1
|
Dear K, Kravvas G, Sim S, Mastoraki E, James M, Watchorn R, Haider A, Ellery P, Freeman A, Alnajjar HM, Muneer A, Bunker CB. Primary penile melanoma and genital lichen sclerosus. SKIN HEALTH AND DISEASE 2023; 3:e274. [PMID: 38047263 PMCID: PMC10690690 DOI: 10.1002/ski2.274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Background There is a well-established association between squamous cell cancer and genital lichen sclerosus (GLSc). Although there have been several reported cases of vulval melanoma (MM) associated with LSc, particularly in the paediatric population, fewer cases of male genital (M) GLSc and penile (Pe)MM have been published. Objectives The aim of this study was to explore further the relationship between PeMM and MGLSc by reviewing all the cases managed by our multidisciplinary service over a finite period. Methods All patients known to our tertiary urology and male genital dermatology service with a diagnosis of PeMM and where histology was available for review were identified over an 11-year period (2011-2022). The histology was reviewed by two independent, mutually 'blinded' histopathologists. Photographs and clinical notes, where available, were retrospectively reviewed by two independent dermatologists for signs or symptoms of LSc. Results Eleven patients with PeMM were identified for review. Histopathological examination found evidence of LSc in nine patients, and review of clinical photos corroborated the presence of LSc in three. Overall, features of LSc were present in nine out of eleven cases (82%). Conclusion The presence of LSc in 9 out of 11 cases of PeMM is suggestive of a causative relationship between LSc and PeMM. This may be due to chronic melanocytic distress created by chronic inflammation secondary to LSc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate Dear
- Department of DermatologyUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Georgios Kravvas
- Department of DermatologyUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | | | - Evanthia Mastoraki
- Department of DermatologyUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Mariel James
- Department of DermatologyUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Richard Watchorn
- Department of DermatologyUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Aiman Haider
- Department of HistopathologyUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Peter Ellery
- Department of HistopathologyUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Alex Freeman
- Department of HistopathologyUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Hussain M. Alnajjar
- Department of UrologyUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Asif Muneer
- Department of UrologyUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Christopher B. Bunker
- Department of DermatologyUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Opposite changes in the expression of clathrin and caveolin-1 in normal and cancerous human prostate tissue: putative clathrin-mediated recycling of EGFR. Histochem Cell Biol 2023:10.1007/s00418-023-02183-8. [PMID: 36869937 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-023-02183-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Endocytosis, an important macromolecule uptake process in cells, is known to be dysregulated in cancer. Clathrin and caveolin-1 proteins play a major role in receptor-mediated endocytosis. We have used a quantitative, unbiased and semi-automated method to measure in situ protein expression of clathrin and caveolin-1 in cancerous and paired normal (cancer adjacent, non-cancerous) human prostate tissue. There was a significant (p < 0.0001) increase in the expression of clathrin in prostate cancer samples (N = 29, n = 91) compared to normal tissue (N = 29, n = 67) (N = number of patients, n = number of cores in tissue arrays). Conversely, there was a significant (p < 0.0001) decrease in expression of caveolin-1 in prostate cancer tissue compared to normal prostate tissue. The opposite change in expression of the two proteins was highly correlated to increasing cancer aggressiveness. There was also a concurrent increase in the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a key receptor in carcinogenesis, with clathrin in prostate cancer tissue, indicating recycling of EGFR through clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). These results indicate that in prostate cancer, caveolin-1-mediated endocytosis (CavME) may be acting as a brake and increase in CME may facilitate tumorigenicity and aggressiveness of prostate cancer through recycling of EGFR. Changes in the expression of these proteins can also potentially be used as a biomarker for prostate cancer to aid in diagnosis and prognosis and clinical decision-making.
Collapse
|
3
|
RGS20 Promotes Tumor Progression through Modulating PI3K/AKT Signaling Activation in Penile Cancer. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:1293622. [PMID: 35498542 PMCID: PMC9042636 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1293622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Regulator of G protein signaling 20 (RGS20) plays an important role in regulating neuronal G protein-coupled receptor signaling; however, its expression and oncogenic function in penile cancer (PC) remains unclear. Here, we observed high RGS20 expression in PC tissues compared to normal/adjacent penile tissues, which was closely associated with tumor stage, nodal status, and pelvic metastasis in our PC cohort. The cellular functional analysis of RGS20 revealed that manipulation of the RGS20 expression markedly affected cell viability, BrdU incorporation, soft agar clonogenesis, caspase-3 activity, and cell migration/invasion in PC cell models. Moreover, RGS20 could interact with PI3K p85α subunit and regulate PI3K/AKT signaling activation in PC cell lines. Knockdown of the PI3K p85α or p110α subunit attenuated cell viability, BrdU incorporation, soft agar clonogenesis, and cell migration/invasion in PC cell lines. In contrast, the overexpression of constitutively activated PI3K p110α mutant restored cell proliferation and cell migration/invasion caused by RGS20 depletion in PC cells. Consistent with the in vitro findings, RGS20 depletion attenuated PI3K/AKT signaling activation and suppressed tumor growth in a murine xenograft model. Importantly, the high RGS20 expression was associated with PI3K/AKT signaling activation and unfavorable progression-free/overall survival, highlighting the clinical relevance of RGS20/PI3K/AKT signaling in PC. In conclusion, the aberrant RGS20 expression may serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for PC. RGS20 may promote PC progression through modulating PI3K/AKT signaling activation, which may assist with the development of RGS20-targeting therapeutics in the future.
