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joaquín Zúñiga
- National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER) “Ismael Cosío Villegas”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Federico Ávila-Moreno
- National University Autonomous of México (UNAM), Facultad de Estudios Superiores (FES) Iztacala, Biomedicine Research Unit (UBIMED), Lung Diseases And Cancer Epigenomics Laboratory, Mexico State, Mexico
- National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER) “Ismael Cosío Villegas”, Mexico City, Mexico
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Li ZS, Deng CZ, Ye YL, Yao K, Guo SJ, Chen JP, Li YH, Qin ZK, Liu ZW, Wang B, Zhao Q, Chen P, Mi QW, Chen XF, Han H, Zhou FJ. More precise prediction in Chinese patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma: protein kinase CK2α catalytic subunit (CK2α) as a poor prognosticator. Oncotarget 2017; 8:51542-51550. [PMID: 28881666 PMCID: PMC5584267 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose In this study, we assess the CK2α expression in human penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its clinical significance. Methods A total of 157 human penile SCC tissue samples were immunohistochemically analyzed. In addition, 12 human penile SCC and adjacent normal tissues were examined for CK2α protein and mRNA expression by Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier test and the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to determine the impacts of CK2α expression and the clinicopathological features on patient disease-specific survival (DSS). Likelihood ratios (LRs), Akaike information criterion (AIC) values, and concordance indexes (C-indexes) were investigated to evaluate the accuracies of the factors. Bootstrap-corrected C-indexes were used for internal validation (with sampling 1000 times). Results A significant difference in the distribution of CK2α was observed between the normal and penile carcinoma tissues (P<0.001). CK2α expression was associated with the pathological T and N stages in the penile cancer tissues (P<0.001). High CK2α expression was with significantly poorer DSS compared with low expression one (P<0.001). Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR also confirmed that CK2α expression was increased in the penile cancer tissues. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, CK2α overexpression still was one of independent prognostic factors for penile SCC (P=0.005). The predictive accuracy of CK2α was verified by analysis of the C-indexes. Conclusion High protein kinase CK2α expression is associated with several prognostic factors and is thus a significant indicator of poor prognosis for penile cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zai-Shang Li
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Chuang-Zhong Deng
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yun-Lin Ye
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Kai Yao
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Sheng-Jie Guo
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jie-Ping Chen
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yong-Hong Li
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zi-Ke Qin
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zhuo-Wei Liu
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Urology, Cancer Center of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumchi, P. R. China
| | - Qi-Wu Mi
- Department of Urology, Dong Guan People's Hospital, Guang Dong, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Feng Chen
- Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Chenzhou, Chenzhou, P. R. China
| | - Hui Han
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Fang-Jian Zhou
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China
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Rowse AL, Gibson SA, Meares GP, Rajbhandari R, Nozell SE, Dees KJ, Hjelmeland AB, McFarland BC, Benveniste EN. Protein kinase CK2 is important for the function of glioblastoma brain tumor initiating cells. J Neurooncol 2017; 132:219-229. [PMID: 28181105 PMCID: PMC5492387 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-017-2378-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinase CK2 is a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine kinase composed of two catalytic subunits (α) and/or (α') and two regulatory (β) subunits. The expression and kinase activity of CK2 is elevated in many different cancers, including glioblastoma (GBM). Brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs) are a subset of cells that are highly tumorigenic and promote the resistance of GBM to current therapies. We previously reported that CK2 activity promotes prosurvival signaling in GBM. In this study, the role of CK2 signaling in BTIC function was examined. We found that expression of CK2α was increased in CD133+ BTICs compared to CD133- cells within the same GBM xenolines. Treatment with CX-4945, an ATP-competitive inhibitor of CK2, led to reduced expression of Sox2 and Nestin, transcription factors important for the maintenance of stem cells. Similarly, inhibition of CK2 also reduced the frequency of CD133+ BTICs over the course of 7 days, indicating a role for CK2 in BTIC persistence and survival. Importantly, using an in vitro limiting dilution assay, we found that inhibition of CK2 kinase activity with CX-4945 or siRNA knockdown of the CK2 catalytic subunits reduced neurosphere formation in GBM xenolines of different molecular subtypes. Lastly, we found that inhibition of CK2 led to decreased EGFR levels in some xenolines, and combination treatment with CX-4945 and Gefitinib to inhibit CK2 and EGFR, respectively, provided optimal inhibition of viability of cells. Therefore, due to the integration of CK2 in multiple signaling pathways important for BTIC survival, CK2 is a promising target in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber L Rowse
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sara A Gibson
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Gordon P Meares
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Rajani Rajbhandari
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Susan E Nozell
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kory J Dees
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Anita B Hjelmeland
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Braden C McFarland
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1918 University Blvd, MCLM 388, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0004, USA.
