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Kansy M, Wert K, Kolb K, Gallwas J, Gründker C. ARHGAP29 Is Involved in Increased Invasiveness of Tamoxifen-resistant Breast Cancer Cells and its Expression Levels Correlate With Clinical Tumor Parameters of Breast Cancer Patients. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2024; 21:368-379. [PMID: 38944420 PMCID: PMC11215425 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20454] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Aggressive breast cancer (BC) cells show high expression of Rho GTPase activating protein 29 (ARHGAP29), a negative regulator of RhoA. In breast cancer cells in which mesenchymal transformation was induced, ARHGAP29 was the only one of 32 GTPase-activating enzymes whose expression increased significantly. Therefore, we investigated whether there is a correlation between expression of ARHGAP29 and tumor progression in BC. Since tamoxifen-resistant BC cells exhibit increased mesenchymal properties and invasiveness, we additionally investigated the relationship between ARHGAP29 and increased invasion rate in tamoxifen resistance. The question arises as to whether ARHGAP29 is a suitable prognostic marker for the progression of BC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tissue microarrays were used to investigate expression of ARHGAP29 in BC and adjacent normal breast tissues. Knockdown experiments using siRNA were performed to investigate the influence of ARHGAP29 and the possible downstream actors RhoC and pAKT1 on invasive growth of tamoxifen-resistant BC spheroids in vitro. RESULTS Expression of ARHGAP29 was frequently increased in BC tissues compared to adjacent normal breast tissues. In addition, there was evidence of a correlation between high ARHGAP29 expression and advanced clinical tumor stage. Tamoxifen-resistant BC cells show a significantly higher expression of ARHGAP29 compared to their parental wild-type cells. After knockdown of ARHGAP29 in tamoxifen-resistant BC cells, expression of RhoC was significantly reduced. Further, expression of pAKT1 decreased significantly. Invasive growth of three-dimensional tamoxifen-resistant BC spheroids was reduced after knockdown of ARHGAP29. This could be partially reversed by AKT1 activator SC79. CONCLUSION Expression of ARHGAP29 correlates with the clinical tumor parameters of BC patients. In addition, ARHGAP29 is involved in increased invasiveness of tamoxifen-resistant BC cells. ARHGAP29 alone or in combination with its downstream partners RhoC and pAKT1 could be suitable prognostic markers for BC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Kansy
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Wert
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Kolb
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Julia Gallwas
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Carsten Gründker
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Targeted Therapy and Mechanisms of Drug Resistance in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041320. [PMID: 36831661 PMCID: PMC9954028 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Multidrug resistance (MDR) has been a large hurdle in reducing BC death rates. The drug resistance mechanisms include increased drug efflux, enhanced DNA repair, senescence escape, epigenetic alterations, tumor heterogeneity, tumor microenvironment (TME), and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which make it challenging to overcome. This review aims to explain the mechanisms of resistance in BC further, identify viable drug targets, and elucidate how those targets relate to the progression of BC and drug resistance.
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Zhang L, Chen W, Liu S, Chen C. Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:552-570. [PMID: 36632469 PMCID: PMC9830502 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.76187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential roles of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) in tumor initiation and recurrence have been recognized for many decades. Due to their strong capacity for self-renewal and differentiation, BCSCs are the major reasons for poor clinical outcomes and low therapeutic response. Several hypotheses on the origin of cancer stem cells have been proposed, including critical gene mutations in stem cells, dedifferentiation of somatic cells, and cell plasticity remodeling by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, the tumor microenvironment, including cellular components and cytokines, modulates the self-renewal and therapeutic resistance of BCSCs. Small molecules, antibodies, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting BCSCs have been developed, and their applications in combination with conventional therapies are undergoing clinical trials. In this review, we focus on the features of BCSCs, emphasize the major factors and tumor environment that regulate the stemness of BCSCs, and discuss potential BCSC-targeting therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai paracrine Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College; Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wenmin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650201, China.,Kunming College of Life Sciences, the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Suling Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai paracrine Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College; Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Ceshi Chen, E-mail: or Suling Liu, E-mail:
| | - Ceshi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming 650201, China.,Academy of Biomedical Engineering, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China.,The Third Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650118, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Ceshi Chen, E-mail: or Suling Liu, E-mail:
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4
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Thomas P, Srivastava S, Udayashankara AH, Damodaran S, Yadav L, Mathew B, Suresh SB, Mandal AK, Srikantia N. RhoC in association with TET2/WDR5 regulates cancer stem cells by epigenetically modifying the expression of pluripotency genes. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 80:1. [PMID: 36469134 PMCID: PMC11073244 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04645-z] [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: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence illustrates that RhoC has divergent roles in cervical cancer progression where it controls epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, angiogenesis, invasion, tumor growth, and radiation response. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the primary cause of recurrence and metastasis and exhibit all of the above phenotypes. It, therefore, becomes imperative to understand if RhoC regulates CSCs in cervical cancer. In this study, cell lines and clinical specimen-based findings demonstrate that RhoC regulates tumor phenotypes such as clonogenicity and anoikis resistance. Accordingly, inhibition of RhoC abrogated these phenotypes. RNA-seq analysis revealed that RhoC over-expression resulted in up-regulation of 27% of the transcriptome. Further, the Infinium MethylationEPIC array showed that RhoC over-expressing cells had a demethylated genome. Studies divulged that RhoC via TET2 signaling regulated the demethylation of the genome. Further investigations comprising ChIP-seq, reporter assays, and mass spectrometry revealed that RhoC associates with WDR5 in the nucleus and regulates the expression of pluripotency genes such as Nanog. Interestingly, clinical specimen-based investigations revealed the existence of a subset of tumor cells marked by RhoC+/Nanog+ expression. Finally, combinatorial inhibition (in vitro) of RhoC and its partners (WDR5 and TET2) resulted in increased sensitization of clinical specimen-derived cells to radiation. These findings collectively reveal a novel role for nuclear RhoC in the epigenetic regulation of Nanog and identify RhoC as a regulator of CSCs. The study nominates RhoC and associated signaling pathways as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavana Thomas
- Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), Division of Molecular Biology and Genetics, St. John's Research Institute (SJRI), St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, 560034, India
- School of Integrative Health Sciences, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bangalore, 560064, India
| | - Sweta Srivastava
- Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), Division of Molecular Biology and Genetics, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, 560034, India.
| | - Avinash H Udayashankara
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Samyuktha Damodaran
- Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), Division of Molecular Biology and Genetics, St. John's Research Institute (SJRI), St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Lokendra Yadav
- Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), Division of Molecular Biology and Genetics, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Boby Mathew
- Clinical Proteomics Unit, Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute (SJRI), St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Srinag Bangalore Suresh
- Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), Division of Molecular Biology and Genetics, St. John's Research Institute (SJRI), St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Amit Kumar Mandal
- Clinical Proteomics Unit, Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute (SJRI), St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Nirmala Srikantia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, 560034, India
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Manai M, ELBini-Dhouib I, Finetti P, Bichiou H, Reduzzi C, Aissaoui D, Ben-Hamida N, Agavnian E, Srairi-Abid N, Lopez M, Amri F, Guizani-Tabbane L, Rahal K, Mrad K, Manai M, Birnbaum D, Mamessier E, Cristofanilli M, Boussen H, Kharrat M, Doghri R, Bertucci F. MARCKS as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182926. [PMID: 36139501 PMCID: PMC9496908 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most pro-metastatic form of breast cancer (BC). We previously demonstrated that protein overexpression of Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C Kinase Substrate (MARCKS) protein was associated with shorter survival in IBC patients. MARCKS has been associated with the PI3K/AKT pathway. MARCKS inhibitors are in development. Our objective was to investigate MARCKS, expressed preferentially in IBC that non-IBC (nIBC), as a novel potential therapeutic target for IBC. The biologic activity of MPS, a MARCKS peptide inhibitor, on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and mammosphere formation was evaluated in IBC (SUM149 and SUM190) and nIBC (MDA-MB-231 and MCF7) cell lines, as well as its effects on protein expression in the PTEN/AKT and MAPK pathways. The prognostic relevance of MARCKS and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) protein expression as a surrogate marker of metastasis-free survival (MFS) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a retrospective series of archival tumor samples derived from 180 IBC patients and 355 nIBC patients. In vitro MPS impaired cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and mammosphere formation in IBC cells. MARCKS inhibition upregulated PTEN and downregulated pAKT and pMAPK expression in IBC cells, but not in nIBC cells. By IHC, MARCKS expression and PTEN expression were negatively correlated in IBC samples and were associated with shorter MFS and longer MFS, respectively, in multivariate analysis. The combination of MARCKS-/PTEN+ protein status was associated with longer MFS in IBC patient only (p = 8.7 × 10−3), and mirrored the molecular profile (MARCKS-downregulated/PTEN-upregulated) of MPS-treated IBC cell lines. In conclusion, our results uncover a functional role of MARCKS implicated in IBC aggressiveness. Associated with the good-prognosis value of the MARCKS-/PTEN+ protein status that mirrors the molecular profile of MPS-treated IBC cell lines, our results suggest that MARCKS could be a potential therapeutic target in patients with MARCKS-positive IBC. Future preclinical studies using a larger panel of IBC cell lines, animal models and analysis of a larger series of clinical samples are warranted in order to validate our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maroua Manai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Human Genetics Laboratory (LR99ES10), Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
- Anatomic Pathology Department, Salah Azaiz Institute, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (F.B.); Tel.: +1-312-900-6650 (M.M.); +33-4-91-22-35-37 (F.B.)
| | - Ines ELBini-Dhouib
- Biomolecules Laboratory of Venins and Theranostic Applications, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Pascal Finetti
- Predictive Oncology Laboratory, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, «Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer», 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Haifa Bichiou
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology, and Biomolecules-LR16 IPT06, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Carolina Reduzzi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Dorra Aissaoui
- Biomolecules Laboratory of Venins and Theranostic Applications, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Naziha Ben-Hamida
- Anatomic Pathology Department, Salah Azaiz Institute, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
| | - Emilie Agavnian
- Department of Bio-Pathology, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Najet Srairi-Abid
- Biomolecules Laboratory of Venins and Theranostic Applications, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Marc Lopez
- Predictive Oncology Laboratory, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, «Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer», 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Fatma Amri
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology Cellular Phytopathology and Biomolecules Valorisation (LR18ES03), Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
| | - Lamia Guizani-Tabbane
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology, and Biomolecules-LR16 IPT06, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Khaled Rahal
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Salah Azaiez Institute, Bab Saadoun, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
| | - Karima Mrad
- Anatomic Pathology Department, Salah Azaiz Institute, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Manai
- Mycology, Pathologies and Biomarkers Laboratory (LR16ES05), Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
| | - Daniel Birnbaum
- Predictive Oncology Laboratory, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, «Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer», 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Emilie Mamessier
- Predictive Oncology Laboratory, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, «Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer», 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Massimo Cristofanilli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Hamouda Boussen
- Medical Oncology Service, Hospital of Ariana, Ariana 2080, Tunisia
| | - Maher Kharrat
- Human Genetics Laboratory (LR99ES10), Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
| | - Raoudha Doghri
- Anatomic Pathology Department, Salah Azaiz Institute, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
| | - François Bertucci
- Predictive Oncology Laboratory, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, «Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer», 13009 Marseille, France
- Medicine School, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, 13009 Marseille, France
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (F.B.); Tel.: +1-312-900-6650 (M.M.); +33-4-91-22-35-37 (F.B.)