Collapse
|
4
|
Brito HO, Calixto JDRR, Medeiros R, da Costa RMG. Comment on DKK1 inhibits canonical Wnt signaling in human papillomavirus-positive penile cancer cells. Transl Oncol 2022; 16:101326. [PMID: 34974279 PMCID: PMC8732796 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Haissa O Brito
- Post-graduate Programme in Adult Health (PPGSAD), Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), Avenida dos Portugueses, São Luís, Maranhão 65080-805, Brazil; Department of Morphology, Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís, Maranhão 65080-805, Brazil
| | - José de Ribamar Rodrigues Calixto
- Federal University of Maranhão University Hospital (HUUFMA), Brazil; School of Medicine, Dom Bosco University (UNDB), São Luís, Maranhão 65075-441, Brazil
| | - Rui Medeiros
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto 4200-319, Portugal; Biomedicine Research Center (CEBIMED), Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, Porto 4249-004, Portugal; Virology Service, IPO-Porto, Porto 4200-072, Portugal
| | - Rui M Gil da Costa
- Post-graduate Programme in Adult Health (PPGSAD), Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), Avenida dos Portugueses, São Luís, Maranhão 65080-805, Brazil; Department of Morphology, Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís, Maranhão 65080-805, Brazil; Federal University of Maranhão University Hospital (HUUFMA), Brazil; Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), Portugal; Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, Vila Real 5000-801, Portugal; LEPABE, Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto 4200-465, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bley IA, Zwick A, Hans MC, Thieser K, Wagner V, Ludwig N, Khalmurzaev O, Matveev VB, Loertzer P, Pryalukhin A, Hartmann A, Geppert CI, Loertzer H, Wunderlich H, Naumann CM, Kalthoff H, Junker K, Smola S, Lohse S. DKK1 inhibits canonical Wnt signaling in human papillomavirus-positive penile cancer cells. Transl Oncol 2021; 15:101267. [PMID: 34773828 PMCID: PMC8592926 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevated expression of Wnt pathway associated factors in HPV-positive penile cancer cells. lacking nuclear beta-catenin translocation indicated an actively abrogated Wnt signaling. elevated expression of the Wnt antagonist DKK1 in HPV-positive penile cancer cells. DKK1-driven autocrine Wnt pathway inhibition in penile cancer cells. DKK1+ penile cancers are with a higher frequency HPV+, less differentiated and grow more aggressively.
Penile squamous cell cancer (PSCC) is the most frequent penile malignant disease. Infections with human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a major etiologic driver of PSCC. However, the molecular details of the underlying carcinogenesis are understudied because of rare clinical specimens and missing cell lines. Here, we investigated if the expression of high-risk HPV16 oncogenes causes an augmentation of the Wnt pathway using unique HPV-positive penile cancer (PeCa) cell lines in monolayer and organotypic 3D raft cultures as well as tissue micro arrays containing clinical tissue specimens. The HPV oncoproteins enhanced the expression of Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 6 (LGR6) and the HPV-positive PeCa cells expressed a signature of Wnt target and stemness-associated genes. However, the notable lack of nuclear β-catenin in vitro and in situ raised the question if the enhanced expression of Wnt pathway factors is tantamount to an active Wnt signaling. Subsequent TOP-flash reporter assays revealed Wnt signaling as absent and not inducible by respective Wnt ligands in PeCa cell lines. The HPV-positive PeCa cells and especially HPV-positive PeCa specimens of the tumor core expressed the Wnt antagonist and negative feedback-regulator Dickkopf1 (DKK1). Subsequent neutralization experiments using PeCa cell line-conditioned media demonstrated that DKK1 is capable to impair ligand-induced Wnt signaling. While gene expression analyses suggested an augmented and active canonical Wnt pathway, the respective signaling was inhibited due to the endogenous expression of the antagonist DKK1. Subsequent TMA stainings indicated Dkk1 as linked with HPV-positivity and metastatic disease progression in PeCa suggesting potential as a prognostic marker.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Ariane Bley
- Institute of Virology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str. Building 47, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Anabel Zwick
- Institute of Virology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str. Building 47, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Muriel Charlotte Hans
- Institute of Virology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str. Building 47, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Katrin Thieser
- Institute of Virology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str. Building 47, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Viktoria Wagner
- Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Nicole Ludwig
- Department of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Oybek Khalmurzaev
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany; Department of Urology, Federal State Budgetary Institution, "N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology" оf the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Vsevolod Borisovich Matveev
- Department of Urology, Federal State Budgetary Institution, "N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology" оf the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Philine Loertzer
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Alexey Pryalukhin
- Institute of Pathology, Saarland University Medical Centre, Homburg, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Hagen Loertzer
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, Westpfalz Klinikum, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Heiko Wunderlich
- Department of Urology and Paediatric Urology, St. Georg Klinikum, Eisenach, Germany
| | - Carsten Maik Naumann
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Holger Kalthoff
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Experimental Cancer Research, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Kerstin Junker
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany
| | - Sigrun Smola
- Institute of Virology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str. Building 47, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Stefan Lohse
- Institute of Virology, Saarland University Medical Center, Kirrberger Str. Building 47, Homburg 66421, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Investigation of the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Process in Equine Papillomavirus-2 (EcPV-2)-Positive Penile Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910588. [PMID: 34638929 PMCID: PMC8508821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine penile squamous cell carcinoma (epSCC) is the most frequent tumor of the external male genitalia, representing 67.5% of equine genital cancers. epSCC is associated with papilloma virus (PV) infection and has been recently proposed as a model for human PV-induced squamous cell carcinomas. It has already been suggested that epSCC might undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This work aims to investigate in detail this process and the possible role of PV oncoproteins in epSCC. For this purpose, 18 penile SCCs were retrospectively selected and tested for both EcPV2 presence and oncoproteins (EcPV2 E6 and EcPV2 E7) expression. Moreover, immunohistochemical EMT characterization was carried out by analyzing the main epithelial markers (E-cadherin, β-catenin, and pan-cytokeratin AE3/AE1), the main mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin and vimentin), and the main EMT-related transcription factors (TWIST-1, ZEB-1). PCR analysis was positive for EcPV2 in 16 out of 18 samples. EMT was investigated in epSCC positive for EcPV2. The immunohistochemistry results suggested the presence of EMT processes in the neoplastic cells at the tumor invasive front. Moreover, the significant upregulation of RANKL, together with BCATN1, LEF1, and FOSL1 genes, might suggest a canonical Wnt pathway activation, similarly to what is reported in human penile squamous cell carcinomas
Collapse
|
7
|
Furuya TK, Murta CB, Murillo Carrasco AG, Uno M, Sichero L, Villa LL, Cardilli L, Coelho RF, Guglielmetti GB, Cordeiro MD, Leite KRM, Nahas WC, Chammas R, Pontes J. Disruption of miRNA-mRNA Networks Defines Novel Molecular Signatures for Penile Carcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194745. [PMID: 34638231 PMCID: PMC8507530 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Penile cancer (PeC) carcinogenesis is not fully understood, and no biomarkers are reported in clinical practice. We aimed to investigate molecular signatures based on miRNA and mRNA and perform an integrative analysis to identify molecular drivers and pathways for PeC development. Affymetrix miRNA microarray was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) comparing 11 tumoral tissues (TT) paired with non-neoplastic tissues (NNT) with further validation in an independent cohort (n = 13). We also investigated the mRNA expression of 83 genes in the total sample. Experimentally validated targets of DEmiRs, miRNA-mRNA networks, and enriched pathways were evaluated in silico. Eight out of 69 DEmiRs identified by microarray analysis were validated by qRT-PCR (miR-145-5p, miR-432-5p, miR-487b-3p, miR-30a-5p, miR-200a-5p, miR-224-5p, miR-31-3p and miR-31-5p). Furthermore, 37 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified when comparing TT and NNT. We identified four downregulated DEmiRs (miR-30a-5p, miR-432-5p, miR-487b-3p, and miR-145-5p) and six upregulated DEGs (IL1A, MCM2, MMP1, MMP12, SFN and VEGFA) as potential biomarkers in PeC by their capacity of discriminating TT and NNT with accuracy. The integration analysis showed eight dysregulated miRNA-mRNA pairs in penile carcinogenesis. Taken together, our findings contribute to a better understanding of the regulatory roles of miRNAs and altered transcripts levels in penile carcinogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiane Katsue Furuya
- Center for Translational Research in Oncology (LIM24), Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo (ICESP), Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil; (A.G.M.C.); (M.U.); (L.S.); (L.L.V.); (R.C.)