| | - Etty N Benveniste
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 510, 20th Street South, FOT 1220D, Birmingham, AL, 35294-3412, USA.
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Ma Z, Wang X, He J, Xia J, Li Y. Increased expression of protein kinase CK2α correlates with poor patient prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174037. [PMID: 28355289 PMCID: PMC5371331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the deadly gynecological malignancies. The function of protein kinase CK2α (CK2α) in EOC is still unknown. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between the protein expression of CK2α and the tumor progression, the prognosis of human EOC. In this study, we analyzed the expression levels of CK2α through Western blot, using EOC cell lines like A2780, HO8910, COV644, OVCAR3, SKOV3, and the primary normal ovarian surface epithelial (NOSE) cells. Furthermore, OVCAR3 and SKOV3 EOC cells were employed as a cellular model to study the role of CK2α on cell growth, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and cell cycle distribution. In addition, we investigated CK2α protein expression in tumor tissues from patients with EOC by immunohistochemistry and analyzed the association between CK2α expression and clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis of EOC patients. And we found that compared with NOSE cells, CK2α protein expression was increased in A2780, HO8910, OVCAR3, and SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell lines. Decreased CK2α expression suppressed OVCAR3 and SKOV3 cell growth and induced more apoptosis. CK2α knockdown using specific siRNAs inhibited migration and invasion ability of OVCAR3 and SKOV3 cells. In addition, high CK2α protein expression was found in 68.4% (80/117) of EOC patients. Increased CK2α expression of was significantly correlated with FIGO staging and peritoneal cytology. Patients with higher CK2α expression had a significantly poorer overall survival compared with those with lower CK2α expression. Multi-variate Cox regression analysis proved that increased CK2α expression was an independent prognostic marker for EOC. Taken together, our data displayed that CK2α may play a role in tumor aggressive behavior of EOC and could be used as a marker for predicting prognosis of EOC patient. High CK2α expression might predict poor patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zebiao Ma
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University; Henan Province Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Jiehua He
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Jianchuan Xia
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
- * E-mail: (YFL); (JCX)
| | - Yanfang Li
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
- * E-mail: (YFL); (JCX)
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Chou ST, Patil R, Galstyan A, Gangalum PR, Cavenee WK, Furnari FB, Ljubimov VA, Chesnokova A, Kramerov AA, Ding H, Falahatian V, Mashouf L, Fox I, Black KL, Holler E, Ljubimov AV, Ljubimova JY. Simultaneous blockade of interacting CK2 and EGFR pathways by tumor-targeting nanobioconjugates increases therapeutic efficacy against glioblastoma multiforme. J Control Release 2016; 244:14-23. [PMID: 27825958 PMCID: PMC5308909 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains the deadliest brain tumor in adults. GBM tumors are also notorious for drug and radiation resistance. To inhibit GBMs more effectively, polymalic acid-based blood-brain barrier crossing nanobioconjugates were synthesized that are delivered to the cytoplasm of cancer cells and specifically inhibit the master regulator serine/threonine protein kinase CK2 and the wild-type/mutated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/EGFRvIII), which are overexpressed in gliomas according to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) GBM database. Two xenogeneic mouse models bearing intracranial human GBMs from cell lines LN229 and U87MG that expressed both CK2 and EGFR at different levels were used. Simultaneous knockdown of CK2α and EGFR/EGFRvIII suppressed their downstream prosurvival signaling. Treatment also markedly reduced the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), a negative regulator of cytotoxic lymphocytes. Downregulation of CK2 and EGFR also caused deactivation of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) co-chaperone Cdc37, which may suppress the activity of key cellular kinases. Inhibition of either target was associated with downregulation of the other target as well, which may underlie the increased efficacy of the dual nanobioconjugate that is directed against both CK2 and EGFR. Importantly, the single nanodrugs, and especially the dual nanodrug, markedly suppressed the expression of the cancer stem cell markers c-Myc, CD133, and nestin, which could contribute to the efficacy of the treatments. In both tumor models, the nanobioconjugates significantly increased (up to 2-fold) animal survival compared with the PBS-treated control group. The versatile nanobioconjugates developed in this study, with the abilities of anti-cancer drug delivery across biobarriers and the inhibition of key tumor regulators, offer a promising nanotherapeutic approach to treat GBMs, and to potentially prevent drug resistance and retard the recurrence of brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Ting Chou
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rameshwar Patil
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Anna Galstyan
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Pallavi R. Gangalum