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Ebrahimi N, Kharazmi K, Ghanaatian M, Miraghel SA, Amiri Y, Seyedebrahimi SS, Mobarak H, Yazdani E, Parkhideh S, Hamblin MR, Aref AR. Role of the Wnt and GTPase pathways in breast cancer tumorigenesis and treatment. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 67:11-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Targeting Cancer by Using Nanoparticles to Modulate RHO GTPase Signaling. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1357:115-127. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-88071-2_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Zhang Z, Liu M, Zheng Y. Role of Rho GTPases in stem cell regulation. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2941-2955. [PMID: 34854916 PMCID: PMC9008577 DOI: 10.1042/bst20211071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The future of regenerative medicine relies on our understanding of stem cells which are essential for tissue/organ generation and regeneration to maintain and/or restore tissue homeostasis. Rho family GTPases are known regulators of a wide variety of cellular processes related to cytoskeletal dynamics, polarity and gene transcription. In the last decade, major new advances have been made in understanding the regulatory role and mechanism of Rho GTPases in self-renewal, differentiation, migration, and lineage specification in tissue-specific signaling mechanisms in various stem cell types to regulate embryonic development, adult tissue homeostasis, and tissue regeneration upon stress or damage. Importantly, implication of Rho GTPases and their upstream regulators or downstream effectors in the transformation, migration, invasion and tumorigenesis of diverse cancer stem cells highlights the potential of Rho GTPase targeting in cancer therapy. In this review, we discuss recent evidence of Rho GTPase signaling in the regulation of embryonic stem cells, multiple somatic stem cells, and cancer stem cells. We propose promising areas where Rho GTPase pathways may serve as useful targets for stem cell manipulation and related future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhang
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, U.S.A
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, U.S.A
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Lou Y, Jiang Y, Liang Z, Liu B, Li T, Zhang D. Role of RhoC in cancer cell migration. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:527. [PMID: 34627249 PMCID: PMC8502390 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02234-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Migration is one of the five major behaviors of cells. Although RhoC—a classic member of the Rho gene family—was first identified in 1985, functional RhoC data have only been widely reported in recent years. Cell migration involves highly complex signaling mechanisms, in which RhoC plays an essential role. Cell migration regulated by RhoC—of which the most well-known function is its role in cancer metastasis—has been widely reported in breast, gastric, colon, bladder, prostate, lung, pancreatic, liver, and other cancers. Our review describes the role of RhoC in various types of cell migration. The classic two-dimensional cell migration cycle constitutes cell polarization, adhesion regulation, cell contraction and tail retraction, most of which are modulated by RhoC. In the three-dimensional cell migration model, amoeboid migration is the most classic and well-studied model. Here, RhoC modulates the formation of membrane vesicles by regulating myosin II, thereby affecting the rate and persistence of amoeba-like migration. To the best of our knowledge, this review is the first to describe the role of RhoC in all cell migration processes. We believe that understanding the detail of RhoC-regulated migration processes will help us better comprehend the mechanism of cancer metastasis. This will contribute to the study of anti-metastatic treatment approaches, aiding in the identification of new intervention targets for therapeutic or genetic transformational purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingyue Lou
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yuhan Jiang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhen Liang
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bingzhang Liu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Duo Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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Schuhmacher J, Heidu S, Balchen T, Richardson JR, Schmeltz C, Sonne J, Schweiker J, Rammensee HG, Thor Straten P, Røder MA, Brasso K, Gouttefangeas C. Vaccination against RhoC induces long-lasting immune responses in patients with prostate cancer: results from a phase I/II clinical trial. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-001157. [PMID: 33184050 PMCID: PMC7662471 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Peptide-based vaccination is a rational option for immunotherapy of prostate cancer. In this first-in-man phase I/II study, we assessed the safety, tolerability and immunological impact of a synthetic long peptide vaccine targeting Ras homolog gene family member C (RhoC) in patients with prostate cancer. RhoC is a small GTPase overexpressed in advanced solid cancers, metastases and cancer stem cells. Methods Twenty-two patients who had previously undergone radical prostatectomy received subcutaneous injections of 0.1 mg of a single RhoC-derived 20mer peptide emulsified in Montanide ISA-51 every 2 weeks for the first six times, then five times every 4 weeks for a total treatment time of 30 weeks. The drug safety and vaccine-specific immune responses were assessed during treatment and thereafter within a 13-month follow-up period. Serum level of prostate-specific antigen was measured up to 26 months postvaccination. Results Most patients (18 of 21 evaluable) developed a strong CD4 T cell response against the vaccine, which lasted at least 10 months following the last vaccination. Three promiscuouslypresented HLA-class II epitopes were identified. Vaccine-specific CD4 T cells were polyfunctional and effector memory T cells that stably expressed PD-1 (CD279) and OX-40 (CD134), but not LAG-3 (CD223). One CD8 T cell response was detected in addition. The vaccine was well tolerated and no treatment-related adverse events of grade ≥3 were observed. Conclusion Targeting of RhoC induced a potent and long-lasting T cell immunity in the majority of the patients. The study demonstrates an excellent safety and tolerability profile. Vaccination against RhoC could potentially delay or prevent tumor recurrence and metastasis formation. Trial registration number NCT03199872.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Schuhmacher
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sonja Heidu
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Jennifer Rebecca Richardson
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Jesper Sonne
- Zelo Phase I Unit, DanTrials ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas Schweiker
- Department of Oncology, Haematology, Immunology, Rheumatology and Pulmonology, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Rammensee
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Per Thor Straten
- Department of Oncology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), University Hospital Herlev & Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Andreas Røder
- Department of Urology, Copenhagen Prostate Cancer Center, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Klaus Brasso
- Department of Urology, Copenhagen Prostate Cancer Center, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cécile Gouttefangeas
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany .,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Abraham HG, Ulintz PJ, Goo L, Yates JA, Little AC, Bao L, Wu Z, Merajver SD. RhoC Modulates Cell Junctions and Type I Interferon Response in Aggressive Breast Cancers. Front Oncol 2021; 11:712041. [PMID: 34513691 PMCID: PMC8428533 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.712041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastases are the leading cause of death in cancer patients. RhoC, a member of the Rho GTPase family, has been shown to facilitate metastasis of aggressive breast cancer cells by influencing motility, invasion, and chemokine secretion, but as yet there is no integrated model of the precise mechanism of how RhoC promotes metastasis. A common phenotypic characteristic of metastatic cells influenced by these mechanisms is dysregulation of cell-cell junctions. Thus, we set out to study how RhoA- and RhoC-GTPase influence the cell-cell junctions in aggressive breast cancers. We demonstrate that CRISPR-Cas9 knockout of RhoC in SUM 149 and MDA 231 breast cancer cells results in increased normalization of junctional integrity denoted by junction protein expression/colocalization. In functional assessments of junction stability, RhoC knockout cells have increased barrier integrity and increased cell-cell adhesion compared to wild-type cells. Whole exome RNA sequencing and targeted gene expression profiling demonstrate decreased expression of Type I interferon-stimulated genes in RhoC knockout cells compared to wild-type, and subsequent treatment with interferon-alpha resulted in significant increases in adhesion and decreases in invasiveness of wild-type cells and a dampened response to interferon-alpha stimulation with respect to adhesion and invasiveness in RhoC knockout cells. We delineate a key role of RhoC-GTPase in modulation of junctions and response to interferon, which supports inhibition of RhoC as a potential anti-invasion therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sofia D. Merajver
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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12
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Xu J, Yang X, Deng Q, Yang C, Wang D, Jiang G, Yao X, He X, Ding J, Qiang J, Tu J, Zhang R, Lei QY, Shao ZM, Bian X, Hu R, Zhang L, Liu S. TEM8 marks neovasculogenic tumor-initiating cells in triple-negative breast cancer. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4413. [PMID: 34285210 PMCID: PMC8292527 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24703-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhanced neovasculogenesis, especially vasculogenic mimicry (VM), contributes to the development of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Breast tumor-initiating cells (BTICs) are involved in forming VM; however, the specific VM-forming BTIC population and the regulatory mechanisms remain undefined. We find that tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) is abundantly expressed in TNBC and serves as a marker for VM-forming BTICs. Mechanistically, TEM8 increases active RhoC level and induces ROCK1-mediated phosphorylation of SMAD5, in a cascade essential for promoting stemness and VM capacity of breast cancer cells. ASB10, an estrogen receptor ERα trans-activated E3 ligase, ubiquitylates TEM8 for degradation, and its deficiency in TNBC resulted in a high homeostatic level of TEM8. In this work, we identify TEM8 as a functional marker for VM-forming BTICs in TNBC, providing a target for the development of effective therapies against TNBC targeting both BTIC self-renewal and neovasculogenesis simultaneously. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) contributes to the development of triple-negative breast cancer. In this study, the authors show that TEM8 is expressed in VM-forming breast cancer stem cells and it promotes stemness and VM differentiation capacity through a RhoC/ROCK1/SMAD5 axis
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Xu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoli Yang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiaodan Deng
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Yang
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Dong Wang
- WPI Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Guojuan Jiang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohong Yao
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University); Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
| | - Xueyan He
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajun Ding
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiankun Qiang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juchuanli Tu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qun-Ying Lei
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Min Shao
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuwu Bian
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University); Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China.