- Correspondence: (T.K.F.); (C.B.M.)
| | - Claudio Bovolenta Murta
- Departamento de Urologia, ICESP, HCFMUSP, Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil; (R.F.C.); (G.B.G.); (M.D.C.); (K.R.M.L.); (W.C.N.); (J.P.J.)
- Correspondence: (T.K.F.); (C.B.M.)
| | - Alexis Germán Murillo Carrasco
- Center for Translational Research in Oncology (LIM24), Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo (ICESP), Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil; (A.G.M.C.); (M.U.); (L.S.); (L.L.V.); (R.C.)
| | - Miyuki Uno
- Center for Translational Research in Oncology (LIM24), Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo (ICESP), Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil; (A.G.M.C.); (M.U.); (L.S.); (L.L.V.); (R.C.)
| | - Laura Sichero
- Center for Translational Research in Oncology (LIM24), Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo (ICESP), Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil; (A.G.M.C.); (M.U.); (L.S.); (L.L.V.); (R.C.)
| | - Luisa Lina Villa
- Center for Translational Research in Oncology (LIM24), Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo (ICESP), Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil; (A.G.M.C.); (M.U.); (L.S.); (L.L.V.); (R.C.)
| | - Leonardo Cardilli
- Departamento de Patologia, ICESP, HCFMUSP, Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil;
| | - Rafael Ferreira Coelho
- Departamento de Urologia, ICESP, HCFMUSP, Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil; (R.F.C.); (G.B.G.); (M.D.C.); (K.R.M.L.); (W.C.N.); (J.P.J.)
| | - Giuliano Betoni Guglielmetti
- Departamento de Urologia, ICESP, HCFMUSP, Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil; (R.F.C.); (G.B.G.); (M.D.C.); (K.R.M.L.); (W.C.N.); (J.P.J.)
| | - Mauricio Dener Cordeiro
- Departamento de Urologia, ICESP, HCFMUSP, Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil; (R.F.C.); (G.B.G.); (M.D.C.); (K.R.M.L.); (W.C.N.); (J.P.J.)
| | - Katia Ramos Moreira Leite
- Departamento de Urologia, ICESP, HCFMUSP, Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil; (R.F.C.); (G.B.G.); (M.D.C.); (K.R.M.L.); (W.C.N.); (J.P.J.)
| | - William Carlos Nahas
- Departamento de Urologia, ICESP, HCFMUSP, Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil; (R.F.C.); (G.B.G.); (M.D.C.); (K.R.M.L.); (W.C.N.); (J.P.J.)
| | - Roger Chammas
- Center for Translational Research in Oncology (LIM24), Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo (ICESP), Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil; (A.G.M.C.); (M.U.); (L.S.); (L.L.V.); (R.C.)
| | - José Pontes
- Departamento de Urologia, ICESP, HCFMUSP, Sao Paulo CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil; (R.F.C.); (G.B.G.); (M.D.C.); (K.R.M.L.); (W.C.N.); (J.P.J.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Penile Cancer-Derived Cells Molecularly Characterized as Models to Guide Targeted Therapies. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040814. [PMID: 33917394 PMCID: PMC8067406 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Penile cancer (PeCa) is a common disease in poor and developing countries, showing high morbidity rates. Despite the recent progress in understanding the molecular events involved in PeCa, the lack of well-characterized in vitro models precludes new advances in anticancer drug development. Here we describe the establishment of five human primary penile cancer-derived cell cultures, including two epithelial and three cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) cells. Using high-throughput genomic approaches, we found that the epithelial PeCa derived- cells recapitulate the molecular alterations of their primary tumors and present the same deregulated signaling pathways. The differentially expressed genes and proteins identified are components of key oncogenic pathways, including EGFR and PI3K/AKT/mTOR. We showed that epithelial PeCa derived cells presented a good response to cisplatin, a common therapeutic approach used in PeCa patients. The growth of a PeCa-derived cell overexpressing EGFR was inhibited by EGFR inhibitors (cetuximab, gefitinib, and erlotinib). We also identified CAF signature markers in three PeCa-derived cells with fibroblast-like morphology, indicating that those cells are suitable models for PeCa microenvironment studies. We thus demonstrate the utility of PeCa cell models to dissect mechanisms that promote penile carcinogenesis, which are useful models to evaluate therapeutic approaches for the disease.