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Webster K. Cavenee
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Frank B. Furnari
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Vladimir A. Ljubimov
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alexandra Chesnokova
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Andrei A. Kramerov
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hui Ding
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Vida Falahatian
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Biostatistic and Bioinformatics Clinical Research Training Program ( CRTP )
| | | | - Irving Fox
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Keith L. Black
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Eggehard Holler
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alexander V. Ljubimov
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Julia Y. Ljubimova
- Nanomedicine Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Takahashi K, Setoguchi T, Tsuru A, Saitoh Y, Nagano S, Ishidou Y, Maeda S, Furukawa T, Komiya S. Inhibition of casein kinase 2 prevents growth of human osteosarcoma. Oncol Rep 2016; 37:1141-1147. [PMID: 27959425 DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.5310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
High-dose chemotherapy and surgical treatment have improved the prognosis of osteosarcoma. However, more than 20% of patients with osteosarcoma still have a poor prognosis. We investigated the expression and function of casein kinase 2 (CK2) in osteosarcoma growth. We then examined the effects of CX-4945, a CK2 inhibitor, on osteosarcoma growth in vitro and in vivo to apply our findings to the clinical setting. We examined the expression of CK2α and CK2β by western blot analysis, and performed WST-1 assays using CK2α and CK2β siRNA or CX-4945. Flow cytometry and western blot analyses were performed to evaluate apoptotic cell death. Xenograft models were used to examine the effect of CX-4945 in vivo. Western blot analysis revealed upregulation of CK2α and CK2β in human osteosarcoma cell lines compared with human osteoblast cells or mesenchymal stem cells. WST assay showed that knockdown of CK2α or CK2β by siRNA inhibited the proliferation of human osteosarcoma cells. Treatment with 3 µM of CX-4945 inhibited osteosarcoma cell proliferation; however, the same concentration of CX-4945 did not affect the proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells. Additionally, treatment with CX-4945 inhibited the proliferation of human osteosarcoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot and flow cytometry analyses showed that treatment with CX-4945 promoted apoptotic death of osteosarcoma cells. The xenograft model showed that treatment with CX-4945 significantly prevented osteosarcoma growth in vivo compared with control vehicle treatment. Our findings indicate that CK2 may be an attractive therapeutic target for treating osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kengo Takahashi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan
| | - Takao Setoguchi
- The Near-Future Locomotor Organ Medicine Creation Course (Kusunoki Kai), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan
| | - Arisa Tsuru
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Saitoh
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nagano
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Ishidou
- Department of Medical Joint Materials, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan
| | - Shingo Maeda
- Department of Medical Joint Materials, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Furukawa
- Center for the Research of Advanced Diagnosis and Therapy of Cancer, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan
| | - Setsuro Komiya
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan
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Li Y, Xu J, Shi W, Chen C, Shao Y, Zhu L, Lu W, Han X. Mesenchymal stromal cell treatment prevents H9N2 avian influenza virus-induced acute lung injury in mice. Stem Cell Res Ther 2016; 7:159. [PMID: 27793190 PMCID: PMC5084318 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-016-0395-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The avian influenza virus (AIV) can cross species barriers and expand its host range from birds to mammals, even humans. Avian influenza is characterized by pronounced activation of the proinflammatory cytokine cascade, which perpetuates the inflammatory response, leading to persistent systemic inflammatory response syndrome and pulmonary infection in animals and humans. There are currently no specific treatment strategies for avian influenza. Methods We hypothesized that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) would have beneficial effects in the treatment of H9N2 AIV-induced acute lung injury in mice. Six- to 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice were infected intranasally with 1 × 104 MID50 of A/HONG KONG/2108/2003 [H9N2 (HK)] H9N2 virus to induce acute lung injury. After 30 min, syngeneic MSCs were delivered through the caudal vein. Three days after infection, we measured the survival rate, lung weight, arterial blood gas, and cytokines in both bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum, and assessed pathological changes to the lungs. Results MSC administration significantly palliated H9N2 AIV-induced pulmonary inflammation by reducing chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines levels, as well as reducing inflammatory cell recruit into the lungs. Thus, H9N2 AIV-induced lung injury was markedly alleviated in mice treated with MSCs. Lung histopathology and arterial blood gas analysis were improved in mice with H9N2 AIV-induced lung injury following MSC treatment. Conclusions MSC treatment significantly reduces H9N2 AIV-induced acute lung injury in mice and is associated with reduced pulmonary inflammation. These results indicate a potential role for MSC therapy in the treatment of clinical avian influenza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Chronic Communicable Disease, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China.,Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Xu