| | - Ronggui Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology; CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science; Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lixing Zhang
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Suling Liu
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center & Institutes of Biomedical Sciences; Cancer Institutes; Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai; The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics; The International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology; Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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13
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Borrero-García LD, Del Mar Maldonado M, Medina-Velázquez J, Troche-Torres AL, Velazquez L, Grafals-Ruiz N, Dharmawardhane S. Rac inhibition as a novel therapeutic strategy for EGFR/HER2 targeted therapy resistant breast cancer. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:652. [PMID: 34074257 PMCID: PMC8170972 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08366-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Even though targeted therapies are available for cancers expressing oncogenic epidermal growth receptor (EGFR) and (or) human EGFR2 (HER2), acquired or intrinsic resistance often confounds therapy success. Common mechanisms of therapy resistance involve activating receptor point mutations and (or) upregulation of signaling downstream of EGFR/HER2 to Akt and (or) mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. However, additional pathways of resistance may exist thus, confounding successful therapy. Methods To determine novel mechanisms of EGFR/HER2 therapy resistance in breast cancer, gefitinib or lapatinib resistant variants were created from SKBR3 breast cancer cells. Syngenic therapy sensitive and resistant SKBR3 variants were characterized for mechanisms of resistance by mammosphere assays, viability assays, and western blotting for total and phospho proteins. Results Gefitinib and lapatinib treatments reduced mammosphere formation in the sensitive cells, but not in the therapy resistant variants, indicating enhanced mesenchymal and cancer stem cell-like characteristics in therapy resistant cells. The therapy resistant variants did not show significant changes in known therapy resistant pathways of AKT and MAPK activities downstream of EGFR/HER2. However, these cells exhibited elevated expression and activation of the small GTPase Rac, which is a pivotal intermediate of GFR signaling in EMT and metastasis. Therefore, the potential of the Rac inhibitors EHop-016 and MBQ-167 to overcome therapy resistance was tested, and found to inhibit viability and induce apoptosis of therapy resistant cells. Conclusions Rac inhibition may represent a viable strategy for treatment of EGFR/HER2 targeted therapy resistant breast cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08366-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis D Borrero-García
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Maria Del Mar Maldonado
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Julia Medina-Velázquez
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Angel L Troche-Torres
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Luis Velazquez
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Nilmary Grafals-Ruiz
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Suranganie Dharmawardhane
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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14
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Makowiecka A, Mazurkiewicz E, Mrówczyńska E, Malek N, Battistella A, Lazzarino M, Nowak D, Mazur AJ. Changes in Biomechanical Properties of A375 Cells Due to the Silencing of TMSB4X Expression Are Not Directly Correlated with Alterations in Their Stemness Features. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040769. [PMID: 33807338 PMCID: PMC8067020 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a small, 44-amino acid polypeptide. It has been implicated in multiple processes, including cell movement, angiogenesis, and stemness. Previously, we reported that melanoma cell lines differ in Tβ4 levels. Studies on stable clones with silenced TMSB4X expression showed that Tβ4 impacted adhesion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression. Here, we show that the cells with silenced TMSB4X expression exhibited altered actin cytoskeleton’s organization and subcellular relocalization of two intermediate filament proteins: Nestin and Vimentin. The rearrangement of the cell cytoskeleton resulted in changes in the cells’ topology, height, and stiffness defined by Young’s modulus. Simultaneously, only for some A375 clones with a lowered Tβ4 level, we observed a decreased ability to initiate colony formation in soft agar, tumor formation in vivo, and alterations in Nanog’s expression level transcription factor regulating stemness. Thus, we show for the first time that in A375 cells, biomechanical properties are not directly coupled to stemness features, and this cell line is phenotypically heterogeneous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Makowiecka
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-National Research Council, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence: or (A.M.); (A.J.M.); Tel.: +48-71-375-6206 (A.J.M.)
| | - Ewa Mazurkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Ewa Mrówczyńska
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Natalia Malek
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Alice Battistella
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-National Research Council, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (M.L.)
| | - Marco Lazzarino
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-National Research Council, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (M.L.)
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Antonina Joanna Mazur
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
- Correspondence: or (A.M.); (A.J.M.); Tel.: +48-71-375-6206 (A.J.M.)
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15
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Rho GTPases: Big Players in Breast Cancer Initiation, Metastasis and Therapeutic Responses. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102167. [PMID: 32992837 PMCID: PMC7600866 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rho GTPases, a family of the Ras GTPase superfamily, are key regulators of the actin cytoskeleton. They were originally thought to primarily affect cell migration and invasion; however, recent advances in our understanding of the biology and function of Rho GTPases have demonstrated their diverse roles within the cell, including membrane trafficking, gene transcription, migration, invasion, adhesion, survival and growth. As these processes are critically involved in cancer initiation, metastasis and therapeutic responses, it is not surprising that studies have demonstrated important roles of Rho GTPases in cancer. Although the majority of data indicates an oncogenic role of Rho GTPases, tumor suppressor functions of Rho GTPases have also been revealed, suggesting a context and cell-type specific function for Rho GTPases in cancer. This review aims to summarize recent progresses in our understanding of the regulation and functions of Rho GTPases, specifically in the context of breast cancer. The potential of Rho GTPases as therapeutic targets and prognostic tools for breast cancer patients are also discussed.
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16
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Sereno M, Videira M, Wilhelm I, Krizbai IA, Brito MA. miRNAs in Health and Disease: A Focus on the Breast Cancer Metastatic Cascade towards the Brain. Cells 2020; 9:E1790. [PMID: 32731349 PMCID: PMC7463742 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that mainly act by binding to target genes to regulate their expression. Due to the multitude of genes regulated by miRNAs they have been subject of extensive research in the past few years. This state-of-the-art review summarizes the current knowledge about miRNAs and illustrates their role as powerful regulators of physiological processes. Moreover, it highlights their aberrant expression in disease, including specific cancer types and the differential hosting-metastases preferences that influence several steps of tumorigenesis. Considering the incidence of breast cancer and that the metastatic disease is presently the major cause of death in women, emphasis is put in the role of miRNAs in breast cancer and in the regulation of the different steps of the metastatic cascade. Furthermore, we depict their involvement in the cascade of events underlying breast cancer brain metastasis formation and development. Collectively, this review shall contribute to a better understanding of the uniqueness of the biologic roles of miRNAs in these processes, to the awareness of miRNAs as new and reliable biomarkers and/or of therapeutic targets, which can change the landscape of a poor prognosis and low survival rates condition of advanced breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Sereno
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.S.); (M.V.)
| | - Mafalda Videira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.S.); (M.V.)
- Department of Galenic Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Imola Wilhelm
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary, Temesvári krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; (I.W.); (I.A.K.)
- Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldiş Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania, Str. Liviu Rebreanu 86, 310414 Arad, Romania
| | - István A. Krizbai
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary, Temesvári krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; (I.W.); (I.A.K.)
- Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldiş Western University of Arad, Arad, Romania, Str. Liviu Rebreanu 86, 310414 Arad, Romania
| | - Maria Alexandra Brito
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (M.S.); (M.V.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
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17
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Chiodi I, Mondello C. Life style factors, tumor cell plasticity and cancer stem cells. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2020; 784:108308. [PMID: 32430096 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2020.108308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancers are heterogeneous tissues and a layer of heterogeneity is determined by the presence of cells showing stemness traits, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Evidence indicates that CSCs are important players in tumor development, progression and relapse. Oncogenic transformation of normal stem cells can give rise to CSCs, but CSCs can also originate from de-differentiation of bulk tumor cells. Thus, factors promoting the increase of normal stem cell pools or stimulating the acquisition of stemness features by tumor cells can have serious consequences on cancer origin and progression. In this review, we will first give an overview of the CSC model of cancer development and we will then discuss the role of life style factors, such as high caloric diet, alcohol drinking and smoking, on the widening of stem cell pools and the induction of CSC features in tumors. Finally, we will discuss some healthy life style factors that can help to prevent cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Chiodi
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare L. L. Cavalli-Sforza, CNR, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Chiara Mondello
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare L. L. Cavalli-Sforza, CNR, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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18
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Heterogeneity at the invasion front of triple negative breast cancer cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5781. [PMID: 32238832 PMCID: PMC7113246 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62516-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying better predictive and prognostic biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is complicated by tumor heterogeneity ranging from responses to therapy, mutational burden, and clonal evolution. To overcome the gap in our understanding of tumor heterogeneity, we hypothesized that isolating and studying the gene expression profile of invasive tumor cell subpopulations would be a crucial step towards achieving this goal. In this report, we utilized a fluidic device previously reported to be capable of supporting long-term three-dimensional growth and invasion dynamics of cancer cells. Live invading and matched non-invading SUM149 inflammatory breast cancer cells were enriched using this device and these two functionally distinct subpopulations were tested for differences in gene expression using a gene expression microarray. 305 target genes were identified to have altered expression in the invading cells compared to the non-invading tumoroid cells. Gene ontology analysis of the gene panel identified multiple biological roles ranging from extracellular matrix reorganization to modulation of the immune response and Rho signaling. Interestingly, the genes associated with the invasion front differ between different samples, consistent with inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. This work suggests the impact of heterogeneity in biomarker discovery should be considered as cancer therapy increasingly heads towards a personalized approach.