Collapse
|
9
|
Equine Genital Squamous Cell Carcinoma Associated with EcPV2 Infection: RANKL Pathway Correlated to Inflammation and Wnt Signaling Activation. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10030244. [PMID: 33801021 PMCID: PMC8003831 DOI: 10.3390/biology10030244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Equine genital squamous cell carcinomas (egSCCs) associated with papilloma virus (PV) infection have been recently proposed as model for human PV-induced SCC. In both species, PV mucosal infections often induce cervical, oropharyngeal, penile, anal, vaginal, and vulvar cancer. The aim of this study was to clarify the molecular mechanisms behind egSCCs associated with equine papillomavirus 2 (EcPV2) infection investigating receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL), Wnt, and interleukin (IL)17 signaling pathways. RANKL has been recently demonstrated to play a crucial role in several human tumors, associated with a poor prognosis and metastatic spread; novel targeted therapies through RANKL silencing monoclonal antibodies have been undertaken. EcPV2-E6 DNA was checked, and viral presence was confirmed in 91% of cases, whereas oncogene expression was 60.8% for E6 and 34.7% for E2. RANKL, NFKBp50, NFKBp65, IL6, IL17, IL23p19, IL8, IL12p35, IL12p40, BCATN1, FOSL1, and LEF1 gene expression showed a significant upregulation in tumor samples compared to healthy tissues. Our results describe an inflammatory environment characterized by the increased expression of several cytokines and the activation of RANKL/RANK, IL17A, and canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways. These results may be helpful to identify new targets for immunotherapy strategies confirming egSCCs as a model for the human disease. Abstract Equine genital squamous cell carcinomas (egSCCs) are among the most common equine tumors after sarcoids, severely impairing animal health and welfare. Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV2) infection is often related to these tumors. The aim of this study was to clarify the molecular mechanisms behind egSCCs associated with EcPV2 infection, investigating receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) signaling in NF-kB pathway, together with the Wnt and IL17 signaling pathways. We analyzed the innate immune response through gene expression evaluation of key cytokines and transcription factors. Moreover, Ki67 index was assessed with immunohistochemistry. EcPV2-E6 DNA was checked, and viral presence was confirmed in 21 positive out to 23 cases (91%). Oncogene expression was confirmed in 14 cases (60.8%) for E6 and in 8 (34.7%) for E2. RANKL, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFKB)-p50, NFKBp65, interleukin (IL)-6, IL17, IL23p19, IL8, IL12p35, IL12p40, β-catenin (BCATN1), FOS like 1 (FOSL1), and lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF1) showed a significant upregulation in tumor samples compared to healthy tissues. Our results describe an inflammatory environment characterized by the activation of RANKL/RANK and IL17 with the relative downstream pathways, and a positive modulation of inflammatory cytokines genes such as IL6 and IL8. Moreover, the increase of BCATN1, FOSL1, and LEF1 gene expression suggests an activation of both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway that could be critical for carcinogenesis and tumor progression.
Collapse
|
10
|
Medeiros-Fonseca B, Cubilla A, Brito H, Martins T, Medeiros R, Oliveira P, Gil da Costa RM. Experimental Models for Studying HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Penile Cancer: New Tools for An Old Disease. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030460. [PMID: 33530343 PMCID: PMC7865362 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Penile cancer is an uncommon and understudied malignancy that is most commonly diagnosed in developing countries. Therapeutic advances have been slow, in part due to the lack of in vitro and in vivo models for testing new drugs before performing clinical trials. Recently, this difficulty has been partly overcome and multiple new pre-clinical models were reported. These important developments will help develop new therapies for penile cancer patients. The present review summarizes and discusses the available data concerning the pre-clinical models of penile cancer and their uses. Comparisons are drawn between different models, allowing researchers to choose the most adequate setting for their experiments. The remaining gaps in this array of penile cancer models are also discussed, in particular the lack of models for studying metastatic disease and cell lines representing tumors associated with human papillomavirus. Abstract Penile cancer is an uncommon malignancy that occurs most frequently in developing countries. Two pathways for penile carcinogenesis are currently recognized: one driven by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and another HPV-independent route, associated with chronic inflammation. Progress on the clinical management of this disease has been slow, partly due to the lack of preclinical models for translational research. However, exciting recent developments are changing this landscape, with new in vitro and in vivo models becoming available. These include mouse models for HPV+ and HPV− penile cancer and multiple cell lines representing HPV− lesions. The present review addresses these new advances, summarizing available models, comparing their characteristics and potential uses and discussing areas that require further improvement. Recent breakthroughs achieved using these models are also discussed, particularly those developments pertaining to HPV-driven cancer. Two key aspects that still require improvement are the establishment of cell lines that can represent HPV+ penile carcinomas and the development of mouse models to study metastatic disease. Overall, the growing array of in vitro and in vivo models for penile cancer provides new and useful tools for researchers in the field and is expected to accelerate pre-clinical research on this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Medeiros-Fonseca
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (B.M.-F.); (T.M.); (P.O.)
| | - Antonio Cubilla
- Instituto de Patología e Investigación and Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay;
| | - Haissa Brito
- Maranhão Tumour and DNA Biobank (BTMA), Post-graduate Programme in Adult Health (PPGSAD), Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís 65080-805, Brazil;
| | - Tânia Martins
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (B.M.-F.); (T.M.); (P.O.)
- Veterinary Sciences Department, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Rui Medeiros
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, CI-IPOP, IPO-Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Virology Service, IPO-Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Biomedicine Research Center (CEBIMED), Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Oliveira
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (B.M.-F.); (T.M.); (P.O.)
- Veterinary Sciences Department, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Rui M. Gil da Costa
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (B.M.-F.); (T.M.); (P.O.)