- Institute of Toxicology & Functional Assessment, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiqing Shi
- Institute of Toxicology & Functional Assessment, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Chronic Communicable Disease, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Shao
- Department of Chronic Communicable Disease, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Limei Zhu
- Department of Chronic Communicable Disease, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Chronic Communicable Disease, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China.
| | - XiaoDong Han
- Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, People's Republic of China.
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Zhang HX, Jiang SS, Zhang XF, Zhou ZQ, Pan QZ, Chen CL, Zhao JJ, Tang Y, Xia JC, Weng DS. Protein kinase CK2α catalytic subunit is overexpressed and serves as an unfavorable prognostic marker in primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2016; 6:34800-17. [PMID: 26430962 PMCID: PMC4741491 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase CK2 alpha (CK2α), one isoform of the catalytic subunit of serine/threonine kinase CK2, has been indicated to participate in tumorigenesis of various malignancies. We conducted this study to investigate the biological significances of CK2α expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Real-time quantitative polymerase and western blotting analyses revealed that CK2α expression was significantly increased at mRNA and protein levels in HCC tissues. Immunohistochemical analyses indicated that amplified expression of CK2α was highly correlated with poor prognosis. And functional analyses (cell proliferation and colony formation assays, cell migration and invasion assays, cell cycle and apoptosis assays) found that CK2α promoted cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion, as well as inhibited apoptosis in hepatoma cell lines in vitro. CK2α-silenced resulted in significant apoptosis in cells that was demonstrated been associated with downregulation of expression of Bcl-2, p-AKT (ser473) and upregulation of expression of total P53, p-P53, Bax, caspase3 and cleaved-caspase3 in HCC cells. In addition, experiments with a mouse model revealed that the stimulative effect of CK2α on tumorigenesis in nude mice. Our results suggest that CK2α might play an oncogenic role in HCC, and therefore it could serve as a biomarker for prognostic and therapeutic applications in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Xia Zhang
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shan-Shan Jiang
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Zhang
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zi-Qi Zhou
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiu-Zhong Pan
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chang-Long Chen
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Jing Zhao
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Tang
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Chuan Xia
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - De-Sheng Weng
- Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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Oncogenic roles and drug target of CXCR4/CXCL12 axis in lung cancer and cancer stem cell. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:8515-28. [PMID: 27079871 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-5016-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the great progress has been made in diagnosis and therapeutic in lung cancer, it induces the most cancer death worldwide in both males and females. Chemokines, which have chemotactic abilities, contain up to 50 family members. By binding to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), holding seven-transmembrane domain, they function in immune cell trafficking and regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, activation, and migration, homing under both physiologic and pathologic conditions. The alpha-chemokine receptor CXCR4 for the alpha-chemokine stromal cell-derived-factor-1 (SDF-1) is most widely expressed by tumors. In addition to human tissues of the bone marrow, liver, adrenal glands, and brain, the CXC chemokine SDF-1 or CXCL12 is also highly expressed in lung cancer tissues and is associated with lung metastasis. Lung cancer cells have the capabilities to utilize and manipulate the CXCL12/CXCR system to benefit growth and distant spread. CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is a major culprit for lung cancer and has a crucial role in lung cancer initiation and progression by activating cancer stem cell. This review provides an evaluation of CXCL12/CXCR4 as the potential therapeutic target for lung cancers; it also focuses on the synergistic effects of inhibition of CXCL12/CXCR4 axis and immunotherapy as well as chemotherapy. Together, CXCL12/CXCR4 axis can be a potential therapeutic target for lung cancers and has additive effects with immunotherapy.