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19
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Moorthy S, Byfield FJ, Janmey PA, Klein EA. Matrix stiffness regulates endosomal escape of uropathogenic E. coli. Cell Microbiol 2020; 22:e13196. [PMID: 32083802 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) infection in vivo is characterized by invasion of bladder umbrella epithelial cells followed by endosomal escape and proliferation in the cytoplasm to form intracellular bacterial communities. By contrast, UPEC infection in tissue culture models results in bacteria being trapped within Lamp1-positive endosomes where proliferation is limited. Pharmacological disruption of the actin cytoskeleton has been shown to facilitate UPEC endosomal escape in vitro and extracellular matrix stiffness is a well-characterized physiological regulator of actin dynamics; therefore, we hypothesized that substrate stiffness may play a role in UPEC endosomal escape. Using functionalized polyacrylamide substrates, we found that at physiological stiffness, UPEC escaped the endosome and proliferated rapidly in the cytoplasm of bladder epithelial cells. Dissection of the cytoskeletal signaling pathway demonstrated that inhibition of the Rho GTPase RhoB or its effector PRK1 was sufficient to increase cytoplasmic bacterial growth and that RhoB protein level was significantly reduced at physiological stiffness. Our data suggest that tissue stiffness is a critical regulator of intracellular bacterial growth. Due to the ease of doing genetic and pharmacological manipulations in cell culture, this model system may provide a useful tool for performing mechanistic studies on the intracellular life cycle of uropathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudha Moorthy
- Department of Biology, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, New Jersey, USA
| | - Fitzroy J Byfield
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paul A Janmey
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eric A Klein
- Department of Biology, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, New Jersey, USA.,Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, New Jersey, USA
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20
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Sridharan S, Howard CM, Tilley AMC, Subramaniyan B, Tiwari AK, Ruch RJ, Raman D. Novel and Alternative Targets Against Breast Cancer Stemness to Combat Chemoresistance. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1003. [PMID: 31681564 PMCID: PMC6805781 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) play a vital role in tumor progression and metastasis. They are heterogeneous and inherently radio- and chemoresistant. They have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into non-BCSCs. These determinants of BCSCs including the plasticity between the mesenchymal and epithelial phenotypes often leads to minimal residual disease (MRD), tumor relapse, and therapy failure. By studying the resistance mechanisms in BCSCs, a combinatorial therapy can be formulated to co-target BCSCs and bulk tumor cells. This review addresses breast cancer stemness and molecular underpinnings of how the cancer stemness can lead to pharmacological resistance. This might occur through rewiring of signaling pathways and modulated expression of various targets that support survival and self-renewal, clonogenicity, and multi-lineage differentiation into heterogeneous bulk tumor cells following chemotherapy. We explore emerging novel and alternative molecular targets against BC stemness and chemoresistance involving survival, drug efflux, metabolism, proliferation, cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. Strategic targeting of such vulnerabilities in BCSCs may overcome the chemoresistance and increase the longevity of the metastatic breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangita Sridharan
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Cory M. Howard
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | | | | | - Amit K. Tiwari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Randall J. Ruch
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Dayanidhi Raman
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
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21
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Pranatharthi A, Thomas P, Udayashankar AH, Bhavani C, Suresh SB, Krishna S, Thatte J, Srikantia N, Ross CR, Srivastava S. RhoC regulates radioresistance via crosstalk of ROCK2 with the DNA repair machinery in cervical cancer. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:392. [PMID: 31488179 PMCID: PMC6729006 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1385-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Radioresistance remains a challenge to the successful treatment of various tumors. Intrinsic factors like alterations in signaling pathways regulate response to radiation. RhoC, which has been shown to modulate several tumor phenotypes has been investigated in this report for its role in radioresistance. In vitro and clinical sample-based studies have been performed to understand its contribution to radiation response in cervical cancer and this is the first report to establish the role of RhoC and its effector ROCK2 in cervical cancer radiation response. Methods Biochemical, transcriptomic and immunological approaches including flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to understand the role of RhoC and ROCK2. RhoC variants, siRNA and chemical inhibitors were used to alter the function of RhoC and ROCK2. Transcriptomic profiling was performed to understand the gene expression pattern of the cells. Live sorting using an intracellular antigen has been developed to isolate the cells for transcriptomic studies. Results Enhanced expression of RhoC conferred radioprotection on the tumor cells while inhibition of RhoC resulted in sensitization of cells to radiation. The RhoC overexpressing cells had a better DNA repair machinery as observed using transcriptomic analysis. Similarly, overexpression of ROCK2, protected tumor cells against radiation while its inhibition increased radiosensitivity in vitro. Further investigations revealed that ROCK2 inhibition abolished the radioresistance phenotype, conferred by RhoC on SiHa cells, confirming that it is a downstream effector of RhoC in this context. Additionally, transcriptional analysis of the live sorted ROCK2 high and ROCK2 low expressing SiHa cells revealed an upregulation of the DNA repair pathway proteins. Consequently, inhibition of ROCK2 resulted in reduced expression of pH2Ax and MRN complex proteins, critical to repair of double strand breaks. Clinical sample-based studies also demonstrated that ROCK2 inhibition sensitizes tumor cells to irradiation. Conclusions Our data primarily indicates that RhoC and ROCK2 signaling is important for the radioresistance phenotype in cervical cancer tumor cells and is regulated via association of ROCK2 with the proteins of DNA repair pathway involving pH2Ax, MRE11 and RAD50 proteins, partly offering insights into the mechanism of radioresistance in tumor cells. These findings highlight RhoC-ROCK2 signaling involvement in DNA repair and urge the need for development of these molecules as targets to alleviate the non-responsiveness of cervical cancer tumor cells to irradiation treatment. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1385-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annapurna Pranatharthi
- National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, 560065, India.,Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, 560041, India.,Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), Department of Medicine, St. John's Medical College Hospital (SJMCH), Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Pavana Thomas
- School of Integrative Health Sciences, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bangalore, 560064, India.,Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), St. John's Research Institute (SJRI), Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Avinash H Udayashankar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St John's Medical College Hospital (SJMCH), Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Chandra Bhavani
- Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), St. John's Research Institute (SJRI), Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Srinag Bangalore Suresh
- Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, 560041, India.,Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), Department of Medicine, St. John's Medical College Hospital (SJMCH), Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Sudhir Krishna
- National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Jayashree Thatte
- National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Nirmala Srikantia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St John's Medical College Hospital (SJMCH), Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Cecil R Ross
- Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, 560041, India.,Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), Department of Medicine, St. John's Medical College Hospital (SJMCH), Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Sweta Srivastava
- Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), Department of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, St. John's Medical College Hospital (SJMCH), Bangalore, 560034, India. .,School of Integrative Health Sciences, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bangalore, 560064, India.
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22
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Thomas P, Pranatharthi A, Ross C, Srivastava S. RhoC: a fascinating journey from a cytoskeletal organizer to a Cancer stem cell therapeutic target. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:328. [PMID: 31340863 PMCID: PMC6651989 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1327-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity results in differential response to therapy due to the existence of plastic tumor cells, called cancer stem cells (CSCs), which exhibit the property of resistance to therapy, invasion and metastasis. These cells have a distinct, signaling network active at every stage of progression. It is difficult to envisage that the CSCs will have a unique set of signaling pathways regulating every stage of disease progression. Rather, it would be easier to believe that a single pivotal pathway having significant contribution at every stage, which can further turn on a battery of signaling mechanisms specific to that stage, would be instrumental in regulating the signaling network, enabling easy transition from one state to another. In this context, we discuss the role of RhoC which has contributed to several phenotypes during tumor progression. RhoC (Ras homolog gene family member C) has been widely reported to regulate actin organization. It has been shown to impact the motility of cancer cells, resultantly affecting invasion and metastasis, and has contributed to carcinoma progression of the breast, pancreas, lung, ovaries and cervix, among several others. The most interesting finding has been its indispensable role in metastasis. Also, it has the ability to modulate various other phenotypes like angiogenesis, motility, invasion, metastasis, and anoikis resistance. These observations suggest that RhoC imparts the plasticity required by tumor cells to exhibit such diverse functions based on microenvironmental cues. This was further confirmed by recent reports which show that it regulates cancer stem cells in breast, ovary and head and neck cancers. Studies also suggest that the inhibition of RhoC results in abolition of advanced tumor phenotypes. Our review throws light on how RhoC, which is capable of modulating various phenotypes may be the apt core signaling candidate regulating disease progression. Additionally, mice studies show that RhoC is not essential for embryogenesis, giving scope for its development as a possible therapeutic target. This review thus stresses on the need to understand the protein and its functioning in greater detail to enable its development as a stem cell marker and a possible therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavana Thomas
- Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), St. John's Research Institute (SJRI), Bangalore, 560034, India.,School of Integrative Health Sciences, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bangalore, 560064, India
| | - Annapurna Pranatharthi
- Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Bangalore, 560041, India.,National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, 560065, India.,Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), Department of Medicine, St. John's Medical College Hospital (SJMCH), Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Cecil Ross
- Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), Department of Medicine, St. John's Medical College Hospital (SJMCH), Bangalore, 560034, India
| | - Sweta Srivastava
- Translational and Molecular Biology Laboratory (TMBL), Department of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, St. John's Medical College Hospital (SJMCH), Bangalore, 560034, India.
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23
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Little AC, Pathanjeli P, Wu Z, Bao L, Goo LE, Yates JA, Oliver CR, Soellner MB, Merajver SD. IL-4/IL-13 Stimulated Macrophages Enhance Breast Cancer Invasion Via Rho-GTPase Regulation of Synergistic VEGF/CCL-18 Signaling. Front Oncol 2019; 9:456. [PMID: 31214501 PMCID: PMC6554436 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are increasingly recognized as major contributors to the metastatic progression of breast cancer and enriched levels of TAMs often correlate with poor prognosis. Despite our current advances it remains unclear which subset of M2-like macrophages have the highest capacity to enhance the metastatic program and which mechanisms regulate this process. Effective targeting of macrophages that aid cancer progression requires knowledge of the specific mechanisms underlying their pro-metastatic actions, as to avoid the anticipated toxicities from generalized targeting of macrophages. To this end, we set out to understand the relationship between the regulation of tumor secretions by Rho-GTPases, which were previously demonstrated to affect them, macrophage differentiation, and the converse influence of macrophages on cancer cell phenotype. Our data show that IL-4/IL-13 in vitro differentiated M2a macrophages significantly increase migratory and invasive potential of breast cancer cells at a greater rate than M2b or M2c macrophages. Our previous work demonstrated that the Rho-GTPases are potent regulators of macrophage-induced migratory responses; therefore, we examined M2a-mediated responses in RhoA or RhoC knockout breast cancer cell models. We find that both RhoA and RhoC regulate migration and invasion in MDA-MB-231 and SUM-149 cells following stimulation with M2a conditioned media. Secretome analysis of M2a conditioned media reveals high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 18 (CCL-18). Results from our functional assays reveal that M2a TAMs synergistically utilize VEGF and CCL-18 to promote migratory and invasive responses. Lastly, we show that pretreatment with ROCK inhibitors Y-276332 or GSK42986A attenuated VEGF/CCL-18 and M2a-induced migration and invasion. These results support Rho-GTPase signaling regulates downstream responses induced by TAMs, offering a novel approach for the prevention of breast cancer metastasis by anti-RhoA/C therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C. Little
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sofia D. Merajver
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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24
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Chen W, Allen SG, Qian W, Peng Z, Han S, Li X, Sun Y, Fournier C, Bao L, Lam RH, Merajver SD, Fu J. Biophysical Phenotyping and Modulation of ALDH+ Inflammatory Breast Cancer Stem-Like Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2019; 15:e1802891. [PMID: 30632269 PMCID: PMC6486377 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201802891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) have been shown to initiate tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis in many cancer types. Although identification of CSCs through specific marker expression helps define the CSC compartment, it does not directly provide information on how or why this cancer cell subpopulation is more metastatic or tumorigenic. In this study, the functional and biophysical characteristics of aggressive and lethal inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) CSCs at the single-cell level are comprehensively profiled using multiple microengineered tools. Distinct functional (cell migration, growth, adhesion, invasion and self-renewal) and biophysical (cell deformability, adhesion strength and contractility) properties of ALDH+ SUM149 IBC CSCs are found as compared to their ALDH- non-CSC counterpart, providing biophysical insights into why CSCs has an enhanced propensity to metastasize. It is further shown that the cellular biophysical phenotype can predict and determine IBC cells' tumorigenic ability. SUM149 and SUM159 IBC cells selected and modulated through biophysical attributes-adhesion and stiffness-show characteristics of CSCs in vitro and enhance tumorigenicity in in vivo murine models of primary tumor growth. Overall, the multiparametric cellular biophysical phenotyping and modulation of IBC CSCs yields a new understanding of IBC's metastatic properties and how they might develop and be targeted for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiang Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA, Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA,
