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Cazzato G, Sgarro N, Casatta N, Lupo C, Ingravallo G, Ribatti D. Epigenetics and Control of Tumor Angiogenesis in Melanoma: An Update with Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2843. [PMID: 39199614 PMCID: PMC11352434 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is a crucial process in the progression and metastasis of melanoma. Recent research has highlighted the significant role of epigenetic modifications in regulating angiogenesis. This review comprehensively examines the current understanding of how epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, influence angiogenic pathways in melanoma. DNA methylation, a key epigenetic modification, can silence angiogenesis inhibitors such as thrombospondin-1 and TIMP3 while promoting pro-angiogenic factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Histone modifications, including methylation and acetylation, also play a pivotal role in regulating the expression of angiogenesis-related genes. For instance, the acetylation of histones H3 and H4 is associated with the upregulation of pro-angiogenic genes, whereas histone methylation patterns can either enhance or repress angiogenic signals, depending on the specific histone mark and context. Non-coding RNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs) further modulate angiogenesis. miRNAs, such as miR-210, have been identified as key regulators, with miR-9 promoting angiogenesis by targeting E-cadherin and enhancing the expression of VEGF. This review also discusses the therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic modifications to inhibit angiogenesis in melanoma. Epigenetic drugs, such as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (e.g., 5-azacytidine) and histone deacetylase inhibitors (e.g., Vorinostat), have shown promise in preclinical models by reactivating angiogenesis inhibitors and downregulating pro-angiogenic factors. Moreover, the modulation of miRNAs and lncRNAs presents a novel approach for anti-angiogenic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Cazzato
- Section of Molecular Pathology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (N.S.); (G.I.)
| | - Nicoletta Sgarro
- Section of Molecular Pathology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (N.S.); (G.I.)
| | - Nadia Casatta
- Innovation Department, Diapath S.p.A., Via Savoldini n.71, 24057 Martinengo, Italy; (N.C.); (C.L.)
| | - Carmelo Lupo
- Innovation Department, Diapath S.p.A., Via Savoldini n.71, 24057 Martinengo, Italy; (N.C.); (C.L.)
- Engineering and Applied Science Department, University of Bergamo, 24127 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ingravallo
- Section of Molecular Pathology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (N.S.); (G.I.)
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Section of Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy;
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Sasagawa S, Kumai J, Wakamatsu T, Yui Y. Improvement of histone deacetylase inhibitor efficacy by SN38 through TWIST1 suppression in synovial sarcoma. CANCER INNOVATION 2024; 3:e113. [PMID: 38946933 PMCID: PMC11212284 DOI: 10.1002/cai2.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Background Synovial sarcoma (SS) is an SS18-SSX fusion gene-driven soft tissue sarcoma with mesenchymal characteristics, associated with a poor prognosis due to frequent metastasis to a distant organ, such as the lung. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDACis) are arising as potent molecular targeted drugs, as HDACi treatment disrupts the SS oncoprotein complex, which includes HDACs, in addition to general HDACi effects. To provide further molecular evidence for the advantages of HDACi treatment and its limitations due to drug resistance induced by the microenvironment in SS cells, we examined cellular responses to HDACi treatment in combination with two-dimensional (2D) and 3D culture conditions. Methods Using several SS cell lines, biochemical and cell biological assays were performed with romidepsin, an HDAC1/2 selective inhibitor. SN38 was concomitantly used as an ameliorant drug with romidepsin treatment. Cytostasis, apoptosis induction, and MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A/B (MICA/B) induction were monitored to evaluate the drug efficacy. In addition to the conventional 2D culture condition, spheroid culture was adopted to evaluate the influence of cell-mass microenvironment on chemoresistance. Results By monitoring the cellular behavior with romidepsin and/or SN38 in SS cells, we observed that responsiveness is diverse in each cell line. In the apoptotic inducible cells, co-treatment with SN38 enhanced cell death. In nonapoptotic inducible cells, cytostasis and MICA/B induction were observed, and SN38 improved MICA/B induction further. As a novel efficacy of SN38, we revealed TWIST1 suppression in SS cells. In the spheroid (3D) condition, romidepsin efficacy was severely restricted in TWIST1-positive cells. We demonstrated that TWIST1 downregulation restored romidepsin efficacy even in spheroid form, and concomitant SN38 treatment along with romidepsin reproduced the reaction. Conclusions The current study demonstrated the benefits and concerns of using HDACi for SS treatment in 2D and 3D culture conditions and provided molecular evidence that concomitant treatment with SN38 can overcome drug resistance to HDACi by suppressing TWIST1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Sasagawa
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Research InstituteNozaki Tokushukai HospitalDaitoOsakaJapan
| | - Jun Kumai
- Sarcoma Treatment Laboratory, Research InstituteNozaki Tokushukai HospitalDaitoOsakaJapan
| | - Toru Wakamatsu
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology ServiceOsaka International Cancer InstituteOsakaJapan
| | - Yoshihiro Yui
- Sarcoma Treatment Laboratory, Research InstituteNozaki Tokushukai HospitalDaitoOsakaJapan
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Arias C, Sepúlveda P, Castillo RL, Salazar LA. Relationship between Hypoxic and Immune Pathways Activation in the Progression of Neuroinflammation: Role of HIF-1α and Th17 Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043073. [PMID: 36834484 PMCID: PMC9964721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a common event in degenerative diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, triggered by alterations in the immune system or inflammatory cascade. The pathophysiology of these disorders is multifactorial, whereby the therapy available has low clinical efficacy. This review propounds the relationship between the deregulation of T helper cells and hypoxia, mainly Th17 and HIF-1α molecular pathways, events that are involved in the occurrence of the neuroinflammation. The clinical expression of neuroinflammation is included in prevalent pathologies such as multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and Alzheimer's disease, among others. In addition, therapeutic targets are analyzed in relation to the pathways that induced neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Consuelo Arias
- Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Odontología y Ciencias de la Rehabilitación, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago 7500922, Chile
| | - Paulina Sepúlveda