- Maranhão Tumour and DNA Biobank (BTMA), Post-graduate Programme in Adult Health (PPGSAD), Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís 65080-805, Brazil;
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, CI-IPOP, IPO-Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-9132728000
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Watchorn RE, van den Munckhof EHA, Quint KD, Eliahoo J, de Koning MNC, Quint WGV, Bunker CB. Balanopreputial sac and urine microbiota in patients with male genital lichen sclerosus. Int J Dermatol 2020; 60:201-207. [PMID: 33084022 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.15252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male genital lichen sclerosus (MGLSc) is a chronic inflammatory scarring dermatosis associated with penile carcinoma. The prepuce is pivotal in its etiology. Other proposed etiological factors are the subject of dispute and include occluded urinary exposure, autoimmunity, immunodysregulation, and infectious agents. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the bacterial microbiota of the balanopreputial sac and urine are associated with MGLSc. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty uncircumcised patients with MGLSc and 20 healthy uncircumcised males were enrolled in a prospective case-control study. Balanopreputial swabs and urine specimens were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. RESULTS Microbiota analysis indicated differences between the groups. In the balanopreputial sac, the median relative abundance of Finegoldia spp. was lower (9% [range 0-60%]) in MGLSc patients than in controls (28% [range 0-62%]). Conversely, the median relative abundance of Fusobacterium spp. was higher in MGLSc patients (4% [range 0-41%]) than in controls (0% [range 0-28%]). In the urine, the median relative abundance of Finegoldia spp. was comparable between groups, whereas that of Fusobacterium spp. was higher in MGLSc patients (0% [range 0-18%] vs. 0% [range 0-5%]). There was a strong association between the microbiota composition of the balanopreputial sac and urine in MGLSc. CONCLUSION Dysbiosis could be involved in the etiopathogenesis of MGLSc. Further studies are required to confirm the association suggested herein and to determine its nature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Koen D Quint
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Joseph Eliahoo
- Statistical Advisory Service, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mo M, Tong S, Yin H, Jin Z, Zu X, Hu X. SHCBP1 regulates STAT3/c-Myc signaling activation to promote tumor progression in penile cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:3138-3156. [PMID: 33163262 PMCID: PMC7642648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A challenge in developing novel strategies for penile cancer (PC) is the limited understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved in PC development. This study aims to examine the expression of SHC SH2 Domain-Binding Protein 1 (SHCBP1) in PC and to explore its oncogenic function. Aberrant SHCBP1 expression was observed in PC tissues compared with normal penile tissues. SHCBP1 expression was significantly associated with the pathological grade, T stage, nodal status, and pelvic lymph node metastasis, and could serve as an independent factor for unfavorable overall survival in PC. Manipulation of SHCBP1 expression affected cell proliferation, soft agar clonogenesis, and cell migration and invasion in PC cell lines. Moreover, we identified STAT3/c-Myc signaling as a potential downstream target of SHCBP1. SHCBP1 interacted with JAK2 and STAT3 upon EGF stimulation, which might regulate STAT3/c-Myc signaling activation in PC cells. Disruption of STAT3/c-Myc signaling attenuated cell proliferation and cell migration/invasion in PC cell lines. Nevertheless, overexpression of constitutively activated STAT3 or c-Myc rescued cell proliferation and cell migration/invasion caused by SHCBP1 depletion in PC cell lines. Consistently, SHCBP1 depletion attenuated STAT3/c-Myc signaling and suppressed tumor growth in a murine xenograft model. Importantly, correlated expression of SHCBP1, p-STAT3, and c-Myc was observed in PC tissues, confirming the clinical relevance of SHCBP1/STAT3/c-Myc signaling in PC. In conclusion, aberrant SHCBP1 expression could serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for PC. SHCBP1 might activate the STAT3/c-Myc signaling pathway to promote tumor progression in PC, which may serve as a potential target for PC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miao Mo
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangsha 410008, China
| | - Shiyu Tong
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangsha 410008, China
| | - Hongling Yin
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangsha 410008, China
| | - Zhongyuan Jin
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangsha 410008, China
| | - Xiongbing Zu
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangsha 410008, China
| | - Xiheng Hu
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangsha 410008, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Arthurs C, Suarez-Bonnet A, Willis C, Xie B, Machulla N, Mair TS, Cao K, Millar M, Thrasivoulou C, Priestnall SL, Ahmed A. Equine penile squamous cell carcinoma: expression of biomarker proteins and EcPV2. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7863. [PMID: 32398763 PMCID: PMC7217868 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64014-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine penile squamous cell carcinoma (EpSCC) is a relatively common cutaneous neoplasm with a poor prognosis. In this study, we aimed to determine the protein expression and colocalisation of FRA1, c-Myc, Cyclin D1, and MMP7 in normal (NT), tumour (T), hyperplastic epidermis and/or squamous papilloma (Hyp/Pap), poorly-differentiated (PDSCC), or well-differentiated (WDSCC) EpSCC using a tissue array approach. Further objectives were to correlate protein expression to (i) levels of inflammation, using a convolutional neural network (ii) equine papillomavirus 2 (EcPV2) infection, detected using PCR amplification. We found an increase in expression of FRA1 in EpSCC compared to NT samples. c-Myc expression was higher in Hyp/Pap and WDSCC but not PDSCC whereas MMP7 was reduced in WDSCC compared with NT. There was a significant increase in the global intersection coefficient (GIC) of FRA1 with MMP7, c-Myc, and Cyclin D1 in EpSCC. Conversely, GIC for MMP7 with c-Myc was reduced in EpSCC tissue. Inflammation was positively associated with EcPV2 infection in both NT and EpSCC but not Hyp/Pap. Changes in protein expression could be correlated with EcPV2 for Cyclin D1 and c-Myc. Our results evaluate novel biomarkers of EpSCC and a putative correlation between the expression of biomarkers, EcPV2 infection and inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Callum Arthurs
- Prostate Cancer Research Centre at the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandro Suarez-Bonnet
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Claire Willis
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Boyu Xie
- Prostate Cancer Research Centre at the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Machulla
- Prostate Cancer Research Centre at the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tim S Mair
- Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, Maidstone, UK
| | - Kevin Cao
- Prostate Cancer Research Centre at the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Millar
- Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Thrasivoulou
- Research Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, The Centre for Cell and Molecular Dynamics, Rockefeller Building, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon L Priestnall
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Aamir Ahmed
- Prostate Cancer Research Centre at the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Huang T, Cheng X, Chahoud J, Sarhan A, Tamboli P, Rao P, Guo M, Manyam G, Zhang L, Xiang Y, Han L, Shang X, Deng P, Luo Y, Lu X, Feng S, Ferrer MM, Alan Wang Y, DePinho RA, Pettaway CA, Lu X. Effective combinatorial immunotherapy for penile squamous cell carcinoma. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2124. [PMID: 32358507 PMCID: PMC7195486 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15980-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) accounts for over 95% of penile malignancies and causes significant mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Molecular mechanisms and therapies of PSCC are understudied, owing to scarcity of laboratory models. Herein, we describe a genetically engineered mouse model of PSCC, by co-deletion of Smad4 and Apc in the androgen-responsive epithelium of the penis. Mouse PSCC fosters an immunosuppressive microenvironment with myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) as a dominant population. Preclinical trials in the model demonstrate synergistic efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade with the MDSC-diminishing drugs cabozantinib or celecoxib. A critical clinical problem of PSCC is chemoresistance to cisplatin, which is induced by Pten deficiency on the backdrop of Smad4/Apc co-deletion. Drug screen studies informed by targeted proteomics identify a few potential therapeutic strategies for PSCC. Our studies have established what we believe to be essential resources for studying PSCC biology and developing therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianhe Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