| | - Steven G. Allen
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA,
| | - Weiyi Qian
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
| | - Zifeng Peng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Shuo Han
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yubing Sun
- Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Chelsea Fournier
- Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Liwei Bao
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Raymond H.W. Lam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sofia D. Merajver
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jianping Fu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA,
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25
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Sridharan S, Howard CM, Tilley AMC, Subramaniyan B, Tiwari AK, Ruch RJ, Raman D. Novel and Alternative Targets Against Breast Cancer Stemness to Combat Chemoresistance. Front Oncol 2019. [PMID: 31681564 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01003.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) play a vital role in tumor progression and metastasis. They are heterogeneous and inherently radio- and chemoresistant. They have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into non-BCSCs. These determinants of BCSCs including the plasticity between the mesenchymal and epithelial phenotypes often leads to minimal residual disease (MRD), tumor relapse, and therapy failure. By studying the resistance mechanisms in BCSCs, a combinatorial therapy can be formulated to co-target BCSCs and bulk tumor cells. This review addresses breast cancer stemness and molecular underpinnings of how the cancer stemness can lead to pharmacological resistance. This might occur through rewiring of signaling pathways and modulated expression of various targets that support survival and self-renewal, clonogenicity, and multi-lineage differentiation into heterogeneous bulk tumor cells following chemotherapy. We explore emerging novel and alternative molecular targets against BC stemness and chemoresistance involving survival, drug efflux, metabolism, proliferation, cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. Strategic targeting of such vulnerabilities in BCSCs may overcome the chemoresistance and increase the longevity of the metastatic breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangita Sridharan
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Cory M Howard
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Augustus M C Tilley
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | | | - Amit K Tiwari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Randall J Ruch
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Dayanidhi Raman
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
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26
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Kaushal N, Tiruchinapally G, Durmaz YY, Bao L, Gilani R, Merajver SD, ElSayed MEH. Synergistic inhibition of aggressive breast cancer cell migration and invasion by cytoplasmic delivery of anti-RhoC silencing RNA and presentation of EPPT1 peptide on "smart" particles. J Control Release 2018; 289:79-93. [PMID: 30149048 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression of RhoC protein in breast cancer patients has been linked to increased cancer cell invasion, migration, and metastases. Suppressing RhoC expression in aggressive breast cancer cells using silencing RNA (siRNA) molecules is a viable strategy to inhibit the metastatic spread of breast cancer. In this report, we describe the synthesis of a series of asymmetric pH-sensitive, membrane-destabilizing polymers engineered to complex anti-RhoC siRNA molecules forming "smart" nanoparticles. Using β-CD as the particle core, polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains were conjugated to the primary face via non-cleavable bonds and amphiphilic polymers incorporating hydrophobic and cationic monomers were grafted to the secondary face via acid-labile linkages. We investigated the effect of PEG molecular weight (2 & 5 kDa) on transfection capacity and serum stability of the formed particles. We evaluated the efficacy of EPPT1 peptides presented on the free tips of the PEG brush to function as a targeting ligand against underglycosylated MUC1 (uMUC1) receptors overexpressed on the surface of metastatic breast cancer cells. Results show that "smart" nanoparticles successfully delivered anti-RhoC siRNA into the cytoplasm of aggressive SUM149 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, which resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell migration and invasion. Further, EPPT1-targeted nanoparticles demonstrate a synergistic inhibition of cell migration and invasion imparted via RhoC knockdown and EPPT1-mediated signaling via the uMUC1 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Kaushal
- University of Michigan, College of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cellular Engineering & Nano-Therapeutics Laboratory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Gopinath Tiruchinapally
- University of Michigan, College of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cellular Engineering & Nano-Therapeutics Laboratory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yasemin Yuksel Durmaz
- Istanbul Medipol University, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 34810 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - LiWei Bao
- University of Michigan, School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Rabia Gilani
- University of Michigan, School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sofia D Merajver
- University of Michigan, School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Mohamed E H ElSayed
- University of Michigan, College of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cellular Engineering & Nano-Therapeutics Laboratory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; University of Michigan, Macromolecular Science and Engineering Program, 2300 Hayward Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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27
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Lim B, Woodward WA, Wang X, Reuben JM, Ueno NT. Inflammatory breast cancer biology: the tumour microenvironment is key. Nat Rev Cancer 2018; 18:485-499. [PMID: 29703913 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-018-0010-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and aggressive disease that accounts for ~2-4% of all breast cancers. However, despite its low incidence rate, IBC is responsible for 7-10% of breast cancer-related mortality in Western countries. Thus, the discovery of robust biological targets and the development of more effective therapeutics in IBC are crucial. Despite major international efforts to understand IBC biology, genomic studies have not led to the discovery of distinct biological mechanisms in IBC that can be translated into novel therapeutic strategies. In this Review, we discuss these molecular profiling efforts and highlight other important aspects of IBC biology. We present the intrinsic characteristics of IBC, including stemness, metastatic potential and hormone receptor positivity; the extrinsic features of the IBC tumour microenvironment (TME), including various constituent cell types; and lastly, the communication between these intrinsic and extrinsic components. We summarize the latest perspectives on the key biological features of IBC, with particular emphasis on the TME as an important contributor to the aggressive nature of IBC. On the basis of the current understanding of IBC, we hope to develop the next generation of translational studies, which will lead to much-needed survival improvements in patients with this deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bora Lim
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Wendy A Woodward
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaoping Wang
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - James M Reuben
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Naoto T Ueno
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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28
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Bustelo XR. RHO GTPases in cancer: known facts, open questions, and therapeutic challenges. Biochem Soc Trans 2018; 46:741-760. [PMID: 29871878 PMCID: PMC7615761 DOI: 10.1042/bst20170531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RHO GTPases have been traditionally associated with protumorigenic functions. While this paradigm is still valid in many cases, recent data have unexpectedly revealed that RHO proteins can also play tumor suppressor roles. RHO signaling elements can also promote both pro- and antitumorigenic effects using GTPase-independent mechanisms, thus giving an extra layer of complexity to the role of these proteins in cancer. Consistent with these variegated roles, both gain- and loss-of-function mutations in RHO pathway genes have been found in cancer patients. Collectively, these observations challenge long-held functional archetypes for RHO proteins in both normal and cancer cells. In this review, I will summarize these data and discuss new questions arising from them such as the functional and clinical relevance of the mutations found in patients, the mechanistic orchestration of those antagonistic functions in tumors, and the pros and cons that these results represent for the development of RHO-based anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xosé R Bustelo
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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29
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Wu F, Hu P, Li D, Hu Y, Qi Y, Yin B, Jiang T, Yuan J, Han W, Peng X. RhoGDIα suppresses self-renewal and tumorigenesis of glioma stem cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:61619-61629. [PMID: 27557508 PMCID: PMC5308677 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are a subset of tumor cells that drive glioma initiation and progression. The molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance of GSCs are still poorly understood. Here we investigated the role of Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor α (RhoGDIα) in GSCs. RhoGDIα was down-regulated in glioma stem cells. Over-expression of RhoGDIα suppressed the self-renewal and tumorigenesis of GSCs. Further data showed that RhoGDIα inhibited the transcription activity of stem cell marker Oct4. Moreover, inactivation of ROCK1, a downstream effector of RhoGDIα, also decreased the self-renewal and Oct4 transcription activity, and rescued the effects caused by RhoGDIα knockdown. Our results indicate that RhoGDIα is involved in the maintenance of GSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Peishan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Dengke Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Yan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Yingjiao Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Bin Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jiangang Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Wei Han
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
| | - Xiaozhong Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
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30
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Van Wyhe RD, Rahal OM, Woodward WA. Effect of statins on breast cancer recurrence and mortality: a review. BREAST CANCER-TARGETS AND THERAPY 2017; 9:559-565. [PMID: 29238220 PMCID: PMC5716320 DOI: 10.2147/bctt.s148080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Statins, or 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, are medications that have been used for decades to lower cholesterol and to prevent or treat cardiovascular diseases. Since their approval by the US Food and Drug Administration in the 1980s, other potential uses for statins have been speculated on and explored. Basic science and clinical research suggest that statins are also effective in the management of breast cancer. Specifically, in various breast cancer cell lines, statins increase apoptosis and radiosensitivity, inhibit proliferation and invasion, and decrease the metastatic dissemination of tumors. Clinical trials in breast cancer patients support these laboratory findings by demonstrating improved local control and a mortality benefit for statin users. A role for statins in the management of aggressive breast cancers with poor outcomes – namely, inflammatory breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer – is particularly implicated. However, data exist showing that statins may actually promote invasive breast disease after long-term use and thus should be prescribed cautiously. Furthermore, a general consensus on the type of statin that should be administered, for how long, and when in relation to time of diagnosis is lacking. Given their low toxicity profile, affordability, and ease of use, consideration of statins as a therapy for breast cancer patients is imminent. In this review, we summarize current evidence regarding statins and clinical breast cancer outcomes, as well as discuss potential future studies that could shed light on this increasingly relevant topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renae D Van Wyhe
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.,Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Omar M Rahal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
| | - Wendy A Woodward
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
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Rohira AD, Yan F, Wang L, Wang J, Zhou S, Lu A, Yu Y, Xu J, Lonard DM, O'Malley BW. Targeting SRC Coactivators Blocks the Tumor-Initiating Capacity of Cancer Stem-like Cells. Cancer Res 2017; 77:4293-4304. [PMID: 28611048 PMCID: PMC5559321 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-2982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-initiating cells (TIC) represent cancer stem-like cell (CSC) subpopulations within tumors that are thought to give rise to recurrent cancer after therapy. Identifying key regulators of TIC/CSC maintenance is essential for the development of therapeutics designed to limit recurrence. The steroid receptor coactivator 3 (SRC-3) is overexpressed in a wide range of cancers, driving tumor initiation, cell proliferation, and metastasis. Here we report that SRC-3 supports the TIC/CSC state and induces an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by driving expression of the master EMT regulators and stem cell markers. We also show that inhibition of SRC-3 and SRC-1 with SI-2, a second-generation SRC-3/SRC-1 small-molecule inhibitor, targets the CSC/TIC population both in vitro and in vivo Collectively, these results identify SRC coactivators as regulators of stem-like capacity in cancer cells and that these coactivators can serve as potential therapeutic targets to prevent the recurrence of cancer. Cancer Res; 77(16); 4293-304. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti D Rohira
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Fei Yan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Suoling Zhou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Andrew Lu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jianming Xu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - David M Lonard
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Bert W O'Malley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
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32
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Macrophages Enhance Migration in Inflammatory Breast Cancer Cells via RhoC GTPase Signaling. Sci Rep 2016; 6:39190. [PMID: 27991524 PMCID: PMC5171813 DOI: 10.1038/srep39190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most lethal form of breast cancer. All IBC patients have lymph node involvement and one-third of patients already have distant metastasis at diagnosis. This propensity for metastasis is a hallmark of IBC distinguishing it from less lethal non-inflammatory breast cancers (nIBC). Genetic profiling studies have been conducted to differentiate IBC from nIBC, but no IBC cancer-cell-specific gene signature has been identified. We hypothesized that a tumor-extrinsic factor, notably tumor-associated macrophages, promotes and contributes to IBC’s extreme metastatic phenotype. To this end, we studied the effect of macrophage-conditioned media (MCM) on IBC. We show that two IBC cell lines are hyper-responsive to MCM as compared to normal-like breast and aggressive nIBC cell lines. We further interrogated IBC’s hyper-responsiveness to MCM using a microfluidic migration device, which permits individual cell migration path tracing. We found the MCM “primes” the IBC cells’ cellular machinery to become extremely migratory in response to a chemoattractant. We determined that interleukins −6, −8, and −10 within the MCM are sufficient to stimulate this enhanced IBC migration effect, and that the known metastatic oncogene, RhoC GTPase, is necessary for the enhanced migration response.