- Departamento de Ciencias Preclínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Rodrigo L. Castillo
- Departamento de Medicina Interna Oriente, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7500922, Chile
| | - Luis A. Salazar
- Center of Molecular Biology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
- Correspondence:
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Lv N, Shen S, Chen Q, Tong J. Long noncoding RNAs: glycolysis regulators in gynaecologic cancers. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:4. [PMID: 36639695 PMCID: PMC9838043 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02849-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The three most common gynaecologic cancers that seriously threaten female lives and health are ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and endometrial cancer. Glycolysis plays a vital role in gynaecologic cancers. Several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to function as oncogenic molecules. LncRNAs impact downstream target genes by acting as ceRNAs, guides, scaffolds, decoys, or signalling molecules. However, the role of glycolysis-related lncRNAs in regulating gynaecologic cancers remains poorly understood. In this review, we emphasize the functional roles of many lncRNAs that have been found to promote glycolysis in gynaecologic cancers and discuss reasonable strategies for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nengyuan Lv
- grid.268505.c0000 0000 8744 8924Department of the Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053 Zhejiang Province People’s Republic of China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006 Zhejiang Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Siyi Shen
- grid.268505.c0000 0000 8744 8924Department of the Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053 Zhejiang Province People’s Republic of China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006 Zhejiang Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Qianying Chen
- grid.268505.c0000 0000 8744 8924Department of the Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053 Zhejiang Province People’s Republic of China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006 Zhejiang Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinyi Tong
- grid.268505.c0000 0000 8744 8924Department of the Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053 Zhejiang Province People’s Republic of China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006 Zhejiang Province People’s Republic of China
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Hong Z, Tie Q, Zhang L. Targeted inhibition of the GRK2/HIF-1α pathway is an effective strategy to alleviate synovial hypoxia and inflammation. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 113:109271. [PMID: 36461590 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases (GRKs) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) play key roles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Several studies have demonstrated that HIF-1α expression is positively regulated by GRK2, suggesting its posttranscriptional effects on HIF-1α. In this study, we review the role of HIF-1α and GRK2 in RA pathophysiology, focusing on their proinflammatory roles in immune cells and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS).We then introduce several drugs that inhibit GRK2 and HIF-1α, and briefly outline their molecular mechanisms. We conclude by presenting gaps in knowledge and our prospects for the pharmacological potential of targeting these proteins and the relevant downstream signaling pathways.Future research is warranted and paramount for untangling these novel and promising roles for GRK2 and HIF-1α in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyang Hong
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated the Jianhu People's Hospital, Yancheng 224700, China.
| | - Qingsong Tie
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated the Jianhu People's Hospital, Yancheng 224700, China.
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Centre of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Center of Rheumatoid Arthritis of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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Diehl CJ, Ciulli A. Discovery of small molecule ligands for the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ligase and their use as inhibitors and PROTAC degraders. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:8216-8257. [PMID: 35983982 PMCID: PMC9528729 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00387b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) Cullin RING E3 ligase is an essential enzyme in the ubiquitin-proteasome system that recruits substrates such as the hypoxia inducible factor for ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway can be hijacked toward non-native neo-substrate proteins using proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), bifunctional molecules designed to simultaneously bind to an E3 ligase and a target protein to induce target ubiquitination and degradation. The availability of high-quality small-molecule ligands with good binding affinity for E3 ligases is fundamental for PROTAC development. Lack of good E3 ligase ligands as starting points to develop PROTAC degraders was initially a stumbling block to the development of the field. Herein, the journey towards the design of small-molecule ligands binding to VHL is presented. We cover the structure-based design of VHL ligands, their application as inhibitors in their own right, and their implementation into rationally designed, potent PROTAC degraders of various target proteins. We highlight the key findings and learnings that have provided strong foundations for the remarkable development of targeted protein degradation, and that offer a blueprint for designing new ligands for E3 ligases beyond VHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia J Diehl
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
| | - Alessio Ciulli
- Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
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Regulating the Expression of HIF-1α or lncRNA: Potential Directions for Cancer Therapy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182811. [PMID: 36139386 PMCID: PMC9496732 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that tumors under a hypoxic environment can induce an important hypoxia-responsive element, hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α), which can increase tumor migration, invasion, and metastatic ability by promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor cells. Currently, with the deeper knowledge of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), more and more functions of lncRNAs have been discovered. HIF-1α can regulate hypoxia-responsive lncRNAs under hypoxic conditions, and changes in the expression level of lncRNAs can regulate the production of EMT transcription factors and signaling pathway transduction, thus promoting EMT progress. In conclusion, this review summarizes the regulation of the EMT process by HIF-1α and lncRNAs and discusses their relationship with tumorigenesis. Since HIF-1α plays an important role in tumor progression, we also summarize the current drugs that inhibit tumor progression by modulating HIF-1α.
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