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46
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Filhol O, Giacosa S, Wallez Y, Cochet C. Protein kinase CK2 in breast cancer: the CK2β regulatory subunit takes center stage in epithelial plasticity. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:3305-22. [PMID: 25990538 PMCID: PMC11113558 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-1929-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Structurally, protein kinase CK2 consists of two catalytic subunits (α and α') and two regulatory subunits (β), which play a critical role in targeting specific CK2 substrates. Compelling evidence shows the complexity of the CK2 cellular signaling network and supports the view that this enzyme is a key component of regulatory protein kinase networks that are involved in several aspects of cancer. CK2 both activates and suppresses the expression of a number of essential oncogenes and tumor suppressors, and its expression and activity are upregulated in blood tumors and virtually all solid tumors. The prognostic significance of CK2α expression in association with various clinicopathological parameters highlighted this kinase as an adverse prognostic marker in breast cancer. In addition, several recent studies reported its implication in the regulation of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an early step in cancer invasion and metastasis. In this review, we briefly overview the contribution of CK2 to several aspects of cancer and discuss how in mammary epithelial cells, the expression of its CK2β regulatory subunit plays a critical role in maintaining an epithelial phenotype through CK2-mediated control of key EMT-related transcription factors. Importantly, decreased CK2β expression in breast tumors is correlated with inefficient phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Snail1 and Foxc2, ultimately leading to EMT induction. This review highlights the pivotal role played by CK2β in the mammary epithelial phenotype and discusses how a modest alteration in its expression may be sufficient to induce dramatic effects facilitating the early steps in tumor cell dissemination through the coordinated regulation of two key transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odile Filhol
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1036, Grenoble, France
- Institute of Life Sciences Research and Technologies, Biology of Cancer and Infection, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, Grenoble, France
- Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1036, University of Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Sofia Giacosa
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1036, Grenoble, France
- Institute of Life Sciences Research and Technologies, Biology of Cancer and Infection, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, Grenoble, France
- Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1036, University of Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Yann Wallez
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1036, Grenoble, France
- Institute of Life Sciences Research and Technologies, Biology of Cancer and Infection, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, Grenoble, France
- Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1036, University of Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Claude Cochet
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1036, Grenoble, France
- Institute of Life Sciences Research and Technologies, Biology of Cancer and Infection, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, Grenoble, France
- Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1036, University of Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
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Banerjee J, Papu John AMS, Schuller HM. Regulation of nonsmall-cell lung cancer stem cell like cells by neurotransmitters and opioid peptides. Int J Cancer 2015; 137:2815-24. [PMID: 26088878 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading type of lung cancer and has a poor prognosis. We have shown that chronic stress promoted NSCLC xenografts in mice via stress neurotransmitter-activated cAMP signaling downstream of beta-adrenergic receptors and incidental beta-blocker therapy was reported to improve clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients. These findings suggest that psychological stress promotes NSCLC whereas pharmacologically or psychologically induced decreases in cAMP may inhibit NSCLC. Cancer stem cells are thought to drive the development, progression and resistance to therapy of NSCLC. However, their potential regulation by stress neurotransmitters has not been investigated. In the current study, epinephrine increased the number of cancer stem cell like cells (CSCs) from three NSCLC cell lines in spheroid formation assays while enhancing intracellular cAMP and the stem cell markers sonic hedgehog (SHH), aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 (ALDH-1) and Gli1, effects reversed by GABA or dynorphin B via Gαi -mediated inhibition of cAMP formation. The growth of NSCLC xenografts in a mouse model of stress reduction was significantly reduced as compared with mice maintained under standard conditions. Stress reduction reduced serum levels of corticosterone, norepinephrine and epinephrine while the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and opioid peptides increased. Stress reduction significantly reduced cAMP, VEGF, p-ERK, p-AKT, p-CREB, p-SRc, SHH, ALDH-1 and Gli1 in xenograft tissues whereas cleaved caspase-3 and p53 were induced. We conclude that stress neurotransmitters activate CSCs in NSCLC via multiple cAMP-mediated pathways and that pharmacologically or psychologically induced decreases in cAMP signaling may improve clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jheelam Banerjee
- Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
| | - Arokya M S Papu John
- Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
| | - Hildegard M Schuller
- Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
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Zhang S, Yang YL, Wang Y, You B, Dai Y, Chan G, Hsieh D, Kim IJ, Fang LT, Au A, Stoppler HJ, Xu Z, Jablons DM, You L. CK2α, over-expressed in human malignant pleural mesothelioma, regulates the Hedgehog signaling pathway in mesothelioma cells. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2014; 33:93. [PMID: 25422081 PMCID: PMC4254219 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-014-0093-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Background The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has been implicated in stem cell maintenance and its activation is aberrant in several types of cancer including mesothelioma. Protein kinase CK2 affects several cell signaling pathways through the mechanism of phosphorylation. Methods Protein and mRNA levels of CK2α and Gli1 were tested by quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry staining in mesothelioma samples and cell lines. Down-regulated Gli1 expression and transcriptional activity were demonstrated by RT-PCR, Western blot and luciferase reporter assay. Results In this study, we show that CK2α is over-expressed and a positive regulator of Hegdehog/Gli1 signaling in human malignant pleural mesothelioma. First of all, we found that the mRNA levels of CK2α and Gli1 were broadly elevated and correlated (n = 52, r = 0.401, P < 0.05), compared with LP9 (a normal mesothelial cell line). We then investigated their expression at the protein level, and found that all the 7 mesothelioma cell lines tested showed positive staining in CK2α and Gli1 immunohistochemistry. Correlation analysis by Pearson test for CK2α and Gli1 expression in the 75 mesothelioma tumors and the 7 mesothelioma cell lines showed that the two protein expression was significantly correlated (n = 82, r = 0.554, P < 0.01). Furthermore, we demonstrated that Gli1 expression and transcriptional activity were down-regulated after CK2α was silenced in two mesothelioma cell lines (H28 and H2052). CK2α siRNA also down-regulated the expression of Hh target genes in these cell lines. Moreover, treatment with a small-molecule CK2α inhibitor CX-4945 led to dose-dependent inhibition of Gli1 expression and transcriptional activity. Conversely, forced over-expression of CK2α resulted in an increase in Gli1 transcriptional activity in H28 cells. Conclusions Thus, we report for the first time that over-expressed CK2α positively regulate Hh/Gli1 signaling in human mesothelioma. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-014-0093-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shulin Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fifth Hospital of Dalian, Dalian, 116021, P.R. China. .,Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Yi-Lin Yang
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Yucheng Wang
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Bin You
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA. .,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Affiliated with Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing, P.R. China.
| | - Yuyuan Dai
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Geraldine Chan
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - David Hsieh
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Il-Jin Kim
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Li Tai Fang
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Alfred Au
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Hubert J Stoppler
- Tissue Core, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Zhidong Xu
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - David M Jablons
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Liang You
- Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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TANG AIQIONG, CAO XIAOCHENG, TIAN LI, HE LIHUA, LIU FEI. Apigenin inhibits the self-renewal capacity of human ovarian cancer SKOV3-derived sphere-forming cells. Mol Med Rep 2014; 11:2221-6. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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50
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LIU JIE, CAO XIAOCHENG, XIAO QIAO, QUAN MEIFANG. Apigenin inhibits HeLa sphere-forming cells through inactivation of casein kinase 2α. Mol Med Rep 2014; 11:665-9. [DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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