| | - Xi Cheng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of General Surgery, , Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Jad Chahoud
- Department of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ahmed Sarhan
- Department of Urology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Pheroze Tamboli
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Priya Rao
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Pathology/Lab Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ganiraju Manyam
- Department of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Yu Xiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Leng Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xiaoying Shang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Pingna Deng
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yanting Luo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Xuemin Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Shan Feng
- Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang, China
| | - Magaly Martinez Ferrer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, 00936, USA
- University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, 00936, USA
| | - Y Alan Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ronald A DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Curtis A Pettaway
- Department of Urology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xin Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Johal NS, Arthurs C, Cuckow P, Cao K, Wood DN, Ahmed A, Fry CH. Functional, histological and molecular characteristics of human exstrophy detrusor. J Pediatr Urol 2019; 15:154.e1-154.e9. [PMID: 30745011 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bladder exstrophy is a congenital anomaly involving foetal exposure and protrusion of the open bladder through an incomplete lower abdominal wall. Techniques to surgically correct exstrophy after birth have greatly improved, but it still presents a major challenge to achieve continence and a good quality of life for patients and their families as the pathophysiology of bladder dysfunction is unknown. OBJECTIVES A multimodal approach was used to characterise the histological and biomechanical properties of exstrophy detrusor. These were correlated with myocyte responses to agonists and an evaluation of developmental signalling pathways to evaluate the cause of bladder dysfunction in exstrophy. STUDY DESIGN Detrusor muscle specimens were obtained during corrective surgery from four exstrophy groups: neonatal (1-3 days, n = 8), younger children (7 months-5 years, n = 13) and older children (8-14 years, n = 11) undergoing secondary procedures and cloacal exstrophy (16 days-9 years, n = 9); control specimens were obtained from children (3 months-9 years, n = 14) undergoing surgery for other pathologies but with normal bladder function. Five lines of experiments were undertaken: measurement of connective tissue to detrusor muscle ratio, contractile responses to electrical and agonist stimulation; in vitro biomechanical stiffness, intracellular Ca2+ responses to contractile agonists and immunohistochemistry for proteins (MMP-7, cyclinD1, β-catenin and c-myc) involved in fibrosis generation. Exstrophy data were compared with those from the control group. RESULTS Exstrophy tissue demonstrated reduced smooth muscle compared with connective tissue, reduced contractile responses and greater mechanical stiffness. However, intracellular Ca2+ responses to agonists were maintained. These changes were greatest in neonatal and cloacal exstrophy samples and least in those from older paediatric bladders. Immunolabelled MMP-7, β-catenin and c-myc were reduced in exstrophy samples. DISCUSSION These results highlight the reality that newborns with exstrophy have significantly reduced compliance and bladder underactivity, which may persist or return to normal values with surgery and age. The primary cause of underactivity is increased connective tissue in relation to detrusor muscle; however, detrusor myocyte function remains normal. Finally, the increase of the smooth muscle content in the paediatric bladder group indicates a remodelling response of the bladder to surgical correction and time. Excess gestational fibrosis is associated with changed expression of key proteins in the Wnt-signalling pathway, a potential aetiological factor and therapeutic target. CONCLUSION Results point to connective tissue deposition as the primary pathological process that determines bladder function with normal myocyte function. Future research that reduces connective tissue deposition may lead to improvement in outcomes for these children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N S Johal
- Department of Urology, Great Ormond St Hospital for Sick Children, London, UK
| | - C Arthurs
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, UK; Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, UK
| | - P Cuckow
- Department of Urology, Great Ormond St Hospital for Sick Children, London, UK
| | - K Cao
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, UK; Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, UK
| | - D N Wood
- Department of Urology, University College Hospitals, London, UK
| | - A Ahmed
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, UK
| | - C H Fry
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hu X, Chen M, Li Y, Wang Y, Wen S, Jun F. Aberrant CEACAM19 expression is associated with metastatic phenotype in penile cancer. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:715-725. [PMID: 30679925 PMCID: PMC6338120 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s192385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective A greater knowledge of the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of penile cancers may assist in the development of more tailored targeted therapy. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the expression of CEACAM19 in penile cancer and to explore its regulatory mechanisms. Material and methods This retrospective study enrolled 64 penile cancer patients who underwent penectomy between 2011 and 2015. CEACAM19 expression in tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry, which was analyzed in association with clinicopathological parameters. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between CEACAM19 expression and prognosis of patients with penile cancer. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and clonogenic assay were used to evaluate the cell viability and tumorigenic potential of penile cancer cell line, respectively; wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay were conducted to evaluate the effect of CEACAM19 depletion on cell migration and invasion in penile cancer cells; CEACAM19 protein expression was analyzed by Western blotting. Culture supranatant matrix metalloproteinase 2/9 (MMP2/9) was detected by ELISA. Results CEACAM19 was differentially expressed in non-cancerous and penile cancer tissues. Over-expression of CEACAM19 was significantly associated with nodal and distant metastasis, and predicted unfavorable cancer-specific survival in penile cancer. Depletion of CEACAM19 expression suppressed cell proliferation, reduced colony formation, and attenuated cell migration and invasion in Penl1 cells. Furthermore, knockdown of CEACAM19 expression attenuated the levels of p-Smad2/3 and reduced secretion of MMP2/9 in Penl1 cells. The effects of CEACAM19 might result from its function in regulating the Smad2/3 activation, as inhibition on Smad2/3 activation suppressed cell migration and invasion and reduced MMP2/9 secretion in Penl1 cells. Conclusion Over-expression of CEACAM19 might serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for clinical management of penile cancer. Strategies targeting CEACAM19-regulated signaling pathways may have a therapeutic benefit in penile cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiheng Hu
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Human 410008, P.R. China
| | - Mingfeng Chen
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Human 410008, P.R. China
| | - Yangle Li
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Human 410008, P.R. China
| | - Yin Wang
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Human 410008, P.R. China
| | - Sailan Wen
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Human 410008, P.R. China
| | - Fu Jun
- Laboratory of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Human 410008, P.R. China,
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhan Y, Li X, Gou X, Yuan G, Fan M, Yang G. DLX3 Inhibits the Proliferation of Human Dental Pulp Cells Through Inactivation of Canonical Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1637. [PMID: 30524303 PMCID: PMC6256238 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Homeodomain gene Distal-less-3 (Dlx3) plays an important role during tooth development. Our previous studies indicate that DLX3 inhibits proliferation of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). However, the mechanism of DLX3 regulating proliferation of hDPCs and maintaining the quiescence of the cells remain unknown. Given the importance of canonical Wnt signaling in the proliferation of dental pulp cell and tooth development, we hypothesized that DLX3 inhibited proliferation of hDPCs through inactivation of canonical Wnt signaling. With overexpression or knock-down of DLX3 in primary hDPCs, we found DLX3 down regulated canonical Wnt signaling and its downstream target genes. And when the DLX3 overexpressed-cells were treated with lithium chloride, the proliferation inhibition by DLX3 was reversed. We also found that DLX3 enhanced the expression of DKK1 and the reduced proliferation of hDPCs by DLX3 was reversed with knock-down of DKK1. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed DLX3 was able to bind to Dkk1 promoter region from nucleotides (nt) -1656 to -1245, and stimulated Dkk1 promoter activity. Mutagenesis studies further revealed two DLX3 responsive elements in Dkk1 promoter. Taken together, our data indicate that DLX3 inhibits proliferation of hDPCs via inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by directly binding to Dkk1 promoter and increasing its expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunyan Zhan