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Functions of the RNA Editing Enzyme ADAR1 and Their Relevance to Human Diseases. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7:genes7120129. [PMID: 27999332 PMCID: PMC5192505 DOI: 10.3390/genes7120129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Revised: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) convert adenosine to inosine in double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Among the three types of mammalian ADARs, ADAR1 has long been recognized as an essential enzyme for normal development. The interferon-inducible ADAR1p150 is involved in immune responses to both exogenous and endogenous triggers, whereas the functions of the constitutively expressed ADAR1p110 are variable. Recent findings that ADAR1 is involved in the recognition of self versus non-self dsRNA provide potential explanations for its links to hematopoiesis, type I interferonopathies, and viral infections. Editing in both coding and noncoding sequences results in diseases ranging from cancers to neurological abnormalities. Furthermore, editing of noncoding sequences, like microRNAs, can regulate protein expression, while editing of Alu sequences can affect translational efficiency and editing of proximal sequences. Novel identifications of long noncoding RNA and retrotransposons as editing targets further expand the effects of A-to-I editing. Besides editing, ADAR1 also interacts with other dsRNA-binding proteins in editing-independent manners. Elucidating the disease-specific patterns of editing and/or ADAR1 expression may be useful in making diagnoses and prognoses. In this review, we relate the mechanisms of ADAR1′s actions to its pathological implications, and suggest possible mechanisms for the unexplained associations between ADAR1 and human diseases.
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34
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Sang XB, Sun KX, Wang LL, Chen S, Wu DD, Zong ZH, Zhao Y. Effects and mechanism of RhoC downregulation in suppressing ovarian cancer stem cell proliferation, drug resistance, invasion and metastasis. Oncol Rep 2016; 36:3267-3274. [PMID: 27748937 DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.5164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are considered to be the root cause of tumor initiation, metastasis, recurrence and therapeutic resistance. Recent studies have reported that RhoC plays a critical role in regulating cancer stem cells; however, its function in ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) remains unknown. The ovarian cancer cell line A2780, and the paclitaxel-resistant A2780 cell line (A2780-PTX) were obtained. A2780 cells were used to isolate and identify the highly invasive A2780-PM cells, and A2780-PTX cells were used to isolate and identify the highly drug-resistant and highly invasive A2780-PTX-PM cells by Transwell assay. MTT, Transwell and wound healing assays were used to compare the differences in cell proliferation, invasion and migration ability among the four cell lines. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of stem cell markers CD117 and CD133. OCSCs were sorted by flow cytometry. Following si-RhoC transfection of the OCSCs, cell proliferation, drug resistance, invasion and migration ability and RhoC, CD117 and CD133 expression levels were assayed. RT-PCR was used to assess RhoC, CD117, CD133 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) mRNA expression levels. A2780-PM and A2780‑PTX-PM cells exhibited higher cell proliferation, drug resistance, and invasion and migration ability than the A2780 and A2780-PTX cell lines. Furthermore, CD133 and CD117 expression levels were higher in the A2780-PM and A2780‑PTX-PM cells than levels in the A2780 and A2780-PTX cells. Transfection of si-RhoC in OCSCs suppressed the proliferation, drug resistance, invasion, migration and CD117 and CD133 expression levels. Furthermore, the expression levels of RhoC, CD117, CD133, MDR1, and MMP9 mRNA were downregulated in the transfected population. Taken together, our results demonstrated that RhoC downregulation may inhibit the proliferation, drug resistance, invasion and migration of OCSCs, and RhoC may play an important role in the formation of OCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Bo Sang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Kai-Xuan Sun
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Li-Li Wang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Shuo Chen
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Dan-Dan Wu
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Hong Zong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Heping, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
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35
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Bleau AM, Zandueta C, Redrado M, Martínez-Canarias S, Larzábal L, Montuenga LM, Calvo A, Lecanda F. Sphere-derived tumor cells exhibit impaired metastasis by a host-mediated quiescent phenotype. Oncotarget 2016; 6:27288-303. [PMID: 26318423 PMCID: PMC4694990 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of lung cancer cells to distant sites represents a common event associated with poor prognosis. A fraction of tumor cells named cancer stem cells (CSCs) have the ability to overcome therapeutic stress and remain quiescent. However, whether these CSCs have also the capacity to initiate and sustain metastasis remains unclear. Here, we used tumor sphere cultures (TSC) isolated from mouse and human lung cancer models to enrich for CSCs, and assessed their metastatic potential as compared to non-CSCs. As expected, TSC overexpressed a variety of stem cell markers and displayed chemoresistance. The CSC phenotype of TSC was confirmed by their higher growth ability in soft agar and tumorigenic potential in vivo, despite their reduced in vitro cell growth kinetics. Surprisingly, the appearance of spontaneous lung metastases was strongly delayed in mice injected with TSC as compared to non-TSC cells. Similarly, this finding was confirmed in several other models of metastasis, an effect associated with a retarded colonization activity. Interestingly, such delay correlated with a quiescent phenotype whose underlined mechanisms included an increase in p27 protein and lower phospho-ERK1/2 levels. Thus, these data suggest that cells enriched for CSC properties display an impaired metastatic activity, a finding with potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Marie Bleau
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carolina Zandueta
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Miriam Redrado
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Susana Martínez-Canarias
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Leyre Larzábal
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Luis M Montuenga
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Histology and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alfonso Calvo
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Histology and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Fernando Lecanda
- Program in Solid Tumors and Biomarkers, Division of Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Department of Histology and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
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36
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Cancer Stem Cells and Radioresistance: Rho/ROCK Pathway Plea Attention. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:5785786. [PMID: 27597870 PMCID: PMC5002480 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5785786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation is the most potent mode of cancer therapy; however, resistance to radiation therapy results in tumor relapse and subsequent fatality. The cancer stem cell (CSC), which has better DNA repair capability, has been shown to contribute to tumor resistance and is an important target for treatment. Signaling molecules such as Notch, Wnt, and DNA repair pathways regulate molecular mechanisms in CSCs; however, none of them have been translated into therapeutic targets. The RhoGTPases and their effector ROCK-signaling pathway, though important for tumor progression, have not been well studied in the context of radioresistance. There are reports that implicate RhoA in radioresistance. ROCK2 has also been shown to interact with BRCA2 in the regulation of cell division. Incidentally, statins (drug for cardiovascular ailment) are functional inhibitors of RhoGTPases. Studies suggest that patients on statins have a better prognosis in cancers. Data from our lab suggest that ROCK signaling regulates radioresistance in cervical cancer cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that Rho/ROCK signaling may be important for radiation resistance. In this review, we enumerate the role of Rho/ROCK signaling in stemness and radioresistance and highlight the need to explore these molecules for a better understanding of radioresistance and development of therapeutics.