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine, Department of Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaohui Gou
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Guohua Yuan
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine, Department of Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Mingwen Fan
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Guobin Yang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Automatic microscopic detection of mycobacteria in sputum: a proof-of-concept. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11308. [PMID: 30054578 PMCID: PMC6063956 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29660-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The laboratory diagnosis of lung mycobacterioses including tuberculosis comprises the microscopic examination of sputum smear after appropriate staining such as Ziehl-Neelsen staining to observe acid-fast bacilli. This standard procedure is operator-dependant and its sensitivity depends on the duration of observation. We developed and evaluated an operator-independent microscopic examination of sputum smears for the automated detection and enumeration of acid-fast bacilli using a ZEISS Axio Scan.Z1 microscope. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive values and accuracy were calculated using standard formulations by comparison with standard microscopic examination. After in-house parameterization of the automatic microscope and counting software, the limit of detection evaluated by seeding negative sputa with Mycobacterium bovis BCG or Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (100–105 bacilli/mL) was of 102 bacilli/mL of sputum with a 100% positivity rate. Then, the evaluation of 93 sputum specimens including 34 smear-positive and 59 smear-negative specimens yielded a sensitivity of 97.06% [84.67–99.93%], a specificity of 86.44% [73.01–92.78%]. Up to 100 smear slides could be stocked for reading in the microscope magazine and results are exportable into the laboratory information system. Based on these preliminary results, we are implanting this automatic protocol in the routine workflow so that only smears detected positive by automatic microscopy are confirmed by standard microscopic examination.
Collapse
|
19
|
Arthurs C, Murtaza BN, Thomson C, Dickens K, Henrique R, Patel HRH, Beltran M, Millar M, Thrasivoulou C, Ahmed A. Expression of ribosomal proteins in normal and cancerous human prostate tissue. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186047. [PMID: 29016636 PMCID: PMC5634644 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Few quantifiable tissue biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer exist. Using an unbiased, quantitative approach, this study evaluates the potential of three proteins of the 40S ribosomal protein complex as putative biomarkers of malignancy in prostate cancer. Prostate tissue arrays, constructed from 82 patient samples (245 tissue cores, stage pT3a or pT3b), were stained for antibodies against three ribosomal proteins, RPS19, RPS21 and RPS24. Semi-automated Ox-DAB signal quantification using ImageJ software revealed a significant change in expression of RPS19, RPS21 and RPS24 in malignant vs non-malignant tissue (p<0.0001). Receiver operating characteristics curves were calculated to evaluate the potential of each protein as a biomarker of malignancy in prostate cancer. Positive likelihood ratios for RPS19, RPS21 and RPS24 were calculated as 2.99, 4.21, and 2.56 respectively, indicating that the overexpression of the protein is correlated with the presence of disease. Triple-labelled, quantitative, immunofluorescence (with RPS19, RPS21 and RPS24) showed significant changes (p<0.01) in the global intersection coefficient, a measure of how often two fluorophore signals intersect, for RPS19 and RPS24 only. No change was observed in the co-localization of any other permutations of the three proteins. Our results show that RPS19, RPS21 or RPS24 are upregulated in malignant tissue and may serve as putative biomarkers for prostate cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Callum Arthurs
- Prostate Cancer Research Centre at the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bibi Nazia Murtaza
- Prostate Cancer Research Centre at the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Surgery, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Calum Thomson
- Dundee Imaging Facility, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Kerry Dickens
- Prostate Cancer Research Centre at the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rui Henrique
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Hitendra R. H. Patel
- Division of Surgery, Oncology, Urology and Women's Health, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Harlow, Essex, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael Millar
- Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Thrasivoulou
- Research Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, The Centre for Cell and Molecular Dynamics, Rockefeller Building, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aamir Ahmed
- Prostate Cancer Research Centre at the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Surgery, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zhu W, Li GX, Chen HL, Liu XY. The role of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 6 in tumors. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:3-9. [PMID: 28693127 PMCID: PMC5494901 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 6 (eIF6) affects the maturation of 60S ribosomal subunits. Found in yeast and mammalian cells, eIF6 is primarily located in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that the dysregulated expression of eIF6 is important in several types of human cancer, including head and neck carcinoma, colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and ovarian serous adenocarcinoma. However, the molecular mechanisms by which eIF6 functions during tumor formation and progression remain elusive. The present review focuses on recent progress in terms of the mechanisms and functions of eIF6 in human tumorigenesis or cancer cell lines, along with the signal transduction pathways in which this novel translation initiation factor may participate. Oncogenic Ras activates Notch-1 and promotes transcription of eIF6 via a recombining binding protein suppressor of Hairless-dependent mechanism. In addition, overexpression of eIF6 results in aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Similarly, overexpressed eIF6 regulates its downstream modulator, cell division control protein 42, which in turn affects oncogenesis. Finally, the potential of eIF6 as a biomarker for diagnosis of cancer is also discussed in the present review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, P.R. China
| | - Gui Xian Li
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, P.R. China
| | - Hong Lang Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, P.R. China
| | - Xing Yan Liu
- Sino-American Cancer Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
NRAGE induces β-catenin/Arm O-GlcNAcylation and negatively regulates Wnt signaling. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 487:433-437. [PMID: 28427939 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.04.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The Wnt pathway is crucial for animal development, as well as tumor formation. Understanding the regulation of Wnt signaling will help to elucidate the mechanism of the cell cycle, cell differentiation and tumorigenesis. It is generally accepted that in response to Wnt signals, β-catenin accumulates in the cytoplasm and is imported into the nucleus where it recruits LEF/TCF transcription factors to activate the expression of target genes. In this study, we report that human NRAGE, a neurotrophin receptor p75 (p75NTR) binding protein, markedly suppresses the expression of genes activated by the Wnt pathway. Consistent with this finding, loss of function of NRAGE by RNA interference (RNAi) activates the Wnt pathway. Moreover, NRAGE suppresses the induction of axis duplication by microinjected β-catenin in Xenopus embryos. To our surprise, NRAGE induces nuclear localization of β-catenin and increases its DNA binding ability. Further studies reveal that NRAGE leads to the modification of β-catenin/Arm with O-linked beta-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc), and failure of the association between β-catenin/Arm and pygopus(pygo) protein, which is required for transcriptional activation of Wnt target genes. Therefore, our findings suggest a novel mechanism for regulating Wnt signaling.