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37
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Wynn ML, Yates JA, Evans CR, Van Wassenhove LD, Wu ZF, Bridges S, Bao L, Fournier C, Ashrafzadeh S, Merrins MJ, Satin LS, Schnell S, Burant CF, Merajver SD. RhoC GTPase Is a Potent Regulator of Glutamine Metabolism and N-Acetylaspartate Production in Inflammatory Breast Cancer Cells. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:13715-29. [PMID: 27129239 PMCID: PMC4919454 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.703959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an extremely lethal cancer that rapidly metastasizes. Although the molecular attributes of IBC have been described, little is known about the underlying metabolic features of the disease. Using a variety of metabolic assays, including (13)C tracer experiments, we found that SUM149 cells, the primary in vitro model of IBC, exhibit metabolic abnormalities that distinguish them from other breast cancer cells, including elevated levels of N-acetylaspartate, a metabolite primarily associated with neuronal disorders and gliomas. Here we provide the first evidence of N-acetylaspartate in breast cancer. We also report that the oncogene RhoC, a driver of metastatic potential, modulates glutamine and N-acetylaspartate metabolism in IBC cells in vitro, revealing a novel role for RhoC as a regulator of tumor cell metabolism that extends beyond its well known role in cytoskeletal rearrangement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Wynn
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, and
| | | | | | | | - Zhi Fen Wu
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine
| | | | - Liwei Bao
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine
| | | | | | - Matthew J Merrins
- the Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, and the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin 53705
| | - Leslie S Satin
- Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
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38
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Yang H, Liang J, Zhou J, Mi J, Ma K, Fan Y, Ning J, Wang C, Wei X, Li E. Knockdown of RHOC by shRNA suppresses invasion and migration of cholangiocellular carcinoma cells via inhibition of MMP2, MMP3, MMP9 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Mol Med Rep 2016; 13:5255-61. [PMID: 27108649 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ras homolog family member C (RHOC) is important during the progression of several types of cancer, including prostate, breast and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the function of RHOC in cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC), a highly recurrent and metastatic carcinoma with poor prognosis, remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of RHOC in CCC tumor progression. RHOC expression levels were examined in CCC tissues and cells, and adjacent nontumorous bile duct tissues. The effects and molecular mechanisms of RHOC expression on cell migration and invasion were also investigated. The current study demonstrated that RHOC protein was frequently overexpressed in human CCC specimens and CCC cell lines. Downregulation of RHOC inhibited CCC cell invasion and migration partially via inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase 2, 3 and 9 expression. RHOC also modulated the expression of several epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated proteins, including E‑cadherin, vimentin, Slug and Snail, to promote to EMT progression. The present results demonstrated that RHOC is important for the invasion and migration of CCC through simultaneous regulation of MMPs and EMT‑associated protein, suggesting that RHOC is a potential molecular target for CCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Yang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
| | - Jun Liang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
| | - Jiupeng Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Xi'an Chest Hospital of Shaanxi, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Jianqiang Mi
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Henan Science and Technology University, Luoyang, Henan 471003, P.R. China
| | - Ke Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, P.R. China
| | - Yangwei Fan
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, P.R. China
| | - Jing Ning
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, P.R. China
| | - Chuying Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, P.R. China
| | - Xin Wei
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, P.R. China
| | - Enxiao Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710062, P.R. China
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39
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Bahena-Ocampo I, Espinosa M, Ceballos-Cancino G, Lizarraga F, Campos-Arroyo D, Schwarz A, Maldonado V, Melendez-Zajgla J, Garcia‐Lopez P. miR-10b expression in breast cancer stem cells supports self-renewal through negative PTEN regulation and sustained AKT activation. EMBO Rep 2016; 17:648-58. [PMID: 27113763 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201540678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are linked to metastasis. Moreover, a discrete group of miRNAs (metastamiRs) has been shown to promote metastasis. Accordingly, we propose that miRNAs that function as metastatic promoters may influence the CSC phenotype. To study this issue, we compared the expression of 353 miRNAs in CSCs enriched from breast cancer cell lines using qRT-PCR analysis. One of the most altered miRNAs was miR-10b, which is a reported promoter of metastasis and migration. Stable overexpression of miR-10b in MCF-7 cells (miR-10b-OE cells) promoted higher self-renewal and expression of stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. In agreement with these results, inhibiting miR-10b expression using synthetic antisense RNAs resulted in a decrease in CSCs self-renewal. Bioinformatics analyses identified several potential miR-10b mRNA targets, including phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a key regulator of the PI3K/AKT pathway involved in metastasis, cell survival, and self-renewal. The targeting of PTEN by miR-10b was confirmed using a luciferase reporter, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analyses. Lower PTEN levels were observed in CSCs, and miR-10b depletion not only increased PTEN mRNA and protein expression but also decreased the activity of AKT, a downstream PTEN target kinase. Correspondingly, PTEN knockdown increased stem cell markers, whereas AKT inhibitors compromised the self-renewal ability of CSCs and breast cancer cell lines overexpressing miR-10b. In conclusion, miR-10b regulates the self-renewal of the breast CSC phenotype by inhibiting PTEN and maintaining AKT pathway activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Bahena-Ocampo
- Basic Research Subdivision, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Functional Genomics Laboratory, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Magali Espinosa
- Basic Research Subdivision, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Functional Genomics Laboratory, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gisela Ceballos-Cancino
- Basic Research Subdivision, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Functional Genomics Laboratory, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Floria Lizarraga
- Basic Research Subdivision, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Functional Genomics Laboratory, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Denise Campos-Arroyo
- Basic Research Subdivision, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Functional Genomics Laboratory, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Angela Schwarz
- Basic Research Subdivision, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Functional Genomics Laboratory, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Vilma Maldonado
- Basic Research Subdivision, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Functional Genomics Laboratory, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jorge Melendez-Zajgla
- Basic Research Subdivision, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Functional Genomics Laboratory, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Patricia Garcia‐Lopez
- Basic Research Subdivision, National Institute of Genomic Medicine, Functional Genomics Laboratory, Mexico City, Mexico
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40
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Zuo Y, Oh W, Ulu A, Frost JA. Minireview: Mouse Models of Rho GTPase Function in Mammary Gland Development, Tumorigenesis, and Metastasis. Mol Endocrinol 2015; 30:278-89. [PMID: 26677753 DOI: 10.1210/me.2015-1294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras homolog (Rho) family small GTPases are critical regulators of actin cytoskeletal organization, cell motility, proliferation, and survival. Surprisingly, the large majority of the studies underlying our knowledge of Rho protein function have been carried out in cultured cells, and it is only recently that researchers have begun to assess Rho GTPase regulation and function in vivo. The purpose of this review is to evaluate our current knowledge of Rho GTPase function in mouse mammary gland development, tumorigenesis and metastasis. Although our knowledge is still incomplete, these studies are already uncovering important themes as to the physiological roles of Rho GTPase signaling in normal mammary gland development and function. Essential contributions of Rho proteins to breast cancer initiation, tumor progression, and metastatic dissemination have also been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zuo
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Wonkyung Oh
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Arzu Ulu
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Jeffrey A Frost
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030
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41
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Rodriguez-Torres M, Allan AL. Aldehyde dehydrogenase as a marker and functional mediator of metastasis in solid tumors. Clin Exp Metastasis 2015; 33:97-113. [PMID: 26445849 PMCID: PMC4740561 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-015-9755-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence indicating that aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity selects for cancer cells with increased aggressiveness, capacity for sustained proliferation, and plasticity in primary tumors. However, emerging data also suggests an important mechanistic role for the ALDH family of isoenzymes in the metastatic activity of tumor cells. Recent studies indicate that ALDH correlates with either increased or decreased metastatic capacity in a cellular context-dependent manner. Importantly, it appears that different ALDH isoforms support increased metastatic capacity in different tumor types. This review assesses the potential of ALDH as biological marker and mechanistic mediator of metastasis in solid tumors. In many malignancies, most notably in breast cancer, ALDH activity and expression appears to be a promising marker and potential therapeutic target for treating metastasis in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Rodriguez-Torres
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Alison L Allan
- London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada. .,Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada. .,Department of Oncology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada. .,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada. .,London Regional Cancer Program, Room A4-132, 790 Commissioners Road East, London, ON, N6A 4L6, Canada.
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42
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Schaefer A, Reinhard NR, Hordijk PL. Toward understanding RhoGTPase specificity: structure, function and local activation. Small GTPases 2015; 5:6. [PMID: 25483298 DOI: 10.4161/21541248.2014.968004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell adhesion and migration are regulated through the concerted action of cytoskeletal dynamics and adhesion proteins, the activity of which is governed by RhoGTPases. Specific RhoGTPase signaling requires spatio-temporal activation and coordination of subsequent protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions. The nature, location and duration of these interactions are dependent on polarized extracellular triggers, such as cell-cell contact, and intracellular modifying events, such as phosphorylation. RhoA, RhoB, and RhoC are highly homologous GTPases that, however, succeed in generating specific intracellular responses. Here, we discuss the key features that contribute to this specificity. These not only include the well-studied switch regions, the conformation of which is nucleotide-dependent, but also additional regions and seemingly small differences in primary sequence that also contribute to specific interactions. These differences translate into differential surface charge distribution, local exposure of amino acid side-chains and isoform-specific post-translational modifications. The available evidence supports the notion that multiple regions in RhoA/B/C cooperate to provide specificity in binding to regulators and effectors. These specific interactions are highly regulated in time and space. We therefore subsequently discuss current approaches means to visualize and analyze localized GTPase activation using biosensors that allow imaging of isoform-specific, localized regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Schaefer
- a Department of Molecular Cell Biology Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory; Academic Medical Center; Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences ; University of Amsterdam ; Amsterdam , The Netherlands
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43
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Abstract
Systemic metastasis is the dissemination of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant organs and is the primary cause of death in cancer patients. How do cancer cells leave the primary tumor mass? The ability of the tumor cells to form different types of actin-rich protrusions including invasive protrusions (invadopodia) and locomotory protrusions (lamellipodia [2D] or pseudopodia [3D]), facilitate the invasion and dissemination of the tumor cells. Rho-family of p21 small GTPases plays a direct role in regulating the actin dynamics in these intracellular compartments. Recent studies have shown that the signaling molecules including RhoC/p190RhoGEF/p190RhoGAP acts as a “molecular compass” in order to direct the spatial and temporal dynamics of the formation of these invasive and locomotory protrusions leading to efficient invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Javier Bravo-Cordero
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology; Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University; Bronx, NY USA; Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center; Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University; Bronx, NY USA
| | - Louis Hodgson
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology; Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University; Bronx, NY USA; Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center; Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University; Bronx, NY USA
| | - John S Condeelis
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology; Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University; Bronx, NY USA; Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center; Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University; Bronx, NY USA
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44
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Kaushal N, Durmaz YY, Bao L, Merajver SD, ElSayed MEH. "Smart" Nanoparticles Enhance the Cytoplasmic Delivery of Anti-RhoC Silencing RNA and Inhibit the Migration and Invasion of Aggressive Breast Cancer Cells. Mol Pharm 2015; 12:2406-17. [PMID: 26020100 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Rho-GTPases are small GTP-binding proteins that contribute to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by regulating several cellular processes including organization of the actin cytoskeleton, cell motility, transcription, and cell proliferation. Overexpression of RhoC-GTPases (RhoC) in breast cancer has been implicated in poor disease prognosis due to increased cancer cells invasion, migration, and motility, which warranted its consideration as a therapeutic target for inhibiting breast cancer metastasis. Using silencing RNA (siRNA) molecules to knockdown RhoC expression is a promising approach to inhibit breast cancer metastases. However, transforming anti-RhoC siRNA molecules into a viable therapy remains a challenge due to the lack of a biocompatible carrier that can selectively deliver the RNA cargo into breast cancer cells. We report the use of a degradable, pH-sensitive, β-cyclodextrin (βCD)-based polymeric carrier that condenses anti-RhoC siRNA forming "smart" particles. These smart anti-RhoC particles were efficiently internalized, successfully escaped the endosome, and delivered the RNA cargo into the cytoplasm of SUM149 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Our results show that anti-RhoC particles used at a low N/P ratio of 2.5/1 suppressed RhoC protein levels by 100% and 90% in SUM149 and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. Further, anti-RhoC particles inhibited the invasion, motility, and migration of SUM149 and MDA-MB-231 cells by 40-47%, 57-60%, and 61.5-73%, respectively. Smart particles encapsulating the scrambled siRNA sequence did not affect RhoC protein expression or the invasion, motility, and migration of SUM149 and MDA-MB-231 cells, which indicate the biocompatibility of the polymeric carrier and selectivity of the observed RhoC knockdown. These results collectively indicate the therapeutic potential of smart anti-RhoC particles in arresting the metastatic spread of breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - LeWei Bao