Collapse
|
22
|
Huang Z, Feng Y. Exosomes Derived From Hypoxic Colorectal Cancer Cells Promote Angiogenesis Through Wnt4-Induced β-Catenin Signaling in Endothelial Cells. Oncol Res 2016; 25:651-661. [PMID: 27712599 PMCID: PMC7841118 DOI: 10.3727/096504016x14752792816791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell-derived exosomes have been actively released into the tumor microenvironment with pleiotropic roles in tumor growth and metastasis, including angiogenesis and immune modulation. However, the functions and underlying mechanisms of exosomes shed by colorectal cancer (CRC) cells under hypoxic conditions remain unknown. Here we found that exosomes derived from hypoxic CRC cells promoted the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. Suppression of exosome secretion through RAB27a knockdown in CRC cells inhibited exosomal-induced proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. Furthermore, we discovered that these exosomes enriched with Wnt4 were dependent on HIF1α. Exosomal Wnt4 increased β-catenin nuclear translocation in endothelial cells. The induction of β-catenin signaling is critical for the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, which could be abolished by the inhibitor ICG001. The in vivo animal study further revealed the tumor-promoting effects of CRC cell-derived exosomes with enhanced tumor growth and angiogenesis. Taken together, our study indicates that CRC cells promote angiogenesis through exosome-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in endothelial cells under hypoxia, which might be a new mechanism in CRC development.
Collapse
|
23
|
Giuliano A, Swift R, Arthurs C, Marote G, Abramo F, McKay J, Thomson C, Beltran M, Millar M, Priestnall S, Dobson J, Costantino-Casas F, Petrou T, McGonnell IM, Davies AJ, Weetman M, Garden OA, Masters JR, Thrasivoulou C, Ahmed A. Quantitative Expression and Co-Localization of Wnt Signalling Related Proteins in Feline Squamous Cell Carcinoma. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161103. [PMID: 27559731 PMCID: PMC4999089 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (FOSCC) is an aggressive neoplasm in cats. Little is known about the possible molecular mechanisms that may be involved in the initiation, maintenance and progression of FOSCC. Wnt signalling is critical in development and disease, including many mammalian cancers. In this study, we have investigated the expression of Wnt signalling related proteins using quantitative immunohistochemical techniques on tissue arrays. We constructed tissue arrays with 58 individual replicate tissue samples. We tested for the expression of four key Wnt/ß-catenin transcription targets, namely Cyclin D1 (CCND1 or CD1), FRA1, c-Myc and MMP7. All antibodies showed cross reactivity in feline tissue except MMP7. Quantitative immunohistochemical analysis of single proteins (expressed as area fraction / amount of tissue for normal vs tumor, mean ± SE) showed that the expression of CD1 (3.9 ± 0.5 vs 12.2 ± 0.9), FRA1 (5.5 ± 0.6 vs 16.8 ± 1.1) and c-Myc (5.4 ± 0.5 vs 12.5 ± 0.9) was increased in FOSCC tissue by 2.3 to 3 fold compared to normal controls (p<0.0001). By using a multilabel, quantitative fluorophore technique we further investigated if the co-localization of these proteins (all transcription factors) with each other and in the nucleus (stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, DAPI) was altered in FOSCC compared to normal tissue. The global intersection coefficients, a measure of the proximity of two fluorophore labeled entities, showed that there was a significant change (p < 0.01) in the co-localization for all permutations (e.g. CD1/FRA1 etc), except for the nuclear localization of CD1. Our results show that putative targets of Wnt signalling transcription are up-regulated in FOSCC with alterations in the co-localization of these proteins and could serve as a useful marker for the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Giuliano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Swift
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Surgery, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Callum Arthurs
- Prostate Cancer Research Center at the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Georgina Marote
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Surgery, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Abramo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jenny McKay
- IDEXX Laboratories Ltd., Grange House, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Calum Thomson
- Dundee Imaging Facility, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Mariana Beltran
- Dundee Imaging Facility, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Millar
- Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Priestnall
- Department of Pathology and Pathogen Biology, The Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Dobson
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Terry Petrou
- Prostate Cancer Research Center at the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Imelda M. McGonnell
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Oliver A. Garden
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
| | - John R. Masters
- Division of Surgery, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Thrasivoulou
- Research Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, The Centre for Cell and Molecular Dynamics, Rockefeller Building, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aamir Ahmed
- Prostate Cancer Research Center at the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Surgery, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|