- ‡Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Sofia D Merajver
- ‡Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Mohamed E H ElSayed
- §Macromolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of Michigan, 2300 Hayward Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Chen YC, Allen SG, Ingram PN, Buckanovich R, Merajver SD, Yoon E. Single-cell Migration Chip for Chemotaxis-based Microfluidic Selection of Heterogeneous Cell Populations. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9980. [PMID: 25984707 PMCID: PMC4435023 DOI: 10.1038/srep09980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cell migration toward and intravasation into capillaries is an early and key event in cancer metastasis, yet not all cancer cells are imbued with the same capability to do so. This heterogeneity within a tumor is a fundamental property of cancer. Tools to help us understand what molecular characteristics allow a certain subpopulation of cells to spread from the primary tumor are thus critical for overcoming metastasis. Conventional in vitro migration platforms treat populations in aggregate, which leads to a masking of intrinsic differences among cells. Some migration assays reported recently have single-cell resolution, but these platforms do not provide for selective retrieval of the distinct migrating and non-migrating cell populations for further analysis. Thus, to study the intrinsic differences in cells responsible for chemotactic heterogeneity, we developed a single-cell migration platform so that individual cells' migration behavior can be studied and the heterogeneous population sorted based upon chemotactic phenotype. Furthermore, after migration, the highly chemotactic and non-chemotactic cells were retrieved and proved viable for later molecular analysis of their differences. Moreover, we modified the migration channel to resemble lymphatic capillaries to better understand how certain cancer cells are able to move through geometrically confining spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chih Chen
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, 1301 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2122, USA
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Steven G. Allen
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Patrick N. Ingram
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ronald Buckanovich
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sofia D. Merajver
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Internal Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Euisik Yoon
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, 1301 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2122, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Xing F, Sharma S, Liu Y, Mo YY, Wu K, Zhang YY, Pochampally R, Martinez LA, Lo HW, Watabe K. miR-509 suppresses brain metastasis of breast cancer cells by modulating RhoC and TNF-α. Oncogene 2015; 34:4890-900. [PMID: 25659578 PMCID: PMC4530094 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Revised: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The median survival time of breast cancer patients with brain metastasis is less than 6 months, and even a small metastatic lesion often causes severe neurological disabilities. Because of the location of metastatic lesions, a surgical approach is limited and most chemotherapeutic drugs are ineffective due to the blood brain barrier (BBB). Despite this clinical importance, the molecular basis of the brain metastasis is poorly understood. In this study, we have isolated RNA from samples obtained from primary breast tumors and also from brain metastatic lesions followed by microRNA profiling analysis. Our results revealed that the miR-509 is highly expressed in the primary tumors, while the expression of this microRNA is significantly decreased in the brain metastatic lesions. MicroRNA target prediction and the analysis of cytokine array for the cells ectopically expressed with miR-509 demonstrated that this microRNA was capable of modulating two genes essential for brain invasion, RhoC and TNFα that affect the invasion of cancer cells and permeability of BBB, respectively. Importantly, high levels of TNFα and RhoC-induced MMP9 were significantly correlated with brain metastasis-free survival of breast cancer patients. Furthermore, the results of our in vivo experiments indicate that miR-509 significantly suppressed the ability of cancer cells to metastasize to the brain. These findings suggest that miR-509 plays a critical role in brain metastasis of breast cancer by modulating the RhoC-TNFα network and that this miR-509 axis may represent a potential therapeutic target or serve as a prognostic tool for brain metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Xing
- Department of Cancer Biology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - S Sharma
- Department of Cancer Biology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Y Liu
- Department of Cancer Biology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Y-Y Mo
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - K Wu
- Department of Cancer Biology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Y-Y Zhang
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - R Pochampally
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - L A Martinez
- Cancer Institute, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - H-W Lo
- Department of Cancer Biology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - K Watabe
- Department of Cancer Biology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Vaiphei K, Sinha SK, Kochhar R. Comparative analysis of Oct4 in different histological subtypes of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas in different clinical conditions. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2015; 15:3519-24. [PMID: 24870750 DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.8.3519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common cancer with poor prognosis. It has been hypothesized that Oct4 positive radioresistant stem cells may be responsible for tumor recurrence. Hence, we evaluated Oct4 expression in ESCC in pre-treatment, post neo-adjuvant residual and post-surgical recurrent tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS Endoscopic mucosal biopsies were used to study Oct4 expression and the observations were correlated with histological tumor grades, patient data and clinical background. RESULTS All patients presented with dysphagia with male predominance and a wide age range. Majority of the patients had intake of mixed diet, history of alcohol and tobacco intake was documented in less than half of the patients. Oct 4 expression was significantly higher in poorly differentiated (PDSCC) and basaloid (BSCC) subtypes than the other better differentiated tumor morphology. Oct4 was also expressed by adjoining esophageal mucosa showing low grade dysplasia and basal cell hyperplasia (BCH). Biopsies in PDSCC and BSCC groups were more likely to show a positive band for Oct4 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Dysplasia and BCH mucosa also showed Oct4 positivity by PCR. All mucosal biopsies with normal morphology were negative for Oct4. Number of tissue samples showing Oct4 positivity by PCR was higher than that by the conventional immunohistochemistry (p>0.05). Oct4 expression pattern correlated only with tumor grading, not with other parameters including the clinical background or patient data. CONCLUSIONS Our observations highlighted a possible role of Oct4 in identifying putative cancer stem cells in ESCC pathobiology and response to treatment. The implications are either in vivo existence of Oct4 positive putative cancer stem cells in ESCC or acquisition of cancer stem cell properties by tumor cells as a response to treatment given, resulting ultimately an uncontrolled cell proliferation and treatment failure.
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Griner EM, Dancik GM, Costello JC, Owens C, Guin S, Edwards MG, Brautigan DL, Theodorescu D. RhoC Is an Unexpected Target of RhoGDI2 in Prevention of Lung Colonization of Bladder Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2014; 13:483-92. [PMID: 25516960 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED RhoGDI2 (ARHGDIB) suppresses metastasis in a variety of cancers but the mechanism is unclear, thus hampering development of human therapeutics. RhoGDI2 is a guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) for the Rho family of GTPases thought to primarily bind to Rac1; however, Rac1 activation was not decreased by RhoGDI2 expression in bladder cancer cells. To better understand the GTPase-binding partners for RhoGDI2, a mass spectrometry-based proteomic approach was used in bladder cancer cells. As expected, endogenous RhoGDI2 coimmunoprecipitates with Rac1 and unexpectedly also with RhoC. Further analysis demonstrated that RhoGDI2 negatively regulates RhoC, as knockdown of RhoGDI2 increased RhoC activation in response to serum stimulation. Conversely, overexpression of RhoGDI2 decreased RhoC activation. RhoC promoted bladder cancer cell growth and invasion, as knockdown increased cell doubling time, decreased invasion through Matrigel, and decreased colony formation in soft agar. Importantly, RhoC knockdown reduced in vivo lung colonization by bladder cancer cells following tail vein injection in immunocompromised mice. Finally, unbiased transcriptome analysis revealed a set of genes regulated by RhoGDI2 overexpression and RhoC knockdown in bladder cancer cells. IMPLICATIONS RhoGDI2 suppresses bladder cancer metastatic colonization via negative regulation of RhoC activity, providing a rationale for the development of therapeutics that target RhoC signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Griner
- Center for Cell Signaling and Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Garrett M Dancik
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, Connecticut
| | - James C Costello
- Department of Surgery and Pharmacology University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Charles Owens
- Department of Surgery and Pharmacology University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Sunny Guin
- Department of Surgery and Pharmacology University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Michael G Edwards
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - David L Brautigan
- Center for Cell Signaling and Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Dan Theodorescu
- Department of Surgery and Pharmacology University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado. University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado.
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Lacerda L, Reddy JP, Liu D, Larson R, Li L, Masuda H, Brewer T, Debeb BG, Xu W, Hortobágyi GN, Buchholz TA, Ueno NT, Woodward WA. Simvastatin radiosensitizes differentiated and stem-like breast cancer cell lines and is associated with improved local control in inflammatory breast cancer patients treated with postmastectomy radiation. Stem Cells Transl Med 2014; 3:849-56. [PMID: 24833589 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2013-0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Reported rates of local failure after adjuvant radiation for women with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and triple-negative non-IBC are higher than those of women with receptor-expressing non-IBC. These high rates of locoregional recurrence are potentially influenced by the contribution of radioresistant cancer stem cells to these cancers. Statins have been shown to target stem cells and improve disease-free survival among IBC patients. We examined simvastatin radiosensitization of multiple subtypes of breast cancer cell lines in vitro in monolayer and mammosphere-based clonogenic assays and examined the therapeutic benefit of statin use on local control after postmastectomy radiation (PMRT) among IBC patients. We found that simvastatin radiosensitizes mammosphere-initiating cells (MICs) of IBC cell lines (MDA-IBC3, SUM149, SUM190) and of the metaplastic, non-IBC triple-negative receptor cell line (SUM159). However, simvastatin radioprotects MICs of non-IBC cell lines MCF-7 and SKBR3. In a retrospective clinical study of 519 IBC patients treated with PMRT, 53 patients used a statin. On univariate analysis, actuarial 3-year local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) was higher among statin users, and on multivariate analysis, triple negative breast cancer, absence of lymphatic invasion, neoadjuvant pathological tumor response to preoperative chemotherapy, and statin use were independently associated with higher LRFS. In conclusion, patients with IBC and triple-negative non-IBC breast cancer have the highest rates of local failure, and there are no available known radiosensitizers. We report significant improvement in local control after PMRT among statin users with IBC and significant radiosensitization across triple-negative and IBC cell lines of multiple subtypes using simvastatin. These data suggest that simvastatin should be justified as a radiosensitizing agent by a prospective clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Lacerda
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic and the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biostatistics, and Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jay P Reddy
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic and the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biostatistics, and Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Diane Liu
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic and the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biostatistics, and Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Richard Larson
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic and the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biostatistics, and Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Li Li
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic and the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biostatistics, and Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hiroko Masuda
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic and the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biostatistics, and Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Takae Brewer
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic and the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biostatistics, and Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bisrat G Debeb
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic and the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biostatistics, and Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Wei Xu
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic and the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biostatistics, and Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gabriel N Hortobágyi
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic and the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biostatistics, and Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas A Buchholz
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic and the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biostatistics, and Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Naoto T Ueno
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic and the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biostatistics, and Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Wendy A Woodward
- Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic and the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Biostatistics, and Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Abstract
Rho GTPases are a family of small GTPases, which play an important role in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Not surprisingly, Rho GTPases are crucial for cell migration and therefore highly important for cancer cell invasion and the formation of metastases. In addition, Rho GTPases are involved in growth and survival of tumor cells, in the interaction of tumor cells with their environment, and they are vital for the cancer supporting functions of the tumor stroma. Recent research has significantly improved our understanding of the regulation of Rho GTPase activity, the specificity of Rho GTPases, and their function in tumor stem cells and tumor stroma. This review summarizes these novel findings and tries to define challenging questions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- University of Copenhagen, BRIC, BMI, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
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